NASCAR Chase Race # 3 - Page 2

SPF2245 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-29-2008, 05:29 PM

The failed IROC series is living proof that people and sponsers will not pay to see only the best 12 run eachother. I like the aspect of the other 30+ drivers trying to improve themselves in the top 35 in owners points to set themselves up for the next season.

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 03:18 AM

Wayne,

As Joe explained, the top 12 cars get that 5,000 points to start with and even if the 13th place car won all 12 races they couldn't come close to having 5,00 points, let alone whatever other points the chase cars gather during the 10 races. The 13th car is mathematically eliminated from catching any of the chase cars by that big point gap.

Ron

Wayne Maybury · #3 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 06:59 AM

Thanks guys.

I don't follow NASCAR close enough to fully understand the points setup. I thought that they went into the chase with the points earned during the regular season.

I sure would like to see them get rid of the stupid "lucky dog" rule. I believe that the original idea was to stop cars from racing back to the start/finish line when a yellow came out but with electronic monitoring, the field is frozen the instant the yellow appears. This is a rule that is now used to get a big name back on the lead lap which has nothing to do with racing and everything to do with the "show".

Wayne

Joe Wicked · #4 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 07:26 AM

Yea, pretty much. The rule was put in after Dale Jarret was crashed on the Front stretch and they came out of turn 4 side by side at full throttle racing back to the start finish line. Since they do not allow you to race back, and earn your lap back, they gave it to the first car 1 lap down. I don't like it as if you were not close enough to the leader to get your lap back, then you would not have had a chance anyway. I say if you are going to freeze the field, then all cars within XX seconds and/or XX car lengths of the leader at the moment of caution get a lap back, it doesn't matter if you are 1 lap or 30 laps down, you got one back. It doesn't matter if there is 1 car or 5 cars that meet the criteria, they all get a lap back. That means the lap traffic would have to run good lap times to get back on the lead lap. No freebees, you have to earn it. I think it would make for more interesting racing as well. I suggested it on the Nascar site, but never heard anything. I also think it would end the lap traffic giving the leader a hard time, but letting the rest go as they are now in the "Lucky Dog" position anyway so it doesn't matter, you have to stay in touch with the leader, so the advantage that 2nd and back get with lap traffic goes away as they will continue to race hard and thereby make more interesting racing.

Edit: The time/distance can vary by track as the different speeds involved will cause the distance/time to be different. Some tracks could be distance, while others are time. You could also vary it by saying if it is on the first lap after a restart then only the 1st car gets back on, as it would prevent some from causing a wreck just to get back on the lead lap right at a restart.

Ron61 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 08:14 AM

Joe,

On this point I disagree and think there should be no free laps back. If you are a lap down, then either get it back by passing the leader or stay there. Look at all of the crazy driving and wrecks caused by the people that are laps down and are pushing and shoving to get to be the first car a lap down. If they knew they had to earn the lap back by passing the leader and were a half lap behind, they would not do so much crazy driving and cause so many wrecks trying to stay the first car a lap down so they can get the free pass. I feel the same about the top 36 being locked in. I think it should be the top 43 qualifiers and if one of the stars crashes or doesn't make the field for some reason then that is just their bad luck. Also either do away with or put a limit on how many years a retired driver can be brought back to drive a car because he can use a pass champion provisional to get the car in the field. Many around here don't agree at all with me, but I think racing should be that and not the scripted stuff NASCAR is going more and more to.

Ron

Wayne Maybury · #6 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 08:15 AM

Joe

While I do not watch every minute of every race, I do get the impression that the yellow comes out (on occasion) when one of the star drivers is the first guy down a lap. That wonderful "debris in corner #4" just happens to be seen at the right moment then Tony, or Carl, or Jimmy, or Dale Jr. or (insert name here) gets the free pass and is back on the lead lap. It makes for a great show but it certainly is not racing.

The great finish on Sunday made up for a lot of that nonsense however.

Wayne

Ron61 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 08:19 AM

Wayne,

The finishes to the last two races have been great. Those phantom debris cautions are just for that reason. When they actually have debris on the track they make it a point to show it.

Edit: Wayne, I just went to the NASCAR site and got this. • The driver who leads the most laps receives an additional five bonus points.
Maximum points per race: 195:

That is if the winner leads the most laps also. Just winning you get 185 points, second gets 170, and the first 6 places drop offby 5 points each,until after 6th and then it is a 4 point drop per spot. Also any driver leading a lap gets 5 bonus points. So if the 2nd place driver led a lap he would get 175 points. By starting the chase drivers with 5,000 points plus 10 for each race they have won, it is out of reach for any other driver to even get into the bottom of the top 12. If a driver won all 26 races before the chase begins and led the most laps in all of them he could only have 5,50 points then.

Ron

Joe Wicked · #8 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 09:51 AM

Ron, I agree on the qualifying whole heartedly. If you don't make the field, see ya. The caveat on my time behind the leader is if you do not give the lap traffic an opportunity to race back, then I believe it is only fair to give an opportunity, but not just outright give it to them. By requiring them to maintain a close distance/ you give them a chance to get back on. If the distance is within 5 seconds and the closest lapped car is 5.1 seconds back, no-one gets back on the lead lap. Simple as that. That takes it back a bit as not always would someone get on the lead lap. They would have to rely on the leader slowing and allowing them to get back on. The crazy driving would continue as they would be trying to do everything to keep up with the leader and try to pass them. There will always be a reason to drive like an idiot, just in what form/what reason. I agree with the championship provisional and top 35 guaranteed a spot as well. Make the field or go home.

WildBill3 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 10:01 AM

Hey Bean we were almost sitting together We were ther for the hole weekend what a marathon and what a great finish.Most of those drivers have my total respect with the bush bothers not on that list.Go Carl, and Clint Boyer,Clint and I raced at the same track im so glad to see someone I know get the call and so deserving really just a nice guy thats made it soooo cool....WB3

Joe Wicked · #10 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 10:07 AM

Just saw an update the Paul Menard is leaving DEI for Yates at the end of this year as well.

Ron61 · #11 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 12:23 PM

Joe,

That would make more sense if they had to be within a set distance or time of the leader, but even that won't stop the crazy driving. Nothing is ever going to stop some of those guys from driving like they are alone on a field.

Next year with all of the changes and sponsors that are leaving, we will need a guide for each race to know who is driving what car.

Ron

Joe Wicked · #12 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 10:18 AM

Only drivers I have met is Robby Gordon and Jeff Gordon. I met Robby in the Mojave desert outside of Barstow at an off road race in the early-mid 90s. I was working as pit crew for a friend that was racing class 16 buggy at the time. Robby was driving a trophy truck in his run up that year for the Baja 1000. I got to meet him and he took me for a ride in his truck. He seemed nice in person but as a driver in Nascar, I am not a fan of his. I met Jeff Gordon about 4 years ago here at Texas Motor Speedway. He was in the merchandise trailer on the morning before the Busch race. He was leaving as I got there and stopped to talk with me. My sister had a big crush on him at the time and he took the time to talk to her on my cell when I called her. Made her year. She refused to believe it at first as she didn't think he would actually do that. He gave me some merchandise to give to her. (she was supposed to come to the race with me, but got real sick and could not make it.)

Joe Wicked · #13 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 12:33 PM

I have been trying to keep up, but I agree a guide may help. The wife is probably going to make me make her one

Ron61 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 04:09 AM

Joe,

You had best make it on an easily changed document and keep a copy in the computer because I don't think then changes are going to stay the same for very long in some instances.

Ron

Joe Wicked · #15 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 09:03 AM

I just got an update that Rusty is rumored to be un-retiring. Possibly drive for DEI in 09.

Ron61 · #16 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 09:14 AM

DEI already has their full amount of cars. Why can't these old guys just stay retired when they quit? Guess it that past champion provisional that the teams want to get their cars into the races. Another needed rule change. If you retire then you are out of it as a driver for good.

Ron