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A NASCAR Hall of Famer says radical changes and Playoff focus have distanced long-time loyalists from the series.
Former NASCAR Cup Series star Mark Martin believes that the championship is alienating its existing fanbase with radical concepts and format changes in an attempt to attract new audiences. Martin made this comment after joining a committee created by NASCAR to review the championship’s structure. He advocates for abandoning the current Playoff system and returning to the traditional Winston Cup-style championship where every race counts equally. However, he acknowledges that resistance from broadcasters, who see the Playoffs as a competitive advantage, may prevent such a change. Martin notes that the current Playoff system resets the standings after the 26th round, which, despite rewarding victories, has paradoxically reduced the value of winning races. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining the significance of winning in NASCAR.
