NASCAR is using AI to generate a new playoff format after criticism
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AI could help NASCAR form a brand new playoff format for 2025
The NASCAR Playoffs have been in place since the 2004 season. Since then, the format has been tweaked several times.
In 2024, Joey Logano was eliminated from the playoffs, early. However, Alex Bowman was issued a hefty post-race penalty. That bumped Bowman into elimination, putting Logano back into the playoff battle.
Alex Bowman disqualified after Charlotte; Eliminated from playoffs
Weeks later, Logano went on to to win the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship. Not surprisingly, some fans were disappointed with the outcome.
Denny Hamlin spoke on this via his podcast, “I talked to Mike Ford a little last night, NASCAR Comms. I said, ‘Man, this format is getting hammered on the net’ and he’s like ‘It’s bots, it’s not real people.’ “
Denny Hamlin knocks the NASCAR playoff system
Ironically, now NASCAR has turned to the super computers. NASCAR exective Steve O’Donnell says the sport is exploring AI tools as they seek out a new playoff format.
Christopher Bell was another critic of the playoff format. He noted that he felt cheated as Team Chevy drivers lined up behind William Byron, refusing to pass him at Martinsville. Bell was then penalized for riding the wall in the same race.
Christopher Bell feels 'cheated' after 'fixed' NASCAR playoff race
NASCAR comments on using AI
“Just around racing, the strategy that now goes into a race, how that applies to our formats of the future, I think AI can play a really big role in that,” Steve O’Donnell told SBJ.
“When we created even the stages or playoff format, you did that with the best data you had and best minds you had.”
“But, now being able to plug in and work with AI in terms of, ‘Ok, if you tweak the playoffs this way, what should we be watching out for’ or ‘How could that affect the sport?’ “
“There’s so much data and technology out there that you can now throw into a model. I think it’s going to be very helpful in looking at some predictive analysis of where the sport can go in the future and then there’s the whole business side of things too.”
The current version of the playoffs has been in use since the 2017 season.
Earlier this month, Kyle Larson hinted that NASCAR might be changing the playoff format for the 2025 season. He said, “Who knows what the new format will be.”
Kyle Larson hints at a new playoff format
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