Mark Martin calls on NASCAR to 'tell us the truth' about revenue addiction despite fan unrest

NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin has been vocal in opposition of the current playoff and championship format. Martin has been adamant that NASCAR doesn’t need a postseason, instead advocating for the return of the full-season points format.

Martin will continue pounding the drum for change. That is, until NASCAR “tell us the truth.” The 66-year-old said on the “Door Bumper Clear” podcast that he knows the truth as to why the playoff format exists, but he wants NASCAR to admit it publicly.

“I’m smart enough to know that the TV broadcast, NASCAR and the owners are all addicted to the revenue that they bring, whereas in my day, the revenue came directly from the fans from tickets sales and what not. It’s a different day and age, but I will shut up leading that charge when they tell us the truth.

“I know what the truth is, but just come out and say, ‘Hey, we know the majority of the fans would rather see a full 36-race championship, but here’s why we’re not going to do it.’ Just do that and that’s enough for me.”

Under the playoff format, adopted in 2004 and tweaked along the way, winning is everything. NASCAR switched to an elimination-style format in 2014, where 16 drivers make up the field. Winning at least one regular season race grants entry into the postseason. The playoffs take part across 10 races with four drivers eliminated after every three races until four remain. The season finale is a winner-takes-all championship race.

The current playoff format came under fire following Joey Logano’s victory in the championship race at Phoenix this past season, in which the Team Penske driver captured his third title. Logano had an average finish of 17.1, the worst for a driver in a championship-winning season.

Will NASCAR change the playoff format for 2026?

NASCAR made no changes to the playoff format for 2025. It did, however, assemble a group consisting of drivers, team owners, manufacturers and media partners to determine if the playoff format should look different next season. 

Jeff Gluck of The Athletic is a member of the playoff committee. He said on “The Teardown” podcast that while those in the room are in favor of change, TV’s opinion is that they want a playoff and eliminations. NASCAR’s media rights deal is worth $7.7 billion from 2025-31, so they are writing some massive checks and perhaps have the most say.

Gluck said that a few weeks ago, he thought there was a “90 to 95% chance that the one-race playoff was dead next year.” Now, Gluck feels it’s unlikely anything changes as NASCAR is under pressure to release the 2026 schedule as soon as possible.