NASCAR’s playoff format has been through a lot of changes over the past decade. What started as a way to create more excitement at the end of the season has shifted the focus entirely. New questions soon surfaced about fairness and the system rewarding the right drivers. In response, NASCAR recently formed its Playoff Format Committee. This includes a group of insiders, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., to discuss possible tweaks and improvements. Soon enough, new factors came to light about these workings. And recently, Dale Jr even revealed a major truth about the role TV plays in these decisions.

TV networks like FOX and NBC aren’t just broadcasting NASCAR. They are major business partners, bringing in millions through broadcast rights. That kind of money inevitably comes with influence, w

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