After 12 seasons of the NASCAR Playoffs, the premier stock car racing series is returning to the Chase format for the 2026 season, the first time since 2013.  The move comes after years of constant complaining from drivers and fans about the lack of crowning a “real champion” in the playoffs, especially after the 2025 Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway ended in controversial fashion.   As a result of that race, Denny Hamlin, who led the majority of the race and had dominate