NASCAR News: Playoff changes not likely before 2027

Following a controversial 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, in which Joey Logano won the Cup Series title with the worst average finish for a champion in NASCAR’s Modern Era, the league formed a committee to assist in coming up with a format that would crown the most “deserving” champion and deliver enough entertainment to increase television ratings while running head-to-head with the NFL on fall Sundays.

The group — meant to serve as a feedback forum for various proposals, not to determine the final format — consists of current drivers, former drivers, team owners, track officials, manufacturer representatives, NASCAR representatives and media members (both broadcast and print).

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After two meetings — one before the Daytona 500 in February and another before the Coca-Cola 600 in May — and two email surveys, it seemed like a near certainty the playoff format would be revamped for next season.

But earlier this month, the discussions stalled out. It’s now far less likely that anything drastic will change in time for 2026.

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The committee meetings have trended toward a compromise: A modified playoff system with a longer championship round of some kind.

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Given all of that conversation, it felt like the current one-race format was on life support by the end of the May meeting.

On July 8, though, the committee was informed that discussions would be tabled for at least six weeks. Although NASCAR still planned to seek feedback on some potential formats, executives first wanted to have a private meeting with NBC Sports — one of four Cup Series television partners, and the one that happens to broadcast the playoffs.

And because NASCAR said it could not meet with NBC until August, any changes for 2026 would now be in jeopardy because the Cup Series schedule had to be finalized — or very close to it — sooner rather than later. See much more at The Athletic.