Overview

• Denny Hamlin criticized the current format as overly random and “bad business,” arguing luck plays too large a role and weakens champion narratives.
• Christopher Bell called for counting all 36 races to decide the title, saying a longer determination would restore championship legitimacy.
• Joey Logano defended the elimination model and said his team’s championship approach is a simple week-to-week blueprint despite an uneven regular season.
• Rick Hendrick said he prefers the old, full-season method, adding his voice to growing calls to rethink how the champion is crowned.
• In a FOX Sports anonymous survey, peers most often picked William Byron as the next first-time champion, many welcomed Gateway and Loudon as playoff tracks, and several viewed Shane van Gisbergen as the Roval favorite.