NASCAR: Five Things To Like About Race Format Changes
By Mike Hutton
NASCAR on Monday announced major changes to the format of races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Here are five reasons these changes will be effective.
Revealing one of the worst-kept secrets in the business (at least since it first broke last weekend,) NASCAR on Monday announced format changes to races in the Cup series. Races will now be divided into three stages, bonus points will be paid to the top-10 drivers after each stage and a bonus point will be paid for winning a stage. Points for leading a lap and leading the most laps have been eliminated, and five bonus points will be earned for a win.
The most significant change however, is that the final “regular season” standings after the first 26 races will be rewarded with bonus points. All bonus points will remain with drivers through the first three rounds of the Chase. Also, points will be earned by the top-10 finishers in each of the Duel qualifying races at Daytona.
After picking themselves up off of the floor, many NASCAR fans will have strong opinions on whether these changes are needed or not, whether they’re good or bad and in some instances, if they will promote or discourage fans’ own enjoyment of the sport.
Let’s take a look at five reasons to not knock it until you’ve tried it and give the new format a chance.