Even with only six races in the books, drivers say they do notice a difference in the way the competition is approaching the 2026 title run and the change this season to emphasize season-long points versus a win-and-in Playoff format.
Both the approach to stage points and emphasis on consistency have helped create a noticeable new dynamic.
“I notice guys are just a little more protective of their finish,’’ said three-time Martinsville winner William Byron, who is ranked sixth in the standings. “There’s more emphasis on finishing well, but what goes with that is stage points. Last year, we had a really good start to the season. We scored a lot of stage points. This year, we’re not scoring as many stage points and we’re not as high up in the points.
“I think there’s more of an emphasis on finishing the race strong, but I still think with stage points, you can’t overcome not having a good couple stages. So, the guys scoring a lot of points might still not be finishing as well, but they’re just scoring throughout the weekend on the stages.”
Fellow championship contender, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell agreed that there is a very evident change in mindset.
“I think everybody knows the importance of maximizing your day now where in the previous format you didn’t have to maximize your day,’’ said Bell, who is ranked eighth with three top-10 finishes.
“It was a win-or-bust mentality whereas now I think the racing is a little more compelling and aggressive. Everyone knows that every position matters more now than it did in years past.’’
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