The Chase returning as NASCAR's version of the playoffs has delighted countless people, including many current and former racers. Yet, Richard Petty has one problem with the revived format.
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As he explained to Dale Inman during an episode of the Petty Race Recap podcast, the points system could pose a problem as the end of the season approaches.
"They've got to figure out a way to make that a little bit closer," Petty said while referencing how Kyle Larson scored a perfect 76-point day at Kansas Speedway. "Because if you're not careful, the championship is going to be over before they get down to the last two or three races.
"They didn't design it that way, but once it played itself out, as far as I'm concerned, it's not a good system. They're going to have to go back and look at some of the stuff and look at how to do the points."
When NASCAR brought back the Chase for 2026 and beyond, it made some changes to the points format. The sanctioning body kept the points awarded to each driver inside the top 10 at the end of stages 1 and 2. This provided the opportunity for drivers to stack more points throughout the race.
Additionally, NASCAR kept the Xfinity Fastest Lap that pays one point to the driver with the single fastest lap during each race.
Finally, the updated Chase format awarded an extra 15 points for a win. Under previous formats, a win would be worth 40 points. The return of the Chase changed that number to 55 points.
This updated format has made it possible for drivers to erase massive deficits, something that Joey Logano did. He went from 72 points back of Denny Hamlin after the Southern 500 that opened the Chase to only 16 points back of new points leader Larson by winning at Bristol.
However, Petty believes that this updated points format has had a negative effect on the Chase. He thinks that only four drivers are realistically in contention for the championship after four Chase races and that one of them could lock up the championship with multiple races remaining in the season.
This list includes Larson, Hamlin (-26), Christopher Bell (-50), and Logano (-67). Petty believes that Ryan Blaney in fifth (-91) and every other driver behind him can no longer contend for the championship due to the points format.
Whether this happens remains to be seen. After all, the bonus points tied to winning could potentially help one of the drivers further back in the standings erase a points deficit. They would just have to go on a run where they win multiple races.
