Richard Petty on NASCAR playoffs has become a flashpoint for debate, as the racing legend challenges the current system’s ability to crown a true season-long champion. Petty’s remarks come just as NASCAR considers potential changes to its playoff format, with discussions intensifying among drivers, fans, and key figures in the sport.
Petty Asserts the Value of Consistency in Crowning Champions
Denny Hamlin recently voiced reservations about the playoff system, stating,
“One race is just not the way to do it,”
addressing concerns about determining a champion based on a small sample of final races. Hamlin’s position gains additional weight as speculation grows regarding NBC’s influence on future changes in NASCAR’s playoff format. Richard Petty, with seven Cup Series championships from 1964 to 1979 under a season-long points system, has now echoed similar concerns, placing his legacy and reputation behind the opposition to short-format championship deciders.
During a public discussion, Petty responded to a fan’s query about his preferred championship format, replying,
“I still think that to have a champion of NASCAR, that is a year-long championship. It’s not a one-race championship; it’s not a four-race championship. If we run 36 races, who is the best out of those 36? They should be the champion.”
— Richard Petty, NASCAR Hall of Famer
Petty’s outlook recalls the era when a driver’s season-long reliability, stamina, and ability to amass points distinguished true greatness. The 2003 season serves as a turning point—Matt Kenseth captured the Cup Series title with just one race win but with remarkable consistency across 25 top-ten finishes. Kenseth’s method was seen by some as unexciting, prompting the introduction of The Chase, and eventually, the playoff system that now dominates NASCAR’s championship.
Recent Champions Highlight Format Controversy
The modern playoff era has produced champions through clutch performances during the final ten races, often overshadowing drivers who excelled during the regular season. Ryan Blaney’s 2023 championship run exemplifies this: one regular season win at Charlotte followed by late surges at Talladega and Martinsville ultimately translated into the Cup title. Similarly, Joey Logano’s 2024 journey saw him win only once prior to the playoffs, before storming to the Championship with three playoff victories at a critical stage.
These outcomes have fueled criticism among fans and experts, who argue that crowning a champion based on a handful of decisive events does not honor the entire body of work throughout the season. The brewing conflict reflects divisions between those who prioritize spectacle and those who insist excellence requires consistency over all 36 races.
Joey Logano and Playoff Advocates Stand Their Ground
In contrast to Richard Petty’s call for a return to full-season championships, Joey Logano strongly defends the existing playoff format. After narrowly advancing to the next stage of competition at the Charlotte Roval, Logano said,
“They create storylines. They create awesome moments like that. I don’t understand what people don’t like about it. I really don’t get it.”
— Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Logano also highlighted the stakes involved under the current structure, emphasizing,
“If you’re one of those people who say the regular season doesn’t matter, playoff points don’t matter—one point would have been the difference there. I preach that all the time. I’m not just saying that because it works for us. I’m saying it because it’s true.”
— Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
He continued to defend the necessity of the playoff system’s cutoff races and its impact on headlines, stating,
“If you don’t have cutoff races and things like that, what are you even talking about today? How Shane (van Gisbergen) waxed everyone’s bu–? That’s what you want? I’m just saying, this playoff format is wicked,”
— Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Logano acknowledged that some aspects of the championship points calculation may need adjustment, but he maintained,
“Times change…I don’t know if you have a lot of the moments we have today without the playoff system that we have.”
— Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Diverging Philosophies Could Shape NASCAR’s Future
The split between Richard Petty’s call for season-long consistency and Joey Logano’s embrace of playoff excitement has kept the debate alive in the NASCAR community. The discussion draws in voices from across the spectrum, from critics like Denny Hamlin, who question the fairness of momentary success outweighing a year’s efforts, to fans who crave unpredictable finales and dramatic storylines.
As NASCAR faces mounting pressure, both from inside the garage and among supporters online, substantial soul-searching about what defines a champion is underway. Whether the organization ultimately upholds Petty’s philosophy or continues evolving the playoff model will not only shape future seasons but also influence how history remembers each driver’s achievements. This ongoing debate ensures that the spotlight remains as much on the process of winning as on the winners themselves, showing just how pivotal the championship structure is to NASCAR’s identity.
FAN QUESTION: Would you rather have the 10 race Chase format or the playoffs?
Via X user, @TheBraden_
Full Race Recap and more answers to fan questions tomorrow at 8am on the Petty Family Racing YouTube channel. pic.twitter.com/wnFPsiBU0f
— Richard Petty (@therichardpetty) October 6, 2025
