“I have a lot of old-school values,” Chris Buescher remarked at the close of 2023. The RFK Racing driver had an impressive previous season, securing three remarkable Cup Series wins and earning a spot in the playoffs. However, this season has not been as kind to the No. 17 Ford driver, who faced a streak of misfortune. Despite achieving a solid record with 12 top-ten finishes and 5 top-five results, Buescher narrowly missed the playoffs by just one position. His team owner, Brad Keselowski, also reflects on the past.
The NASCAR Winston Cup Series points system, established in 1975 by Bob Latford, has become a piece of racing history. It assigned varying points based on different criteria, including mileage and prize money. However, the system’s equal treatment of winners and runners-up who led the most laps raised eyebrows. This concern led to a format change after Matt Kenseth won the championship in 2003 with only one race victory and a last-place finish.
Fast forward to 2024, and some drivers are reminiscing about that old format. This sentiment is particularly true for RFK Racing’s two standout drivers. Brad Keselowski made it into the playoff grid thanks to his victory at the Goodyear 400, while his teammate Chris Buescher fell just short, losing out to Chase Briscoe. Interestingly, a recently published average finishes ranking tells a different story: Keselowski sits in 3rd place, while Buescher is in 6th. Meanwhile, Ryan Blaney, the current points leader, is absent from this list. Keselowski commented on the situation, calling it a “fun stat,” but added a wistful four-word wish: “Wish it meant more.”
The atmosphere at RFK is palpable. Last year, the majority of drivers, including veterans like Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson, and Michael McDowell, supported the existing format. However, Chris Buescher stood out with a contrasting view. He resonated with Brad Keselowski’s sentiments, stating, “If you’re going to take three races and tally points from those, why not just go back and count points from the Daytona 500?” He expressed his concerns about the emphasis on a single race, saying, “It’s hard for me to accept that this is the best approach…I lean towards traditional methods.”
Even though their perspective was somewhat isolated in the Cup garage, the RFK team found considerable backing from their fanbase.
Brad Keselowski Addresses the “Forced” Charter Signing Claims, Highlighting NASCAR’s $7.7 Billion Impact
It can be truly disheartening to see your favorite driver miss out, especially when a lower-ranked competitor unexpectedly snags a playoff spot. This was the sentiment among some Rowdy fans when Harrison Burton pulled off a stunning last-lap victory at Daytona. While Kyle Busch has struggled with consistency this season, his lack of wins has further diminished his playoff hopes. Fans echoed Brad Keselowski’s thoughts, with one commenting, “it used to” while another expressed frustration over the current state of consistency: “Sadly, consistency means nothing now. I wish it meant more as well.”
The Winston Cup system often left fans feeling bored, as champions were sometimes crowned long before the season’s conclusion. This early determination dulled the anticipation and thrill of the final championship race, rendering the outcome inconsequential. However, today’s fans seem willing to trade some entertainment value for a more equitable racing experience. One fan remarked, “This clearly shows that #nascar is in the most uncompetitive state it has ever faced. We need a balance of competition and entertainment, and right now, we’ve leaned too heavily towards entertainment.”
Several fans suggested alternative formats to enhance the competition. Reducing the gap between the frontrunners and the underperformers could significantly improve the racing experience. “If they’re not going back to a full season points system, at least consider taking the top 16 in points, and whoever accumulates the most points in the next 10 races wins.” Another fan passionately advocated for playoff spots to be reserved for those with consistent top finishes. “Allocate 10 out of 16 spots for the top 10 in points, with 6 wildcards, and a cap at the top 26, please!”
Clearly, the current playoff system isn’t winning over many fans, especially considering the RFK Racing situation and its supporters. It remains to be seen if this discontent will spark any significant changes to the format.
Understanding Brad Keselowski’s 4-Word Message: A Deep Dive into RFK Racing’s Emotional Moment
