NASCAR legend Mark Martin recently reignited the long-running debate over the fairness of the sport’s playoff system after clapping back at Kenny Wallace’s strong defense of the format with a hard-hitting question.

The exchange unfolded after Wallace’s latest Coffee with Kenny episode, during which the former driver dismissed criticism that NASCAR’s elimination-style playoffs are unfair to season-long dominant drivers.

Mark Martin and Kenny Wallace Debate on What Truly Defines a NASCAR Champion?”

Passionately defending NASCAR’s playoff structure, Wallace compared it to other major sports that decide titles through single-elimination or one-off finals.

But what about if @CoreyHeim_ and @ConnorZilisch score more points than anyone else in the season but don’t win the championship? https://t.co/IkqyIhX54f

— Mark Martin (@markmartin) October 5, 2025

“In 1993, Rusty Wallace won 10 Cup races and lost the championship to Dale Earnhardt Sr. So, it is very easy to have the most wins and not win the championship,” Wallace said. “On Saturday, somebody said, ‘Wouldn’t it be a shame if Corey Heim were to go to Phoenix and lose the championship with the most wins?’ I said, ‘What’s that got to do with NASCAR? That sounds to me like the New England Patriots. They won all the games and lost the Super Bowl.’”

He continued, “And I got another one for you. What about Connor Zilisch? He’s won 10 races and he could lose the championship. So you can go back into any type of sport you want. In 1993, Rusty Wallace by far won the most Cup races at 10 and finished second.”

Wallace argued that the current elimination-style playoff format shouldn’t be criticized simply because a driver with more wins might miss out on the title.

However, Martin, known for his calm demeanor and analytical take on racing, quickly shut down that argument with one sharp question. Replying to Wallace’s video, Martin asked on X, “But what about if @CoreyHeim_ and @ConnorZilisch score more points than anyone else in the season but don’t win the championship?”

Martin’s response struck at the heart of the long-standing debate over NASCAR’s playoff format. Whether the system rewards season-long consistency or simply a single race under pressure.

Martin’s question highlighted a key flaw critics often point to. Under the current setup, a driver who dominates all season scores the most points but can still walk away without the championship if they fall short in the winner-takes-all finale at Phoenix.

The exchange between Wallace and Martin reignited discussions online, with many fans and NASCAR insiders joining in.

As the 2025 season edges toward its championship showdown in Phoenix, debates like these continue to divide the NASCAR community, between those who love the playoff drama and those who believe the sport’s most deserving driver should be crowned champion.