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August 16, 2005
Maybe it's time for a Chase format in the Busch Series
I know a lot of people do not like the Chase format that NASCAR implemented, but it did do what they intended it to do, it made the racing more exciting in the last ten races for the casual fan and it gave the sport more attention. NASCAR has said that they have no intention of implementing the same type of format for the Busch Series, but maybe it's time they did.
I was looking over the last few years (1995 - 2004) of the Busch Series final points standings and there were only a few that were close, most were not.
1995 - Johnny Benson won by 404 points over Chad Little
1996 - Randy LaJoie won by 29 points over David Green, but 650 points over third place Todd Bodine
1997 - Randy LaJoie won by 266 points over Todd Bodine
1998 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. won by 48 points over Matt Kenseth, but 424 points over third place Mike McLaughlin
1999 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. won by 280 points over Jeff Green
2000 - Jeff Green won by 616 points over Jason Keller
2001 - Kevin Harvick won by 124 points over Jeff Green
2002 - Greg Biffle won by 280 points over Jason Keller
2003 - Brian Vickers won a close one over David Green by 14 points, third place Ron Hornaday was 46 points behind
2004 - Martin Truex Jr. won by 230 points over Kyle Busch and 605 points over third place Greg Biffle
As you can see, most were large margins of victory in the points and if they brought a Chase like format, it would make the final races more exciting and I think it could get more coverage for the Busch Series, which I think doesn't get enough.
NASCAR keeps saying that they don't want to say no to the "Buschwackers" because it brings more people in to watch the races, I can understand that, but there are quite a few fans and drivers who hate the fact of them being in there and taking money and points away from full-time drivers and teams.
I say bring in the Chase format or something similar and don't allow full-time Cup drivers that are not full-time in the Busch Series to be in the Chase. Let's say a Cup driver competed in a lot of races and hypothetically is tenth in points when the Chase (or whatever they call it) begins. They would not be allowed because they are not a full-time Busch driver, so the eleventh place driver would actually make it in. That way the Cup drivers can still compete, but not interfere.
I hope this all makes sense. I think the Busch Series deserves more attention than it gets and it shouldn't be just because Cup Series regulars are racing in it and I think this is one way they could get more attention.
August 16, 2005 in NASCAR, NASCAR Busch Series | Permalink
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Comments
I was noticing just yesterday after the Busch race at Michigan how many regular Cup drivers there were in the race. It appears to me the Cup drivers "BUSCHWACKERS" as some call them are using the ability or "Money " to fund themselves extra practice. NASCAR limits the amount of testing on tracks that is allowed maybe they should do the same with the number of Busch races that a driver can enter once he becomes a full time Cup driver. I realize they want the big name drivers to race and help sell tickets to Busch races, but maybe a limit of 3-5 trips would be the answer to both problems .
It appears that a young up and coming driver dosen't stand a chance to demonstrate his ability without being swallowed up by the big teams because "Money" is ruling the sport too much.
I don't think the Chase format is the answer. Just give all the drivers an equal playing field.
Posted by: Karen | Aug 21, 2005 11:18:23 AM
I know this is off-topic but I guess this is a Busch Sereis topic, I was wondering has anyone heard what the plan is for Clint Bowyer next year at RCR. I haven't heard anything. With Blaney running so poorly I figured that I would hear some kind of rumor about him going to the #07. And with R. Sorenson and M TRuex moving up to Cup, Bowyer is just as good as they are, he should battle with them for the ROTY in 06.
Posted by: 19Jay12 | Aug 19, 2005 11:45:51 AM
Kathy, there should not be a playoff format in Winston Cup, never mind BGN or any other NASCAR division. Playoff formats are cheap gimmicks that arbitrarily shut out teams from top ten possibility, all for zero reason. We saw in last year's playoffs that the format cheaply shut out Jamie McMurray and I think one other from the top ten in points, and for what?
THe Busch Series is hurting, but a playoff format is NOT the answer - what is the answer is for NASCAR to STEP IN AND START SPENDING MONEY. Spend money on the purses, the points fund, and get sponsorships for teams with the focus on those teams without sponsors (and do the same for the Winston Cup and Truck and other series). Limit Winston Cup driver participation and do not let ANY Winston Cup driver run ANY BGN practice session.
As far as the points races you cite go, the 1995 running was the real mismatch, because Chad Little won the most races in the series, outwinning Johnny Benson 6-2. It shows what NASCAR's points races need - front-end-load massive point bonuses for race wins and net laps led, so drivers can erase big points gaps simply by winning races in a short span. If you front-end-load points for winning races and leading laps, it wil make the drivers fight it out for the win, and then you will get an actual points race.
NO PLAYOFFS.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Aug 19, 2005 12:14:29 AM
Bravo, bravo. The second, not the minute, but the second I first read about the Chase I said, maybe outloud, maybe not, "The Busch series needs this more than anyone." It's no surprise that in the past...many years (except the Vickers championship season) the championship has been decided virtually by mid-season when one or two teams completely and inarguably DOMINATE. I mean, look at Jeff Green's 616-point victory in 2000. There's really no doubt that he would have won the championship even with the Chase (the team was THAT good) but it would have made the last few races worth watching.
With half a field of severaly under-funded teams, sponsorhips pulling out mid season, one or two teams dominating, large points margins, and in the case of Todd Bodine a few years back someone leading the points, but the team folds because it couldn't find a sponsorship the Busch Series is in BAD shape and Nascar doesn't seem to care. The Busch Series needs a kick in the pants somehow and if a Chase format does it, then so be it.
Posted by: Josh | Aug 18, 2005 2:16:48 PM
Sundae, you make a really good point, and it's the big reason why I'm not sold on the Chase. Nascar, though, is a business, and if some sort of playoff system increases ratings and revenues, they're going to go for it. Also, there is something sort of anticlimactic about having the champ decided two or three races before the end of the season, and virtually decided several weeks before that.
As to the Busch series, MB may have a point about the driver lineup being unstable to the extent that a top ten would be foolish.
If "playoffs" are inevitable, though, then how about these ideas? (1) start the playoff teams off equal in points; (2) select a good cross-section of tracks, including superspeedways, short tracks, a road course, and Darlington, for the playoffs; (3) give the teams a week off before the first playoff race so they can tweak the cars, get rested, etc.; (4) let teams test at one of the playoff tracks; (5) if you have to, shorten the chase/playoffs by one or two races.
Posted by: Doug | Aug 18, 2005 11:11:17 AM
I still think someone who maintains a good season for 36 races has done a LOT more than a 10 race crapshoot. One of the reasons I liked Nascar was because it was NOT like all the other sports. Why on earth would you want to make it the same? I think the chase stinks. At least leave the trucks and Busch series with a legitimate system.
Posted by: sundaemunny | Aug 18, 2005 6:54:43 AM
Keith, I have had the idea of really giving drivers a free pass by basing the championship (however you define it) not on 36 races, but maybe on 34, or 33. Let a team simply discard one or two or three finishes. There are lots of variations, like one after each 12 races, or all at the end of the season, or throwing out a finish within a week after a race. Do you throw out that 35th place finish? What if he comes in 42nd next week?
And Fan, do they (NASCAR) NEED to change the rules? Of course not, but they do, and if they do, we can play with them as well!
Posted by: Doug | Aug 17, 2005 4:41:26 PM
What about situations like happened last year when two, top 10 drivers -- Jason Leffler and Bobby Hamilton, Jr. -- were kicked out of their Busch rides for accepting Cup deals?
Would it be right that they would remain locked in to the top 10?
IMO, with the Buschwhackers and the drivers switching rides so readily the Busch series roster is too unstable for a Chase format to be truly fair.
Posted by: MBVoelker | Aug 17, 2005 4:37:59 PM
NO!!! I am still not liking it in the Cup series. i am sick of them changes things that don't need to be changed! Oh wait, they make up the rules as they go along, what was I thinking?
Posted by: truracinfan | Aug 17, 2005 4:30:12 PM
Kathy, ahhhhh but the potential for it to happen is there once they narrow up the points. Doug, I think I like that 200pt bonus concept. That also gives winners that onetime "get out of jail free card" in the event they get caught up in "The big one...not of their making". As far as other sports playoffs go, then shouldn't Nascar give the contenders the same amount of points? That's a real playoff...even in baseball and the NFL if you squeak in you're still in and the score starts out even.
Posted by: Keith | Aug 17, 2005 1:43:31 PM
As we approach the second Chase, I admit that I am still ambivalent about it. Keith, you talk about drivers getting a free shot at a championship, but I am more bothered by someone who has been best all year long suddenly being in a battle for the title. On the other hand, "stick and ball" sports all have playoffs, most involving more teams than the Chase. Do we question their championships?
David Poole (I think) suggested a 200 point bonus for any driver's first race win of the year. Would that weed out non-winners from the Chase for the most part? I looked at the numbers. Under that system, Gordon and Harvick would go into the top 10 while Newman and McMurray fell out. Non-winners Wallace, Martin, and Mayfield would remain in the Chase. No one else would be within 400. Indeed, the 10th place car (Mayfield) would be 650 behind Stewart! The gap now is only 520.
The champion is the person who meets the criteria establish by NASCAR for being champion. That's it. Cup, Busch, truck.
Posted by: Doug | Aug 17, 2005 11:17:57 AM
I'm pretty sure that a driver will have to win at least one race during the Chase to become the champion, I can't see how consistency alone will win it.
Posted by: Kathy | Aug 17, 2005 10:21:38 AM
I think Nascars "Chase" artificially allows drivers with no chance at a title to get a free shot at the promised land. Sure I suppose it's more exciting if your driver is one of them but is it fair to the top teams who earned their shot? Plus, this year in Nextel there is the potential to crown a driver with no wins (that has never happened in Nascar). But there are 5 cars in the top 10 with zero. And there are 4 drivers outside the top 10 with 6 wins between them. Maybe Nascar should reward wins more than consistancy (We do come to watch victories more than consistancy)and that would put winners in the "Chase" or drop the top 10 and within 400pts and make it top 10 or a win.
Posted by: Keith | Aug 17, 2005 10:11:21 AM
Kathy,
First off great research on the numbers to back up your opinion. I agree that it would make it more intersting to add a Chase like system in Busch.
Posted by: Jon | Aug 16, 2005 9:49:38 PM
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