How would you like to drive for 5 hours in a race, come from 43rd and win the race and only get 10 more points then the second place car? I'm thinking that this would be enough to upset the Pope, but right now that is justt what would happen. if the second place car leads the most laps he gets 10 bonus points for a total of 180 points, while you get 185 for winning the race plus 5 points for leading 1 lap. The point system is one of the most cussed and discussed parts of nascar, other then maybe the rule book.
There are a few things that I would do in order to make the points system easier to understand and at the same time make the season more interesting. It makes no difference how many points you give the winner of the race, but for the sake of arguement, let's say we give the winner gets 250 points, the second place driver gets 200 points and from there, you decrease by 5 points the number of points each place gets. Example: 3rd place would get 195 points, 4th place would get 190 points, 5th place would get 185 and so on down the line until you get to 32nd place, from 32nd through 43rd each place would be valued at 50 points. This type of system makes it easier for fans to follow and with the same points going to the last 11 places it would discourage wrecked cars from coming back out on the track and riding around just to try and gain 2 or 3 points and getting in the way of teams that are still in the race and being competitive.
Along with the changes I have outlined above I would do away with bonus points for leading a lap or for leading the most laps. This would do away with teammates swapping the lead for one lap just to get the 5 bonus points, and "It don't mean spit if you lead the most laps if you don't lead the last lap."
The last thing i would modify is the requirements for making the chase. I would put in that in order to make the chase, teams would have to have at least 1 win, at this writing Clint Bowyer and Dale Earnhardt Jr. would be out and Juan Montoya and Casey Mears would be in. Then when the chase starts the top 12 would get a10 point bonus for each win and be put in order based on their total points and away we go.
If these changes were put in place it would make it easier for fans to keep track of their driver's points because they wouldn't have to worry about things like bonus points and it would also insure that the champion each year would have at least 1 win.
So what you are saying is you want the winner of each race to be awarded more points as an initiative for the drivers to race rather than lay back and play it safe by finishing in the top 5 or 10. This idea is excellent and certainly would induce the drivers to race rather than play it safe.
I think requiring a driver to have a win in order to be in the chase is a good thought. However, getting NASCAR to go along with this might be a problem due to the sponsorship and fan influence wanting their star driver to be in the chase based on consistency..
YES INCREASE THE WINNERS POINTS BY A LARGE MARGIN, DO AWAY WITH BONUS POINT SCOMPLETELY UNTIL THE CHASE STARTS, AND FROM 32ND TO 43 ALL GET THE SAME NUMBER OF POINTS.
Well done Gunaquat. I wanted to write mine before reading anyones to avoid getting any ideas. I alsways hate the idea of someone doing so well throughout the year not having the big cushion they may have earned with the more leveling of points.
I AM FROM OKLAHOMA AND HAVE WORKED IN THE FIELD OF YOUTH SPORTS AND RECREATION FOR OVER 25 YEARS.
I AM A FAN OF NASCAR, AND OU COLLEGE FOOTBALL. THINGS THAT ARE PUT ON THIS BLOG WILL USUALLY BE BASED ON THESE SUBJECTS , BUT NOT ALL THE TIME.
