The ongoing discourse around the Kenny Wallace NASCAR playoff format intensified after Wallace’s recent remarks on the current system versus the old points structure, with opinions deeply split between fans, drivers, and executives. As NASCAR prepares for potential changes post-2025, Wallace argues that reverting to previous formats could undermine the competitive spirit seen in races today.
Debate Intensifies Over NASCAR Playoff System
The NASCAR playoff format has been a source of heated discussion among all parties involved in the sport. While many long-time fans express a preference for returning to the 36-race cumulative points system, most drivers favor a championship that maintains a sense of balance and ongoing competition, and TV executives champion formats that deliver more on-track drama. Kenny Wallace, former driver and analyst, warns that shifting back to older ways may not address the fundamental challenges the sport faces on race day.
Since 2014, NASCAR has operated under a multi-round elimination system: beginning with 16 playoff drivers, trimming the field down to 12, then eight, and finally concluding with a four-driver finale. Stage racing was introduced in 2017, offering additional championship points during the course of races and increasing opportunities for drivers to compete vigorously throughout the event. Advocates of this format claim it elevates every portion of the race, not just the late stages.
However, there are critics who point out that a single race to crown the champion can lead to results that do not mirror season-long effort, feeling that some strong performers are overlooked in the final standings. Kenny Wallace addresses this issue by cautioning supporters of the old format:
“Be careful what you ask for. So I’m going to challenge all of you right now. You’re saying, I don’t watch NASCAR because I don’t like the point system. That’s one of the things you say, besides, I don’t watch NASCAR because I don’t like the car… okay it’s 2026 right now. It’s next year. ‘All right, I’m going to watch the races because the points have changed. Man, look at the cars. Oh, wow. Man, the points have changed.’ What the fu*k does the points have to do with the racing on the racetrack? (4:07 onwards)” — Kenny Wallace, Analyst
Wallace’s warning is rooted in the concern that simply resurrecting the full-season points method—sometimes referred to as the Mark Martin rule—would not immediately create the thrilling on-track product that discontented fans desire.
Stage Racing and Stronger Competition
Expanding on his viewpoint, Wallace believes that the existing playoff framework and stage racing encourage an aggressive racing style that might disappear under the old model:
“Right now, they’re racing harder because it’s broke up in sections. You got the first stage. You race hard. You win. You get 10 bonus points. Second gets nine… You can win more points in stages than you can simply racing for your end points… Right now, the drivers are running hard in stages so they can get those points.” — Kenny Wallace, Analyst
He contends that the segment-based system makes every section of the race meaningful and incentivizes intense competition well before the checkered flag. Without stage racing and the Kenny Wallace NASCAR playoff format, Wallace anticipates a significant drop in aggressive driving.
NASCAR’s playoff committee recently concluded internal discussions on potential adjustments to the structure. Any finalized proposal for 2026 now moves to the board of directors for review, with central figures such as Jim France, Lesa France Kennedy, Gary Crotty, Steve Phelps, and Mike Helton overseeing the process. No formal decision is expected until after the 2025 championship is resolved in Phoenix this November.
Concerns Over Returning to the Old System
Kenny Wallace also shared his broader concerns about eliminating stage racing, suggesting it could lead to more cautious and less exciting races:
“So now instead of racing hard, they’re going to go, hell, I’m just going to take it easier. We got a 500 mile race. If they get rid of the stages like you want them to, it’s just going to become a fu*kfest. They’re just going to be running around in circles because it’s a 500 mile race.” (7:14 onwards) — Kenny Wallace, Analyst
This viewpoint is set against the backdrop of NASCAR’s Next Gen car, which has tightened competition but also made overtaking more challenging. Stage breaks force repeated restarts and inject drama, which some claim detracts from organic racing excitement. Despite these changes, television ratings remain a concern; viewership has slipped compared to previous years, and according to Jeff Gluck’s Was It A Good Race? poll, only the Bristol playoff event has garnered overwhelming fan approval so far this season.
Drivers and Insiders React to Playoff Format Talks
As NASCAR managing director of communications Mike Forde indicated that leadership would now determine the future of the playoff system, attention turned to the drivers for input on what lies ahead.
Denny Hamlin, a prominent driver who has repeatedly come close to championship success, discussed the playoff situation on his podcast:
“I just would not get your hopes up on a 36 race (NASCAR playoff format)… I mean there was a lot of arguments for it. A lot, a lot of arguments for it and I understand and it definitely would crown the most deserving champion. However, we would be one of the only sports without a playoff… My just hope is that it does get simplified,” he said in Actions Detrimental (50:57 onwards). — Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin has regularly advocated for a format reminiscent of the earlier Chase era, in which races and stage points still influence championship battles but are not solely decided in a single finale. Known for sharing the unfortunate record with Mark Martin for most career wins without a title, Hamlin’s perspective reflects the emotional stakes for many top NASCAR competitors.
Brad Keselowski, who secured the championship in 2012, raises other issues regarding the playoff setup, seeing it as more of a tool for entertainment than a means to determine sporting legitimacy. These discussions, echoed by veterans and newcomers alike, highlight an ongoing struggle within the league and among fans—balancing the integrity of competition with the need for spectacle that appeals to television networks and sponsors.
What the Future May Hold for NASCAR’s Playoff Structure
With the playoff committee’s recommendations now in the hands of top board members such as Mike Helton and Jim France, attention turns to how the league will navigate fan expectations, driver input, and commercial pressures. The final decision, expected only after the 2025 finale in Phoenix, could reshape the way championships are contested for years to come.
The debate around the Kenny Wallace NASCAR playoff format underscores just how pivotal the playoff system has become for all involved—from drivers and fans to executives like Gary Crotty and Steve Phelps, as well as media entities keenly watching TV numbers. As the conversation evolves, stakeholders across the league await NASCAR’s next move, aware that any shift could ripple through every level of competition and fan engagement.
“Coffee with Kenny”
Is @NASCAR is going back to 36 points races? pic.twitter.com/TORihpjNA8
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) September 25, 2025
