There will be a new playoff format in 2026
NASCAR’s current playoff system is under fire.
In the championship race at Phoenix Raceway, Denny Hamlin was cruising toward the race win. A caution with just 4 laps to go sent the race into overtime. After a pit stop, Hamlin lost the lead, the race and the championship.
Does that feel like a real champion? Or a manufactured show?
That will be the last time we see that format. The playoffs are changing in 2026 and it’s been confirmed by executives…
Denny Hamlin knocks the NASCAR playoff system
Steve O’Donnell
“Something that as you look at the future of the sport, making sure that a driver who has delivered all season long has the ability to be named a champion and not have something maybe come down to one race. That’s really been the focal point,” NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell said during the NASCAR state of the sport.
“We want to reward winning. We’re going to continue to do that. Whatever model we come up with, winning is very important. The one-race thing has been a factor. There’s a lot of circumstances that can happen.”
“We looked at this, looking at more moments, more drivers, more drivers having the ability to go out there and win. That maybe takes away from the one-driver story. It’s probably harder to write just the one-driver story over and over again, but it does create a real star.”
“Our fans, right or wrong, are different than other stick-and-ball sports,” O’Donnell added. “That’s OK. When the Giants win the Super Bowl, I’m a Giants fan — nobody questions it. Everyone says, ‘Giants are Super Bowl champions.’
“Our fans don’t do that. That’s been a learning process for us as well.”
“Steve [Phelps] and I have certainly heard the industry, understand the challenges that are out there,” O’Donnell added.
“So the goal is to balance some of those moments that we’ve had with the great racing but also deliver a little bit more of I think what the fans and the industry is asking for.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr confirms change to 2026 NASCAR playoff format
