Just because Jeff Gordon is 1st in points and probably will be that way when the chase begins, there will be 11 other drivers not far behind him. I know Jeff Gordon is having an awesome year, but anything can happen in those last 10 races!
2007-07-11 07:36:46 · 22 answers · asked by nascarfan31 4 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ NASCAR
Even the guy in the 12th position can win when the Chase starts .
2007-07-11 08:35:36 · answer #1 · answered by David G, Jeff Gordon Rules !!!!! 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
You are SO right. People overestimate the importance of early season dominance. I do expect Gordon to do well in the chase but with only 10 races it can be devastating to have a couple of bad ones at the end of the season. Last year it seemed that everyone had some problems during the chase and any driver that avoids a DNF or other major problem will be in contention whether they win any races in the last 10 or not. That's why Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton and Jimmie Johnson should all push Jeff to the last lap at Homestead. For that matter any of the final 12 will have a chance but those guys are the most consistent in my book. Something as simple as a loose lugnut or running over debris could wreck a driver's chance to win the championship depending on when it happens. Bonus points become especially important as well, Jimmie lost by just 8 points to Kurt Busch in 2004 after Kurt's car lost a wheel and almost hit the wall going to pit road at Homestead.
2007-07-11 15:07:38 · answer #2 · answered by Tregosteevo 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
So much for the good ol days. I guess if my driver wasn't in first I would be excited. I don't think that someone who barely made it in the chase should almost be on the same level as anyone who has led the year or been a hell of a lot more "consistent" like Kenseth or JJ or Gordon. But then again even with the new format Kasey Kahne would have still lost the championship to JJ last year so I guess it works out. I just don't believe that the guy in last should only be 40 or so points away from the guy in first. Whatever though. Whatever happens will happen. I still say Hamlin wins the cup.
2007-07-11 15:49:19 · answer #3 · answered by 24_gordon_24 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The way it is now it is anyone's race when the chase starts. I think they need to increase the spread that the chase drivers start with to reward those that had a better first 26 races. I know they give bonus points for winning now. But like Kenseths championship year, he won what, 1 or 2 races but was consistent as hell. Yeah winning races is more exciting week to week, but the cup is the ultimate goal. So if that was a chase year Kenseth wouldn't have had very much of a lead if any heading in to the last 10 races of the season.
I'm glad they give some consideration to winning now, but I still think there needs to be more of a reward for someone who dominates the first 26.
But, no matter who wins, they are the champ. It don't matter who would of won it under the old rules, cause that's what they are, OLD rules.
2007-07-11 19:25:44 · answer #4 · answered by BigD 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i know i believe anyone can win the championship **although im pulling for Jeff**and i hate that way too b/c that means all that time Jeff Gordon has busted his butt to win and get way up in the standings was no good because come them last 10 races everyone is 5 points behind each other whether you did great won a bunch of races or not.
2007-07-11 18:35:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree. With the points being reset for the final ten races it does give the other 11 more of a shot. It means you still have to run well for the last 10 races but with wins being worth more there is still an emphasis on winning. I'm torn about the Chase for the Cup points systems, somethings I like and other I don't but that's one thing I do like, that the points leader is put within striking distance of the rest of the top twelve for the final ten races. It at least creates the potential for excitement, which wouldn't be as likely if the points weren't reset.
2007-07-11 15:14:54 · answer #6 · answered by tnk3181979 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but remember they made changes to the race for the chase this year. They get extra points for wins, and Gordon and Johnson will get a fairly respectable lead at the beginning of the chase. Remember the chase has been determined by very few points the last couple years.
2007-07-11 14:43:33 · answer #7 · answered by Ezz 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Ya that's the problem with the chase. Racing is supposed to be a season championship, but a guy like Kurt Busch who won the first "chase" was mathametically eliminated on real season points with three or four races to go. That should have been Gordon's fifth championship as he scored the most points that year. If he loses another this year when scoring the most points in another season, it will be a crying shame. To date Kurt Busch is the only FAKE champion as Stewart and Johnson both would have won the championship on real points and FAKE chase points...
2007-07-11 14:42:52 · answer #8 · answered by jefflawdog 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Thats exactly right... I think momentum goes along way in NASCAR. The team that has the most momentum going into the chase should have the best shot at the title...
The bonus points do help Gordon, but Johnson has the same (might have more by the time it starts)... Plus its only 10 points per win... Not exactly enough to give him a comfy lead by any means.
2007-07-11 15:19:49 · answer #9 · answered by shaggy 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
jefflawdog: How in the hell do you figure that Kurt Busch is a "fake" champion?! Yeah maybe Jeff Gordon finished with the most overall points that year but he also wasn't the only one starting back at 0 when the chase started up. Kurt Busch earned his right to be there and earned that championship with good racing. Sounds to me like you're just another Gordon fan whining and making excuses as to why Jeff didn't win the championship (no offense to Gordon fans, this guy just p*ssed me off).
2007-07-11 15:48:05 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 5⤊ 2⤋
You are 100% correct. One wreck takes Gordon out of the picture once the chase starts. Same is true for anybody.
2007-07-11 15:23:21 · answer #11 · answered by idiot 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋