August 19, 2010
By Doug Demmons
Among the various proposals to alter the Chase for next season is an expansion from the current 12 drivers to something like 15.
But NASCAR officials this year are probably wishing it was still just 10. The Race for the Chase with 12 drivers going to the playoffs has essentially come down to a two-man contest between Clint Bowyer and Mark Martin for that last spot.
If only 10 drivers advanced it would be quite another story. Only 73 points separate Carl Edwards and Jeff Burton, who are tied for sixth, from Greg Biffle in 11th.
In a 10-driver field there would be six drivers on the bubble -- with the outside chance that Jimmie Johnson in fifth could miss the Chase with a few bad finishes.
It goes to show that sometimes change doesn’t make things better.
And that brings us to the latest proposal being floated -- to create a Chase for the Nationwide Series.
The difference with this Chase is that not everyone would be eligible for the Nationwide Chase. Full-time Sprint Cup drivers would not be eligible.
Bad idea.
Yes, I know, lots and lots of fans want to find some way, any way, to get the Cup drivers out of the Nationwide Series and give those poor ole Nationwide regulars a chance.
But here’s why it’s a bad idea:
Suppose that system were in place this year. Brad Keselowski, who has a lock on the championship with a 347-point lead over Carl Edwards, would be ineligible.
The favorite for the title would likely be Justin Allgaier in fourth place in the standing, 647 points behind Keselowski. Allgaier is the only Nationwide regular with a win this year.
Steve Wallace, Trevor Bayne, Brendan Gaughan, Jason Leffler make up the rest of the top five in points among Nationwide regulars.
But would any one of them deserve to be champion?
Short answer: No.
What would a Nationwide championship be worth if Keselowski were excluded?
Short answer: Nothing.
If that’s how a Nationwide Chase would look, it would be a farce.
What NASCAR is apparently trying to do is have it both ways -- keep the Cup drivers in the Nationwide Series but somehow keep them from winning the championship.
Why doesn’t NASCAR just kick the Cup drivers out of the Nationwide Series? Because they sell tickets to a series that is already woefully short on paying customers.
The better solution is to leave the Cup drivers in the Nationwide Chase. Nationwide regulars benefit from the opportunity to test their skills against Cup drivers.
During the Chase, NASCAR could allow drivers to enter the Cup race -- or -- the Nationwide race each weekend. That would boot Cup Chase drivers Kevin Harvick and Edwards and allow drivers like Keselowski and Paul Menard to decide which is more important -- a shot at the Nationwide title or more seat time in a Cup car.
Doug Demmons is a writer and editor for the Birmingham News ~ he writes daily and weekly auto racing columns ranging from NASCAR to open wheel to Formula One, local tracks and more... you can read Doug's columns online at Blog of Tommorow
Follow Doug on Twitter: @dougdemmons
The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.
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