Brad Keselowski ignited significant debate in the NASCAR world on October 6, 2025, when he called for major adjustments to the sport’s playoff system, voicing his opinion on the need for a new approach to how champions are crowned. Using the phrase “Brad Keselowski playoff format fix,” he triggered conversation among fans, drivers, and industry leaders about whether NASCAR’s current format values survival over genuine racing excellence.
The 2012 Cup champion and RFK Racing co-owner took his frustrations to social media, sparking reactions across the motorsports landscape. Keselowski’s critique centered on his belief that the playoff structure focuses too much on “bubble battles”—drivers fighting for the last transfer spot—at the expense of celebrating dominant performances. His pointed remarks,
“Clear as day, not enough talk about winning and winners … covering 15th for known elimination is easier for media storylines. Fans are voting with their eyeballs, and it’s definitely a net loss for the sport vs the full-season format. Now is the time to fix this,”
—Brad Keselowski, Cup Driver and RFK Racing Co-Owner—underscore the dissatisfaction he and many others share regarding the state of the series.
Kesselowski’s Critique of NASCAR’s Playoff Drama
Keselowski, reflecting on recent races, lamented that stories of racing brilliance are getting lost amidst the obsession with playoff cutlines. For example, while Shane van Gisbergen delivered a commanding 15-second win at the 2025 Charlotte Roval, headlines instead focused on Joey Logano’s last-minute survival and Ross Chastain’s desperate wreck. According to Keselowski, the playoff format overshadows feats of dominance that have historically built NASCAR legends like Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, both of whom became icons through consistent winning rather than just squeaking by in elimination rounds.
He further argued that NASCAR’s playoff model, designed for maximum drama, is veering into the territory of soap opera, where off-track intrigue and survival drama become more compelling than actual race results. He emphasized that the current narrative overshadows star-making moments and long-term brilliance, stating that the sport is risking its identity by prioritizing elimination theatrics over race-winning performances. The “Brad Keselowski playoff format fix” argument revolves around the idea that a return to focusing on the front-running drivers and true championship-caliber performances is needed for the sport’s health.
Television viewership numbers seem to support his claim. The Kansas playoff race drew only 1.49 million viewers, a steep decline from the 1.79 million audience in 2024, with the overall playoff average dipping to the lowest mark seen since the format started. Keselowski pointed to the confusing and fragmented broadcasting landscape—with races appearing on FOX, NBC, USA, TNT, and Amazon—as another reason fans struggle to keep up, a far cry from the straightforward full-season points formats of the past.
Kesselowski’s comments arrive as NASCAR leadership, including executive Steve O’Donnell, acknowledges increased scrutiny over the playoff format’s effectiveness. The league is reportedly considering tweaks for 2026, such as a four-race final round or an expanded list of title contenders. However, Keselowski’s demand to fix the system “now” reflects growing urgency among competitors and fans.
Mixed Opinions Within the Sport
The pushback is not unanimous among drivers. Joey Logano, who has excelled in the playoff format and captured two championships, voiced his preference for the drama and unpredictability the current system creates. He argues that the high-stakes nature of elimination rounds inspires stories that would otherwise not exist. This sentiment highlights the division within NASCAR circles, with some appreciating the playoff drama and others, like Keselowski, believing it shifts focus from the true standouts.
These differing opinions ignite widespread debates, as showcased by heated discussions on platforms like Reddit and podcasts hosted by journalists such as Jeff Gluck. Many fans and analysts are weighing the merits of both systems, debating whether NASCAR’s champion should be decided by a season-long battle of consistent excellence or by surviving multiple rounds of sudden-death eliminations.
Public Reaction: Fans Rally for Change
Kesselowski’s criticism quickly found support among a broad base of race followers, with fans expressing their frustrations about missed narratives and under-appreciated performances. One fan voiced a popular concern:
“It really sucked after the Xfinity race when they went to interview all 12 playoff drivers over Austin Green finishing 2nd,”
—Reddit User. Austin Green’s achievement as a career highlight, the user argued, was pushed to the background in favor of playoff-centered interviews, a trend seen repeatedly in recent seasons.
This pattern of overlooking non-playoff competitors in favor of cutline storylines isn’t isolated. Erik Jones and other drivers who enjoy notable runs are often reduced to side notes in media coverage, leaving supporters feeling that the integrity of competition is compromised for the sake of elimination drama.
Another racing enthusiast remarked,
“I don’t like how non-playoff drivers basically let the playoff drivers go, especially in the last race. There is absolutely no point in them being in that race since they are not trying to win, just waving the final four by,”
—Reddit User. This practice, they argue, leads to soft racing and even tactical alliances, undermining the competitive spirit that once made every lap meaningful. Jeff Burton, a respected NASCAR veteran, has echoed similar concerns about how the structure encourages compromise in competition.
Support for Keselowski also surfaced in calls for media coverage to focus on winning drivers and legends, not just those making the playoffs by slim margins. One commenter put it plainly:
“The playoff cutline drama is fun to follow, but as Brad Keselowski and Jeff Gluck have said, NASCAR should spotlight the winners more instead of focusing only on who survives elimination,”
—Reddit User. Jeff Gluck has been particularly vocal in supporting the idea that highlighting race winners, like Kyle Larson or Shane van Gisbergen, would help fans appreciate the sport’s elite talent. He cited the Roval battle, noting that Larson’s duel with van Gisbergen went underreported despite its quality and impact.
Echoing this view, a passionate supporter observed,
“Larson went toe-to-toe with Shane van Gisbergen, one of the few to do so this season, but barely got post-race attention despite finishing second and advancing,”
—Reddit User. The current emphasis on playoff implications, they said, has eroded recognition for remarkable performances and instead left the spotlight on last-chance survival moves, referencing high-stakes incidents like Logano’s 2015 Kansas maneuver or Denny Hamlin’s bold move at Martinsville in 2022.
Trend Toward Full-Season Points Format
As the 2025 season’s television ratings faded—with some events dipping just over 1.5 million viewers—calls to return to the traditional full-season championship format grew louder. One devoted follower pleaded,
“Please, please, please, NASCAR. From a 20-year diehard fan, you need to do what’s right. FULL SEASON POINTS,”
—Reddit User. The points-based approach, last used in 2003, rewarded all race results equally and provided fans with a straightforward, season-long narrative that many miss today.
O’Donnell’s public acknowledgment of the playoff format’s shortcomings, coupled with ongoing debate over 2026 rule changes, suggest that those in leadership are hearing—and possibly responding to—fan demand. The calls for reform echo through Reddit and social media, amplified by the falling ratings that indicate viewers’ dissatisfaction with the current system.
Still, some loyalists remain steadfast in their love for NASCAR regardless of format. As one longtime supporter expressed,
“I don’t like the current format, but personally, it would not matter what format was in place. I love watching NASCAR and will watch every race across all three national series every season, no matter what,”
—Reddit User. This highlights the passion of core fans, though repeated threads make clear they prefer a fair and competitive championship process.
Another echoed the sentiment for more meaningful consistency:
“Full season points. These races are all so loose that it only makes sense. Who cares if it ends early? People will be glued,”
—Reddit User. The push for a season-long narrative builds on Keselowski’s belief that NASCAR would be better served by returning focus to drivers who win throughout the year rather than those who simply endure through elimination rounds and make it to the finale. The intense support for the “Brad Keselowski playoff format fix” and efforts to reverse what many consider a “net loss” for the sport, as Keselowski warned, show growing agreement that reform is essential.
What’s at Stake for NASCAR’s Future
As the conversation swells, NASCAR finds itself at a crossroads. The playoff model, initially created to generate excitement and keep more viewers engaged until the end of the season, is now under fire for undermining the value of sustained excellence and overshadowing the sport’s stars. Leaders like Steve O’Donnell must consider how best to balance unpredictable drama with a championship system that rewards long-term achievement.
The coming months are likely to be decisive. With changes on the table for 2026 and mounting evidence of viewership declines, stakeholders from race fans to team owners will be watching closely. Brad Keselowski’s impassioned public stand, paired with ardent fan support and voices like Jeff Gluck and Jeff Burton calling for change, could well lead to an overhaul of how NASCAR crowns its champions. Whether that returns the sport to its former glory remains to be seen, but the “Brad Keselowski playoff format fix” conversation is sure to remain central as NASCAR charts its next chapter.
Clear as day, Not enough talk about winning and winners (star power) but covering 15th for known elimination is easier for media storylines.
Fans are voting with their eyeballs and it’s definitively a Net loss for the sport vs full season format. Now is the time to fix this. https://t.co/2IqMWOe5ge
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) October 6, 2025
[Brad Keselowski on X] Clear as day, Not enough talk about winning and winners (star power) but covering 15th for known elimination is easier for media storylines.Fans are voting with their eyeballs and it’s definitively a Net loss for the sport vs full season format. Now is the time to fix this.
byu/Mellow200 inNASCAR
