Happy Hour: Missing the Mark
Don't know about you, but the weekend off was welcome. Now, bring on Indy … and this week's mailbag:
There's a possibility that Mark Martin could miss the Chase despite having the most wins. This would lead to possible changes in the Chase-qualifying format.
Here's how I would change it: To qualify: Top 12 in standings (or top 10) plus any driver with one win. This would make every race count and give the smaller teams a realistic chance at the Chase. Winners would still get 10 bonus points for every win to start the Chase, but now, on any given weekend a driver could qualify. This could lead to Cinderella stories like George Mason in NCAA basketball. Looking back to 2007 and 2008, three drivers would have qualified under this rule in each of those years.
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Dave
Chicago
I'm probably not the best guy to answer this question because unlike most people, I don't think the NCAA tournament is the end all, be all of playoff formats. Thirty-two teams would be a joke; 65 is blatant commercialism, which is ironic because the NCAA is all about maintaining the integrity of the student athlete. But I digress.
A number of you wrote in suggesting that anyone with a win should receive an automatic playoff berth. I don't agree.
Despite a series-leading four wins, Mark Martin is just 11 points ahead of Greg Biffle, who is 13th in the standings.
(AP)
While I do think wins need to be emphasized more, I don't want to see the likes of Joey Logano in the Chase just because he won a race (and not because it was rain shortened). The kid has improved tremendously, and I expect him to be a Chase contender in 2010, but there is no argument to be made that he is one of the 10 or even 12 best drivers in 2009. Jeff Burton, Greg Biffle, Ryan Newman, Carl Edwards – all drivers who are winless in '09 – have been better and are more deserving of a playoff spot.
Wins need to be rewarded with more points, but not with an automatic berth in the playoff.
I absolutely love your idea for reformatting the points/chase structure.
With a 60 (or more) point difference between first and second there would be serious battles at the end of races going for the win, and you could almost guarantee in the heat of the moment at some point in the year a second place driver would dump the front runner for a win; it would probably happen multiple times.
Heading into turn three on the last lap at Martinsville, and the 2 gives the 18 a nice little shove for a 230 point day? Fast forward to Texas and the 2 is leading with the 18 closing in?
Every NASCAR fan would be on the edge of their seat, just waiting for it. It could create hardcore rivalries and some really entertaining story lines … just what NASCAR needs.
David
Virginia
You're not suggesting that people would tune in to NASCAR just because drivers were battling for wins, are you? What a novel idea.
Hitting the bricks
If the race ended at Indy like it did at anywheresville (Chicagoland), fans may still be asking for their money back because anything will happen at Indy.
The tire tests earlier this season are nothing because conditions at Indianapolis are much different than they are in May or June.
Jessy S.
Mandan, N.D.
First off, the one thing people have to understand is last year's debacle at Indy wasn't so much a tire issue as it was a car issue. Indy wasn't made for stock cars and it certainly wasn't made for the Car of Tomorrow, which puts a ton of weight on the right-side tires. That, combined with the track made for a really bad race.
Heading into this year's race, every driver who has tested tires at Indy says they are satisfied with the progress Goodyear has made and are certain we are not going to see a repeat of 2008.
I don't suspect we will, but do I wonder how far Goodyear went to assure tires won't be an issue in 2009.
In an effort to make sure tire wear isn't an issue, did Goodyear build a tire that is too hard?
Getting stock cars to turn at Indy is a chore; it would be even more so on hard tires.
We'll know the answer to this question if drivers are having trouble keeping their cars off the walls exiting Turns 2 and 4.
This and that …
Following up on the start and park teams … how can NASCAR allow this? Each race there are 4 or 5 start and parks. Should the fans who paid to match 42 cars race get a 10 percent discount?
Trent Ross
Bethesda, Md.
Actually, wouldn't it be a 2.3 percent discount per start and parker?
It's ironic how Stewart and Pete Rose both has/had the number 14. Both were/are one of the best at their sport, and both have a kind of arrogant attitiude at times. I see where you wrote that Stewart berates his fans and I have heard Pete did the same. But in spite of this I grew up loving Pete, and now Tony.
Maybe you shouldn't get your feelings hurt so easily. They are people, not robots. If you want a robot talk to Jeff or Jimmie.
Kurt
Clayton, N.C.
Coincidental, yes. Ironic, no. What's ironic is using the word ironic to describe something that isn't ironic at all, kind of like that Alanis Morissette song. Because really, having 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife isn't ironic; it just sucks.
Last call …
What makes a good race? Lately, any that have a caution with about 10 laps to go. The first 480 to 490 miles are just filler.
Brian
Atlanta
