2024 marks a full decade since NASCAR shook up its Cup Series with the introduction of the elimination-style playoff format. The result was a rollercoaster of edge-of-your-seat drama featuring fierce rivalries, and jaw-dropping moments that have kept fans chattering long after the checkered flag. With drivers clawing their way through every round, desperate to keep their seasons alive and grab a shot at glory, the stakes have never been higher. Today, we’re diving into 10 of the most iconic moments from the past decade that have defined this era of NASCAR.

Let’s strap in and relive the action.

10. 2015 Round of 12: Joey Logano Sweeps the Round

Joey Logano kicked off the 2015 Round of 12 with a bang at Charlotte Motor Speedway, leading an incredible 227 laps and holding off Kevin Harvick to secure the win. But that was just the beginning. At Kansas, Logano turned heads—and sparked controversy—when he made a late move on Matt Kenseth with just five laps to go, denying Kenseth a spot in the next round. The drama peaked at Talladega, where chaos erupted on the final restart. Kevin Harvick’s engine blew, cars wrecked behind him, and Logano edged out Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a photo finish. Three races, three wins—it was a statement sweep from Logano.

9. 2015 Chicagoland Speedway: Harvick vs. Johnson

Things got heated at Chicagoland during the 2015 Round of 16. Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson tangled after a restart, with Johnson’s aggressive moves leading to contact that cut Harvick’s tire. The result? Harvick spun out, ending his race on a sour note. Post-race tensions boiled over when Johnson visited Harvick’s motorhome to explain himself. Harvick wasn’t having it, shoving Johnson in frustration before the two exchanged a few sharp words and went their separate ways.

8. 2020 Martinsville Speedway: Chase Elliott’s Redemption

Chase Elliott’s performance at Martinsville in 2020 was nothing short of heroic. Leading 236 of the 500 laps, Elliott looked unstoppable. But when his jackman, TJ Semke, jumped over the wall too early during a crucial pit stop, it seemed Elliott’s championship hopes might be over. In a brilliant move, Semke ran back to tag the wall, nullifying the penalty. Elliott went on to win the race, punching his ticket to the Championship 4 and setting the stage for his title win at Phoenix. Talk about clutch.

7. 2015 Dover Motor Speedway: Harvick’s Crunch-Time Heroics

With his playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Kevin Harvick entered the 2015 Round of 16 finale at Dover needing a win to survive. The defending champ lived up to his nickname, “The Closer,” by dominating the race. He led a staggering 355 laps at the Monster Mile, delivering a masterclass in pressure racing and securing his spot in the next round.

6. 2024 Playoff Drama: Bowman Out, Logano In

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It was the kind of playoff drama that NASCAR left a sour taste in more than a few fans’ mouths but alas, rules are rules. Alex Bowman, on the cusp of advancing to the Round of 8, saw his hopes crushed when his car failed post-race inspection at the Charlotte Roval. The No. 48 Chevrolet was found underweight, resulting in disqualification. Bowman tumbled out of playoff contention, opening the door for Joey Logano.

Logano, who had been facing elimination, went on to win the Round of 8 opener at Las Vegas and eventually clinched his third championship at Phoenix. Bowman’s misfortune became Logano’s lifeline.

5. 2017 Martinsville Speedway: Hamlin vs. Elliott

The 2017 Round of 8 opener at Martinsville brought fireworks as Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott fought for victory. With four laps to go, Hamlin made an aggressive move, shoving Elliott’s car into the wall. The incident cost Elliott what would have been his first Cup win and a spot in the Championship 4. Fans were furious, booing Hamlin loudly post-race. The feud set the tone for future clashes between the two drivers.

4. 2024 Clash: Busch vs. Stenhouse Jr.

Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. brought the drama in 2024 during a heated clash. The two tangled early in the race, with Busch’s bump sending Stenhouse into the wall. Stenhouse parked his wrecked car in Busch’s pit stall, climbed onto the team’s pit box, and confronted Busch’s crew chief.

The confrontation escalated post-race, with Stenhouse landing a solid hook on Busch’s chin before being separated. NASCAR handed out hefty fines and suspensions, but the fiery encounter left its mark as one of the wildest moments of the decade.

3. 2019 Martinsville Speedway: Hamlin vs. Logano

Martinsville once again became the stage for tempers flaring in 2019. Late in the race, Denny Hamlin squeezed Joey Logano, causing Logano to spin after a flat tire. The post-race confrontation on pit road turned physical, with Logano shoving Hamlin and crews from both teams stepping in to prevent a full-blown brawl. The intensity of the playoffs was on full display.

2. 2014 Texas Motor Speedway: Gordon vs. Keselowski

This one had it all—high stakes, on-track drama, and a post-race brawl. Late in the 2014 Round of 8 race at Texas, Brad Keselowski forced a three-wide move, cutting Jeff Gordon’s tire and ending his chances of a win. Gordon confronted Keselowski on pit road, but things escalated when Kevin Harvick gave Keselowski a nudge, sparking a melee between the crews. Keselowski left bloodied, but the moment remains one of the most memorable in playoff history.

1. 2022 Martinsville Speedway: Chastain’s ‘Hail Melon’

It was a move straight out of a video game. With his Championship 4 hopes slipping away, Ross Chastain pulled off the unthinkable at Martinsville in 2022. On the final lap, he floored his car along the outside wall, passing multiple cars in a desperate bid to advance. The daring maneuver, later dubbed the “Hail Melon,” propelled him into the Championship 4 at the expense of Denny Hamlin. Chastain’s boldness captured the imagination of fans worldwide and cemented his place in NASCAR lore.