Following the Clash at Bowman Gray, NASCAR held a rules briefing with media today to outline regular-season updates. According to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, there were four updates: some R&D-related and others rules-related. They will impact the series and, as they should, benefit the series.
No short-track package changes, aside from 750HP
The Clash at Bowman Gray was a good testing point for the short-track package. In October 2025, NASCAR announced it would increase horsepower to 750 at short tracks. Many drivers and fans have requested increased horsepower, so this is a welcome sight. Aside from this, nothing will be required of the new after the cars themselves seem to handle just fine at Bowman Gray.
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New ECU (Engine Control Unit) Debuts at Bristol
NASCAR is always looking to better their cars for performance, cost, and entertaining racing. In the fall of 2025, they took to testing a new ECU for the NextGen Car at both Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Charlotte Road Course. The product was said to remain a McLaren product. It flew under the radar, but was tested and soon approved.
Although these NextGen cars still have a range of problems reported by drivers, the ECU is a step in the right direction. It should improve data quality and efficiency. It is innovation at its finest. However, this ECU system will not yet be ready until the race at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 12.
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New Playoff Tiebreaker
What if there is a tie at the very end of the Chase? This is very unlikely, but it must be addressed if two drivers tie. NASCAR confirmed this to be the better finisher throughout the 10-race Chase itself.
A little fun fact, if you did not know — Kyle Larson would have still won the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025 if the new format was in place.
In-Season Challenge to be Seeded by Point Standings
NASCAR Cup Series driver Ty Gibbs (54) wins the in season challenge Sunday, July 27, 2025, after the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.© Bob Goshert/For IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(© Bob Goshert/For IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Just as the tiebreaker is a no-brainer, so is the in-season challenge seeding. Drivers will now be seeded evenly based on their skill level to date.
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The challenge will begin at Sonoma Raceway on June 28th. However, seeding will be set after the Pocono race on June 14th. It will then end five weeks later at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Here is the challenge schedule:
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Round of 32: Sonoma Raceway (Road Course)
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Round of 16: Chicagoland Speedway (1.5 Mile Oval)
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Round of 8: EchoPark Speedway (Superspeedway)
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Round of 4: North Wilkesboro Speedway (Short Track)
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Final Race: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2.5 Mile Rectangular Oval)
In 2025, Ty Gibbs beat out Ty Dillon to win the In-Season Challenge. With more accurate seeding, the result may become more high-profile. Nonetheless, racing can be volatile on a week-to-week basis if a top driver wrecks and a low-tier driver runs a couple of good weeks in a row.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
