Getting “Wild” on NASCAR
The Los Angeles Daily News posted a piece a couple says ago - NASCAR Needs to Go Wild - that has me pondering its possibilities.
Writer Tim Haddock’s premise is to allow a wild card into the Chase each year and he uses Tony Stewart’s performance as a “non-Chaser” this year as the jumping off point to support it. With Smoke’s two wins and other top ten finishes he has collected more points during the Chase events at this point then those that didn’t finish 16 points out of the party.
His solution is to allow a past champions wild card. Anyone who has been crowned NEXTEL/Winston Cup champion would be eligible for the Chase.
It seems reasonable enough but then he muddies the waters of his own argument. Again using Stewart as the example he cites his fuel mileage win and how he was able to gamble on making it to the finish where those in the Chase didn’t have that luxury.
My question is why would past champs being given a wild card entry into the Chase change that dynamic? The number of those racing for the Cup would increase but the same pressure to not make driver and or pitroad mistakes wouldn’t change.
A past Champ given a free pass into the Chase whether it be Tony Stewart or Bill Elliot would still be thinking “Big Picture” as the saying goes. If confronted with the fuel mileage decision that Stewart did they wouldn’t attempt to stretch it, they would pull in for gas and maintain the same Big Picture strategy of collecting as many points as possible.
My example of Bill Elliot is not without reason. Haddock’s proposal is to include all past Champs not just the current one. With all due respect to those that have worn the crown will it really make the Chase better by handing out free passes to part-timers like Elliot or as is the case this year Terry Labonte?
Will allowing them in take the “gamble” out of the Chase?
I think not.
This just in, but off topic (Sorry it doesn’t rate a post, just a snarky comment): Ray Evernham’s Side Dish™ has posted the sixth fastest time in the final practice for the NCTS event in Texas. Quick… someone check that Dodge for a nitrous Oxide bottle! Or a love letter under the seat.
NASCAR, Chase, NEXTEL Cup, Busch Series, Sports, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
Nice feedback. My only response to your conterpoints would be that NASCAR should extend its rule that allows past champions a provisional starting position in races. It is a good idea that recognizes the accomplishments of past glories and lets the sports maintain a sense of history.
Plus I think the more drivers in the Chase, the more exciting the racing will be. There have been too many drivers playing it safe this year. I want to see some more exciting races.
Nope, I can’t agree Tim.
No provisionals with the exception of the current champ (first 26 events, not the Chase). The other past champs are just that past champs. They had their glory, it sits in their trophy cases and bank accounts.
In addition the top 35 should be cut back to the top twenty, or less.
Call me old school but I believe you run what you brung. If it ain’t fast enough load up and go home.
Adding more in the Chase will only provide more drivers “playing it safe.” IT would solve nothing.
In stead of past champions. Allow all winners of any of the last 10 races to enter the chase as a wild card entry. You would have great racing from the non-chase group of cars to get the win to enter the chase.