Shane van Gisbergen and Austin Dillon Show How the Playoffs Take the Fun Out of Everything
With the playoffs less than 2 weeks away, the field has been primarily set, but like every year, there are controversies. But what’s the biggest shame isn’t the controversies but that they have to exist at all. They do nothing but drag down what would otherwise be celebrated moments in the sport.
Austin Dillon Richmond Wins vs. RFK!
Like Austin Dillon‘s win last week at Richmond. Something that otherwise would be celebrated as “redemption” (I put that in quotes because to me, anyone who stops Hamlin or Logano from winning more races has done the right thing, but again, that’s me) for his controversial win at Richmond last year and for finally getting a clean win with no asterisks around it.
But instead, many fans bemoan that this puts all of the RFK cars with fan favorites like Keselowski and Preece in must-win situations heading into Daytona. So, the playoffs didn’t only ruin Dillon’s redemption but also RFK’s season. Keselowski has rebounded from an unlucky start to the year, but what’s been impressive has been both of the seasons Preece and Buescher have been having.
What About Ryan Preece?
Preece, in his first season in competitive equipment, is proving he deserves it and getting his first pole of the year at Richmond last week, having 3 top fives and 10 top tens (all career highs), and having 11 races left in the season. At the same time, it has the 13th-best average finish in the series so far, ahead of Kyle Busch, Bubba Wallace, Ty Gibbs, and, of course, Austin Dillon.
While Chris Buescher, despite not having a win, has been one of the best drivers in the Cup Series this year. How could he not be with the 7th best average finish in the series, tied for the 4th most top tens in the series with 12, and the 3rd best average start with an average starting position of 11.2?
On their own, both Buescher’s and Preece’s seasons are impressive, showing their growth and incredible skills as drivers. But these things are no longer emphasized under the playoffs; only winning is. So history will see the likes of Austin Dillon or Cindric as above them in the standings when they had objectively worse seasons.
How the Playoffs Muddled SVG’s Rookie Year
The playoffs also ruined SVG‘s historic rookie season. The ex-V8 Supercars champion has made history in many ways this season. Becoming the first ever driver to win four races in his rookie season and four road course races in the same season.
However, the playoffs haven’t only muddled the celebration of these feats but have also made it harder for some even to be objective about the driver of the 88. This caused a debate among fans about whether SVG deserves to be in the playoffs. Some people believe SVG shouldn’t be in the playoffs, either downplaying the history he’s made in 2025 or exaggerating how bad he is at ovals.
While people who want to see SVG in the playoffs say that his four wins are all he needs, they ignore the rest of his season. The playoffs have made it harder for some to appreciate and be in awe of the road course mastery the Kiwi wheelman has produced this season. However, it’s also embarrassing that he hasn’t secured a top 10 at an oval with Trackhouse, despite showing improvements recently, as seen in his 14th-place finish at Richmond.
Final Thoughts: Alex Bowman is a Victim Too
He’s more of a victim of being on Hendrick and not being a 1st ballot Hall of Famer. The playoffs have also caused his season to become underrated. His lack of wins sees him only two spots ahead of the cutoff line, and failing to make the playoffs with Hendrick is a massive failure.
But his season shouldn’t be anything close to a failure! Bowman boasts the 9th-best average finish in NASCAR, along with 14 top tens, which ties for the 2nd most, and two poles. It’s a perfect season for an excellent driver. Thanks a bunch for reading!
