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NASCAR elects against major rule change for the 2025 season

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Discussions about NASCAR’s playoff system often generate strong opinions. The playoff format, known as the “Chase for the Cup,” was introduced in 2004 and has undergone several changes since then, altering how points are awarded in NASCAR racing.

As a gamer, I’d say: For the final stretch of the season, the points of the top 10 racers were reset, and the driver who scored the highest in the last 10 races would be declared the champion. To add a twist, they also included the “wild card” positions, where the two drivers with the most wins among those ranked 11th to 20th in points would also make it into the Chase.

Since 2014, a playoff system has been used where the top 16 drivers qualify for the postseason. Every three races, four drivers are eliminated until only four drivers remain. These final four then compete in a single race to determine the champion. In 2017, a points system was added due to the introduction of stage racing, which is still in place today.

The postseason point systems have drawn some negative feedback from drivers, teams, and spectators alike. Among all these formats, the current one is particularly contentious. Many people argue that it’s a system heavily influenced by luck, often bestowing titles upon individuals who may not truly deserve them due to an overemphasis on winning races, regardless of who wins.

Fan dissatisfaction was just as intense during the offseason as it has been before, following Joey Logano’s third Cup Series championship win. Logano managed to make it to the playoffs due to his victory in a five-overtime race at Nashville Superspeedway and advanced to the round of 8 because Alex Bowman was disqualified at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.

It’s quite surprising that his total sum of top five finishes, top ten finishes, and average placement were the lowest among any champion in the series’ history. Consequently, it’s not hard to comprehend why spectators are now referring to these championships as questionable or insignificant.

Despite all the criticism, NASCAR has opted to stick with the current format for a 12th season in 2025.

It’s generally not characteristic of NASCAR to critique itself or retract its decisions, so it came as no surprise that they might take minimal action, if any, in response to all the attention being paid.

As Logano controversially secured his championship title in the previous season, NASCAR’s COO Steve O’Donnell hinted at potential adjustments to the format if necessary, stating they would “definitely examine the structure of the playoffs during the off-season.” However, he emphasized that the playoff system itself is permanent.

Contrary to some speculation, NASCAR revealed on Monday that they won’t be making any alterations to the current format for the 2025 racing season.

John Probst, NASCAR’s senior executive vice president and chief racing development officer, told reporters that events like Ryan Blaney moving from 10th to the first place in the second-to-last race of the season at Martinsville Speedway, as well as Tyler Reddick’s impressive last-lap pass for the victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway (both of which advanced them to the Championship 4), demonstrate the excitement and opportunities that the playoffs can offer.

Could we have adjusted a little thing here or there (with the playoffs)? Maybe, but I don’t think we want to get into habit of making small little tweaks every season to the playoffs.

John Probst

Changes were recently implemented concerning aspects related to the playoffs, which might influence the outcomes in 2025, although the playoff system itself remains unchanged.

Beginning in 2025, any driver who is penalized or misses a race due to an unsanctioned reason, similar to Kyle Larson’s Memorial Day Double incident last year, will forfeit all their playoff points and the chance to accrue additional playoff points for that particular season.

Additionally, new regulations were implemented that impose harsher penalties on drivers, teams, or manufacturers caught tampering with race results, in response to the disputes at Martinsville last season. Offenders may face point deductions, reduced wind tunnel time, limited RCFD runs, expulsion from the community, and/or temporary bans.

However, NASCAR has not ruled out making further tweaks to the format for 2026 or beyond.

Although some fans might express disappointment that the format remains unchanged for another year, it is important to consider that racing action begins this weekend at the Cook Out Clash in Bowman Gray Stadium. With the Daytona 500 starting two weeks later, any changes to the format would have had to be made on a very tight schedule and thus might not have been feasible or anticipated.

If you dislike playoffs in sports, there might be reasons to be hopeful for the upcoming season, since Probst mentioned during a press conference that NASCAR is considering alterations to their current system. These changes may take effect as early as the year 2026.

Throughout the course of this year, we will get a working group together with some media folks, OEMs, Goodyear, drivers… We look at that as a workstream for a group of our stakeholders this year, to look at it holistically… We just didn’t get to a point where we felt like we have to do it. But we hear the fans loud and clear and are looking at it actively.

John Probst

It’s true that any modification or absence of change within NASCAR will undoubtedly ignite a discussion. The vocal group expressing discontent towards the current point system is certainly prominent, but there are numerous fans, particularly those who are younger, newer, or casual viewers, who appreciate the status quo. They enjoy the excitement, the tension, the uncertainty, and the notion that no driver is invincible.

It’s worth mentioning that along with established partners FOX and NBC, the recently added broadcast partners Amazon Prime Video, TNT, and the CW Network hold significant sway over the final decisions. Perhaps their interest in joining could stem from the allure of the playoff format. In such a scenario, it’s unlikely they would agree to any major changes concerning this aspect.

No matter which perspective you take, it’s pleasing to observe that NASCAR is taking heed of feedback from its most valued clientele: the fans. Although no definite changes are assured, this issue will undoubtedly be a hot topic in discussions throughout 2025, until something, or nothing, eventually gets altered.

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2025-01-30 15:32

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