Christopher Bell believes the current NASCAR Cup playoff system needs a significant revamp to better identify the sport’s true champion. Speaking recently on the SpeedFreaks’ Horsepower Hump Day podcast, Bell echoed Austin Dillon’s idea that drivers not advancing to the playoffs should not earn points during the 10 playoff races, aiming to reduce interference from non-playoff drivers.
Austin actually talked about that a while ago, and I think that’s a great idea because you eliminate some of the interference that happens in our sport, where non-playoff cars are taking points every time away from the playoff guys,
Bell said.
I think there’s positives and negatives that come out of that. But I think it’s a great idea for sure.
—Christopher Bell, NASCAR Driver
Balancing Input from Fans, Drivers, and Officials
When asked whether NASCAR should prioritize input from fans, drivers, team owners, or stick solely with its officials, Bell acknowledged the complexity of the issue. He pointed out that fans and competitors often want very different things, particularly concerning the method of crowning a champion.
It’s an impossible question to answer,
Bell remarked.
What the fans want and what the drivers want are two completely different things. I can sit here and tell you from a driver in the sport that the way they crown a champion now with a one-race winner-take-all event is it’s not a true champion.
He went on to explain,
It’s clear that the champions of the old days are not viewed the same as the champions that we have today. I just think that there needs to be a bigger sample size of how you crown that champion. We’ll see what happens.
—Christopher Bell, NASCAR Driver
Exploring the Three-Race Championship Proposal
Austin Dillon suggested that a championship battle could focus on the top drivers after seven playoff races, narrowing to a three-round finale based on points. Bell finds this concept intriguing but questions which tracks should be chosen for such a critical showdown.
I think that if it was a three-race round, those three tracks are so important,
Bell explained.
And it’s so tough. I mean, the fairest way is to make every race count and have a 36 race points champion. But we know that that’s not going to happen. That’s not the most entertaining way.
Highlighting the positives of the current playoff eliminations, Bell admitted that the fewer races used to crown a champion, the more questionable the legitimacy becomes.
There are a lot of positives that come out of the playoff and having eliminations and stuff like that. So anytime that you narrow down that the number of races—or the sample size that you have—to crown the champion, the more illegitimate it can become. So whether that number is three, five, 10, 36, the bigger the number, the more legitimate of a champion you’re going to have.
—Christopher Bell, NASCAR Driver
Bell’s Choice of Finale Tracks Emphasizes Speed and Impact
Rather than favoring road courses or short tracks, Bell chose what many would consider the sport’s most thrilling and fastest circuits for his ideal three-race championship finale: Atlanta, Daytona, and Talladega. These tracks are known for high speeds and frequent crashes, factors that can drastically alter championship outcomes.
My vote would be Atlanta, Daytona, and Talladega,
Bell declared.
Whoever scores the most points in those races becomes a champion.
—Christopher Bell, NASCAR Driver
This selection notably excludes venues like Bristol, Richmond, or Martinsville, which are closer to Bell’s short-track background. His emphasis is clearly on tracks that produce dramatic, unpredictable finishes that could shake up the championship fight.
The Future of NASCAR’s Playoff System Remains Uncertain
With Bell’s thoughtful critiques and proposals adding to the ongoing debate, the question remains whether NASCAR leadership will adopt any driver or fan input when considering changes to the playoff format. The current system’s reliance on a single, winner-take-all finale continues to face scrutiny from competitors who desire a more comprehensive process to determine a season-long champion.
As the NASCAR Cup Series progresses, the discussion around playoff adjustments continues to gain momentum, reflecting a broader desire for a playoff structure that not only excites fans but also delivers a deserved and respected champion. Christopher Bell’s perspective and his focus on bold changes might influence future conversations and decisions in the sport.
