In 2021, Kyle Larson dominated the NASCAR Cup Series, racking up 10 race victories en route to his first career championship. It was the type of year that evoked memories of Jeff Gordon’s 13-win season in 1998,

For proof, witness the superstars who’ve missed the Championship 4 in the last decade: Logano, Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Kevin Harvick. Plus, 54-time race winner Denny Hamlin and the enormously popular Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Carl Edwards.

In the weeks leading up to, and during Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway, the hot-button topic of discussion has surrounded the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs

NASCAR’s playoff system is not going anywhere, but the door is not closed on future tweaks to the format. “The format is one thing, but we’re not going to go away from the playoffs,” NASCAR

NASCAR may not crown its champions the same way it once did, but that doesn't matter: Joey Logano is -- legitimately -- a three-time champion.

NASCAR may not have the same playoff format for the 2025 season and beyond. According to Sports Business Journal's Adam Stern, NASCAR will review its playoff format with changes possible as soon as 2025.

The NASCAR playoffs aren’t going anywhere but NASCAR senior leadership is open to tweaking the format if an off-season review generates appropriate ideas. That was the gist from senior vice president of competition Elton Sawyer when asked about the topic on Tuesday morning during his weekly appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.