[PenelopePitStop]

Here I am again!

I'm sure this was discussed/debated at its inception before I joined this forum, but I'm curious what you all think of the "Chase".

The Chase has been in place for what, three years now? This year, I understand that it has been expanded to the top 12 drivers.

I understand the marketing perspective, and that the Chase brings more viewers at the end of the season, but I'm torn. I'm not so sure I like it. Last year, Stewart, like him or not, tore it up after the top ten were locked in for the Cup, and he was out of the Chase.

Taking any particular driver out of this scenario, let's say I'm 5th in the Chase. I have 10 DNFs during the Chase, but another driver just outside the Chase finishes 1st or 2nd of the last 10 races, and would have accumulated more points than I did. Is this fair? Does this make the sport any better?

[Mike24]

Consistency throughout the season wins championships, not being consistent in 10 races. With that being said, I HATE THE CHASE!

[simple simon]

i would either like to see a road course in the Chase or drop them from the season

id also like to see the points even closer at the start of the chase.....i know most of them will say the points are close enough and anyone can win......but actually if you think about it, this is the only sport that i know of where everyone doesnt have an equal chance to win when the playoffs start

in NBA MLB and NFL everyone is 0-0 when they enter the playoffs

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by simple simon

i would either like to see a road course in the Chase or drop them from the season

id also like to see the points even closer at the start of the chase.....i know most of them will say the points are close enough and anyone can win......but actually if you think about it, this is the only sport that i know of where everyone doesnt have an equal chance to win when the playoffs start

in NBA MLB and NFL everyone is 0-0 when they enter the playoffs

I see your point, and I agree and disagree. I hate the Chase, but it starts everyone off at a level playing field, like all other sports. Then again, the NBA, MLB, and NFL are different than racing. NASCAR was known for not having a playoff system, and it dosen't deserve a playoff system because it's called racing, and the championship is deserved by being consistent for 36 races, not 10 races. The other sports have divisions and stuff, racing dosen't have divisions, it's all about being consistent for 36 races, not for 10.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by simple simon

i would either like to see a road course in the Chase or drop them from the season

id also like to see the points even closer at the start of the chase.....i know most of them will say the points are close enough and anyone can win......but actually if you think about it, this is the only sport that i know of where everyone doesnt have an equal chance to win when the playoffs start

in NBA MLB and NFL everyone is 0-0 when they enter the playoffs

I thought the points were reset at the start of the Chase? ... Not to zero across the board, but in measurements of 10. Am I correct?

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

I thought the points were reset at the start of the Chase? ... Not to zero across the board, but in measurements of 10. Am I correct?

It was reset at 5 points a piece. NASCAR revealed a new system where they will seed the Chase by wins, which I like because it makes winning more important, but keeps consistency important during the Chase. I've said this time and time again, winning dosen't win championships, consistency does. Kasey Kahne proved that in 06.

[trollmc08]

The chase and Hoover have the same thing in common they both suck....I do find my self on new ground here. I agree totally with Mike on this one. Consistency over 36 races does win championships. That is how it should be. Sense they do have the chase thin I think if they modify it just a little then it will be perfect. All they need to do is increase the number of drivers up to 43 and up the number of races in the chase up to 36 then it would be perfect.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by trollmc08

The chase and Hoover have the same thing in common they both suck....I do find my self on new ground here. I agree totally with Mike on this one. Consistency over 36 races does win championships. That is how it should be. Sense they do have the chase thin I think if they modify it just a little then it will be perfect. All they need to do is increase the number of drivers up to 43 and up the number of races in the chase up to 36 then it would be perfect.

I also agree with Mike, which is rare, him being a Gordon fan and all! Just kidding!

Consistency is the name of the game, as far as I'm concerned. I know I've mentioned this before, but a few years ago, Rusty was whining that the driver with the most wins (which I think was him that year) didn't win the Cup. I don't think that should be the case.

LOL! I agree that your recommended modifications to the Chase would be perfect!

I don't like this Chase thing, but what can I do about it? ... Nothing.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by simple simon

in NBA MLB and NFL everyone is 0-0 when they enter the playoffs

Also note that in those sports only the teams in the playoffs actually compete. Stupidly in NASCAR everyone gets to be involved. NASCAR is an entirely different beast. You can't compare stick & ball sports to NASCAR.

[Souporscotty]

First place; 5 points. Second place; 3 points. Third place; 1 point. That's it. Nobody else gets points for anything. The owners get no points for sitting in a sky box. Pits and parking? First come, first serve. So simple, even I can understand it.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

First place; 5 points. Second place; 3 points. Third place; 1 point. That's it. Nobody else gets points for anything. The owners get no points for sitting in a sky box. Pits and parking? First come, first serve. So simple, even I can understand it.

WOW!!! that's the way it was when we were in grade school - concepts completely alien to today's culture. I like it!

[Bob Tanner]

I won't go as far as Mike and say that I "Hate" the Playoffs. But, I will say I dislike the concept quite a bit.

Like ex-wives and new wives, playoffs and racing just don't mix well. As you already know, it was a ploy by Brian Z. to add a degree of excitement and drama to a sport that already had excitement and drama, enough to suit its long-time fans, anyway. The playoffs are kind of season-ending debris caution.; an artificial manipulation of the end of the season designed to make the new fans happy, give the stick&ball sports writers something to romance in their columns, and to try and grab some attention from the NFL.

People who think the organization called NASCAR is the best thing to happen to sports since the designated hitter, love it. A lot of long term, old school fans, such as myself, think the playoffs are a sad distraction and puts an asterisk beside the name of any future champions.

OK, you playoff lovers... shoot away.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I won't go as far as Mike and say that I "Hate" the Playoffs. But, I will say I dislike the concept quite a bit.

Like ex-wives and new wives, playoffs and racing just don't mix well. As you already know, it was a ploy by Brian Z. to add a degree of excitement and drama to a sport that already had excitement and drama, enough to suit its long-time fans, anyway. The playoffs are kind of season-ending debris caution.; an artificial manipulation of the end of the season designed to make the new fans happy, give the stick&ball sports writers something to romance in their columns, and to try and grab some attention from the NFL.

People who think the organization called NASCAR is the best thing to happen to sports since the designated hitter, love it. A lot of long term, old school fans, such as myself, think the playoffs are a sad distraction and puts an asterisk beside the name of any future champions.

OK, you playoff lovers... shoot away.

Nope ... no shooting from me! I agree 100%

[LSC9901]

Bob I have no idea where you come up with these concepts ... but you already know I agree with you on this issue. As a matter of fact I may just dislike it even more than you.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Bob I have no idea where you come up with these concepts ... but you already know I agree with you on this issue. As a matter of fact I may just dislike it even more than you.

Obliviously, the Chase is not popular.

So tell me ... since Mark Martin isn't driving full-time, he'll still be eligible for the Chase won't he?

As you probably know, I'd love to see Mark finally win the Cup, but I think the drivers who are 100% committed to the season deserve more of a shot ... maybe not. I'm torn on this issue.

The term "ringer" comes to mind ...

What do you think?