CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WCYB) — NASCAR’s postseason begins Sunday at Darlington Raceway with a return to the Chase for the Championship format, bringing a major change to the way the Cup Series title will be decided.
Sixteen drivers will compete over the final 10 races of the season, with no automatic advancement for race winners and no eliminations. Instead, the championship will be determined by consistency across the entire stretch.
Chase Elliott said the revised format feels like a better fit for the sport.
“Ultimately, I think it’s the right thing to do,” Elliott said during Chase for the Championship Media Day in Charlotte. “I think it fits us better. It just feels more like motorsports.”
Joey Logano, whose No. 22 team has been closely associated with success under the previous playoff format, said winning under the new system would carry added meaning.
“I feel like the playoffs were changed a lot because of the 22 car, and it’d be really nice to prove that we can win it both ways,” Logano said. “That’d be a really special thing to do.”
Denny Hamlin said the length of the 10-race Chase means every stage and finish could matter, even if drivers may not recognize its importance until the season finale at Homestead.
“This 10 weeks is a long time,” Hamlin said. “Not one stage is going to define this thing. And if it does, you won’t know it until the end of Homestead. You’ve got to take it week by week and get the best result you can.”
Carson Hocevar said he plans to focus on racing rather than following the standings throughout the postseason.
“I don’t plan on looking at the points for 10 weeks,” Hocevar said. “Just go race and see what happens.”
The Chase opens Sunday at Darlington. The postseason will arrive at Bristol Motor Speedway three weeks later.