NASCAR drivers have taken different approaches to the championship format that centers on a single race to decide the title. One common pitfall is treating it like a regular race week, which has proven ineffective. Joey Logano, a three-time champion in this format, likened a normal week mindset to just helping with sleep, since the pressure is so intense. Logano and Kyle Busch, both multi-title winners since the format’s 2014 inception, are the only drivers with multiple championships under this setup. After 12 seasons, NASCAR is considering moving away from the three elimination rounds toward a playoff system that would include at least three races in the final round, possibly even returning to a longer 10-race championship round.
The decision on this format change will be made after the upcoming season finale at Phoenix Raceway, closing a challenging chapter for drivers. Kevin Harvick, the first to win under the one-race championship in 2014, emphasized the need to handle championship weeks differently, including managing media duties and promotional activities, which disrupt typical race preparation. Stress management strategies varied among drivers; for instance, Denny Hamlin played tennis to relieve pressure, while Harvick crafted a precise plan to maintain focus. Harvick also noted that simply reaching the championship race was a relief compared to the pressure of advancing through elimination rounds.
Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson shared a similar perspective, noting the difference between the longer 10-race championship rounds and the sudden-death pressure of the one-race format. He acknowledged learning to handle pressure better as his career progressed. Kyle Busch described varying approaches to the format, highlighting how his 2015 championship felt less pressurized due to his comeback from injury and playing for “house money,” while subsequent years brought more intense competition. These top drivers benefit significantly from their teams consolidating resources in the championship push, which fuels intense competition at the front of the field.
Joey Logano reflected on how the mounting pressure naturally impacts all drivers nearing the championship, making it hard to treat championship week like any other. While some may not miss the one-race format, Harvick recalls initially opposing the shift from a multi-race playoff to the winner-take-all scenario. He believes the format hasn’t fully met its goals, as it didn’t create the iconic moments or sustained interest initially expected, but it certainly tested the mental and physical limits of drivers and teams. The intense pressure of that do-or-die race has proved both challenging and rewarding in equal measure.
Fan Take: This in-depth look at the one-race championship format exposes the immense pressure and mental challenges NASCAR drivers face, providing fans with a greater appreciation of the sport’s demands. As NASCAR contemplates a return to multi-race playoffs, fans can expect an evolution in how championships build drama and excitement, potentially bringing a new era of thrilling competition.
