Top 10 Most PUNISHED Drivers of NASCAR’s Playoff/Chase Era

[@TheIceberg]

Who do you think are the drivers most screwed by the Chase/Playoffs?

[@spiderbhyd3]

Harvick and Gordon

[@siteofalexa]

Matt Kenseth

[@BrandonP8176]

Even though he has won a championship, Kevin Harvick has been screwed the most. He wins 9 races last year and doesn't even make the final four. This year he ranks among the leaders in top 10 finishes even though he's having an off year by his standards, and yet he barely is able to squeeze into the playoffs.

[@BrandonP8176]

@@siteofalexa Yeah Kenseth definitely got screwed as well. Some of Kenseth's best years came when he joined JGR. He had many solid seasons with that team.

[@DupontandLowesWarrior]

Harvick Gordon and Dale Jr.

[@charlespruitt360]

Jeff Gordon's 2007 season is one of if not the best of the past 20 years and yet no remembers it. Only Harvick's 2020 season comes close.

[@Jeff.3]

*2018. Harvicks 2018 season was actually better then 2020

[@NASCARFAN93100]

I agree 2007 should have gone to Gordon And yes Johnson was phenomenal that year But even his 07 stats pale in comparison to Gordon's 07 stats Even with 10 wins

[@NASCARFAN93100]

@@Jeff.3 Average Finish: Not really

[@prestonmiller5646]

I agree being a jeff Gordon fan maybe I'm being bias but Jeff got screwed its like they tried to make the championship so Jeff Gordon couldn't win another one

[@adamoates3718]

Jeff Gordon 2004 2007 and 2014 should been his championship

[@EJR24]

The pain of being a Gordon fan was unbearable

[@Yoursel83]

its even harder being an edwards fan.

[@natelecarde962]

Hello there

[@joekaput747]

@@natelecarde962 General Kenobi!

[@jadendewar4694]

@@Yoursel83 i really feel bad for edwards tho one of the most likeable drivers ever

[@caseysmith544]

I know my dad was a Jeff Gordon fan, pissed off that the rules screwed over good drivers like him and Carl Edwards who my dad thought was bit of a whiner but he was not just pissed he got screwed all the time by the new rules. I was Kasey Kane fan after Rusty Wallace retired in his part time season in 2006 and the Horsepower changes in 2015 to the non speedway races is what made him race worse then before, but before that what helped was Doge pulling out of NASCAR in at least the Top 3 series. Since Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kane retired in the same year, I felt a bit of pain that the last of the greats have moved on and we will have drivers with 5 year careers at best after it seems drivers time racing in Cup or even the top 3 series got shorter and shorter spending 1 year in truck, 2 in currently Nationwide being 18 minimum to race in NASCARS lesser 2 of the top three with Cup rules making it so you need to be 21. Fewer drivers are going into the Nationwide series to race a few years until ready they pop out with the first team and sponsor for the race. This is how a rookie driver is on one of those scam teams that is trying to make a quick buck in the racing business by folding after one year and keeping the money.

[@JohnnyUtah13]

I was never really a Gordon fan, but this made me sick to my stomach for him. He got absolutely jobbed.....

[@toddtaylor6506]

Well I am a Gordon fan this guy won 93 races in an era where every car was held to strict rules and they weren't racing 4 times a week and he got screwed out of championships basically because NBC got it in their heads that they could beat the NFL in Sunday afternoon ratings if NASCAR adopted a "playoff" format to end their year. And of course it didn't work ... NFL pre season games do better ratings than World Series games. FFS. I really haven't followed NASCAR since he retired.

[@corbinselanne7990]

@@toddtaylor6506 Last year his original replacement in the 24, Chase Elliott, won the title (by then William Byron was now in the 24 as Chase had shifted numbers to his dad Bill's old number 9)

[@24ever24]

@Thomas H yes he was bro and it wasn't "handed" he had to be consistent and worked hard for it everyone that reads my comment we got a gordon hater alert here.

[@njj9555]

@Thomas H you are either trolling or void of common sense

[@dualthreatoutdoors]

@@toddtaylor6506 he’s the GOAT

[@larsonatorss]

As a Jeff Gordon fan who started watching in 2005 this video causes me physical pain. I didn't care much in 2007 because I was just a kid and I thought he'd be the best every year forever. But man in 2014 after all the ups and downs I was sure I was finally gonna see my guy win a championship :(

[@tyracer24]

Only to have him miss the final 4 by one point and Newman make it by dumping the 42 in turn 4...

[@tyracer24]

I watched him dominate seasons and run great all year be the best driver and lose because of a playoff that has no business being in a racing series...

[@chromediesel444]

Its painful to see he is not in contention for the 2014 championship because of the elimination. Its worse than thinking about 2004 and 2007 season.

[@chaseelliotiscool2849]

Yea I hate the playoffs even though it helped out my boy chase I would rather the best win not the luckiest

[@tylercochran902]

Same boat brother. Started being a fan in 2004

[@stw3art14]

Gordon, Harvick, Edwards, and Johnson's legacies are all altered. Gordon: Becomes a 7-time champion, retires as the greatest driver of all-time Harvick: Would currently be a 4-time champion Edwards: Would be a 2-time champion, maybe wouldn't have retired when he did, and would've been first ballot in the Hall of Fame Johnson: Only becomes a 3-time champion, wouldn't be considered in the GOAT conversation, wouldn't be considered in the GOAT of Hendrick Motorsports conversation. It's so crazy to think how different the landscape of the sport could be today

[@matthewdaley746]

Even before the Chase, Jeff Gordon would lose a Championship in 1996 to Terry Labonte, the Hilary Swank of NASCAR.

[@NASCARFAN93100]

Actually Johnson would be a 3-Time Champion

[@stw3art14]

@@NASCARFAN93100 You're right!

[@darthhull85]

I love JJ and rooted for him since his rookie year. Who did I root for before 02? Gordon. I’ll agree Jeff is better of the two and imo better than Dale or Petty too. He’s the best. His numbers in the competitive era he was in, stomp anything Petty did in his era. However that doesn’t mean JJ is a slouch. He’s a wheelman for sure. I feel like people see these lists and how JJ would have less and just assume he was all luck. Dude could drive. I mean he’s tied for 4th or something in wins. But imo I think those two are better than Dale and petty anyway so I might be biased lol

[@blueredlover1060]

The things is, though, Johnson isn't being helped by only needing a top 10 points position after 26 races and being allowed to go on a tear at the end of the year. He actually has to go out and win and be consistent throughout the season. I don't doubt the fact that Johnson could have done it, but he really benefits from the playoff format.

[@Roggie249]

Didn't even to click this to know Gordon would be #1. Dude would have had 7 championships without the Chase.

[@corbinselanne7990]

Same, and without the Chase/Playoffs format Kyle Busch would be lucky to finish in the top 20 in 2015 due to the leg injury in the Xfinity opener that forced him to miss the opening eleven rounds

[@24ever24]

@Thomas H I've read a few of your snarky remarks tells me you know nothing about the situation different rules or not if it was the old points system he would definitely win those championships and consistency showed in those years and he was the most consistent driver in those years and yes the chase/ bogus playoff system did rob him that's partially why he called it quits he's tired of it and soon Kevin Harvick will call it quits to open your mind at least of other possible scenarios.

[@j9vlikz683]

@Thomas H logically you are correct

[@njj9555]

@Thomas H dude, IT DOESNT MATTER how they would’ve raced differently. We have no way of proving who the actually champion would be. Do you think Johnson would still have 7?

[@j9vlikz683]

@Thomas H stats wise he isnt but if you look deeper hes better than both sr and petty arguably and im a jj fan

[@davelikesbacon]

I remember saying when I was a kid that Jeff Gordon would be a 7 time champion. had the point system not change I would have been right.

[@nascarandbowlingfan3888]

Maybe maybe not

[@joelhawkins9866]

I agree.

[@racerace8968]

Totally agree

[@PROFESSOR-I.C.]

I'm 68 years old and been following USAC STOCK CARS AND NASCAR since 1960 so I'm a little old school. NASCAR changing the points system, playoff system and introducing stage racing have not really helped. They don't stay with the amount of drivers to enter the playoffs. They keep changing it. Why not make it 20 how about 30 or better yet 40? Stage racing? For bunching up the field to make it appear more competitive and fan interest. Forget it. Yellow flags will take care of that like it did in the 60s 70s and '80s. NASCAR seems to come up with different ideas every season and installs them . Why do they keep changing? Because if the idea worked they would stick with it and they don't. NASCAR fails and this area. I'm still a Nascar fan just not as much with a watered down product .

[@slimbrady6691]

He would have probably won like 10 championships if he and Evernham stayed together. They were unstoppable.

[@jughead8705]

As a diehard Jeff Gordon fan, I will never get over 2004, 2007, and 2014. At one point, Darrell Waltrip said something to the effect of "you have to be good with whatever points systems you're in," but I just couldn't swallow that.

[@theaestheticskyline328]

2014: The 24 team wins the regular season but gets eliminated before the final 4. Kevin Harvick wins the championship. 2020: Kevin Harvick wins the regular season but gets eliminated before the final 4. The former 24 team wins the championship.

[@natelecarde962]

Kevin Harvick 2026 champion confirmed?

[@realbaron5714]

@@natelecarde962 Harvick would be retired at this time.

[@davidburke6139]

@@realbaron5714 so the new driver of the 4 wins it. Glad it’s still an SHR title

[@realbaron5714]

@@davidburke6139 Ryley Herbst?? Haile Deegan? They not are competitive.

[@davidburke6139]

@@realbaron5714 Deegan, as much as I like her attitude and potential, I don’t see her being a cup title contender by then. Herbst….maybe. With the mentoring or team. I could see it at Gibbs but not shr since harvick will be gone and almirola just doesn’t have the stones

[@xXB16xM1K3Xx]

I can agree with that. I think Gordon is more deserving of being the 3rd 7 time champion over JJ.

[@mootsym]

you mean because he ran better throughout the whole year? yea, I'd say that would qualify him as the more deserving champion.

[@AAA310]

Except jimmie outraced him when it mattered the most? The playoffs make it harder to win championships

[@mootsym]

@@AAA310 a driver's season and career is compromised of all of the races they run. Some races mean more because of made up rules NASCAR put in place to make the season more exciting for people that don't even watch NASCAR anyway. A race is a race.. all the cars and teams are trying to win. The fact that points leads would get squashed for the sake of NASCAR attempting to make the season more interesting, doesn't make Jimmy's total performance greater than Jeff's. You can't win them all and simply getting lucky and unlucky plays a roll too ---which is why this bracket nonsense is a joke... a part made in some factory that has nothing to do with the team or driver can simply fail and now a top 4 driver all year long now gets bounced from being able to win a championship... while a driver that raced worse than him all season gets in.. based on a collection of 3 races capped off by a failed part or some other circumstance having nothing to do with the driver or team. Heck, even the weather. Playoffs make it harder to win championships because it's a literal tossup for the reasons I just mentioned. The best driver/team MAY win the championship, but they easily may not.. which is a joke compared to what a champion SHOULD be and USED to be.

[@AAA310]

@@mootsym if Jeff was so much better than Jimmie then he shouldve won at least 1 chase title. If being consistent over 10 is easier then why doesnt he have any chase wins? If he can be consistent over 36 races why no be dominant or consistent at a high level for 10 at least once?? Youre almost making it seem like Gordon is overrated in that aspect. And you act like they made the chase specifically for Johnson. No they didn’t. They changed it multiple times to make it harder and harder and now its insanely hard. Guess Gordon isnt clutch 🤷🏽‍♂️. Besides that there were plenty of races throughout their careers where jimmie won more head to head battles and beat Gordon straight up then vice versa

[@mootsym]

@@AAA310 I never once said or suggested Jeff was "so much better than Jimmie". I said.. ."The fact that points leads would get squashed for the sake of NASCAR attempting to make the season more interesting, doesn't make Jimmy's total performance greater than Jeff's.". I then went on to explain why I didn't like the chase or current system and explained why. I'm not even going to address your other points because I didn't come here to argue if Jeff is a better driver than Jimmie. I argued against the idea that Jimmie's performance was greater than Jeff's and the points systems being an inaccurate way to represent who was the better driver. I wasn't saying Jeff is SO MUCH Better than Jimmie. I was arguing that Jeff was more deserving of 7 than Jimmie, because he had the better total and comprehensive seasons compared to Jimmie, who had a couple of better 10-race stretches, and not always by a large margin. The majority of my argument is about why the points system is flawed. Not really interested in debating who the "much better" driver is. If Jeff would've won entire seasons over Jimmie.. in a points system that represented how both drivers performed during a larger sample size- then I'd argue the larger sample size is a more comprehensive, accurate and reliable way to determine how good a driver/team's season was, compared to a sample size that's 2/3 smaller.. ... this is why larger surveys and sample sizes are more reliable and preferred over smaller, in most studies.

[@hunternixonfishing2500]

What happened to Harvick last year was criminal. I absolutely hate the playoffs. Disclaimer: Harvick is my favorite driver

[@martiniboy1811]

I'm a Chase Elliott fan and I 100% agree with you. I couldn't enjoy the championship because I knew Harvick deserved it.

[@marcelthevirginian1656]

I kinda dislike Harvick, but I agree, he got screwed. You put in the results, you deserve the trophy. Like a driver or not, that's the way I see it.

[@tylerpatterson1267]

Harvick definitely deserved it, he would have won it with 4 races to go under the old points system. HOWEVER, if it was a head to head of Harvick vs Hamlin, I could live with that. Both of them could “deserve” a chance at the championship I suppose. But anyone other than Harvick or Hamlin winning in 2020 is indeed criminal.

[@marcelthevirginian1656]

@@tylerpatterson1267 Yeah, I could have lived with Hamlin, but Elliott winning just felt hollow. Nothing against the dude, but my feeling was "Yeah, nice for you, but you ain't the (real) champion." Without a meaningful champion, that season felt very anti-climatic. I was surprised about how little I cared about the season's finish.

[@Redslayer86]

The chase somehow made one of the greatest drivers of all time underrated.

[@j9vlikz683]

Nahhhh

[@njj9555]

Yes. Because rings have less meaning now thanks to idiot leadership.

[@MJForever1999]

Yes and no. I still think Jimmie would have a hall of fame career without the chase, but I don’t think he would have 7 championships

[@TM42]

Oh, trust me, knowing that he could've been a 4 time champion is crushing for Harvick fans.

[@brunoharvey7930]

Same, it sucks being harvick fan sometimes

[@joshuasweeney7864]

“Iceberg: “i know they would’ve raced different “ Me: He said the thing!

[@clifforddavidson7273]

End of discussion. They would have raced differently. Its a hold different mindset of racing which means no driver got "screwed" over by the playoffs.

[@Chad-wu4ij]

Wait... I thought NASCAR said teams should always "race to win". 2013 and all...

[@joshuapittman4663]

@@clifforddavidson7273 they still race to win

[@j9vlikz683]

@@clifforddavidson7273 thank you

[@njj9555]

@@clifforddavidson7273 Teams dictate how well they do in the chase. NOT drivers. End of discussion. People like you prevent justice from happening.

[@jmanstar24]

2007 hurt the most by far. I had been waiting for a while since 2001 to see vintage Gordon again. Sure, 2004 was good, but 2007 was special. The chase by far really contributed to the death of my interest in the sport. Gordon got legacy jobbed. I ultimately snapped in 2010? when Gordon got jobbed by a "we think we saw debris there but really we just wanted that tasty restart with a couple laps to go to spice up the ending" at the spring Martinsville race.

[@adamhelfer8061]

100%. And that age old “I’m bias” argument for me not liking the chase or Play-off format doesn’t hold up well since I started watching NASCAR in 2000 when I was like 6 years old. That’s only 4 years with the regular points system

[@njj9555]

@@adamhelfer8061 yea people will believe whatever they want.

[@SuperNASCARrocks]

As a Jeff Gordon fan he’s a 7 time champion and absolutely nothing you say will change my mind.

[@whosjozikolnik]

you're right

[@semiojeleye8805]

Well he isn’t

[@evanwilliams6406]

Me too. I still believe he is better than Jimmie.

[@markknight1586]

Agreed

[@chromediesel444]

He should've but because of artificial entertainment, he wasnt. Sadly NASCAR may never change the format or go back to full season points unless major changes within staffs.

[@Muscles3676]

As a Gordon fan that also likes Harvick and hates Johnson and Busch, I really hate the playoffs. I would put Harvick 2nd over Edwards though, a net loss of 3 championships is just worse than a net loss of 2

[@toddtaylor6506]

Followed NASCAR very closely for 10+ years ... went to several races ..... barely have watched it at all since they changed from the team that does the best from start to finish will be our champion and decided to have a ten race demolition derby at the end of the season to crown a champion.

[@mrj3217]

All the tv cautions suck. The season format changes each year , now Nascar interrupt every race as well Always a comp caution , stage caution, stage caution and in the last 20 laps a mystery debris caution to mix up the finish. Drivers are no longer rewardes for being consistent in a long run. Nascar should just have 2 heat races then a feature like local small tracks do.

[@thefranchise4698]

Jeff Gordon's 2014 season is one of the biggest championship robberies in NASCAR history. He's a 7-time champ. I don't care what anyone says

[@nascarandbowlingfan3888]

Nope Dale is Jeff only 4

[@eyeshinefan24]

As a diehard Gordon it pains me to remember what the chase/playoffs did to his career

[@24ever24]

I hear ya that's why I tuned out after '14

[@berryboiblast]

Skipped to the end of the video just to make sure you put Jeff Gordon in the #1 spot. Good job Jaret, thanks you!

[@dshih199]

I’m a Jeff Gordon fan. This video was nothing but pain.

[@DumpedClutch]

Jeff Gordon winning 7 in 2014 would of taken the sport to the moon

[@stevenvalentin4584]

I grew up a Gordon fan. And when he retired I was so sick of the chase/playoffs I stopped watching Nascar for 4 years.

[@kylemielke1021]

It is for this reason I will never buy "Jimmie Johnson is the greatest driver ever" Jeff Gordon's career is better than Johnson's. Gordon is the better driver. It's just the Chase/Playoff era screwed him so bad. I became a fan in 2003 so all I know is heartbreak. Edward and Harvick also don't get their due.

[@Dirtydeff]

Awesome video. Unfortunate for Gordon that they gimmicked the point system. I understand why they changed to The Chase format and it first it created excitement but I think over time it ended up backfiring with the fans. Sounded good on paper but not so much when fans lose some appreciate for the championship

[@Justin-dp9wi]

Being a Jeff fan it definitely pains me, man was so damn good and it gets overlooked because he couldn’t win in the Chase/Playoff era. At the same time I’m now a Chase fan so it definitely helped last year lol.

[@fishproductions22]

i read this as "top 10 most punched drivers" im glad my brain fixed my eyes

[@evanwilliams6406]

Same here...

[@Cybermash16]

Kyle Busch would easily make #1 in that spot

[@McMinority]

i read it as "top 10 drivers cock blocked by the Chase format"

[@OutcastGrim2424]

The 2007 season will always be the most frustrating to me as a Gordon fan. I always root for Hendrick motorsport’s cars but seeing the season crumble and go to Johnson it still makes me angry. We almost had the drive for 5 be complete -_____-

[@johnboy4025]

Gordon was already a legendary driver by 2004… but he got screwed out of being a 7 Time Champion.

[@tadroid3858]

NASCAR: Our season is waaaaay too long for a traditional champion. We need to keep the casual fans interested all year. Little France: Hold my beer. Core Fans: WTF?

[@johnboy4025]

NASCAR grew when it was “boring” lol!

[@adamhelfer8061]

I’m a NASCAR fan and watch 99% of the cup series races. But I do not take this point system seriously and in result of that I don’t take our champions seriously

[@ashtondmorgan]

*Laughs in Jimmie Johnson

[@calebharper1590]

Definitely Jeff Gordon should get #1.

[@speedwayanywhere6845]

Edwards was easily consistently the most screwed by " Judgement Calls" No wonder he left

[@mccannmotorsports3858]

Could you make a video about the drivers who were helped by the playoffs?

[@spino3dsaurus478]

How about a video on the top ten drivers who benefited from the playoffs\chase era

[@evanwilliams6406]

Had the original points format been in place guys like McMurray and Larson and Truex would be considered top ten competitive drivers and finishing in those places would have given them more incentive to do great and become better. Due to the playoffs we never get to see what their true potential could be.

[@packisbetter90]

Mcmurray was such an unlucky driver too

[@Ultrase7en767]

When you say Matt Kenseth, I think of Eric Estepp

[@wesdoug84]

What other top tier professional race series has a playoff? The Chase was supposed to create parity, then Jimmie Johnson won 5 straight championships.

[@matthewdaley746]

A season being one race too short, and, an engine that came apart at the seams were all that would prevent seven consecutive Championships.

[@dylancotton2061]

none. the only series outside of nascar that runs something like it is the british superbikes championship and thats hardly top tier

[@matthewdaley746]

@@dylancotton2061 Never heard of it, too bad there aren't other sports like that in the world, that could be really fun.

[@cruzzsmiplays4053]

U should do a top 10 drivers who benefited the most from the playoffs and I definitely know who would be #1 on that list

[@monstermikeheinrichs]

This list is why I count the full season points along with NASCAR's system. Too many great drivers getting screwed. Btw, does Kyle Larson still make this list after winning the championship this year? He was pretty low to start with.

[@jacobmontesano4332]

I’m a HUGE Jeff Gordon fan, and I love the current playoff format. I do agree that the previous playoff formats (ones that don’t include playoff points) were not good. But the current one I think is amazing!

[@asareirene]

I actually disagree with this. I think playoff points are the only positives about the current format. Why a championship should be decided over a single race where anything could happen and the fates of the drivers in contention are not even fully in their own hands is crazy to me. The playoffs itself is not my issue but the fact that you can just show up at 4/10 races and win a championship is crazy,

[@williamheller1362]

It's entertaining with the elimination for fans, but it usually screws the most deserving drivers. It's not a format meant for motorsport

[@njj9555]

@@williamheller1362 I couldn’t agree more. I’ve always said that playoffs don’t work when 40 teams are against each other with volatile pieces of machinery.

[@austinreed5805]

The biggest Postseason haters are Jeff Gordon fans. Being one myself, I can agree with that statement.

[@supersevenn]

i think your assesment is spot on

[@MrRock4evr]

The RIGHTFUL champions since 2004: 2004 = Jeff Gordon (5) 2005 = Tony Stewart (2) 2006 = Jimmie Johnson 2007 = Jeff Gordon (6) 2008 = Carl Edwards 2009 = Jimmie Johnson (2) 2010 = Kevin Harvick 2011 = Carl Edwards (2) 2012 = Brad Keselowski 2013 = Jimmie Johnson (3) 2014 = Jeff Gordon (7) 2015 = Kevin Harvick (2) 2016 = Kevin Harvick (3) 2017 = Martin Truex Jr. 2018 = Kyle Busch 2019 = Kyle Busch (2) 2020 = Kevin Harvick (4) 2021 = Kyle Larson 2022 = Chase Elliot 2023 = William Byron

[@joelsittler6997]

Man, pointing out when somebody would've won if it weren't for the chase really puts things in perspective

[@njj9555]

It really does.

[@TMoney521900]

Gordon could’ve been a 5 time if not 6 time champion had nascar never created the Chase/Playoffs

[@mrj3217]

I hate the fact that Nascar has a damm competition caution , - stage caution - stage caution. This is killing the flow of the race. Award points for stages the same just stop with all the B.S. T.V. cautions. It kills the flow.

[@laletraf5568]

Missing rings: Lightning McQueen 2005 next please

[@need4speed5353]

Austin Dillon approximately has a net gain of about 2 positions from the playoffs *then there's 2021*

[@JackTASM2]

Yeah but that was all because of Aric Almirola getting a win at New Hampshire. Had AA not won there, Dillon would’ve been in the playoffs along with Tyler Reddick! I think AD’s best playoff performance was last year-he was charging hard for the win at Darlington and possibly could’ve won Richmond!

[@anitagarrison6916]

My heart really hurt for JG in 2007. I really wanted him to get his 5th championship before JJ. 😭💔

[@dylanbushmire2623]

The pain of my Jeff Gordon fan career is painful to think about I wasn’t around for any of his championships I just wanted to see one more but good old Brian France said fuck that

[@njj9555]

You’re not alone man. I felt (and still feel) the same exact way.

[@spartan5713]

This could just be a 20 minute Jeff Gordon video.

[@jakobwedel3168]

Haven't watched it yet. Already know Jeff Gordon is #1

[@jackfoster3652]

Honestly just say Jeff Gordon and end the video. The amount of times he got fucked over by the chase/playoff format is ridiculous. 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014. Easily a 6 or 7 time champ if you keep the Winston Cup format.

[@johnvandeventer8668]

Honorable mention: Joey Logano 2015 and Kyle Busch 2018, Martin Truex Jr. 2018 and 2019

[@packisbetter90]

2018 was definitely a year a few guys got screwed over

[@Rednax_99]

No one on earth would disagree with your number one spot on this list. It hurts a lot as a Gordon fan :(

[@tylerpatterson1267]

In my opinion, Gordon number 1, and Harvick number 2. BY FAR. no one else even comes close in my opinion. Jimmie Johnson gets undeserved credit for being 7 time, when that should be Gordon. And think about how much different we’d talk about Harvick if he was “chasing number 5” instead of chasing a second championship. No one has been screwed out of more championships than Harvick or Gordon either.

[@williamhouman8009]

When Nascar first announced the chase format I thought for sure Matt Kenseth would win more championships. Just based on how consinent and smooth he would drive.

[@kangarooswild]

Jimmie Johnson should be nowhere near this list haha🥳

[@evanwilliams6406]

I mean, I would flip Carl and Jeff at the top maybe, but the list is fine. Since Jeff already has 4 titles I think Carl Edwards is the one that got punished more because he NEVER won a title when he was clearly good enough to win one in those two seasons.

[@markknight1586]

I see what your saying but Jeff lost imo 4 championships due to this playoff format

[@Coolhatluke]

Im glad this was pointed out about gordon and that I'm not the only one whose been talking about it

[@jamesburroughs3813]

Yes Gordon by far number 1. I became a NASCAR and Gordon fan in 2001. Got to see him win that year, never imagined I'd never see him win another one. I'll forever be bitter about the Chase/Playoffs because of his three lost championships.

[@fa1509]

This best chase format is 2004-2006 and the worst is 2014-present

[@FastDuDeJiunn]

No whats punishment is your subpar teammate Jimmy Johnson gets 7 ws with the bs format.... when gordon imo should been the 7 time champion. Jeff Gordon is best driver.

[@DennyDeliversYT]

Incoming the *Winston cup points purists* saying how good the _good-ol’ days_ were… lol

[@GoodOlRoll]

But they were, lol

[@whosjozikolnik]

yea weren't they?😆

[@matthewdaley746]

They were good, not, perfect, observe Benny Parsons, 1973, he made a broadcasting career out of a totally fraudulent Championship.

[@austinhiggins4645]

@@matthewdaley746 I think a bunch of the drivers won rings because that format. was not perfect. not nearly as much as the Chase and playoffs. but still it was far from perfect

[@matthewdaley746]

@@austinhiggins4645 He also, won the Championship because Richard Petty was nice enough to have an off year, like Dale Earnhardt did in 1992.

[@elactionwilly2135]

Being a Gordon fan was so hard in 07 and especially 2014. 2014 was a great year for him but I don’t even wanna remember it cuz he could been a damn Champion‼️‼️😔🤦🏽‍♂️ he could’ve been a 7 time champ but it’s whatever with the damn Playoffs🤬😒

[@Redslayer86]

Also the "Woulda have raced different" argument is probably the most irrelevant of all, they always tried to win regardless. This is a solid video but it's just pissing me off so I'm gonna have to cut this one short.

[@jimmykinninger3155]

Totally agree... Great job...

[@VKED23]

After watching 2007 I fell out of the sport until 2018, still feel robbed as a Gordon fan, had 300/400 point lead before richmond... then 30/40 points behind after, sounds fair

[@williampatterson5374]

100% spot on Berg

[@AAA310]

People acting like they made the chase just for johnson lol. The chase is 10x more difficult now

[@ThePaintballernick]

Could you imagine how bad the fans would complain if they went back to full season points? You'd get a driver securing the championship with 4 races to go and they'd be screaming "what's the point of the last 3 races? This format is broken"

[@bmcminn8838]

Playoffs would be great if only 12 drivers made it and it was based on points not random wins

[@matthewdaley746]

Alas, it'll take a disaster for the format to alter.

[@packisbetter90]

Just the top 10 like in nextel cup was fine

[@matthewdaley746]

@@packisbetter90 Everything fixed gets broken.

[@siteofalexa]

Gordon got screwed a lot by the chase.

[@mikemar14]

Jeff Gordon would have been a 7 time champion if it weren't for the Chase/Playoffs.

[@dotscupseries9544]

When I think bout kenseth I think bout a quietly consistent driver who should of won more races and should of been the 2013 champion

[@austinhiggins4645]

He was not even in the top 5 in points before the Chase

[@josephsmith4079]

It must be Harvick. The chase has cost him 4 titles and only given him 1. That is a huge difference to his statistics when he retires.

[@packisbetter90]

It's crazy he has almost 60 wins and just 1 championship. Rusty Wallace with 55 wins and 1 championship is another example i can think of but he didn't deal with the chase playoffs

[@nicoflais8498]

10:11 ohhh that hurted me.

[@falloutfan6649]

Before even watching as soon as I saw the title I knew Jeff Gordon would be #1. And being a big fan of his I will forever be bitter that these stupid playoffs screwed him out of being easily considered the 2nd greatest driver of all time behind only The King himself

[@aviserig]

Especially cause Earnhardt didn't deserve the 1990 championship.

[@ajcuster8514]

Hopefully a list of drivers who most benefited from the Chase/Playoffs comes out soon. I curious about where Jimmie Johnson would rank without the format.

[@aviserig]

3-time champion. 06, 09, 13. Nowhere near as good as Jeff

[@keeganbrown9967]

As a Jeff Gordon fan since 1999. This video hurts to watch😢

[@itzfedora_yt4577]

Not gonna lie. You were right. That Harvick stat hurt

[@bjrollick5262]

I have been a Jeff Gordon fan since I was a kid. I’m 38 years old. I started rooting for Gordon when I was 8 or 9 when he was running the #1 Babe Ruth Ford in the Busch Series. Another cool historical fact a lot of people don’t know is Gordons first Cup race was the final race of the 1992 season at Atlanta which was Richard Pettys final race and the race Allan Kulwicki edged out Bill Elliot to win the title. Watching Jeff Gordon struggle under the Playoff format was hard to watch. He wasn’t running as well as he did early on in his career and they years he did put together s good season he got screwed by the format. I was pissed at Dale Jr the one season he held off Gordon at Martinsville in the playoffs when Jr was already locked in for the next round and Jeff wasn’t and needed a win to advance.

[@chromediesel444]

Thats a lot of champions denied by the artificial game 7 moments. Its hard being Gordon, Edwards, and Harvick fan. 2014 was the hardest. Maybe the best Career resurgance. Only to be beaten by winless Newman.

[@markknight1586]

Right like are u fucking serious somebody that's not there the whole season stupid

[@NASCARFAN93100]

@@markknight1586 Newman would have finished 6th in Points and Hamlin wouldn't have even finished inside the Top 10 in Points

[@chromediesel444]

@@markknight1586 The most consistent of 2014 season finished 6th in real life standings, whenever in full season style, he would finished 1st in points. Then 2020, similar nonsense repeated. Harvick with comparable 90s Gordon stats, after 2 bad races, got eliminated not getting a shot at to be in a final four. Finished 5th in final standings when he could of clinched the championship at Martinsville under full season points.

[@thatonefatguy9043]

I like the playoffs personally, but as a Gordon fan it has certainly robbed some individuals. Cant complain though. Look in the NFL at the Patriots team that went 16-0 and lost in the championship game. It's just part of sports.

[@RacingGuy2448]

Me a Jeff Gordon fan: Angry at playoff sounds

[@mootsym]

It's Gordon, Gordon, Gordon, Harvick, Edwards. The chase/the playoffs remain the dumbest thing to ever happen to NASCAR. And it's not because I'm an old fart that doesn't like change. I like change- when it makes sense. A blown tire or faulty part from whatever factory that had nothing to do with the organization, team, driver, could decide a championship because the championship of an entire season.. is decided by this ridiculous format of best of 3s and such. Stage points bring a little more sense to it.. but it's like trying to shine a turd. The Chase is why I have a hard time putting Jimmy definitely above Jeff. Jeff would've had, and should've had 7, which would be more than Jimmy, and then this wouldn't be a debate. The guy who performed the best through the year.. was Jeff lol, even though Jimmy won the championships... that doesn't make Jimmy the better driver lol. Earnhardt, Gordon, Pearson, Petty, Jimmy are my top 5.

[@tomdalfonzo9959]

How do you feel about the championship being awarded to the driver who wins the most races every year? I have wanted that system for a very long time now.

[@MJCx777]

1. Jeff Gordon 2. Jeff Gordon 3. Jeff Gordon 4. Jeff Gordon 5. Jeff Gordon

[@sulphurous2656]

Punished Edwards: A driver robbed of his championships.

[@mr.shadow_wolf]

And this right here is why playoff's in motorsports is a terrible idea. Winning a Motorsports championship is supposed to be about being good A L L Y E A R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not winning the last race of the season. Until Nascar wakes up an does away with the points system this will remain true Nascar is no longer about being the best driver. It's about being lucky. Also on a side note please Nascar bring back tandem drafting at Daytona and Talledaga, watching what was once the greatest races of the year has become watching the nascar choo choo snoozefest.

[@ryanschumacher2043]

Joey Logano would've won both 2014 and 15 titles if it were the 2004-13 format

[@packisbetter90]

The win and your in made it worse. I didn't mind the system before that that much

[@KatschingAUT]

I feel like there is a Part missing during the Kenseth segment.

[@johnboy4025]

Harvick would have won titles in 2010, 2015, 2015, and 2020. 4 time champ

[@williamheller1362]

> jimmie

[@austinhiggins4645]

@@williamheller1362 that has to be a joke

[@williamheller1362]

@@austinhiggins4645 in this hypothetical where they stick with the old points and Harvick gets 4 championships, and Jimmie only gets 3. So I meant 4>3, not necessarily Harvick is better than Jimmie

[@austinhiggins4645]

@@williamheller1362 ohhhhhhhh I am dumb lol sorry

[@williamheller1362]

@@austinhiggins4645 nah you're good fam

[@gagemcpherson4454]

As a Jeff Gordon fan growing up 2007 and 2014 was heartbreaking and why I wish the Winston Cup Format would have never been ditched Harvick was screwed last year imagine if Larson doesn't win the title this year

[@Sceptilean]

Well, the only other driver atm that is close is denny and in Winston format is like within 100 or so of Larson if I remember his community tab stuff

[@packisbetter90]

Harvick and Hamlin both last year seemed like locks. Even more so than Larson this year. That's why it was so bad

[@AutoRockinRacing94]

Don't make me think about 2007 lol

[@B-A-L]

I just read the rule changes for next year and they are bringing in 8 four car divisions and 2 conferences to make NASCAR even more like a ball sport!