NASCAR's move back to the Chase playoff format should satisfy most (though not all) fans and restore credibility to the championship.

When the Cup playoffs started, the consensus on Larson was that 2025 was a down year, at least by his standards. Between his spring win at Kansas and the start of the playoffs in August, Larson had just three top fives compared to four finishes outside the top 30, not to mention a disastrous second attempt at the Memorial Day double.

When NASCAR took the Cook Out Clash to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, it marked the first time the Cup Series had raced on the short track since August 1971. Chase Elliott won the 2025 exhibition race, while Bobby Allison won the 1971 points event.