Chase Elliott puts NASCAR fans in their place over | Sports News

The 2026 NASCAR playoffs format will differ considerably from final yr’s elimination event, and that prospect excites drivers corresponding to Chase Elliott, who is raring to start out subsequent yr amid a number of new modifications. To fans criticizing the new format, Elliott encourages them to give attention to the long run somewhat than staying in the current previous.

“Let’s enjoy what we got. We’re so quick to complain about everything, you know, everything that we have and everything that we do,” he mentioned.

“Let’s enjoy what we have because we’re making history, whether you like it or not. Celebrate the champion. Celebrate the guys who went out there and did a good job. I think this format promotes that.”

NASCAR’s new championship format reintroduces a 10-race postseason for the highest 16 drivers from the primary 26 occasions. The title is decided by complete factors somewhat than season wins to qualify for the playoffs, and can conclude with the motive force with probably the most factors on the finish of the yr successful. 

Wins now earn 55 factors, up from 40, to reward consistency somewhat than single victories. The Chase applies to the final ten races of the yr and can apply to the Cup, O’Reilly, and Truck sequence. 

Fans have long argued that final season’s Cup Series postseason felt more like a grab for headlines and rivalries than a means to find out the best driver of the yr. Kyle Larson’s title run noticed Denny Hamlin’s late-lap heartbreak tug at fans’ heartstrings, whereas former drivers continued to complain concerning the format.

Elliott completed eighth in the 2025 standings with 2,310 factors, recording two wins and a regular stream of top-five and top-10 finishes. He additionally believes that the new system advantages himself and Hendrick Motorsports. “I think if you based it on historical performance, sure,” he mentioned when requested about his title possibilities.

“But performance and the way you performed last year might not play out the same way this year. If you’re judging off last year and the year before, yes, you could make that argument. But for me, personally, if you looked back last season, the way we finished the year, I felt like we were getting into a place where I felt confident.”

Elliott nonetheless admitted one reservation with the change, being the 16-driver cutoff. “I think 16 is just too many,” he mentioned. “I thought the 10-driver piece of that was tough to get into. I still think 16 will be a challenge, but to me, I think it’s the perfect compromise.”