One of the hottest arguments in the NASCAR community, the playoffs debate has only gotten spicier as the season nears its end.

With only a handful of races left until D-Day at Phoenix, the playoffs debate has gained even more momentum as both sides continue to defend their stances. While the anti-playoffs camp has the stronger case, that has not stopped many big names in the sport from supporting the current system.

While NASCAR legend Richard Petty has occasionally participated in the playoffs debate, this time the “King” picked his side by giving his unfiltered opinion about the current system.

Richard Petty’s Unfiltered Stance On The Current NASCAR Playoffs

After the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte, Petty sat down with Dale Inman, his former crew chief and longtime associate, to dissect the events.

While discussing NASCAR’s weekend at the Roval, the seven-time champion did not filter his words and openly admitted to not enjoying any particular aspect of the race. One of the primary reasons behind Petty’s displeasure was the lack of changes on the track throughout the contest.

Following this, the 88-year-old addressed fans’ questions. One fan, in particular, asked him about his thoughts on the playoff format: “Would you rather have the 10-race Chase format or the playoffs? In my opinion, the 10-race Chase rewarded excellence while the playoffs rewarded mediocrity.”

Petty responded by emphasizing that a NASCAR champion should be chosen based on performance throughout the entire season, rather than on the Chase or the current format.

“To have a champion of NASCAR, that is a year-long championship,” he said. “It is not a one or four-race championship. It should be who is the best out of 36 races; they should be the champion.”

Inman agreed with Petty’s view and added that NASCAR should award the championship to the driver who has the most points after 36 races.

Will NASCAR Eliminate the Playoffs Format?

Petty, who has won the most championships in the sport alongside Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jimmie Johnson, did so in the season-long format. In his prime, Petty was one of the finest drivers on the grid, and his unparalleled skill behind the wheel earned him the title of “King.”

Alongside Petty, several other legendary figures have urged the revival of the old format. One of them is Mark Martin, who has become the unofficial ambassador for bringing back the traditional championship system.

With Petty, Martin, and several others frequently speaking out about the championship format, NASCAR has acknowledged and admitted to working on developing a better system.

While details of a new format have yet to be revealed, a few NASCAR insiders and fans believe a complete return to the old system is unlikely. However, NASCAR may develop a hybrid model that best suits the sport — and its broadcasters, who appear to have significant influence in the matter.