NASCAR Questions Trackhouse Post-Race Tactics | Four-Race Final Round Next Year? | Hurricane Relief

Trackhouse’s Gateway weekend didn’t end when the checkered flag flew, it ended with both Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen cutting across the grass on the cool-down lap. NASCAR noticed, and now an executive says meetings are coming. At the same time, talk of a new playoff format — a 3-3-4 structure with potentially a Championship 8 — is gaining traction. Between controversy in the pits and whispers of a postseason overhaul, the sport is buzzing heading into Bristol.

• Did Trackhouse really gain an advantage by scooping up grass and debris, or was it just an overblown stunt that caught the wrong kind of attention?
• Where exactly will NASCAR draw the line? Is rubber pickup on the apron fine, but grass off-roading too far?
• Could the proposed 3-3-4 playoff setup finally replace the winner-take-all finale that has divided fans for a decade?
• If a Championship 8 becomes reality, who benefits most — the consistent season-long contenders or the clutch playoff specialists?

As Bristol looms, these storylines collide. Trackhouse can’t afford a DQ in the playoffs, and NASCAR can’t afford another year of controversy around its championship format. The next few weeks could decide not only who stays alive on track but also what the future of the postseason looks like. What do you think — is NASCAR about to get tougher on gray-area tricks, and would you welcome a Championship 8? Drop your take in the comments and get ready for a wild Bristol weekend.

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