As NASCAR continues evaluating potential changes to its 2026 playoff format, NASCAR expert Brad Gillie believes that whatever decision the sport makes could directly impact Chase Elliott’s chances of capturing his second Cup Series title. According to Gillie, the single most important element that could shape Elliott’s future title is the length of the championship sample size.Chase Elliott, who earned his maiden Cup championship in 2020, has long been known for consistency rather than streaky bursts of dominance.While the Hendrick Motorsports driver remains capable of winning individual races, Gillie believes that Elliott’s real strength emerges over longer stretches of competition—not just a one-race championship format.In the recent episode of PRN’s Fast Talk presented by Toyota, speaking about Elliott’s next championship bid, here’s what NASCAR analyst Brad Gillie said:“I feel like the longer the sample size in the championship run in the playoffs, the more favorable it becomes to Chase Elliott and their talent is in consistency. Yes, they can go up there and win races, but he's not had a season like he's had since his championship year in 2020.”“A handful of things have happened along the way, but I really feel like their strength is not going to be in winning one race for a title, but being the best over four or over 10. So depending on what the format is, I feel depends on how much it will favor Chase Elliott in a second championship.”Meanwhile, PRN President and Lead Anchor Doug Rice believes that if the #9 HMS star races the whole season like he did in late 2025, his chances at a championship are high.The current NASCAR championship format, a one-race, winner-takes-all finale, has been a topic of debate this year. However, according to recent reports, NASCAR is leaning towards retaining the current playoff format.Chase Elliott won NMPA Most Popular Driver award for the 8th consecutive seasonEven though Chase Elliott hasn’t won the championship this year, he won the National Motorsports Press Association’s Most Popular Driver award for the 8th consecutive season.Thanking his fans in a Zoom teleconference, Elliott said (via NASCAR.com):“Just really grateful for the people that have supported me throughout my career. I feel like I have some of the best fans that you can have, and the most passionate too. I was just trying to show my appreciation and my gratitude towards the people that obviously took the time to vote and take time out of their day to do that.”Chase Elliott wrapped up his 2025 campaign at eighth place in the championship standings with two wins, 11 top-five, and 19 top-10 finishes and led 454 laps with an average finish of 12.6 in 36 races.