NASCAR Cup Series champion criticizes fans' 'Mickey Mouse' playoff narrative

The playoff format debuted in 2004 when it was known as the "Chase." In that format, the top drivers in points competed in a 10-race stretch of races to determine the champion for that season. 

Since the current elimination-style format was introduced in 2014, 16 drivers are re-seeded based on the wins and playoff points they accumulated throughout the season. From there, four drivers are eliminated after the third race of each round, ultimately setting the stage for a winner-takes-all championship race where the four remaining drivers battle for the title.

The finish to the 2024 season only frustrated fans that much more when Joey Logano hoisted the trophy at Phoenix Raceway after posting the worst average finish (17.1) of any driver in a championship-winning season. 

Blaney won the title two years ago in a season where he was not the most dominant car. When the time came, he got hot in the playoffs, winning two races and clinching his first championship with a runner-up finish at Phoenix.

While he said he prefers the old "Chase" format so a driver can be rewarded for his consistency, the current format should not discredit a championship regardless of how it is won.

"I mean, everyone can have their opinion," Blaney said. "It gets under my skin a little bit when they're like, 'You guys didn't deserve that championship.' It's like, what are you talking about, man? Like we went through the grinder, everyone digs in. And we were resilient when it mattered." 

However you view it, the current playoff format is not without its critics, notably NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, who has not been afraid to voice his opinion on the matter.

As of now, NASCAR has not announced anything on potential tweaks to the playoff system going forward. With so many scheduling changes, such as the recently announced San Diego street race at Naval Base Coronado in 2026, NASCAR continues to prove it is not afraid to try new things. Perhaps a tweak to the current playoff system is on the table as well.