Been awhile since I've showed up, but I'm back now with some talk about the way NASCAR decides its champions. With the ongoing Playoffs format being the center of attention right next to the 23XI/FRM v. NASCAR lawsuit, I see no better time but to talk about what got us here and what could change for the better of a champion.
Deciding a Champion - A History Lesson
NASCAR has used many formats over the years to crown its champion. We have seen the Prize Money format (1949-1967), Mileage format (1968-1974), the equal points "Winston" format (1975-2010), and several verisons of the Playoffs format (2004-Present). Each came from a different era of NASCAR and had their own definitions of what it was/is to be a NASCAR champion.
The Prize Money Format
This format was used in the first 18 years of NASCAR's early days, where points were awarded based on the amount of prize money each driver won. Points per race weren't equal, where a wibner can earn more points than another winner at a different track just because the prize pool was larger.
The Mileage Format
The successor to the prize money format, the mileage format is exactly what the name suggests. The number of points a driver would earn was based on how many miles the race was or how much they completed. Points were awarded evenly with no advantage to any other driver, including the winner.
The Equal Points Format
Otherwise known as the "Winston" format, mainly due to the primary sponsor of the Cup Series at the time, it is too just like the name suggests. How many points you earn per race is NOT influenced by anything other than what position you finished in. Different subversions with revisions to this format would arise occasionally, but it was still the same regardless. Each driver had all season to work towards earning enough points to claim the coveted NASCAR Winston Cup, as this is where we would see drivers who would dominate the season claim the title.
The Playoffs Format
Eventually, NASCAR would change things up once again and introduce everyone to the pmayoffs format, which has seen many different versions of itself within its 20 years of usage. From 2004 to 2010, it would combine itself with the Winston format, where drivers would obtain the same points but with a twist. The Top 10 (which would later become Top 12 and Top 16) would compete in the last 10 races of the season with a points reset for the championship. More popularly known as the Chase for the Cup or The Chase for short.
NASCAR would later form The Chase into what we now know as The Playoffs where the Top 16 drivers would compete in 3 rounds of 3 races and a single championship race at the end, eliminating 4 drivers each round. In 2011, the points system would be adjusted, and the points gaps between positions shortened.
The Issues at Hand
With the introduction to the Playoffs format came controversy over who should be champion vs. who is the champion. Starting out, it wasn't completely bad. But in recent years, and especially after the 2024 season, the controversy has peaked at an all-time high. There are people thar believe Joey Logono is an illegitimate champion or are saying that the championship is meaningless now, while others can say quite the opposite.
The following is the best way i can summarize up what it meant to be a NASCAR champion with each format:
- Prize Money Format: Best at earning the most money of all drivers
- Mileage Format: Went the furthest consistently all season
- Winston Format: Most consistent and dominant driver all season
- Winston/Chase Format: Most consistent and dominant driver throughout the regular season and/or the final 10 races
- Playoffs Format: Performed when it mattered the most
My Opinion on the Matter
In my opinion, a champion should be someone who performed at their best, the best. Every driver will have a down race here or there, but one race shouldn't be a all or nothing decision for the title. Winning is great and all, but if you can't consistently out-perform every week, why should we call you the best?
Joey Logono did what he needed to do, regardless of how his season was going, to win his third title, and he played the game the way the rules were set up just like every other driver. BUT, in my opinion as well, he isn't the same kind of champion like Red Byron, Darrell Waltrip, or Jimmy Johnson. That don't make him not a champion, but each to their own format.
Comments (1)
I agree. It shouldn't be decided in one race