NASCAR's New Points Rule Change
By Richard Tix
To start the 2014 season NASCAR made some huge announcements which brought out mixed reactions from drivers, media, and the fan base. Among these dramatic changes was a new way NASCAR would hold there points standings for getting into the Sprint Cup Chase (NASCAR's New Era).
The new rules were to create a bigger emphasis on winning week to week and so far we as fans have seemed to benefit from that. But, has it really been because of the new rules? Are guys who don't have a win using a different strategy to win?
As I stated before the season starts in the article NASCAR's New Era, I like the new system and I still hold to that. But I do believe some people are completely throwing out the idea that points matter and now its all about winning.
Winning means more in 2014 than it did in 2013, NASCAR definitely hit the nail on the head on that, but at the end of the regular 26 race season (before the Chase) I do not think we will have 16 winners. Even if we do, the way it shapes up right now Jeff Gordon would still get in. The top spot in the points standings at the end of 26 races gets into the Chase with a win or without. That means even if you believe we have 16 winners, one would miss out if the top driver in the standings doesn't have a win.
If you are adding it up, that would mean the remaining 15 spots would come down to, you guessed it, points. Only 15 of the 16 winners would get a Chase spot and this would all be decided by who has the most points. Once again, wins matter most, because a guy with 2 or 3 wins gets in before the guy with 1 win, but all the guys with one win would be fighting in points for a spot.
Now, lets take the other angle, the angle I think will happen. Lets say at race 24 of 26 NASCAR has 12 winners (or 13, 14, anything short of 16). That will leave 3 spots open and two races to hash it out. Yes, guys who don't have a win will be pushing for a win, because it locks them in, but don't try and tell me if a few guys are good on points to get in they wont be protecting there "good points day" while running 8th. Points will be huge if this type of situation happens because that's what it will come down to.
I will also argue this, because drivers who win are almost a lock to get into the Chase they will gamble more, meaning they will leave points on the table when the gamble doesn't work out. This means other drivers will be looking to collect those points another driver with a win might have gained. Take Harvick for example, he is pretty much in, but has been leaving points out there during his bad luck run that other drivers are taking. These points that other drivers are getting when Harvick has a bad day will play a big role in the standings when NASCAR only has 13 winners (and it isn't just Harvick, it seems a lot of top tier drivers have had some bad luck early, leaving a lot of points out there for others to get). With Harvick another thing comes into play, he has to stay in the top 30 in the standings for that win to get him in (he will have no problem, but this could be an issue if someone steals a road course or super speedway win). Meaning, a driver with a win must also be in the top 30 in points standings after 26 races.
The team running well overall at the end of the season (yes, again that probably means having good points days most weeks, not just winning once and finishing 30th two weeks in a row) will have the best shot at winning it in the end, or at least making the final four drivers. So do I think winning is more important this season? Yes. But I do believe many people are overlooking the importance points will still have at the end of 26 races. When it comes down to 3 spots, and 5 drivers all mathematically have a shot, do you really think they will push so hard for that win while in 8th (and in on points at that moment) and wreck there car finishing 35th and missing the Chase? Everyone would say if he just held steady at 8th he would have been in, or a few more good points days would have made the difference. So, how can points not matter?
**Note: The last race technically comes down to points as well. Drivers don't get bonus points, but highest finisher wins. You don't have to win, but if you had a win or highest in points in each 3 race segment during the Chase and you make the final four, it all comes down to one race anyways. So again, points matter, but winning is way more important in 2014 than 2013**
Well, what do you think? Everyone has an opinion so let me know on Twitter @NASCARBTW. The funny thing is, Mr France said this change was to "simplify the points" when really it added another layer that confuses a lot of fans. I still like the new points system, but France, lets not lie to all of us more than you already do.
As always, thanks for reading and check out the rest of the blog.
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