Rumors of a dramatic shakeup to NASCAR’s playoff system are already sparking reactions from drivers, fans, and analysts. With the postseason in full swing and eliminations towering over Bristol, speculation around a potential “3-3-4” format has picked up speed, and some of the sport’s biggest names are weighing in, despite previously hyping up the current format.
The 3-3-4 structure would replace the current 10-race, four-round playoff with a new three-round system. Instead of finishing with the Championship 4’s single winner-take-all event, the title would be decided over four races in the final round.
The scenario would play out with a Round of 16 that featured three races, with four drivers eliminated at the end. The Round of 12 would cover another three races before trimming the field to eight. The Round of 8 would stretch across four races, with the highest points finisher crowned champion.
That would mean consistent performance, rather than one perfect Sunday, becomes the deciding factor. When Chase Elliott, who locked himself into this year’s playoffs with a win at Atlanta Motor Speedway, was asked about the talk, he supported the idea of breaking away from the current format.
“I think it would be better than what we have,” Elliott said. “Because you just have a larger number of races in a round to decide. Seemingly would give an opportunity to have something that’s totally out of somebody’s hands, not completely derail their championship. So is it perfect? Probably not, but I would say that sounds better.”
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Saturday’s Bristol night race is the opening Round of the 16-driver cutoff. Four drivers will be eliminated, reducing the field to 12. Elliott currently sits ninth in points, well above the line. Austin Dillon, Shane van Gisbergen, Alex Bowman, and Josh Berry are all in danger of being knocked out.
Under the existing system, the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoff format remains a 16-driver, 10-race gauntlet. Regular-season points and playoff bonuses carry into each Round, with five playoff points for a race win, one for a stage win, and up to 15 for the regular-season champion.
Wins still guarantee advancement, while eliminations trim the bottom four after each stage until the Championship 4 finale at Phoenix, where all points are reset.
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Criticism of the current setup continues to grow. Fans argue that a bad race in the Championship 4 can ruin an entire season of dominance, making consistency irrelevant.
The elimination rounds and stage points are often criticized as fake gimmicks, more about entertainment than rewarding long-term excellence. NASCAR has not officially discussed the 3-3-4 idea, but insiders have described it as a live conversation in competition meetings.