Overview

• Shane van Gisbergen dominated at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to secure a playoff spot despite starting the weekend 30th in points.
• Petty denounced NASCAR’s ‘if you win, you’re in’ policy as unfair to drivers with stronger overall performances.
• The seven-time champion dismissed road courses as “not really NASCAR,” questioning their role in determining championship berths.
• Fans on social media pushed back by highlighting NASCAR’s history on road layouts and its strategy for global expansion.
• Hall of Famer Mark Martin bolstered Petty’s critique by reposting a 2004 clip warning against the playoff format.