The 2006 Chase for the Nextel Cup was a ten-race series that commenced with the Sylvania 300 on September 17, 2006, at New Hampshire International Speedway and concluded with the Ford 400 on November 19 of that same year at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The first ten drivers in the championship standings (and any other drivers with teams within 400 points of the leader) qualified after the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 on September 9, 2006, at Richmond International Raceway. The 2006 Chase had a strong Chevrolet presence, with seven of the ten teams making the 2006 Chase for the Nextel Cup fielding Chevrolets.

This was the final season for NBC to cover the Chase (now the NASCAR Cup Series playoff) until 2015, and the last Chase covered by TNT. From 2007 to 2014, ABC carried the Chase in its entirety, while TNT televised mid-season races.

The Sylvania 300 was held on September 17, 2006, at New Hampshire International Speedway The 2005 winner was Ryan Newman, who failed to make the chase this year. The defending track champion was Kyle Busch. Kevin Harvick won the pole and the race.

The Dover 400 was held on September 24, 2006, at the Dover International Speedway. The 2005 winner was Jimmie Johnson who started the chase second in points. Matt Kenseth won the spring event. At this year's race, Jeff Gordon won the pole and Matt Kenseth led the most laps. But it was Jeff Burton, who hadn't won in over 175 races, that prevailed and took the lead in the standings.

§ - Holds tiebreaker with more wins

The Banquet 400 was held on October 1, 2006, at the Kansas Speedway. The 2005 winner was Mark Martin who started the chase seventh in points. Additionally, this race was held a week earlier than in 2005. Kasey Kahne won the pole. A fuel mileage gamble would have put Jimmie Johnson in great position for Talladega by winning, but he ran out of gas with four laps to go. Tony Stewart took the lead and won a wild one by running out of gas in Turn 2 but still making it all the way around the track to the finish line.

The UAW-Ford 500 was held on October 8 at the newly repaved Talladega Superspeedway. Considered the wild card track in the Chase, all drivers fear that they will be caught in "The Big One". The 2005 winner was Dale Jarrett who missed the chase this year. The defending track champion was Jimmie Johnson. The race was held one week later than in 2005. At this year's event, David Gilliland won his first career Bud Pole Award, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. led the most laps. In a wild finish, Dale Earnhardt Jr. led going into turn 3 on the final lap, with Jimmie Johnson and Brian Vickers trailing. Johnson moved down low to pass Earnhardt, and his teammate Vickers followed, but accidentally caught the right rear quarter panel of Johnson's Chevrolet. Johnson spun up into Earnhardt's car, sending both of them down into the infield grass. Vickers moved past and took his first career victory, amid boos from Earnhardt's and Johnson's fans.

The Bank of America 500 was held on October 14 at the Lowe's Motor Speedway. The 2005 winner was Jimmie Johnson who won two of the three races in Charlotte that year. The defending track champion was Kasey Kahne, however Johnson was the defending champion for 500-mile races at the track. At this year's event, Scott Riggs won the pole and Kasey Kahne led the most laps. Championship contender Mark Martin was involved in a hard crash after being tagged by J. J. Yeley.