[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.

[Cold Heat]

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

Exactly!

[Tandem]

I'm a big NASCAR fan and I like the plan. Kenseth may have won last year (2003) on "consistency", but he also won the most races in 2002 - so he has what it takes. He just played the game by the rules in place.
As for losing a huge points lead - how different is that than any other sport, where there is a post-season of some sort? Even wildcard teams win the occasional title and the playoff favorite doesn't always win, but they are not seen as illegitimate champions, are they? True champions know how to step up to the challenge, when it counts.

[TankerKC]

So much for the entire season meaning something.

Kinda like the NBA or NHL.