NASCAR isn’t but able to disclose particulars of its new championship format, principally as a result of they haven’t made the ultimate selections on it but.
What’s all however confirmed is that the 2025 season was finally the final to make use of the model of a playoff that culminates with a ‘last 4’ chasing the championship in a one-race finest finisher take all season finale.
This format was used from 2014 to 2025.
NASCAR is unlikely to revert again to a season lengthy championship with no playoff, nevertheless it isn’t fully off the desk both, however is as an alternative a return to the 10-race Chase for the Championship used from 2004 to 2013 or an elimination format that culminates with an eight-driver four-race factors chase.
All kinds of concepts had been volleyed round over the previous 12 months by a committee of business notables that included drivers, homeowners, media, broadcasters, tv executives and Corridor of Famers.
An replace to the method was shared by NASCAR’s managing director of racing communications Mike Forde on his Hauler Discuss podcast on Tuesday.
“The place it stands proper now… I don’t assume the playoff committee goes to fulfill once more. I believe we’ve got gotten all of the suggestions that we wanted from them. Superior job, by the way in which, from the playoff committee. … Now, it’s in NASCAR’s fingers,” Forde stated. “They’re going to take all of the suggestions they obtained from each stroll of life and each thought on the spectrum from no playoffs in any respect to maintaining it how it’s and actually beating that each one up. They’re bulletins to come back. Actually, I don’t know the place it’s. It could possibly be in two weeks, it could possibly be in two months.
“We clearly wish to be sure that we’ve got been very thorough on this one. Clearly, it will likely be earlier than Feb. 5 in The Conflict, nevertheless it could possibly be ahead of later, it could possibly be in January. I don’t know, I don’t assume anybody is aware of simply but. Nonetheless discussions available on the place we’re on dialogue of the playoff format. I believe we be ok with the instructions and the probabilities right here due to the playoff committee and the work that they’ve accomplished and the suggestions we obtained from the business.”
Kyle Larson received his second championship on November 2 at Phoenix Raceway. It was his second in 5 years but additionally got here in a season the place he scored probably the most factors of anybody within the Cup Sequence. Nonetheless, he solely received the championship in extra time, following a race that Denny Hamlin dominated, solely dropping the championship due a William Byron blown tire and the outcomes of the following pit cease choice and restart.
The choice to maneuver away from this championship format was made earlier than the weekend however this race and the truth that the format denied 10 race Xfinity Sequence winner Connor Zilisch the championship solely cemented how the fanbase largely felt about it.
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