Bringing the Heat: Reacting to the New Championship Format

On a special edition of Bringing the Heat with Trey Lyle, both Dalton Hopkins and Michael Massie join the show to react to NASCAR’s – kind of – newest championship format.

The trio reveal what they like about the reintroduction of the 10-race chase format that will decide the NASCAR Cup Series champion in 2026.

They also dive into what things could be negative and overall comment on how this major change will alter the sport. Is it for better? Or for worse?

Listen to Bringing the Heat with Trey Lyle here or wherever you get your podcasts.

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NASCAR At Track Coordinator at Frontstretch

Dalton Hopkins began writing for Frontstretch in April 2021. Currently, he is the lead writer for the weekly Thinkin' Out Loud column, co-host of the Frontstretch Happy Hour podcast, and one of our lead reporters. Beforehand, he wrote for IMSA shortly after graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2019. Simultaneously, he also serves as a Captain in the US Army.

Follow Dalton on Twitter @PitLaneCPT

Content Director at Frontstretch

Michael Massie joined Frontstretch in 2017 and has served as the Content Director since 2020.

Massie, a Richmond, Va., native, has covered NASCAR, IndyCar, SRX and the CARS Tour. Outside of motorsports, the Virginia Tech grad and Green Bay Packers minority owner can be seen cheering on his beloved Hokies and Packers.

Trey Lyle
Podcast Director at Frontstretch

A Graduate of Virginia Tech in Sports Media and Analytics, Trey Lyle has been covering NASCAR since 2021 as the producer of the Fast Lane with Ed Lane on VTRN Sports 93.3 FM in Lynchburg, Va.

Trey joined FS in 2023 to co-host Happy Hour and help out on the podcast front.

He now hosts Bringing the Heat with Trey Lyle and oversees the entire podcast operation for Frontstretch.