Connor Zilisch might be the only driver in the NASCAR Cup Series who can say the following.
“It was a long time ago. I’ve seen videos and stuff, but I don’t remember much about it,” he told the News-Journal.
No, at 19 and three years younger than anyone else in the Cup Series, he doesn’t really remember his first stint in the sport using “The Hunt” as it is playoff format. The Chase was instituted in 2004, two years before Zilisch was born in 2006. Its final season was in 2013, when Zilisch was 7 years old.
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But now he will be able to observe it up close and personal.
On Monday, Jan. 12, NASCAR announced a return to that system, ending the four-round, winner-take-all playoffs it had used since 2014. The move came after more than a year of internal conversation — and fan outrage directed at the old format.
The top 16 drivers in points at the end of the 26-race regular season will be entered and points will be adjusted based on their position in the standings. From there, they will compete in a 10-race chase. Whoever has the most points at the end is the champion.
No elimination. And drivers can no longer guarantee a playoff spot with a regular season win.
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“I really think all the drivers are very excited about this – just the legitimacy of crowning a champion,” Zilisch said. “I definitely think in the long run, it’s definitely a better way to go. I think it’s good for everyone. I think a lot of people are excited. The fans are excited, and it’s definitely going to help us get back into a position where the champions that we crown are 100 percent. All the fans can appreciate that, and there won’t be any controversy around it going forward.”
This last sentence is perhaps an exaggeration. Controversy is always possible, and a strong contingent of die-hard fans wanted a return to the points battle that lasted all season.
But many drivers and fans felt the Chase was a good compromise when the news broke Monday.
Top NASCAR prospect Connor Zilisch will begin his rookie season in the Cup Series with a new playoff format.
NASCAR called all Cup Series drivers that morning to inform them of the change ahead of the broadcast announcement that afternoon. This didn’t shock Zilisch. He had heard rumors about the Chase’s return throughout the offseason.
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For him, it came one offseason too late.
If the Chase had been in place for 2025, Zilisch would have claimed the Xfinity Series Title. He set a circuit record for wins in a season with 10. He finished in the top five in five of seven playoff races, including one victory and two runner-up finishes.
But he placed third in the winner’s final. Then he sat on the ground next to his car with tears in his eyes.
“Yes, that thought crossed my mind (when the new format was revealed), but it’s one of those things you can’t really think about,” Zilisch said. “You kind of have to move on after it happened. It was definitely a tough few days for me, losing that championship. But those are the things in life that are just going to happen. You just have to let it go.”
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He now begins his rookie campaign in the Cup Series, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing. He remains the sport’s best hope.
And regardless of the playoff format, he doesn’t think his approach will change.
“Our goal, regardless of the playoff format, is to win every weekend,” Zilisch said. “I think that goal remains the same. It’s going to be exciting to see how it all plays out.”
When will the 2026 Daytona 500 take place?
The new NASCAR season will begin with the 68th running of the Daytona 500 on February 15. The green flag is expected shortly after 2:30 p.m. The race will be broadcast on Fox.
This article originally appeared in the Daytona Beach News-Journal: Connor Zilisch backs Chase as NASCAR’s new playoff format
