Edition 34, October 31st - 2008

Another Boring Conclusion to the Sprint Cup?

As we continue to follow the conclusion of the 2008 Sprint Cup racing venue, is there anyone out there that can honestly say they think that Jimmie Johnson will not be crowned the Sprint Cup Champion for 2008? I know we sometimes hope that the people in the top ten have a legitimate chance of snatching away the title but realistically this year with three races to go only three drivers have any chance. And to be more brunt, to win Johnson would have to fail miserably at the beginning of the races and the other drivers would need to finish in the top three or four each race. I would not bet on this happening.

I know that NASCAR added the new sprint program a few years ago so people would continue to support the series to the end of the season so the driver leading the points would sometimes only need to start the final race to win the championship. So I ask what has really changed from the old program. Is Hendrick giving the team better equipment than everyone else? Is the combination of Chad and Jimmie, just too good to beat? Are they just luckier than other teams? Perhaps some of all these things, but as an avid race follower, I know that my interest is waning, and some of my race buddies are losing interest also.

The old format of racing to the conclusion and letting the chips fall where they may, had merit for years, and then a young punk named Elliott started to ruin everything. But other years were great. I had one of the greatest times of my life going to Atlanta in 1992 where six drivers had the possibility of leaving with the Winston Cup. This was the year that Richard Petty was driving his last race, a young kid by the name of Gordon was getting his chance in a Hendrick car on a fast track and a young man from Greenfield Wisconsin was in a position to take home all the marbles on a very limited budget and lots of heart. Alan won the championship that day, beating out Elliott, Gant and Davey Allison. When Kulwicki did his Polish victory lap I was on the fence with several thousand fans. We were six deep with well wishers. But I digress from my original topic.

I have heard that the NASCAR folks do not want to mess again with the way the champion is crowned but as long as we are going to keep this format, perhaps a few things will keep the interest of the spectators, which by the way buy the products from the sponsors that pay the bills. So to keep things more interesting let’s ponder a couple of rule changes for next year. If you want to keep the format of the top twelve drivers racing for the championship, give even more points for the win than we do now, this would possibly help keep the field closer. Also, with this crazy weather year, where the starting field was set with no time trials, we must establish a better way to line up the cars. Finish from previous race? Finish last year at this track? Or just plain qualify on the day you run the race if necessary and you start where qualifying puts you.

Maybe some radical thinking but either go back to the old format, or keep refining what you got. The Nationwide and Craftsman series seems to keep close in points by just running races, and that is what worked in the past.

As usual, agree, or disagree, this is just one man’s opinion. Feel free to send an e-mail, and we will answer you one on one, or publish your opinion if allowed.

RACING TO THE CHECKERS

Jim

(Only 15 weeks till Daytona)