Harvick's 'Wild Card' Race idea

How can you say it wouldn't dilute it? As little of an accomplishment as winning a single race or finishing in the top 16 is, at least it is SOMETHING. A wildcard race would open up the championship to ANYBODY, no matter how pathetic your season was. Why not just put ALL the cars in Chase and make it a 36 races and we could be right back where we started. You want drama and excitement every week? Put FEWER cars in the Chase, not more.
 
Agree that gimmicks dilute the "playoffs". I have contended that the NASCAR regular season champion should be as BIG an event as the "playoff" winner, if not bigger. This season we crown a season champ, but you hear NOTHING about this from the announcers, NASCAR website, etc. I wonder if there will even be a trophy presentation. That accomplishment should stand on it's own.

THEN, you can play a bit with the whole playoff deal. How would I do it? Race winners get into the playoffs. Those who did not win races are rewarded with the remaining slots up to #15. All other drivers could compete in one big race, or a series of heat races, to have one final winner that gets the 16th spot. For logistical purposes it would have to be at the first playoff track, but I like the idea of a Friday night race event to decide that.
 
I've changed my mind. I think that we should run 26 races and let the winners in the playoffs. Then we should have a rule change that allows everyone into the playoffs. That way everyone gets the equivalent of a participation trophy. Better yet, we should have the rule change at the end of the season and make every team the Monster Energy Champion for the year. Yep, that's what they should do.;)
 
Kevin has the right idea. Why have a racing career? Just win a wild card race and then the Homestead Lottery. Winning the lottery is how he and Kyle got to be labelled champions in the first place.
 
Formerjackman said:
How can you say it wouldn't dilute it? As little of an accomplishment as winning a single race or finishing in the top 16 is, at least it is SOMETHING. A wildcard race would open up the championship to ANYBODY, no matter how pathetic your season was. Why not just put ALL the cars in Chase and make it a 36 races and we could be right back where we started. You want drama and excitement every week? Put FEWER cars in the Chase, not more.
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If you read what I said, I said it wouldn't dilute the field any more than it already is. Personally, I don't think any of those teams having not won a race should be part of the post season. Your idea of putting all the cars in the 36 race Chase is ideal but unfortunately they aren't going to turn back time. Don't confuse me with someone that likes or appreciates this current format. I think the format in itself degrades the championship tremendously over what it once was. Now, it's nothing more than an elimination type format that is supposed to have been designed to generate excitement at the end of the season. Whether or not it's done that is certainly open for debate. I simply don't see the addition of a wild card winner to make the current post season format any more of a farce than it already is.
 
If we have to have ANY type of Chase, how about we award even more points for wins and top fives, and then take the point leader and anybody within a certain number of points behind the leader? Then you are not locked into a set number, and you would only get the best cars from the first 26 races. It would also give the point leader an incentive to try to build up as huge of a points lead as possible to limit the number of potential chasers.
 
There are as many ideas for a chase format as there are cars running it. There is only one idea worth mentioning and that is '" the most consistent car over the 36 races becomes the champion" regardless of how you arrange the points.
I would rather see the champion be a driver who raced 35 top 5's than someone who wrecks the field and gets one or two big wins.
 
Team Penske said:
There are as many ideas for a chase format as there are cars running it. There is only one idea worth mentioning and that is '" the most consistent car over the 36 races becomes the champion" regardless of how you arrange the points.
I would rather see the champion be a driver who raced 35 top 5's than someone who wrecks the field and gets one or two big wins.
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Agree 100%. But I don't think that point system is ever coming back, it's made my viewing experience a lot better instead of scratching my head I embrace the gimmick. If I want real racing with a real champion crowned over a full season I watch Indy Car.
 
Honestly... there is more to be read into kevins comments... if more drivers other than harvick think this would be a good idea, then we no longer can blame and joke about Brian France jr ruining the sport... because this is another gimmick on top of gimmicks idea.

How about monster cups for everyone!!! Let's also run a night race at Daytona maybe Wednesday night before the homestead finale, and all the other drivers can run a 20 lap demo derby shootout and whoever survives can be a "wild card" fifth driver in the championship "5" battle for the monster cup at homestead that Sunday.

Then let's run another 400 mile race at homestead backwards the following week, just for the hell of it.
 
I'd be for this. More racing!

Call it a gimmick all you want but what's wrong with another race? It's what it's all about anyway. Are you watching for the racing or for the points? I'd guess whether you admit it or not the racing.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
If you read what I said, I said it wouldn't dilute the field any more than it already is. Personally, I don't think any of those teams having not won a race should be part of the post season. Your idea of putting all the cars in the 36 race Chase is ideal but unfortunately they aren't going to turn back time. Don't confuse me with someone that likes or appreciates this current format. I think the format in itself degrades the championship tremendously over what it once was. Now, it's nothing more than an elimination type format that is supposed to have been designed to generate excitement at the end of the season. Whether or not it's done that is certainly open for debate. I simply don't see the addition of a wild card winner to make the current post season format any more of a farce than it already is.
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Nothing they do will be more of a farce/gimmick than having a 36 race season come down to one race for the crowing of a champion. Breaking up your races into "stages" has come pretty damn close but outside of these two instances, why the hell not institute a gimmick like a wildcard race? Tradition and authenticity have already been thrown out the window...
 
Snappy D said:
Agree 100%. But I don't think that point system is ever coming back, it's made my viewing experience a lot better instead of scratching my head I embrace the gimmick. If I want real racing with a real champion crowned over a full season I watch Indy Car.
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Good input and I can agree with you as I have no problem with the chase until this last change of of Lottery winner.
 
Snappy D said:
Nothing they do will be more of a farce/gimmick than having a 36 race season come down to one race for the crowing of a champion. Breaking up your races into "stages" has come pretty damn close but outside of these two instances, why the hell not institute a gimmick like a wildcard race? Tradition and authenticity have already been thrown out the window...
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Beats the heck out of destroying MWR so they would have an excuse to get JG into the chase.
Maybe we could add 2 cars to the chase.... 1. fan choice 2. Brian's choice.
 
Team Penske said:
Beats the heck out of destroying MWR so they would have an excuse to get JG into the chase.
Maybe we could add 2 cars to the chase.... 1. fan choice 2. Brian's choice.
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As a JG fan, I won't say anything about that....in all seriousness really surprised they haven't instituted a fan vote yet. I really expected that by now.
 
Team Penske said:
Beats the heck out of destroying MWR so they would have an excuse to get JG into the chase.
Maybe we could add 2 cars to the chase.... 1. fan choice 2. Brian's choice.
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For this year 1. Dale Jr (it wouldn't be close) 2.) Danica
 
Team Penske said:
Beats the heck out of destroying MWR so they would have an excuse to get JG into the chase.
Maybe we could add 2 cars to the chase.... 1. fan choice 2. Brian's choice.
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MWR made that mess all by themselves. They got what they deserved. I actually applaud Nascar for trying to right a wrong instead of just sweeping it under the rug like they would have done years ago.
 
Ford 222 said:
I'd be for this. More racing!

Call it a gimmick all you want but what's wrong with another race? It's what it's all about anyway. Are you watching for the racing or for the points? I'd guess whether you admit it or not the racing.
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I think the LAST thing we need is more races. Make me the Nascar Czar, and I'm cutting the schedule to 30 races tomorrow.
 
Formerjackman said:
I think the LAST thing we need is more races. Make me the Nascar Czar, and I'm cutting the schedule to 30 races tomorrow.
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How can one want less racing? I don't get that? I see for the teams but as a fan I want all I can get, all the opportunities to go see a race in person. Be awesome if they made the race at a track they don't commonly go to and even awesomer if it was close to me!!
 
The season is just TOO LONG and people get bored with it, never mind what it costs and what it does to the people that have to be there every week. PT Barnum was right, "always leave them wanting more". With the NASCAR schedule, I'm actually relieved when the season ends, and it takes me until February to even want to care about it again, and I've been watching this stuff since 1981. The IMSA sportscar season is 12 races long, and you find yourself always wishing for a couple more races. NASCAR could use that. Maybe if there was less supply, the demand for tickets would increase a little bit. I would also shorten the MLB, NHL and NBA schedules, and could not be more opposed to lengthening the NFL schedule.
 
Formerjackman said:
The season is just TOO LONG and people get bored with it, never mind what it costs and what it does to the people that have to be there every week. PT Barnum was right, "always leave them wanting more". With the NASCAR schedule, I'm actually relieved when the season ends, and it takes me until February to even want to care about it again, and I've been watching this stuff since 1981. The IMSA sportscar season is 12 races long, and you find yourself always wishing for a couple more races. NASCAR could use that. Maybe if there was less supply, the demand for tickets would increase a little bit. I would also shorten the MLB, NHL and NBA schedules, and could not be more opposed to lengthening the NFL schedule.
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At the very least, only run at the same track once. Leave Daytona's two dates alone based on tradition though. Then the schedule could be filled out with tracks to either reach new markets or reinforce local markets. There's a paved oval or road course in more than likely every one of the lower 48, at least 90% of them anyway. If the schedule isn't reduced, at the least I'd like to see a lot more variety but if SMI and ISC have anything to say about it, that'll never happen.
 
Formerjackman said:
The season is just TOO LONG and people get bored with it, never mind what it costs and what it does to the people that have to be there every week. PT Barnum was right, "always leave them wanting more". With the NASCAR schedule, I'm actually relieved when the season ends, and it takes me until February to even want to care about it again, and I've been watching this stuff since 1981. The IMSA sportscar season is 12 races long, and you find yourself always wishing for a couple more races. NASCAR could use that. Maybe if there was less supply, the demand for tickets would increase a little bit. I would also shorten the MLB, NHL and NBA schedules, and could not be more opposed to lengthening the NFL schedule.
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Then why don't you just stop watching when you get tired, fans who want less races can control that but don't ruin it for those of us who don't.
 
Snowman said:
At the very least, only run at the same track once. Leave Daytona's two dates alone based on tradition though. Then the schedule could be filled out with tracks to either reach new markets or reinforce local markets. There's a paved oval or road course in more than likely every one of the lower 48, at least 90% of them anyway. If the schedule isn't reduced, at the least I'd like to see a lot more variety but if SMI and ISC have anything to say about it, that'll never happen.
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First 26 races should be at 25 different tracks leaving Daytona as the repeat in the regular season. Then tracks get their second race in the playoffs. Would only have to add two tracks but someone would lose a second race.
 
I don't know why they would want a wild card race, every race prior to the Chase is a wild card race and we already have several wild card winners in the Chase.
 
kkfan91 said:
Then why don't you just stop watching when you get tired, fans who want less races can control that but don't ruin it for those of us who don't.
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Because I'm the kind of fan that has a need to see every lap of every race, I just wish there wasn't so much of it to see. At my house, we were finally able to get cable TV in 1990. Since then, I have missed something like ten Cup races total , and those were because of recording equipment failures, power outages etc. One of the reasons I have the wife I do is because were friends, and I used to go to her apartment and watch the races on her cable. Well, one thing led to another. I have routinely stayed up until 2AM and later watching races on a Sunday night so it wouldn't get spoiled for me on Monday morning. You may not believe me, but to the people who don't live and breathe this stuff , the length of the season is one of their biggest gripes. Most people don't have the desire to follow something that goes on for TEN MONTHS! The current generation tends to want EVERYTHING short and sweet, from their sporting events to their TV series. Heck, the drivers don't want 36, races the car owners don't want 36 races, the crew members most certainly don't want 36 races, and most fans don't either. I did a stretch of six race weekends in eight weeks one time, while working a regular job and it nearly killed me. Try doing it month after month after month.
 
Snowman said:
At the very least, only run at the same track once. Leave Daytona's two dates alone based on tradition though. Then the schedule could be filled out with tracks to either reach new markets or reinforce local markets. There's a paved oval or road course in more than likely every one of the lower 48, at least 90% of them anyway. If the schedule isn't reduced, at the least I'd like to see a lot more variety but if SMI and ISC have anything to say about it, that'll never happen.
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Sorry, but the 400 at Daytona is the very FIRST race I would kill. I would be all for zero plate races, but two is probably as few as I could ever get. I would also eliminate all Cup racing in the months of February and November.
 
Formerjackman said:
Because I'm the kind of fan that has a need to see every lap of every race, I just wish there wasn't so much of it to see. At my house, we were finally able to get cable TV in 1990. Since then, I have missed something like ten Cup races total , and those were because of recording equipment failures, power outages etc. One of the reasons I have the wife I do is because were friends, and I used to go to her apartment and watch the races on her cable. Well, one thing led to another. I have routinely stayed up until 2AM and later watching races on a Sunday night so it wouldn't get spoiled for me on Monday morning. You may not believe me, but to the people who don't live and breathe this stuff , the length of the season is one of their biggest gripes. Most people don't have the desire to follow something that goes on for TEN MONTHS! The current generation tends to want EVERYTHING short and sweet, from their sporting events to their TV series. Heck, the drivers don't want 36, races the car owners don't want 36 races, the crew members most certainly don't want 36 races, and most fans don't either. I did a stretch of six race weekends in eight weeks one time, while working a regular job and it nearly killed me. Try doing it month after month after month.
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Yea I'd honestly be okay with 26-28 races a year. But it will never go back to that due to how the points are set up, TV, and sponsorship. I'd also be okay with 2 Daytona races, 2 Talladega, 2 Bristol, 2 Richmond( one day and one night), 2 Martinsville, 2 Atlanta, 2 Michigan,2 Pocono and the rest fill in.
 
Sometimes you just have to sit back and have a few beers accepting the fact you can't change everything.

Leave my NASCAR season length alone. I don't need to suffer a short season due to the lack of attention span in today's youth. Heck, I'm still PO'd that they feel the need to shorten the races. Like was mentioned earlier, tune in later in the season, or exit early.
 
Revman said:
Delana's wife just drops turds in the punchbowl, and calls them Baby Ruth's. He isn't serious.
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A hell of s lot better than Samantha's bitch after a tough race

Greg said:
A hell of s lot better than Samantha's bitch after a tough race
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Been sitting on that one, or did it just come to ya?

Just came to me.

dpkimmel2001 said:
Sometimes you just have to sit back and have a few beers accepting the fact you can't change everything.

Leave my NASCAR season length alone. I don't need to suffer a short season due to the lack of attention span in today's youth. Heck, I'm still PO'd that they feel the need to shorten the races. Like was mentioned earlier, tune in later in the season, or exit early.
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I think controlling what you watch is the best way to go as if you are an absolute racing hound you can watch all of Nascar's 3 top series plus many other types of racing too. With technology today you can watch what you want when you want or choose to take a pass entirely.

Formerjackman said:
What I was trying to do was express my experience going through just a fraction of what the regular Cup Xfinity and truck Series crew members go through. It is a grueling schedule that wears people down and spits them out. It WAS a voluntary decision, and I wouldn't trade the experiences I had for anything, but it takes a toll. It may not be what many of you that have the luxury of watching it all from your couch may want to hear, but the people that have to LIVE it would kill for a shorter schedule. My interest in this sport goes far beyond being personally entertained on a Sunday afternoon. I look it from a business perspective, engineering, advertising, marketing, and also from a human side. My interest isn't just about what I want.
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From a business perspective I think Nascar has a glut of product and would benefit long term by taking a more is less policy. If it is not done voluntarily I think the market will sort it out for them and it will dictate that there is less.

Towmater said:
You'd kill one of the handful of races that has its attendance sell out? Sure, that's a good idea...LMAO.
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I don't care for plate racing but the 500 is well supported all around so you want as many of those races as possible.
 
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AndyMarquisLive said:
I've said this for years. Love the idea.

The Southern 500 as the regular season finale and Richmond as a Wild Card Race ... would be awesome.
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I'd rather have Richmond open the playoffs, plus they moved Richmond from September date and WC race would be Brickyard in this scenario which would totally suck
 
Formerjackman said:
I did a stretch of six race weekends in eight weeks one time, while working a regular job and it nearly killed me. Try doing it month after month after month.
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That was a voluntary decision on your part & youre complaining like someone put a gun to your head. Get real.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
That was a voluntary decision on your part & youre complaining like someone put a gun to your head. Get real.
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What I was trying to do was express my experience going through just a fraction of what the regular Cup Xfinity and truck Series crew members go through. It is a grueling schedule that wears people down and spits them out. It WAS a voluntary decision, and I wouldn't trade the experiences I had for anything, but it takes a toll. It may not be what many of you that have the luxury of watching it all from your couch may want to hear, but the people that have to LIVE it would kill for a shorter schedule. My interest in this sport goes far beyond being personally entertained on a Sunday afternoon. I look it from a business perspective, engineering, advertising, marketing, and also from a human side. My interest isn't just about what I want.
 
Formerjackman said:
Sorry, but the 400 at Daytona is the very FIRST race I would kill. I would be all for zero plate races, but two is probably as few as I could ever get. I would also eliminate all Cup racing in the months of February and November.
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You'd kill one of the handful of races that has its attendance sell out? Sure, that's a good idea...LMAO.
 
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