IndyCar: Double Points Do More Harm Than Good
Going into Sunday’s IndyCar season finale Juan Pablo Montoya had the championship in the bag. His season was nothing but consistent, and despite having only won twice in 2015 there was nobody who could match his strength this season. His closest competitors in the points, Graham Rahal and Scott Dixon, were a comfortable distance behind. Sonoma was going to be Montoya’s, if all the hype was to be believed.
Yet, it was Dixon who took his fourth series championship in a tie-breaker with Montoya. For Penske fans and Montoya fans the world over, this is going to be a stinging loss for years to come. Dixon couldn’t match Montoya in strength in 2015, but thanks to the wonders of a double points race, Dixon only had to worry about being within shouting distance of Montoya. That’s not how a championship is supposed to be decided, and in a way 2015 was cheapened because of double points races.
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IndyCar already has a lot going for it in America, largely in part for the jaded fans who are unhappy with NASCAR’s current product. Many see IndyCar as a refined alternative to stock cars, and a lot feel that IndyCar’s history has stood the test of time better than NASCAR. In short, many believe that IndyCar has remained closer to the spirit of motorsports than NASCAR.
So for IndyCar to stick with a double points system is a bit of a cheap move. There’s no denying that it adds a level of excitement to the season finale, but it takes away from IndyCar’s integrity. NASCAR may have something with their current playoff system, and the NHRA has their playoff system, but fans from both are pretty adamant that they miss the old system, something that IndyCar held for awhile (awarding the most points to the most consistent driver).
Understandably so, Montoya was beside himself following the season finale, where he finished sixth (a fifth-place run would have given him the championship):
"It sucks, but when you make the last race double-points on a road course and you change the tire and you do everything you did for this weekend and you put so many variables, it doesn’t even matter what you do all year.Dixon had a s**t season all year and had one good race, and we paid the penalty."
That sums it up. When the dominant driver of the season still runs great with only a few minor hiccups, yet is bested for the championship by a driver who has otherwise struggled in comparison, the system is flawed.
With American motorsports, IndyCar was a lot more old school than most when it comes to terms of championships. That was part of the appeal. It’s a diverse series as is, with a schedule that alternates between oval and road course perfectly. It’s a throwback organization, with glimpses into the golden days of motorsport when Andretti and Fittipaldi and Foyt were all household names.
Now, they’re cheapening themselves for the sake of excitement and ratings. Points adjustments in regards to these don’t work for everyone. Maybe NASCAR, but not IndyCar. With that being said, do away with double points races and if it’s an absolute must to change the current things as they are, then make a variation of the playoff system. That’s a good place to start because it doesn’t rob the drivers who are most deserving.
Weigh in below with your take on IndyCar’s double points races.