NASCAR Playoff Controversy Raises Questions of 'Rigged' Racing

NASCAR has relied upon a “playoff” format to determine champions for most of this century .

NASCAR instituted elimination “rounds” as part of the playoffs, where points get reset at the beginning of every three races.

The drawbacks of this feature became apparent this summer when driver Austin Dillon won a race in Richmond while wrecking two separate cars.

Joey Logano , who had clinched a spot in the Championship Four before the Martinsville race, won Sunday 's race in Phoenix .

The controversy is the result of the drama the series has tried to foster with the playoff format.

NASCAR has traveled far down the road of altering its product (artificially), some would say.