Following the 2024 Cup Series season, NASCAR promised that it would look into making changes to the current playoff format. It took a big step when it put together a committee involving major stakeholders to discuss ideas and make decisions on this.
Denny Hamlin, who is known to be a part of this committee, came out with a head-turning claim about the power dynamics on the table in July. He stated on “Actions Detrimental” that NBC Sports, NASCAR’s biggest TV partner, had the biggest voice in deciding what championship format the sport operated under.
He added, “NASCAR came back to us and says they need to have a long discussion with (NBC Sports). They’re the ones that, you know, should weigh in on this and that we can’t meet with you guys again ’till we meet with them, and that’s going to take a little while.”
This revelation created quite the uproar on social media and strengthened the angst against the promotion and its TV partners. The sentiment was only further fueled by the words of the legendary Mark Martin.
Martin, 66, has been a spokesperson for the fans since this discussion began, and he claimed in an interview with Kenny Wallace that NASCAR didn’t want fans to know that the final decision rested with the TV partners. He also accused the promotion and the committee of being “beholden to the almighty dollar.”
Jeff Burton Cleared the Air on NBC Sports’ Level of Involvement
Now, legendary NASCAR driver Jeff Burton, who is presently an analyst for NBC Sports, has poured water on the fire and attempted to gain some goodwill for his employers.
Appearing on a recent episode of the “Door, Bumper, Clear” podcast, he fired back at the notion that NASCAR’s TV partners were the ones making the final decisions about the championship format.
“I want to be clear about something, and I’m in these meetings,” Martin began. “TV doesn’t make these decisions. NASCAR makes these decisions. And NASCAR takes all the information from all the people that they can take it from. And they make a decision.”
Here’s what @JeffBurton wants fans to understand about TV’s influence 📺🙅♂️ @FreddieKraft | @TBR7NY | @KarsynElledge3pic.twitter.com/kidAfvxjRy
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) September 16, 2025
He further backed himself up by mentioning how he had been a part of the discussion when the current format was created back in 2014, and that even then, the TV partners didn’t get to make such decisions.
“I don’t know where that’s coming from,” Martin noted. “If anyone thinks that TV wrote a prescription, ‘Here’s how you’re going to do this,’ that’s (expletive).”
It has not been publicly confirmed whether TV partners have the final say or not. But it’s clear that not everyone in the sport is comfortable with the level of involvement that the networks may have in the decision-making process.
Related: Brad Keselowski Calls for 3 Critical Fixes to Take NASCAR to the Next Level
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Sep 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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