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NASCAR: What’s wrong with NASCAR? Part 8 – Gimmicks

By William Richard

BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 10: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John's Ford (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 10: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John's Ford (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) /
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WATKINS GLEN, NY – AUGUST 04: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Dow Chevrolet (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
WATKINS GLEN, NY – AUGUST 04: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Dow Chevrolet (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

Win and you’re in

This one if the first issue I’m discussing that I’m openly against. I understand the intention and the potential of this gimmick, but it’s time to be real: “win and you’re in” needs to go.

Forget me being understanding on this issue. It’s time to let it fly off the cuff. The “win and you’re in” dynamic isn’t fair. I understand it gives small teams chances to have their drivers make it into the playoffs by winning a superspeedway race, snagging a road course victory or playing strategy, but the drivers who are better over a 26-week period are the ones who should battle for the ultimate prize.

As it stands now, a driver could sit in 30th place in the championship standings, win the last race of the regular season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and steal a spot in the 16-driver playoffs. It’s highly unlikely that this will happen, but Paul Menard won the Brickyard 400 in 2011. Menard moved to 14th place in the championship standings after his first career win before he fell to 23rd before the “Chase” began.

In the current format, Menard would automatically qualify for the playoffs, regardless of the fact he as been consistently been outrun by better drivers. This year’s version of Menard is Daytona 500 winner Austin Dillon. Dillon sits in 19th place in the championship standings, yet he’ll get to make a run for a title.

Plain and simple, this isn’t a fair way to decide who competes for a championship. Instead of allowing the 16 best drivers to race for a title, NASCAR implemented a gimmicky rule that rips championship hopes from deserving drivers.

There’s no beating around the bush with this one. The rule is unnecessary, unfair and unworthy of sticking around for years to come. Let drivers who deserve a shot at winning the championship race for the championship.

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