Over the years, Kevin Harvick raced under the Winston Cup points system, original Chase format, and variations of the playoffs towards the end of his career. Of course, he won the NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2014, the first year of the “Championship 4” format.
Coming out of the offseason, Harvick was ready to give his thoughts and opinions on all things NASCAR on his podcast, “Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour.” This week, as the show returned, Harvick and his co-hosts discussed the new Chase format for the 2026 season.
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“I think it’s a great compromise. There’s a lot of parties involved,” Harvick said on his podcast. “You got the television who wants, you know, they want those cuts every three races, and they want those moments, but they’re fabricated, right? … Denny Hamlin had the best playoffs and probably, arguably, he had one of the best seasons. But his playoffs were pretty stout. And in the end, it came down to a pit call that cost him the opportunity.
“It’s just those, one moments are great, but how many of those one moments have we seen after a season-long battle of points to be able to crown the champion, and it came down to that moment? Then everybody’s fine with it because you’ve got so many things that led to that one moment that the one moment doesn’t make or break your season.”
With as much experience as he has, Harvick is someone to listen to on the subject. I’m sure that there are still those who are going to advocate for the full-season points format to return. Right now, there has at least been a change that has been overwhelmingly received as a positive.
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Harvick doesn’t want fans to start complaining, though. Change was asked for, and change is what they got.
Kevin Harvick Says ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’
Former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick smiles during an autograph session before the 13th annual Masters of the Pros 200 race at the Owosso Speedway.Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
As “The Closer” went on about The Chase 101, his thoughts drifted to the fans — one of the biggest driving forces behind the change to the postseason format. NASCAR listened, granted it was perhaps a little later than usual, and now “The Chase” is back.
So, when the good points day comes back around this year, don’t get upset. Harvick already warned you.
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“When you look at those moments where people would get out and say, yeah, it was a great points day, and it used to drive fans through the roof,” Harvick continued.
“So, remember, be very careful about what you wish for.
“Remember that, don’t (expletive) about drivers getting out of the car, gathering those points, and having a good points day. So, there’s a Catch-22 in all scenarios, but it is part of the game. You have to be able to manage yourself, and it can’t just be, throw it all away.”
Time to just enjoy some NASCAR racing. Well, if Bowman Gray Stadium and the city of Winston-Salem ever get dug out of the snow.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
