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The NASCAR Playoffs format is utter garbage and here's why.
Playoff finishes:
Noah Gragson: 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 36th, 2nd, 3rd
Justin Haley: 10th, 1st, 35th, 4th, 7th, 12th
Justin Allgaier: 4th, 29th, 23rd, 10th, 26th, 2nd
(I'm not saying these drivers don't deserve it).
Playoff finishes:
Noah Gragson: 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 36th, 2nd, 3rd
Justin Haley: 10th, 1st, 35th, 4th, 7th, 12th
Justin Allgaier: 4th, 29th, 23rd, 10th, 26th, 2nd
(I'm not saying these drivers don't deserve it).
Now let's look at the total statistics for this year.
- Noah Gragson: 2 wins, 16 top-5's, 24 top-10's
- Justin Haley: 3 wins, 10 top-5's, 20 top-10's
- Justin Allgaier: 3 wins, 10 top-5's, 18 top-10's
Haley and Allgaier have one more win but aren't as consistent as Gragson.
- Noah Gragson: 2 wins, 16 top-5's, 24 top-10's
- Justin Haley: 3 wins, 10 top-5's, 20 top-10's
- Justin Allgaier: 3 wins, 10 top-5's, 18 top-10's
Haley and Allgaier have one more win but aren't as consistent as Gragson.
Now let's look at the NASCAR Cup Series
- Kevin Harvick: 9 wins, 20 top-5's, 26 top-10's
- Denny Hamlin: 7 wins, 17 top-5's, 20 top-10's
- Brad Keselowski: 4 wins, 11 top-5's, 22 top-10's
- Joey Logano: 3 wins, 10 top-5's, 19 top-10's
Who is locked into the championship?
- Kevin Harvick: 9 wins, 20 top-5's, 26 top-10's
- Denny Hamlin: 7 wins, 17 top-5's, 20 top-10's
- Brad Keselowski: 4 wins, 11 top-5's, 22 top-10's
- Joey Logano: 3 wins, 10 top-5's, 19 top-10's
Who is locked into the championship?
You're telling me, that Joey Logano deserves to be in the championship over Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, or Brad Keselowski if someone below the cut-line wins?
I understand other sports pour into the playoffs like this also. However, it didn't use to be like this.
I understand other sports pour into the playoffs like this also. However, it didn't use to be like this.
For years and years, the right driver won the championship. Imagine if Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Sterling Marlin, and Mark Martin went into the final race TIED and all of the hard work throughout the season is completely wiped away. How is the best driver winning?
Okay, you win one race at the end of the season. What if that track is one of your struggles? What if a random part breaks. What if someone wins 20 races in the season only to have a part break in the championship race? The best drivers deserve a shot at the championship.
Look at the Xfinity Series statistics. Haley had the same number of wins as Gragson entering the playoffs. He didn't even race better in a playoff long stretch than him, despite having one race win. The format needs to go back to season-long or ten races at the end.
Also, Gragson and Haley were pretty much safe in the Round of 12. This means Gragson's (2nd, 3rd, 2nd) doesn't matter when you get to the Round of 8. What?
How does reward consistency throughout the playoffs? Take away Haley's 35th and Gragson's 36th. Tell me who looks better.
How does reward consistency throughout the playoffs? Take away Haley's 35th and Gragson's 36th. Tell me who looks better.
Just because someone "steps up" and wins a race means they get to take two races off? How does that make sense? Tony Stewart EARNED his championship in 2011. He climbed against all odds and earned it. Every race.
The only reason no one liked it was because of Jimmie Johnson.
The only reason no one liked it was because of Jimmie Johnson.
I understand why we do this format. However, I agree with the old NASCAR folk who watched Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt grind it out every single race because they KNEW every race mattered. Not every race matters anymore. Consistency throughout hte WHOLE season doesn't matter.
