Dale Jr. reacts to Joey Logano NASCAR playoff protection

Dale Earnhardt Jr. needs to have a nuanced dialog concerning the ongoing NASCAR Cup Sequence championship format debate.

On one hand, Earnhardt is a traditionalist however on the opposite, he additionally needs to present credit score to three-time and defending champion Joey Logano for his accomplishments on this period whereas additionally wanting one thing just a little totally different sooner or later.

This was the theme of a dialog the two-time Daytona 500 winner had with greatest buddy and longtime spotter TJ Majors this week on an episode of the Dale Jr Obtain in response to the next Playoff Media Day quote from Logano himself.

“As a fan, I wish to see (drivers) scared, and our playoff system now does that,” Logano stated. “I’ve at all times been the particular person to say, ‘In the event you’re complaining about it, then simply do higher.’ In the event you scored a bunch of factors throughout an everyday season and also you didn’t make it to the Championship 4, then disgrace on you. You had a head begin, and you continue to couldn’t do it.

“However don’t say it’s not legit. You can have gone on the market and gained to get in. You didn’t. Simply because it didn’t give you the results you want, it doesn’t imply change the principles.”

So then got here the nuance from Earnhardt in response.

“You possibly can imagine that Joey Logano is a official champion and nonetheless imagine that the playoffs needs to be totally different,” Earnhardt stated. “I feel that Joey is a official champion. I feel that Joey’s trophies that he has in his possession are as cool and actual and as historic as another champion in our sequence ever, proper? All via the historical past of NASCAR, each championship has been gained underneath a unique set of circumstances, whether or not it’s how the playoff factors are tallied, whether or not it’s the competitors degree.”

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Earnhardt pointed to the shortage of parity within the 70s in comparison with right this moment for instance of how this dialog is approach deeper than simply the playoff format.

“My level being not simply the playoffs and the way you rating factors has modified. The game has developed. Each championship is exclusive. So is Joey’s. However I don’t assume the single-race format is the easiest way to resolve the champion. It doesn’t imply Joey doesn’t should be celebrated. And it doesn’t imply in the event that they have been to vary it, it wouldn’t dilute or take away from what he did. What’s accomplished is completed.”

Nevertheless, Earnhardt additionally stated it’s true that final 12 months he went from being properly exterior the top-10 within the championship standings to inside factors of the chief because of successful only a single race.

That’s what this format is.

“He went from what number of races out of the factors result in like one after which they get erased after every spherical,” Earnhardt stated. “That is the way in which I see it. This technique positively advantages (him as a result of he) went from eight races behind the chief in factors to at least one race. I imply, that is good. You then finish the season with some sturdy races to your firm or your staff and he’s arguably the most effective at this technique. He is aware of easy methods to grind out each single level and take these …”

However he additionally factors out that Logano solely even superior to the Spherical of 8 after he had been eradicated however then reinstated on account of Alex Bowman failing post-race inspection. Earnhardt known as it a ‘bizarre set of circumstances.’

Earnhardt stated that NASCAR appears to be coming round that some type of change must occur. It won’t occur in 2026 by each account however Earnhardt thinks there’ll finally be a 3 or 4 race championship deciding spherical. However once more, it would not take away from what Logano has accomplished 3 times in seven years and counting.

“Joey can go to mattress feeling comfy and assured,” Earnhardt stated. “I do know folks use him for instance as to why we want change. It is a good instance to make use of however he did win it. He does have the trophy.”

Earnhardt additionally concede that Benny Parsons gained the 1973 Winston Cup with only one lead lap end and Matt Kenseth gained it in 2003 with solely a single win however he nonetheless enjoys assumed full season factors yearly, even recognizing that drivers run it totally different with stage factors in thoughts.

He additionally simply misses the consequence of a single DNF or win occurring in the identical race and what that meant for a season lengthy championship marketing campaign. He even acknowledged a few of that’s merely nostalgia.

“There by no means might be an ideal playoff format, by no means,” Earnhardt stated. “However all of us do appear to assume that there must be just a little bit greater of a pattern dimension of ultimate races for that remaining spherical, and I feel that is in all probability what we’re gonna get.”