The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series champion is determined by the driver who earns the most points over the 10-race championship round called The Chase. The top 16 drivers qualify after the 26-race regular season, then their points reset with a seeding advantage based on regular-season standings, and no eliminations occur during the final 10 races.

How it works

  • 26 races make up the regular season.
  • The top 16 drivers in regular-season points advance to The Chase.
  • Points are reset once at the start of The Chase, with the regular-season leader getting the biggest head start.
  • The champion is simply the driver with the highest points total after the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

What changed for 2026

NASCAR brought back a Chase-style championship format for 2026 instead of the old elimination-style playoff rounds. That means the title is decided by season-long performance across the 10-race finale, not by a final-four winner- take-all finish.

In one line

Win the most points across the 10-race Chase, and you’re the 2026 NASCAR champion.

Would you like a simple bracket-style breakdown of the full 2026 format?