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A NASCAR BLOG BY Rea White
Points swapping could leave some NASCAR fans dazed and confused
The points swapping that appears to be going on among NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams is adding confusion to the opening races of the year.
The rule that guarantees the top 35 in owners points will make the field for each race is one of the few that allows teams to build equity in their operations. Since NASCAR does not franchise teams, it is often the lone tangible piece that teams have that shows the value of their organization when they are shutting down or ceasing operation of one of their teams. Still, however, the fact that those points are landing with teams other than those that bought the organization is confusing to those following the sport.
For example, the movement of points from Bill Davis Racing - which was sold to Triad Racing Technologies in the offseason - to the existing No. 77 Penske Racing team with driver Sam Hornish Jr. makes little sense. Also, the No. 41 team will not run at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and a No. 41 will run with Jeremy Mayfield, but it will not have the points of the original No. 41 because those could be transferred to another team. NASCAR requires only that minority ownership by the original team owner be had in the team getting the points. That's an easy concession for owners to make when it comes to the added value of locking someone into the field.
During the offseason the past two years, points have been moved around to lock drivers, who might not otherwise make a race, into those first five events of the season, the ones that are based on last year's owners standings. For two straight seasons, Hornish has locked into the opening five races that way, first by swapping points with teammate Kurt Busch - who was the most recent past champion outside the top 35 and was, therefore, essentially a lock for each of those races anyway - and now through some sort of deal with Bill Davis.
In an era when NASCAR is trying to open the door to new teams, to encourage groups to join the sport, this has become a way to keep the same older ones with an advantage entering each season.
And that's something the sanctioning body needs to consider.
Rea White
Rea White has been covering NASCAR full time since 1998. She has been an associate editor at NASCAR Scene since 2002.
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Comments
9 responses to "Points swapping could leave some NASCAR fans dazed and confused ". Post a Comment.
Meg said:
Feb 4, 2009 at 2:20 PMWho cares anymore? NASCAR has screwed so badly with the rules that statistics are no longer comparable. Remember in the days of Earnhardt Sr. when there was a "past year's champion rule where the winner got the 1st pit stall for each and every race the following year? " WOW, how big was that ?? I honestly believe that was what kept him for winning so many championships.. The year Jeff Gordon took that away from #3 and had the same consideration, NASCAR eliminated that rule. How about "racing back to the yellow flag" to get back on the lead lap ? Now we have that dim, "lucky dog" rule. No passing below the yellow line, a pit road speed, (there never used to be a limit), the ol’ race to the chase, and the list just goes on and on.. Who cares who NASCAR lets qualify? They will control who wins anyway . Just let them RACE !! No more unjustified debris cautions, no penalties to the drivers for confrontations, let the teams make changes to their cars after qualifying, jeeesh, there are so many things that you could go on forever …. Who cares..
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsheldon summers said:
Feb 4, 2009 at 8:03 PMNASCAR,cup series = biggest joke on 4 wheels
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSteve C said:
Feb 4, 2009 at 9:20 PMNASCAR has allowed the transfer of these points to completly screw up everything NASCAR stands for. I have never agreed with 35 teams being locked in to the race, but now all this swaping just re-inforces my feelings.
Report as AbuseNASCAR needs to get rid of the top 35, maybe make it the top 12 drivers from the prior year, a reward for being in the chase the prior year. that would work, the top 12 drivers from the previous year are in every race, for the entire year. This would stop the maddness of selling points. Make it so everyone quailify's, top 12 chase teams make it for sure and 30 spots availible with one provisional. Yes that would resolve all the NASCAR madness.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsaid:
Feb 5, 2009 at 7:47 AMI am also sick of the way Nascar works this points thing, its all about money folks, if you are a big name team your in, just watch, RCR in and Marcos Ambrose out.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportHoward Englishman said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 9:02 AMI think they should race at 7 at night along with The Price is Right and Lets make a Deal. Sr. would be wringin Brians neck right about now.This is not a sport anymore because its all about getiing the bad drivers in and not about performance.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportray wells said:
Feb 6, 2009 at 12:26 AMthis is crazy as a first time nascar fan from australia its utterly confusing and just stupid .it should not matter where you finish last year,its a brand new year and everybody should have to requalify.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbluey Hills said:
Feb 6, 2009 at 5:53 PMI agree with Ray, everyone should start fresh each year, now it,s like if one of the big boys is in a bad spot where they do not qualify they will change the rules again so they do.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsaid:
Feb 6, 2009 at 6:35 PMglenn says go fast or go home! who cares what you did last week let alone last year
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMichael Daly said:
Feb 7, 2009 at 11:37 AMWhat the sanctioning body has to consider is there is no point sending teams home after qualifying. Qualifying is supposed to deetrmine where - NOT whether - you race. No "go fast or go home." You race - go for the win.
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