Overview
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. recounted that NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell told him “something similar will happen” across Cup, Xfinity and Trucks, indicating aligned format changes are being pursued.
- Kyle Larson said there is broad agreement the championship should be decided by more than one race, adding he has not heard final details and expects a compromise format.
- NASCAR previously formed a working group to review the postseason and has signaled moving away from a single-race decider, while keeping the 2025 format unchanged.
- Earnhardt Jr. suggested the much-rumored 3-3-4 playoff layout is unlikely, though he did not outline a specific replacement.
- The O’Reilly Series schedule notes a 2026 finale at Homestead–Miami and states current tweaks are not a sign the existing system will remain permanently.