After a very contentious finish to the 2025 NASCAR season that saw several regular season champions fail to win the title, fans clamored for change to the format. It appears that their wishes will be granted – one way or another.
According to NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass, NASCAR will be announcing a new championship format this coming Monday. The announcement will be made on the NASCAR website, TV channel and YouTube page at 3:30 p.m. ET.
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“NASCAR will announce the championship format at 3:30p ET Monday. It will stream the announcement on its website, YouTube page and the NASCAR Channel,” Pockrass wrote.
Speculation has run rampant as to how NASCAR should change the format:
“full season points or original 10 race chase from 2004-2013, please @NASCAR don’t screw this up,” one user suggested in Pockrass’ replies.
“full season or we riot,” wrote another.
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“I’ll cry tears of joy if we get the 10 race chase back,” a third wrote.
“No compromises. Better be a full season points system.”
“I’m not gonna get my hopes up, I’m bracing myself for it to be underwhelming.”
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Kroger/Cottonelle Chevrolet, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, race to the checkered flag under caution at the NASCAR Cup Series 65th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)Sean Gardner/Getty Images
The Current Format
NASCAR’s championship format is built around a season-long points system followed by a multi-round playoff, officially known as the NASCAR Playoffs. During the regular season, drivers earn points based on race finishes and stage results, with race wins heavily incentivized. At the end of the regular season, the top 16 drivers in points—prioritizing race winners—qualify for the playoffs. These drivers also carry “playoff points” earned through wins and stage victories, which provide an advantage as the postseason begins.
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The playoffs are divided into four elimination rounds (Round of 16, Round of 12, Round of 8, and the Championship 4), with each round consisting of three races except for the final. After each round, the lowest drivers in points are eliminated until only four drivers remain. Those four advance to a winner-take-all championship race, where the highest finisher among them is crowned NASCAR champion, regardless of season-long performance. The format is designed to maximize drama and late-season intensity, though it remains controversial for placing significant championship weight on a single race rather than cumulative season dominance.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Jan 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the NASCAR section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
