So, NASCAR's system works so well we need to copy it? Let's see, in 2004 (the first "Chase") we have Kurt Busch, arguably the least popular champion in NASCAR history who at best was a 6th or 7th place car in the old system. In 2005 we omit Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt JR form the chase. How do you suppose that affected attendence and ratings? I attended a sold out Talladega that spring and refused to attend in the fall with neither above mentioned drivers in the running. Apparently a lot of other people felt the same way as there were seats available almost everywhere. NASCAR also has an advantage with their system that we do not. Their drivers are guaranteed a spot in the starting field. Lets get down to the race where 4 drivers start duking out for the championship and we have a rainy weekend. Only 2 sessions are run in qualifying because of the weather. Imagine all four drivers from one catagory not qualifying, not likely but is possible. If we're going to try to be like NASCAR, he!! lets go all the way and guarantee starting spots for the contenders. Interesting column from the link:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet...h=!sports!auto

PS: Did anybody see the IRL finale? That was a great NON-artificial points race. While it doesn't happen every year, it sure is nice to savor it when it does.

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Nazgul
JFR Infinity

What about a 20-point bonus for qualifying No. 1. Getting one more qualifying point than the No. 2 guy doesn't seem right to me. Plus, if you gave the No. 1 that additional 20 points, you might have more teams try to go for the No. 1 on Saturday. The way it is now, teams that are safely in the show, just try to gain data for Sunday, but if you gave them that extra 20 points, it might motivate them more.

Top four in Top Fuel right now
Doug Kalitta
Tony Schumacher
Brandon Bermstein
Melanie Troxel

Which one of those is the joke?

In Funny Car
Ron Capps
John Force
Robert Hight
Tony Pedregon

Same Question? You want Pro Stock too?

Alan

Alan- You are killing these people with logic!

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With the new format, all those above could be eliminated when we get down to the final four.

Ohhh..so you want to keep it the way it is?? Looks to be a pretty good battle to the end..in all 4 categories. And if one of those gets hot and runs away with it..they deserve it..right?

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I don'r really have much of an opinion either way... But regarding Tony Stewart, if Home Depot was gonna get mad about something (which they shouldn't), they should be mad about the team not performing well enough to make the chase.

I really can't see how Morgan Lucas and/or Larry Dixon would be legitimate champions. Larry Dixon has been to one final this year, and Morgan has been to none. Not to mention Morgan has hurt a ton of parts and went from Columbus to Brainerd without winning one round. That's not to say that he can't turn things around and win a race before the end of the year, in fact he has looked better over the past few races. If he turns things around and wins a race or two he might move up to fifth which is where he would deserve to be. To place him above someone like Doug Kalitta who has won 5 races and had the most consistent car all year, or to rank him above Tony Schumacher after the charge he's been making since St.Louis would be an injustice.

There isn't a joke in the bunch. I know where you stand, Alan..and it's all cool. I'm just wondering why they feel the need to make such a drastic change. And using your list..it's been another good year in all categories.

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Based soley on their performances this year alone ? I would say that if you started the points over now and Morgan Lucas or Whit Bazemore wound up winning the championship, that would be a joke.

And I am a die hard Whit Bazemore fan. But you can't possibly truthfully state he should have a chance at the championship this year ?