NASCAR just isn’t but able to disclose particulars of its new championship format, principally as a result of they haven’t made the ultimate choices on it but.
What’s all however confirmed is that the 2025 season was finally the final to make use of the model of a playoff that culminates with a ‘last 4’ chasing the championship in a one-race greatest finisher take all season finale.
This format was used from 2014 to 2025.
NASCAR is unlikely to revert again to a season lengthy championship and not using a playoff, but it surely isn’t fully off the desk both, however is as an alternative taking a look at a return to the 10-race Chase for the Championship used from 2004 to 2013 or an elimination format that culminates with an eight-driver four-race factors chase.
All kinds of concepts had been volleyed round over the previous 12 months by a committee of trade notables that included drivers, house owners, media, broadcasters, tv executives and Corridor of Famers.
An replace to the method was shared by NASCAR’s managing director of racing communications Mike Forde on his Hauler Discuss podcast on Tuesday.
“The place it stands proper now… I don’t suppose the playoff committee goes to fulfill once more. I feel we have now gotten all of the suggestions that we would have liked from them. Superior job, by the best way, from the playoff committee. … Now, it’s in NASCAR’s palms,” Forde stated. “They’re going to take all of the suggestions they bought from each stroll of life and each thought on the spectrum from no playoffs in any way to retaining it how it’s and actually beating that every one up. They’re bulletins to return. Actually, I don’t know the place it’s. It could possibly be in two weeks, it could possibly be in two months.
“We clearly wish to make it possible for we have now been very thorough on this one. Clearly, it will likely be earlier than Feb. 5 in The Conflict, but it surely could possibly be ahead of later, it could possibly be in January. I don’t know, I don’t suppose anybody is aware of simply but. Nonetheless discussions available on the place we’re on dialogue of the playoff format. I feel we be ok with the instructions and the probabilities right here due to the playoff committee and the work that they’ve carried out and the suggestions we bought from the trade.”
Kyle Larson gained his second championship on November 2 at Phoenix Raceway. It was his second in 5 years but additionally got here in a season the place he scored essentially the most factors of anybody within the Cup Collection. Nonetheless, he solely gained the championship in additional time, following a race that Denny Hamlin dominated, solely shedding the championship due a William Byron blown tire and the outcomes of the following pit cease choice and restart.
The choice to maneuver away from this championship format was made earlier than the weekend however this race and the truth that the format denied 10 race Xfinity Collection winner Connor Zilisch the championship solely cemented how the fanbase largely felt about it.
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