Chase for the Cup

[@FrosteeWusky]

What pains me most about the decision to implement a playoff format after Kenseth's title isn't the fact that it's created many illegitimate-like champions, it's the fact that NASCAR essentially told us fans that consistency winning a championship is wrong and boring, when in reality it's what truly makes a champion in Motorsports. They want us to believe that anybody winning at any time and gaining the ultimate prize is the correct way, despite that going against all forms of logic. Those in charge just don't seem to understand the basics of Motorsports, they only truly care about headlines and money.

[@chromediesel444]

That is great point. There is a reason why the most of motorsports in the world doesn't have that because it could destroy the value of the championship. When Harvick in 2020 said that these championships aren't like the ones Earnhardt and Petty used to win, that the system is skewed more towards the entertainment, when he's not upset about missing, he would rather win the amount the races, have the season he had rather than winning the championship under the current format. THAT IS A PROBLEM. THAT IS A HUGE PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD I CARE WHEN THE DRIVERS THEMSELVES DON'T.

[@idkIamBORED]

Every format even the Winton had it's problem. But at the end of the day just be thankful we don't have 2 different conferences like they were planning to do in the 90s

[@ryder_williams]

Amen to that

[@kyleschafer6275]

Not really planning when the only person who wanted it was Bruton Smith.

[@ahmadzahraniAAZ]

​@kyleschafer6275 he bought North Wilkesboro and let it die just to get second dates for Texas and new Hampshire. The man at that time could do anything. Also *winton*

[@NathanJakobMichaelThomas]

If that did happen, what would the conferences be now?

[@FrosteeWusky]

I just wish they had simplified the Winston format and kept the full season championship fight. The playoffs have progressively made things more and more flawed as the years have gone on.

[@Stormynormy42]

I like how Larson wins the 2021 championship in all formats. Really highlights what a dominant, historic season that was

[@lemonjuicegaming6551]

He one of the deserving drivers to win the championship. Crazy he would have won it in all the chase formats.

[@LEGO_NASCAR]

Same with Truex in 2017

[@AngeloRametta]

It was boring but deserved

[@FreddieMercurysMercury]

If Gordon was a 7 time that would mean there would’ve been a point in time for one race Where all 3 seven times would’ve raced with each other 1992 Season Finale at Atlanta Somehow it always goes back to that race

[@schizoidforjesus]

Fun fact: the British Superbike Championship implemented a Chase-like format in 2010, which they called The Championship Showdown, that spans the last 3 rounds (7 races). It has bonus points for regular season wins and podiums applied after the reset. Ironically, it was introduced for the exact opposite reason as in NASCAR; Leon Camier won 19 of 26 races in 2009 and won the championship by a massive 136.5 points.

[@superninja252]

That is ironic that win is important but not too much win haha

[@loominator9568]

I like how Newman’s 2003 was partially the inspiration for the chase yet he wouldn’t have won in any of these scenarios

[@HirokaAkita]

Jeff in that alternate timeline being a 7-time champ??? *I WANT THAT TIMELINE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA*

[@BrandonA1]

I believe that A full season points format should be used, but it's important to understand that every driver who won the title deserved it. Did Jimmie Johnson win 7 championships? Yes. Was he the best driver for 7 different seasons? Probably not (07, 10, and 16 especially) but he did what he had to do to win. In my heart, Gordon may be an 8x champion or Harvick may be a 4x champion but those records have been written. Do I want a full season format to return? Yes, and I believe one day it will, but for now the playoffs do what it set out to: entertain people, and as a BK fan I was on the edge of my seat since 2013 seeing if he can take the crown, whether legitimate or not.

[@chromediesel444]

Full Season, no playoffs 1st - 125 2nd - 100 3rd - 80 4th - 60 5th - 45 6th - 40 7th - 35 8th - 30 9th - 25 10th - 20 11th - 18 12th - 16 13th - 14 14th - 12 15th - 11 16th - 10 17th - 9 18th - 8 19th - 7 20th - 6 21st - 5 22nd - 4 23rd - 3 24th - 2 25th - 1 26th and lower - no points BONUS POINTS 1 For Pole Win 1 For Leading a lap 1 For Leading the most laps 1 For Fastest 4 tire stop 1 for Fastest Lap of The Race Stage Points (No Cautions) 1st - 5 2nd - 4 3rd - 3 4th - 2 5th - 1 Total Points Available: 140 (145 at Daytona 500 and Coca Cola 600)

[@BrandonA1]

@@chromediesel444 I would honestly prefer the playoffs to this. That system basically values nothing but wins and podiums (which Nascar doesn't even use) and does not care at all about any sort of consistency. It's very imbalanced is my point

[@aldouscoroza]

​@@BrandonA1thats a Stupid Take, lol

[@chromediesel444]

@@BrandonA1 Well playoffs also don't value consistency as well. Just look at Harvick in 2020

[@chromediesel444]

1st: 200 pts or 250 2nd: 190 pts or 230 3rd: 185 pts or 220 4th: 180 pts or 210 5th 175 pts or 200 6th: 170 pts or 190 7th: 165 pts or 180 8th: 160 pts or 170 9th: 155 pts or 160 10th: 150 pts 11th: 145 pts 12th: 140 pts 13th: 135 pts 14th: 130 pts 15th: 125 pts 16th: 120 pts 17th: 115 pts 18th: 110 pts 19th: 105 pts 20th: 100 pts 21st: 95 pts 22nd: 90 pts 23rd: 85 pts 24th: 80 pts 25th: 75 pts 26th: 70 pts 27th: 65 pts 28th: 60 pts 29th: 55 pts 30th: 50 pts 31st: 45 pts 32nd: 40 pts 33rd: 35 pts 34th: 30 pts 35th: 25 pts 36th: 20 pts 37th: 15 pts 38th: 10 pts 39th: 5 pts 40th: 1 pt -Bonus Points 5 Bonus Points for leading a lap 5 Bonus Points for most lead 5 Bonus Points for fastest qualifier 5 Bonus Points for fastest lap during race 5 Bonus Points for fastest 4 tire stop -Stage points, no caution breaks 1st: 5 pts 2nd: 4 pts 3rd: 3 pts 4th: 2 pts 5th: 1 pt

[@KaiserAmaterasu]

MY favorite random stats, Tony Stewart is the only driver to win a championship in both the regular season format and the chase format. He's also the only driver to have a Winston Cup, Nextel Cup, and Sprint Cup championship

[@napar001]

That damn tie breaker in 2011 still haunts me as a carl edwards fan

[@loutenant9480]

Man, imagine Harry Gant winnin championship in his 50's.

[@herokurogane4055]

"the chase is on" sounds more epic than the playoffs beginning

[@ryanmorrison3699]

I have enjoyed every format I’ve watched in my lifetime. The biggest thing I look for is that NASCAR just COMMITS to one. It was tough trying to keep up with them changing the points system for the better part of a decade. I’m glad they’ve finally settled down and committed to the current playoffs. Nobody can deny that it’s generated, by far, the most drama and excitement this sport has ever seen.

[@Hutch29]

This production quality is top notch. You deserve so many more subscribers my friend, keep pushing!

[@WoddCar]

0:08- “First game to implement multiple series” *cries in dirt to daytona*

[@Mister_Matt_X]

Dirt to Daytona: *Ahem*

[@Gretri17]

With me living in Wisconsin, we will forever call 2004's change "The Matt Kenseth Rule". Its still amazing how he even got 1 championship in the first place. With the new format, WINS matter the most, not consistency which is why i havent really gone to a NASCAR race ever nowadays

[@apaceofchange94]

Once we see the season-long champions list at 8 minutes it really shows just how much better that system would’ve been. There isn’t a single person on that list that didn’t deserve it in those seasons. It also accurately reflects the dominance and consistency these legends had throughout their career. It’ll always be weird that Gordon never got another championship when he showcased brilliance time and time again. Or harvick being a 4 time champion highlighting just how much better he was at SHR. Carl Edwards being a two time champion and having something to show for those incredible seasons he had.

[@samattox2]

It’s very interesting to see the “what ifs” when it comes to NASCAR’s point formats. And I think it goes to show how much more random the playoffs can be. Less multi-time champs, a lot more 1 or 2-time champs, just less dynasty drives due to the chaos the playoffs promote

[@Elkion_Designs]

Nascar 2005 was my childhood, it was a vibe.

[@Jimgress]

Nah, Jeff Gordon sharing 7 titles with Earnhardt and Petty feels orders of magnitude more righteous than JJ. Also, let's be honest: Harvick got shafted during this era. His race consistency is clearly the mark of a 4x champion.

[@jzeirke]

The 48 team focused everything on winning championships in the format that existed at that time. Recall, that they would often have poor performances in the late summer as they focused on preparing for the Chase tracks. They would have still won championships in any other format

[@Jimgress]

@@jzeirke counterpoint: the skill sets required to win specific races a year vs a year-long campaign are different, and while I won't argue that JJ wouldn't win championships, I certainly disagree that he'd win 7 of them in any universe other than this one. The chase playoff format is a fundamentally flawed system for championships, and just because one team figured out the best method to gaming it doesn't mean that it'd translate to the same success with other formats. JJ's 7 will forever have that asterisk next to them. People can disagree with that all they want, but NASCAR's ratings and attendance during this era is a clear indication that the general public does not see this format as a legit one worth their fanfare or dollars, and ultimately the sport's goal is to attract that audience. It has fundamentally failed to do that. It managed to burn away its existing fan base while turning off the majority of potential new fans with gimmicks that exist because "well that's the way it is" when it doesn't. NASCAR is just stubborn to accept this, and is too preoccupied with keeping its current track owners pockets lined with a pathetic schedule than doing what is better for the sport in the long term.

[@jzeirke]

@@Jimgress if NASCAR scrapped the playoffs and went back to the 1972-2003 points, do you think ratings and attendance would go UP??? I’d say the opposite

[@Americalovesme2008]

@@jzeirke I think it would increase TV ratings especially if the season ended sooner than November. Gimmicking the sport makes some races feel meaningless to fans. Look at the TV ratings pre 2014 and you'll see folks still tuned in more often the entire way.

[@Jimgress]

@@jzeirke lol, you think the ratings can get lower than they are now? Did you watch NASCAR in the 1990s? I was there, in attendance and watching on tv and NASCAR today is a joke. It would increase ratings now, just about anything would other than the 15 years of bungled decisions NASCAR leadership has done. Every time NASCAR needed to zig, they have zagged. It's embarrassing. These aren't like rogue controversial takes that I have. Tony Stewart also considered the playoff format a joke. It's not a coincidence that SRX in 2 years is already getting close to NASCAR's numbers. It's clear there's an audience for racing in the United States, it's just that NASCAR as it is today offers virtually nothing for old or new potential fans. Current fans today defending the playoff format have Stockholm syndrome. It is 100% copium to look at how NASCAR is today, look at the playoffs and somehow conclude that this is fine, and the only way things could have played out. It's madness to hear the weird excuses and double-think current fans resort to in order to explain away such a monumental screw up. NASCAR was at the top of their game, introduced playoffs and within 5 years cratered ratings and attendance numbers that took decades to build up. Any outsider would have pointed at that single moment ages ago and recognized the problem, but because NASCAR is run as a family oligarchy they dug their heels in and continued to try to make a broken concept work. Again, this is not a controversial take. Drivers, owners, and sponsors have all made the same criticisms I've made. You can't have a racing league lose so much in such short time and believe that the changes made right around the time the bottom fell out is somehow unrelated.

[@tescoshortage]

"NASCAR DIED WITH DAEL!!!!" mfs when they realize Dale Jr. would have been a champion if they introduced the Playoffs one year earlier

[@chromediesel444]

if it died, then why attedance is getting better?

[@Alan_M00ch]

Correction : under the last 9 seasons of the post season format, the rightful champion walked away with the crown 3 times. Larson in '21 was the 3rd one. And he almost lost it had it not been for a late caution setting up one final pit stop where Larson's team stepped up and got it. Proof that NASCAR is indeed a team sport. But it *STILL* shouldn't come down to a single moment.

[@idkIamBORED]

What blows my mind is the post season has been around for over a QUARTER of Nascar life and somehow fans still act like they don't exist

[@superninja252]

Beacuse muh nascar died after 2001

[@smollerss5229]

​@@superninja252cope lol

[@gth804f]

@@superninja252 absolutely no entitlement there at all.

[@chromediesel444]

Because it diminished my favorite driver's great seasons and lift his worst season aka his retirement season. Who I talk about you wonder! Jeff Gordon

[@LessGo7921]

@@superninja252which is why your profile picture is a car from 2005 🤡🤡

[@BoogityBogityBoogity]

I don't think it's talked about enough how the introduction of the chase/playoffs has done much more damage than just tainting the legacies/certain seasons, making it hard/unnecessarily complicated to follow and just overall making the series look like a farce of a championship in the eye of your average racing fan (note that I didn't say sports fan, important distinction). If the points I just listed weren't enough, on top of all that, NASCAR has created an impossible standard of action/drama to fulfill, and now even a 1992 style championship season would go completely unnoticed, since it happens every single year, by the same mechanism, the same structure, just with different actors. It may sound stupid, but "boring" seasons are just as important as the blockbuster ones, because that allows a once in a lifetime championship to shine, instead of drowning in a sea of forced, unnecessarily dramatized action. The 2021 Abu Dhabi title decider (although botched at the last second by race control) was all the more special and high octane, because it followed a period of total domination by Hamilton and Mercedes. And to anyone starting to worry about low ratings, low viewership, etc. during said period, F1 is doing better than ever, and was doing better than ever right in the midst of what on the surface seemed absolute monotony, but in reality is just a high performance athlete and high performance team delivering and putting together years of unrivaled excellence. And to my knowledge a 1998 or 1999 season, where the champion was decided atleast a week in advance, happened to be right in the middle of NASCAR's most popular period, so there is not really a tangible connection between "boring" and the sports' popularity, true fans will know how to appreciate and cherish their heroes. And if you need the random BS that the playoffs provide to feel entertained, imo you're in the wrong place watching motorsports. Reward your heroes for doing well in the most plausible sense, and stop forcing your oxydocone-screwed interpretation of excitement on the fans, drivers, teams and officials - yes I'm talking to you, Brian.

[@ShadowWolfe]

"No matter what goofy gimmicks they try to employ, that's why we love NASCAR." Ehhhhh, I'd have to disagree there. Give them credit for trying? Absolutely! But I'd rather have at least the initial Chase format, or Season-long points - and the removal of Overtime and stages (points and cautions) as a whole. I've only watched COTA and Chicago, and plan to watch the other road course races this year since stage cautions are removed. But I can't say I love something (stages and Overtime) that didn't need fixing, because it wasn't broken.

[@xavierjuno4572]

Well Elly's words are subjective at the end of the day, what you think is right for Nascar might not be the same to the fan next to you

[@raycharles7059]

Nascar '05 wasn't the first game to feature multiple series. The exact first game to do it idk but Dirt to Daytona the absolute legend did it with the weekly series, Whelen modified, truck and cup series back in '02. Arguably still the best Nascar game to date.

[@Mister_Matt_X]

I still play Dirt to Daytona on the ps2 still learning how to drive on Hardcore Physics on the Madcatz steering wheel rather than the ps2 controller... mainly at Daytona and Talladega just to practice... ALOT!!!!

[@aditya.sagraha]

If the Playoff era taught us anything, it's the fact that Penske is a Mickey Mouse Championship merchant

[@pokeboi5438]

Thank fuck BK got that chase championship rather than the goofy ahh playoff win and you’re in shit

[@graysondossett1558]

I would love for Nascar to go back to a full season points format Because if they did Nascar fans would 100% complain it’s boring I feel like it’s give and choose when it comes to playoffs or seasons long format. If you think that they would race the same then this year would have been good but last year Chase Elliott would have dominated even thought we had so many winners. If you think they would have raced differently than by definition the playoffs are just as valid. When a driver leads the points and doesn’t with the championship we can’t for sure say that he would have done the same in a season long points since they would have raced differently. Not to say the current format doesn’t need to change but I don’t think season long points are the way to go honestly

[@tsholts5173]

Considering how everyone races these days, no they would not race differently in a season long championship. I mean, Hamlin just wrecked Larson for the win when he's already locked into the playoffs. And every car is identical now, which gives a better opportunity for more parody and consistently close points battles. IndyCar's championship goes down to the last race pretty much every year

[@chromediesel444]

@@tsholts5173 I agree with you. Two drivers locked into playoffs regardless and still wanna get those 5 extra playoff points. I don't know how Indycar championship unfolds this season as Alex Palou leads by like a race and a half worth of points. Palou will need to have disastrous remaining races to have others catch up to him.

[@sonnydog830]

As a Kurt Busch fan I'm suddenly a fan of every points system but the Winston points 😂

[@pentho978]

One of the best nascar youtubers

[@rarewhiteape]

As much as the Johnson-Gordon 7 Cup Swap hurts, there’s one other thing that hurts potentially more than that: Denny Hamlin winning any titles at all. Oh please god no!

[@ItsNothin]

Thank YOU for making such epic videos! Denny Hamlin winning his rookie championship is just insane!

[@ryanhickey4483]

Amazing use of graphics in this one- especially in the hypotheticals. Well-done, and congrats on the milestones!!!

[@TuesdayTaco]

I still stick to my guns that the concept of a 6 driver/6 race Chase would be the best use of a “Chase” due to not having fluff drivers making it and having more than one race to prove you deserve it

[@chiseledmedal2634]

1:55 80 DRIVERS?! I hope pics of that shit exist cause it sounds wild. Great video!

[@lostinrabbithole12]

Everyone: talking about the playoff system Me: Is that London Bus racing???

[@Pen2ke]

The playoffs would be better if we got rid of "win and you're in" and didn't imply win and you're in until the playoffs start each round.

[@thembanjoko2844]

Think of the list drivers who were screwed by the Chase/Playoffs like Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick etc. No disrespect to Jimmie Johnson who benefited the most from the playoffs, he definitely wouldn't have won 7 cup titles in a normal Winston Cup points format.

[@chromediesel444]

Pain for me as Jeff Gordon fan

[@hunterwilson1747]

Lol he probably would have won about 10 under that format

[@WombatRock420]

As a Carl Edwards fan it hurt to see him come up just short so many times due to the chase. Especially in 2011 😢

[@chromediesel444]

@@WombatRock420 2011 was crazy. I'm just wondering what if he won the Daytona 500 or the Southern 500. 2nd win of the season could've been enough to beat Stewart at Homestead. Just 3 more bonus points. But yeah, it is what it is. Wish NASCAR just kept the 12 man Chase format and just tweak the bonus points like what we have now.

[@platypinetwork]

​@@WombatRock420Carl Edwards at Kansas in 08 walked so watermelon Man could run. If Edwards pulled the tightrope move on the top right he could have won the 08 title

[@ranger_8717]

4:40 Man that DRG music was a mental flashbang.

[@oldred9122]

I've been a NASCAR fan my whole life, but I've recently been getting more into IndyCar, and man, I forgot what no-nonsense racing used to feel like

[@iiTsFaded_]

with these intros, does that mean the next video will just be called “thunder” and be about every rained out race this year?

[@AmericanRacer07]

That would be so funny

[@wyzmotorsport664]

1:33 imagine if the all star race 1 million dollar pay out existed during that time 😱

[@slowturtle11fan7]

The 12 driver version will always be my favorite

[@kevinlittrell3407]

Especially with the wildcard. To me it was a good way to boost winning without completely going overboard with the “win and you’re in”

[@DaytonaPrototypes]

Yeah, the 2011-2013 was pretty good. The cutoff races at Richmond were always very entertaining those years.

[@jzeirke]

Eh, I’d prefer the modern playoff or Winston Cup over the Chase any day.

[@KordellCaldwell]

My thing was always that I felt like the chase/playoffs could have worked, but it should have been more representative of the overall skills needed throughout the season. For instance, if there's 5 superspeedway races in the "regular season" but only 1 in the playoff, then anyone who runs strongest at the superspeedways is at a disadvantage in the playoffs. It'd be like if the Warriors had to play half their playoff games without a 3 point line.

[@ryder_williams]

Here's what I'd do: Remove the win and you're in thing Make the stage points reward smaller Give some sort of boost for the regular season champion... Maybe like a first round bye or something?

[@lejacksonjr3]

You forgot two more point systems. The 1972-1973 system that awarded points per lap completed, and the 1974 system that was again based on prize money.

[@chrisbard8587]

And still throughout the hypotheticals mark Martin still dosen't win a championship 😢

[@Eeyortig]

I like the idea of the chase. But personally I’d give it a spin. The top 12 drivers in points race in a 10 race chase to crown a champion, but I not done yet. After 5 race, or half the chase, or 6 drivers in the bottom 6 spots get eliminated. I like the idea of the elimination aspect keeps me on my toes. That leaves the last 6 drivers to tough it out for the next 5 races to crown the champion. I don’t think win-&-in is a good idea in or out of the chase but I think bonus point should be added for drivers in the chase so it’s not a complete reset. Or we could just do a full season points, whatever works I guess

[@chromediesel444]

as long its not a one race deal, IM DOWN FOR IT

[@marzuuuuski]

Whenever it's brought up what would've happened if the Chase was never invented, it's always painful to think that Carl would've won two titles like he should have

[@UncleT4life]

Wow great vid man. Probably one of the best nascar videos I've ever seen. Always wanted to see someone tackle all these points formats at once and showing how different history would be

[@jaxonjaxoff3291]

Oh my god I love this thumbnail. Just needs his Winston west car.

[@Michael29Shell]

11:07 truer words have never been spoken.

[@Paregoros123]

looking back, i think the first chase rules worked properly fine. it made sense. no knockout rounds, just one, final, reset. a 'playoff structure' that was functional for motorsports. stages and knockout rounds is wayy too gimmicky

[@FusionRacing24]

I dont care that you have 20k subs, you deserve so much more. These are top notch videos man, ive never seen anything like these

[@Mysterion157]

I actually don’t mind the playoffs, can make it much more interesting down the stretch. What I would do however is take the regular season champion and put him directly into the championship 4. Needs to be a bigger deal then it is and giving them a guarantee at a shot at the title is the least they could do

[@michaelsanderson9562]

Actually quite a good idea

[@BrandonA1]

​@michaelsanderson9562 Yeah but it makes the next 9 races useless for that driver. If you really want competition, why not make every race worth the same instead?

[@neblolthecarnerd]

Make it so the person who gets the slot is the person with the most points after all the races and not just the regular season. Therefore the person who gets the points slot doesn't just start and park.

[@acedelta12]

Maybe just guarantee that driver into the Round of 12.

[@misfortuneteller24]

That's actually a really good idea and needs to be considered to make the championship somewhat legitimate.

[@shoedan]

Awesome video! The hypothetical timelines and the overview of history was so cool to see.

[@rocklobstah8824]

What’s funny is 2017 Martin truex kicked the fields ass so bad he wins that years cup in all versions of the cup

[@Spoodabandit]

This was a super interesting way to present this loved the alternate realities

[@joelsittler6997]

The dumbest thing to me that I don't hear other people mention is that the cars that are eliminated aren't gone, they're still on the damn track with the playoff drivers. Imagine if every football team kept playing through to the Super Bowl even though they weren't in the playoffs

[@AustinHoke-jg3su]

Yeah that's what these dumbasses who try to make false equivalencies to stick and ball sports don't get. EVERY driver and team is at the SAME place competing EVERY weekend, unlike stick and ball sports where it's 2 teams at a time on varying schedules (plus injuries). In motorsports you KNOW who the best and most deserving of the title is over the full season because everybody's on the same schedule.

[@JoeAero1998]

Finally, someone who doesn't sugarcoat the past and does the tired "playoffs bad other formats good" bit. Great vid!!

[@xavierjuno4572]

Ya this video kinda gives the pros and cons of every Nascar points system including the Winston format (even if it was probably the most fair format)

[@Thehondad]

On the thumbnail that 98 truck. I worked for the guy that co owned that team with brad Daugherty. The team was long closed when I started working for liberty auto group but it was always a cool tie for me.

[@zerof0rce]

Great production, and very eye-opening hypotheticals. Good stuff!

[@b3azeli6htin9]

Allways a good day when ellyproductions uploads

[@bruceholloway1123]

Kyle Larson did pretty good in 2021 so he should be on that list. It’s only happened three times. 7:35

[@therealtechfromheaven]

Interesting video. When you mentioned that there would have been no "Hail Melon" without the playoff system, I was also wondering what would've happened if Kyle Larson never said the N word? Would he'd stayed at Ganassi and transitioned to Trackhouse to be Suarez teammate? In that case, what would've happened with Chastain? Would Larson went to SHR instead as Tony wished? Would he still be a champion?

[@zacbuttivant_]

Don’t watch nascar but your videos are amazing and always an instant click

[@Bagster321]

Been watching your older videos recently so was ecstatic to see this pop up in my feed. You deserve more subs.

[@VRN_SPONSORUS]

i like how in the alternate reality jeff and jimmie practically switch championship counts

[@MrTheCoolKid27]

I love the playoff system. It keeps things chaotic

[@ChiTownSports312]

If only Carl actually won 2 championships

[@Nascarfan1896]

Can't wait for the inevitable dirt to Daytona video

[@EpicTyphlosionTV]

The chase format certainly isn't the best, but I'd take it over what we have now any day of the week.

[@michaelsanderson9562]

Just anything without win and you’re in tbh

[@gamez4420]

if they got rid of playoff points, shrunk the playoff field OR made the regular field larger, and reduced the "Win and your in" spots to like the top 6 in wins it'd be a much more digestible format. the playoff field should never be larger than 1/3rd of the field, and I lean more towards 1/4. The field would have to be increased to 48 to accommodate a 16 car field, or shrink the playoffs to 12. Since they seem keen on an even multiple of 4 for more of a tournament visual, it'd be more likely to see 48 full time cars. Since NASCAR also seems absolute on stage/competition cautions I'd propose with the removal of stages that there be a single competition caution halfway through where drivers roll off how they came in. Run the DVP clock to give the drivers time to really work on adjustments to atleast have a good reason to competition cautions besides "MuH eNtErTaInMeNt". For deciding the playoff field, you'd take the top 6 in wins (ties decided by points) and they get a free lock in. This keeps drivers needing to win through the regular season, and helps prevent 1 off upset winners from having a chance to get playoffs spots. There'd still be 10 drivers that absolutely HAVE to point their way in. When it comes to the actual playoffs, the drivers should be reset based on their points position (1st starts with more than 2nd, 2nd more than 3rd, so on) with bonuses for wins, top 3s, and top 5s. It would make it more advantageous to have a higher seed, but it needs to be balanced so it's not outright undoubtedly for the 16th seed driver to have a chance to win, which is the point of this format. This is probably the most competitive and fair iteration of the current format I could come up with. Every race is a must preform situation since only 6 drivers can win their way in

[@craigstephenson7676]

I think if a full season points format is off the table we should go back to a chase-style format while keeping playoff points

[@DevilsFan53]

No one race Winner takes all crap. The 10 race playoff actually worked then they really just played into gimmicks.

[@TheJoviLovi]

​@@gamez4420bro wrote an essay

[@MarkMoughamian]

Imo The Chase was the perfect middle ground between the old points format and what we have now with the playoffs. 10 races, 10-12 drivers all duking it out to win the championship. If you were the best throughout the year then you better continue being that. If you had a few bad races during the regular season nows your chance to put on a show and beat the rest. No 3 race elimination style where 1 race kills your chances, just 10 races to see who can put together the best end to their season. It's definitely not perfect, but after having the playoffs I'd much rather go back to The Chase which feels far more legitimate than what we have now. Still entertaining without anywhere the amount of gimmicks that we have today.

[@chromediesel444]

2011 BIG EXAMPLE

[@bungieman2810]

11:07 This is always going to be my mentality when it comes to NASCAR. Even if we get ridiculous stuff like Joey Logano being crowned champion with a 17th place average finish, or NASCAR introducing confusing unorthodox points systems every few years, I will always remain a fan. Sometimes it's best to just relax and enjoy the ride. Take it easy. NASCAR is always going to be NASCAR. I feel like some may call me a bootlicker, but I just have a lot of passion and love for the sport. Take care, Connor.

[@HemiSlant6828]

NHRA uses a system similar to the original Chase. I don't know how, but it works out well for them.

[@xavierjuno4572]

Probably because it was easy for both the teams and the fans to understand

[@pedroneves4465]

Genuine question for anyone kind enough to enlighten me, an F1 and Endurance fan: why do you put up with a system in which it is theoretically possible for a driver to win all races on a season, while leading every lap, except for the very last one, and still lose the championship because of that?

[@smollerss5229]

We really dont. We have been telling nascar since around 2015 this is a stupid points system. We just sorta got used to it and accepted this is what the sport has become. We are still hopeful itll change soon with nascar actually making some pretty great decisions for once And well our love and passion for the sport prevents us from leaving it despite us having every reason to. Plus as the video stated rhe playoffs do create some awesome moments despite them being essentially artificial

[@moistquasar3572]

Even in all these hypothetical scenarios, all the different formats, Mark Martin still doesn’t have a championship which is the most Mark Martin thing ever.

[@BehindFor17Hours]

“No matter what goofy gimmicks they try to employ, that’s why we love Nascar.” That’s where you’re wrong. That’s exactly why I barely watch these days despite growing up a total die hard

[@xavierjuno4572]

Well Elly's words are subjective at the end of the day, personally I got into the sport because of people who are enthusiastic about it like him

[@n1kok1ller]

10:28 Dale jr didn’t score a win in 2013 that would be weird

[@jefferygordon24]

Gordon doesn’t get the love he deserves, imo he his the greatest to ever do it. stats and facts to back it up too.

[@Dee-mm1bt]

5:39 that was filthy

[@carlreeves8976]

he sounds like a british guy 5:37

[@platypinetwork]

Imagine we had points for only the top halfish of the field per race like F1 since 2010.

[@chromediesel444]

Ross Chastain would be your 2022 Champ if we had F1 points

[@xmbdesign7421]

I don't think NASCAR realizes that, underneath all the stage points and playoff points, they actually have an awesome points system RIGHT NOW. 🙂

[@michaelsanderson9562]

I don’t see the issue with Kenseth’s 2003 season. Why should someone be rewarded for being patchy and inconsistent, as opposed to being relentlessly fast, reliable and consistent? Consistency is a key part of motorsports but now you can win a NASCAR championship with a few strategically timed wins, even if you perform poorly in all of the other races

[@superninja252]

The problem that he was showing that victory wasn't that important, he was litteraly gaining the system Victories MUST be the main thing drivers need to seek

[@xavierjuno4572]

​@@superninja252You're not wrong but I do think Nascar should have tried a different approach when it comes to the "Matt Kenseth" rule

[@bentacc9217]

It never fails to amaze how capabale Elly is of never mentioning Kyle Larson

[@Mlt-ninja72]

I wish they could just do it like the clash where the top drivers after the last race just race and who ever wins wins it all

[@UncleT4life]

yeah that reddit post would've been using the 2014-16 chase format, because I remember from one of iceberg's videos that bobby labonte would've won in 01 using the 2017 format. would be interesting to use that format to see if harvick in 08, dick brooks in 75, and junior in 13 all still get winless championships

[@gudomana7520]

WAKE UP HONEY, IT'S ANOTHER ELLY BANGER

[@TheCanelator]

Even though it would be more fair to have a traditional point system, in a certain way the playoffs make NASCAR a unique series

[@big-man-c77]

but does uniqueness trump the desire for a good, fair points system?

[@EpicTyphlosionTV]

@@big-man-c77 imho, not at all

[@chromediesel444]

no they don't

[@graysondossett1558]

Personally I think drivers are going to race based on the format. A season of playoffs are not the same as a full points season, so to me there is no “undeserving” championship. I would just rather it not to to the last race.

[@cba_2442]

It's still fair? Playoffs are better for the sport.

[@SB0322]

"Jimmie Johnson might not have won 7 championships" is a selling point on why the playoffs suck bro lmao

[@theg6799]

ANOTHER ELLYPRODUCTIONS BANGER 🗣️🔥🔥🔥

[@2003_zr2]

You know the playoffs is broken when dale jr would have been a 0 win champion in 2013

[@chromediesel444]

We got the taste of it with truck series in 2019. Thanks Matt Crafton for exposing it

[@2003_zr2]

@@chromediesel444 it’s actually insane how harvick with 9 wins can lose a championship because of this system

[@noahrrq]

I need these background soundtracks

[@coldfire6246]

wow really cool information, keep up the good work!

[@hikaruk.981]

One thing abundantly clear : Kevin Deserved Better.

[@johndaniels4623]

I’m gonna be real with you dawg, I like the playoffs more than I should. Yes I want to see the champion do more than finish second every week. Yes I aware my logic is flawed, my desires are flawed, and I am the one person nascar appeals to. But man, it is nice to have an actually exciting finale*

[@Jason-qt5js]

Notice how the 2017 champion is always the same 💪

[@elitegamer21005]

Yep!

[@calebpeterson5474]

10:23 And Dale didn't even win a race in 2013

[@seekerblackout]

As one of the weirdos who enjoys the current playoff format I appreciate your nuanced take on the whole format conversation and that you can appreciate and talk about what actually happened and not just getting lost in what-ifs. I think something else that's worth a thought is that today's format makes regular season performance more important than any of the Chase systems from 2004-2016, thanks to playoff points for the regular season champion, top 10 in points, and of course for each win. So at least the close points battle we're watching right now DOES actually mean something in terms of how big of a bonus each driver gets, while from 2004-2016 it'd just be pretty much entirely meaningless.

[@superninja252]

I also like the playoffs stoo