Dale Jr. reacts to Joey Logano NASCAR playoff protection

Dale Earnhardt Jr. desires to have a nuanced dialog in regards to the ongoing NASCAR Cup Collection championship format debate.

On one hand, Earnhardt is a traditionalist however on the opposite, he additionally desires to present credit score to three-time and defending champion Joey Logano for his accomplishments on this period whereas additionally wanting one thing a bit completely 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 mentioned. “I’ve all the time been the particular person to say, ‘Should you’re complaining about it, then simply do higher.’ Should 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 possibly can have gone on the market and received to get in. You didn’t. Simply because it didn’t be just right for you, it doesn’t imply change the foundations.”

So then got here the nuance from Earnhardt in response.

“You’ll be able to imagine that Joey Logano is a professional champion and nonetheless imagine that the playoffs ought to be completely different,” Earnhardt mentioned. “I believe that Joey is a professional champion. I believe that Joey’s trophies that he has in his possession are as cool and actual and as historic as another champion in our collection ever, proper? All by way of the historical past of NASCAR, each championship has been received underneath a special set of circumstances, whether or not it’s how the playoff factors are tallied, whether or not it’s the competitors degree.”

Earnhardt pointed to the dearth of parity within the 70s in comparison with in the present day 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 advanced. Each championship is exclusive. So is Joey’s. However I don’t suppose the single-race format is one of the best ways to determine the champion. It doesn’t imply Joey doesn’t should be celebrated. And it doesn’t imply in the event that they had been to vary it, it wouldn’t dilute or take away from what he did. What’s performed is finished.”

Nevertheless, Earnhardt additionally mentioned it’s true that final yr he went from being nicely exterior the top-10 within the championship standings to inside factors of the chief due to profitable 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 mentioned. “That is the best way I see it. This technique undoubtedly advantages (him as a result of he) went from eight races behind the chief in factors to 1 race. I imply, that is good. You then finish the season with some sturdy races to your firm or your crew and he’s arguably the very best at this method. He is aware of the best way 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 attributable to Alex Bowman failing post-race inspection. Earnhardt referred to as it a ‘bizarre set of circumstances.’

Earnhardt mentioned that NASCAR appears to be coming round that some sort 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 does not take away from what Logano has performed thrice in seven years and counting.

“Joey can go to mattress feeling snug and assured,” Earnhardt mentioned. “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 received the 1973 Winston Cup with only one lead lap end and Matt Kenseth received it in 2003 with solely a single win however he nonetheless enjoys assumed full season factors yearly, even recognizing that drivers run it completely 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 will probably be an ideal playoff format, by no means,” Earnhardt mentioned. “However all of us do appear to suppose that there must be a bit bit greater of a pattern measurement of ultimate races for that last spherical, and I believe that is most likely what we’re gonna get.”