DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The playoff field for the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series will expand by two beginning this season.
NASCAR officials revealed Tuesday that the sanctioning body will expand the playoff field from eight drivers to 10 this year. The number of postseason races will remain seven, but the elimination format will be adjusted to compensate for the additional two drivers.
Following the first three races in the Truck Series playoffs, two drivers will be eliminated from contention. Following the second round of the Truck Series playoffs, an additional four drivers will be eliminated. The final four competitors will battle for the championship on Nov. 6 at Phoenix Raceway.
“The way the format was structured in the Gander Truck Series with the round of eight, round of six, round of four, we were leaving some excitement on the table,” said Brad Moran, managing director for the NASCAR Gander TV & Outdoors Trucks Series in a story on NASCAR.com. “Maybe three or four years ago, not so much, but certainly the last couple of years with the series strengthening to the position it’s in right now, we really felt putting 10 teams into the playoffs for a round of 10 is just going to make it that much more exciting and interesting, and will put a lot of emphasis on winning races, which is what we try to do.”
NASCAR introduced eliminations to Cup Series beginning with the 2014 season, with similar playoff formats coming to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Truck Series two years thereafter. Matt Crafton is the defending Truck Series champion.