**Brad Keselowski Criticizes NASCAR Playoff Coverage and Championship Format After Charlotte Roval Race**
The 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski didn’t hold back his frustrations following Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 elimination race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. Keselowski took aim at what he sees as a major flaw in how NASCAR’s playoff coverage is handled.
Driving the #6 Ford for RFK Racing—a team he also co-owns—Keselowski voiced his concerns on X, criticizing the media for focusing more on mid-pack elimination battles rather than celebrating race winners. He also called out the current playoff format itself.
As a non-playoff driver this season, Keselowski and his three-car team failed to qualify for the playoffs. He has long been vocal about his concerns regarding the playoff system and reiterated his stance following the chaotic Charlotte Roval race.
Responding to a user on X, the former Cup champion said:
“Clear as day, not enough talk about winning and winners (star power), but covering 15th for known elimination is easier for media storylines. Fans are voting with their eyeballs and it’s definitively a net loss for the sport vs full season format. Now is the time to fix this.”
### Drama and Drama at the Charlotte Roval
The Charlotte Roval playoff race was filled with chaos and drama, highlighted by a tense battle for the final playoff spot in the Round of 8 between defending series champion Joey Logano and Ross Chastain. Ultimately, Logano secured the spot by just four points over Chastain.
Meanwhile, road course specialist Shane van Gisbergen dominated the race, earning a convincing victory at the Roval by a margin of 15.1 seconds over former Cup champion Kyle Larson. This marked van Gisbergen’s fifth road course win in his rookie Cup Series season.
### Keselowski Calls for an End to the Entire Playoff System
In a recent interview with Jeff Gluck, Keselowski expanded on his criticism of NASCAR’s championship format. He argued that the current system places too much emphasis on the final 10 races of the season, diminishing the significance of the earlier events.
“The entire playoff system needs to go. Making 10 races carry more weight than the other 20-plus is very unhealthy for the sport. It undermines the value of the other tracks and events,” Keselowski stated.
NASCAR moved away from determining its champion through a season-long points race to the modern 10-race elimination format in 2017. Since then, the format has been a topic of debate among drivers, teams, and fans alike.
### Possible Changes on the Horizon
Looking ahead, there has been ongoing discussion regarding a potential championship format change slated for 2026. The proposal aims to modify the final round to consist of four races with six contenders, potentially reshaping the playoff landscape.
As NASCAR continues to evaluate its competitive structure, voices like Keselowski’s underscore the call for balancing rewarding season-long performance with the excitement of playoff drama—an issue that remains pivotal for the sport’s future.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nascar/news-brad-keselowski-blasts-nascar-s-playoff-media-ignoring-winners-star-power-pursuit-drama
