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.
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.
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