Over the past two decades, NASCAR’s playoff system has stirred both passion and controversy. What started as the long, season-spanning grind of the Winston Cup evolved into the 2004 Chase—and later today’s high-stakes elimination format. While some argue this system injects drama, others lament the loss of tradition. Now, one of these sports’ most respected voices, Dale Earnhardt Jr., has entered the conversation with an old-school proposal that could shift the debate. He isn’t just talking about NASCAR’s future from the sidelines but is also trying to revive one of his most iconic chapters.

The modern NASCAR playoff system traces its roots to the 2004 Chase format, introduced during the Nextel sponsorship era. That version invited the top 10 drivers, plus anyone within 400 points of the leader, into a 10-race postseason, resetting points to tighten the championship showdown. In 2014, NASCAR evolved again, expanding the playoff field to 16 drivers, introducing elimination rounds every three races, and implementing a winner-take-all final race for the Championship 4, fundamentally reshaping how titles are decided.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. champions a return to racing tradition

Today, NASCAR’s playoff format still mirrors the structure introduced in 2014. After 26 regular-season races, the field narrows from 16 to 12 to 8 and finally to 4 through three elimination rounds ending with the final cup race as a true championship showdown. State racing, bonus playoff points, and performance seeding all play critical roles in the postseason layout.

Into the setup chimed in Dale Earnhardt Jr., weighing in on X with characteristic bluntness. He said, “Sure. 10 drivers, 10 races. Or 6 drivers and 6 races. Or 5 and 5, or 4 and 4. All those sound good. Just a regular season and a final round.”  In other words, he advocates simplicity. One clearer, season-long run with a singular finale, ditching the multitiered playoff gauntlet.

Dale Jr. envisions a system where consistency and sheer dominance matter the most in the NASCAR Cup Series. The best over 36 races should be the champion. His suggestion would eliminate confusing elimination rounds, instead rewarding sustained excellence and making the finale the centerpiece with fewer drivers.

Joining the chorus, Chase Elliott also backs a return to full-season points. As reported by Jeff Gluck, Elliott didn’t hold back. He said, “I think the system would be just fine if you just had a full season, and if somebody runs away with it, so what? Let’s celebrate the fact that somebody ran away with it. You know, like somebody was just that good. Motorsport does not have to be like everybody else to be successful, and I’ll stand by that until I get done.” A short time after the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s remark made it on social media, both Mark Martin and Dale Jr. responded to it. Dale Jr. replied to the post saying, “ I can’t argue with this.”

That alignment shows a growing push from legacy voices for tradition. Chase Elliott has been firm about reverting to a classic format, and now Dale Jr. is all in for it. Speaking of legacy, Junior’s willingness to explore such ideas hints at possible collaboration, rooted in and preserving NASCAR heritage for the future.

Junior revives the iconic No. 8 in a Budweiser-backed crossover

Recently, Junior teased the NASCAR community with a crazy crossover. Budweiser has dropped major hints about a nostalgic NASCAR-MLB crossover starring Dale Earnhardt Jr., as the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds prepare today at Bristol Motor Speedway. Since October 2024, speculation has been about a Budweiser-sponsored return with Junior behind the wheel, now confirmed for the South Carolina 400 at Anderson Speedway, part of the CARS Tours Series in August, where he will once again pilot the iconic No. 8 Budweiser car he drove from 1999 to 2007.

Fans are already buzzing thanks to advisor teaser videos, helmets emblazoned with “Bud,” and a revival of the Bud Crew, now integrated into the fan experience at the MLB Speedway Classic. The famed Budweiser Clydesdales will also be present, enhancing the nostalgia for long-time supporters.

In a statement from JR Motorsports, a clearly moved Junior reflected, “ I’ve watched that July 2001 race at Daytona so many times. It’s such a great memory for me. I am excited that we have this chance to collaborate with Bud and MLB to bring that scheme back again because of what it means to me and so many others.” 24 years after winning with the classic No. 8 car at Daytona, Jr. is set to return to drive the car once again on August 16.

And NASCAR considered change; Junior’s voice reminds us that sometimes, looking back can help guide the way forward. His comments on the NASCAR playoff debate reinforce respect for old-school consistency, while his return in the No. 8 Budweiser car evokes powerful nostalgia.