Honestly, if you took a nap during the last few months of 2025, you might not even recognize the sport when you tune into the Daytona 500 this February. NASCAR has basically hit the giant "reset" button. Between a lawsuit that almost tore the garage apart and a championship format that looks like something from your childhood, there is a lot to catch up on.
Basically, the "elimination" era is dead. No more "win and you’re in." No more Game 7 moments being manufactured at Phoenix. NASCAR is going back to its roots—sorta. They’re calling it The Chase again, and if you’ve been a fan for more than a decade, that name probably brings back some memories.
The Biggest Shock: No More Playoff Eliminations
Let’s talk about the news that actually matters. On January 12, 2026, Steve O’Donnell and the brass at Concord dropped the bomb: the knockout-style playoffs are gone. For the last 12 years, we’ve watched four drivers enter the final race with an equal shot at the title. It was dramatic, sure, but it felt kinda gimmicky to a lot of people.
In 2026, it’s all about the final 10 races. The top 16 drivers still make the "postseason," but nobody gets cut every three weeks. You race all 10 events, you tally up the points, and the guy with the most at the end of the Homestead-Miami finale takes home the Cup.
Here is why this is a big deal:
- Consistency is king again. You can't just suck for 35 races and steal a trophy at the end.
- Wins still matter. A race win now pays out 55 points instead of 40. That's a huge jump meant to stop drivers from just "points racing" their way to a title.
- No "Win and In." You have to earn your spot in the top 16 via total points throughout the regular season. If you win a race but crash out of five others, you might be watching the Chase from the sidelines.
More Power? The 750 Horsepower Boost
If you’ve listened to any driver complain on a podcast lately, it’s usually about the cars being too slow on short tracks. Well, NASCAR finally listened. For 2026, the Next Gen car is getting a horsepower bump to 750 hp for all road courses and tracks shorter than 1.5 miles.
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The goal is simple: make the cars harder to drive. When you have more power, you have to manage your tires better. You can't just floor it through the middle of the corner without spinning the rear wheels. We saw this in action during the test at North Wilkesboro earlier this month. Chase Elliott and Josh Berry were both out there, and the word from the garage is that the cars finally have some "grunt" again.
It’s not just about speed, though. Higher horsepower means more tire wear. More tire wear means more passing. It’s a win-win for anyone who was tired of seeing "train" racing at Martinsville or Bristol.
The Schedule Shakeup: New Cities and Old Favorites
The 2026 calendar is a bit of a wild ride. We are losing the Chicago Street Race (RIP to the downtown skyline views), but in its place, we’re getting a street course at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego on June 21. It’s part of a massive celebration for the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary.
But the real news for the "purists" is the return of Chicagoland Speedway on July 5 and North Wilkesboro becoming a real points-paying race on July 19. If you haven't been keeping track, North Wilkesboro hasn't had a "real" Cup race since 1996. The fact that we’re going back there for points is honestly a miracle.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
- February 1: The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (The "Madhouse" is back!)
- February 15: The 68th Daytona 500
- May 24: The Coca-Cola 600 (The start of the Amazon Prime era)
- June 21: San Diego Street Race
- November 8: Championship Finale at Homestead-Miami
Silly Season: Who Is Driving What?
The driver movements for 2026 feel like a game of musical chairs where half the chairs were replaced with sofas. The biggest story is Connor Zilisch. The 19-year-old phenom is jumping straight into the Cup Series full-time with Trackhouse Racing in the No. 88. This kid is the real deal, and putting him in a top-tier Chevy right away shows how much they believe in him.
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Then you’ve got the veteran moves. Daniel Suárez is heading over to Spire Motorsports to drive the No. 7 after a mutual split with Trackhouse. Spire has been spending money like crazy lately, so don't be surprised if Suárez is more competitive than people think.
Also, keep an eye on Haas Factory Team. They are switching from Ford to Chevrolet this year. Cole Custer stays in the No. 41, but with the manufacturer change and a new technical alliance, that team is basically a dark horse for the 2026 season.
The Lawsuit is Over (Finally)
We can't talk about latest news for nascar without mentioning the 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports situation. For a while there, it looked like Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin might actually take their ball and go home. They refused to sign the charter agreement and sued NASCAR for being a "monopoly."
The good news? It’s settled. All teams are back to being "chartered" for 2026. This means Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace don't have to worry about qualifying for every race on speed alone. They are locked in. The settlement terms were mostly kept quiet, but the teams got some version of the "permanent charters" they were asking for. It’s a massive relief for the fans because nobody wanted to see the regular season champion (Reddick) sitting out of the Daytona 500 because of a legal battle.
Where to Actually Watch This Stuff
This is where it gets kinda annoying for your wallet. The TV deal is split up four ways now. You can't just have a cable box and expect to see everything.
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- FOX / FS1: They have the first 14 races, including the Daytona 500.
- Amazon Prime Video: They get a 5-race mid-season stretch starting with the Coca-Cola 600. Yes, you need a subscription for this.
- TNT Sports: They take over for 5 races in the summer, including the new In-Season Challenge. These will also stream on Max.
- NBC / USA Network: They handle the final 14 races, including the entire Chase.
The In-Season Challenge is a new bracket-style tournament during the TNT portion of the schedule. The winner gets a $1 million bonus. It’s basically NASCAR’s version of the NBA’s mid-season tournament.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re planning on following the 2026 season, don't wait until February to figure out your streaming logins. You’re going to need Amazon Prime and potentially Max if you want to see the whole summer stretch.
Also, keep a close eye on the "O’Reilly Auto Parts Series" (formerly the Xfinity Series). With the name change and a bunch of Cup-bound rookies like Brent Crews and Rajah Caruth moving up, the Saturday races might actually be more unpredictable than the Sundays.
The best way to stay ahead is to check the official entry lists for the Clash at Bowman Gray on February 1. That race is going to be a total demolition derby on a quarter-mile track, and it’ll be our first look at the new 750 hp package in a "racing" environment. Get your popcorn ready; 2026 is going to be wild.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Audit your subscriptions: Ensure you have access to Prime Video and Max by May if you plan on watching the full season.
- Track the 750 hp performance: Watch the early short-track races at Phoenix and Richmond to see if the higher horsepower actually improves the passing lanes.
- Follow Connor Zilisch: As the youngest full-time driver, his performance in the No. 88 will be the primary barometer for the "youth movement" success in 2026.