Waid's World
A NASCAR BLOG BY Steve Waid
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The old and new have flaws, but numbers don’t lie
Sep
21
The argument over which NASCAR system of determining its champion is superior – the points method of the past or the Chase that exists today – is ongoing and won’t go away any time soon.
Those who support the way it was in the past say it is best because a driver has to do well throughout the course of an entire season and not be one who simply gets it all together over the last 10 races of the year.
Those who prefer the Chase say it adds drama and excitement to each season. They claim that the “playoff” method is not unlike that of any other sport, in that consistency of performance must first be established. Afterward, a championship is determined among only those who have earned a chance at it.
If the desired result of any championship battle is to be one that is close and holds our attention until the end, arguments can be made for both systems.
But the numbers say the Chase wins.
Let’s go back to, say, 1985. Yes, I know that Richard Petty beat Darrell Waltrip by just 11 points in 1979 and Dale Earnhardt beat Cale Yarborough by a mere 19 points in 1980.
From 1985 until 2004, there were eight championships decided by 38 points or less, including Alan Kulwicki’s title over Bill Elliott by 10 points in 1992, which remains the closest in NASCAR history.
However, there were nine decided by 100 points or more – by 101, 195, 201, 265, 288, 364, 349 and 489. In some cases, the issue was decided before the season was over.
When Matt Kenseth won the title in 2003 by 90 points and with only one win, that’s when most folks said it wasn’t right for a driver with a single victory to become the champion.
They forgot that Benny Parsons did the same thing in 1973.
Regardless, that Kenseth did what he did, along with many other reasons, (TV is big here), was a reason the Chase was created.
Since its inception, no title has been won by more than 90 points. The issue has often been in doubt until the last race of the season.
Does that mean the Chase is better? No, it has its flaws. But then, so did the old points system.
The one trait both systems share is that they reward consistency throughout an entire season.
And that, ultimately, is what this year’s champion and his team must have.
Those who support the way it was in the past say it is best because a driver has to do well throughout the course of an entire season and not be one who simply gets it all together over the last 10 races of the year.
Those who prefer the Chase say it adds drama and excitement to each season. They claim that the “playoff” method is not unlike that of any other sport, in that consistency of performance must first be established. Afterward, a championship is determined among only those who have earned a chance at it.
If the desired result of any championship battle is to be one that is close and holds our attention until the end, arguments can be made for both systems.
But the numbers say the Chase wins.
Let’s go back to, say, 1985. Yes, I know that Richard Petty beat Darrell Waltrip by just 11 points in 1979 and Dale Earnhardt beat Cale Yarborough by a mere 19 points in 1980.
From 1985 until 2004, there were eight championships decided by 38 points or less, including Alan Kulwicki’s title over Bill Elliott by 10 points in 1992, which remains the closest in NASCAR history.
However, there were nine decided by 100 points or more – by 101, 195, 201, 265, 288, 364, 349 and 489. In some cases, the issue was decided before the season was over.
When Matt Kenseth won the title in 2003 by 90 points and with only one win, that’s when most folks said it wasn’t right for a driver with a single victory to become the champion.
They forgot that Benny Parsons did the same thing in 1973.
Regardless, that Kenseth did what he did, along with many other reasons, (TV is big here), was a reason the Chase was created.
Since its inception, no title has been won by more than 90 points. The issue has often been in doubt until the last race of the season.
Does that mean the Chase is better? No, it has its flaws. But then, so did the old points system.
The one trait both systems share is that they reward consistency throughout an entire season.
And that, ultimately, is what this year’s champion and his team must have.
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Comments
2 responses to "The old and new have flaws, but numbers don’t lie"
John Lockhart said:
Sep 22, 2008 at 8:06 PMGood column Steve. I like the "CHASE" format best.It's more exciting and gives NASCAR racing the drama we all love.Your right about the chase needing just a little tweeking here and there, then it will be great.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJerry Beckum said:
Sep 24, 2008 at 10:48 AMWhat everyone that favors the chase and in particular compares it to other sports, there is one HUGE difference. In basketball, football and even baseball, when teams start the playoffs it is one team vs another team. There are 12 contenders in the chase, but there are 31 other teams out there that can impact the outcome of any given race. When the Super Bowl is being played one team doesnt face all the teams in the NFL. That is why I will NEVER support the chase. Racing is not stick and ball sports, its RACING! Actually in today's Na$car, using the word Racing is even questionable. Its not racing anymore its entertainment, but unfortunately, its not entertaining! It was entertaining when there was real racing going on!
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This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
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