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The Chase
When the chase first started a couple of years ago I imagine this year is what they had in mind. Going into the last 4 races there are 9 drivers that have a true shot at winning the championship. Since we are no where close to being in the chase the excitement isn't as much as it could be, but even yet its still pretty cool. In the past few years the chase has separated with about 4 races to go, but this year is totally different. I'm sure the TV ratings will be up from the past years and the interest in the chase will grow. Early on there were a lot of fans, teams, and drivers upset at the new format, but given the last six races I don't see how you can complain. I personally love the idea and think it should stay the same. I don't think any changes should be made to get more people in no matter what the sponsors say. Its the playoffs and the best teams deserve to be in it and the rest can wait and watch. 10 out of 43 isn't bad odds for making the playoff in my mind. I'm not saying they might not consider a change in the way they give points, but I don't think any more than 10 teams should make it. Well, it looks like were off to Hotlanta for the weekend so we'll see if we can pull something together for the last 4 races. Thats all for now. Oh by the way, we pitted in front of the 11 car this weekend and just about got hit on three different stops. Gotta watch out for us Denny, you got a car surrounding you we got a cheap ass helmet. If you remember last year Denny hit our jackman and put him out for two month's. Just thought I would let you guys in on that.
October 25, 2006 in Race talk | Permalink
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Comments
Trent is Jimmie Johnson smarter than he looks?
Posted by: Steve Jackson | Oct 25, 2006 1:06:38 PM
Trent,
I hope you forward your blog to JD Gibbs, and Denny. Although I cheer for Dale Jr. and Martin Truex Jr., I hate when drivers keep hitting the pit crew members around them.
Rookie or not, that's just not cool, oh, and plenty dangerous. I hope you guys have a great weekend, and NO injuries.
Posted by: mary4jrs8 | Oct 25, 2006 2:36:00 PM
I don't know why more of you guys don't get hurt at some of these tracks.What with the small pits and cars all bunched in a pack.Good luck to you guys this weekend.Make the most of your 07 test session and win.
Posted by: Short Lady | Oct 25, 2006 3:03:01 PM
Denny should know better. While Denny is technically a rookie, he ran several races last year (just enough to keep his 2006 rookie status).
Sure the Chase is close. However, IMO it has been a sloppy Chase. Since the Chase started, the drivers that have scored the most points are non-Chase drivers.
My beef with the Chase format is that a driver is locked in the Top 10 in points regardless of how poorly he performes over the last ten races. In fact, the driver does not even have to drive in all of the last ten races to finish in the top ten in points (ie, Kurt Busch in 2005). Under the old points system: (1) there would be a two way battle between Kenseth & Johnson (Johnson would be @96 points back), (2) Gordon would be 11th in points, and (3) Stewart would be 5th in points.
Posted by: BudMan | Oct 25, 2006 4:56:03 PM
I still kinda wish it was the top 15 in the Chase, that way, they'd have to work even harder cause there would be those extra 5 guys and you would not be assured of a top ten season....... Add just a little more spice..... cause as BudMan said, you can not race and still be in the top ten..... give em an extra challenge......
But, your right, it is pretty neat at the moment with how close they are..... be even neater if yall were in there too..... but this to shall pass and there is always next year to come out swinging and kicking butt! Still love you guys!!! Keep digging and Good Luck Sunday.....!!!
Posted by: darlene | Oct 25, 2006 7:12:04 PM
Be a shame to let a jack get loose and hit his windhield
Posted by: clay | Oct 26, 2006 10:36:02 AM
Trent,what was MW talking about on INC,when he said Ryan and Casey were still bumping in the motor home lot?LOL
Posted by: Short Lady | Oct 26, 2006 12:00:20 PM
Kurt Busch would have still finished 10th in points last season with the classic points system 74 points ahead of Jeff Gordon. That is includes the two races he sat out.
Posted by: Octane20 | Oct 26, 2006 2:26:18 PM
You always complain about someone almost always hitting you. I imagine that happens to all 43 teams pit crews. I'm also sure you knew this could happen before you signed on to be a crew member. Every job has hazards, so quit whinning, or get a real job. I'm sure you can cry into your pile of money for the 15 minutes worth of work you have to do on Sunday.
Posted by: joe | Oct 26, 2006 4:36:10 PM
Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the Chase format was that they would take the top 10 cars or all of the cars that were within 400 points of the lead. That being the case this would mean that everybody within 400 points would have a shot at the title. If you are not within 400 points of the lead at the end of the 26 races, then I don't think you deserve a shot to be in the Chase.
Posted by: Rod Farva | Oct 27, 2006 7:45:11 AM
In fact NASCAR's ratings have been down for the Chase races. A lot of fans, myself included, hate the idea that a driver is given points he did not earn, but no one I know is saying "I used to think they just go around in circles, but now because of this Chase I'm tuning in."
I thought the Chase idea rotted in 2004, and I think it rots now.
Posted by: Kurt Smith | Oct 27, 2006 10:20:58 AM
K Smith is right, its a Mickey Mouse system at best, why don't we just let the fans vote their favorite driver, either way winning doesn't have much to do with it.
Posted by: MoparDave | Oct 27, 2006 7:41:23 PM
It's easy to complain even today. The playoff format arbitrarily shuts out drivers who would overtake at least some of the top ten in points that were locked in with ten to go, and it dilutes incentive to win even more than the original Latford point system did because the top ten don't have to win anything to win a championship - shown by the fact that the first two Chase champions won a combined ONE Chase race between them and neither won the most races in their title years.
The strongest car and driver is not in evidence in this Chase - it's been a sloppy, mistake-prone contest to see who doesn't throw it away last.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Oct 28, 2006 1:54:23 PM
Hey Trent,
I've not met anyone who is crazy about the chase format. However, I do believe it has created more excitement.
I saw the Sam Hornish deal comming when the checkerd flag fell on the Indy 500. Glad to see that it will be with Penske. Hope that it makes all of you better and not divided, again.
Be safe & good luck.
Posted by: Larry | Oct 28, 2006 3:58:32 PM
The Chase is here, get with it or get out. Does any body think that by constantly crying about the chase, your going to change Brians mind? He does not know you exist, your just a serial number on money to him. If you want to improve the CHASE that is another thing. Even Bian will listen fans if it is presented properly. I'll go to RANT for the rest.
Better luck next season and you will if you all let Kurt help.
Posted by: 328 | Oct 28, 2006 8:15:26 PM
You miss the point, fans want to compare the Champion against other Champions from the past, and the Chase completely ruins that. No crying or whining about it. Todays Championship doesn't mean as much as it would because it rewards drivers that didn't earn the chance to be there in the first place. 10th place getting a 3 race + mulligan of 400 points? I still prefer the old points system, and Jayski posts them every week, so I'm not the only one interested, but just like on Sunday the best car doesn't always win. I just hope the Chase doesn't work out the same way.
Posted by: MoparDave | Oct 29, 2006 1:11:24 PM
If your driver pits in a position that puts you on pit road while you're doing your job, don't be angry at the driver behind your driver if he hits you... it's your driver's fault for not getting in the pit box. You know you're not supposed to be on pit road; you're supposed to be in the pit box.
Posted by: RCSanders | Oct 30, 2006 9:18:07 AM
Stewart is showing NASCAR the Chase is not the solution. He'd be fourth in "classic" points right now and would still have a shot at a third Cup, and Kahne, even with his six wins, would be 11th.
The current Chase format doesn't cater to the fans as NASCAR claims; it caters to advertisers and television networks. If a driver clinches 5 weeks before Homestead, television viewing drops off. That's the only reason we have a "Chase" now - advertising dollars.
Posted by: RCSanders | Oct 30, 2006 9:21:49 AM
Hey Trent, you guy's ran the Intrepid, why not go ahead and put on the Camry? Hard to imagine you guys are competing w/ Bam Racing, and BDR, but lately Kyle Petty's lapping us every fifteen minutes, what the hells going on down there at PRS? Good God man. You guys are killing me.
Posted by: MoparDave | Oct 31, 2006 12:26:49 AM
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