It appears the powers that control NASCAR have listened to fans and competitors in making changes to how champions will be determined.
I was never a fan of the Chase format where drivers were eliminated and with the “win and go” mentality of recent years.
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I have always believed that champions should be determined by points earned over the entire 36 race schedule and not an elimination type format.
NASCAR announced that starting this year, the champions of the three national touring divisions will be crowned based on points.
For the Cup Series, the 16 drivers with the most points over the first 26 races of the year will compete for the championship over the final ten races, with the champion determined by points.
For the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, formerly the Xfinity Series, 12 drivers will compete for the championship based on points earned in nine races and for the Craftsman Truck Series, ten drivers will compete in seven races.
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The change could bring fans back to NASCAR. Now if they just removed the stage races that would be a welcome change.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, a staunch advocate of a full 36-race championship format, was pleased with the compromise that revived the Chase.
“I think it’s the most perfect compromise anyone could ask for,” Martin said during the announcement. “It’s going to require our 2026 champion to be lightning fast and incredibly consistent, and that’s what we can all get behind.”
Martin, considered one of the best in NASCAR not to win a championship, believes the change will bring fans back to NASCAR.
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Only time will tell, but it’s a step in the right direction.
In other racing news: This week, at the Chili Bowl event in Tulsa, two drivers with ties to the Hoosier State are being inducted into the National Midget Hall of Fame.
Dave Darland, who has had an impressive career in wingless Midgets and Sprint cars, will be joined by David Steele.
Steele is a former winner of the Unified Group Services Little 500 at Anderson Speedway and was competitive in every car he got into.
Both Darland and Steele deserve this recognition.
This week I’ve been watching a lot of racing action on Flo Racing from the Chili Bowl, which runs through Saturday, and the Wild West Shoot-Out from Arizona.
A trip to the Chili Bowl is on my bucket list, not only to watch the races, but also to get a glimpse of the impressive facility that hosts the event.
