NASCAR Revives Chase Format as Hamlin Leads 16-Driver Postseason Field

The field for NASCAR’s 10-race postseason is officially set following a dramatic conclusion to the regular season at Daytona. Ryan Preece secured the 16th and final playoff spot with his first career Cup Series victory, leapfrogging Shane van Gisbergen to join 15 other drivers in the revived Chase format.

This season marks a significant structural shift in the sport. After 12 years of a win-and-in elimination style, NASCAR has reintroduced the Chase. This system prioritizes season-long consistency over single-race success, rewarding drivers who have performed well since the season opener in February. The postseason begins Sunday, Sept. 6 at the Southern 500 in Darlington, South Carolina.

Denny Hamlin enters the Chase as the top seed. The 45-year-old driver for Joe Gibbs Racing secured the regular-season championship with a seventh-place finish at New Hampshire on Aug. 23. Hamlin has recorded four victories and 14 top-five finishes this season. While he is the oldest active full-time driver in the series, he is widely viewed as a contender for his first championship title.

The rest of the field includes a mix of veteran contenders and consistent performers. Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing is seeded third, highlighting a strong season for the Toyota camp. Other notable names in the top 16 include Ryan Blaney (Team Penske), Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports), and Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports).

Drivers will need to maintain their momentum throughout the 10-race grind. Tyler Reddick noted that the mindset under this format differs from the recent playoff system, as drivers cannot simply “start over” after a bad weekend. The focus shifts to minimizing mistakes and sustaining performance over the final stretch of the calendar.

The competition for the title will involve major automotive manufacturers and teams. While Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota battle on the track, the broader sports media landscape continues to evolve, with companies like Comcast Corporation playing a role in broadcasting the action to audiences. Comcast, trading at $27.06, holds a significant presence in the media sector through its various platforms.

What to watch

• The start of the NASCAR Chase on Sunday, Sept. 6 at Darlington Raceway.
• Performance of top-seeded Denny Hamlin as he seeks his first series title.
• How Ryan Preece utilizes his momentum after the Daytona victory.

Source: original release