For more than a decade, NASCAR’s playoff system has sparked debate among fans and drivers alike. The elimination format, launched in 2014, reshaped championship battles by putting greater weight on late-season performance. Since then, drivers have had to adapt to the sprint-like nature of the final 10 weeks, where the role of stage points has become critical in securing advancement. Now, with the 2025 Cup Series Playoffs set to begin, veterans who have experienced the system’s growing pains face the challenge differently than rookies. Among them, Chase Elliott enters this year’s postseason in the seventh seed, chasing a second title.

After a steady regular season that included his 20th career win at Atlanta, Elliott secured his playoff spot. While his campaign hasn’t matched the dominance

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