NASCAR is turning back the clock in 2026, reintroducing “The Chase” as the championship format for its three national series. The move marks a return to the postseason structure that defined the NASCAR Cup Series from 2004 to 2013, following an extensive review process involving team owners, drivers, manufacturers, tracks, broadcast partners, and fans.

The revamped system emphasizes consistency and performance across the entire season while maintaining the drama of a playoff-style finish. Under the new format, the driver with the most points after the postseason will be crowned champion in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The Chase will span the final 10 races for the Cup Series, nine for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and seven for the Truck Series.

Several key changes accompany the return of The Chase:

• No More “Win and You’re In”: A race victory will no longer guarantee a playoff berth. Drivers must perform consistently throughout the regular season to qualify.
• Bigger Points for Wins: Winning a race will now earn 55 points, up from 40, reinforcing the value of aggressive racing and strong team execution.
• Points-Based Qualification: The top 16 drivers in regular-season points will make The Chase in the Cup Series, with 12 and 10 drivers qualifying in the O’Reilly Auto Parts and Truck Series, respectively.
• Regular-Season Champion Advantage: The points leader entering The Chase will start with a 25-point cushion over second place.
• Seeded Points Structure: Drivers will begin The Chase with tiered points, starting at 2,100 for the top seed and descending to 2,000 for the 16th seed.

The changes aim to create a larger sample size for determining champions, increase the significance of every race, and reward season-long excellence while keeping winning central to the sport’s identity.

Chase Seeding Points:

1st: 2100

2nd: 2075

3rd: 2065

4th: 2060

5th: 2055

6th: 2050

7th: 2045

8th: 2040

9th: 2035

10th: 2030

11th: 2025

12th: 2020

13th: 2015

14th: 2010

15th: 2005

16th: 2000

With The Chase returning, NASCAR hopes to blend tradition with modern competition, delivering a format that honors its history and keeps fans engaged through every lap of the season.

Chris Knight

Chris Knight has served as a senior staff writer and news editor for CATCHFENCE.com since 2001.

In his 20-plus years with CATCHFENCE.com, he has covered NASCAR’s top three national series, often breaking news and providing exclusive at-track content, including in-depth race weekend coverage.

He also offers insider coverage of the entire Motorsports platform, including the ARCA Menards Series.

In 2022, Knight became co-owner of CATCHFENCE.com.

In addition to his active duties at CATCHFENCE.com and other Motorsports-related endeavors, he is also a frequent contributor to SiriusXM Satellite Radio NASCAR Channel 90.

You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @Knighter01 or on Instagram, Snapchat, or Threads at @TheKnighter01.

He can be reached by email at [email protected].

CONCORD, N.C. – Sometimes to move forward, you have to go back. 

NASCAR is doing just that ahead of the 2026 season in the Cup Series, O’Reilly Series (NOAPS) and the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. 

On Monday afternoon, NASCAR announced the return of “The Chase”, a postseason format used in varying iterations from 2004-2013. The 2026 Cup Series season will feature a 10-race postseason, beginning at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 6, consisting of 16 drivers with just one points reset coming at the end of the regular season. All drivers who qualify for The Chase will remain in the postseason with points accumulating over the final 10 races to declare a champion. The move is a departure from the playoff format instituted in 2014 that included rounds of three races and elimination cutoffs, leading to a winner-take-all championship race. 

Gone too is the “win-and-you’re-in” rule, in which any driver who won a regular season race automatically qualified for the postseason. While victories will no longer come with an entry to The Chase, drivers will now score 55 points for a win instead of 40. 

“As NASCAR transitions to a revised championship model, the focus is on rewarding driver and team performance each and every race,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR President. “At the same time, we want to honor NASCAR’s storied history and the traditions that have made the sport so special. Our fans are at the heart of everything we do, and this format is designed to honor their passion every single race weekend.”

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The points leader after 26 races will be rewarded with a 25-point buffer over the field after the reset. The Chase will be seeded as follows: 

• First place: 2,100
• Second place: 2,075
• Third place: 2,065
• Fourth place: 2,060
• Fifth place: 2,055
• Sixth place: 2,050
• Seventh place: 2,045
• Eighth place: 2,040
• Ninth place: 2,035
• 10th place: 2,030
• 11th place: 2,025
• 12th place: 2,020
• 13th place: 2,015
• 14th place: 2,010
• 15th place: 2,005
• 16th place: 2,000

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How many races are in The Chase?

The Chase will consist of 10 races in the Cup Series, nine in the NOAPS and seven in the Truck Series. 

How many drivers will make The Chase? 

The Chase will consist of 16 drivers in the Cup Series, 12 in the NOAPS and 10 in the Truck Series.

When does The Chase start? 

The first race of the Cup Series postseason will be held at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, Sept. 6. 

What races are in The Chase? 

The 10 races in the Cup Series Chase include stops at: Darlington Raceway, World Wide Technology Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Charlotte ROVAL, Phoenix Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway, Martinsville Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. 

2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule

• Sunday, Feb. 1: The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, 8 p.m. (FOX)
• Thursday, Feb. 12: The Duel at Daytona, 7 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, Feb. 15: DAYTONA 500, 2:30 p.m. (FOX)
• Sunday, Feb. 22: Atlanta Motor Speedway, 3 p.m. (FOX)
• Sunday, March 1: Circuit of the Americas, 3:30 p.m. (FOX)
• Sunday, March 8: Phoenix Raceway, 3:30 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, March 15: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 4 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, March 22: Darlington Raceway, 3 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, March 29: Martinsville Speedway, 3:30 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, April 12: Bristol Motor Speedway, 3 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, April 19: Kansas Speedway, 2 p.m. (FOX)
• Sunday, April 26: Talladega Superspeedway, 3 p.m. (FOX)
• Sunday, May 3: Texas Motor Speedway, 3:30 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, May 10: Watkins Glen International, 3 p.m. (FS1)

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• Sunday, May 17: All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway, 3 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, May 24: Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, 6 p.m. (Prime)
• Sunday, May 31: Nashville Superspeedway, 7 p.m. (Prime)
• Sunday, June 7: Michigan International Speedway, 3 p.m. (Prime)
• Sunday, June 14: Pocono Raceway, 3 p.m. (Prime)
• Sunday, June 21: Naval Base Coronado, 4 p.m. (Prime)
• Sunday, June 28: Sonoma Raceway, 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
• Sunday, July 5: Chicagoland Speedway, 6 p.m. (TNT)
• Sunday, July 12: Atlanta Motor Speedway, 7 p.m. (TNT)
• Sunday, July 19: North Wilkesboro Speedway, 7 p.m. (TNT)
• Sunday, July 26: Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 2 p.m. (TNT)
• Sunday, Aug. 9: Iowa Speedway, 3:30 p.m. (USA Network)
• Saturday, Aug. 15: Richmond Raceway, 7 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Aug. 23: New Hampshire Motor Speedway, 3 p.m. (USA Network)
• Saturday, Aug. 29: Daytona International Speedway, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)

The Chase

• Sunday, Sept. 6: Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, 5 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Sept. 13: World Wide Technology Raceway, 3 p.m. (USA Network)
• Saturday, Sept. 19: Bristol Motor Speedway, 7:30 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Sept. 27: Kansas Speedway, 3 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Oct. 4: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 5:30 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Oct. 11: Charlotte ROVAL, 3 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Oct. 18: Phoenix Raceway, 3 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Oct. 25: Talladega Superspeedway, 2 p.m. (NBC)
• Sunday, Nov. 1: Martinsville Speedway, 2 p.m. (NBC)
• Sunday, Nov. 8: Homestead-Miami Speedway, 3 p.m. (NBC)

Chef Boyardee is set to make a significant splash in the world of motorsports as it partners with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and the No. 47 Hyak Motorsports team for the upcoming 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The announcement, made by the race team, reveals a thrilling three-race primary sponsorship agreement with the iconic food brand, alongside an associate sponsorship arrangement for the entire season.

Stenhouse expressed his enthusiasm about this new collaboration, stating, “We’re excited to welcome Chef Boyardee to the Hyak Motorsports family. They’re a brand everyone knows, and bringing them into NASCAR is something the entire team is looking forward to.” The team is gearing up to kick off the season with strong representation of Chef Boyardee.

The distinctive branding of Chef Boyardee will first appear on the No. 47 Chevrolet during The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, set for Sunday, February 1. Following this pre-season exhibition, Chef Boyardee will also sponsor Stenhouse at the much-anticipated Daytona 500 on February 15, culminating the primary sponsorship at the Talladega Superspeedway on April 26.

Brynwood Partners, the parent company of Chef Boyardee, has maintained a relationship with Stenhouse spanning over a decade. Henk Hartong, CEO of Brynwood Partners, expressed pride in their continued partnership. “Ricky has been an incredible ambassador for our brands in the 12 years that we have been sponsoring his car in the Cup Series,” Hartong stated. He looks forward to the brand’s return to prominence at Daytona and Talladega, both venues where Stenhouse has previously triumphed.

The partnership promises not just on-car branding but also an engaging strategy to reach fans through various initiatives. Chef Boyardee plans to leverage team assets for integrated fan engagement at the track and beyond, which includes a robust digital and social media campaign, behind-the-scenes features, and fan-oriented activations.

Stenhouse, 38, boasts a career filled with ambition, having achieved four victories in 475 NASCAR Cup Series starts. Notably, he has found triumph at both Daytona and Talladega, contributing to his status as a strong contender. The previous season saw Stenhouse finish 30th in the championship standings after a series of misfortunes, including a well-publicized feud with fellow driver Carson Hocevar, which appeared to have been resolved.

With the new season on the horizon, Stenhouse is eager to bounce back and showcase his potential, buoyed by the support of Chef Boyardee and the Hyak Motorsports team. The upcoming season is expected to be a thrilling ride for both the driver and the iconic brand as they embark on this exciting partnership.

It’s only practice day at the 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy, and drama is already brewing.

In a sudden twist, Buddy Kofoid will vacate the seat of the Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports, Mobil1 No. 71W and sit on the sidelines this week as he focuses on a medical issue.

A perennial contender for the Golden Driller since he debuted in Tulsa in 2020, Kofoid has made five Chili Bowl Championship A-Mains in six tries with KKM. He’s a two-time preliminary night winner, locking-in on three occasions, and he finished a career-best second to Logan Seavey in 2024 – falling 0.392-seconds shy of winning it all.

Fresh off an 18-win campaign in 2025, Kofoid and his Roth Motorsports team challenged David Gravel and Big Game Motorsports for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship as the Penngrove, California native solidified himself as one of the best in the sport today.

The 24-year-old Kofoid had just arrived back in America after a successful Australia stretch with Trent Pigdon’s team at Perth Motorplex – winning the Boxing Day Bonanza and a preliminary of High Limit International.

Keith Kunz told FloRacing that a few different drivers were called in regards to potentially filling the seat this week, but it was too late in the game to make anything happen, so Buddy’s No. 71W will sit idle without a driver.

The action officially begins in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Monday with the first preliminary, which includes the Race of Champions. You can watch every prelim night and Saturday’s alphabet soup live on FloRacing. 

Daytona International Speedway was buzzing over the weekend as the ARCA Menards Series hosted its two-day Pre-Race Practice ahead of next month’s season opener. A total of 82 drivers and 49 different racecars turned laps on Friday and Saturday, marking the largest participation since 2012.

Gus Dean, the 2024 Daytona winner, returned to the high banks for the first time since his victory two years ago and wasted no time reminding the field of his speed. Driving the No. 25 Nitro Motorsports Toyota, Dean posted the fastest lap of the weekend at 48.744 seconds, translating to 184.638 mph. His performance capped a dominant Friday session for Nitro Motorsports, which swept the top six spots in a late-day drafting run featuring Dean, Gavan Boschele, Jake Finch, Thomas Annunziata, Isabella Robusto, and Jake Bollman. YouTube personality Garrett Mitchell, better known as Cleetus McFarland, latched onto the draft and ranked seventh overall.

Saturday saw Austin Green rise to the top of the charts with a lap of 49.202 seconds (182.919 mph) in the No. 82 Pinnacle Racing Group Chevrolet. Green is widely expected to be a contender for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series rookie title in 2026. Cole Butcher, the reigning ASA STARS National Tour champion, was second quickest in a storied Rette Jones Racing Ford originally built by Chip Ganassi Racing in 1999—a car that famously led the 2002 Daytona 500 with Sterling Marlin behind the wheel.

Female participation was strong, with eight women taking laps during the two-day session. Robusto led the group in fifth overall, followed by Amber Balcaen in 13th and Taylor Reimer in 16th. Alli Owens returned to Daytona for the first time in 16 years, ranking 19th, while Jade Avedisian made her debut at the track in 25th. Logan Misuraca, Quinn Davis, and Becca Monopoli also logged laps, focusing on single-car runs.

The Road to Daytona program introduced six drivers to the historic speedway, including reigning ARCA West Rookie of the Year Robbie Kennealy, who was the quickest among the group. All six completed roughly 100 miles in single-car conditions under the guidance of veteran Andy Hillenburg.

Joe Gibbs Racing added intrigue with two young talents on track Friday. Giovanni Ruggiero will return in February aiming to deliver the team’s first ARCA win at Daytona, while 16-year-old Max Reaves, a five-time winner in 2025, made his first laps under the mentorship of Bobby Labonte.

Michael Maples Motorsports brought four cars, with Ryan Vargas leading the team in 23rd overall. Team owner Michael Maples ranked 40th.

Despite the heavy traffic, only two incidents occurred, both on Friday. Amber Balcaen spun after a tire failure, forcing her to a backup car, while Bob Martin looped his Toyota moments later. Neither driver was injured.

The ARCA Menards Series returns to Daytona for the 63rd Annual Daytona ARCA 200 on Saturday, February 14. Practice begins Thursday, February 12, followed by qualifying on Friday. The race will air live on FOX at noon Eastern, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.