The NASCAR Cup Series championship format can take two routes from here. One, it can appease the core fanbase and go toward being a full-season points-based championship like it used to be in the old days. Or, it can work toward attracting a newer audience by continuing and evolving the current elimination-style format. The latter is not something Denny Hamlin or Mark Martin prefer.<\/p>\n
In a recent conversation with Jeff Gluck, veteran motorsports reporter Jordan Bianchi expressed strong thoughts about why drivers ought to be able to gain playoff spots for winning races in the regular season, regardless of any upcoming format change. This opinion drew the ire of Hamlin, a response subsequently backed by Martin. Here\u2019s a brief breakdown of what each party said.<\/p>\n
Bianchi stated, \u201cWhatever playoff format you go to, I do not want to lose the \u2018win and you\u2019re in\u2019 aspect of the sport. I want to see drivers during the regular season rewarded for winning races with a playoff berth. I think it\u2019s good. I think it heightens the stakes, I think it makes things more exciting. It adds another story.\u201d<\/p>\n
He made his case using RFK Racing\u2019s drivers. Brad Keselowski and Ryan Preece both finished inside the top five in last Sunday\u2019s race at the Iowa Speedway. It was their second consecutive weekend securing top-five positions and a huge milestone in their team\u2019s journey towards resurgence as a NASCAR powerhouse. More importantly, their uptick in performance proves that they could win any one of the upcoming three races.<\/p>\n