Overview
- NASCAR has finalized a 10-race Chase for 2026 that qualifies the top 16 by regular-season points after 26 races, with a single points reset using 25-point intervals.
- Kyle Busch told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio he believes the sport moved away from the Chase due to Jimmie Johnson’s dominance and the harsh impact of one poor result.
- Under the update, race wins carry more points and stage points remain, but Busch says only powerhouse teams like Hendrick, Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske can reliably recover from setbacks.
- Busch enters 2026 winless since June 2023 and has missed the postseason the past two years, drawing social-media pushback as fans urge results over format critiques.
- Erik Jones welcomed the change as a return to NASCAR’s roots and season-long emphasis, while reporter Bob Pockrass voiced doubt that Busch will win this year, describing RCR as rebuilding.