Dale Earnhardt Jr. Credits Mark Martin Over New NASCAR Playoffs Format
Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has shared his thoughts on Mark Martin’s involvement in the sport adopting the chase format for 2026.
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Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via profootballnetwork.com)
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The NASCAR community is really excited about the future of the sport with the latest championship format announcement. From 2026, all national series will go back to the original chase format, with sixteen drivers fighting for the title instead of the original 10. The win and in system was scrapped in order to give consistency more leverage.
One of the driving forces behind the change was NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, who from day one of the playoff committee meeting spoke for the majority of the fans, demanding full-season points format. He got, in his own words the perfect compromise, with chase system and according to Dale Earnhardt Jr. the veteran deserves the credit for the change.
There’s a lot of credit being given to Martin. It’s deserving because right out the gate, he’s like, ‘This is the best way to do it.’ He never let off the gas.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.
NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell and VP Ben Kennedy had also made similar comments, highlighting the veteran as the biggest voice during the negotiations. Talking about it further in the podcast, two times Busch series champion Dale Jr. pointed out that Mark Martin put his neck in the line to make the change happen.
If Mark hadn’t have been so adamant at first and stayed the course, I don’t know that we would have gotten this far, and he really did put his neck on the line.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.
In the same conversation, the veteran pointed out that he isn’t still 100% satisfied with the change as he like majority in the community wanted the 36-race points format. It was the one Martin also demanded from the leadership. Going back to the chase will be the first step in the direction of getting the legacy format back.
36 is the best way to choose who truly is the champion. You’re not going to change my mind.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. asserted.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn’t capable of convincing broadcasters to let playoffs go
In the same conversation earlier, Dale Jr. talked about what he initially thought when they sat down for the first ever playoffs committee meeting. He pointed out that when he looked in the room and saw the attendees, he knew that he won’t be able to convince the broadcasters as well as NASCAR it was time scrap the playoffs for good.
I looked across the room, and I’m like, I don’t think I can convince the networks to let go of what they want to hang on to. I don’t think I can convince NASCAR to go as far as they need to go.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.
The determination of the legendary NASCAR figures played a significant role in the sport taking a positive step towards making the championship legitimate again. It would be interesting to see how many more years it will take for the original full-season format to return.
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