Since it has been working soooo well, NASCAR has kept the status quo during their short off-season. Well, except for the new 'Dale Jr Lifetime Exemption' rule for the Bud Shootout, that is. Unlike the crumbling dynasty at NASCAR, I've been giving some thought on how to make the racing better.
What is the one thing that would make the races more interesting? How about more passing for the lead, or more drivers trying to lead? What? Instead of "points racing" drivers should be actually trying to lead laps? That's preposterous! It must be, as NASCAR doesn't seem to mind. But, I think we fans would enjoy some side-by-side racing for the lead.
How to accomplish this? Very simple, give points for laps led. Ta-Da. The man said, "Ta-Da."
One point per lap led would probably be too much. I hate point systems that deal in fractions, but I believe that is the only way to keep one driver (Kyle) from stinking it up.
Hand out a tenth of a point for leading any lap. The longest race is 500 laps, so the most 'lead lap' points a driver could possibly earn is 50. This should lead to more racing and less stroking. Some of these 'lead lap' points should somehow roll over into the Chase. Maybe Chase participants get to keep a tenth of them? Of course, until the Chase is mothballed there will be plenty enough points racing.
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Perhaps if they eliminated the Chase Fromat and went to a system awarding a driver for the most wins. Naw, That isn't going to work either. Jimmie and Chad are unbeatable any way you figure it.
ReplyDeleteIf Dale Jarrett wanted to, could he race in the Bud Shootout on the "Lifetime Exemption" rule?
ReplyDeletePhoto....yeah, It would still be better than the Chase....even if JJ kept wining it.
ReplyDeleteAth....I believe the new Jr rule is for drivers who have attempted to make a race in the last 2 years. I think DJ has.
ReplyDeleteGuess, I am just too Old School. I don't like gimmicks to give points to drivers. I like the old system, with one slight modification, from 35-43rd the points are all the same.
ReplyDeleteBring back the old system, and whoever has the most points at the end of the year, wins the Championship. Regardless of how many wins they have. I still think consistency should have a big role to play in the awarding the championship as winning races.
Tsfan....Yes, consistency should have a big role. But, I'd rather see someone consistently trying to lead, instead of consistently stroking along in 7th place.
ReplyDeleteI don't consider this a gimmick to 'give' points to drivers. They would actually have to race and 'earn' them.
I like the points being the same for 35-43.
I dream of the day we get consistency with the officials for an entire season :)
ReplyDeleteGene, I like NO points for positions 36-43. I like 35 points for a win, all the way down to one point for 35th. Two bonus points go to the driver that leads the most laps, and one bonus point goes to each lap leader.
ReplyDeleteTez.....Amen, brother.
ReplyDeleteJon.....I don't see how that system would make drivers race for the lead during a race. That is what I was trying to convey here, not a new point system. Just something to keep me awake during a race.
I do like your F-1 like point system better than the current one.
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ReplyDeleteWell Gene if racing for the lead is what you want, then the thing to change is not the points, but the cars. Take away horsepower from the engines, like using a restrictor plate, but not using the plate. Then you will have the cars bunched up together and that should take care of the leader running away from the pack. But then again, the powerhouses will find away to skirt the power.
ReplyDeleteNice write up Gene
ReplyDeleteNascar has used fractions in the past. During the mid 60's to the early 70's it took a college degree to figure it out. There was a race in 1974 where Petty finished 35th and recieved more points that Darrell Waltrip who ran top five ? Petty won the title with 10 wins and Yarborough with 10 victories. Richard had one more top 5 and top ten than Cale so it actually worked out but Nascar realised that it was rediculous and went to what they have it now for the most part.
I do agree with points bonuses to heat up the competition but also think that Nascxr's problem is that they changed their product completely and took the fun out of it. The cars, the tracks, the hype the yellow flags and the restricotr plates.
What made Nascar so special and unique years ago was that things never really changed. The cars basically stayed the same for decades. Bill France Sr. would not let other people control the venues or the sport in general. His decisions were soley to benifet the sport. France Jr. held his fathers line very well but when he stepped back it was over.
Now we have a homogonised overhyped underproducing series that is all about the money. The boys in Daytona need to do a rewind if they want a product that fans will go crazy for.
RL...You are right about the cars and tracks hurting competition.... and they are not gonna change those. That's why I think they need points for every lap they lead.
ReplyDeleteAs it is now, a guy can lead ONE lap, under caution, and 'earn' the same 5 point bonus as a guy that races hard and leads 150 laps. That's ridiculous.
Maybe we expect too much ...A close championship race and barnburner finishes.
ReplyDeleteDump the Chase and open up the cars.
Ah, Behaviorism at work - if we can just get the right reward system the rats will run up front...
ReplyDeleteHow about lowering the drivers salaries and they only get paid if they lead laps or win? Take away all the points and the one with the most money wins the championship at the end...
Happy New Year Gene!
KLV....Great idea! Points based on money won.... I love it!
ReplyDeleteCertainly not you, Kris, but I sense some of the earlier comments are letting their favorite driver cloud their judgement on rewarding laps led.... just because their drivers don't lead a lot of laps. So, they would rather watch single-file, follow the leader 'racing' in order for their favorites to have a shot at the Chase.
Points based on money won was how the did it in 1974 when Petty finished 35th and got more than DW who ran top 5.
ReplyDeleteNascar cannot fix it by juggling points. The true essence of the sport has been taken away in other areas. More on that later ....
Nice idea. I think I would even be a little more generous and award half a point to further get guys to race hard.
ReplyDeleteWell as a Junior fan I am unfortunately becoming quite used to my driver not leading laps! bah.
ReplyDeleteGonger....thanks. Not sure about a half point, though. Then someone could lead almost all the laps of a 500 lap race, blow up near the end, finish 30th, and still possibly get more points than the winner. Eh?
ReplyDeleteKLV....don't forget Kurt, he'll lead some laps.