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This weekend the Charlotte Observer published a story suggesting that NASCAR would be revising its' Chase for the Sprint Cup points system again.
The idea is to further NASCAR Chairman and CEO, Brian Z. France's, goal of making the finale like a “seventh game” in the World Series-like event.
The key component would be a second reset of the points after the ninth race to make the series finale, likely remaining at the Homestead Miami Speedway, available as a one-race shoot-out among the top-four points drivers.
The basic changes would:
• Increase the number of Chase seeded drivers to 16 from 12. One victory would assure a seed with the drivers with the most points break any ties.
• Knockout eliminations after the third sixth and ninth rounds.
• As stated above the season finale would be a shoot out for the top four drivers in points.
NASCAR declined to comment on the story, but is consulting with teams about new rules which will likely be announced within two weeks at the annual Media Tour in Charlotte.
The genesis of the NASCAR Chase goes back to the 2003 season when Matt Kenseth won his only title to date based on consistency rather than wins. The old system was designed to reward consistency - versus points for wins - so as to reward smaller teams which needed season ending bonuses to survive. But the lack of drama was too much for NASCAR officials who try to model their series after the NFL. Thus the Chase was born in 2004.
With Jimmie Johnson taking six out of the last eight championships, in Michael Schumacher-like Formula One dominance, NASCAR officials feel compelled to change the points system much like what happened in Formula One when the German-born driver was so dominant.
Looking at the some of the changes; item number two is a distinction without a difference as drivers are already mathematically eliminated when they don't score points.
Ironically, the ten-race Chase will reward a what is derisively known as a “points racer,” because all you need to do to get a ticket to the championship lottery is to be consistent to be within the top four in points and then lay it all-on-the-line in the finale.
Three years ago NASCAR revamped the points system to a more simplified 43 to the winner, 42 to second place, and one less point for each position finishing below. That's less than a 2.5 per cent awarded to the winner. And that's where the issue lies
If the four driver shootout is adopted then the championship could be called a gimmick.
A season championship in a sport where everyone competes all year should be based on a season performance not a chance in the last event of the year.
This writer proposes that the one point for leading a lap and most laps led bonus be eliminated. The only points should be a 10 percent point increment for a win and a one-point bonus for a pole. Anyone finishing 35th or lower gets no points.
It's simpler and that's no gimmick.
The idea is to further NASCAR Chairman and CEO, Brian Z. France's, goal of making the finale like a “seventh game” in the World Series-like event.
The key component would be a second reset of the points after the ninth race to make the series finale, likely remaining at the Homestead Miami Speedway, available as a one-race shoot-out among the top-four points drivers.
The basic changes would:
• Increase the number of Chase seeded drivers to 16 from 12. One victory would assure a seed with the drivers with the most points break any ties.
• Knockout eliminations after the third sixth and ninth rounds.
• As stated above the season finale would be a shoot out for the top four drivers in points.
NASCAR declined to comment on the story, but is consulting with teams about new rules which will likely be announced within two weeks at the annual Media Tour in Charlotte.
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| Photo: NASCAR |
The genesis of the NASCAR Chase goes back to the 2003 season when Matt Kenseth won his only title to date based on consistency rather than wins. The old system was designed to reward consistency - versus points for wins - so as to reward smaller teams which needed season ending bonuses to survive. But the lack of drama was too much for NASCAR officials who try to model their series after the NFL. Thus the Chase was born in 2004.
With Jimmie Johnson taking six out of the last eight championships, in Michael Schumacher-like Formula One dominance, NASCAR officials feel compelled to change the points system much like what happened in Formula One when the German-born driver was so dominant.
Looking at the some of the changes; item number two is a distinction without a difference as drivers are already mathematically eliminated when they don't score points.
Ironically, the ten-race Chase will reward a what is derisively known as a “points racer,” because all you need to do to get a ticket to the championship lottery is to be consistent to be within the top four in points and then lay it all-on-the-line in the finale.
Three years ago NASCAR revamped the points system to a more simplified 43 to the winner, 42 to second place, and one less point for each position finishing below. That's less than a 2.5 per cent awarded to the winner. And that's where the issue lies
If the four driver shootout is adopted then the championship could be called a gimmick.
A season championship in a sport where everyone competes all year should be based on a season performance not a chance in the last event of the year.
This writer proposes that the one point for leading a lap and most laps led bonus be eliminated. The only points should be a 10 percent point increment for a win and a one-point bonus for a pole. Anyone finishing 35th or lower gets no points.
It's simpler and that's no gimmick.