Tony Stewart has been ranked first or second in NASCAR's marquee Sprint Cup Series championship for the last 19 weeks. He's led the standings since May 31, building a comfy 100-point margin by late June and eventually an impressive 284-point edge over second place by August.Stewart entered last Saturday's Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway with a 234-point advantage in the championship.
And then, "poof!"
Stewart left Richmond in second place trailing new leader Mark Martin by 10 points by virtue of Martin's four wins to his three, thanks to a reset button NASCAR has employed to re-seed the 12-driver Chase for the Championship field for the 10-race playoff that begins Sunday in New Hampshire.
Essentially NASCAR's party has only started rockin'. And you know what, Stewart's just fine with that.
"It's not devastating to leave here and be second in the points after leading for so long,'' said Stewart, owner-driver of the No. 14 Office Depot Chevy. "We all knew what the system is going in. It's a fair system.
"It's an exciting system."
Six years into the new Chase format, and there are long and heated debates on whether it skews the championship outcome because of resetting the points. But interestingly, the loudest detractors aren't the people actually racing for the trophy. The drivers are OK with it.
If not for this bit of manufactured late season drama, a driver enjoying a year like Stewart would probably run away with the title. It's certainly happened before and effectively relegates the field to a "we'll get 'em next year" mindset by mid-October while fans tune out to NASCAR and into the NFL.
Good, if you're Stewart or one of his fans ... but not so good for the sport.
So the drivers have changed their mindset and strategy to reflect the Chase format -- get in, then get after it.
The way it "used to be" is irrelevant now.
The Chase has essentially doubled the stakes while infusing enough suspense and excitement to make this anybody's game again.
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Chandra Johnson, wife of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson, attends Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park on September 13, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Katy Winn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chandra Johnson
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"You hate to have a deficit, but like Tony (Stewart) said, for us sixth is better than 12th,'' said Jeff Gordon who would be second in points, trailing Stewart by 179 markers if not for the re-seeding.
Instead, Gordon, a one-race winner drops to sixth in points, but only 30 behind his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Martin. He's actually in better shape for the title run, although he's ranked lower.
"A lot is going to happen and I think we've got a great shot at it (championship),'' Gordon said. "I'm fired up, really fired up.''
And it's a feeling he shares with 11 other drivers.
Consider that Greg Biffle would have been 557-points behind Stewart, Brian Vickers, 603 back under the previous championship format.
Instead, the winless Biffle is in 12th place but only 40 behind Martin. By virtue of his win at Michigan last month, Vickers is in eighth place and only 30 points out of the championship lead.
"Forty points, that's reachable in a couple races,'' Biffle said.
It's the kind of outlook that may crown a surprise champion, but not an undeserved one.
Jimmie Johnson won the 2006 championship after starting the Chase in second place, 57 points behind Matt Kenseth -- before the Chase was modified to re-set the points.
In 2007, the first year NASCAR re-seeded the top drivers, Johnson was the top-seed entering the Chase. And last year, Johnson won his third straight title after starting the Chase ranked third -- 40 points behind then eight-race winner Kyle Busch.
"Anybody that's in the Chase is a contender,'' Stewart said. "But after Loudon (N.H.) this weekend, this thing could be totally upside down and you could have the half the Chase field almost eliminated in one week.
"We've seen weird things happen and it's one of those deals that you can't predict what's going to happen in the Chase. Every year has been different.''
And that's the point.
"We are right there in striking distance and if we can put together ten great weeks then we will be the champion,'' Stewart said.
"If we don't, then we don't deserve it.''
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-16-2009 @ 5:13PM
agyoungb said...
Thank god kilie is not in the chase! Go get'm Smoke.
Reply
9-16-2009 @ 5:44PM
nazcar14 said...
TONY STEWART CAN SAY WHATEVER HE LIKES BUT,
as i said it before there is not going to be any champ cheering for me until last 10 laps or less at HOMESTEAD. And to justefy my cautious behavior there they are the last 4 STEWART LOSER FINISHES.
This chase crap although brings new hopes for some drivers, SCREWS IT UP FOR OTHERS and again there it goes STEWART starting 2ND nd NOT 1st.
iN ADDITION it can turn a positve season for FEW TOP DRIVERS in to a NEGATIVE ENDING ONE.
works not for me....
Reply
9-16-2009 @ 6:10PM
the1035ace said...
don't like the chase, not from when they started it
Reply
9-16-2009 @ 6:17PM
Denroberts50 said...
I am a Biffle fan , but having followed Nascar for many many years I would like to see Mark Martin win the championship . Not that Rick Hendrick really needs another championship trophy but hey if Stewart wins that's basicly the same thing . After all of Stewart/Hass racing is just another race team under the Hendrick's wing .
Reply
9-16-2009 @ 6:18PM
scott24x5 said...
Jeff Gordon has been burned twice by this system, but this time around, I really feel like he's right where he needs to be. Not only that, but he has essentially the same stats as Tony through 26 races. He is 2 wins behind Tony, but has the same amount of top tens and one less top five. All anyone has to do to win this thing is be consistent and maybe get a win, and I think Jeff's gonna get it done this time! You always here people say, well this track owes him one, or something along that line. Well, the Chase system REALLY owes Jeff, and this year, Jeff is cashing in!
Reply
9-16-2009 @ 7:17PM
Larry said...
The thing I don't like about the chase format is
the fact that the points leader after the first
26 races isn't the leader at the start of the final
10 races. I'm not a Tony fan but he should be the
leader at the start of the last 10 races, even though
he don't have the most wins. The first 26
races should mean something more than just making it
to the final 10. The leader should be given either
10 more points than the driver with the most wins or
maybe 50 extra bonus points for being the leader
after the fisrt 26. Just an idea.
Reply
9-16-2009 @ 7:18PM
ffree92225 said...
I don't like the chase to many cars that don't belong there are in it. The points system is terrible. There are 43 cars in a race you come in first you get 43 points, you come in last you get 1 point. Zero points for leading a lap, your leading the race that should be enough. No owners ponits. At the last race whoever has the most is the champion.
Reply
9-16-2009 @ 8:08PM
shadrays said...
Ha, such simplicity, wish it was so, 43 pts for winning, no bonuses, a system like this would rock, I'll add this how about "everyone qualifies on time" no owner points, 50 or 60 teams show up the fastest 43 cars makie the race, now that would shake things up.
9-17-2009 @ 2:39PM
Fantasyseeker said...
Nascar playoffs? What a joke! In every race there is one winner and a bunch of losers. So this year we have teams that can actually win races not being able to compete, and teams that can not win races are able to compete because they are the most consistant losers. We can actually crown a most consistant loser the "Champion of Nascar" after never having won a race. I am NOT a crying Kyle fan. I think any driver who wins a race should automatically get a chance to win the cup. And what are all those other cars doing out on the track? In what other sport do you make it to the playoffs and have to play teams who are not in the playoffs? I say take all the race winners and let them race one race, winner take all, to get the "Championship". The guy with the most wins at the end of the season gets to pick the track. The "Super Bowl" of racing. That would be fun to watch. Points racing? About as much fun as watching paint dry. NHRA.. John Force gives up a chance to win the U.S. Nationals by throwing a race and letting his team car get enough points to get in the NHRA championship playoff. What is the world coming to?
9-16-2009 @ 11:30PM
SNOOKY said...
Gordo already has 6, yes 6, championships. 2 were chased away.Like everthing else in racing ,they just can't leave things alone. They can't even leave the proper name of the titles they won alone.. Gordon is a 4 time WINSTON CUP CHAMP. They paid for the sponsorship then and it should stay recognised.Boy DALE, if you only knew...
Reply
9-16-2009 @ 11:36PM
Bob said...
*Okay, where's Mike (illsellforu), the resident statician? Work up some scenarios for us, who won over the last six seasons with this system. It would be interesting to see who those champions would've been.
Reply
9-17-2009 @ 6:53AM
illsell4u said...
Sorry, do not know all 5 previous years. I know Jeff Gordon would have won twice and that last year actually Jimmie Johnson won no matter how you add up the points. It is the only year he did that. Calling him a three time champion and comparing his three in a row to Cale Yarborough is a slap in the face to a man that actually dominated the series three years in a row. JJ is very good but it is not the same.
I have already copied the points as they were immediately after Richmond but I can tell you that the TOTAL point winner this year will either be Tony Stewart or Jeff Gordon. While it is mathematically possible, it is highly unlikely anyone else could catch the point total Tony Stewart had built up.
What would be great is if Brian Vickers were to win the CHASE and still be 590 points back in point total for the year. He was 603 points back. I am sure TS would EXPLODE if that were to happen.
mbl
9-17-2009 @ 12:53AM
sherry said...
Brian Vickers has heart! When everyone doubted him, I had faith and here we are today with him being 8th in the chase! Thank-you Brian for not letting me down! South carolina fan!
Reply
9-17-2009 @ 1:28AM
nukerisfree said...
I think mark martin wil win the chase I hope he does he needs it he has been dominate all year and he is getting ld good luck mark go get them ..
Reply
9-17-2009 @ 8:02AM
db1anonly said...
Well lets say what would really make it fair!
This formate is good except go all the way through the 43 car field with points then all the cars will be racing to be in the top 12 at the end of the year.
GO Mark you are the man! you have raced clean all your racing life you deserve the champingship.
Reply
9-17-2009 @ 9:28AM
provodp said...
The chase format sucks!!! NASCAR needs to go back to the original system.
Lost me as a fan that's for sure.
Reply
9-17-2009 @ 10:43AM
stormy said...
GO TONY I WANT SMOKE TO GET THE CHASE, SINCE KYLE DID NOT GET IN, I'M A JUNIOR FAN, MY COMMENT ON HIM, THEY CHANGES HIS CREW CHIEF SOMETHING IS STILL WRONG SO CHANGE HIS PIT CREW.
GO SMOKE
Reply
9-17-2009 @ 2:58PM
Fantasyseeker said...
The 88 team made a mistake when the got rid of Eury JR. To fix the problem they need to bring Eury JR back and change up the team positions. Eury JR needs to be the driver so all you JR fans can still be JR fans. Dale JR needs to be the front tire changer.. oh wait.. you have to be FAST to do that. Well maybe he can hold the catch can. lol
9-17-2009 @ 10:52AM
bridog1113 said...
UMM didnt JR'S pit crew get voted to be the best?maybe a driver change is what that team needs
and as a jr fan why the kyle not in comment?
its never jrs fault wahhhhh!!!!!
Reply
9-17-2009 @ 11:21AM
Sammy Edwards said...
Liten people this is wrascar and old convicted briber Ricky Hendrick is in the middle of it with the France family, if you doubt this research the
history, if you think anything less then you probably have a single digit iq level. If you get confused researching the history look at the facts they dont lie. Look at the mysterious cautions that no one else could see debris on track. and who benefited from them and who won the race. Look at former employees and where they are now. look at penalties on other teams who reaped the rewards of unfair unwarranted penalties. other teams receive points,fine, probation etc old BRIBER Hendrick always comes out on top, and yes he owns Stewart/Haas racing just evading the rules they created to play mind games with you the fan so you think it is fair across the board so stand up and let them know that.
Reply