“Past performance is no guarantee of future results.” This well-known financial adage applies perfectly to NASCAR’s playoff system, especially after the dramatic 2024 season. While Joey Logano secured his third Cup Series title, his victory stirred significant controversy, leaving fans and drivers like Kyle Larson questioning the fairness of the format.
Joey Logano’s Controversial Championship
Despite a lackluster season with only 13 top-tens, 7 top-fives, and a 17.11 average finish, Joey Logano emerged as the champion. His victory in the final two playoff races – at Las Vegas and Phoenix – was enough to claim the Bill France Trophy. Defending the system, NASCAR president Steve Phelps stated, “Joey performed. He went to Vegas and won and then went to Phoenix and won. So to me, he’s a deserving champion. He ran the gauntlet of a very difficult, and arguably the most difficult playoffs in all sports.”
However, this sparked criticism from fans and experts alike. How can a season-long mediocre performance culminate in a championship? Eric Estepp, a NASCAR commentator, pointed out, “How many fans truly want winning to be rewarded in such a way? … It shouldn’t mean that points racing should die out completely.”
Kyle Larson: A Season of Frustration
In stark contrast, Kyle Larson had a stellar season, claiming six wins – double that of any other driver – and excelling in both the regular season and playoffs. However, a late-race spin at Homestead cost him critical points, ultimately barring him from the Championship 4 by the slimmest of margins. Despite winning two playoff races, the system left Larson empty-handed, revealing its reliance on consistency during the 10-race playoff stretch rather than overall merit.
The Hendrick Motorsports star expressed hope for change in 2025, saying the rumored system tweaks could “benefit us somehow.” But those hopes were dampened when Steve Phelps doubled down on the current format in an interview with The Athletic, explaining, “Win-and-you’re-in is really what we heard from fans, and that’s what the industry came up with when they came up with this format.”
A System in Need of Balance
The current playoff system, introduced in 2004 and revamped in 2014, has increasingly emphasized winning over consistent performance. While this format has created dramatic finales, critics argue it diminishes the importance of points racing, a cornerstone of NASCAR’s history. Estepp highlighted this shift, noting, “Points racing is far less of a priority now than it was 10+ years ago. Have we swung the pendulum too far away from points racing?”
This system’s flaws were exemplified in 2024 when William Byron pointed his way into the Championship 4 without a single playoff race win, while Kyle Larson, despite his dominance, was left on the sidelines.
Hints of Change for 2025
While Steve Phelps defended the current format, he acknowledged potential adjustments, stating, “We are going to look at it, and that will be an industry-wide decision. We’ll get a cross-functional team consisting of drivers, teams, NASCAR folks and sit in a room and see if there’s something better.” However, he warned that any changes would face resistance from those benefiting from the current system, such as Team Penske, who celebrated their third consecutive championship.
Looking Ahead
For now, Kyle Larson’s hopes for a more balanced system remain alive but uncertain. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes are on NASCAR to see if they will introduce meaningful changes or stick to their controversial playoff formula. One thing is clear: the debate over fairness in NASCAR’s championship system is far from over.
