So you all know about the changes NASCAR have made to the format for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
By now you will all be deciding if you like NASCARs vision of the future or if you long for the days of the "Winston Cup".
I can't make up my mind.
NASCAR is and has always been about putting on a show for the fans. End of, as they say. You can forget thoughts of an in depth, highly involved discussion about the finer points of motorsport. Put aside your aguments about the "fake" or "artificial" elements of the new format. If it is good for the show, it stays... end ... of!
Racing is about winning. NASCAR are trying to emphasise this with the new format.
NASCAR have introduced an "Elimination" aspect to the Chase. This happened anyway as "the cream always rises to the top".
As I write this I find myself making up my mind, for now at least.
I like it. If it adds excitement, what's not to like.
I do find myself considering one thing though. What is the real point of these changes?
In my eyes everything NASCAR is doing is in an attempt to improve the racing, the show, the sport. Why?
One opinion is because the show is not as good as it should be. The other, because NASCAR want to make it even better.
I tend to agree with the former.
Some racing series have weight penalties for the winners, F1 have DRS zones and KERS boost, Indycar has push to pass. All serve the same underlying purpose, improve the product, improve the racing.
To me the more important question prior to the start of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is how successful will the technical changes made to the Gen 6 car prove to be, for it is these changes which hold the key to the future of the sport. Better, closer racing, especially at the cookie cutter, mile-and-a-half tracks will do as much to create excitement in the sport as a new Chase format. Nothing beats good nose to tail, side by side racing.
Get back to the basics of NASCAR "racing" and the rest will take care of itself.
I have decided!
I think the new format will be good for the show for all the obvious reasons, more emphasis on winning, less on just getting the points, more excitement, more headlines, more action.
For this reason it has to be a good thing, just leave your deep, fanatical arguments at the door.
I am looking forward to this season, new point system and all, but to me the success of the 2014 season does not rest on the shoulders of a fancy new Chase format. I am sure it will help, but getting the Generation 6 race car to deliver on its promise of better racing is just as important in my honest opinion!
