Christopher Bell Drops Verdict on NASCAR Points Format Change
· Yahoo Sports
Christopher Bell approves of NASCAR reintroducing the Chase format prior to this season. After 12 seasons with the win-and-you’re-in, elimination-style format, NASCAR returned to the Chase format, which emphasizes consistency over the course of the entire season.
Instead of a win qualifying a driver for the postseason, the top 16 drivers in the points standings at the end of the regular season determines the Chase field. Then, the 16 Chase drivers battle over 10 races to determine the champion, with the highest points-scorer claiming the title at season’s end.
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Bell Approves of Chase Format: ‘Everything Matters Now’
During a recent interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Bell was asked his opinion about NASCAR returning to the Chase this season. Whether it is great or poor finishes, the driver of the No. 20 appreciates that everything matters.
“I love it because your good days are carried over. Unfortunately, your bad days are carried over, but everything matters now. Every stage, every race, every position that you’re fighting for,” Bell said.
Bell won the Chase opener at Darlington Raceway for his first win of the 2026 season. Under the previous playoff, Bell would have had a guaranteed spot in the Round of 12 with the elimination-style rules.
That would make the next two races in the 3-race round essentially meaningless for Bell. Now, under the Chase format, that is not the case.
“I was joking around after Darlington. … You win the first race of a round in the old playoff system, you’re on easy street, man. The next two weeks, you’re [in the] offseason. Literally, it doesn’t matter, and it’s not like that anymore,” Bell said.
The points format change not only puts an emphasis on every Chase race, but the regular season, too, Bell said.
“Even through the regular season, the points battles and paying attention to where you’re at in the standings, it mattered so much more. Where, under the previous format, literally it was win-or-bust. If you weren’t in a position to win, it’s like, ‘All right, onto the next one,’” Bell said.
Christopher Bell In The Hunt For First Cup Series Championship
Only four races remain in the Chase for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship. After six Chase races, Christopher Bell finds himself right in the mix to win his first career Cup title.
Bell ranks third in the points standings, trailing championship leader Kyle Larson by 51 points. The Joe Gibbs Racing star is only two points behind JGR teammate Denny Hamlin, who sits second in the standings.
Fourth place in the standings is another JGR teammate, Chase Briscoe, who is 65 points behind Larson and 14 points off of Bell.
Bell has established himself as a championship contender over the last five seasons. He made two appearances in the Championship 4 race under the previous format in 2022 and 2023, but failed to win the title in both years.