I had known for a few weeks now that NASCAR was planning to make a change in their point system for the 2011 season (I say the 2011 season because I am sure if this system doesn't work out they will make another change for 2012), but I didn't realize how much of a change it would be. I don't normally go out of my way to check out www.nascar.com and I had totally forgot when they were planning announce the changes. I found out that the organization had moved to a 43 point system through one of the blogs I regularly go to at The Rest of the Dirt. I was shocked to see such a change since the 185pts for a win was eraticated and in its place is a 43pts to win and one point less per position back. 3 bonus points will be awarded for a win (Meaning the winner actually gets 46 points) and the previous bonuses, one for leading a lap and one for the most laps led, will be reduced to one point each. This is to aim towards a tighter points championship at the end of the year.
Not only that, but now start positions will be determined either by qualifying OR practice speeds. If qualifying gets rained out, they will go by practice times. In terms of the playoff Chase, the final two positions of 11th and 12th will be wild card positions where the drivers that are positioned from 11th - 20th will get the chance for a berth through wins. For instance, McMurray and Kurt Busch would have been the the two wildcard drivers in 2010 since they had the most wins outside of the top 10. I am not sure how they will determine a tie, but I would assume whoever is higher in the points will take the berth.
The system reminds me a bit of the WISSOTA point system. There is a basic one point separation between positions to keep the championship chase fairly close. This rewards those that are consistently doing well in their finishes. If you take the 35 points for first compared to the 33 for second, the extra point is like a bonus point for the win. Positions are then decreased by one point each. I know in several cases at the Emo Speedway of drivers that never won a race, but won the championship. #33 Kendal Gamsby in 2006 in the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds and #85 Jamie Davis in the WISSOTA Modifieds in 2004 are two off the top of my head. I am sure there have been several tracks in the region that have had the same experience.
NASCAR's idea is actually a fair one, especially in the fact that it simplifies a usually complicated point system. Whether it will actually make the chase better will be anyone's guess. I feel that it will promote consistency again, more so than winning. In the last several years, NASCAR has increased the points for a win to try and get drivers to take more risks at the end of the race to take the glory at each race. Even with the 3 bonus points for a win, if you are consistently staying in the top 5/10, a chance for the championship will be greater compared to the last few years. It will most likely increase the fights for position further in the field itself, but for the wins, I think we will see drivers getting what they can and not always pushing the limit (especially in the top 10). The good news is, drivers that are not consistent or have a bad night will be punished brutally for ending their race towards the back. 30-40 points can be difficult to earn back when one position is worth only one point. Just ask people in WISSOTA country that have lost championships due to one DNF.
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