Following Joey Logano’s controversial win in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship, fans and analysts have raised concerns about the current playoff format, suggesting it promotes risky on-track behavior. Dale Earnhardt Jr., a widely respected NASCAR figure, voiced his opinion, asserting that the traditional points-based system was superior. According to Earnhardt, the playoff format pushes drivers to prioritize winning above all else—even if it involves dangerous or unsportsmanlike tactics.
Many fans see Logano’s championship as symptomatic of the system’s flaws, as he clinched the title despite having a lower average finish than some competitors, including those who excelled during the regular season but were eliminated in the playoff rounds. Junior’s critique was echoed by other NASCAR insiders who warn that the current system could compromise the sport’s integrity, potentially discouraging clean racing.
This debate over NASCAR’s playoff structure has sparked broader questions about the values of the sport, with many calling for a return to a format that rewards consistency, skill, and sportsmanship. As Earnhardt and others have noted, the playoff system can lead to a champion who isn’t necessarily the strongest overall performer, leading some fans to feel that the title no longer reflects the true top driver of the season.
NASCAR needs to return to the original format of its racing–EVERY SINGL:E RACE COUNTED, right down to the final one! NO C H A S E !!! They said it was ‘Our Superbowl’! We are NOT football–We are a special, beautiful, exciting and unique sport–The only sport that is NOT a game! Our drivers risk their lives out on the track and they deserve much more than they are getting! I pray they would return to the original format–EVERYONE involved…from Drivers to Fans…would have a much better & honest experience of true racing! God bless our drivers.