NASCAR is reverting to the championship format it used between 2004 and 2013, but two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch questions whether this change is truly beneficial. During a Monday morning segment on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Busch reflected, “I thought we moved away from that format for a reason,” citing the dominance of Jimmie Johnson as the initial trigger for the change.
He noted that in the past, drivers like himself could be penalized heavily for one or two poor finishes, such as getting caught in a wreck at Talladega or Kansas, which could derail their entire championship hopes. Busch shared, “One year we got wrecked at Kansas State and still finished fifth in the championship,” underscoring how unforgiving the earlier system could be.
Busch emphasized that the playoff elimination format used over the last 11 years allowed top drivers to recover by winning races—which he benefited from by winning both his championships in that style. He admitted, “I don’t agree with going back, but considering how aggressively everyone races nowadays, it feels like all 16 contenders had a bad race at some point.”
With more races potentially acting as knockouts, Busch indicated that drivers will need to perform consistently well in the remaining events. He summed up the situation with, “If we all struggle in one race, it’s like a withdrawal, so you better bring your A-game the rest of the way. Let’s see how it unfolds.”
It’s important to note this isn’t a simple return to the previous format—NASCAR has also increased the points awarded for wins and stage finishes, putting even more emphasis on race victories. Busch pointed out that only teams with a considerable number of wins, such as Hendrick, Gibbs, or Penske, are realistically capable of bouncing back from setbacks under this system. “Name me another team besides those that win races,” he said.
Fan Take: This shake-up in NASCAR’s championship format could significantly impact how drivers approach each race, emphasizing consistency and aggressive racing. For fans, it promises more unpredictable drama but also raises questions about whether the new-old system will foster excitement or frustration among the sport’s elite competitors.
