Opinion: NASCAR’s point system will help fans

NASCAR has alienated a lot of fans for switching to the Chase format to decide a champion, and switching to the boxy looking Car of Tomorrow. And for a sport that has dealt with declining attendance and TV ratings, the newest shakeup might actually bring those fans back.

I may be right, and you may think I’m crazy (Note: Billy Joel couldn’t be reached for comment regarding NASCAR’s newest points system, but if you’re looking for a lunatic, I heard he’s the man) but I think this new program will work.

NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France along with NASCAR President Mike Helton confirmed the league will adopt a brand new point system in 2011.

The new point system—as first reported by Jenna Fryer of the AP last week—will award 43 points to the winner and one less point for each position all the way to the 43rd-place finisher, who will receive one point.

The winner will receive three bonus points, and lap leaders will get one bonus point. NASCAR will award one more bonus point for the driver who leads the most laps.

“When a driver is down by 10 points, he needs to pass 11 cars to take the lead in the standings,” France said. “It’s much more simplified.”

According to legend, in the summer of 1974, Bill France Sr.—the man nicknamed “Big Bill”—told a friend that NASCAR needed a new points system to replace the confusing model the sport currently had.

“The [points system] we have is confusing,” the elder France told his friend. “Heck, the competitors have a hard time understanding it. If the competitors can't figure out the system, the fans certainly can’t.”

Even four-time champ Jeff Gordon had trouble understanding the (now old) system from time to time. “There are times I’ve been confused by the points system,” he said. “[This is] a way to simplify it and connect with the fans. Whether you're a veteran or a new fan, you're making it more relevant to the positions on the track.”

So, NASCAR has switched to a new system to be more fan friendly.

“Fans can now look at the track and understand that one position equals one point,” Helton said.

Michael Waltrip said, “As a racecar driver I’ve known for a long time that if you finish 11th you’re going to get 60 more points than if you finish 30th. But I know that, and not very many other people know that. Now anyone can understand that if you finish 10th and someone else finishes 20th you’re only going to get 10 more points than him and so it will just make the fans more engaged.”

Seven-time Winston Cup champ and team owner Richard “The King” Petty also agreed that the new system is good for fans, but disagreed with giving so many bonus points.

“We’re the only sport there is that gives points or gives relief for leading a race or winning a race, Petty said. “Basketball, the last shot has got to count. You could lead the whole ballgame or golf game, and get beat on the last deal and that's it, you’re beat.

“That's the way it ought to be in NASCAR. They ought to make it so simple a 10-year-old can keep up with points.”

Getting fans more engaged is one of the many ways NASCAR hopes the new points system helps. Whether or not it does it still up for debate, but I believe the new system will help the everyday fan pick up on points as soon as the race is over.

There is also a slight tweak to the way NASCAR’s Chase for the Cup will be decided. The top ten drivers in points will automatically qualify, and then the next two drivers with the most wins will also get in. Those two “wild card” drivers must be in the top 20 in points.

The new points plan will be the same in each of the three NASCAR sanctioned series, but only the Sprint Cup will keep the Chase format, debuted in 2004.

Also, if weather cancels qualifying, the field will be set by practice speeds, not points as I previously stated, and has been the case in the past. If weather cancels practice NASCAR will fall back on points to set the field.

Boys, have at it…
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With just over 24 ½ days until the Daytona 500, I’ll be blogging away with some more posts about NASCAR over the next few weeks. Right now, it’s time for homework, so have a good Wednesday, and I’ll check back tomorrow.