France: We Will Keep Chase, You Will Like It

NASCAR Chairman Brian France really loves the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

And because of that, don't expect any major amends to the format, or a complete reversal back to the standard point system -- regardless if many fans and at least one top driver questions how it affects the sport's future integrity.

France cited the increased point amounts for winning a race as a major reason why the Chase is working so well.

Example 1-A? Jimmie Johnson last week at Texas Motor Speedway.

"I actually called Jimmie Johnson on the phone and told him that [afterward]," France said. "By going after that win, he risked a lot -- because he knew how close it was and he knew that those bonus points were maybe going to be necessary to win it all. I think in the old days, a couple years ago, somebody might have settled for second."

Sure, you can't argue with the fact that adding 10 points to the winner's prize for a race was a good move. In fact, that number should be 20 to 30 points higher.

But are winning championships in the 10-race Chase playoff comparable to the "old" point system? Jeff Gordon doesn't see it that way.

"The points are whatever NASCAR decides when it comes to racing for a championship. The one issue that I've got is that there is no way you can write history or compare history if they are constantly changing it," said Gordon.

You could say Gordon is bitter knowing that he would be celebrating his sixth championship right now had the point system not been changed. But he isn't, as he acknowledges that racing under the system is laid out at the beginning of the year and everyone knows the goal.

"I don't think anything is unfair because you know going into it what it is," Gordon said. "You knew that they were going to get bonus points for winning races in the regular season, and those guys earned those points. We know what we've got to do."

So what's right? What's wrong? It's hard to say.

But I've got to agree wth Gordon that the Chase does change the overall makeup of a Cup champion, and that they aren't comparable. But is the lack of comparison woth giving twelve drivers a shot at a title with ten races left?

What say you?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-10-2007 @ 10:24PM

Helen said...

I say, if Gordon had won the most races this year he'd be singing a different tune. You can't have it both ways. It is what it is, and winning should get more points. In fact, I agree it should be higher, say 25 points. Think of where Kasey would have been last year! It's too bad...

11-11-2007 @ 7:42AM

Mike said...

Sure, winning should get more than ten points. But why do you have to take away all the points you earned all year long? The hypnosis is not working on me Mr France. You can keep the chase, I will NOT like it. Next year it would be nice if Little E were ahead after 26 races by 400 points but has only 2 wins. Then let him lose the chase by 50 points and see how 40% of the fans like it then. Point is, the chase is only 4 years old and if JG does not win this year it will be the second time he was ripped off. That has not happened to anyone else yet, but I am sure when it does, those fans will be singing a different tune. Imagine it happening to someone more vocal like Tony Stewart or Carl Edwards. I bet the quote you would get is not "I don't think anything is unfair because you know going into it what it is,". At least in this case you would get the truth, "the chase format sucks".
Two more races to go and the finish that should now be over is going to be exciting. But at what cost Mr France? You must surround yourself with nothing but "yes" men because everyone else around is saying "NO" to your chase.
Ron or Don or someone else said it best when they first said, "blogging about it does no good. Cut and paste all the negative stuff and send it to them." This was in response to one of Trixie's numerous ABC coverage articles but it also applies here as well. Knowing what I know about the corporate world the finding would probably be "this is a marketing problem, we need a new ad campaign to change consumer opinion."
Mike LeVan

11-11-2007 @ 8:26AM

rob said...

God bless the colossal arrogance of Brian France. He is one of the most amazingingly self-important individuals that has ever had control of a major sport. Given his views and his "my way or the highway" attitude, I may very well be correct in surmising that he is an alcoholic or recovering alcoholic. He seems to have issues with proving himself and stays with failing ideas, because they are his, far too long, long after they are becoming detrimental to his goals.

Mr. France seems to be a very troubled individual, one who could ultimately be extremely injurious to the company that he rules in such a dictatorial manner. He seems to be unable to admit when his ideas are ineffectual and detrimental, and is completely unwilling to take responsibility or able to make reparations to salvage what is a "sinking ship". He seemingly requires some very strong guidance, but the axiom of "you can only help someone that is willing to help themselves" is very true.

Mr. France will only seek the help for whatever issue drives his misplaced ego when he hits bottom. Only then will NASCAR be able to pick up the pieces, if there are any to pick up.

Unfortunately, it seems that there is nobody willing to make an intervention of any kind, so god help the sport that we love, because that may be the only hope that it has.

11-11-2007 @ 10:34AM

Ken said...

The Chase has greatly devalued the points championship. Before the chase, the title meant far more as it measured the driver's performance for the year. The Chase only means that the driver had a good year with a hot streak and/or lucky streak in the last 10 races.

11-11-2007 @ 12:30PM

Brad said...

Mike, once again you have hit the nail right on the head, this time it looks like dead center. No matter how they paint it there is always going to be drivers that will be screwed out of a championship with the chase format in place, not always mind you but a very large percentage. JG has been screwed once and might be again. I am not a JG fan but long time Nascar fans should have to admit that he should have 6 titles going by the format that should not have been changed. ONCE again it's all about the $$$$$$$$. We can blog all we want about it but we are just another flea on the dog that constantly 'CHASES' his own tail.

Dr. Rob, Although I don't agree with all your comments I agree with you on this one, you could well be right about Mr. French Fry France. He could be an alcoholic but if he is in recovery he's on a dry drunk! ! ! Once your a pickle ya can't go back to being a cucumber.

No insult intended with the DR. Bob reference.

ALOHA, BRAD

11-11-2007 @ 12:58PM

greg said...

plain and simple for me I lose more andmore intrest every race and every year. nascar sucks more and more as time goes on. i used to love nascar, but not so much anymore.

11-11-2007 @ 1:00PM

the points suck,nascar sucks more and more every year.i used to love watching races start to finish but not anymore. the old points system was better because alot more drivers had a chance to at least get a shot at the cup

11-12-2007 @ 8:48AM

Louis Janney said...

The chase format does not work for me. This is not a stick and ball sport. In the regular season in other sports your record gets you home field advantage or a by week. In NASCAR you get penalized for having a great season. If Jr doesn't place in the top 12 next year I"m sure the chase will expand to 15 cars.
Under the chase format it is possible for the 12th car to DNF all 10 races and for the 13th car to win 10 races and still not advance his position. W>T>F> 12 drivers in the chase but only 10 on the dais. No bonus for regular season points lead. You can have a driver (like Bowyer) with no wins but a great season in 12th position. Next you will probably have to have a win to get into the chase. Otherwise it screws up Brians' wet dream.

11-12-2007 @ 11:25AM

Patrick in LA said...

All I know is under the old points sytem that Dale and Richard won thier 7 titles, Jeff would have his 6th right now! The new system penalizes the lead driver after 26 races and lets everyone else catch up without actually having to perform! Much like Affirmative Action laws that award mediocrity! Jeff has to know in his heart that he is on par with those other 2 drivers who have 7 titles. NASCAR just went and changed the rules to satisfy the fans with no regards to the integrity of the sport and the driver!
Jeff had a lead at 26 races that should of held up to a streaky driver like JJ and should have won this year but wont. It is extremely unfair and unfortunate that Jeff wont be able to equal Dale or Richard. And this year probably has drained a lot of Jeffs desire. I guarantee you he wont be thisclose again as his prioroties in life(wife and baby) have changed him. This was supposed to be his year and Bill France has stolen it away(for the 2nd time!)

11-12-2007 @ 11:31AM

gene said...

HEY BRIAN.....YOU SCREWED NASCAR UP!!!
Empty seats at just about all the last 10 or 11
races...tv ratings are down...the races are
boring....all because of the almighty dollar...
no longer for the fans....all for pepsi, sunoco,
nextel or sprint? what are you calling it next
year??? the SPRINT CUP...LOL, BRIAN FRANCE YOU
ARE A JOKE.

11-12-2007 @ 11:32AM

How about put a 20,000 bounty on jimmy johnson brian france? Whoever takes him out wins the
20,000 and gets to sit with you at the awards
in new york...which i advise everyone to avoid
watching, if you think the races are boring and
the cars are all controlled by nascar, don t watch
the banquet...its going to be the continuation of
the Jimmy J show......and the drivers sound like
robots when they give their speeches, again all
controlled by nascar....as a long time nascar fan
all the way back to the great HARRY GANT...I m done
with nascar after this scripted chase...I guess LOWES owns the formally known charlotte motor speedway and BRIAN FRANCE

11-12-2007 @ 2:18PM

HELEN, jeff gordon is not singing a tune, i have
yet to hear him complain about being robbed of
2 more championships, it is the fans and not just
his fans and they are 100 percent correct, i agree
with all 8 posters that posted after you, yes
virgina there are sensible people.

11-13-2007 @ 10:54PM

Sandie said...

As a matter of fact in the after race interview Jeff conceded to Jimmie and was a gentleman all year. The Winston Cup Championships were earned an met something the Nextel Cup Championships mean nothing. I for one am ready to give up my season tickets to Homestead and watch football. No wonder television ratings are so low and seats empty at the track. All is in total agreement this Chase system sucks!!!

11-14-2007 @ 11:01AM

ljanney said...

Ve haff ways ov making you talk Mein Herr

11-14-2007 @ 11:15AM

TV ratings are down because
1) No one knows what channel to watch. What do we have now 4 different networks? Not counting Speed.
2) NASCAR is so politically correct. What Would Cale (or Richard or Dale or Buddy or Jimmy) Do? "The (insert 30 second spot here) ran good today but I guess God didn't want me to win" "I feel bad that the (insert number here) hurt his car when he ran over me, I should have known better".
Bul*Shi*!!!! Carl may have been misguided but he had the right idea.
3) The announcers suck. If Rusty was able to tell what every driver on the track was thinking, why didn't he win more races? Quit playing favorites. If the 8 is in the back of the field, why does he get the same air time as the leader. Get kyle back. At least he is not afraid to tell it like it is, no matter who he pi**es off.

11-15-2007 @ 8:28AM

Well, I waited a few days and I have not changed my mind. Sorry Mr. France, I do not like the chase as it is today. Yes, it is easy to say it is only because I am a Jeff Gordon fan. But next year maybe it will happen to your favorite driver. In fact, I think it would be fantastic if after the first 26 races either one of two in particular drivers were 400 points ahead and then end up not winning the cup. The sad truth though is that one of those drivers has never in his career been ranked number 1 in points and the other driver would probably wreck any one that managed to get ahead of him in the chase.
Yep, I am just crying in my milk over this new chase thing. 10 years from now when they talk about the history of Nascar and the drivers that built it to what it has become they will refer to some drivers and their championships with an asterisk. "This driver had X number of championship cups back when the champion was the guy that busted his ass all year long, not just in the final ten races. Now, all you have to do is limp into the chase in 12th place and put together a half dozen good races to be called a "champion".
I guess now the arguement over how you determine how to rank the drivers over history has now been resolved. The only way it can be done now is by race wins. The "champion" is no longer the best driver of the year. I am sure Mr France will now find a way to determine that the man in first place when the checkered flag drops is not really the winner. Kind of like that dumb ass idea ABC had of breaking up a race into four quarters and giving points accordingly so that the winner actually does not get the most points most of the time. What a dumb ass idea. I am sure Mr France is actually thinking about it though. It may have actually been his idea and ABC was just floating a balloon for him in bringing it up two weeks ago. Oh yes, now we have a new way to make a race exciting. Funny thing is they used to be exciting, what happened?
Mike LeVan

11-15-2007 @ 9:24AM

grapevinesooner said...

Gordon is right from the standpoint that all the teams knew how the points structure would work and when the right time to hit the 'On' switch would be.

That having been said, the Chase is still a farce. In only the first year has it set out to do what it was supposed to do. The last three years, the race at Homestead has essentially meant nothing.

Yes, I realize that if not for the Chase, Gordon would have probably clinched a championship 2 or 3 races ago. Of course, we might have also had a season like the trucksters have had this year with Ron Hornaday and Mike Skinner battling it out.

Point being, you can't manufacture drama. It's what France and Nascar have tried to do the last four years and they've failed at it 75% of the time.

11-19-2007 @ 7:25PM