One driver is reigning supreme in expectations to win the Cup Championship for the NASCAR 2024 season. Sporting three race wins under his belt already, William Byron is on fire. Upon salvaging his second win at COTA, Hendrick’s star driver had locked himself into this season’s playoffs.

NASCAR’s playoff system was introduced way back in 2004. However, the present points system took root in 2017. It has been challenging for drivers and exciting for fans. Recently, the current championship contender gave his take on it.

William Byron spells one goal in year-long playoff struggle

Since 1949, NASCAR’s points system has undergone changes at least 15 times. Richard Petty won his 1967 Championship by over 6000 points, whereas Kurt Busch snagged the title by 8 points in 2004. Currently, the average championship margin is 3.6 points. But it all narrows down to the final race in Phoenix. 

In 2017, NASCAR introduced the playoff points. A driver would win five “playoff points” in each win in the first 26 races. These points could be stored like money in a bank to assist the racer’s standings in the final playoff races.

Recently, the press asked Martinsville winner William Byron how he feels about the seven-year-old points system. At first, he answered in a neutral stance: “It’s just the format that I’ve always raced in. So I don’t know any different. That’s how we’ve always done it. The first year I was in Trucks, they didn’t have the playoff points and then a lot of people said they created the playoff points because of us.”

But then he opened up about how demanding the system can be. “I think the format and the nature of it is very intense, very stressful. But I think that’s what you want in sports, really, is to have something that really challenges everyone. So I feel like the way it is, it brings out those dramatic moments.”

All that drama triggers different reactions among fans and drivers. For the latter, it’s all about sticking around till the end. “If I were a fan, that’s what I would like to see. As a competitor, you do have to take it with a grain of salt.” William Byron capped it off with a 6-word reality check: “It really is all about Phoenix. He added: “So you’ve just got to prepare that way and know that’s the case, and try to bring your best stuff.” 

When the radical ‘elimination’ format was introduced in 2014, NASCAR executive Brian France intended it to be challenging.

France wanted to eliminate the relaxation factor

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When the ‘Chase’ came in 2004, only the top ten in points were eligible in points for the Championship in the last ten races. Then the number was raised to 12 in 2007, and finally to 16 in 2014. That was when the four-round, 16-driver, 10-race, tournament-style Playoffs as we know them today were introduced. And in line with Byron’s notions, Brian France intended the system to be tough.

“The whole idea is you can’t relax. Every lap matters. Stages matter. Many years ago, you could cruise around and build up a big point lead. You can’t cruise around at all. You’ve got to be on it. I think that’s what people really enjoy.” He further said: “I’ve always believed that (racing hard) brings out the biggest moments, too. It brings out the driver talent.”

Even though the playoff and the points systems are challenging, William Byron seems to know the game pretty well.