Overview

• The Playoff Format Committee met on September 17 and is evaluating options that range from a return to a 36‑race points title to a multi‑race finale and revised playoff mechanics.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. says internal support for a full‑season championship has risen from roughly 2% to 30–40% and notes TV partners are kept in the loop because of their financial stake.
• 2023 Cup champion Ryan Blaney proposes bigger regular‑season win bonuses, staged cutdowns, and carrying points to later rounds, and he is open to either a longer finale or a full‑season title.
• Analysts including Bob Pockrass and Kevin Harvick favor keeping a playoff framework but replacing the one‑race championship with a four‑ or five‑race run to better reward consistency.
• Declining playoff TV ratings are cited by insiders as a key driver of the review, and some reports suggest potential changes could be outlined after Phoenix, though NASCAR has not announced any decision.