Thursday, September 16, 2010

With Chase system, does points leader after 26 races deserve recognition?


Should Kevin Harvick receive some kind of recognition, in the form of perhaps a special trophy, for being the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regular season champion? Of course, he still has a shot at the big Sprint Cup trophy awarded at season’s end, but should he fall short of nabbing that one, should he receive some sort of consolation prize for being a regular season champion of sorts?

When NASCAR first implemented its Chase system, it insisted that it wasn’t a playoff. After all, drivers and teams aren’t eliminated each week during the Chase for the Sprint Cup. But it still seems like a post season, with the first 26 points races on the schedule being the series’ regular season and the final 10 being a 10-event playoff.

With the Chase format, the biggest concern throughout the first 26 races isn’t so much the points lead, it’s merely being in the top-12. And once safely in the top-12, the focus shifts to winning races to obtain bonus points to head into the Chase with—not claiming the top spot in points.

To read more, visit Auto Racing Daily.

Photo of Kevin and DeLana Harvick by Amanda Vincent

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