NASCAR officials announced during a recent competition briefing that while the playoff format will remain unchanged for the 2025 season, the sanctioning body is open to exploring potential changes for the 2026 campaign. The 2025 season is set to kick off with the exhibition Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Sunday.
John Probst, NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer, emphasized the importance of avoiding frequent minor adjustments to the playoff system. “I don’t think we want to get in the habit of making small little tweaks every season to the playoffs,” Probst stated. Instead, NASCAR plans to assemble a working group consisting of media members, OEMs, Goodyear, and drivers to examine the playoff structure holistically throughout the year.
The decision to maintain the current format for 2025 comes amidst ongoing discussions regarding eligible championship contenders, with defending champion Joey Logano advocating for the existing system following his victory at Phoenix Raceway in November 2024. Probst acknowledged the varying opinions among fans, ranging from those who love the playoffs to those who believe certain drivers should automatically qualify based on their performance.
While no specific changes have been proposed, and alterations for the 2026 season are not guaranteed, NASCAR is committed to gathering input from key stakeholders to determine if any modifications are necessary. “We just didn’t get to a point where we felt like we have to do it,” Probst explained. “But we hear the fans loud and clear and are looking at it actively.”
In a November state-of-the-sport address, NASCAR president Steve Phelps and chief operations officer Steve O’Donnell reaffirmed the sanctioning body’s commitment to the playoff system while remaining open to potential tweaks. “We’re not going to go away from playoffs,” O’Donnell stated. “We’ll absolutely look at what form the playoffs take in the offseason. You always learn. … But playoffs in and of itself, as Steve said, you cannot argue with the quality of racing that the playoffs have delivered.”
The current 16-driver, four-round elimination format, which determines the NASCAR Cup Series champion, has been in place since 2014, with the most recent significant change being the introduction of stage racing and playoff points in 2017. The Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series have employed a similar format since 2016.
As NASCAR continues to evaluate the effectiveness of its playoff system, fans and industry members alike will eagerly await any potential changes that may be implemented for the 2026 season and beyond.
