“Your downfall has been deserved”: Fans react as NASCAR celebrated 10-year anniversary of controversial playoffs system

It has been 10 years since NASCAR waved goodbye to the old format for the playoffs, known as the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. However, as NASCAR put up a post on X (formerly Twitter) celebrating an entire decade of the new elimination-style playoff rumble, fans vehemently opposed the current format.

Earlier, the format was simpler. The contention worked its way through the first 26 races of the season and the top 10 drivers on points made it to the playoffs and competed in the postseason. Therefore, gathering points was what decided whether a driver would make the playoffs.

Things changed at the beginning of the 2014 season. According to the new rules, a victory in any regular season race is what a driver needs to punch a ticket to the playoffs. It doesn't matter if that win comes due to a wreck, or if the driver manages to stay upfront while a red flag is thrown beyond the halfway point in the race; the driver will rev his engine at the postseason opener, regardless of the circumstances.

Reflecting on the same, NASCAR posted:

"After ten years of championship marches, unpredictable eliminations and so much more, a new decade of #NASCARPlayoffs is right around the corner."

Several NASCAR fans reacted negatively to it, with one saying that NASCAR's apparent downfall was well-deserved:

"It's no use anymore. Your downfall has been deserved. RIP NASCAR".

Another fan called the current format "awful" and wrote:

"AWFUL playoff system. AWFUL."

Here are a few other reactions to NASCAR's post about 10 years of implementing the new playoff format.

"So we’re getting ride (rid) of the terrible format??" a fan wondered.

"Just give me back the 10 race chase at least 😭" said another.

"I still enjoy watching the racing, but the playoffs have never felt right. Even in the excitement of the wall ride, or my drivers getting championships...I just want the -season- to go back to the full year. Please. Dismissing the complaints is frustrating. 10 years is enough," wrote someone.

"The whole Playoff system is TRASH !" a fan added.

NASCAR is just four races away from his year's playoffs. The 10-race playoff stint starts September 8th onwards. The first race on the schedule is the Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia.

NASCAR gives naming rights to its newest partner

NASCAR has recently partnered with Straight Talk Wireless in the form of a multi-year deal. Following the sign-off, NASCAR has given the American 5G network company the rights to rename the playoff race at Homestead-Miami on October 27. The race will now be called the "Straight Talk Wireless 400".

"Straight Talk Wireless is such a recognizable brand and one that shares NASCAR’s priorities in providing tremendous value for its customers and their families. We are thrilled to have Straight Talk Wireless join the NASCAR family as an Official Partner, both at the league and track level," NASCAR said in a statement (via phonearena.com)

As a part of the partnership, Straight Talk Wireless and NASCAR will organize a "NASCAR on Tour" from August 21st to October 27th. The event will visit the parking lots at several Walmart outlets in Daytona Beach, Darlington, Atlanta, Bentonville, Bristol, Kansas City, Talladega, Charlotte, Greenville, and Miami.

Additionally, Straight Talk Wireless has promised to launch race-themed offers, exclusive giveaways, and host driver appearances in the coming months.