NASCAR is stirring the pot with its tentative 2025 playoff schedule, and fans are not holding back their frustration. The new lineup has Talladega Superspeedway making a move because of NASCAR’s 10-race playoff schedule, and let’s just say, many fans are not thrilled to lose one of their favorite track spots. And rightfully so, with the stakes higher than ever, this decision is raising eyebrows and tempers alike.

According to The Athletic report by Jordan Bianchi, the NASCAR 2025 schedule is said to kick off with Darlington, Gateway, and New Hampshire making their playoff debut, which has some fans excited, especially since Gateway is coming to the playoffs. However, the Round of 12 features New Hampshire, Kansas, and the Charlotte ROVAL, and that’s where the concerns really start to bubble up with everyone as the new playoff races will be replacing Atlanta, Watkins Glen, and Homestead-Miami. What’s the big issue, one might wonder?

Well, Talladega is in the semifinal round, and it is known for its unpredictability and tendency to create chaos, which has many NASCAR enthusiasts worrying that this could lead to disastrous outcomes as their favorite drivers battle it out for a shot at the championship.

Fans are questioning why NASCAR would make such a call, despite knowing what Talladega can do. One fan summed it up perfectly: “What a m***nic decision to have a roll-of-the-dice superspeedway race in the playoffs.” According to them, it’s like throwing a party and inviting the wild card—sure, it might be fun, but you’re also risking a total mess!

Right now, there’s a lot of skepticism about how these changes will affect the playoff dynamics altogether. With Talladega’s reputation for unpredictability, many are questioning whether this is really the best way to determine who gets to chase the championship. To add to the chaos, the inclusion of an international race in Mexico City adds an extra layer of intrigue for the next season, which has the fans worried about what NASCAR has planned.

While NASCAR has yet to officially disclose all the details of the 2025 schedule, the tentative lineup that was released has already sparked significant backlash from fans on social media. Despite the excitement surrounding new additions like Gateway, many of them are not on board with the direction NASCAR seems to be heading, particularly with Talladega’s controversial placement in the playoffs!

Here’s what NASCAR fans had to say

The decision to include Talladega Superspeedway in the Round of 8 for the 2025 playoffs has ignited a firestorm of reactions from fans, and it is far from what NASCAR might have expected. One fan humorously pointed out the need for an early noon start, suggesting that it would be necessary to allow enough time for all the overtime restarts and cleanups before the sun sets.

Another fan briefly summarized the overall dilemma: “One of two things will happen at Talladega: someone tries to make a crazy move and takes out a championship contender, or everyone plays it super safe, resulting in an even more boring superspeedway race than usual.” Highlighting the fear that the race could swing wildly in either direction—either leading to thrilling drama or a lackluster performance.

Some fans have even suggested that if Talladega must be included in the playoffs, it should be the first race in the Round of 8 to maximize the chaos. “If they wanted to make storylines for the championship round, they got it,” one fan remarked. “But if they wanted to keep the Round of 8 as the cream of the crop—tracks where the fastest earn their way to Phoenix—they really dropped the ball.” This sentiment reflects a broader concern that the superspeedway’s unpredictable nature undermines the competitive potential of the playoffs.

Others expressed personal stakes in the decision, with one fan lamenting, “Well, bye-bye Larson making the final four in 2025 (unless he gets a win).” It’s clear that there’s some anxiety surrounding how the race could impact top drivers’ chances for the championship, especially while you may be rooting for them.

Despite the mixed feelings, there are still fans who love the thrill of Talladega. As one fan noted, “Absolutely love Talladega but not looking forward to the eight overtime restarts this is going to cause.” They acknowledged that while plate racing can be exhilarating, they believe it belongs in the first round of the playoffs, where the chaos can be better managed.

So it’s clear that the fanbase is genuinely worried about what this decision by NASCAR could mean for the playoffs. And until NASCAR themselves give the fans a clear announcement, the discussions will continue to heat up in hopes that the officials may change their minds before the 2024 season concludes. Until then, all we can do is wait and look forward to the next couple of weeks before this season’s playoffs begin! Who are you rooting for?