There is excitement in the NASCAR community following the recent announcement of the return of the Chase format starting in 2026. Many veterans breathed a sigh of relief, believing the move would help secure the future of the sport. Among them are Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr., two ardent supporters who received their flowers from former driver Ken Schrader.
Under the revised format, drivers earn playoff spots based on regular season point totals rather than relying on a single win to advance. This same principle applies to the playoffs, where advancement now depends on point totals instead of a brutal “win-win” equation. This change puts consistency back on the pedestal, and Schrader, a guest on Kenny Wallace’s show, credited Martineand Dale Jr. for amplifying fan sentiment and pushing the conversation in the right direction.
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Schrader explained that the new framework requires excellence across the entire calendar. Drivers can no longer afford to drive on isolated peaks. One or two missteps can lead to survival, but only if they are followed by a sustained series of good finishes that keep the points ledger healthy. In short, the championship path now emphasizes discipline, recovery and consistent execution.
Schrader rented the willingness of the sanctioning body to listen. “They have a lot of smart people, and if they want to listen to Dale Jr. and Mark Martin, they are two of the most level-headed guys in our industry, I think, who understand this sport and really love it and not just the finances and all that,” he said.
“But what makes this movie great, what makes people want to watch it on TV, what makes people want to spend money to go watch it? They’re going to listen. I have to give him a big attaboy for that. I think it’s a good decision.”
Indeed, sport benefits most when decisions are shaped by those who understand both its competitive soul and its audience.
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That philosophy was evident when the playoff announcement leaned heavily on respected veterans such as Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr., both of whom publicly endorsed the return of “The Chase” as a feasible middle ground. Their support framed the change as a compromise that preserves playoff drama while restoring merit-based progression.
The broader landscape suggests dynamics in the same direction. As manufacturers expand their presence and Tony Stewart preparing for a high-profile return via a Truck Series start at Daytona, the ecosystem seems energized.
Beyond the mechanics of the championship, NASCAR has associated its reform with concrete actions that demonstrate responsibility. Officials reiterated that fans’ voices matter and backed those words with action.
Along with the format overhaul, the series approved a horsepower increase for Cup cars and resolved internal controversy by leaving Steve Phelps following disparaging remarks involving Richard Childressand ended the antitrust dispute by settling with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. Taken together, these measures suggest that the sport is recalibrating its priorities and aiming to restore fan confidence.
The position ‘Attaboy’: Ken Schrader reacts to NASCAR’s revamped 2026 format, credits Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. appeared first on The rush to sport.
