may be the one NASCAR Cup Sequence driver who can say the next.
“It was a very long time in the past. I’ve seen movies and stuff, however I don’t have a lot reminiscence of it,” he informed the Information-Journal.
No, at 19 years outdated and three years youthful than anybody else within the Cup Sequence, he doesn’t actually bear in mind the game’s first stint utilizing as its . The Chase was instituted in 2004, two years earlier than Zilisch’s 2006 start. Its closing season occurred in 2013 when Zilisch was 7.
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However now, he’ll obtain an up shut and private have a look at it.
On Monday, Jan. 12, NASCAR introduced a return to that system, ending the four-round, winner-take-all playoffs it has used since 2014. The transfer arrived after greater than a yr of inside dialog — and fan outrage directed on the outdated format.
The highest 16 drivers in factors on the finish of the 26-race common season will acquire entry, and factors will probably be adjusted primarily based on place within the standings. From there, they’ll compete in a 10-race Chase. Whoever has essentially the most factors on the finish is the champion.
No eliminations. And drivers can now not assure postseason berths with a regular-season win.
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“I positively assume all drivers are fairly enthusiastic about this — simply the legitimacy of crowning a champion,” Zilisch mentioned. “I definitely assume that, in the long term, that is for positive a greater technique to go. I believe it’s good for everyone. I believe lots of people are excited. The followers are excited, and it’s definitely going to assist put us again in a spot the place the champions that we crown are 100%. All of the followers will be appreciative of it, and there’s not going to be any controversy round it going ahead.”
That final sentence may be a stretch. Controversy is all the time attainable, and a loud contingent of hardcore followers needed a comeback of the season-long factors battle.
However many drivers and followers felt the Chase represented a very good compromise when the information dropped Monday.
NASCAR’s greatest prospect, Connor Zilisch, will enter his rookie season within the Cup Sequence with a brand new playoff format.
NASCAR pulled all of the Cup Sequence drivers onto a name that morning to tell them of the swap earlier than the printed announcement that afternoon. It didn’t shock Zilisch. He had heard rumblings concerning the Chase returning all through the offseason.
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For him, it got here one offseason too late.
If the Chase was in place for 2025, Zilisch would’ve claimed the . He set a circuit document for wins in a season with 10. He completed within the high 5 in 5 of the seven postseason races, together with one victory and two runners-up.
However he positioned third within the winner-take-all finale. Afterward, he sat on the bottom subsequent to his automobile with tears in his eyes.
“Yeah, the thought crossed my thoughts (when the brand new format was unveiled), nevertheless it’s a kind of issues you’ll be able to’t actually take into consideration,” Zilisch mentioned. “You’ve form of simply bought to maneuver on from it after it occurs. It definitely was a tricky couple days for me, dropping that championship. However these are the issues in life which can be simply going to occur. You’ve simply bought to form of let it go.”
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Now, he enters his rookie marketing campaign within the Cup Sequence, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing. He stays the game’s greatest prospect.
And no matter playoff format, he doesn’t assume his method will change.
“Our aim, it doesn’t matter what the playoff format is, is to exit and win every weekend,” Zilisch mentioned. “I believe that aim stays the identical. It’s going to be thrilling to see the way it all performs out.”
When is the 2026 Daytona 500?
The brand new NASCAR season will start with the 68th working of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 15. The inexperienced flag is scheduled for shortly after 2:30 p.m. The race will air on Fox.
