The NASCAR playoff format has been a lightning rod for debate ever since Matt Kenseth cruised to the 2003 Winston Cup title with just one win but a jaw-dropping 25 top-10s in 36 races. Kenseth’s consistency, leading the standings for 33 weeks, beat out Ryan Newman’s eight victories, which were undone by wrecks and bad finishes. Fans and insiders cried foul, arguing that wins should outweigh steady finishes.

That frustration birthed the “Chase for the NEXTEL Cup” in 2004, a playoff system that reset points to spotlight wins while still rewarding consistency. Over time, it evolved with elimination rounds and stage points, aiming to balance drama with fairness. Critics still grumble that it favors hot streaks over season-long dominance, and some even whisper that TV networks cooked it up f

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