The NASCAR playoffs have long been a hotbed for drama, controversy, and intense emotions, both among fans and drivers. Over the years, several unforgettable incidents have unfolded, leaving a lasting mark on the sport. Below are five of the most controversial moments that sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community.
**5. Ryan Newman’s Last-Lap Bump — 2014 Phoenix**
In the 2014 Phoenix playoff race, Ryan Newman found himself in a do-or-die situation. To secure a spot in the final four of the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup, he needed to finish 11th or better. As the race neared its conclusion, Newman saw an opportunity. On the last lap, he bumped Kyle Larson, sending him into the wall. This move allowed Newman to overtake Larson and secure the 11th position he desperately needed, earning him a shot at the championship in Homestead.
While Larson was understandably frustrated after finishing 13th, he accepted that aggressive moves like this are part of the high-stakes nature of playoff racing. Newman later admitted that while it wasn’t a decision he enjoyed making, it was necessary to keep his championship hopes alive. He also pointed out that Larson had raced him similarly in previous races, justifying his own actions.
However, the incident sparked a heated debate among fans. Some defended Newman’s move as a smart, tactical play in the high-pressure environment of the playoffs, while others criticized NASCAR’s playoff format for encouraging overly aggressive driving. Critics argued that this new win-at-all-costs mentality took away from the traditional values of the sport.
**4. Chase Elliott’s Pit Road Controversy — 2020 Martinsville**
Chase Elliott’s 2020 playoff race at Martinsville will be remembered for an unusual pit road incident involving his jackman, Tyler Semke. During a crucial pit stop, Semke jumped off the pit wall prematurely—a move that would typically result in a penalty. Realizing his mistake, Semke quickly ran back to the wall to reset himself before servicing the car. This quick action allowed Elliott to avoid a penalty and retain his fourth-place position as he rejoined the race.
Had Semke not corrected his error, Elliott would have been forced to restart from the back of the grid with less than 150 laps remaining. Instead, Elliott went on to win the race, securing his first Championship 4 spot and eventually claiming the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series title.
The incident ignited controversy, with some fans accusing NASCAR of showing favoritism towards Elliott by not enforcing a penalty. Critics argued that without Semke’s quick recovery, Elliott’s championship run could have taken a severe hit. On the other hand, supporters claimed that Elliott and his crew had acted within NASCAR’s rulebook, and the jackman’s quick thinking was just part of the game. This moment led to broader discussions about fairness, equality, and the potential bias toward popular drivers like Elliott.
**3. Matt Kenseth’s Payback on Joey Logano — 2015 Martinsville**
One of the most talked-about controversies in NASCAR history unfolded in 2015 at Martinsville. The bad blood between Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano began a few weeks earlier during the Kansas race. In Kansas, Logano, competing fiercely with Kenseth, made contact with him, causing Kenseth to crash out of the playoffs. Kenseth was furious, believing Logano’s move was overly aggressive and unnecessary.
Fast forward to Martinsville, where Kenseth, now several laps down and out of playoff contention, exacted his revenge. On lap 454, Kenseth deliberately wrecked Logano, who was leading the race at the time. This move ended Logano’s chances of winning and advancing to the Championship 4, leading to widespread outrage. Logano called Kenseth’s actions “cowardly,” and NASCAR took swift action, suspending Kenseth for two races—an unprecedented penalty in the sport.
The incident raised concerns about safety and the integrity of the playoff format. NASCAR’s decision to suspend Kenseth sent a strong message that retaliatory actions, especially those that impact the playoff race, would not be tolerated.
**2. Brad Keselowski vs. Jeff Gordon Pit Road Fight — 2014 Texas**
The 2014 Texas playoffs saw a heated confrontation between Brad Keselowski and Jeff Gordon. In the final laps of the AAA Texas 500 race, Gordon was leading and on the verge of securing a spot in the Championship 4. However, on a restart, Keselowski made an aggressive move to pass Gordon, causing contact that cut Gordon’s tire and sent him spinning. Gordon finished 29th, effectively ending his championship hopes.
After the race, tensions boiled over as Gordon confronted Keselowski on pit road. What started as a verbal altercation quickly escalated into a full-blown brawl involving crew members from both teams. Even Kevin Harvick got involved, giving Keselowski a nudge that intensified the situation. In the end, both drivers were left with cuts, and several crew members were fined and suspended for their roles in the fight.
**1. Jeff Gordon vs. Clint Bowyer Brawl — 2012 Phoenix**
The 2012 Phoenix race saw one of the most infamous fights in NASCAR history. The tension between Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer had been building throughout the season, with multiple incidents between the two drivers. On lap 312, Gordon, in an apparent act of retaliation, wrecked Bowyer, who was still in contention for the championship.
What followed was pure chaos. Bowyer’s crew confronted Gordon in the garage, leading to an all-out brawl between the two teams. Bowyer himself sprinted down pit road to join the fray, but by the time he arrived, Gordon had already been escorted away.
The aftermath was severe: Gordon was fined $100,000 and docked 25 points, while Bowyer’s championship hopes were crushed. To this day, the incident remains a divisive topic among NASCAR fans, with some defending Gordon’s actions as justified payback and others criticizing him for disrupting the playoff race so dramatically.
Unforgettable NASCAR Playoff Controversies: 5 Moments That Shook the Racing World
