MIAMI — When NASCAR’s Chairman and CEO Brian France announced earlier this year news of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series new Chase format, the skeptics were out in full force, but with Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 on deck at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, the skepticism seems to have worn off.
In fact, some even wish the 10-race playoff wasn’t nearing its checkered flag.
But what a ride it’s been.
Without a doubt, the Chase for the Sprint Cup has brought NASCAR into the limelight. While it always hasn’t been on a positive notion, sometimes a negative reaction can reverse itself and bring something more full circle.
Putting exclamation points at the end, the Chase has done that.
Sure, there’s been fights, tempers flaring, penalties issued, revenge on the track and a lot more. But, there’s something more that the playoff system has developed.
For some, it’s simple.
The Chase has made the best that NASCAR’s ever been.
Chase hopeful Kevin Harvick, winner of the most recent round at Phoenix International Raceway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series agrees.
“This is the best thing that’s happened to our sport in as long as I can remember,” said Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Budweiser Chevrolet SS for Stewart Haas Racing. “I think it’s added that intensity. It’s simple enough to where the fans can follow along. It really takes both sides of the consistency and winning and mixes them together to see what you have in this group.”
Harvick noted that unlike any other championship bid that he’s been a part of, the opportunity to recover from a bad weekend – and still find yourself fighting for the Championship trophy wouldn’t have come, without the Chase.
“We had Martinsville,” added Harvick. “We finished 33rd and here we are racing for the championship, because of the format. Because of the win that we had last week. You have a second chance, as long as it doesn’t come in the third race of that round. This is the best thing that’s happened to the sport in several years.”
The four-time winner in 2014 doesn’t see any direct changes needed.
“I don’t know what you would change,” he sounded. “If you’ve watched the racing the last nine weeks, it has been as good as the racing has been. It’s been good as racing as I’ve ever been a part.”
Harvick’s Chevrolet teammate Ryan Newman agrees.
“From a fan-following level, from an intensity level, every aspect of it has been a good thing for this sport,” said Newman, who in his first year of driving for Richard Childress Racing hopes to deliver the team’s first title since 1994.
“I’ve had several people that are fans not just of me, but of our sport that are on the edges of their seats whether they are texting me or calling me – on the edge of their seats, because they are enjoying it.”
Despite being winless, consistency has propelled Newman into the final round of the Chase at Homestead – and even though Newman’s No. 31 Chevrolet hasn’t picked up a checkered flag yet, he concurs with Harvick about leaving the Chase format alone.
“It would be really nice to stick with the point systems for a couple years,” Newman insisted. “I don’t see any need to (change format). It’s been good. No matter (what) this last race is all about, it’s been good. Let’s not change it.”
While the fans and drivers seem to agree alike, from a team owner’s standpoint, it’s been polar opposite.
Joe Gibbs, whose won three titles with Bobby Labonte (2000) Tony Stewart (2002, 2005) says the Chase has delivered on what it’s supposed to do, but from an owner’s perspective, it’s been stressful.
“I think there is a new life,” said Gibbs of the Chase. “I think the biggest thing for us, if you want to please a sponsor its eyeballs on the sport, people in the stands and the TV numbers. I think we’ll see at the end of the year this thing is a big spike, going up – and that’s good for all of us.
The Coach added, “I think the drivers are right. I think for me, it added a lot of pressure to me, it was different on the other end. You’re talking about three race playoffs. There’s a lot of pressure. And all it takes is one screw up and you’re in trouble. It added a lot of tension for me. It probably wasn’t the best for owners, but it’s the best for our sport and fans.”
Not everyone’s going to be exactly happy with the Chase. That’s fact and reality.
But how can you possibly beat a first-time Champion that will be crowned on Sunday? Two guys are the favorites, one other is sentimental choice and one guy for all intensive purpose overcame the odds to have a shot at hoisting the trophy, maybe even without a win. The old system wouldn’t have provided that.
It’s clear that Brian France and his staff have hit the jackpot, knocked it out of the park or even executed a Hail Mary fourth-quarter touchdown. But it’s important for them to learn from this year too.
At a time where attendance has been questioned over the last couple of years and Homestead-Miami Speedway announcing on Tuesday that the facility was sold out for Sunday’s season finale; let’s not change what’s not broken and see if this new system can rally the NASCAR support of old for many years to come.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
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