The Official 2024-25 NASCAR Offseason Discussion Thread

[Stellar]

I mean really, when Hamlin made the move to try to pass Logano and Dillon he was taking a chance that he would be able to pass them clean. There was no guarantee that he would get by them clean. After watching the replay of what happened it looks like Dillon went back down to block Hamlin but Hamlin also had moved up after the turn and then he got turned. Hamlin didn't stay completely on the bottom. So to me there isn't even a clear and obvious intent by Dillon to spinning Hamlin on purpose, even if Austin did intend to do it.

 

[Tommy Bedlam]

I’m hearing all kinds of shit. Somebody on TT said Elton Sawyer is about to address the media. I’m telling yall, they’re gonna give this to Hamlin

 

[Hidden Blaze]

The move on Joey, I think is okay. But he right hooked Denny, and I don’t think we should be doing things like that tbh. Bubba and Chase got in trouble for it, at much faster tracks I’ll give you that, but I don’t know, probably still shouldn’t really do it anywhere.

 

[Tommy Bedlam]

If they want to fine him for the right hook...eh, alright I guess. But it's still a different situation than those guys. Bubba and Chase were both looking for a revenge shot at faster tracks. Dillon was dodging a wreck (albeit one that he caused) while racing for the win. Ultimately, what Austin Dillon did is the result of this bullshit playoff system that tells drivers to win a race and earn a shot at a championship. It's always been a shitty system, it'll always be a shitty system.

 

[Hidden Blaze]

Oh it’s 1000% on the playoffs. He went from 32nd in points, to the 13th seed in the playoffs. The fact that he has had the season he’s had, and now gets to race for a championship is ridiculous. If they wanna have this playoff bs, get rid of win in and your in, and take the top 16 in points (rather it be a smaller number but whatever they seem to want 16) and that’s it.

 

[Tommy Bedlam]

Some Silly Season rumblings for the Xfinity series, nothing set in stone. Some speculation that Brandon Jones will be leaving JRM to return to JGR. Also, Chandler Smith may be on the move again.

 

[Stellar]

I still believe that what helps Dillons case with what happened is that Hamlin clearly moved up the track as they connected. People are claiming it on "racing line" but Hamlin was taking a chance of trying to clear Dillon and Logano while they contacted. Regardless, whatever hammer gets dropped it will happen tomorrow.

Hamlin last night said something like "the sport wont be taken seriously anymore" or whatever along those lines but I am like... someone can win 1 race (or not even win 1 race, like Matt Crafton showed in the truck series), struggle in a lot of the races and still do well enough in the last 10 races to win the championship. It's a joke and a bad system. I mean sure, I am going along with the playoff system but do I wish that it didn't exist? Hell yes. The champions should be drivers who did well during the whole season. Not just 1 race in the regular season and then the last 10 races. In the NFL, they have a playoff system but they still have to play well during the regular season in order to make it to the playoffs. The system in NASCAR is ridiculous and only encourages what happened last night to happen. Ill get off my box.

 

[Hidden Blaze]

Supposedly the SMT data shows that Austin did indeed turn left into Denny, so that could be damming to Austin and help Denny out.

 

[Tommy Bedlam]

Most media people are saying that Dillon may be punished, but there is nothing to indicate that the win will be overturned. They may make an example of him and take away his playoff spot, though.

 

[Doom]

Dillon better thank his lucky stars that win launched him into the playoff spot. Like Blaze said, he was 32nd in points. But hey, a win will get you in, which I think it's a load of bullshit. Yes, this playoff system's a fucking joke and we can all agree on it. Many drivers that does have a successful regular season with a lot of wins gets snake bit in the playoffs by poor performances, they end up being eliminated some point in the playoff not counting the Championship 4. I don't think NASCAR will ever go back to where it once was, when drivers are racing for points for the entire season, without the playoffs. Those days are long gone.

 

[Tommy Bedlam]

Guy pointed out on TikTok earlier how fucked up it is. You can legitimately win 35 races, blow a tire at Phoenix, and not be the champion. This system does not work. I'll be honest, I like how stage points make people race hard throughout the race, but the playoff system needs a revamp. Ultimately, you can't blame Dillon for doing what he did when he knows it's the only way to get from 32nd to Top 16.

 

[Stellar]

 

[Tommy Bedlam]

https://www.jayski.com/2024/08/13/e...ar-contract-extension-with-legacy-motor-club/ Jones had been tossed around as a potential replacement driver for a few different teams, but he's staying put. TBH, don't love it for him or Legacy. Feels like an average at best team holding onto an average driver in the name of familiarity.

 

[Hidden Blaze]

Guy pointed out on TikTok earlier how fucked up it is. You can legitimately win 35 races, blow a tire at Phoenix, and not be the champion. This system does not work. I'll be honest, I like how stage points make people race hard throughout the race, but the playoff system needs a revamp. Ultimately, you can't blame Dillon for doing what he did when he knows it's the only way to get from 32nd to Top 16.

Yeah, me and my dad talk about that all the time, like the chances of it happening are legit 0, but the fact it could happen, shows how broken it is. Then you got people who are like “Well New England went perfect in the season and then all the way to the Super Bowl blah blah blah and loss.” Like yeah, but The Patriots didn’t play every single team every single week, so it’s not something that you can compare. Every single driver every single week is on the track, now realistically, not all of them have a chance every week, but they are all out there, all trying to get the best finish possible. So yeah, I just hate it. If they wanna do some final 10 race thing, at least go back to the old system. 10 races, no resets, just a 10 race chase. That would be better than this. I much rather a full season championship, idc if it’s a champion decided with two or three races to go, I’ll still watch the races. Would make moments where it does come down to the final race even more special.

 

[Stellar]

I just wish that with his new car and how they purposely have made an effort to even out the cars that they would consider ditching this playoff system and giving the old system another try. Besides, between the new car, the stages that encourages the drivers to be competitive the whole race and this option tire thing that so far I think that they have something with, they don't need to do these other gimmicks that are connected to the playoff system that hurts the integrity of having a full season champion.