NASCAR has a playoff problem. The organization believes it keeps things interesting, but it’s evident that it needs to be rebranded. A large section of the community doesn’t like the playoffs, so defending the format in public is quite risky.
Bob Pockrass is feeling the heat after penning a feature on Fox Sports in favor of the playoffs. The veteran NASCAR reporter thinks NASCAR needs the playoffs, though the idea hasn’t gone down well with most fans.
Why Did the NASCAR Playoffs Debate Heat Up After Bob Pockrass Came to Its Defense?
NASCAR scrapped the season-long championship format in 2003 and introduced the playoffs, hoping to make the title race more competitive. However, the move has drawn mixed reactions from the community ever since, and even after more than twenty years, the controversy has barely faded.
Pockrass understands that NASCAR needs to find a solution that pleases more fans. The major accusation against the playoffs has been that it doesn’t reward consistent drivers. That needs to change.
However, Pockrass argues that doing away with the playoffs offers no real benefit and considers it a ‘step back’ for the sport.
“Reward those who’ve had more consistent strong runs throughout the year rather than rewarding drivers for winning one race? Sure,” Pockrass writes. “But to just scrap the whole concept of playoffs? That seems like a step backward instead of just a step back into the way NASCAR crowned a champion,” he added.
Fan reaction, however, was far from supportive of Pockrass’s views, with many criticizing him for seemingly promoting NASCAR’s agenda.
“Dear God No, Bobby P sold his soul…” one of the fans vented.
Another fan warned Pockrass that promoting the playoffs positively would do little to improve declining viewership numbers.
“More pro playoffs propaganda from Nascar media. I have a lot of respect for ya Bob, but what the majority of fans want needs to be taken into consideration unless you want 1.4 million viewers to be the new norm,” the fan wrote.
“I feel like I’m watching WCW in 2000-2001, just without a legitimate competitor. Spoiler alert, things didn’t work out too well for WCW,” they added.
One of the fans also accused NASCAR of disregarding what its audience actually wants from the sport. “Is it actually possible for Nascar media to consider what the majority of fans want? I honestly think doing so will make you guys/gals spontaneously combust.”
“This is just engagement baiting at this point,” another frustrated fan remarked.
One fan questioned the need for playoffs, saying it doesn’t make sense in a sport that isn’t ‘ball-and-stick’. “Nobody wants the playoffs! This isn’t a stick and ball sport.”
There may be some merit to keeping the playoffs, but at present, NASCAR is failing to get the message across. The regulatory body needs to find a way to get more fans on board.
