In a decision geared as NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France described to “make racing more compelling on an hour-by-hour basis, week in and week out”, a panel of industry stakeholders announced Monday evening, a new race format that is bound to create excitement, drama and maybe even some confusion in all three of NASCAR’s national divisions this season.
The new changes involved extensive discussions and collaboration between the sanctioning body, team owners, the drivers and broadcast partners.
When first digesting the new format, it’s easy to get confused, but after several onsite drivers including 2012 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski and NASCAR’s most-popular driver Dale Earnhardt both embraced the change – NASCAR fans are most likely to follow suit.
“I think the stages, and I think more chances to win, more chances to perform and more spotlights, so I look at races as soon as the plate tracks, especially Talladega, and you might have seen cars that have lagged back in the past,” said Keselowski. “You’re not going to do that anymore.
“The single file, high line ride out, those days are gone, and I think that’s great. We’re going to go out there and we’re going to race to a new level that we haven’t seen before, and I’m really pumped about being a part of that in the future of this sport.”
So, what’s the actual lowdown of the new format?
Each NASCAR Cup Series, XFINITY or Camping World Truck Series event will be broken down into three stages:
At the end of the first two stages, the winning driver will be awarded a playoff point for winning that particular stage, while also accumulating additional regular season points (10 for first, 9 for second, 8 for third, etc.) for each of the top-10 finishers until the final stage where traditional race format points will be rewarded.
The third and final stage winner is the overall race winner and automatically earns five additional playoff points.
With the new format, lap leader bonus points will be eliminated, but a winning driver may have the opportunity to win a total of 60 points in one race, plus any playoff points applied later.
The only exception will be at Daytona for Speedweeks 2017 in the Cup Series. During the 150-mile qualifying duel races, the top-10 finishers will each earn additional championship points, with no playoff points being rewarded.
For example, Jimmie Johnson could win all three stages and earn 60 points. In addition to those 60 points, he’ll earn seven playoff points (1 point from each of the two stage wins, plus five additional points for the third stage win) which would be applied during the playoff rounds later in the year.
At Daytona, Johnson could earn 70 points carrying the 10 additional championship points from his perspective qualifying race.
Also under the new system, the regular season winner in addition provides an opportunity to earn playoff points without winning stages or races. The championship leader after 26 races receives 15 playoff points. Second place gets 10 points, third place eight, with each successive position worth one point less through the top 10 positions.
The number of drivers in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff will remain at 16. Playoff fields in the NASCAR XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series will remain status quo at 12 and eight drivers, respectively.
With the points laid out, the next phase comes in as to what’s now (most) important?
Qualifying.
Starting as close to the top-10 as possible is super important.
The closer you are to the front, the better chances you have to earn more points where it will be critical not for just one race, but the entire season.
An example? A team may have a good car early on in a race because of their qualifying setup. As time goes on, the handling fades, but because they hit their stride through stage 1 or 2, they have earned points they might not have been able to achieved during stage 3. Those crucial points, even one or two could make the different into making the playoffs or not.
In the playoffs, winning is still important, but so are points. A driver cannot take a vacation after winning the opening or second rounds. Under the new format, the importance of earning additional playoff points is crucial as it allows drivers an opportunity to gap themselves from their closest competitor.
Who does this benefit?
This new format could benefit drivers in the playoffs who have a bad day. Remember NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver William Byron who had earned a series-high seven wins throughout the year? In the penultimate race at Phoenix, Byron experienced engine failure on the cusp of winning his eighth race of the season.
The mechanical failure not only doomed his night but his chase hopes too. Surging ahead, drivers who acquire plenty of playoff points are likely to see that be their saving grace in the event of a William Byron-type setback.
Still confusing? Don’t worry, I have the best solution:
Watch the race.
As the race progresses, you should be able to pick up easily how the new format works and unravels and the drama bound to come with it.
I like it even though not everything will flow perfectly throughout the season.
The fans also perceive it and will be quick to take to social media to bash NASCAR for this new undertaking at the first glimpse of failure. But, the comprehensive overall is a step in the right direction and it’s sure to induce a new type of drama, something that sport is needed in the times of turbulent television ratings and filing the seats.
It’s a mix of the old and the new. Back in the sport’s prime when points were crucial, to a current period where winning is everything. The worlds now collide and present NASCAR’s newest and likely biggest makeover yet.
The fans are not likely to be disappointed or bored and the teams are now forced to work harder and smarter to earn their time in the limelight.
Doesn’t seem so bad, does it?
And for the critics and those who have doubts? Trust the process and let it roll.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
