NASCAR has been one of those sports which has embraced a lot of changes in the 21st century. From the new points system to the ever-evolving race structure, it has adopted everything to stay in the competition. However, one of the most important changes adopted by NASCAR was the chase format.

In 2004 NASCAR introduced the playoff system to heighten competition in the later stage of the season. Since then, it has produced some iconic moments and unprecedented results. The pressure of the championship has brought a lot of unforgettable performances both best and worst.

However, there have been a few incidents when fans and experts were left shocked by some poor performances in playoffs. Whether due to self-inflicted errors, on-track clashes, or an inability to adapt to playoff pressure these drivers have failed to put up a show. So, here are five of the most disappointing playoff appearances in NASCAR history.

Michael McDowell, 2021, NASCAR Cup Series

The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series started with a shocking result. Michael McDowell won the iconic Daytona 500 and entered the postseason as an underdog. While this win was a career milestone, McDowell’s performance throughout the regular season placed him among the top contenders.

However, once the playoffs began, McDowell started struggling. In the first race of the Round of 16 at Darlington, he crashed out early and finished 37th. This disastrous start left him in a deep points hole that he could not recover from. His next two races at Richmond and Bristol were equally underwhelming, with finishes outside the top 20. These poor results eliminated him from the first round of playoffs as he finished 16th.

Jeremy Clements, 2022, NASCAR Xfinity

Jeremy Clements’ 2022 season was a clear example of a team punching above its weight. At the start of the season, Clements registered a surprise victory at Daytona and earned his playoff spot. However, things didn’t go as planned for Clements as he failed to put up a show in the chase.

Jeremy Clements Racing failed to provide him with a competitive car which exposed his inability to compete against top contenders.  Clements’ lack of speed was exposed in the Round of 12 where he struggled with poor finishes. He finished 12th in Texas, 35th in Talladega, and 20th in the Charlotte Roval. These below-par performances ended Clements’ dream run without troubling the top contenders.

Kyle Busch, 2020, NASCAR Cup Series

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Kyle Busch is the most successful driver in NASCAR’s modern era. Among active drivers, he has the most wins i.e. 63 in the NASCAR Cup Series. In 2019, Busch won his second championship with a dominant performance. Despite entering the 2020 season as regening champion Busch failed to put up a show.

Despite 20 top-10 finishes Busch failed to win a single race during the regular season. However, things got worse in the playoffs as he failed to make a comeback. In playoffs also, Busch struggled a lot and fell way behind in the title race. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver failed to repeat his 2019 heroics as he had six DNFs in the 2020 season including one in playoffs. This below-par performance eliminated him in the second round of the playoffs ending his championship dreams.

Brian Vickers, 2009, NASCAR Cup Series

Red Bull Racing entered the NASCAR scene in 2007. In the first two years of their operations, the team heavily relied on Brian Vickers for desired results. However, their trust paid off in 2009 when the number 83 driver secured his spot in playoffs. He won the race at Michigan International Speedway and delivered some other notable performances.

However, as soon as the playoffs began, things quickly went downhill. Vickers failed to put up a show as he consistently finished outside the top 10. His inconsistent run along with a DNF in Phoenix led to his elimination. Notably, this race also marked his last appearance in the NASCAR Cup series playoffs.

Erik Jones, 2019, NASCAR Cup Series

Erik Jones‘ performance in the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season was a rollercoaster. Jones started his season strong with a big win at Darlington. One of his best performances came at Kentucky, where he fought his way from 21st on the grid to finish 3rd. With a consistent performance in regular season Jones was one of the top contenders to win the championship.

However, as the playoffs began, things quickly went downhill for Jones and his team. In the first playoff race, an engine failure ended his race prematurely. Next week Jones put up a show by finishing fourth before a controversy struck and shattered his championship dreams. In post-race inspection, Jones’ car was found to have illegal additions, leading to his disqualification. This penalty crushed his playoff hopes as he finished in 16th place.