Cooper Dey

OPINION: NASCAR should reconsider the playoff format

The 2026 NASCAR season has been historic in just three races. Tyler Reddick became the first driver in NASCAR’s 78 years to win the first three races of the season being the Daytona 500, Autotrader 400 and Duramax Texas Grand Prix. While drivers like Matt Kenseth in 2009 and Jeff Gordon in 1997 came close to winning the first two opening races, Reddick’s performance has lifelong fans to first-timers questioning if early season success should carry more weight in deciding NASCAR’s champion.