Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIn 2026, the NASCAR Cup Series postseason is called The Chase: 16 drivers qualify on regular-season points, then score across the final 10 races. There are no round-by-round eliminations, and the driver with the most points after the finale wins the championship.
How does the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series playoff format work?
The season has a 26-race regular season followed by a 10-race Chase. The top 16 drivers in the regular-season points standings advance. NASCAR reseeds those drivers once before the Chase begins; their points then accumulate through all 10 races. There is no winner-take-all final race.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Dale Earnhardt Monopoly NASCAR Special Editon Board Game | $65.08 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
NASCAR DVD Board Game | $24.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
GMT Games Thunder Alley Board Game | $76.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Monopoly Game: Dale Earnhardt Legacy | $77.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Sports Memorabilia Monopoly - NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Collector's Edition | $42.95 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
NASCAR’s January 12, 2026 announcement said the format review aimed to make a larger sample of the season count, increase the importance of each race, and recognize consistency alongside winning. Those are NASCAR’s stated goals, not independently established results.
How do drivers qualify for The Chase?
Qualification is based solely on regular-season points: the top 16 advance. Winning a race does not automatically earn a postseason berth in 2026. This is a change from formats in which a victory could secure a place regardless of a driver’s points position.
#1 Best Overall
- Monopoly - Dale Earnhardt Collector's Edition
The separate In-Season Challenge is a midseason bracket competition, not a route into the championship Chase.
How does the points reset work?
After the regular season, NASCAR resets the points of the 16 qualifiers according to their regular-season standings. The 2026 Cup seeds are:
Rank #2
- NASCAR, DVD board game, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton
| Regular-season seed | Chase points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 2,100 |
| 2nd | 2,075 |
| 3rd | 2,065 |
| 4th–15th | Five-point decrements by seed, from 2,060 to 2,005 |
| 16th | 2,000 |
The regular-season champion starts 25 points ahead of the second seed. There is only one reseed, before the Chase; the points are not reset at later round cutoffs.
How are race and stage points awarded?
In the 2026 Cup system, a race win is worth 55 points. Second place earns 35, third earns 34, fourth earns 33, and each remaining finishing position descends by one point. Stage points remain 10 for first, 9 for second, and continue downward by one. NASCAR says bankable playoff points are no longer part of the system.
Rank #3
- Fun strategy game for 2-7 players>
- Players control a team of cars
- Fun, flexible game play
Are drivers eliminated during the 2026 Chase?
No. All 16 qualifiers remain in the Chase for its full 10-race length; NASCAR does not eliminate drivers at round cutoffs. A driver can fall far enough behind that winning the title is mathematically impossible, but still remains in the championship standings.
How is the Cup champion decided?
The driver with the most points after the season finale wins. The finale is not a winner-take-all race, and there is no Championship 4 title decider. Results across the entire 10-race Chase determine the champion.
How does the 2026 format differ from 2025?
The 2025 Cup postseason used four rounds and eliminated drivers at the end of each round. Its final Championship 4 race awarded the title to the highest-finishing driver among the four finalists. In 2026, all 16 qualifiers score through the full 10-race Chase, with one reseed before it begins and the champion determined by total points after the finale.
| Format feature | 2025 Cup postseason | 2026 Cup Chase |
|---|---|---|
| Postseason structure | Four rounds | 10 races |
| Automatic entry for a race win | The 2025 structure used win-based qualification; see NASCAR’s 2025 Playoffs Grid Challenge FAQ | No; top 16 by regular-season points |
| Eliminations | Drivers were eliminated at round cutoffs | None during the Chase |
| Champion decided by | Highest-finishing driver among the Championship 4 in the finale | Most points after the 10th Chase race |
| Reseeding | Points were reset for each round | Once, after the regular season |
Where can I check the current 2026 standings?
Standings and clinch status change after races, so treat any cutoff or driver list as a dated snapshot. NASCAR’s Cup Series standings page showed the season after Las Vegas on October 4, 2026, at Race 31 of 36, with the top 16 competing in the championship battle. Check the live page for the latest positions rather than relying on that snapshot.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
