Nextel teams expecting change to 'playoff' points system
By BRANT JAMES
Published January 8, 2004
DAYTONA BEACH - Many Nextel Cup drivers and owners increasingly consider changes to the points system a certainty.
It's not that they all like the idea, but they're preparing for an announcement, likely in two weeks during a NASCAR media event in Charlotte. In one proposal, the top 10 drivers in the points standings after 26 races would start from zero and race for the title based on results in the final 10 races.
Apparent boredom with the workmanlike way Matt Kenseth won his first driver title last year originally sparked the debate.
"NASCAR does make a lot of its decisions based on popular opinions, and unfortunately it looks like they're going to change it," Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.
Michael Waltrip likes the idea, noting that drivers outside the top 10 that late in the season do not make title runs anyway. But Dale Jarrett suggested that sponsors might be chased away, feeling they are getting inadequate exposure for their money if their driver does not make the "playoffs." Sponsor money definitely talks, but so does television's. The proposed system theoretically would heighten late-season competition and interest, especially for television audiences tempted by NFL telecasts.
Team owner Richard Childress, once a skeptic, said he has been convinced a change would benefit NASCAR.
"For us to have a playoff and us to be able to come up with a champion like that, I think it will charge a lot of excitement in our TV ratings," he said. "I think it will be good for our sport in general. ... I would think if they were going to make a change, this would be a great time to do it, with a new series sponsor coming in."
NEW CHIEF: Count Earnhardt Jr. among those glad to see owner Joe Gibbs leaving the track to coach the Redskins. Nothing personal. Junior is a major Redskins fan and knows his team needs help.
"I went to the Dallas game this year and I swore to God I would never go back again," he said. "There was no hustle at all. The guys were trotting around, we just got killed (27-0). I was real glad to see (Steve) Spurrier go there because he's a super guy and I thought it would be a good deal, but it didn't work out. I think Joe can turn it around. Everywhere he goes he knows what he needs and he gets what he wants and he puts the right people in the right places."
TESTING: For the second straight day, Waltrip posted the fastest times in both morning and afternoon sessions at Daytona International Speedway. Using the No. 15 Chevrolet that led the afternoon period Tuesday, Waltrip covered the 2.5-mile track in 48.418 seconds at an average speed of 185.881 mph in the morning and 48.234 at 186.590 in the afternoon.
