Call it fate or fortune, Joey Logano is your undisputed 2024 NASCAR Cup Series champion. The debate over how a driver can clinch the championship while sitting 17th in points is well-worn at this point. That’s just the nature of the Playoff system—it sometimes rewards unpredictable moments over season-long consistency. And if anyone has cracked the code to thrive in this format, it’s Logano.
Yet, it’s hard not to sympathize with Kyle Larson. Imagine being the season’s winningest driver and not even getting a shot at the championship due to the system’s structure. Instead, his teammate William Byron represented Hendrick Motorsports in the Championship 4 but couldn’t outmatch Logano’s ‘even-year magic’ at Phoenix.
Still, Larson seems to be looking ahead with a renewed focus. Speaking to Brad Gillie of RACER.com during the Race Industry Week 2024 Livestream Webinar, Larson reflected on his season. “I was super happy with the performance of our team all year long. We had speed from race 1 to race 38. Obviously, you want to make the final 4 and fight for the title, but I understand how unpredictable the format is,” he said.
“I don’t let finishing sixth in points take away from our season,” he added. “We led the series in nearly every category, so I’m proud of the team’s hard work. I do think we left a little on the table.”
Larson’s season could have been derailed entirely if not for NASCAR granting him a waiver for missing the Coca-Cola 600. But instead of crumbling, he returned stronger, winning the Sonoma race just two weeks later, adding to his already impressive record. With a Playoff berth secured months earlier thanks to a dominant Las Vegas win, Larson continued to prove his mettle.
Unfortunately, his Playoff run ended in the Round of 8 after a P3 finish at Martinsville. Despite the disappointment, Larson is optimistic about the future. “Hopefully, we can keep evolving, win more races, lead more laps, and who knows? Maybe the new format will work in our favor,” he said, hinting at possible changes to the system.
Interestingly, Larson’s comments come just weeks after he publicly supported the current format. When asked if the system should reward wins more heavily to secure a Championship 4 spot, he replied, “Not necessarily. We just had two bad races in the Round of 8. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the format; it’s just how it played out for us.”
Regardless of Larson’s stance, it seems NASCAR is considering adjustments to the Playoff system. According to Sports Business Journal, changes could be implemented as early as 2025, with a larger overhaul possible in 2026. NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell has acknowledged the possibility of revisions.
Several drivers have voiced their thoughts on the current system. Denny Hamlin suggested the regular season should carry more weight, while Christopher Bell advocated for tweaks to ensure the “right cars” make the Championship 4. Runner-up Ryan Blaney proposed cutting the Playoff field to eight after five races, with those drivers competing over the final stretch for the title.
As for Logano, the system’s biggest benefactor, he doesn’t seem eager for change. His advancement through the Playoffs—thanks in part to Alex Bowman’s DQ at Watkins Glen—helped him clinch another title. When asked about the potential changes, Logano reportedly shook his head and quipped with a smirk, “I think we need to remember why the system was changed in the first place.”
