NASCAR eliminates regular season champion title starting in 2026
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 23, 2026, 5:00 PM
Last updated Jul 23, 2026
NASCAR will stop naming a "regular season champion" beginning in 2026, transitioning to an updated Chase format. The top driver in the season standings will now be designated the "No. 1 seed" without a separate trophy. This change aligns NASCAR with other American sports, which often reward the top team with seeding rather than a championship title. The shift comes as NASCAR seeks to enhance competitive control for drivers. The organization plans to present one trophy annually in November.
- •NASCAR will eliminate the regular season trophy in 2026.
- •The top driver will be called the 'No. 1 seed'.
- •This transition follows the removal of playoffs after the 2025 season.
- •NASCAR aims to give drivers more control over their outcomes.
- •One annual trophy will be awarded in November.
- 5:00 PMYahoo Sports — NASCAR won't name a "regular season champion" starting in 2026
"NASCAR will no longer name a "regular season champion" starting in 2026. The sport will also eliminate the "regular season trophy."
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- NASCAR•Jul 30, 2026, 2:17 AMNASCAR seeking larger grant from state to bring Chicago Street Race back in 2027
NASCAR•Jul 29, 2026, 10:40 PMIntroducing Carson Brown, NASCAR's next top prospect- NASCAR•Jul 29, 2026, 7:33 PMCorey Heim Makes His Feelings on Carson Hocevar Crystal Clear
- NASCAR•Jul 29, 2026, 6:16 PM4 Takeaways From Corey Heim's Masterful Brickyard 400 Win - FOX Sports
- NASCAR•Jul 29, 2026, 3:30 PMHendrick Motorsports reveals major update on Alex Bowman's replacement
- NASCAR•Jul 29, 2026, 3:15 PMDenny Hamlin addresses possible NASCAR retirement after 2027 season
