Shane van Gisbergen had a stable likelihood within the 2025 NASCAR Cup Collection playoffs. Through the Kiwi speedster’s rookie season, he was on a whopping five-win streak on highway programs. And the Charlotte Roval, current within the playoffs, was a ticket to the Spherical of 8. SVG couldn’t cross the Spherical of 16, though he did find yourself successful the race anyway. In 2026, nonetheless, he will be unable to make use of the Roval’s benefit – and Mark Martin shouldn’t be bothered.
Mark Martin is glad in regards to the trimmed postseason
“I don’t see an issue with not having a highway course in there. Simply completely happy that now we have 10 races to determine our champion. I nonetheless assume you’ll should be blazingly quick and unbelievably constant to be the 2026 champion. So, I’m good with it. I like the oval. I believe we’re prepared for it. Vehicles race actually good on that racetrack proper now with the foundations package deal and stuff. So, um, the rubble was attention-grabbing, however you already know, it was time for a change,” Mark Martin
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NASCAR has reverted to the Chase format, which has a 10-race postseason. And Charlotte Motor Speedway occupies the sixth slot of that record – however it’s going to not be on its Roval format. Since 2018, the two.3-mile, 17-turn circuit Charlotte Roval has hosted a playoff race. Nonetheless, with drivers wrecking on the ultimate lap to advance within the playoffs or manipulative incidents like Stewart-Haas Racing’s 2022 fiasco have clouded the monitor’s repute.
Moreover its awkward and unruly nature, the Roval additionally doesn’t gel nicely with the Subsequent-Gen automotive. Many imagine that it has diminished the standard of road-course racing. The 1.5-mile oval at Charlotte, then again, has been one of many higher occasions on the schedule, because the Subsequent-Gen automotive has improved racing on intermediate ovals. So, many followers and drivers, , have clamored for a transfer again to the oval. And NASCAR is lastly doing simply that.
additionally responded positively to cutting down the highway course occasions from 6 to 4. “I believe it’s quantity. Um, yeah, I actually do. I believe that the San Diego race will probably be attention-grabbing for one thing new. I like the truth that they’re not caught on anybody factor. I don’t anticipate the San Diego to be a 5 or 10-year occasion except it’s simply completely superb. And I like that. So, I’m all for attempting a couple of various things. Um, six highway course races are fairly a couple of for an oval-based collection,” he stated.
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Whereas NASCAR shuffles its racetracks for the brand new season, one staff can be gearing up in earnest.
Unveiling a brand new coaching middle
Hendrick Motorsports was the belle of the ball in 2025, as fetched his second Cup Collection championship. Nonetheless, the staff shouldn’t be getting carried away, as the brand new season brings many new challenges. With a revamped format specializing in factors and elevated horsepower, a shift in technique is crucial. And for that goal, the staff opened a brand new 35,000-square-foot health, restoration, and medical care hub on its 150-acre campus.
The Atrium Well being Motorsports Athletic Middle is crammed with top-of-the-line health gear, weights, a spa, hydrotherapy swimming pools, and smooth, personalised locker areas. Whereas the health and restoration options can be found to all staff, the primary customers will probably be pit crew members, who’re always honing their energy and agility for in-race pit stops.
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“So, we developed a wellness program over on the Automotive Group (workplaces), and with (bodily remedy) individuals and trainers to coach individuals do it the precise manner. After which we checked out how many individuals we’re coaching right here. I believe we’ve obtained over 50 pit crew individuals — we do (coaching) for different groups (too). And it was compact, the realm for rehab (on the motorsports advanced),” stated Rick Hendrick.
Clearly, all arms are on deck for the 2026 season. Let’s wait and see the way it unfolds.
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