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September 10, 2006
Playoff system is here to stay
By DAVID GREEN
"Chase for the Cup III" is all set to go, and for the second year in a row, a major name driver is on the outside looking in. This time, it's the reigning Nextel Cup champ.
The format makes the championship a complete toss-up. Ranking the drivers 1-10 is almost a joke, given the 5-point increments that separate them. As the green flag waves, 10th is only 45 points out of first. But here's a prediction: Kevin Harvick, the first guy to run a complete Busch Series schedule along with a full-time Cup schedule (except for Daytona, of course), will become the first to win both series championships in the same year.
From whence will the stiffest competition likely come? Why, from Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch, if you believe in momentum from recent performances carrying over into the final 10.
Don't care? Still in a snit because you don't like the Chase format? Sorry. It's here and it's not going to go away.
In fact, it's proving to be contagious.
In case you didn't notice, a couple of weeks ago the National Hot Rod Association announced its own version of a Chase-type playoff for the PowerAde Drag Racing Series' professional classes. This one will progressively trim the field, much the way the ladder format eliminates drivers (hence, the term "eliminations") round by round in each NHRA event. It will go into effect next season.
As it did in NASCAR, the new format will alter the way in which championships are decided. The bad news is that achievements during the "regular season" will count for nothing once the playoffs begin. The good news (for those competitors who make the playoffs and for fans who buy into the drama of such a system) is that more competitors will have an opportunity to win the title.
That's consistent with the way most major sports determine their champions nowadays. Long gone are systems that reward season-long excellence, the way Major League Baseball did prior to the advent of divisional playoffs.
And, let's face it. Tony Stewart and the others who missed the cut for this year's Chase field realistically had no chance to win the title under the old format. By this time, Stewart's title defense would have been over already, by all realistic assessments. The Chase just makes it official.
On the bright side, NASCAR has historically short-changed its winners in favor of a system that rewards consistency. Now, it appears that we may have some hope of a modification that will make winning races, both in the "regular season" and in the "playoffs," more important.
The playoff format is the rage, folks. Might as well enjoy it. I plan to do just that.
September 10, 2006 | Permalink
Comments
ME TOO DAVID ME TOO
Glad that part is over and although I was
hoping for a better outcome I for one am glad it's over.
Now we wait to see who wins the 2006 prize and what changes are made for 2007.
Posted by: trucker | Sep 10, 2006 12:43:26 AM
There's one other "Chase format" you missed. The PGA started a similar format for the golf tour.
It's the rage don-cha know?
I would agree, Havick looks to be the odds on fravorite. Johnson has shot his wad. Some will claim he's been riding out the string content sitting on top knowing he was in.
Poppy-cock Harvick has been at the top also, no riding out the string there. I don't buy it, the #48's performance is rooted somewhere else not complacency over being in.
As for the rest: The #9 and #31 have a legit shot. The rest are pretenders.
Posted by: Marc | Sep 10, 2006 2:13:09 AM
I think you are right. When was the last time anyone outside the top 10 in points with 10 races to go ever win the championship anyway? The Chase is just for PR.
Posted by: Dave | Sep 10, 2006 5:20:37 AM
David,
I'll have to wait to see the exact adjustments to the points system Mr. F makes before I get all goo goo over the Chase. But, it is here to stay so may as well get used to it. Anyhow, we Americans do love a Playoff. The best team doesn't always win and we like to root for the underdog. Three years was the proper amount of time to wait before a major adjustment. Now lets see if they get it right.
Dave,
Your answer would be, "it's never happened."
Posted by: Keith | Sep 10, 2006 8:01:02 AM
I'm glad the chase is here to stay. Without it, the only excitement would be between 17&48. I disagree with the total format of the chase as it is because it takes away from the racing. I think the chase should be used to determine the top three finishings. Every one else could still finish as high a 4th. Ten guys racing for three positions, that would be exciting with 33 cars racing for fouth.
Posted by: 328 | Sep 10, 2006 8:40:55 AM
I'm still no fan of the current format, I do agree that there needs some fine tuning, Keith's "Win and In" format is a start. and IMO just a win will get you in. Secondly, award the current "latford" points without "bonus points"...in theory, this would eleminate trying to leak a lap to stay in the hunt, and a driver would HAVE to RACE to keep pace. If you where to award "more" ponts to a winner...IMO you are only feeding the megateams to which I think that it should be A 2CAR LIMIT...but thats another blog, In Keeping it simple, you could possible have a "David and Goliath" scenario with a Cal Welles car, or MBV2, or even a HOF racing win a championship...I'm not gonna dissect THAT issue but just think what that would do for that team publicty wise...I mean whooda thunk? alright I'll get off my soapbox now.
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Sep 10, 2006 10:46:29 AM
Sorry David typing in the dark...
that "Lead a Lap" NOT leak a lap...LOL
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Sep 10, 2006 10:48:30 AM
Why not make it even more absurbed than it already is? Take the top 35 in points and seperate them by 5 point increments and let em go for the championship.No bonus points for winning during the season or during the chase. Better still run the 10 "elite" by themselves in special races like IROC before the big show.Sure am getting tired of this overhyped bs.
Posted by: Gary | Sep 10, 2006 11:22:22 AM
I don't mind the chase so much as I do locking in the top ten for the duration. I my humble opinion, there should be some type of elimination like after 2 races, the last place driver in the chase is eliminated and reverts to the old points, thus creating a situation that allows for continuing to race for a final top ten spot. Racing for 11th just seems hollow.
Posted by: Mike | Sep 10, 2006 3:40:15 PM
I'm with Gary. What was wrong with having 36 races and totaling up the points? Just because there wasn't ten drivers in it at the end doesn't mean you should give drivers that are behind more points than they earned, which the Chase does.
Plus look at all of the careful driving they did protecting their spots at Bristol and Richmond. NASCAR took two of their most exciting races and turned them into snoozefests.
AND now they don't know what the hell to do about drivers who win five races and almost don't make it. They're going to futz with this system every year and they could have just let it alone.
NASCAR isn't like other sports. It isn't about "you win or lose and there are no other options". It's about how good your finish is week in and week out.
I guess the real fan doesn't matter as much as that non-fan who whines that they just go around in circles.
Posted by: Kurt Smith | Sep 10, 2006 4:04:23 PM
Mike,
You have a point...It's a playoff, right? Playoffs have consequences. Last guy is out until there's only 2. Can't put them back in the regular system because they earned a spot in the title hunt. So just raise everyone still in the Chase up, 1000 each, after every race.
Posted by: Keith | Sep 10, 2006 4:38:20 PM
Hey, how come NASCAR doesn't use the chase in the Busch series?
Posted by: Kurt Smith | Sep 10, 2006 10:11:41 PM
Keith, would you like to dispense the "yellow stripes" and send him to the end of the longest line.
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Sep 10, 2006 11:04:13 PM
No, David, the Chase format is NOT here to stay, because the fundamental phoniness of the concept guarantees that no one will take it seriously beyond a gimmick. NHRA won't keep the playoff format once NASCAR eventually abandons it. It will take time, but continuing to speak out against this BS format, cimbined with the beginning of decline in the sport's popularity (seen in flat TV ratings and reduced track attendence) in part because of it, will eventually succeed in ending it.
"Tony Stewart would not have won the title under the old format." No, but he'd definately have dislodged several drivers in the top ten righjt now, but now he can't because the playoff format won't let him.
As for having hope for rewarding winning more, we may see a modest increase in winner points, but that's all we'll see - it will take a while before NASCAR can finally be made to see that the championship is supposed to entail winning the most races.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Sep 11, 2006 12:35:24 AM
You're right; the Chase probably isn't going to go away. But looking at all the empty seats in the grandstands week after week, it looks as though a lot of the fans already have gone away.
Posted by: Gary | Sep 11, 2006 7:52:39 AM
I agree that the Chase is here to stay. It does need a little tweaking. The downside to the coverage of the Chase was the finishes of Blaney and Schrader. But now that the Chase gives a couple of my drivers a chance to win the title, I am going to sit back and enjoy these next 10 weeks.
Posted by: Michelle | Sep 11, 2006 10:24:57 AM
The chase isn't such a bad idea. The only thing that bothers me is the focus on the top 10. Does anyone remember where dave Blaney finished on Sat. night? Probably not because they were too busy with the chasers. From a sponsors standpoint I would be furious and not sponsor the last 10 races if my driver was out. There was no mention on anyone else the last few races. Last week Dale Jarret was 10. No mention of that. Schrader this week was in the top 10. No word of that.
For me the season is over. No point watching because even if my driver won the race they wouldn't barely mention it. But if one of the chasers came in last we would follow him all evening. I think Nascar needs to tell the tv station to keep it somewhat fair.
Posted by: blab43 | Sep 11, 2006 12:36:26 PM
Michelle I don't quite sse a "downside" to where Blaney and Schrader finished? It was the best showing by those drivers all season!
I also see the "focus" on the top 10 chasers IS a hinderence to the reat of the field.
a sidenote I watched Cart? IRL?...and openwheel race Sunday, and I must say I liked the side by side commercial coverage...goes to show ya the France Familt Mafia needs a new brain trust!
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Sep 11, 2006 2:53:21 PM
David, I agree - like it or not - we're stuck with it.
If NASCAR does decide to award more points for wins, I hope it’s a substantial amount, and not just two or three more points.
I never would have imagined when I first started following NASCAR that any other sport would compare or use NASCAR, especially its points system, as an example.
I have a feeling all those who were laughing at NASCAR and its drivers with their “stickers” and “patches” 20 and 30 years ago aren’t laughing today.
Too bad the true NASCAR fan knows the original point system worked just fine for 50+ years, and we never saw the need for change. Now it will probably be “tweaked” every few years, whether we like it or not.
Posted by: Shirley | Sep 11, 2006 3:03:01 PM
Michelle, I have to echo Bud. There was a DOWNSIDE to Blaney and Schrader finishing in the top 10? Please tell me this is a case of the "written word" not stating what you really mean.
I thought it was fantastic that the two did so well. Too bad they didn't get the coverage they deserved.
I don't remember seeing that STP 43 too many times either.
It was obvious what TNT was focused on, and it wasn't necessarily what the fans wanted to see. Not to mention commercials every 6-8 minutes.
Bud, isn't Side-By-Side great on ABC/ESPN? And Hornish winning the IRL championship for Penske was pretty cool as well.
But I was sad to see Michael Schumacher announcement his retirement after winning the F1 race at Monza Italy. I'll miss him next year, but look forward to the last three races to see if he can get an 8th championship.
Posted by: Shirley | Sep 11, 2006 3:14:10 PM
#5, sorry about that! My fingers were not typing what my little mind was thinking. I meant the downside was that they were not interviewed because they were not in the Top 10. I think they could have given them a little bit of TV time. And like someone else has said, it probably won't get any better for the non-chasers who finish well in these next 10 races since the focus will be on the Top 10.
Posted by: Michelle | Sep 11, 2006 3:17:28 PM
Shirley,
My apologies. I was very happy to see Schrader and Blaney run so well and finish so well and then not even get an interview. I have several drivers that are not in the Top 10 that I root for. It would be nice if they are given the attention they deserve for finishing a good race. Sorry for the confusion!
Posted by: Michelle | Sep 11, 2006 3:22:47 PM
Nothing will change until the Sponsors do something. Nascar does not listen to the fans. Shirley, you are right. I waited all night to see that STP paint scheme. Finally he got between Gordon and Junior and I got a glimpse of the hood. Not everyone cheers on the top 10. Some of us are interested in the other 32 drivers too.
Do you thing Green would have been parked if he had bumped a "non-chaser"? I thought that was a good example of inconsisitency on Nacar's part.
Posted by: Blab43 | Sep 11, 2006 3:34:55 PM
Michelle, sorry here as well. I was hoping that's what you meant. Thanks for clarifying.
Even though I'm a big fan of Jr's and Tony's, I have just as much Kenny Schrader, Michael Waltrip and Steve Park "stuff" as the others. Got some Bobby Labonte and Joe Nemecheck as well. However, Dale beats them all! ;-)
Blab43, I bet you were looking for that 43. I totally forgot about it until mid-way thru the race and then started watching for it. Did anyone mention that STP was donating $43/lap at Talladega and Richmond? Guess that wasn't important enough.
Just like we were not given the opportunity to see the 1 team receive their championship rings for the Pit Crew championship.
Not only would David Green have been parked, he probably would have lost points.
No, wait! A driver can go back on the track during a cool down lap and slam someone in the side and get a slap on the wrist. (Sorry, couldn't help it.)
Sure, no one ever did the post-race slam prior. Does that mean that will be the "penality" a driver will receive in the future if it happens again?
IMO both are "examples of inconsistency on NASCAR's part."
Posted by: Shirley | Sep 11, 2006 6:42:07 PM
Thats O.k Miichelle I kinda thought you mean't otherwise, Sometime we get "3Wide out of Turn 3"...so hang in there and "Pull those Belts tight Driver and Stay up on that wheel"(keyboard) welcome to the "Chase"!
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Sep 11, 2006 8:18:06 PM
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