“We’re not going to do it unless…!” NASCAR COO sets condition to tweak the playoff format amidst controversy
NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell has shared how the discussions around potential changes to the playoff format is going.
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Steve O’Donnell explains potential changes to playoffs (Images via IMAGO and racingnews.com)
The 2024 NASCAR season exposed some of the major issues with the playoff format. Joey Logano, who had an average regular season, peaked at the right moment with luck on his side, secured his third championship. He defeated the likes of Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and regular season champion Tyler Reddick, all of whom who had more consistent year.
There was a significant group in the NASCAR community who disliked the No:22 Ford driver’s victory and demanded the sanctioning body to tweak the format. Following the season finale, it was reported that the industry is looking into making the changes. Now the COO Steve O’Donnell has addressed the potential changes coming in the way.
In an interview with Sports Business Journell, O’Donnell confirmed that they will look into different ideas and how it can enhance the playoffs. He added that the changes would be made on the condition that it is in the best interest of the sport as well as how they can make the fans more engaged in the post-season.
We’ll look at different ideas, and if we can make tweaks to enhance it, we certainly will do that, but we’re not going to do it unless we feel like it’s in the best interest of the sport and really drives even more engagement from our fans.
Steve O’Donnell said via SBJ.
Steve O'Donnell on playoff changes: "We’ll look at different ideas, and if we can make tweaks to enhance it we certainly will do that, but we’re not going to do it unless we feel like it’s in the best interest of the sport and really drives even more engagement from our fans." pic.twitter.com/SHLK8Cpakq
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) December 23, 2024
Steve O’Donnell confirms NASCAR industry is working as group to fix the playoff format
The NASCAR senior executive while talking about the point, he revealed that the industry is looking into the playoffs and trying fix it, though changes aren’t 100% guaranteed. He also asserted that one of the biggest things that gives him confidence about the future of the sport is how everyone is involved in helping it to evolve with their inputs.
Yeah, I wouldn’t put a percentage on it. What I would say is that we’ll have an industry working group that will take a look and is already taking a look at the playoffs. The great thing about our system is that this evolved through discussions with the industry — everyone had input to the product and the format that you see today and that will continue.
Steve O’Donnell said.
The comments from Steve O’Donnell shows NASCAR is serious about fixing the playoff format and these changes should credit the regular season performance more. It would be interesting to see what the potential changes will be and how it is going to change the sports forever.
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Justin P Joy
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