In 2014, <a href="https://www.on3.com/pro/category/nascar/news/">NASCAR</a> altered its playoff system for the Cup Series, expanding the field to 16 drivers based on wins during the 26-race regular season. 



Under the current system, drivers compete round-by-round with eliminations occurring after the last race in each round. The race for the championship culminates with the final race of the season, in which the highest-finishing driver at Phoenix Raceway is crowned the champion. 



Jeff Gordon, who won all four of his Cup Series titles before the playoff system was enacted, recently spoke of the revised playoff system. In a 1-on-1 interview with <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nascar/jeff-gordon-love-for-martinsville-hendrick-championship-outlook" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports</a>, Gordon advocated for the playoff system, saying it “does add excitement to the sport.”



“I’m not surprised,” Gordon said. “Because while a purist like myself that have won championships under the old format, I also look at it and go, “This is far more entertaining. It’s more intense.” It’s not always easy to explain to fans, especially new fans, but it does add excitement to the sport. It makes that final race of the year heightened, and I think it attracts more fans because of it. 



“Once they introduced that, I don’t think there was any looking back. To eliminate teams the way that they’ve done has only even done more of that. You kind of wish it didn’t just come down to one race. But at the same time, you could say the same thing about other sports, right? The Super Bowl, it doesn’t matter what kind of season you had up to that point, you’ve got to go, you’ve got to win, you’ve got to execute. I think the winners, it’s meant to be. The best teams win.”



<h2 id="h-jeff-gordon-pushing-for-multiple-hendrick-motorsports-drivers-in-championship-4">Jeff Gordon pushing for multiple Hendrick Motorsports drivers in Championship 4</h2>



Since 2014, seven different drivers have won the Cup Series championship. With just one race remaining until the Championship 4 on Nov. 5, it’s very likely that three of the four drivers left standing will be searching for their first championship. The lone exception is Kyle Larson, who alongside Christopher Bell, has already advanced to the final round. 



Gordon, the vice chairman for Hendrick Motorsports, is obviously pleased that Larson will be vying for his second-career championship. When it comes to Martinsville Speedway this Sunday, the goal is to get another Hendrick Motorsports driver, William Byron, a spot in the Championship 4. 



“I’m just looking at the kind of breakout year that I’ve seen William and [crew chief] Rudy [Fugle] and that team have. They’ve been steadily growing to get here,” Gordon said. “But the way they’ve stepped up as a team this year — pit crew, cars. I think William’s confidence as a driver — they’ve had a heck of a year. And so no matter what, it’s a good year. 



“But I know how they feel in the same way we feel as it wouldn’t be complete without going to Phoenix and being a part of that Championship 4. To me, it’s like winning a championship [in] getting there. And then, if all the stars align and you execute, then you can come out of there with something very special, which would be amazing. But right now, I think the reward for them would be to go to Phoenix.”

Jeff Gordon

NASCAR

5GOATs

Jeff Gordon advocates for current NASCAR Playoff model

team image

Pro News

NFL News

NFL Draft News

NBA News

NBA Draft News

Culture

Sports Betting

About

Football

Basketball

Women's Basketball

Softball

Baseball

Alabama

Arizona State

Arizona

Arkansas

Auburn

Baylor

Boston College

California

Removed

Clemson

Colorado

Duke

Florida

Florida State

Georgia

Georgia Tech

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Iowa State

Kansas

Kansas State

Kentucky

Lettermen Row

Lettermen Lounge

Louisville

Maryland

Miami

Michigan State

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi State

Missouri

NC State

Nebraska

North Carolina

Northwestern

Notre Dame

Ohio State

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

Ole Miss

The Main Board

Oregon

Oregon State

Penn State

Pittsburgh

Purdue

Rutgers

South Carolina

Stanford

Syracuse

Tennessee

Texas A&M

Texas

Texas Tech

UCLA

Utah

Vanderbilt

Virginia

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest

Washington

Washington State

West Virginia

Wisconsin

BamaOnLine

BOL Round Table

Inside Texas

IT Members Only

DawgsHQ

Dawg Walk

Scoop Duck

Recruiting & Sports

AuburnSports

The Corner

WeAreSC

GarryP's Trojan Huddle

The Wolverine

The Fort

The Lions Den

The Wolfpacker

The Wolves’ Den

GatorsOnline

Swamp Talk

Alabama A&M

Alabama State

Albany

Alcorn State

Abilene Christian

Appalachian State

Akron

Army

Austin Peay

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Arkansas-Little Rock

Arkansas State

Air Force

Ball State

American

Wofford

Winthrop

Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Wisconsin-Green Bay

Wichita State

Western Carolina

Volleyball

Gymnastics

Men's Lacrosse

Women's Lacrosse

Men's Soccer

Women's Soccer

Women's Track

Men's Golf

Women's Golf

Men's Hockey

Women's Hockey

Men's Swimming

Women's Swimming

Wrestling

Men's Tennis

Women's Tennis

Annual $1

Annual Premium

Annual $1 

Monthly

Annual

Unlimited Access to This and All Articles.

Article (On3 Plus Rivals)

Forum (On3 Plus Rivals)

Intro

Join

College scoop, experts, and community - all in one.

Winback

Way-Too-Early CFB prediction

2026 All-America Team

Final 2026 recruiting rankings

5-Star Countdown

Announce settlement agreement

Duke, Darian Mensah

Asks for Bediako judge recusal

NCAA files motion 

New update on eligibility

Charles Bediako