The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Truck Series will have a different playoff format in 2026
There are a lot of rumors circulating the garage about a change to the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs for 2026. However, there’s been little talk about a similar change to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly Xfinity) or Truck Series.
JR Motorsports had three cars in the battle for the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in 2025. However, Jesse Love grabbed the win for Richard Childress Racing.
After the dejection, team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr found himself walking out of the garage next to Steve O’Donnell. He asked that question…
Dale Earnhardt Jr discusses the playoff format
“I’m excited about next year,” Dale Earnhardt Jr stated on the Dale Jr. Download.
“We got a lot of things, we’re going to kind of move the furniture around in the room and change some of the pieces on the chessboard, so to speak, to try to be in a better spot and get everybody happy. Through some things that we’re going to do, we’re going to have four drivers, hopefully, driving for a championship next year.”
“We’ll have to see what the format is,” Dale Jr. added.
“I had an opportunity just by chance to exit the race track Saturday night with [Steve] O’Donnell, walking through the Cup garage as the 2 team were celebrating their championship.”
“I said, ‘Hey, Steve, a lot of people talking about the Cup stuff, we know that’s probably coming in terms of a change to the format, but nobody ever says a thing about the Xfinity or Truck, and I guess we’re all just assuming that whatever happens to Cup, something similar will happen.’ “
“And he’s like, ‘Yeah, something similar will happen.’”
NASCAR says they are considering removing the playoffs
Denny Hamlin knocks the NASCAR playoff system
