The 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season brings radical changes to the championship format
In short: The 2026 season marks a pivotal shift for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, featuring the debut of Ram as a manufacturer and a complete overhaul of the championship structure. As the series moves away from traditional playoff formats, teams and drivers face new challenges in this 32nd year of competition.
The 2026 season introduces a significant departure from established norms, most notably with the replacement of the long-standing playoff format. On January 12, 2026, NASCAR implemented a new championship structure for the Chase, eliminating the win-and-you're-in mechanic and removing playoff points previously awarded for stage wins. Furthermore, the regular season championship has been entirely discontinued, fundamentally altering how drivers approach the campaign.
Manufacturer dynamics have shifted as well, with Ram re-entering the sport for the first time since 2012. Kaulig Racing serves as the flagship team for the manufacturer, fielding entries for drivers like Brenden Queen and Mini Tyrrell. This season also marks the final year for Craftsman as the series' title sponsor, with FedEx Freight slated to take over the role in 2027. The schedule itself has evolved, introducing street course racing at St. Petersburg and Coronado while removing Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway.
The season has been marked by both high-profile transitions and tragic loss. Matt Crafton retired from full-time racing after 25 years, while Kyle Busch secured his 69th and final career victory at Dover Motor Speedway before his unexpected death on May 21, 2026. Amidst these changes, drivers like Layne Riggs have emerged as dominant forces, clinching the top seed for the new Chase format after the Team EJP 175. These shifts reflect a broader effort by NASCAR to recalibrate the series, including loosening restrictions on Cup Series drivers, who may now participate in eight regular-season races.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
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