One would have to say that NASCAR’s new Sprint Cup Series point system has sputtered at the starting line. In the end, it may prove to be a winner, but the first signs suggest that something could be struck in the carburetor. Why do we say that? Well, the new system was announced on Wednesday with a great deal of fanfare as a simplified system that fans could easily understand -- a goal that this column has been heartily in favor of for years and years. But by Thursday, NASCAR was forced to run a big story on its website explaining the new, supposedly simpler, procedures -- so you can surmise that the goal of simplification was not immediately achieved.
Let’s quickly run down one of the key changes so you can see what you think about it. In the new system, the winner of each race will receive 43 points; the second-place diver will receive 42 points, and the third-place driver 41 points. This will continue in exactly the same manner through the entire field. Previously, there were thresholds after finisher No. 6 and No. 11 that never seemed to be justified. So far so good -- but in an effort to reward victory, which we believe is laudable, NASCAR has also instituted some bonus points for taking the checkered flag first. Though NASCAR says first place is good for 43 points, in actuality a race-winning driver will receive a minimum of 47 points and a maximum of 48.
“Say what?” you may be asking. OK, here’s how that works: The winning driver will receive 43 points for finishing first, but he will also receive three bonus points for winning the race. (Wouldn’t it be simpler to just say that the winning driver receives 46 points and skip the bonus thing?) But those of you with math skills will immediately note that 43 points (for finishing first) plus three bonus points (for, well, finishing first) does not equal 47 or 48 points. So how do we get there?
There are two other bonus points involved. The winning driver will be awarded one bonus point for leading a lap (and presumably you can’t win a race without leading a lap), and he has the potential of being awarded a second bonus point for leading the most laps. That second one is not guaranteed to happen -- there have been many times when a driver has dominated a race in laps led, only to have his car die or be involved in a crash in the race’s waning moments -- so that is why a winning driver will get either 47 or 48 points for the win.
Simple, right? OK, it is not so simple, and we do make fun, but it does seem as if this is a better, more equitable point system than the previous one. And for that reason alone, we think it’s better.
