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<\/a><\/p>\nThe subject of conversation amongst the NASCAR community this week was a suggested playoff format from Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, who, during an episode of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, seemingly out of nowhere, suggested a \u2018hypothetical\u2019 playoff format of two rounds of three races, and a finale of four.<\/p>\n
While this is not confirmed to be NASCAR\u2019s future playoff system, it still made waves in the NASCAR community, with many wondering if Bianchi was hinting that this was the system NASCAR favored. However, a member of the committee has come forward and clarified that this is not the case and that NASCAR has yet another meeting lined up with its playoff committee.<\/p>\n
During the latest episode of NASCAR\u2019s in-house podcast Hauler Talk, Mike Forde, NASCAR\u2019s Managing Director of Communications, did not comment on Bianchi\u2019s \u201chypothetical\u2019 format, though he did say that internal discussion on NASCAR\u2019s playoff system are quickly wrapping up.<\/p>\n
He says that mid-week next week, NASCAR will meet with its playoff committee of industry stakeholders, both current and retired, to discuss what he calls a \u201cshort list of potential formats.\u201d The goal of this meeting will be to gauge the committee\u2019s opinion on said formats and continue whittling down the list of potential formats.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the plan for that meeting is to discuss the short list [of] potential formats, and get the playoff committee\u2019s opinion on that. So, we\u2019ll go through that process, and then hopefully make a determination of an even shorter list, really come down, whittle it down, to one final format. NASCAR will decide to move forward, and we may see something as soon as 2026.\u201d \u2014 Mike Forde, Managing Director of Communications for NASCAR<\/p>\n
While this is the committee\u2019s final meeting, Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, who is on the committee, clarified on X<\/a> that a new format is not finalized.<\/p>\n What\u2019s Happening?<\/p>\n During Tuesday\u2019s episode of Door Bumper Clear, a NASCAR insider laid out a hypothetical playoff format that now has\u2026<\/p>\n NASCAR and The Search for Its Playoff<\/p>\n The past month of playoff news has rolled through the NASCAR community at varying speeds. At one point, Forde and Denny Hamlin, another playoff committee member, both suggested that a decision could be pushed to 2026, with the changes applicable for 2027.<\/a><\/p>\n While that was happening, and despite a growing grassroots movement to return to a full season points system, somewhat led by Hall of Famer and playoff committee member Mark Martin, the narrative on the playoff has shifted to expanding the final round, with suggestions from committee members of three, four, and even five races.<\/a><\/p>\n NASCAR\u2019s playoff committee will not have final say on this matter, with NASCAR, of course, being the decider. However, many have expressed that the networks, and NBC in particular, have a say as well.<\/p>\n What\u2019s Happening?<\/p>\n NASCAR is publicly seeking a new Playoff or even Championship Points system for the future. This story will unfold\u2026<\/p>\n Let us know your thoughts on this! Join the discussion on Discord<\/a> or X<\/a>, and remember to follow us on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>, and\u00a0YouTube<\/a> for more updates.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t