Well the winds of change continue to blow through the NASCAR camps. Silly season turmoil changes the average age of drivers in the senior series to 37.3 in 2003 and should be lower with the additions of rookies Brian Vickers and Kasey Kahne. The orange globe of 76 racing fuel which has hung above pit lanes for more than 40 years also bows out. The France Empire changed hands to one of its own family members as Bill France Jr., age 70, steps down as Chairman and CEO. The most dramatic change, title sponsor R.J. Reynolds, leaves after 32 years of wonderful growth to the sport of major league racing. Now, communications technology of current leads the growth of Cup racing into the future for the next ten years. We welcome Sonoco, Brian France, and Nextel to expand the sport for teams and especially for fans.
However, NASCAR is looking for even more change to add to the 2004 season. It wants to institute a new points system where by after a 26 race schedule, the top 10 would be locked in place for a late season showdown. According to Neal Sims, staff writer for The Birmingham News, next year’s proposed points system was established in 1975 and continued to this day it would have “changed this year’s Winston Cup championship” and “13 others”. Can you imagine Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt not winning 7 Winston Cup Championships each?
NASCAR fans are all over this terrible idea from its inception. Unfortunately, some have believed this is Nextel’s fault for bringing so much change to a sport near and dear to many hearts. Nextel did not create this monster, and had no clue of this program before signing the title sponsorship deal with NASCAR (thatsracin.com). At this point, the 2004 changes in sponsorship and leadership are enough. Let’s not change the points system so dramatically.
I can understand the disappointment of many regarding the sweep of the Winston Cup Championship by Matt Kenseth. Kenseth won only one race (Las Vegas) but dominated first place for over 30 weeks before clinching the title. Many might say “where is the fairness” as Ryan Newman clinches 8 wins during the season. The current points system rewards consistency, not see-saw affects. It is a team effort to bring a 750 horsepower block of metal and rubber over 180 miles per hour through a more than 3 hour race. Every member of the team: driver, crew chief, pit crew, etc., get the car to the finish line. Maybe all the points system needs is a small tweak to reward the winner of the race a few more points.
Fans have quickly voiced their opinions on the proposed points system across the Internet. Ratings by web users range from about 53 to 85 percent against the 26-10 playoff proposal depending on which web sites are visited. But what of the fans who do not have access to the Internet? What voice do they have? This writer believes the percentage would be similar to the web voter’s disapproval.
Let’s look at the system from a financial point of view. Each primary sponsor pays millions of dollars to the team for promotion of its company all over the vehicle. In return, they hope to receive an increase in revenue due to the exposure to many fans at the races buying their products and services. On the one hand, less money from sponsors could be paid out to teams not making the top 10, who would choose not to race. Kevin Harvick indicates that the “rest of the field might as well not show up”. How exciting would a senior cup race be with only 10 cars? Imagine at any given time several car lengths between each of the competitors during a race. Sounds like naptime huh?
Kevin Harvick is not the only driver to voice displeasure over the new plan. Darrell Waltrip indicates in Fox Sports that there would probably be a schedule change to involve some of your historical tracks in the 10-race shootout. Terry Labonte points out in the Richmond Times Dispatch that teams finishing out of the top 10 would be shut out, which would not sit well with sponsors. Or even listen to Bill France Jr. about his belief that the point system doesn’t need to be changed. Would we need to move Daytona, the Super Bowl of NASCAR, to the last race of the season? Why mess with some traditions?
The playoff scenario works well in other sports series outside of motorsports. The National Football League, National Hockey League, National Basketball Association, and pro baseball are a few of the country’s organizations that adhere to the playoff/championship formula. Each of those divisions has teams competing against each other across the country and is sectionalized by geographic boundaries governed by a sanctioning body. The difference is that race teams ALL compete against each other at the same time in the same geographic specific point. This scenario also extends to Formula 1, Indy Racing League, Busch Grand National, and Craftsman Truck series. The television contract rights would have to be renegotiated for fairness of opportunity. Fans will feel more confused on which channel they get to watch the last 10 races on. One week FOX, the next NBC, then TNT, or maybe back to FOX. Let’s not confuse things anymore than fans getting used to Sonoco or Nextel.
What other options does NASCAR have aside from the 26-10 plan or the status quo? One idea is to give a 10 to 50 point bonus to the race winner, and points also to the driver winning the pole as stated by The Associated Press. Other scenarios also include giving the same points to those finishing from 30th to 43rd, or no points to teams finishing after 36th place. Or how about leave the whole thing just the way it stands.
So race fans, you who purchase tickets and merchandise, stand up for a slow down to dramatic changes. It would be difficult NOT to watch a race because of the love for the sport…and that is what NASCAR is counting on. NASCAR sanctioning body is the governing institution and you will accept the change and love it. What else are you going to do…not buy tickets and driver merchandise as a standoff? NASCAR says it changes things for the fans entertainment. The fans have spoken and now we need drivers voice their distain because they make up a strong force of influence. Remember, it’s the fans that put the NASCAR series where it is today. |
