Love it or hate it, the playoff format has been the hottest topic in NASCAR all year. The elimination-style, winner-take-all setup didn’t swing in Denny Hamlin’s favor as he came heartbreakingly close to clinching his elusive Cup Series championship, adding even more fuel to the ongoing playoff debate. As the postseason takes over, the NASCAR community impatiently waits for the promised playoff changes.

For those who are longing for the old point system, it’s worth remembering that it was Matt Kenseth’s 2003 championship that sparked the first major changes. From the introduction of the chase format for today’s high-stakes elimination rounds, the playoff system has evolved through controversy, drama, and debates, always keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

The championship that chang

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