It all traces back to the early 2000s. In 2003, Matt Kenseth clinched the Cup Series championship with just one win. Sure, he was consistent all year long, but fans weren’t buying it, especially since the Wisconsin native had the title locked up before the green flag even dropped on the season finale. Around the same time, Jimmie Johnson began his reign, racking up five straight championships with Hendrick Motorsports from 2006 to 2010.

The dominance was impressive, but to NASCAR brass, it was too predictable. So they decided to shake things up. By 2014, NASCAR rolled out the elimination-style playoff format, a bold move meant to keep fans glued to their seats, whether in the grandstands or on their couches. On paper, it had all the ingredients: the high stakes of a “win and you’re in” se

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