NASCAR drivers in favor of return to Chase format, saying it will yield a more legitimate champion
- Starting this Saturday at Darlington, NASCAR begins its modified 10-race playoff format known as The Chase, abandoning elimination rounds to reward consistent performance across the final 10 races for the Cup Series champion.
- Drivers support the return to this format, which NASCAR last used 13 years ago. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin called the change a "giant leap forward in crowning a champion" and described it as "legitimate."
- Unlike previous years, there are no points "reset" midway through the playoffs, meaning drivers must perform every week. Christopher Bell, a Joe Gibbs Racing driver, noted that without "freebies," drivers cannot have a bad race and recover.
- With a 25-point cushion over Ryan Blaney, Hamlin leads the field into the playoffs. Joey Logano, seeking his fourth Cup title, called the grind "10 weeks of hell," yet noted the "pretty cool trophy" makes it worthwhile.
- Contenders like Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott must avoid costly mistakes in the competitive 16-driver field. Toyota cars have demonstrated superior speed throughout the season, yet consistency remains key to securing the championship.
22 Articles
22 Articles
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NASCAR drivers in favor of return to Chase format, saying it will yield a more legitimate champion – WTOP News
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Denny Hamlin has never won a Cup Series championship. This may be the 45-year-old's best chance based on his overall body of work this se
NASCAR drivers in favor of return to Chase format, saying it will yiel
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Denny Hamlin has never won a Cup Series championship. This may be the 45-year-old’s best chance based on his overall body of work this season. Hamlin enters NASCAR’s modified 10-race playoff format known
Denny Hamlin Addresses Persistent Injury Ahead of High-Stakes Chase Run
Denny Hamlin enters the 2026 Chase as the No. 1 seed and one of the strongest contenders for his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. After building momentum throughout the regular season, Hamlin now faces the pressure of delivering when the title is on the line. However, he will also have to manage a shoulder injury […]
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BVM Sports USDenny Hamlin will need another shoulder surgery
After the 2026 NASCAR season, Denny Hamlin is expected to undergo another surgery Denny Hamlin is currently the NASCAR Cup Series point leader heading into the first of ten races in The Chase. The 45-year-old is racing through injury and he’s collected four wins so far this season. Back in November, 2023, Denny Hamlin had ...
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