{"id":99626,"date":"2025-07-28T14:56:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T14:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/99626\/"},"modified":"2025-07-28T14:56:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T14:56:10","slug":"why-the-nascar-playoff-format-is-unlikely-to-change-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/99626\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the NASCAR Playoff Format is Unlikely to Change in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The regular-season portion of the NASCAR schedule<\/a> is drawing to a close next month with the four remaining races of the regular season. It sets up an exciting 16-team playoff featuring the top drivers in the sport. However, there\u2019s just as much focus on the NASCAR playoff format in 2026.<\/p>\n

During Sunday\u2019s episode of\u00a0The Teardown<\/a>, Jeff Gluck of\u00a0The Athletic<\/a>\u00a0shared that he no longer believes the NASCAR playoff format will be changed next year. While many in the industry want to see a change, several factors now seem likely to prevent it from happening next season.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI went from 90 percent sure the format is going to change next year to\u2026maybe 20 percent.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Athletic\u2019s Jeff Gluck on the likelihood of the NASCAR playoff format being changed in 2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In an in-depth segment, starting at the\u00a056-minute mark<\/a>, Gluck explained some of the things going on behind the scenes with the NASCAR playoff committee. He is part of a committee consisting of \u201c30 to 40 people,\u201d which includes team owners, current drivers, other media members, and former drivers. So far, they\u2019ve met twice and also discussed ideas through emails.<\/p>\n

Related: NASCAR playoff standings<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n