With NASCAR returning to the long-lost Chase format for 2026, we saw a massive change in how our races were run. Stage points became more important than ever; wins remained just as important, but in the end we crowned a champion nonetheless.

Under the current Chase format, Kyle Larson won his third Championship at the end of Stage 1. He cemented that lead with a win at Talladega and a respectable finish at Martinsville.

Yes, we get it, they would have run differently. This is just for fun. Treat it as such.

The Playoffs

Under the Playoffs, we had 4 drivers duking it out at Homestead for the first time since 2019. Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, and Tyler Reddick would have been your Round of 4 drivers.

In the end, the true champion would have finished 4th, following his issues on track and a 12th-place finish. 10 points back of the Playoff Champ.

Denny Hamlin finished P.6, giving him a 3rd-place finish in the Playoffs. 4 points back.

William Byron finished P.3, which would have set him back just a single point and place behind the 2026 Playoff Champion. Redemption for 2025, but still the bridesmaid.

Tyler Reddick would have won the 2026 Cup Series Championship under the Playoff format. His second-place finish might have been just a single spot above the 2nd-place driver, but under that format… That was enough.

Winston Cup Full Season Points

Under the full-season format, with the same points system and no elimination, Denny Hamlin would finally be a NASCAR Cup Series Champion. Denny would have finished a massive 378 points ahead of second-place finisher Tyler Reddick at season’s end.

Special thanks to NWCS Standings for doing the math for the rest of us for this format.

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