Jayski (http://www.jayski.com/) have compiled a list of the NASCAR Cup Series (Winston / Nextel / Sprint) Champions from 1975 to 2003 and calculated the points using the "Chase points system" to see who would have won! Then they worked out who would have won the Championship in the Chase era (2004 onwards) using the "Classic points system".
It makes for interesting reading...
1975 - 2003 with Chase Points System
- Harry Gant would have been Champion in 1984, instead of Terry Labonte, and again in 1991, instead of Dale Earnhardt. Imagine Harry Gant being a two time Champ!
- Alan Kulwicki won his only title in 1992. With the Chase points system Kyle Petty would have taken the title!
- Bobby Labonte would be a two time Champ, 1999 and 2000.
- Sterling Marlin, not Jeff Gordon, would have won in 2001!
- Tony Stewart would only have won the Championship once between these years, not twice.
- Jeff Gordon would go down in the history books as a two time Champion, not four a timer.
- Darrell Waltrip would gain an extra title, while Dale Earnhardt would lose two!
2004 - 2010 "Chase Era" with Classic Points System
Jimmie Johnson would have won two more Championships not five!- Jeff Gordon would also have won two more Championships!
- Kevin Harvick would be the current NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion!
http://jayski.com/teams/chase2010.htm#classic
If NASCAR are looking at revamping the Chase points system I hope they do not make it too "gimmicky". The Cup Series takes place over the course of the whole year, not just the last ten or so races, and consistency should be rewarded, as are outright wins. However it is a balance as fans want the drivers to race for outright wins now, while also expecting a close points race at the end of the year. I do not envy NASCAR.
Food for thought...
No comments:
Post a Comment
What do you think?