Chase Elliott has publicly supported the current playoff format in the NASCAR Cup Series, even as criticism grows among fellow drivers and fans who question its fairness. Speaking after his 2020 championship win, Elliott offered a detailed playoff format opinion, highlighting both the pressure and uniqueness the system brings to high-stakes events like the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
Unique Aspects of the NASCAR Playoff System
Over recent years, the structure of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs has drawn significant scrutiny for the way it sometimes allows luck to influence outcomes. Critics argue that the elimination-based setup, where the field narrows from 16 to 12, then 8, and finally to 4 finalists, can result in the most skilled or consistent competitor failing to secure the championship title. Yet, when Chase Elliott was interviewed as the Hendrick Motorsports driver after his victory at Phoenix Raceway, he underscored his appreciation for the format, describing the intense “perform-or-perish” atmosphere that defined the final events of the season, particularly at Phoenix and Martinsville.
“There is no other like there was nothing through my racing career that took 16, then to 12, and then to 8, and then to 4. It was just super interesting. I just thought about it. And I was like, Dang, it’s such a unique thing, and it’s such a new perspective on racing that we have not had.”
— Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Pressure and Excitement in High-Stake Races
Elliott’s championship run, which required consecutive wins in the final two rounds, highlighted the added drama the current system creates for drivers and fans alike. He drew comparisons between NASCAR’s finale and major sporting tournaments, noting how the ultimate outcome rests on a single paramount event. Having participated in premier races like the Daytona 500, Elliott explained that deciding the season in one race delivered a dynamic unfamiliar to many in motorsports.
“It makes you kind of understand, I guess, what other sporting figures and athletes feel like because that is more similar, I guess, to their situation. It’s different. In some situations, some people might not like it, and I understand why, but from a competitor’s standpoint, dang, it is different.”
— Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Impending Changes and Outlook
The excitement brought by the elimination-style playoff format was a key reason for its introduction to NASCAR, hoping to inject unpredictability and viewer engagement into the championship run. However, with ongoing debate over whether the best driver truly emerges as champion, the NASCAR leadership has faced mounting calls for change. Officials have announced their intention to review the format, with a playoff committee empowered to recommend modifications that could soon be announced and implemented.
While Chase Elliott remains an outspoken supporter of the current system, even he may need to adjust if NASCAR adopts new playoff rules in the near future. His perspective, echoing both the thrill and tension of the format, will remain part of the evolving conversation as the sport seeks to balance competition, fairness, and excitement for everyone involved.
