Here are a few ideas that I think would make NASCAR more enjoyable for us viewers at home.
- Allow for a Green-White-Checker finish even if a caution comes out on the final lap
There have been many instances where there has been a disappointing finish because there was a caution on the first attempt for a Green-White-Checker finish. For instance, NASCAR's newest bad boy, Kyle Busch, won at the 2008 Aaron's 499 at Talladega because a caution came out on the only attempt to have an exciting finish. Who wants a boring end to a Talladega race?
- Recede the top 12 drivers again halfway through the chase
Remember last year when Jimmie Johnson ran away with the championship during the last half of the chase? If NASCAR receded the top 12 drivers halfway through the chase, Homestead would be a glue-you-to-your-seat type of race. Also, the sport would have better ratings during the fall stretch of the season when NASCAR is having to compete with football.
- Award a regular season champion after 26 races but still have a Chase for the Championship
Jeff Gordon had a dominant year in 2007 and lead the points up until the chase. But who got all the credit for the year? Jimmie Johnson, who never led the points standings until the chase. In the old format, Jeff Gordon would have run away with the championship. The new Chase for the Championship format is a whole different world.
Wish as we may, wish as we might. Nascar does what Nascar wants.
If they had two shots at green white checkerd Jr. would have lost. Becarefull what you wish for.
Also with the old foremat of racing points. Gordon would have 6 championships.
Ahh..Wish for a.....
1 and 3 are good, but that middle one is absurd. They got it right already, no need to change that. I REALLY like the third idea though, the regular season champ should be recognized.
#1 - No! NASCAR already is making it's circuit into "sports entertainment". 1 G-W-C is enough. Wrecks are going to happen at the end of certain races. And strategy still needs to be a part of what makes up a "sport".
#2 - No. NASCAR is not going to get better ratings vs. Football - I don't care what they try to do. Besides, that should not be relevant. They need to answer to real race fans with a competitve, reliable structure. To have a regular season, a playoff and then another playoff is a bit too "staged" (i.e. - see #1 above). The "playoff season" is set for 10 weeks and should reward the best performer over those 10 weeks. No more, no less.
#3 - Yes, I like that idea a lot. Year-end prize money, awards and bonuses should be adjusted to reflect the best regular season. Much like the "President's" trophy in the NHL; it is a great achievement significant to who was best for 26 races.
My pen name is Gonger, I am 15, and I live in Georgia. I am a Double Black Stripe in Tae Kwon Do and enjoy playing basketball as well. Yeah... I am a freshmen in high school. My best subject is math, but I'm undecided on a career (I'll figure that out later). My favorite sport to watch and blog about is NASCAR. I have grown up watching it since I was about five years old and have been to a couple of races. Aside from racing, my favorite teams include the Atlanta Falcons, the Atlanta Hawks, the Michigan Wolverines, and the L.A. Angels.
