Brad Keselowski, driver for RFK Racing, has openly criticized the current NASCAR playoffs format, highlighting that it has shifted toward a system focused more on accumulating points than securing race victories. He pointed out this “completely inversed” dynamic during a recent discussion, explaining how consistency in points now takes precedence over outright wins during the postseason.
This sentiment has been reflected in recent races, such as when Christopher Bell expressed frustration for finishing seventh at Gateway despite having a car capable of winning. Bell’s crew chief considered the points earned a success, but Bell himself expected victory, especially seeing his teammates Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin claim back-to-back wins earlier in the playoffs.
A clear example of the points-focused approach is Joey Logano, who entered the playoffs with only one win in the regular season. Despite that, his steady string of top-five finishes in the last three rounds has kept him safe from elimination. Currently, Logano sits sixth in the standings, just behind Denny Hamlin, who has been the season’s most frequent winner.
Although Keselowski did not qualify for the playoffs himself, he finished second in the Bristol playoff race. On the latest episode of the Stacking Pennies podcast, Keselowski expressed his views on the disparity between emphasis on winning in the regular season compared to the playoffs, stating,
“I’ve had like eight second-place finishes in the last two and a half years. And that, you know, you got to make your seconds, wins in the sport. You know, the format until you get to the playoffs is about winning.” Brad Keselowski, Driver
“It’s strange to me that it’s all about winning until you get to the playoffs. And it’s not at all about winning once you do get in the playoffs. It’s about consistency, like raising your points threshold to a certain number to advance….It’s completely inversed of what I think it was represented to be at least on the onset of where winning matters more in the regular season, less in the postseason,” Brad Keselowski, Driver
Joey Logano also touched on this topic in a recent interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, admitting that moving through the playoffs by collecting points offers better survival odds than relying on wins alone.
Keselowski Raises Concerns Over NASCAR’s Financial Sustainability
During the same episode of Stacking Pennies, Keselowski discussed broader troubles facing NASCAR’s business model, particularly focusing on how tracks struggle financially. He noted that race venues largely depend on television revenue rather than their own income from events.
“The tracks aren’t able to generate revenue on their own, they’re wholly reliant on the TV money… They’re comfortable with that which is the scariest part of all,” Brad Keselowski, Driver
These concerns come amid declining viewership figures for NASCAR, which further exacerbate the financial pressures on the sport. The Mobil 1 301 playoff race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway recorded a 0.70 TV rating with 1.29 million viewers, falling significantly from last year’s 1.0 rating and 1.88 million viewers.
This reduction in audience size is linked to waning fan interest in the playoff format, compounded by competition from the NFL and Formula 1 for viewers’ attention.
Points System Challenges the Spirit of Racing Competition
The evolution of the NASCAR playoffs, as highlighted by Keselowski and observed across multiple drivers, signals a shift in the sport’s competitive emphasis. While the regular season rewards winning, the postseason relies heavily on consistent points accumulation, which some participants argue undermines the thrill of racing for victory.
This approach has broader implications for driver strategies, team dynamics, and fan engagement, introducing tension between chasing wins and preserving playoff status. Keselowski’s critique adds a critical voice to ongoing debates on how the playoffs should balance competitiveness with consistency.
What’s Ahead for NASCAR and Its Playoff Format?
As NASCAR faces challenges both on the track and in its business operations, the pressure to reevaluate the playoff system intensifies. Drivers like Keselowski and Logano draw attention to how the current format influences racing tactics and fan interest. Meanwhile, the financial viability of race tracks remains uncertain without diversified revenue streams beyond television contracts.
With viewership dipping and criticism rising, NASCAR officials may need to consider adjustments that restore a greater focus on winning while ensuring sustainable growth for the sport. The coming seasons will likely reveal whether these concerns lead to concrete changes or if the status quo continues to shape NASCAR’s future.
