NASCAR is a sport steeped in tradition and raw speed, and it has not been very comfortable with change in general. Take the playoff format for instance; it’s been more than two decades since it was put into play but yet the garage and fans alike still haven’t been very happy with it. In fact, when the 2026 Cup Series schedule was released, a nagging question lingered: Would the often-criticized playoff format finally change? For now, the answer is no. However, that isn’t the final call.

In light of this growing sentiment for change, NASCAR has proactively sought input and considered other options. The objective is to evolve the championship format to appeal more to fans while ensuring that the process remains a fair and true test of skill. Recently, Executive Vice President Ben Kennedy

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