The regular NASCAR season is approaching its business end with only 10 races left to go. Then the playoffs would begin, which would ultimately decide the new champion. There have been debates for and against the current format, and NASCAR legend Mark Martin has revealed which side he is currently on.
Mark Martin Voices Frustration Over NASCAR’s Championship Format
16 drivers will compete for the NASCAR Cup Series championship when the playoffs start August 31 at Darlington.
Regardless of how they performed all season, the qualified drivers will begin the playoffs on level terms. Four will be cut after the opening round, followed by further eliminations in the Round of 12 and Round of 8. In November, the Championship Four will battle it out at Phoenix in the season’s final race, with the winner claiming the Cup Series championship.
NASCAR fans have often shown their disdain for the playoff format. Since its introduction in 2004, the NASCAR playoffs have undergone numerous changes but have struggled to win over fans.
The Scene Vault Podcast, focused on NASCAR heritage, recently posted a social media poll asking fans to choose between the full-season format and the playoffs. Unsurprisingly, the full-season format was the runaway winner.
I did a similar poll recently and saw similar results. Problem is decision makers don’t care what the fans want. It’s all about what broadcast partners want. I’m sorry but I can’t win this battle for our great fans. It’s extremely frustrating to me. https://t.co/YeQPc5fRod
— Mark Martin (@markmartin) June 16, 2025
The poll caught the attention of Martin. He shared it on his X profile and wrote, “I did a similar poll recently and saw similar results.”
“Problem is decision makers don’t care what the fans want. It’s all about what broadcast partners want. I’m sorry but I can’t win this battle for our great fans. It’s extremely frustrating to me.”
Why NASCAR Fans Hate the Championship Playoffs
A single bad finish in the playoffs can cost a driver the championship, even after dominating the season. Fans feel this diminishes the value of consistency. They argue it’s unfair that consistency throughout the year counts less than a few high-pressure races.
In 2024, for example, Tyler Reddick won the regular season championship. But he had to settle for fourth place overall, as Joey Logano clinched the title with a stronger playoff performance.
The heavy focus on just a few races in NASCAR’s playoffs means luck can overshadow skill. A single crash or mechanical issue can erase a season’s worth of work, much to fans’ frustration when something as small as a flat tire crushes title aspirations.
Playoff pressure often leads to overly aggressive driving, which leads to frequent crashes and turmoil. Fans say this detracts from the skillful racing they value, and many are unhappy to see drivers resort to bumping rivals out of the points race.
NASCAR has long celebrated season-long consistency and endurance. The playoff system feels like a departure from this heritage, with many fans viewing it as a gimmick that strays from the core values of stock car racing.
Under today’s format, a driver who wins just one regular-season race can claim the championship by excelling in the final race. Many fans disagree, preferring the title to go to the most consistent driver over the entire season rather than someone who peaked at the right moment.