But before there were fewer races, so there's little difference. What the countdown has done has made two seasons: an 18 race regular season, and a six race post-season. His complaining is just like some guy complaining during race 20 of the old 23 race season that "championships are for suckers".
At the risk of PJ kicking me from here to Milan, I kinda like the added adrenaline the countdown brings. It adds pressure to the middle of the season and it prevents people from locking up championships by Labor Day. But I do think having all the other teams still compete is weird. The idea someone had about making it 8 teams and having two sides to the ladder is kind of interesting. May need more baking for that idea to make a real treat, but it's an interesting idea.