When NASCAR unveiled its 2026 Cup Series schedule back in late August, the garage area buzzed with chatter from all corners. Tracks like San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado and a revived Chicagoland Speedway grabbed headlines, but beneath the excitement, whispers about the playoff structure began gaining real traction. Fans and drivers alike wondered if this fresh calendar hinted at bigger shifts after years of the same postseason grind. The current setup, locked in since 2014, funnels 16 drivers into a tense 10-race sprint with brutal eliminations after each round, resetting points and demanding wins to survive. But what’s the problem that needs fixing?

That “win and you’re in” edge has drawn fire from legends like Richard Petty and current stars, turning the format into a lightnin

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