Kyle Larson Exposes the Big Issue With 36-Race Format That the Playoffs Solves

One of the major points of discussion in the NASCAR community at the moment, with one more race left for the 2025 finale, is the playoff system and calls for return to the original 36-race format. Recently 2021 Cup champion Kyle Larson revealed on potential issue drivers faces with the legacy format that is solved by the current system.

Just like everyone else around the world, NASCAR drivers suffer from burnout as they have a long 38 race seasons. If they are not motivated with the an activate goal, their overall performance alongside the overall quality of races reduces naturally as the season comes to a close. The playoffs change this dynamic.

In the old format, the back markers as well as the midfield drivers will easily get out of championship contention after a few race weeks, and they often won’t have much motivation to fight hard, other than trying to win a handful of races that are open.

The playoffs format stops this potential burnout, as in the regular season everyone gets the chance to make it to the post-season. Kyle Larson talking about how the current format helps drivers to avoid burnout indirectly revealed the issue and how it is resolved. The playoffs help the racers distract themselves from massively demanding grind it takes to be successful.

Yeah, I mean, I think still being in the playoffs and competing for a championship distracts you from the grind in a way or that it has been as long as it has been since we’ve had a break.

Kyle Larson said via Cup Scene.

Further talking about the topic, the Hendrick Motorsports Champion driver pointed out that for the drivers that failed in the regular season or got eliminated in the playoffs often started experiencing the burnout. They just want the long season to get over and is just counting down days, while a few driver fight for the title.

I think the guys who didn’t make the playoffs or who got knocked out in a round, yeah, they’re probably just counting down the days until the season is over. But for us, we’re still in it, so I haven’t really felt like I want the year to be over. But yeah, it’s definitely a long year… it always is.

Kyle Larson added.

JGR’s Christopher Bell agrees with Kyle Larson

Joe Gibbs Racing star driver, and one of Kyle Larson’s biggest championship rivals this year, Christopher Bell also have the same feeling. He is someone that has experienced the journey as a playoff and non-playoff driver in the last 10 races of the season.   

If it wasn’t for the Playoffs and being in the thick of racing for championship. Unfortunately, I’ve been in this position for a number of years in a row now, but yeah…

Christopher Bell said.

Furthermore, the No:20 Toyota driver pointed out that it would be hard for him to remain performing on his best once he gets knocked out of the championship chase. He seems to indicate the format seems to be a significant factor that help driver to get over the longevity of the Cup season.

I couldn’t imagine being knocked out of the Playoffs and not being able to race to the championship and being so close to the end. For me personally, this has been a really, really long stretch of races, and I’m sure that most of the industry would say that.

Christopher Bell added.

The comments from the dup seems rational and they both seem to highlight that fact that NASCAR has too many races in the schedule. It’s not just affecting the team and drivers, but the lack of exclusivity like F1 is reducing the entertainment factor as well.

Also Read: Joey Logano Blasts Ford Drivers for ‘Saving Fuel Strategy’ at Talladega

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