Chase Revival, Settlement Drama & San Diego Excitement: Inside NASCAR's 2026 Outlook

In this week’s episode of The Jones Report, NASCAR Roundtable publisher Tyler Jones welcomes Jonathan Fjeld for his first appearance on the show. Fjeld officially joined Roundtable Sports in December to spearhead the team’s comprehensive NASCAR coverage, bringing fresh insights and analysis to one of the sport’s most dedicated platforms.

The conversation kicks off with a deep dive into the recent settlement of the high-profile antitrust lawsuit between 23XI Racing (co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin) and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR. The case, which wrapped up in late 2025 after intense courtroom proceedings, ended with a negotiated agreement rather than a full jury verdict.

Fjeld emphasizes that this outcome likely spared NASCAR from far more severe consequences. Had the jury ruled against NASCAR and declared it a monopoly, the organization could have faced demands to divest major assets, including some of its iconic tracks.

Instead, the settlement involved a significant monetary payout—estimates suggest NASCAR paid out in the tens to hundreds of millions, though exact figures remain undisclosed—and a key concession: granting permanent charters to all chartered teams.

This move stabilizes the sport’s team structure and provides long-term security for operations, marking a major win for the plaintiffs while allowing NASCAR to avoid the most drastic remedies.

Shifting to the upcoming 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, Fjeld previews the landscape with Kyle Larson entering as the defending champion. Larson’s 2025 title run was solid but relatively modest compared to his peak performances.

Fjeld predicts a potential return to dominance for the Hendrick Motorsports star, who has the talent, equipment, and experience to rack up multiple wins and challenge for back-to-back championships in what promises to be a highly competitive year.

The discussion also turns to Denny Hamlin, who endured an extraordinarily difficult offseason. Hamlin fell short in his pursuit of the 2025 title, then navigated the pressures of the ongoing lawsuit (in which his team was a plaintiff), and faced profound personal tragedy with the death of his father, Dennis Hamlin, in a house fire in late December 2025. His mother was critically injured in the incident as well.

In recent interviews, Hamlin has been candid about the emotional toll, describing it as a challenging period but affirming his readiness to compete when the season begins. Fjeld notes that Hamlin’s resilience—both on and off the track—will be a storyline to watch as he seeks to channel these hardships into another strong campaign with Joe Gibbs Racing.

One of the most anticipated changes for 2026 is NASCAR’s return to The Chase championship format across its national series, ending the elimination-style Playoffs era that had been in place for over a decade. Fjeld expresses genuine excitement about this shift, arguing that The Chase will better reward consistency and produce a more deserving champion while still delivering high-stakes drama in the final races.

Unlike the previous “win-and-in” system, the new structure emphasizes overall performance, though NASCAR has boosted the value of victories—increasing points for wins to ensure they remain crucial motivators. This points-based approach, with a modernized Chase setup, aims to balance regular-season excellence with postseason intensity, potentially leading to more strategic racing and fewer fluke champions.

Driver movement has been relatively quiet heading into 2026, but Fjeld highlights the looming free-agent market after this season. Several drivers will hit the open market, putting added pressure on performers like Austin Cindric and Alex Bowman to deliver strong results. Consistent success will be essential for securing rides with top-tier organizations in a sport where seats at elite teams are highly competitive.

The episode wraps up with enthusiasm for the 2026 schedule, particularly the Father’s Day weekend street race in San Diego at Naval Base Coronado on June 21. This marks NASCAR’s second street course event (following the Chicago experiment) and the first at this unique military venue, coinciding with celebrations for the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary.

The 3.4-mile, 16-turn layout promises a thrilling spectacle with a patriotic backdrop, and both hosts agree it could become a fan-favorite addition to the calendar.With the Daytona 500 fast approaching to kick off the season, this offseason recap episode of

The Jones Report offers valuable perspective on the sport’s recent developments, key storylines, and what lies ahead.

Don’t miss Tyler Jones and Jonathan Fjeld breaking it all down in this engaging discussion.