Mike Brudenell: Six years later, Chase format still isn't embraced by everyone

I basically like the chase idea. I'd like to see maybe 20 cars in though. Take the top 10 and award points for wins like they do now. Put in the next 10 but they would have maybe 100 points less than the others. There are just to many popular drivers not in that hurts the fans.

BUT if the point is to segregate the top 12 from the rest of the weekly field, then so too should the points awarded reflect that.
As in the chase 12 receiving points based on how they finish compared to the other chasers 1 through 12. At least that way when a guy like Waltrip takes out a chaser they will receive points for finishing last in the chase lineup (12th) instead of 43rd

I think 12 is enough. After all it is to find a champion. If we keep expanding the chase field to include everyones favorite driver (we all know who this is) then we may as well abolish the chase. I like the system the way it is. You must be consistent throughout the year and it gives a chance to those who run in the top 10 on a regular basis a chance at the end.

Mr Stewie wrote:

I think 12 is enough. After all it is to find a champion. If we keep expanding the chase field to include everyones favorite driver (we all know who this is) then we may as well abolish the chase. I like the system the way it is. You must be consistent throughout the year and it gives a chance to those who run in the top 10 on a regular basis a chance at the end.

I agree. 12 is plenty, especially if you consider how many of those 43 drivers every week really aren't full time teams. We shouldn't see half/more of the regular full time teams racing for the championship at the end. The only real change I'd like to see is, bonus points for where you stand at the end of the first 26. The drivers sitting 1,2,3, etc should get some small advantage over those behind them. Kyle could have started all the way up front after scraping his way into the chase and that just doesn't seem quite right to me, just as Mark starting out leading just didn't seem quite right. Anyway! People are going to complain no matter the format; especially those people who's favorites don't win it. In they end, they've all got the same opportunity, so whoever wins deserves the spoils of victory. The best are going to rise to the top no matter how the format is, so changing it, really isn't going to change the results.