In a comprehensive discussion on his Actions Detrimental podcast on Monday, Denny Hamlin spoke with Steve Letarte, a former crew chief who is now an NBC Sports television commentator. They devoted the majority of the show to suggesting changes to the NSCAR playoff structure.

Joey Logano won his third Cup Series title in seven years, but he did it with the highest average finish in the sport’s history—a topic that has been talked about endlessly over the past week. Logano didn’t produce a body of work that was regarded as outstanding, but he did win strategically at critical moments, had a fortunate escape when Alex Bowman was disqualified at the Roval, and finished the last ten races as a bottom-seeded competitor.

Hamlin informed co-host Jared Allen, “NASCAR has stated that the playoffs are here to stay.” However, it’s intriguing that they kept the option open to say, “But we could tweak.” What does that signify, then? since I have no idea what’s going through their heads.

“Of course, we discussed on this podcast what we would have said if Joey Logano had taken home the title.”

Allen claimed that if Logano took home the title, “there would be outrage.”

“And there have been,” stated Hamlin. “Whether this is correct or not, I will say this: you have to give Joey Logano credit because, in my opinion, he gave his best performance that day, and I would have been content with either Logano or Ryan Blaney winning the title that day.”

However, when they brought Letarte into the room, Hamlin also spoke bluntly to him.

“That’s my question, Steve: it appears that this format is delegitimising the regular season,” Hamlin remarked.

It’s important to remember that each victory during the regular season earns five bonus points that can be used at the beginning of each playoff round. That total is increased by one extra point for each stage victory. After the regular season, the player with the most points receives 15 bonus points, which is equal to three victories. The driver in tenth position receives one extra point, whereas the driver in second place receives ten, the third receives eight, and so on.

Success in a regular season carries extra weight.

However, Hamlin included his recommendation for a playoff format adjustment.

He wants every race in the regular season to earn twice as many stage points for NASCAR. Therefore, give winners of a stage 20 championship points instead of 10, then 18, 16, etc. After the seven races, Hamlin wants to compete in a three-race championship round, which is a points race, with the top four drivers from the round of 16.

How about Letarte’s concept?

Letarte declared, “You’re in the playoffs if you win a race.” “There aren’t any; I won’t even bother to count the points because I don’t care about them. For the guys who don’t qualify for the playoffs, I’ll count them. You’re in if you win. We might have six, or sixteen. Only winners advance to the playoffs, and I won’t even select a number. No matter how many points you earn, you go home if you lose. Like, I’m grateful. Victory Lane should be the best because winning is what counts and what people support. You must so win a race for 26 weeks.

I could debate the format, but after that, we run. Either all of the guys from the ten-week period or all of the guys who were eliminated in some way with three races remaining in the final round. Race and stage victories are still used to seed because, when Denny wins the year’s first race, I want them to believe that I must continue to win. There is still a first to the number of winners, therefore I would still seed everyone in a bracket rather than eliminating them from the tournament.