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2w ago

NASCAR Hints at Ending One‑Race Championship Finale After Committee Review

Officials cite safeguarding this year’s title in pledging to announce any new format only after the Phoenix finale.

Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, celebrates with a burnout after winning the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. Image: Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
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Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, and Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Reser's Fine Foods Toyota, lead the field through a restart during the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 11, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas.

Overview

  • After concluding its playoff-format meetings, NASCAR leadership has begun internal deliberations, with any change to be decided by the board, according to communications chief Mike Forde.
  • Forde said the series will wait until after Nov. 2 at Phoenix to reveal any new system to avoid devaluing the 2025 championship.
  • Officials signaled the single-race, winner‑take‑all finale is unlikely to continue, and reporting notes growing support for either a multi-race title round or a return to a full-season points crown.
  • On track, Ryan Blaney is locked into the Round of 8 after winning at New Hampshire, and the Round of 12 continues at Kansas on Sunday (USA Network, 3:00 p.m. ET; green flag 3:05 p.m.; 267 laps with stages at 80/165/267).
  • Entering Kansas, Ross Chastain (-12), Austin Cindric (-19), Tyler Reddick (-23) and Bubba Wallace (-27) are below the cutline, Team Penske carries momentum, Hendrick seeks wins to convert consistency, and Chevrolet is still chasing its first playoff victory.