Write Turn: You won't get off the Chase's case

Updated Sept. 11

Readers were still interested in the problems at Auto Club Speedway and the track's penchant for providing boring races. Other topics on their minds included my assessment of the Chase format, the possible demise of the Craftsman Truck Series and the exciting IRL season finale.

From: dalefan

I agree completely with your assessment of the (Fontana) race. Most of the races this year have been quite boring to say the least. I would say the opening ceremony is more exciting than the race. When will NASCAR wise up? We have gone through a late summer of mostly forgettable races, with last week's Richmond barnburner one of the exceptions. The thing to remember about the Fontana track is that it was designed for both stock cars and Indy Cars, a mistake now that open-wheel racing is absent from the 2-mile facility. The banking and layout just isn't suitable for competitive NASCAR racing and the next step track management should take is a radical change, like Las Vegas underwent two years ago, and turn the place into a Richmond or Bristol replica.

From: jjcarrano

Congratulations Pete, great observation. I'm pretty sure NASCAR knew that after last year's race and the first race there in February this year. That's why next season California is moving to October. Hopefully a day race and Atlanta is getting Labor Day. Wasn't that announced like 3 weeks ago?

Good point about next October's Fontana race hopefully being held in the daylight. The track becomes even more difficult for the Cup cars at night when it's cool and drivers battle very tight handling problems. An afternoon race would make for some slipping and sliding and maybe a better race. And yes, Atlanta gets Labor Day next year and from what I've heard, ticket sales are already going well.

From: strachan33

Mr. Pistone, the only reason this gimmick of a championship system is better is because of the ridiculous points system in place. If more of an emphasis was put on the winner and less on the driver that finished 14th, the championship would be far more interesting. They should ditch the current system and only award points to the top 15, with the order being something like: 200, 150, 125, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 15, 10, 5. No points for pole, leading a lap, fastest lap, etc. Also, fastest 43 in qualifying should make the show, and practice times should be the alternate deciding factor for the starting grid... but that's another issue.

I think the Chase is great and has really come into its own after five years with the tweaks NASCAR made to the system. But I do agree with your point-structure observation and, in addition to putting more of an emphasis on winning, your idea would make a race for the 15th spot exciting. However, with the demise of the Bud Shootout format, which basically eliminates the reward of winning a pole, maybe putting some points on that portion of the weekend isn't such a bad idea.

From: ffiker

The Chase has been a complete failure in my book and completely waters down the "regular season." What incentive does a driver have to try and be on top of the standings when like this year, Kyle Busch's 208 point lead gets wiped out when the Chase begins?

It's the same premise as any other sport when a team dominates the regular season. Once the playoffs begin, things get evened out. Winning during the 26 races before the start of the Chase gives you the No. 1 seed, which is what Kyle Busch did in addition to building up the point advantage you point out. When NASCAR added the bonus point structure, it made getting to Victory Lane more important, which should be the real goal of each race -- winning.

From: lopes

Does Dodge's decision not to provide factory support for the truck series mean the series is on a path to elimination?

Not yet, but certainly if Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota follow suit the truck series will be in big trouble. With the current economic situation among automobile manufacturers, I'm not surprised some cutbacks in motorsports programs are taking place. While the top-level Cup teams could survive with some reduced funding from the manufacturers, the Nationwide Series and certainly the trucks cannot. The truck series, like NASCAR's old convertible series back in the 1950s and '60s, was built around a trend -- when pickup truck sales were high around the country. Gas prices have slowed those down and now manufacturers aren't seeing the return on the investment of supporting a racing truck series. I'd be a little worried about the next season or two if I were a truck series driver or team owner.

From: cndyjoyz

The Indy Car season finale in Chicago last week was by far the best race I've seen all year anywhere. I hope it gets more people to notice the sport.

I was there and covered the race and could not agree more. The IRL marketing plans need to step things up in 2009 because I think a big opportunity was lost this year. I didn't see the kind of exposure many thought would happen once the CART-IRL merger took place. There are great personalities within the sport and obviously some fantastic racing. The IRL has to do a better job of getting that story told to a wider audience.