NASCAR's 'Chase' returns: What fans need to know about the 2026 format‎

NASCAR's nearly two-year study into an overhaul of its championship-deciding format concluded Monday with the reveal that in 2026 the stock car series will return to a 10-race version closely resembling the very first iteration introduced 22 years ago. There will be no driver eliminations every three races, winning will be incentivized and its name will return to “The Chase.” Changes slowly followed, with eliminations, an expanded field, a win-and-in guarantee and finally a winner-take-all season finale.