NASCAR races get decided by drivers battling on the track, but off it, reporters shape how fans see the sport, from driver personas to hot takes on rules. That influence packs a punch, sometimes steering opinions on big issues like the current playoff format. Back before 2004, the championship went to the driver with the most points over the full season, no cuts or resets. Now, since 2014, it’s an elimination setup with 16 drivers whittled down through rounds to a final four chasing the title in one race. This shift has sparked endless debates, with many fans clamoring for a return to the old ways for consistency’s sake.

But when insider Jordan Bianchi floated a tweaked playoff idea on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, legend Mark Martin fired back online, calling out the push amid fan pushb

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