Change is (almost certainly) coming to NASCAR’s much-hated playoff format in 2026. But we will need to wait a little wait longer for the full details.
The current system, which ends with four drivers fighting it out for the title in one final championship race, leaves many fans cold. And they are not shy about saying so.
The clamor for change has been enormous throughout 2025, with interest waning and TV ratings falling (despite NASCAR saying they expected that).
That clamor is such that a new format being in the pipeline is the worst kept secret in motorsport. We just don’t yet know exactly what it will be.
For much of the year it appeared likely an expanded final round of the playoffs was the likeliest scenario, but within the Playoff Committee support has grown
considerably to return to the days of a 36-race full-season championship.
Latest on new format for the Cup Series
Mike Forde, NASCAR’s Managing Director of racing communications, has kept fans updated on the machinations of the Playoff Committee throughout the year, and things have now gone as far as they can. NASCAR has all of the feedback, and now a final decision will be taken.
Forde, speaking on the latest episode of the Hauler Talk podcast, said: “Where it stands right now… I don’t think the playoff committee is going to meet again. I think we have gotten all the feedback that we needed from them. Awesome job, by the way, from the playoff committee.
“Now, it’s in NASCAR’s hands. They’re going to take all the feedback they got from every walk of life and every thought on the spectrum from no playoffs whatsoever to keeping it how it is and really beating that all up. They’re announcements to come. Honestly, I don’t know where it is. It could be in two weeks, it could be in two months.”
So the wait goes on, but whatever happens, it appears we have seen the last of a format which so many of NASCAR’s fanbase have come to hate.
Denny Hamlin losing out in the final three laps of the final race to Kyle Larson - we likely won’t see that again. And the majority of fans will be very happy about that.
