Much has been said in recent months about a NASCAR Playoff Committee, including rumors about who could actually be calling the shots. At the center of it all? It might be none other than Dale Earnhardt Jr., the NASCAR Hall of Famer and media mogul.
It started with Christopher Bell’s heartbreak at Martinsville. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver thought he had done enough to make the Championship 4 — until NASCAR ruled his move illegal and took away his shot at a title. Bell didn’t hide his frustration, saying “I feel cheated. I feel cheated out of a chance to compete for a championship.”
But instead of forgetting about it, Bell has been given a voice on the Playoff Committee. Some insiders say this is more than just a pat on the back — it’s a way to keep Bell’s growing influence in check.
According to NASCAR’s Mike Forde, Bell has already spoken up in committee meetings, pushing to change the championship track rotation. Could this be the start of a driver uprising against the current playoff system?
Related: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has mixed feelings about NASCAR guaranteed starting spot rule
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Mysterious Influence
While Bell’s role is confirmed, another name keeps popping up in whispers — Dale Earnhardt Jr. — the longtime advocate for a return to traditional season-long championships has been vocal last year, saying “The best way to determine your champion is the season-long race of running all of the races, the way we used to do it years ago.”
Mike Forde’s cryptic comments about Hall of Fame drivers, team owners and media members on the committee have fueled speculation that Earnhardt Jr. is behind the scenes. Dale Earnhardt Jr. owns Dirty Mo Media, a powerful voice in the industry, and has been pushing for changes to the playoff format.
Is Dale Jr. calling the shots? Some think he might be using his influence to make sure traditionalists have a seat at the table. But with other vocal guys like Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick in the mix — both of whom have strong opinions on the playoffs — it’s unclear if Earnhardt Jr. is truly the one actually behind it all.
More Questions Than Answers
Besides Bell and Dale Earnhardt Jr., the full Playoff Committee roster is still unknown. NASCAR confirmed that members include drivers from all three manufacturers — Chevy, Ford and Toyota — as well as team owners, broadcasters and NASCAR executives.
Some say Denny Hamlin, despite his ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR, might be included. Brad Keselowski, as a driver and team co-owner, is another potential insider. Ben Kennedy and Julia Landauer, NASCAR executives, add to the mix. So who’s in charge?
One thing is for sure: the Playoff Committee has the power to change the championship format. Will they listen to the traditionalists (rumored to be the likes of Earnhardt Jr. ) or the new school playoff reformers (the younger drivers)? We’ll see.
For now, the rumors will fly and the fans will be watching to see if Dale Jr. has his fingerprints all over the next big change.
Related: The English track Dale Earnhardt Jr is open to NASCAR running