[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Wampinrock

WVGrandma4Kasey: This message is for you..Please accept that I cannot abide by nor accept the German Dodge on the NASCAR track any more than I will be able to accept the Japanese Toyota next year. That being said; I am pulling so very hard for Kasey, for your sake, as not only do I really, really like the way the kid drives and his personality is great, but you (his most loyal and devoted fan) are so talented in your own right and have mastered and entertained me through this forum, that I could not help support you and the Kasey Kid to grasp the entrance to the top ten. It does occur to me, however, that if the France-jerk did not make manditory this stupid chase thing, that Kasey would have an equal and great opportunity to finish in grand style on his own. WVGrandma4Kasey...I will lay down my "JR" sword and pull for Kasey to get into the top ten....seems to me that JG should not be there anyhow...heard a rumor that they are going to change his nickname to the Phallic Kid...just a rumor! Love ya Grandma...please keep the visuals a-commin'

Grandma... Another one just for you. I echo much of what Wampanrock says above. Since NASCAR no longer runs stock cars but rather the unrecognizable NASCAR-designed version of a stock car, having a Daimler-Chrysler out there (or a Toyota, Hundai (sp), Mercedes or Yugo, for that matter) bothers me not. I have no favourite driver so basically I have no dog in this hunt, but I'd like to see Kasey make it.

I don't go along with most "Deserves to be..." statements but I'll make an exception in this case. Kasey deserves to be in the playoff much more than does Mark Martin! Kasey has four good wins and Mark has managed to points race into the playoff by apparently choosing a safe finishing position over a win. A driver with four wins is left out in the cold and a driver sans win makes it??!! What, pray tell, is THAT all about? Bah! Humbug!

If NASCAR wants to keep this artificial playoff thing but wnats to "tweek" it, then change the format to: No driver/team without a win during the season will be included in the playoff.

Yes, I know. Jeff Burton is also winless. He doesn't deserve to be in it either, IMNSVHO. However, in Jeff's defense, he has been in contention for a win on multiple ocassions this year. I wish I could say the same for Mark. He's a much better person that this!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Unlike many and most other sports, auto racing can rely on consistency over victory to make you a champion. That is the nature of our chosen sport and as much as you might dislike the fact that some team has never won a race but has a championship to their credit, that is just the way it is. Now, there are many that feel the points system could be corrected and they may be right but until that actually happens a consistent driver can win the championship without a win for a single race.

We agree again, but simple agreement doesn't necessarily make the NASCAR-way of doing things right.

In 1975, when Bob Latford came up with this system (it was eons better than every previous system NASCAR had used; it was the first to award equal points for each and every race) he wanted (1) a system everyone could easily understand, and (2) to encourage more teams to make a run for the championship (it was RJR's first year as Series sponsor and NASCAR wanted a big splash). he succeeded on both counts.

What Latford never considered, and NASCAR is hesitant to change today, is that his point system rewarded a high average finish. The key word is, obviously, A-V-E-R-A-G-E. All to often average equals mediocrity. NASCAR has certainly mastered this concept, haven't they?

Personally, I'd much rather see NASCAR take about $6.5 million of it's championship points fund and divide it up into the winner's purse in its 36 races. I'd rather see a driver racing to win over watching the same kid in tux, on a podium, thanking every sponsor who anted up enough to have their logo on his uniform.

Junior Johnson had the perfect philosphy for the RACE fan (sorry, can't say the same for the DRIVER fan); "I always drove to win and figgered the championship'd take care of itself."

[LSC9901]

Personally I think a change in the point system would be the place to start. We all have many complaints about NA$CAR and how it is run but a simple change in the points earned might be the start of positive changes that are sorely needed. As I've always said I favor consistency over victory but even consistency doesn't have enough rewards. The other big issue for me is the chase itself. In effect NA$CAR has eliminated 28% of the season for at least 33 drivers. I have no problem with a playoff season but it should be after the regular season. Let the chips fall where they may for the 36 regular races.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Personally I think a change in the point system would be the place to start. We all have many complaints about NA$CAR and how it is run but a simple change in the points earned might be the start of positive changes that are sorely needed. As I've always said I favor consistency over victory but even consistency doesn't have enough rewards. The other big issue for me is the chase itself. In effect NA$CAR has eliminated 28% of the season for at least 33 drivers. I have no problem with a playoff season but it should be after the regular season. Let the chips fall where they may for the 36 regular races.

I Agree!



Though my frequent complaints about NA$CAR aren't always followed by suggestions for improvement, I try never to grouse without having a possible solution. Here is mine for the point system:

1st. 225 pts
2nd. 200 pts
3rd. 185 pts
4th. 165 pts
5th - 30th. Same amount of points they currently award.

30th-43rd. zero points. Prize money only.

No more "Dave Marcis Bonus points" (5 pts for staying out and leading a lap.) The ONLY bonus points given would be for the driver leading the most laps. 10 pts.

Qualifying changes:

Stop the blatantly wrong, unjust, and just plain biased "Top 35 Guarantee" crap. My suggestion is:

Everyone has one chance to run two consecutive qualifying laps. The total time for both laps will be your official time. (this does away with the silly "throwaway lap, where the viewers sits bored while a driver runs a "build up speed" lap) After everyone has run a qualifying attempt, the top 34 are locked into the field, regardless of popularity, car owner, car colour, or day of the week.

The remainder can stand on their times or opt for running a second qualifying attempt. If they take the 2nd chance option their original times are voided again and they must make a 2nd run to establish a time. (they must declare this immediately after round one of qualifying in over).
The drivers wanting a second chance then have 15 minutes to adjust/work on their cars, or bring out their back up, if their primary car was wrecked in the first round. (Getting the 2nd car ready could began immediately after the first car is damaged)
The "2nd chance cars" run again. Anyone standing on their first attempt has that time included in the 2nd chance group. The top nine (43 minus the 34 locked in cars) are in the field. The remainder, no matter the name, team, popularity, past champion, etc., etc. get to watch the race on TV.

But "Gee whiz," you say. "This might mean Dale Junior or Jeff Gordon, or Tony Stewart might not make a race due to really bad luck. Why, they might be in contention for the championship and [copius whining here] It just isn't FAIR!"
<sigh> Well, here's the way it'd go, Sportsfan: They'll still have a race, and where is it written in stone that life is just, anyway?

My personal suggestions, as an option to my complaint