NASCAR: Points to change in final 10 races

ESPN ^ | 1/20/04 | AP story

[pro libertate]

CONCORD, N.C. -- NASCAR changed its scoring system Tuesday, setting up a showdown for the Nextel Cup over the season's last 10 races.

"I'm confident it is going to work and the drivers and teams are going to like it after they hear all the details," NASCAR chairman Brian France said.

NASCAR has been criticized in recent years for using a points system that rewarded consistency more than winning. Matt Kenseth won the 2003 championship despite finishing first in just one race. Ryan Newman was sixth in the standings despite winning a series-high eight races.

The new system will change after the first 26 races. The drivers in the top 10 and any others within 400 points of the leader will earn a berth in the "chase for the championship."

Those drivers will have their point totals adjusted. The first-place driver will begin the final 10 races with 5,050 points, the second driver 5,045 and so on, with incremental drops of five points.

The drivers not involved in the championship will keep the points they have earned to that point in the season.

NASCAR will award a race winner an additional five points, beginning with the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 15.

[holdmuhbeer]

just damn!

[Moonman62]

This is breaking news?

[smith288]

*yawn* (turn left, turn left, turn left, turn left)

[Mixer]

Yeah and its also Hugh

[CougarGA7]

What the hell is wrong with rewarding consistancy. Keneseth earned that championship by staying in races. He didn't make stupid mistakes that put him out of races.

I'm willing to give this new points system a chance, but I didn't see a problem with the old system. If it ain't broke....

[sharktrager]

Wasn't this announced over a week ago?

[al baby]

*yawn* (turn left, turn left, turn left, turn left)
Yes but at 200 miles per hour yawn my backside

[BlackRazor]

The new system will change after the first 26 races. The drivers in the top 10 and any others within 400 points of the leader will earn a berth in the "chase for the championship."

Those drivers will have their point totals adjusted. The first-place driver will begin the final 10 races with 5,050 points, the second driver 5,045 and so on, with incremental drops of five points.

I'm not a NASCAR fan, but if I were, I don't think I'd like this rule change, if I understand it correctly. A driver could build up a huge points lead through the first 26 races, and then it's suddenly all wiped away just to set up a contrived "chase for the championship"? So much for the entire season meaning something. All a driver has to do is get in the Top 10, and there they are in striking distance.

[Constitution Day]

[commish]

Well if nothing else, this will make those boring late August, Early September races more fun as People like Jimmy "Mr. Excitement" Spencer, Robby "wreck um" Gordon, etc try to crash thier way into the Magic 400 Pt club.

It could also, make it interesting to see someone like Dale Jarrett or Bobby Labonte, who is mired in a disasterous season try and make a charge to the Top 10.

Also, it will make the last 10 races a real free for all between the guys that are in the Championship mix -- no more "well if I run clean and just finish in the top 15 I am golden crap".

BUT - the down side is that this favors the Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman CHARGE CHARGE CHARGE guys while penalizing the Matt Kenseth, terry Labonte type drivers that just keep the fenders on and finish races.

[smith288]

Yes but at 200 miles per hour yawn my backside

No seriously...I HAVE fallen asleep to this sport. The sound of the engines makes great white noise to nap to on a saturday afternoon.

[Cold Heat]

I dunno about this.................................

Seems kind of corny to me.

Kinda like the field reversal idea.

[pro libertate]

That's a pretty good breakdown. I like the move, because I favor the "charge, charge, charge" guys and have always felt that more emphasis should have been placed on winning a
race. I do feel that there should be a little more reward for having a good season up until the final 10 races, than a 5 point lead. Maybe they should have just cut the point differences in half for the top 10 and let them go at it for the final 10 races.

Either way, I can't wait for Daytona.

[Cold Heat]

just to set up a contrived "chase for the championship"?

Exactly!

[pro libertate]

Yes, but without the final details. Sorry, if this didn't belong here.

[al baby]

Yep, I love it. I too have fallen asleep too and missed the wrecks. thats a big reason i watch it it is good white noise
thats not raceist is it or is that a pun nevermind have a great day

[commish]

What I think they could do is let the drivers keep any BONUS points they have earned for Leading, leading most laps, and winning -- and add those to the new Points they are awarding.

[Quilla]

I'm relatively new to Nascar, I watch it because my son watches it. I certainly don't have a grasp on the point system, but it doesn't seem quite right. If I recall correctly, Kenseth won the points last year but just one race. That just doesn't sound like a champion.

[arly]

no one has complained over the years about the point system, while earnhardt senior and gordon where taking advantage of it, but now that a ford team has one it now becomes a problem hey?