The new NASCAR.com format is meant to be more tablet friendly. If you're a iPad user (I got one over Christmas) or Windows tablet user, I think you would definitely see where their new format works out really well compared to the previous site. I used my iPod touch in previous years with NASCAR.com and they had a "mobile version" of their site that was HORRIBLE. I can't even go into detail describing how useless their site was with a leaderboard that wouldn't update, etc.
For using it on a regular computer, I agree that it's really annoying to use. That said, using my iPad I couldn't be happier with the changes they made. What it comes down to is it's a tablet/touch screen friendly website and they're trying to be more technology friendly. Whether people want to admit it or not, this mobile tablet concept is really taking off today. My family got my Grandmother an iPad last Christmas and she had no clue what she was doing and she wasn't sure if she could figure it out, but now she's addicted to using the thing and doesn't even use her laptop anymore.
People don't like change, myself included. But unfortunately, adapting to change is something we all have to accept.
