What a circus…
Mother Nature wreaked havoc on Daytona International Speedway, both tonight and today, for the Coke Zero Sugar 400… the final race of the NASCAR Cup Series regular season.
With two playoff spots available (after Kurt Busch removed himself from contention due to ongoing concussion symptoms), the options were pretty simple for any trying still vying for a spot… win and you’re in.
After a lengthy rain delay, Austin Dillon punched his ticket to the playoffs with his first win of the season, leaving Ryan Blaney and Martin Truex Jr., both sitting top five in points, fighting for the final spot.
SEE YOU IN THE POSTSEASON, AUSTIN! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/IMkpV8jF11
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 28, 2022
And despite Ryan Blaney limping his way across the finish line after an early wreck, enough cars crashed out of the race to give him a slight edge on Martin Truex Jr., who finished the race in 8th.
And just like that, Martin Truex Jr. will not be making the playoffs, despite finishing the regular season 4th in points (Blaney finished 3rd in points), and being one of the most consistent drivers all season long.
Needless to say, NASCAR fans sounded off on the “win and you’re in” format:
NASCAR just proved why their playoff format is the worst thing motorsport has ever seen. Martin Truex Jr, who is SECOND in the standings with no wins, gets knocked out of title contention because someone 19th in the standings wins a lottery race where nobody finishes. What a joke
— Logan Ploder (@LoganPloder328) August 28, 2022
Austin Dillion, 19th in overall points is not a more worthy playoff contender than Martin Truex Jr who was 4th in points and you cannot change my mind on this. Period.
Time to dump this BS "win and youre in" format of the playoffs #NASCAR
— That Dude Named Dale (@xdrey24x) August 28, 2022
So Truex misses out even though he's currently 6th in the points, & yet a driver in 19th gets locked in? Absolutely goes to show that this shitty playoff format doesn't work, never had, never will. This is also why I can't take NASCAR seriously these days 🤷♂️ https://t.co/2QZoHl6D9k
— Ben Benneyworth (@Ben_Benneyworth) August 28, 2022
I’ll say this AGAIN…. @NASCAR for the love of all your remaining fans, get rid of the “Win and in” rule to make playoffs. Make finishing consistently a reward again instead of being FORCED to win to get in….. good freaking God truex got screwed
— William Jones #BostonStrong (56-58) 🏁 (@IndyColtsFan247) August 28, 2022
The craziness of the #NASCAR playoffs is Martin Truex, Jr. earned the most points of any Joe Gibbs Racing driver in the regular season. He's the only one out of the playoffs. #CokeZeroSugar400
— Bradon Long FOX43 (@bradonlongwx) August 28, 2022
Truex missing the playoffs is actually a complete scam. Absolute fraud of a championship system
— Andrew Schwartz (@A_Schwartz67) August 28, 2022
i feel bad for truex. top 5 in regular season points. this goes to show consistency doesn't matter when competing. win a race and you're in the playoffs, which makes no sense.
— KenB_ (@KenB_88) August 28, 2022
Martin Truex Jr could win 4 of the final 10 races and the best he would finish is where he is right now and that's 17th in the standings.
The dumbest shit ever. Basically no point to even give a fuck as far he is concerned.
— Scones (@Prolespeed) August 28, 2022
Fuck “The Playoffs”. I’m not a Truex fan but letting 16 teams in based solely on wins while having garbage seasons is ridiculous. I’m fine with a “Chase” but only let the teams that deserve it in. Absolutely pathetic format, NASCAR should be ashamed. Absolute bullshit.
— Mitch Roberts (@MitchRoberts96) August 28, 2022
disgusting that truex isn’t there, and it’s disgusting that cindric and dillon are in.
— Scott (@Mr_Permafrost) August 28, 2022
+208 and Martin Truex Jr is out anyway because of a system that sucks, NASCAR evidently can’t make rain caution calls that wreck the field…..Austin Dillon can’t win without fucking someone over….. pic.twitter.com/DXDfnnTuZR
— Nathan Platt (@nathanplatt) August 28, 2022
Another interesting point…
And if Kurt Busch and 23XI kept that playoff waiver, neither Blaney, who I think would be 4th in points, and Truex would make it. Unreal. https://t.co/foWpZNFEJ6
— Bonssa Tufa (@Bonssa_T) August 28, 2022
And hey, at least it’s a record:
Martin Truex Jr. finished fourth in the regular season point standings. Obviously Truex sets a record for the highest driver in the standings to miss the playoffs.
Ryan Blaney ended up third in the regular season (Joey Logano was P2).
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) August 28, 2022
Either way, the playoffs are SET.
The first race of the round of 16 will take place next Sunday, September 4th, at Darlington Raceway.
Introducing the 16 drivers who will compete for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series championship! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/fjsaleI3f1
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 28, 2022
