'The Chase' NASCAR championship format is coming to all three NASCAR national series (Cup Series, O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series) for the 2026 season. This format was in place from 2004-2013 in the NASCAR Cup Series. The drivers with the most points after the postseason races in each series will be crowned champions of their respective group. Drivers are only eligible for points in one of the three series, although they can compete in the races for more than one.
What are the changes to the regular season?
For the Cup Series, the regular season consists of the first 26 races, while the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series includes the first 24 races and the CRAFTSMAN Truck series includes the first 18 races.
A race win in the regular season will no longer virtually guarantee automatic entry into the postseason. The drivers with the most points, regardless of win total, will advance to The Chase. While wins are still important, NASCAR is aiming to put more emphasis on consistency under the new format.
A race win in the regular season will now earn 55 driver points (previously 40). Points for all other positions and stage points remain the same.
The points leaders at the end of the regular season will have their points reset to 2,100 and will have a 25-point advantage over the second seed.
How many drivers will compete for the driver championship in The Chase?
The Cup Series will feature 16 drivers in The Chase, while the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series has 12 drivers and the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series has 10 drivers. There will be no driver eliminations once The Chase starts.
How will The Chase seedings be set?
The O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series seedings feature the same points as the Cup Series, but the number of drivers who advance to The Chase is cut off at 12 and 10, respectively.
The top drivers at the end of the regular season will have their points reset to:
1st: 2,100
2nd: 2,075
3rd: 2,065
4th: 2,060
5th: 2,055
6th: 2,050
7th: 2,045
8th: 2,040
9th: 2,035
10th: 2,030
11th: 2,025
12th: 2,020
13th: 2,015
14th: 2,010
15th: 2,005
16th: 2,000
How many races are in the The Chase?
The Cup Series will have 10 races, the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will have nine and the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will have seven.
What about the drivers that don't advance to The Chase?
Drivers that do not advance to The Chase keep their points from the regular season and continue to accrue points in the postseason races. The above points reset simply guarantees that no non-Chase driver can catch a Chase driver in points.
All full-time regular drivers compete in all races (regular season and The Chase) and continue to accrue points even if they do not qualify for The Chase. The full season for each series includes 36 points races for Cup Series, 33 points races for O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, and 25 points races for CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
Driver points reset to zero for all drivers at the start of the following season.