Jeff Gordon Brands the New NASCAR Championship Format “the Best Compromise”

Ex-NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon has shared his thoughts on the new playoffs format announcement.

Jeff Gordon Brands the New NASCAR Championship Format “the Best Compromise”

Jeff Gordon (Via IMAGO)

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The NASCAR community is over the moon after the latest championship announcement. From the 2026 season and beyond, the sport is going back to the original chase format with the 16 best racers from the regular season fighting it out for the title in the 10-race finale round. NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon shared his thoughts on the format change in the recent interview.

Jeff Gordon, who is currently the Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman, loves the change, despite the fact that he was one of the many legendary racers that got burned by the format change that was first introduced in the 2004 season. The four-time champion never came really close winning another championship once the format was change.

I did say it, and it’s true. Not only did I say it, but it’s true that I got my (butt) kicked by that format.

Jeff Gordon said via RACER.

Further talking about the point, Gordon called the format change the best compromise, a feeling that was previously shared by Mark Martin. Despite the drama it brings playoffs have never been the best way to crown a champion, but the 10-race shootout is one of the best ways to it. It makes the championship legitimate again.

I think this is the best compromise. The knockout and going down to a single event is exciting, it brings a lot of drama, but is that really the best way to crown the champion? I think in motorsports, we’re different than other sports, and I think having a 10-race shootout is the way to do it.

Jeff Gordon added.

Jeff Gordon shares his first impression of the Chase format from 2004

The Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon was at his peak when NASCAR changed the championship format and introduced the Chase system. He had the best car, the best team as well as the best sponsors to thrive under the new format.

Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon (Via @JeffGordonWeb/X)

I remember when it was announced, and of course, I’m coming off of winning a fourth championship just a couple of years before that and loving the format being 36 races.

Jeff Gordon said.

Initially the HOF thought the change us going to benefit him, considering he has always been strong in the last ten races of the season. But he was mistaken, as he never dominated the last stretch of the year as he should, unlike his teammate Jimmie Johnson that won seven championships.

So, it was all new to me, and it was a personal thing where I didn’t know that those 10 races, when they announced it, were my best. As it turned out, they weren’t…But I still loved what it did for the excitement of the sport.

Jeff Gordon added.

The comments from the legendary racer seems rational and on point. The chase format makes the series more challenging, chaotic without sacrificing the legitimacy of the champion. It would be interesting to see which HMS driver will lead HMS and Gordon to their first Cup Series championship.

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