Per NASCAR director, we could see the sport return to a full-season championship; Major changes are likely
Until 2003, NASCAR ran a full-season without any playoff format. Now, they could be returning to those roots.
Fans have been vocal as they seek some kind of change. It was reported in 2024 that NASCAR has was even using AI to help form a plan moving forward.
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Beyond robots, NASCAR has a committee that has been discussing possible changes to the format for the entirety of this season. Now, it appears NASCAR executives are considering major changes to the format.
That could mean removing the playoffs entirely. There is also discussion of moving to a four-race championship in addition to a major adjustment of the playoffs points system.
Recently, Mark Martin has been very vocal regarding the playoff format. And he’s one of many on the the side of removing it.
Martin said, “The word playoff is very catchy. It’s wonderful, except, we ain’t playing. Nobody plays. And there’s not two people out there.”
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NASCAR comments on the future of the playoffs
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Committee has met for the final time. NASCAR executives will now make a decision on the future format.
“I don’t know yet what the format will be, NASCAR managing director of communications Mike Forde stated via the Hauler Talk podcast. “But, I think we’re narrowing it down.”
“There has been a 36-race championship and eliminating the playoffs all together. It started with really one voice for that and several people spoke up saying, ‘I’ve been thinking about it a lot more and I think 36 races would be interesting.’ “
“A track president spoke up and said, ‘It is easier to sell tickets to a playoff race.’ “
“One team owner said, ‘It is a little bit easier to get sponsorship during the playoffs. Not a whole lot.’ “
“So, there are reasons against it, from certain peoples point of view. Then we went into a discussion of a proposed format that was created with all the feedback.”
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Playoff points are likely to be removed and the championship will be more than one race
If the playoffs remain, NASCAR is considering changes to the playoffs points system. Or doing away with it entirely. In addition, the one-race championship is likely to be removed.
“I think playoff points are a good thing. They were created for good reasons. But, they’re a barrier to entry for those who don’t follow NASCAR. They’re a little bit confusing.”
“It gets to be a lot. I wouldn’t be surprised, if there is a playoff format moving forward, that playoff points hit the dusty trail and there is just more points for a win.”
“I would also be surprised if the one-race championship is still around. That was a big talking point. We need a bigger sample size.”
“If we’re going to keep the playoffs. The championship needs to be more than one race. The primary one discussed was a four-race championship.”
The next step…
“The next step is NASCAR is going to get its leadership in position and really have a discussion and lock ourselves in a room and figure it out from there.”
“Take all the feedback from the committee and come up with the best decision for the entire sport and our fans moving forward.”
However, NASCAR has clarified that no further information will be given on format changes until the 2025 champion is crowned in November.
He added, “Ultimately, it is a NASCAR decision.”
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