Richard Petty criticizes NASCAR playoff format after Mexico race, raising doubts about the fairness of the current win-and-in system that allowed Shane van Gisbergen, ranked 30th in points, to secure a playoff spot after his recent victory in Mexico City. The legendary racer, who made his own debut in an international NASCAR points event decades ago, expressed concerns just as fans and insiders continue to debate the direction of the sport following historic changes to the race calendar.
Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City held particular meaning for Richard Petty, recalling his first Cup start at an international points-paying event in Toronto back in 1958 when he was just twenty. The most recent Mexico event saw Shane van Gisbergen notch his second career Cup win and instantly claim a playoff berth, despite being outside the top standings, due to the win-and-in qualification rule.
Petty Criticizes Playoff Eligibility Rules
In a Facebook exchange with a fan, Petty openly questioned how the system allows a lower-ranked driver entry into the championship.
“The way they got this thing fixed, if you win and you’re in, that can’t be right,”
—Richard Petty, NASCAR Legend.
He continued, highlighting the plight of consistently better-placed drivers: What, he asked, happens to the competitors ranked 15th, 16th, or 18th, when someone from as low as 30th in points advances solely by a single win?
Petty, widely known as ‘The King’, also commented on the broader implications for the sport and its traditions, appearing at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony while these issues simmered among fans and participants alike.
Concerns Over Road Course Emphasis
He went on to critique the growing weight placed on road course victories for playoff eligibility.
“Been running good, finished good everywhere. You’re making a championship situation by winning a road course, which is not really NASCAR to begin with. So from that standpoint, I think they’re going to have to jockey around and change some of this kind of stuff.”
—Richard Petty, NASCAR Legend.
While Petty emphasized that oval track performance reflects traditional NASCAR racing, the sport’s relationship with road courses is well established—dating back to its second-ever sanctioned event in 1949, which took place on Daytona Beach’s lengthy road circuit.
His viewpoint resonates with a significant segment of NASCAR’s fan base and old-guard drivers alike, many of whom prefer the longstanding, consistency-based points systems over the current win-based playoff entry model. The debate represents an ongoing struggle within the sport between innovation and historic values.
Shifts in the NASCAR Schedule Reflect Broader Debate
The Mexico City race is just the latest in a succession of new road courses joining the Cup Series; in fact, six of the ten latest additions to the Cup schedule feature left and right turns. Despite Petty’s remarks, NASCAR’s evolution has consistently included a blend of traditional ovals and challenging road courses—demonstrating that arguments about what constitutes “real NASCAR” remain contentious and unresolved.
As the Cup Series continues to expand internationally and integrate more diverse racing formats, the controversy sparked by Petty’s comments may prompt renewed discussions about the playoff system and the values that shape the sport. With Shane van Gisbergen now playoff-bound after Mexico, industry leaders, drivers, and fans alike will continue to weigh the merits of consistency versus single-race glory, reflecting the ongoing evolution of NASCAR’s competitive landscape.
