NASCAR may scrap points system

[LMITOUT]

AP Source: NASCAR may scrap points system

NASCAR is considering scrapping the points system it has used since 1975 in favor of a simpler method that awards points per finishing position, The Associated Press has learned.

The overhauling of the system is one of a handful of changes NASCAR is considering implementing before the season begins next month. Series officials have been detailing their ideas in individual meetings with teams, a person who attended one of the briefings told The AP on Monday.

The sanctioning body wants to go to a scoring system that would award 43 points to the race winner, and one point less for each ensuing position down to one point for the 43rd-place finisher.

NASCAR is also shying away from wholesale changes to its Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format.

NASCAR chairman Brian France floated the idea last July of shaking up the Chase to create more drama to the 10-week series that determines the Cup champion. Among France’s suggestions were widening the 12-driver field, instituting elimination rounds, and adding any other drama that could create “Game 7” type moments rivaling those from other professional sports leagues.

But teams have been told NASCAR is leaning toward keeping it a 12-driver field, with one caveat: The top 10 drivers following the 26th race of the season would qualify for the Chase, while the remaining two spots would go to the drivers with the most wins who are not already eligible for the Chase.

[MJ1657]

I think what they are talking about in the last paragrah makes alot of sense.

[LMITOUT]

I think they've got it backwards. They need to leave the regular season point system alone, but then utilize the proposed point system for the Chase drivers. 1st place gets 12, 2nd gets 11, and so on.

[Cyberfish]

What? they already scrapped their point system when they went to the "chase" format.

Glad they did now, got lots more fishin' time on weekends hehehe

[harvey lee]

I fell sorry for the next racer that win's the championship if they make a rule changes. Many will state that he only won because of the rule change and that someone else should be the champ.

[Cyberfish]

yeah me too...well not really. I would be happy just to get to try a few laps in one of those cars, the closest I will ever come is at the MOA SMS hehe

[Johnsonator]

I tend to like to like most of NASCAR's rule changes but I am on the fence about this one. I can see modifying the current points system some but not a complete change. It is starting to feel like they are making desperate changes.

[rich4walleyes]

From what I am hearing, the new points system will make it alot easier to figure out how many points each driver gets. I bet if you ask any fan how the points are given out, many will not have a clue. The system has been around for many years and some long time fans still do not know how they give the points out. Stewart said it best the other day in his news conference from Daytona. Just tell the drivers what the rules are and they will go from there. Not many of the drivers really care how the points are given out, just that they know they rules before the game starts.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I'm not that hard core of a NASCAR fan and I know how the points work!

[harvey lee]

+1 Airjer

[Johnsonator]

Sounds like we will find out tommorrow what the new system will be if they decide to make any changes.

[rich4walleyes]

They have announced now that the points will be changing. First place will be getting 43 for finishing 1st, 3 additional points for the win, 1 point for leading a lap, and 1 point for leading the most laps. The most points a driver can now win in a single race will be 48.

This is going to make it simpler to follow but I don't think it will make much of a difference in the over all racing.

[gregg52]

to get into the chase changed alittle

not postive how it goes i guess if they dont have win they can get in by wining

not sure if you are 11th and a win

didnt catch it all

like jj said it doesnt make any difference there just numbers

[LMITOUT]

Quote:

While the 12-driver Chase field remains intact, the final two spots will be determined by the number of victories during the first 26 races.

The top 10 in points following Race No. 26 -- the "cutoff" race -- continue to earn Chase berths.

Positions 11 and 12 are "wild-card" qualifiers and will go to non-top-10-ranked drivers with the most victories, as long as they're ranked in the top 20 in points. The top 10 Chase drivers will continue to be seeded based on victories during the first 26 races, with each win worth three bonus points. The wild-card drivers will not receive bonus points for wins and will be seeded 11th and 12th, respectively. It's a move aimed toward rewarding winning and consistency during the regular season.

The new points system -- which applies to all NASCAR national series -- will award points in one-point increments. As an example, in the Cup Series, race winners will earn 43 points, plus three bonus points for the victory. Winners also can earn an extra point for leading a lap and leading the most laps, bringing their total to a possible maximum of 48 points.

All other drivers in a finishing order will be separated by one-point increments. A second-place finisher will earn 42 points, a third-place driver 41 points, and so on. A last-place finisher -- 43rd place -- earns one point. In the Camping World Truck Series, the last-place finisher receives eight points, to account for that series' 36-driver race field.

[LMITOUT]

Other competitive enhancements announced Wednesday:

Pick a Series -- Drivers in all three national series now must select the series where they'll compete for a drivers' championship. Drivers still may compete in multiple series and help their teams win owners' titles in series where they're not competing for a drivers' title. The move helps spotlight young talent in the Nationwide and Truck series.

New Qualifying Procedure -- The qualifying order will be set based upon slowest-to-fastest practice speeds.

Inclement Weather Qualifying -- If bad weather cancels qualifying, the final starting lineup will be determined by practice speeds. The same rule book procedures will be used to determine eligibility to start a race. If weather cancels practice sessions, then the starting lineup will be set by points, per the rule book.

Tire Rules Revision -- Cup teams now are allowed five sets of tires for practice and qualifying instead of six. They must return four of those sets to Goodyear in order to receive their race allotment, and may keep one set of practice/qualifying tires. Tire allotments for race weekends will vary according to historical performance data.

Closed Loop Fueling System -- Introduced in the Truck Series, this goes into effect for all three national series in 2011. It combines a more efficient fueling system with the elimination of the catch-can man, considered the most "vulnerable" pit-crew member. Teams now will use six, rather than seven, over-the-wall pit-crew members.

Evolution of Cup Car -- NASCAR continues to work with the manufacturers and teams to enhance the look of the Cup Series car. The cars have new fronts this season and the body makeover will continue to help appeal to fans and aid manufacturer identity.

[harvey lee]

They can change the points all they want but the slow dudes will still be slow and are going nowhere. I will not make the racing anymore interesting either.

[gregg52]

it might make races 20 -26 alittle more interrsting

guys driving for that win to get in if it shakes out like that

but ya other wise points are points who finishes up there gets them

same fast dudes...same slow dudues ...same wreckers

maybe and hopefully a surprise year for somebody !

[Sudhorse44]

They have announced now that the points will be changing. First place will be getting 43 for finishing 1st, 3 additional points for the win, 1 point for leading a lap, and 1 point for leading the most laps. The most points a driver can now win in a single race will be 48.

This is going to make it simpler to follow but I don't think it will make much of a difference in the over all racing.

It's great that the most points possible for a race is 48... it's almost like they planned that in honor of Jimmy Johnson!