In a stunning pre-race announcement just before the green flag waved at the Xfinity Series finale in Phoenix Raceway, NASCAR unveiled two pivotal rule changes set to reshape its lower divisions starting in 2026.

The most headline-grabbing revision? A major overhaul of the infamous "Kyle Busch rule," which has long restricted Cup Series veterans from dominating feeder series.

Come next season, full-time Cup drivers with over three years of experience will be permitted to compete in up to 10 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series races—double the previous cap of five—and eight CRAFTSMAN Truck Series events, up from five.

This marks NASCAR's first significant eligibility tweak since 2020, aimed at injecting star power into the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly Xfinity) and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) while preserving opportunities for rising talent.

Cup regulars remain barred from postseason races or regular-season finales in both tiers, ensuring the championships stay a proving ground for developmental drivers.

Additionally, NASCAR is lowering the minimum age for O'Reilly Auto Parts Series participation to 17 on road courses and ovals 1.25 miles or shorter.

This creates a progressive tiered system: 16 for Trucks, 17 for O'Reilly's, and 18 for the premier Cup Series.

No one embodies the excitement of these changes quite like Ross Chastain. The Trackhouse Racing standout, known for his aggressive style and unyielding passion for the sport, is already mapping out a marathon 2026 schedule.

"The road to 56 starts now," Chastain declared. "Yeah, we’re already working on it. I think it’s the best thing I can do, and Trackhouse is in full support of it."

With 38 Cup events as his baseline, Chastain plans to max out the allowances: 10 O'Reilly's races and eight Truck starts, totaling a grueling 56-race campaign across NASCAR's three national series.

For Chastain, who thrives on wheel-to-wheel combat, this expanded slate is a dream come true. His love for racing "hard" is legendary, and the rule relaxation allows him to scratch that itch without abandoning his Cup commitments.

Trackhouse Racing's backing underscores the team's confidence in his endurance and versatility. Yet, 56 races might seem almost restrained for a driver of Chastain's caliber.

Flash back to 2019, when he obliterated schedules by logging an astonishing 77 starts across all three series—a feat that highlighted his ironclad work ethic and insatiable hunger behind the wheel.

These changes could revitalize the lower series, drawing bigger crowds and TV ratings with Cup stars like Chastain mixing it up. Critics worry about overshadowing young prospects, but the postseason bans mitigate that risk.

As Chastain gears up, one thing is clear: NASCAR's bold move has lit a fire under one of its most relentless competitors, promising a 2026 season packed with high-stakes action.