NASCAR Chase Viewership Up 6% Through Four Races in New 2026 Format

NASCAR's first four Chase races of 2026 averaged about 1.7 million viewers, up 6% from 1.6 million at the same point in 2025, according to NASCAR's own figures. The rise comes as NASCAR replaced its elimination-style playoff with a 10-race Chase based on cumulative points. The format is meant to reward season-long consistency and put more weight on winning races, but the numbers don't prove the format caused the gain. Before the Chase began, regular season admissions were up 9%, the Cup Series had 11 sellouts and social impressions reached 1.94 billion (up 31%). Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson are in the title fight.