In a recent interview, Brad Keselowski, co-owner and driver for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, openly criticized the NASCAR playoffs system, arguing that its structure damages the sport’s reputation and competitive integrity. Keselowski, whose perspective on the playoffs has generated significant discussion, made his comments during a Q&A session with Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, underscoring his deep concerns with the way the championship is currently determined and how it affects the sport’s overall popularity.
Key Recommendations from Keselowski on NASCAR’s Popularity
When asked during the interview about ways to make NASCAR more appealing to fans, Keselowski offered three main suggestions. First, he emphasized that race tracks should explore additional revenue streams to help the sport grow. Secondly, he pointed out the necessity for original equipment manufacturers—including Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford—to take a more active role in advertising, which could broaden NASCAR’s reach and attract new audiences. Finally, Keselowski’s most pointed feedback was reserved for the playoffs format, which he believes needs to be overhauled for NASCAR to move forward.
Regarding the playoff system’s impact, Keselowski stated:
“The whole playoff thing has to go away. The nuance of having 10 races that are more important than 20-some others is very unhealthy for the sport. It’s demeaning to the other tracks and races. And unfortunately, those 10 races that are supposed to mean more are in direct competition with other sports. It muddies the water. It’s not working for the sport.” — Brad Keselowski, Co-Owner/Driver
Understanding the Structure of the Current Cup Series Playoffs
The current NASCAR Cup Series championship is structured with 26 regular season races, after which the top 16 drivers qualify for the playoffs phase. Once the playoffs begin, there are 10 additional races, with rounds that eliminate four drivers each after every three races—the Round of 16, 12, and 8—leaving only four drivers to compete for the title in a final showdown. The Champion is crowned based on the outcome of this last race. Unlike other major racing series such as Formula 1 or MotoGP, where the overall points leader is champion, NASCAR’s system places significant weight on a handful of races at the end of the year, a format Keselowski described as fundamentally different and less fair to the rest of the season and tracks.
Keselowski’s Reaction following Bristol Setback
Brad Keselowski’s frustrations were further accentuated after narrowly missing a win at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, finishing second to Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing. After starting 18th on the grid, Keselowski made significant progress, advancing to eighth in Stage 1 and fourth in Stage 2, and ultimately losing to Bell by a margin of just 0.34 seconds. Discussing the decisive moments of the race, Keselowski reflected:
“Just the story of our season, just a 50/50 shot on the restart and I got the lane that couldn’t launch, just frustrating. We had a great car, great strategy, put ourselves in position to, if not to win, at least have a really, really solid day, and on that last restart, just rolled the dice and didn’t get anything good.” — Brad Keselowski, Co-Owner/Driver
Why Keselowski’s Comments Matter Across the Racing Landscape
Brad Keselowski’s blunt assessment of the NASCAR playoffs system has sparked debate among fans, drivers, and industry observers. By likening NASCAR’s structure to those in series like Formula 1, MotoGP, and referencing drivers such as Max Verstappen and Felipe Massa, Keselowski highlights a significant philosophical divide regarding competitive fairness and season-long consistency. His criticism carries additional weight as RFK Racing continues to compete at the highest level, and his remarks have drawn attention from entities including Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, especially given NASCAR’s efforts to increase engagement for events like the NASCAR All-Star race and regular season championship battles.
As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen whether NASCAR stakeholders, including equipment manufacturers and track owners, will push for reform to the playoffs format. For now, Keselowski’s outspoken stance ensures that the future of NASCAR’s championship system remains a topic of intense scrutiny and debate.
