Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed concerns about how the current Denny Hamlin NASCAR playoff format might affect driver Connor Zilisch’s championship hopes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Speaking on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Earnhardt reflected on the challenges Zilisch and his No. 88 team could face as the Xfinity Series playoffs begin this weekend.
I’m on pins and needles because I don’t know how long they can keep this going,
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said regarding Zilisch’s performance.
You’ve got all of this success. We’re kind of out there looking in front of that record of most wins in a season for an organization. I think Joe Gibbs has it at 19 or 20. That’s a goal, and then, obviously, trying to get as many cars into the finals is a goal. And then when you get to the finals, going to win it, not having somebody sneak up in there and then take it away from you. That happens from time to time.
Insights on Playoff Format From Hamlin and Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt Jr. shared that Denny Hamlin voiced similar concerns about the playoff system on his podcast recently, indicating unease over how the format could affect Zilisch’s title bid.
Denny [Hamlin] talked about this on his podcast this week. He’s like, ‘Man, I got a feeling that 88’s going to win 10 races and lose a championship just because of the format.’ But the good news is most likely we’re going to move away from this format. I would say the likelihood of us changing the format is high, especially if a Connor Zilisch wins 10 races and doesn’t win a championship.
Zilisch, only 19 years old, has had an impressive season with nine wins, 17 top-10 finishes, and 15 top-five results. He has also led 750 laps and claimed the Xfinity Series Regular Season Championship, standing 59 points above the cutoff for the playoffs.
Overview of Upcoming Xfinity Series Playoffs Schedule
The NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs kick off on Friday, September 12, at Bristol, featuring the top 12 drivers competing for a spot in the championship race. The field will narrow to eight competitors by October 11, ultimately leading to the championship event at Phoenix on Saturday, November 1. This final race will determine the title among the top four drivers in the playoff standings.
Implications of the Playoff Format on Competitive Outcomes
The ongoing debate around the NASCAR playoff format underscores the tension between regular-season success and postseason results. If Zilisch continues his dominant winning streak but fails to secure the championship because of the existing system, it could prompt NASCAR and its teams, including those led by Joe Gibbs, to reassess how titles are decided in future seasons. Such changes would aim to balance rewarding consistent performance over the season with playoff competitiveness.
