Chase Elliot stands on top of his car to celebrate his NASCAR Cup Series victory at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, on June 28, 2025. The NASCAR season ahead anticipates several changes to the playoff picture in 2026. With the NASCAR season officially starting this weekend with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, some major changes have been implemented in NASCAR over the past month. The playoff format that took place from 2017-2025 has officially been axed as viewership and fan engagement has been declining steadily since 2021. Penultimately, Cup Series drivers that have three or more years of experience in the Cup Series will be able to race more races in the lower Series in 2026.