Brad Keselowski, 2012 Cup champion and co-owner of RFK Racing, has issued a sharp warning to NASCAR about its current playoff format. Speaking out on October 6, 2025, Keselowski criticized the system for placing too much emphasis on survival drama instead of celebrating outright winners, a situation he says is driving fans away from the sport. His call to fix the Keselowski NASCAR playoff fix comes amid declining viewership and growing frustration among drivers, fans, and insiders alike.
Keselowski’s argument highlights a growing divide within NASCAR over how the sport crowns its champion. He contends that the current playoff system prioritizes desperation and bubble battles—where drivers fight just to remain in contention—over rewarding dominant performances. The recent 2025 Charlotte Roval race, where Shane van Gisbergen won by a commanding 15-second margin, exemplifies this problem, as media focus stayed mostly on drivers barely escaping elimination rather than van Gisbergen’s commanding drive. This approach to storytelling undermines star power, erodes fan interest, and threatens the integrity of the sport itself.
Issues Undermining NASCAR’s Playoff Format
The NASCAR playoff system, designed to maximize drama through staged eliminations, has increasingly drawn criticism for turning the sport into a contest more about survival than supremacy. Keselowski and others observe that this format has overshadowed the pure racing and commanding victories that traditionally forged icons like Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon. By focusing media and fan attention on drivers scraping to avoid elimination spots—such as the battle for 15th place—the narrative sidelines performances rooted in skill and dominance.
Keselowski highlighted this flaw in his viral X post, saying,
“Clear as day, not enough talk about winning and winners … covering 15th for known elimination is easier for media storylines. Fans are voting with their eyeballs, and it’s definitely a net loss for the sport vs the full-season format. Now is the time to fix this.”
His statement reflects frustration from within the sport about the loss of emphasis on star-making victories during the playoffs.
The ratings trend supports Keselowski’s concerns. The 2025 Kansas playoff race attracted only 1.49 million viewers, a sharp 26% decline from the previous year’s 1.79 million, while overall playoff viewership averaged just 1.54 million – the lowest since NASCAR introduced the playoff system. This drop signals waning fan engagement, partly because the current narrative revolves around survival maneuvering rather than showcasing the fastest and most skilled drivers.
Adding to the challenge is NASCAR’s highly fragmented broadcasting schedule. With events split among FOX, NBC, USA, TNT, and Amazon, fans often struggle to follow races without extensive channel-hopping. This chaotic media environment contrasts with past eras when a straightforward full-season points format provided a clear and consistent storyline: every race mattered, and the best driver over the season earned the championship.
Calls for Change Amidst Debates Over the Format
The timing of Keselowski’s comments comes as NASCAR considers possible modifications for its 2026 season, including proposals like a shorter final playoff round or increasing the number of championship contenders. However, Keselowski calls for a deeper reevaluation, insisting that the urgent need to “fix” the system is more than a mere suggestion—he frames it as a mandatory step to preserve the sport’s soul.
While Keselowski’s stance has gained traction, not all drivers share his view. Joey Logano, a two-time champion known for thriving in the playoff environment, defends the drama and intensity that cutoffs create. Logano argues that the elimination battles generate unique, electrifying moments that a traditional season-long points race cannot, keeping fans engaged through adrenaline-filled restarts and tension.
This ongoing debate has sparked intense discussions among fans and analysts, visible in active online forums and social media platforms like Reddit. Many fans express frustration with a format that rewards survival over excellence, while some remain loyal to the intense, unpredictable nature of playoffs.
Fan Reactions Echo Keselowski’s Concerns
The response from NASCAR’s fanbase often aligns with Keselowski’s critique, emphasizing the need to celebrate winning rather than mere survival. One fan highlighted disappointment following an Xfinity race, complaining,
“It really sucked after the Xfinity race when they went to interview all 12 playoff drivers over Austin Green finishing 2nd.”
This fan pointed out that Green’s impressive performance was overshadowed by the focus on playoff contenders, a pattern leaving non-playoff standouts feeling overlooked.
Another fan expressed frustration over perceived lack of effort by non-playoff drivers late in the season, stating,
“I don’t like how non-playoff drivers basically let the playoff drivers go, especially in the last race. There is absolutely no point in them being in that race since they are not trying to win, just waving the final four by.”
This complaint touches on concerns about less competitive racing from drivers eliminated from playoff contention, which fans say dilutes overall competition.
Former driver and commentator Jeff Burton has also criticized the format, warning that it encourages alliances or softer racing tactics that undermine authenticity. Such tactics contradict the spirit of pure motorsport competition, which fans expect and value.
On social media, a comment reflecting this sentiment read,
“The playoff cutline drama is fun to follow, but as Brad Keselowski and Jeff Gluck have said, NASCAR should spotlight the winners more instead of focusing only on who survives elimination.”
Journalist Jeff Gluck, through his analysis on The Teardown, supports Keselowski’s push to highlight victories. He noted that dominant performances by stars like Kyle Larson or Shane van Gisbergen get less attention than the cutline drama exemplified by Joey Logano’s playoff survival.
One fan captured this frustration around media coverage by stating,
“Larson went toe-to-toe with Shane van Gisbergen, one of the few to do so this season, but barely got post-race attention despite finishing second and advancing.”
Keselowski often points to such examples to illustrate his concern that playoff implications overshadow the purity of racing rather than celebrate true skill and speed.
Furthermore, Keselowski has criticized desperate moves during elimination races—such as Logano’s aggressive pass at Kansas in 2015 or Denny Hamlin’s desperate dive at Martinsville in 2022—arguing these skew the sport’s integrity. Fans, he says, want to see wins and brilliant drives dominate headlines, not reckless incidents born out of fear of elimination.
Calls from longtime fans for a return to the full-season points system have grown louder. One devoted follower pleaded,
“Please, please, please, NASCAR. From a 20-year diehard fan, you need to do what’s right. FULL SEASON POINTS.”
The full-season points format, last used prior to 2004, is viewed by supporters as a way to award consistency and skill throughout the year, rather than spotlighting last-minute survival battles.
Citing the 2025 viewership slump, some fans interpret the drop as clear evidence that the current playoff model is failing to maintain interest. NASCAR executive Steve O’Donnell has hinted at potential changes in 2026, acknowledging the system’s scrutiny but leaving the door open to various solutions. For Keselowski and his supporters, a full-season return might be the only way to renew NASCAR’s historic appeal.
Despite the debate, many NASCAR loyalists remain committed to watching every race, regardless of format. One fan noted,
“I don’t like the current format, but personally, it would not matter what format was in place. I love watching NASCAR and will watch every race across all three national series every season, no matter what.”
This passion demonstrates that while change is needed, NASCAR still retains a devoted core audience.
Another fan advocated,
“Full season points. These races are all so loose that it only makes sense. Who cares if it ends early? People will be glued.”
They argued that emphasizing every lap during a full season would make each event truly matter, unlike today’s focus on elimination rounds. Keselowski’s warning about the “net loss” of fans aligns with these calls, urging NASCAR to prioritize winners over survivors to restore the sport’s force and spirit.
Implications for NASCAR’s Future and the Championship Battle
Brad Keselowski’s critique has placed NASCAR at a critical crossroads, as declining viewership numbers and growing fan discontent create urgent pressure for change. With the sport’s playoff format under fire, NASCAR officials face tough decisions about how best to balance drama with genuine competition. While some insiders argue that the current setup creates compelling moments, the data and fan feedback suggest many believe the system has drifted too far from rewarding excellence over last-minute survival.
If NASCAR fails to address these concerns and restore focus on star drivers and meaningful victories, it risks further alienating its audience, notably casual viewers whose interest can quickly fade. Keselowski’s position as both a driver and co-owner gives his warning even more weight, highlighting the need for reforms that protect NASCAR’s legacy while adapting to today’s competitive media landscape.
The outcome of this debate could reshape NASCAR’s identity, either by returning to a points system that rewards consistent performance or by reforming the playoff format to better celebrate individual brilliance. Fans, drivers, and officials alike appear ready for change, setting the stage for an intense 2026 season both on and off the track.
Clear as day, Not enough talk about winning and winners (star power) but covering 15th for known elimination is easier for media storylines.
Fans are voting with their eyeballs and it’s definitively a Net loss for the sport vs full season format. Now is the time to fix this. https://t.co/2IqMWOe5ge
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) October 6, 2025
[Brad Keselowski on X] Clear as day, Not enough talk about winning and winners (star power) but covering 15th for known elimination is easier for media storylines.Fans are voting with their eyeballs and it’s definitively a Net loss for the sport vs full season format. Now is the time to fix this.
byu/Mellow200 inNASCAR
