NASCARs New "Chase"

Yesterday, NASCAR announced a new Chase for the Sprint Cup format.  I've read the details over and over to make sure I completely understand it. 

And I don't like it.

NASCAR is trying new ideas and new ways to keep fans involved in the sport.  It's no secret that attendance is down, TV ratings have stalled, and sponsors are starting to cut back on the number of races they are on a car.  So Brian France has changed the Chase format yet again.

In less than 10 years, NASCAR has gone through 4 changes to the point system.  First change was the original Chase format that started in 2004.  Then came the expansion from 10 to 12 drivers.  Then the "new" point system, that basically simplified how points are calculated.  Then came the latest change.

It's crazy to think that a driver in theory could win 35 of 36 races during the season, yet lose the Championship.  The old points system rewarded consistency.  You didn't win the Championship because you won races.  You won the championship by winning races and finishing high in the ones that you didn't win.  Look at Bill Elliott in 1985 - he won 11 races and didn't win the championship.  Rusty Wallace won the most races several times, but only won one championship in his career.  Matt Kenseth won his only championship only winning once that season. 

With the new format, a driver could have a below average first 26 races, barely make the Chase, and could win it all.  That's not rewarding consistency.

Maybe I'm old school and prefer winning a championship by being the best during the entire season.  Even if that means my favorite driver doesn't win.  But I'd rather see a champion that deserves it, not one that wins by a playoff system.  If I want to watch playoffs, I'll go watch the NFL or NHL.

It's cold. So what?

The Polar Vortex is upon us.  It's projected to fall in the single digits tonight with wind chills in the -10 to -15 region.

And school systems around us are closing or delaying opening due to the cold.

Seriously?

It's been this cold before in Maryland.  It's been a while, but yes, it can get below zero.  Add the wind and it sucks.  I get that people don't want to be outside or send their kids outside in weather like this.  I don't like going out when it's windy and cold.  There are men and women that have to work in these conditions whether they like it or not. 

When kids will be waiting for the bus tomorrow morning, it will be cold.  It will be windy.  And thousands of parents will freak out because they don't want their kids standing out in it.  Yet kids do this all over the midwest and northeast every morning.  They stand outside for the bus when it's below zero.  They walk to school in snow and wind. 

I don't get to go to work late because it's cold.  Hell, I'm supposed to go to work if there's a blizzard - my office officially "never closes".   We're supposed to use our "best judgement" about going to work in adverse weather conditions.  So if it's cold and I'm getting ready to go to work, what do I do?  Simple - I dress accordingly.  I throw extra layers on.  I pull out the hat and gloves.  

The worst part is after a few days, we'll be back to the 30-40 degree range and people will go back to finding new things to complain about.

I love winter.  I love this kind of weather.  It'll be gone in a few days.  Suck it up, buttercup!