NASCAR enthusiasts are halfway through the Cup Series postseason, and opinions about the new playoff format are mixed. The traditional win-and-advance structure is gone. Some fans miss the urgency it brought to every race.
Recent races have seen dramatic finishes, like Chase Briscoe’s win at Las Vegas. Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick tangled in a high-stakes finale, yet some feel the excitement is dampened under the current format. The stakes seem lower compared to elimination races of the past.
I’ve got Kasey Kahne, amazingly, coming out of retirement, a scorned wife going after a NASCAR driver after she seduced her husband (true story), and Brad Keselowski has been pushed out the door by his own team, which makes no sense given the team stunk before Brad got there and was actually respectable the past few years.
Tony Stewart, a former full-time Cup driver, recently voiced his complaints about NASCAR’s current state. Appearing on the Oil and Whiskey podcast, Stewart criticized the reduced car horsepower, arguing that it’s diminished the racing quality. He noted the stark difference between today’s 500-horsepower cars and the 875-horsepower machines of his racing prime.
Stewart’s disdain for restrictor plate racing is well known, yet he will return to racing in the upcoming Truck Series event at Talladega. The irony isn’t lost, considering he’s promoting Dodge vehicles.
Meanwhile, Kasey Kahne is returning to the racing scene to drive a Spire truck full-time next year. His comeback raises questions. Kahne retired in 2018 due to health problems, but the shorter Truck Series races might suit his return.
NASCAR has always had a flair for compelling storylines. Recent narratives involve drivers making comebacks and controversies off the track. Kahne’s return and Tony Stewart’s remarks are just the beginning.
Brad Keselowski’s departure from the RFK team is another surprising development. Despite helping Roush-Fenway Racing regain relevance, Keselowski’s contract expiring and his desire to keep racing clashed with management’s preference for him to take on a more managerial role.
Additionally, the legal issues involving Jennifer Jo Cobb, a Truck Series driver, highlight off-track dramas affecting NASCAR. Cobb owes $850,000 following a legal case regarding an alleged affair, proving that the sport’s narratives extend beyond racing.
These stories underscore the constant evolution within NASCAR, affecting both drivers and fans.