NASCAR history without playoffs: 13 of 21 champions changed

As a long-time NASCAR enthusiast with countless hours spent watching races, analyzing stats, and debating with fellow fans, I can’t help but feel that the playoff format has added an extra layer of excitement to the sport. However, it’s fascinating to see how the championship landscape would have looked without this format.

As a gamer racing for Team Penske, I clinched my third NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway’s season finale, surprising many as I ended the 2024 season in just 11th place overall. But here’s the twist – my average finish of 17.1 is the lowest ever recorded for a Cup Series champion, smashing previous records.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – that guy behind the wheel of the No. 22 Ford is truly a champion. It’s not about hating him, but rather, sometimes, you just gotta vent your frustration at the game itself.

Since 2004, the “competition” or “playoffs” has been a recurring event. The current elimination format was established in 2014 and seems to have become a permanent fixture, despite the top three point leaders failing to qualify for this year’s Championship 4.

There have now been 21 seasons in which a 10-race playoff format has been utilized at NASCAR’s top level.

In a scenario where the same factors apply and the points system of the time remained consistent throughout a full 36-race season, only eight times has it happened that the champion would have been the same as the one we currently recognize, had there been no playoffs.

Each of Tony Stewart’s 2005 championship, Jimmie Johnson’s titles in 2006, 2010, and 2013, Brad Keselowski’s 2012 title, Martin Truex Jr.’s 2017 championship, Kyle Busch’s 2019 victory, and Kyle Larson’s 2021 triumph were all claimed through the playoffs. It is worth noting that these titles could have also been earned in a season-long points system.

From 2004 through 2024, every title would have gone to a different person if not for the individuals who actually won them. Below you’ll find the list of the champions during those years.

2004 to 2005 saw Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart as champions, respectively. From 2006 to 2010, Jimmie Johnson reigned supreme, winning five consecutive championships. Tony Stewart regained the title in 2011, followed by Brad Keselowski’s victory in 2012. In 2013 and 2014, it was Jimmie Johnson again, with Kevin Harvick taking the crown in 2015. Kyle Busch won in 2015, but Jimmie Johnson returned to claim his sixth championship in 2016. Martin Truex Jr. became champion in 2017, Joey Logano in 2018, and again in 2022. Kyle Busch reclaimed the title in 2019, Chase Elliott won in 2020, and Kyle Larson triumphed in 2021. As of 2023, Ryan Blaney is the current champion, with Joey Logano set to defend his title in 2024.

Here is a list of the would-be points champions from the same years.

2004 to 2005: The NASCAR championship was held by Tony Stewart

There are a few key differences to note. Jeff Gordon would be a seven-time champion instead of a four-time champion, and Jimmie Johnson would be a three-time champion instead of a seven-time champion.

If I were to rewrite that in a more conversational first-person style as a fan, it might look something like this:

If circumstances had been different, Chase Elliott would’ve won the championship two years from when he actually did, making him a champion in 2021 instead of 2019. Kyle Busch, on the other hand, would’ve earned his first championship title three years later than he initially did, meaning he would’ve been crowned a two-time champion in 2016 rather than 2015.

Carl Edwards could have won the title twice, and William Byron might win it once too. Yet, neither of these drivers has ever officially been named champions in their respective races.

To clarify, it’s worth noting that despite their impressive championship victories, Kurt Busch (in 2004), Ryan Blaney (in 2023), and Logano (in 2018, 2022, and 2024) never actually led the series in total points scored throughout those seasons or any other season.

Could it be that the NASCAR Cup Series champion and the overall points leader will be the same individual for the first time since 2021’s season? The 2025 season kicks off on Sunday, February 16 with the running of the 67th Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

2024-11-12 14:32

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