Kevin Harvick, a former Cup Series star now working as a Fox Sports analyst, has reignited criticism around the fairness of NASCAR’s playoff system as the 2025 season nears its conclusion. On his Harvick Happy Hour podcast, Harvick spoke pointedly about the risks the current format poses to season-long dominance, especially citing Corey Heim and Connor Zilisch as examples, placing the focus on concerns that the structure could unjustly deny top drivers their championships, a prime case of Kevin Harvick criticizing NASCAR playoffs.
Harvick Highlights Heim and Zilisch’s Unmatched Seasons Amid Format Concerns
Corey Heim has delivered an extraordinary performance, claiming 10 victories in 22 Truck Series events this year. Connor Zilisch has proven equally formidable, with 10 wins across 28 Xfinity Series races. Yet both face the real possibility of losing the championship because of NASCAR’s all-or-nothing season finale, which gives every playoff-eligible driver an equal shot in a single race, regardless of their season-long success.
Harvick openly voiced his frustration on his podcast, drawing attention to the precariousness of the current setup.
“On @HarvickHappyPod, Kevin Harvick said it would be embarrassing for the series if Corey Heim and Connor Zilisch didn’t win their series championships.”
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass)
Harvick warned that if Heim failed to secure the Truck Series title, the event would be catastrophic for both the driver and the reputation of the sport. He argued that in both the Truck and Xfinity divisions, the champions should be self-evident, given the relentless dominance these drivers have shown all year.
The analyst underscored that, as it stands, drivers with far fewer successes could clinch the title in a single lucky race, diminishing the value of season-long effort and achievement. Harvick labeled this prospect a clear embarrassment, lamenting that a stellar campaign could end in disappointment due to the structure.
“If we’re going to have playoffs,”
Harvick said,
“you better make the points matter as much as possible. These guys shouldn’t lose a full season’s championship to someone with a single win. Something small or random shouldn’t decide a title. That’s not what a champion should be.”
— Kevin Harvick, Fox Sports Analyst
Harvick Draws Distinctions With Other Major Sports
Expanding on his criticism, Harvick compared the NASCAR playoff scenario with systems used in other major sports. He highlighted that leagues such as the NFL, NBA, or Major League Baseball use playoff series, which allow better teams to prove themselves over numerous games, minimizing the chance of a fluke result dictating a championship.
Harvick emphasized that the one-race, winner-take-all system used in NASCAR increases the potential for random, uncontrollable events to determine the title, disregarding the excellence drivers like Heim and Zilisch have exhibited throughout the season.
“That’s why there has to be a bigger sample size,”
Harvick continued.
“They don’t like one race determining it. I don’t care if it’s the last four or last three, but this one-race format doesn’t reflect what happens over a full season.”
— Kevin Harvick, Fox Sports Analyst
He questioned the effectiveness of NASCAR’s playoff format in boosting audience excitement and television ratings. According to Harvick, the so-called “Game 7 moment” has failed to deliver the promised boost in fan engagement.
“That one-race championship moment has done absolutely zero to make it more exciting.”
— Kevin Harvick, Fox Sports Analyst
Challenging the Balance of Excitement and Sporting Integrity
Despite stating that the Cup Series field, in his view, has displayed a degree of competitiveness this year, Harvick suggested that the situation in the Truck and Xfinity Series is not as evenhanded. He warned that denying drivers like Heim or Zilisch a title under these circumstances would be, in his words,
“an embarrassment to the whole season.”
— Kevin Harvick, Fox Sports Analyst
NASCAR’s playoff system, in place since 2004 and updated several times, was designed to inject energy and drama into the late-season championship battle. Yet Harvick’s strong words point to a persistent conflict between making the sport entertaining and preserving the value of merit over a long, grueling season.
As Heim and Zilisch continue their campaigns as statistical standouts, their fate in a one-race finale serves as a test case: will a single misstep override months of excellence? Harvick’s direct criticism could push NASCAR to once again examine whether the thrill of unpredictability is coming at too high a price for sporting credibility, and whether adjustments are needed to reward consistent performance and uphold the integrity of the championship outcome.
On @HarvickHappyPod, Kevin Harvick said it would be embarrassing for the series if Corey Heim and Connor Zilisch didn't win their series championships. When we visited with truck series Champ 4 today, I asked for a reaction. This one from Tyler Ankrum made me laugh: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/NiohUZKpHL
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 28, 2025
"If those two guys don't win the championship, it's an embarrassment." @KevinHarvick on Corey Heim, Connor Zilisch, and the NASCAR playoff system. @MambaSmith34 | @KaitlynVincie pic.twitter.com/Qo8sZwuBpN
— HarvickHappyHour (@HarvickHappyPod) October 28, 2025
