NASCAR Drivers Back Return of 'Chase' Playoff Format

NASCAR has revived its old 10-race playoff format known as "The Chase," last used in 2013, and drivers say the change will produce a more legitimate champion.

Denny Hamlin, who has never won a Cup Series title, enters the new playoff with a 25-point cushion over second-place Ryan Blaney after finishing the regular season atop the driver standings. Hamlin starts with 2,100 points, 25 more than Blaney and 35 ahead of third-place Tyler Reddick. Points then descend in 5-point increments through the 16-driver field, down to 16th-place Ryan Preece, who starts 100 points behind Hamlin.

Unlike recent years, there are no elimination rounds or midseason point resets. The champion will simply be whoever accumulates the most points over the final 10 races.

"I think all of the drivers would tell you it's a more fair way to do it," Hamlin said at Wednesday's playoff media day in Charlotte, calling the format a "giant leap forward in crowning a champion."

Chase Briscoe agreed, saying the new system rewards a driver's full season rather than one late slip-up. "I'm not saying the past champions weren't legit, but before, you could win the first 35 races and go to Phoenix and blow up and finish fourth in points," Briscoe said. "I think this says so much more about your body of work."

Reigning champion Kyle Larson, who starts seventh, also endorsed the change, calling the new format "very exciting" for the sport.

One key adjustment: race wins are now worth 55 points, up from 40, while other finishing positions and stage points remain the same as during the regular season.

Christopher Bell said the shift eliminates the safety net drivers once had. "There are no freebies," Bell said. "You can't have a bad race and get a reset in three weeks. So you're going to have to perform every week."

Hamlin and Joey Logano are the only drivers still competing who raced under this format in 2013. Logano recalled seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson once describing it as "10 weeks of hell." "It's a grueling 10 weeks," Logano said, "but hey, there is a pretty cool trophy at the end of it."

The Chase begins Saturday at Darlington.