Jeff Burton Rips NASCAR in Blunt Rant Over Failure to Protect Top Drivers Jeff Burton questions NASCAR’s playoff structure, pointing to flaws that leave dominant regular

For years, NASCAR’s playoff format has drawn criticism from drivers, analysts, and fans alike. The system features sixteen drivers, elimination rounds, and a “winner-takes-all” finale. During the Kevin Harvick era, this change was designed to maximize excitement. But today, many argue it undermines the very consistency and performance that define a truly great season. Regular-season champions can enter the playoffs with momentum and plenty of wins. Yet, they can still be eliminated early due to one bad weekend or a mechanical issue. Discussions over fairness and reward for regular-season excellence have escalated, especially following seasons where top performers fell short when it mattered most. Recently, a household NASCAR name has joined these voices in Jeff Burton with a bold critici