NASCAR is heading into the 2026 season with the playoff system still up in the air. They\u2019ve stuck with the current format for nearly a decade but the pressure from drivers and fans has made it clear that change should at least be on the table.<\/p>\n
Ben Kennedy, NASCAR\u2019s Executive Vice President, spoke recently on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and said the debate has gone in many different directions.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
\u201cSo many people in the room get together and it\u2019s amazing to hear the wide range of opinions on how our playoff format should work going forward. From don\u2019t touch it, everything\u2019s fine to we should go back to the 36 points race schedule. So you know we\u2019re looking at a number of different options,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kennedy stressed that whatever the decision is, it won\u2019t be rushed: \u201cIt\u2019s a priority for us to announce something sooner than later and ultimately we want to make sure we take the time to do it right. So we want to make sure it\u2019s really thoughtful. Because whatever this next step is, I think our hope is that the new format is just going to be evergreen going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also Read:: Denny Hamlin Slams NASCAR and Says Fans \u2018Over It\u2019 With Playoff System<\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Media, Drivers and Leadership Clash Over NASCAR Playoff Format\u2019s\u00a0Future<\/p>\n TV partners want to keep the system that guarantees drama. The elimination rounds and winner-take-all finale provide plenty of moments that play well on TV. \u201cTV wants a playoff. They want eliminations\u2026 I don\u2019t know exactly what they want, but they want something close to, I think, what is happening now,\u201d one NBC-aligned insider told Jeff Gluck<\/a>.<\/p>\n Drivers, on the other hand, are pushing back. Many have said the one-race championship leaves too much to chance. Denny Hamlin<\/a> has been one of the most vocal critics, pointing out that a full season of good performance can be undone in one afternoon. Chase Elliott has also said a return to the traditional full-season points system would better reward consistency. An opinion Dale Earnhardt Jr.<\/a> has agreed with as well.<\/p>\n The special committee in charge of reviewing the format includes drivers, owners, manufacturers and media partners with Kennedy leading the group.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Ideas like a multi-race finale have been floating around, but no decision has been made. The confirmation of the 2026 schedule is coming soon and while the current playoff system is listed for now, the door is still open. If nothing changes in time NASCAR may wait until 2027 to implement a new system.<\/p>\n