Longtime NASCAR commentator and former driver Kenny Wallace is pushing for a significant alteration to the current playoff structure as the 2025 Cup Series season approaches its final three races. The debate follows recent speculation that a 36-race chase format could return, sparking widespread discussion about the need for a Kenny Wallace NASCAR playoff change.
NASCAR Considers Overhauling Playoff Format Amid New Changes
As the end of the 2025 campaign nears, NASCAR has been rapidly enacting adjustments, particularly targeting how the playoffs are conducted. Recently, NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell hinted that a major shift in the Cup Series playoff format might be imminent, and speculation has grown around the possibility of reverting to the traditional chase system. However, nothing official has been confirmed about the direction the sport’s leadership intends to take.
Alongside playoff format discussions, NASCAR announced that Cup Series cars would receive a power boost on tracks 1.5 miles or shorter starting next season. The change increases the horsepower from the current 670bhp to 750bhp, marking a notable step for future races. While this move is widely seen as positive, many in the sport are skeptical about its impact on race performance overall.
The increased horsepower is only the beginning, however. According to NASCAR, this is merely the first stage in a broader plan to enhance both the racing experience and the championship‘s overall structure. Despite hints at additional changes, little concrete information has been released about what specific alterations are being considered for the postseason format.
Kenny Wallace Proposes a Three-Race Championship Chase
Kenny Wallace, a consistent critic of the current playoff system, has emerged with his own suggestion should NASCAR not return to the older chase setup. Speaking on the ‘Herm & Schrader’ podcast, Wallace shared that he supports leaving most aspects of the postseason unchanged but strongly believes the final championship should be decided over three races, not just one.
“My opinion is that they leave everything alone. But instead of one race determining the championship, I think it should be three races.”
– Kenny Wallace, Podcaster and NASCAR Veteran
Wallace’s perspective is rooted in the view that a single-race finale introduces too much unpredictability, undermining the efforts put forward across the season. He contends that spreading the championship decision over three races would foster a fairer outcome, better reflecting season-long performance.
Co-Host Ken Schrader’s Candid Assessment of Uncertainty
On the same podcast episode, co-host and former driver Ken Schrader offered a blunt assessment of NASCAR’s ongoing silence regarding the developing playoff plan.
“no clue of what they’re going to do.”
– Ken Schrader, Podcast Co-Host and Former NASCAR Driver
Schrader remarked that while adjustments might be made to certain system elements, he does not anticipate these to result in substantial changes for the competitive landscape. Nonetheless, he expressed some optimism, noting the sport’s willingness to adapt and explore new approaches, even if the eventual impact remains uncertain.
Implications for the Future of NASCAR’s Cup Series
With the NASCAR leadership remaining tight-lipped until the conclusion of the 2025 season, discussions led by personalities like Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader indicate the sport’s ongoing struggle to balance tradition with innovation. The call for a Kenny Wallace NASCAR playoff change underscores a widespread appetite for a more consistent, performance-based championship conclusion. As NASCAR continues shaping the future of its postseason, fans and competitors alike await further details regarding the direction and scope of upcoming reforms.
