NASCAR's New Point System

[Eagle101]

NASCAR will using a different point system starting in 2004. After the first 26 races are finished, all drivers outside the top 10 or more than 400 points behind the leader, are out of the field for the Championship. Those left will then be separated by just a few points from each other, 50 if I remember correctly, and go for a $5,000,000.00 Championship purse, the other 9 will win about one mil each. This, to me makes it a 26 race season with a 10 race "playoff". If this was in place last year Kenseth would not have won. This may cause problems with some sponsors. They may sign on for just 26 weeks with an option for 10 more, if their car is in the top 10. The 33 or so cars that don't make it to the top 10 may as well as pack up and stay home. The last 10 races will be about equal to the IROC series.

[wayleehan]

I'm not sure about this new point system either! I felt that they needed to do something different, but if I had my way, I wouldn't have gone with this system. I think they need more points for a win, and more points for poll position, finishing, and a few other things here and there. I didn't like the "lucky dog pass" they enforced this last year, as racing back to the finish is so much more fun to watch!! Oh well... I guess we'll have to see how it goes. No matter what they do, I'm still going to watch!!
#8

[dave]

I've never been a big racing fan, but the "Nextel Cup" just doesn't sound as good as the "Winston Cup".

[wayleehan]

I agree!! I am a racing fan (only for a few years now) but I never used to think that Winston was the sponsor... I used to think that was just the name for it!! It's going to be hard getting used to the name/sponsor change!!

[rob]

I bet Dale Sr. is turning in his grave.

[Imajaguar]

I agree with you all on the new point system. I guess I'll just watch for 26 weeks. That is a huge mistake!! The entire year has to be taken into consideration for the championship.
I have been a fan as long as I can remember much to the chagrin of my mother who said it was a 'redneck' sport or not a sport at all. I am so glad everyone has now embrassed NASCAR. I never thought of Winston Cup as being a cigarette sponsor either. Just the name of it. I was trying to find the schedule for this year and wasted a whole lot of time looking for the Winston Cup schedule!! It did finally dawn on me though.
I do wish they'd take all these darn restrictions off and just let the best car and man win like it used to be. Those of you who are new to the sport need to buy some of the vidioes of old races and watch them. They are great!! After Bobby and Donnie retired I picked up Davey as my favorite. It was like a death in the family when he died so I know how all you Earnharth fans felt. I had always liked Wallace and you should have seen Earnhart and Wallace go at it. Wallace is getting a little old for this sport so I have added the new blood of Jimmy Johnson to my favorites list just in case Wallace should retire as I believe Elliott will. I know you can see why I don't like this 26 race thing from what I have said. To come in second in this game is quite an accomplishment even though we all want to WIN!!
I do apologize to you Earnhart folks!! I have never been able to spell that name correctly.
#2

[Eagle101]

I saw Bobby and Donnie race at the old Dixie Speedway up in Midfield. I worked at the track by selling cokes in the stands. I remember when they used to tow their cars to the track with a tow bar behind a pick-up truck. They finally got to where they could afford an open trailer. Dixie on Friday, Mont.gomery on Saturday and BIR on Sunday.

NASCAR does have too many restrictions. From the shocks size to the spoiler. They may as well just produce a car just for NASCAR racing. No Fords or Chevy's, just a generic car. Gone are the days when people like Richard Petty would take the family car to the track on Sunday and his wife would drive the kids to school in it (or what was left) on Monday.

I would have qualifing times for Daytona only. After that the field for each race would be set by OWNERS points for each car. Lowest point up front, highest last. The drivers need more practice time on Fridays. NASCAR did right on the one engine rule. The next step I'd like to see is once the car is qualified for the race the only things the crew can change on the car is the fluids and tires. Now they can change almost everything on a qualified car except the engine block. This would cut down on costs. As it is now after a car is qualified the crew changes everything and the driver has to retune the car during "Happy Hour".

[rob]

I still can't get use to not seeing that black #3 out there.It just doesn't seem the same.

[Eagle101]

The "3" car will be back. NASCAR does not retire car numbers. If they did we would be seeing a lot of 3 digit car numbers. RCR can only keep the number out for so long. If Childress doesn't start using it, then it will be available for another team. Right now, out of respect for Earnhardt, no one wants to use it. I don't think Dale Jr. wants it because he is establishing his own career in the "8" car. Childress will probably put a new driver from Bush Series in the "3". No active NEXTEL Cup (sounds odd doesn't it?) driver will want it.

[bran]

Didn't Dale Jr. decide to (well, actually buy the rights to) #8 because both his father and his grandfather both at one time, or another, raced as the #8 car?

[Eagle101]

I don't remember. I have a 1/64 diecast of Ralph Earnhardt's car. I'll dig it out and see what the number is. May take a while, I have over 500 packed up and stored. I started collecting them in 1990 and quit when Davey was killed.

[rob]

Bran,I think your right.

[bran]

:)

[wayleehan]

Always nice to see more and more women getting involved with NASCAR!! Wish my wife would!! Luckily for her we have more than 1 tv!! ;)

[rob]

So which driver(s) do you think this new point system is going to help the most?