From the LVRJ: A 16-driver championship field that would be whittled down to create a winner-take-all season finale is among radical changes reportedly being considered by NASCAR.
NASCAR chairman Brian France has repeatedly said he wants to place a greater emphasis on winning, and he’s never ruled out tinkering with the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format in an effort to create the “Game 7 moments” he covets.
The Charlotte Observer first reported Friday night a possible overhaul to the Chase format that France first introduced in 2004 and has made periodic changes to several times since.
Citing anonymous sources, The Observer outlined three major changes beginning with expanding the field from 12 drivers to 16 — meaning a win during the “regular season” would virtually guarantee a driver a spot in the field.
Once the field is set, The Observer said NASCAR is considering eliminations during the 10-race Chase.
The field would be cut after the third, sixth and ninth races. The proposed eliminations would drop the lowest four drivers from title contention after the third, sixth and ninth races, leaving four drivers eligible for a “winner-take-all” race in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The four remaining drivers would go into Homestead with their points reset and tied in the standings, The Observer said. http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/winning-emphasis-behind-nascar-s-proposed-changes
It really doesn't change much. Those eliminated from the Chase would have been eliminated anyways because they would have been so far down in the standings.
However, the last race at Homestead, with the winner take all sounds like a good idea except for:
1. It is being held at Homestead. The final race, which would be considered the Super Bowl should be held at a track with more tradition and tougher track to race in. Daytona, Talladega, Charlotte, Las Vegas and maybe even Indianapolis should be where the final races should be held.
2. The final race should be switched from year to year like they do for the Super Bowl.
3. If you thought the problem with Michael Waltrip racing team this year, with Clint Boyer make a false spin and Brian Vickers brought in for a false pit stop was bad, things will a lot worse under this scenario, with teammates spinning out competitors cars, false pit stops etc.
If ASCAR can solve these three problems, then maybe it will be a good plan, otherwise, it won't make things that more interesting.
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