Overview

• Dale Earnhardt Jr. said on his podcast that the more Joey Logano promotes the current format, the less he likes both the system and Logano.
• Earnhardt Jr. argued the elimination model undercuts season-long storylines and the sport’s ability to build enduring stars.
• He emphasized respect for Logano’s accomplishments, calling him a multi-time champion and a Hall of Famer-caliber driver.
• Critics point to this year’s chaos, including Alex Bowman’s Roval disqualification that helped Logano advance and Ross Chastain’s last-lap crash.
• NASCAR has a multi-stakeholder committee studying 2026 options, and Earnhardt Jr. said he anticipates tweaks rather than a full-season points return, adding that this year’s playoffs have left him exhausted.