**** OFFICIAL 2014 NASCAR THREAD ****

[GloryDayz]

In honor of JJ's win (), I thought I'd start this now. Here comes #7!!!

February 15th 2014 is right around the corner folks, get ready now!!!

[kstater]

I like it. I'm assuming that they're gonna switch the last race to different tracks year to year.

[chefsos]

Looks to me like it will still be Homestead for the finale. Unless they start ****in' with the schedule, which is always possible.

I can see a guy dominating at Homestead and then having some dumb shit happen to him to lose the title. That would suck for him. But at least it won't be: "Driver x can win the title as long as he finishes 18th or better", and we watch him strokin' along all day in 12th. That's gone.

[BourbonMan]

My problem, is what if one guy wins all the chase races, then in the last race on the last lap, blows an engine or has a flat or whatever happens..he will not win the championship as he should have.

[In58men]

Originally Posted by BourbonMan

My problem, is what if one guy wins all the chase races, then in the last race on the last lap, blows an engine or has a flat or whatever happens..he will not win the championship as he should have.

That's why the pit crew needs to be on their game. NASCAR is becoming a team sport.

[GloryDayz]

They REALLY need to just put a HUGE premium of winning races. HUGE!! And NOBODY who hasn't won a race during the year should be in the chase (if they would even still need it). Laps lead should account for something, but winning the race needs to be something drivers/teams are desperate for.

And make them park the car after qualifying and start the race with the car in exactly THAT condition (setup and fuel). It would add a lot to the gamesmanship...

[Dylan]

A breakdown of NASCAR's new Cup Chase format - Not that you want to read the rules again. HELLO! Just make the Chase format simple.

"Let's confuse everybody - Now pass the hot sauce!"

NASCAR Announces Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship Format Change: NASCAR announced a new championship format today that will put greater emphasis on winning races all season long, expands the current Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field to 16 drivers, and implements a new round-by-round advancement format that ultimately will reward a battle-tested, worthy champion. We have arrived at a format that makes every race matter even more, diminishes points racing, puts a premium on winning races and concludes with a best-of-the-best, first-to-the-finish line showdown race all of which is exactly what fans want, said Brian France, NASCAR chairman and CEO. We have looked at a number of concepts for the last three years through fan research, models and simulations, and also maintained extensive dialogue with our drivers, teams and partners. The new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will be thrilling, easy to understand and help drive our sports competition to a whole new level.

Changes announced by France to the championship format include:

- A victory in the first 26 races all but guarantees a berth in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup a change that will put an unprecedented importance on winning a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race all season long
- Expanding the Chase field from 12 to 16 drivers, with those drivers advancing to what now will be known as the NASCAR Chase Grid
- The number of championship drivers in contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship will decrease after every three Chase races, from 16 to start in the Chase Grid; 12 after Chase race No. 3; eight after Chase race No. 6; and four after Chase race No. 9
- The first three races of the Chase (27-29) will be known as the Challenger Round
- Races 30-32 will be known as the Contender Round
- Races 33-35 will be the Eliminator Round and race No. 36 will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship
- A win by a championship-eligible driver in any Chase race automatically clinches the winning driver a spot in the next Chase round
- Four drivers will enter the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship with a chance at the title, with the highest finisher among those four capturing the prestigious NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

Eligibility for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup: The top 15 drivers with the most wins over the first 26 races will earn a spot in the NASCAR Chase Grid provided they have finished in the top 30 in points and attempted to qualify for every race (except in rare instances). The 16th Chase position will go to the points leader after race No. 26, if he/she does not have a victory. In the event that there are 16 or more different winners over 26 races, the only winless driver who can earn a Chase Grid spot would be the points leader after 26 races.

If there are fewer than 16 different winners in the first 26 races, the remaining Chase Grid positions will go to those winless drivers highest in points. If there are 16 or more winners in the first 26 races, the ties will first be broken by number of wins, followed by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver points.

As was implemented in 2011, prior to the start of the Chase, all Chase Grid drivers will have their points adjusted to 2,000, with three additional bonus points added to their total for each win in the first 26 races.

Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Structure After the third Chase race, the Chase Grid will be left with 12 drivers. After the sixth Chase race, the field will drop to eight drivers, and following the ninth Chase race, only four drivers will remain in championship contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup title.

The first round (races 27-29) will be called the Challenger Round. If a driver in the Chase Grid wins a Challenger Round race, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions 1-12 that have not been filled based upon wins will be based on points. Each will then have their points reset to 3,000.

The second round (races 30-32) will be called the Contender Round. Likewise, if a driver in the top 12 in points wins a race in the Contender Round, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions 1-8 that have not been filled based upon wins will be based on points. Each will then have their points reset to 4,000.

The third round (races 33-35) will be called the Eliminator Round. If a driver in the top eight in points wins a race in the Eliminator Round, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions 1-4 that have not been filled based upon wins will be based on points. Each will then have their points reset to 5,000.

Additionally, drivers who are eliminated in the Contender and Eliminator Rounds will have their points readjusted. Each eliminated driver will return to the Chase-start base of 2,000 (plus any regular season wins bonus points), with their accumulated points starting with race No. 27 added. This will allow all drivers not in contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup title to continue to race for the best possible season-long standing, with final positions fifth-through-16th still up for grabs.

Four Drivers, First-to-the-Finish Championship Finale The 36th and final race of the season will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. Simply stated, the highest finisher in that race among the remaining four eligible drivers will win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title. Bonus points for laps led will not apply in the season finale, so the official finishing position alone will decide the champion.

All rules outlined above also apply to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner championship structure.(NASCAR)(1-30-2014)

[kstater]

How is it confusing? It's pretty simple and straight forward.

[Mav]

Well. Chad knaus is the best cheater in the business. Who is going to cheat the best.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Mavericks Ace

Well. Chad knaus is the best cheater in the business. Who is going to cheat the best.

What????????????

[chefsos]

Originally Posted by BourbonMan

My problem, is what if one guy wins all the chase races, then in the last race on the last lap, blows an engine or has a flat or whatever happens..he will not win the championship as he should have.

Or, what if an NFL team goes 18-0 and loses the Super Bowl due to a fluky helmet catch by a scrub?

They've gone completely away from valuing consistency throughout the season (or even the Chase) to determine the champ. It's a new model. Now it's, get results this week or GTFO. For better or worse.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by chefsos

Or, what if an NFL team goes 18-0 and loses the Super Bowl due to a fluky helmet catch by a scrub?

They've gone completely away from valuing consistency throughout the season (or even the Chase) to determine the champ. It's a new model. Now it's, get results this week or GTFO. For better or worse.

To be honest, the "consistency" thing was really hurting the sport. Way to much NOT going balls to the wall to win and thinking long term. Sure, it was smart, but making wins and racing HARD very important, fans win.

[greatgooglymoogly]

I don't follow NASCAR like I did when I was younger. I never cared about who won the Winston/NEXTEL/Sprint/"name of telecommunications company" Cup, I cared about who won the races. Hell, the Winston Million used to mean more than the championship. They can't put that genie back in the bottle as far as I'm concerned.

[Dylan]

Originally Posted by chefsos

Or, what if an NFL team goes 18-0 and loses the Super Bowl due to a fluky helmet catch by a scrub?

Well, if Tyree did not catch the ball, Eli had another down. He was not out of downs...

Tyree had a total of four catches in Super Bowl XLII, including a TD earlier in the fourth quarter.

Get your facts straight now.

[Dylan]

New Qualifying Format announced:

In a move aimed toward enhancing the fan experience watching at the track and at home, NASCAR has announced a new group qualifying format for its three national series that is more compelling, more closely emulates actual on-track competition and underlines the sport's on-going commitment to innovation.

At tracks measuring 1.25 miles in length or larger, qualifying for the Coors Light Pole Award will consist of three rounds:
• The first qualifying elimination round will be 25 minutes in duration and includes all cars/trucks. The 24 cars/trucks that post the fastest single lap from the first qualifying round will advance to the second round.
• The remaining cars/trucks will be sorted based on their times posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order.
• The second qualifying elimination round will be 10 minutes in duration and the 12 cars/trucks that post the fastest single lap time will advance to the third and final round. The fastest remaining cars/trucks earn positions 13th through 24th based on their times posted in qualifying in descending order.
• The third and final qualifying round will be five minutes in duration and the fastest single lap time will determine positions 1st through 12th in descending order.
• There will be a five-minute break between each qualifying round.

At tracks measuring less than 1.25 miles, qualifying for the Coors Light Pole Award will consist of two rounds:
• The first qualifying elimination round will be 30 minutes in duration and includes all cars/trucks. The 12 cars/trucks that post the fastest single lap time from the first qualifying round will advance to the second and final round.
• The remaining cars/trucks will be sorted based on their times posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order.
• There will be a 10-minute break between the two qualifying rounds.
• The second and final qualifying round will be 10 minutes in duration and the fastest single lap time posted will determine positions 1st through 12th in descending order.

The new qualifying format does not apply to the Daytona 500, which will preserve its historic and unique qualifying format. Additionally, it does not apply to non-points NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events or the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Eldora Speedway. NASCAR previewed the concept of group qualifying with its national series teams late last fall and expects the new format will be a well-received improvement by its fans, competitors, tracks, sponsors and media partners. "We believe the timing is right for a new qualifying format across our three national series," said Robin Pemberton, vice president for competition and racing development. "This style of group qualifying has all the makings of being highly competitive and more engaging to our fans in the stands and those watching on television and online. For the drivers and teams, we believe this new qualifying will fuel even greater competition leading into the events. Additionally, it provides our tracks, broadcasters and other key partners with a greater opportunity to develop more entertaining content for our race weekends."(NASCAR)

NASCAR has also furnished a Fact Sheet & FAQ document to explain the process.(1-22-2014)

•Some highlights of the new qualifying rules:
1) READY, SET, GO, RESET! Top laps speeds reset after each round. If you want to advance, you have to continue to go faster than your competition.
2) PIT ROAD DOS & DONTS: Teams will be able to make limited adjustments, but only between rounds (rear wedge, track bar, tire pressure, tape and plugging in oil). Repairs cannot be made on pit road. Vehicles must follow the same pit entry, pit exit and pit road speed requirements set forth by NASCAR for the event.

3) BEAT THE CLOCK! Once the clock strikes zero, the vehicle can pass the start/ finish line one time.

4) KEEP OUT OF THE GARAGE: Once a car re-enters the garage, it is removed from qualifying and positioned in the starting lineup by its top lap speed in its last round competed.)NASCAR(1-22-2014)

http://www.jayski.com/news/pages/sto...alifying-Rules

[BourbonMan]

Originally Posted by chefsos

Or, what if an NFL team goes 18-0 and loses the Super Bowl due to a fluky helmet catch by a scrub?

They've gone completely away from valuing consistency throughout the season (or even the Chase) to determine the champ. It's a new model. Now it's, get results this week or GTFO. For better or worse.

I understand what you are saying, but that is what the problem is. They are trying to make the format like football or other sports. NASCAR is not like other sports, it's UNIQUE!!!