Jeff Burton Blasts TV Dictates NASCAR Playoffs Format Narrative with a Candid Take

NASCAR legend Jeff Burton has called out the narrative that TV is responsible for the controversial playoffs format.

Jeff Burton Blasts TV Dictates NASCAR Playoffs Format Narrative with a Candid Take

Jeff Burton (Via nascar.com)

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Since the start of the Next-Gen, which made racing more competitive than ever, the credibility of the championship has become a major question. There a clear majority among the racing community that has issues with the format and demanding change. The broadcasters were the one that often gets called out during the debate and Hall of Famer nominee Jeff Burton has a solid response.

In the latest episode of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Bubba Wallace’s spotter Freddie Kraft, talked about the conversation around the playoffs and declared that the 36-race championship format many fans demanding is not going to happen. He then blamed TV for this scenario, asserting they don’t want this change.

People just were up in arms about the 36-race season. It’s not going to happen, especially, I don’t think, TV doesn’t want it. Like, TV wants these moments, I think.

Freddie Kraft said on Door Bumper Clear podcast.

This didn’t sit well with ex-RCR driver Jeff Burton, and he didn’t hesitate to call them podcaster as well as the rest of the community over the criticism of TV. He asserted that he has been part of the meetings that determined the playoffs format, and the TV has limited say regarding which format NASCAR should be following.

Hold on a second. I hear that all the time, and I want to be clear about something, and I’m in these meetings. TV doesn’t make these decisions.

Jeff Burton responded.

He declared that it is NASCAR that makes the final decision on which format needs to follow and the current system that is being used was created by the sanctioning body. The broadcaster has no big say in those meetings when the final decisions were made. Burton was involved in the important meeting before the current format was implemented.

Yeah. Okay? NASCAR makes these decisions. When this format that we are currently racing under was created, I was in every damn meeting. TV didn’t make this decision.

Jeff Burton asserted.

Jeff Burton declares blaming TV is bulls**t

Further talking about the same topic, he highlighted that the TV officials have the same influence regarding NASCAR decision making as the teams, drivers and tracks. Though Burton is right it should be admitted that they have extra leverage compared to rest, considering they are the biggest spenders.

Jeff Burton
Jeff Burton (Credits: NBC)

Yeah. They would have a seat at the table, as did drivers, as did car owners, as did NASCAR, as did, I mean, the tracks. And TV didn’t say, here’s your format, this is what we’re doing. That’s not how that happened.

Jeff Burton said.

He then shifted his focus to individuals who have called out TV for the format change and pointed out that it’s BS that the broadcaster gave NASCAR the instructions on the format.

Right. Yeah. And the fact that people think that’s how it happened, I don’t know where that’s coming from. And if anyone thinks that TV wrote a prescription, here’s how you’re going to do this, that’s bull**.

Jeff Burton added.

The comments from the racing legend were something that was long overdue and NASCAR has been able to deflect some criticism due to this narrative. It would be interesting to see how the format is going to change, considering the sports seriously looking into making big changes.

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