I was browsing the Jayski site when I stumbled upon the 2026 Cup Series Schedule, and it shows a 10-race playoff with no rounds. Maybe it's nothing, but it used to show the old format, and given recent news, I'd venture to say it could be accurate.
The page previously did note "Round of 16", et al via Internet Archive as recently as a few weeks ago for the record. And Jayski's site IS hosted by NASCAR Digital Media and has slipped things out there before. And Jayski's been around forever so it's not like it's just some rando.
That said, the current labeling is also a "safe bet". Most folks have said that "Full Season Points" are unlikely but that the current system is also doomed. Leaving the start point signifier but not elaborating further is a good hedging of bets for where we stand RIGHT NOW (for Chase, 4-3-3, or 3-3-4) - and if a miracle happens tomorrow and it IS season points, there's just one more line to delete.
The published info on the NASCAR media site has the 10 races originally announced as the playoffs still in bold and has since they announced there would be a change. It doesn’t mean anything.
I’ll add Go Hoosiers as someone who isn’t necessarily a fan of theirs otherwise but I’m enjoying seeing them beat up on the traditional football powerhouse schools
This isn't really confirmation of anything, and even if we do get a 10 race format tomorrow it still wouldn't have been an indication of anything.
Last month it showed a standard playoffs format. If they wanted to start prepping code to quickly update the layout then they could have made multiple variants and simply left the 10 race configuration as the production page because it was either done last or would be easiest to modify.
I agree this isn't confirmation of anything; but doubt Jayski has to make multiple variants, it's owned by NASCAR now, they've almost certainly got the new format under embargo, just like the other big media members - that's why there's no leaks or bombs.
The team owners already know what the new format is because this had to go to them per the 3/5 strikes rule. One of them could very plausibly have leaked it but it's not gotten out b/c it's all under embargo.
We're all going to know what it is less than 24 hours from now and there's no advantage to knowing it any sooner.
I don't disagree that it needs it's own name, but I disagree that it should be called Grand National.
The word "grand" makes it sound like it's the top series, which would be confusing. Also, Grand National used to be what the Cup Series was called, so that would add more confusion.
The Cup series hasn’t been called Grand National for 40 years. For literally 55 years we have been calling it the Cup series. Drivers, fans, media. Everyone.
Perhaps the Cup Series formerly being known as Grand National isn't going to confuse anyone, but I do maintain that the name Grand National would confuse new fans into thinking it was the top division.
Well this might be pretty accurate I wouldn’t be suprised if this was posted a day early since it’s Sunday but with the official preference on Monday for this
From what I've read so far that has leaked is the final ten races there will be no rounds to eliminate, whatnot er they come up with 20,16,12 that go into the final ten races will race it out over the 10
NASCAR has long been a consistency based sport. They measured Wins, Top 5's, Top 10's etc. They took that away when they went to this win and move on format. It doesn't work in NASCAR like football, baseball, etc. I like allowing there to be consistency for the champion and not win a race here and there and win the championship! I think the Championship race became weird when I could literally be in 12th place on the last lap and win the championship. But that is just my opinion.
*stage cautions
stages are actually fine tbh. rewards how ya run thru the *whole race*. just get rid of the idiotic cautions and let them have strategy again
as stupid as it would be to not use the same-ish system for all 3. it would be interesting to see if all the full season truthers flocked to the trucks if they were different.
I don’t think it means anything…you will have to wait for the official announcement on Monday
Side note: I like that for the off week in the summer, Jayski has it as Summer Break 400…
Haha it also has the “Easter Bunny 500” for the Easter off-week
I love when people have a sense of humor with this stuff
500 Laps at Hickory sounds brutal
The page previously did note "Round of 16", et al via Internet Archive as recently as a few weeks ago for the record. And Jayski's site IS hosted by NASCAR Digital Media and has slipped things out there before. And Jayski's been around forever so it's not like it's just some rando.
That said, the current labeling is also a "safe bet". Most folks have said that "Full Season Points" are unlikely but that the current system is also doomed. Leaving the start point signifier but not elaborating further is a good hedging of bets for where we stand RIGHT NOW (for Chase, 4-3-3, or 3-3-4) - and if a miracle happens tomorrow and it IS season points, there's just one more line to delete.
The published info on the NASCAR media site has the 10 races originally announced as the playoffs still in bold and has since they announced there would be a change. It doesn’t mean anything.
Don’t look too deep into this one.
This is a good comment :-)
https://preview.redd.it/3lphkzxdkvcg1.png?width=535&format=png&auto=webp&s=3aea4d73e772f2fa97b37d21e03535c94f9743fd
Oops 🤣
Basically my thought process making this post
Unrelated but go Hoosiers!
Yesssir
Hey, this Michigan fan respects what Cignetti’s got cooking in Bloomington.
Plus it’s gonna be nice to have a potentially new Big Ten team winning in the CFP era for a change if they get the job done.
We’re all Hoosiers this week lol
I’ll add Go Hoosiers as someone who isn’t necessarily a fan of theirs otherwise but I’m enjoying seeing them beat up on the traditional football powerhouse schools
tbf that's most of us when we post anything
This is what the page looked like on December 8...so Jayski probably jumped the gun again.
https://preview.redd.it/gzob1mf2lscg1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d06849207b32a5d250a6d60eef4398f461d972c9
Wouldn't be surprised.
Also wouldn't be surprised if NASCAR had them update it to try to hide what format it could be
That means nothing.
Considering it did used to have rounds listed, it may be an indication of the chase format
This isn't really confirmation of anything, and even if we do get a 10 race format tomorrow it still wouldn't have been an indication of anything.
Last month it showed a standard playoffs format. If they wanted to start prepping code to quickly update the layout then they could have made multiple variants and simply left the 10 race configuration as the production page because it was either done last or would be easiest to modify.
That’s a great take honestly
I agree this isn't confirmation of anything; but doubt Jayski has to make multiple variants, it's owned by NASCAR now, they've almost certainly got the new format under embargo, just like the other big media members - that's why there's no leaks or bombs.
The team owners already know what the new format is because this had to go to them per the 3/5 strikes rule. One of them could very plausibly have leaked it but it's not gotten out b/c it's all under embargo.
We're all going to know what it is less than 24 hours from now and there's no advantage to knowing it any sooner.
If true, then looks like NOAPS is the same format as this year, and trucks is a full season championship...
If true I'd take it. 25 races is too short for any form of Chase/Playoffs.
NOAPS is such a horrid acronym.
Really wish this could just be distinguishable like Cup. Grand National is so simple.
Gotta make NOS a thing
That’s an energy drink, isn’t it?
Yes it is, NOS energy drink. NOS is the only alternative acronym for that series that I can think of
I don’t use an acronym, no one called the xfinity series NXS when it was around, it was just called xfinity.
I don't disagree that it needs it's own name, but I disagree that it should be called Grand National.
The word "grand" makes it sound like it's the top series, which would be confusing. Also, Grand National used to be what the Cup Series was called, so that would add more confusion.
The Cup series hasn’t been called Grand National for 40 years. For literally 55 years we have been calling it the Cup series. Drivers, fans, media. Everyone.
This is confusing to no one.
He’s not talking about confusing to nascar fans. He’s talking about confusing to possible newcomers.
I don’t think NASCAR has to worry about confusing newcomers. Absolutely no one is watching this stuff besides hardcore fans or oval racing fans lmao.
The sooner this sport and fans accept it, the sooner we can fix the racing product and make it fun again.
You know this for a fact?
Perhaps the Cup Series formerly being known as Grand National isn't going to confuse anyone, but I do maintain that the name Grand National would confuse new fans into thinking it was the top division.
I am pretty confused.
Yeah, I know you are trolling. 70% of NASCARs entire history is the top series being called the Cup series.
70% of NASCARs entire history had full season points format.
I just stick to O’Reilly
“Sorry, the card said Moops” is what I want to reply every time I see it.
i just pronounce it the 'nopes' series now
I’d imagine the site is using what Adam Stern reported earlier for Cup, nothing reported for the other series
That’d be an interesting way to do it. Try all three formats and see which works best
O'Reilly series shows championship rounds.
this year? it's 2026. what is the format they had this year?
Am I huffing copium about a full season format?
I’m high af on it
Well this might be pretty accurate I wouldn’t be suprised if this was posted a day early since it’s Sunday but with the official preference on Monday for this
Even if we know the format the points structure could be completely different
Would say this is kinda like maybe some small details but not fully the entire thing right
That’s how I’d view it, my main questions would be win and in, points, and stages
From what I've read so far that has leaked is the final ten races there will be no rounds to eliminate, whatnot er they come up with 20,16,12 that go into the final ten races will race it out over the 10
NASCAR has long been a consistency based sport. They measured Wins, Top 5's, Top 10's etc. They took that away when they went to this win and move on format. It doesn't work in NASCAR like football, baseball, etc. I like allowing there to be consistency for the champion and not win a race here and there and win the championship! I think the Championship race became weird when I could literally be in 12th place on the last lap and win the championship. But that is just my opinion.
This means something. Look at the cached pages and on Dec 8th it showed the playoff rounds
Just get rid of the damn stages
Stage cautions*
Stages are fine to award points. Just stop throwing the yellow.
I concur get rid of the yellows
Can you imagine Fox trying to figure out who finished where and who got what points for stages if there were no caution? What a disaster.
Yeah let’s dumb down the race quality to appease a shit network.
I’ve had enough of that.
*stage cautions
stages are actually fine tbh. rewards how ya run thru the *whole race*. just get rid of the idiotic cautions and let them have strategy again
This is the way, but I don't see stage caution removal happening anytime soon.
But getting rid of stages means going back to the infamous phantom debris cautions.
Also, I'm pretty sure sponsors pressure Nascar to have their designated TV slots for advertising, so stages are the compromise needed for that.
Nothing until tomorrow
Hopefully how you qualify for the championship group isn't horse shit.
It was changed about a month ago after nascar pretty much said they weren’t going to use the same format anymore.
I totally forgot Watkins Glen was moved to August... Is this just for this year or for future races
trucks dont have any playoffs listed. trucks going full season!!!1! /s.
as stupid as it would be to not use the same-ish system for all 3. it would be interesting to see if all the full season truthers flocked to the trucks if they were different.
They didnt back in the day, why would they now?
They would do it to "prove a point" then after a few races quit watching
toxic social media.