The Chase

[Brian623]

 Well, the chase is here and i guess the question needs to be asked.....Who Ya Pickin?

   I picked J.J. back in Feb. because i just think they're the best at these last 10, so i'll stick with it, but i'm  far from confident. Harvick's consistency, the return of Roush, let boys be boys,  Kyle being Kyle, a lot of x factors. Anyone else have a pick?

[south jersey girl]

When I was in Vegas back in April, I put 20 bucks on Denny Hamlin (at 18-1 odds)

I'm really hoping Carl Edwards can win it, and he's been running very well

But, I'm still not sure anyone can beat JJ and Chad over the last 10 races (I think they've been saving there best stuff for the Chase)

[scott b]

Regardless of taking the top 10 or top 12 or top 100, I see it as a five man race.

The 4 drivers who have won 3 or more races going in (Denny, Kyle, JJ, and Harvick), and the one who is getting hot at the right time (Edwards).

Harvick would be my personal preference, but based just on performance I'd give the top 4 about an equal shot.

[Chris]

I have to say that the #48 team has looked "normal" the last several races.. Are they sandbagging, doing some 'testing', etc.. who knows.
Hard to bet against a team that has won 4 times in a row.  I kinda still feel the same.. no one can beat them if they don't beat themselves... but on the surface it looks like they have been doing that some recently.

I think the 11 & 18 can be a force, and probably Harvick.  I am thinking the Ford teams have improved of late somewhat,.. but are still too inconsistent to be a factor.
SO I'm still saying the #48.. unless they beat themselves... then I'd go with the #18.
Actually I think for the last two or three years Busch HAS been the best driver... He's the best 'wheel man' in NASCAR whether you like him or not.  He may be brash, bold, and out-spoken,.. but no one can drive a car like he can... and IMO I'd like to see him rewarded for his talents

[Tyyrus]

Harvick...With JJ a close 2nd ...Hamlin has looked good lately as has Cousin Carl ...but a little to little to Late !  

[south jersey girl]

It's not too late Ty...the chase is just starting, and Carl's only 60 points out instead of almost 300

...isn't that the whole point of the chase?

[CodeBlueEMT]

It's not too late Ty...the chase is just starting, and Carl's only 60 points out instead of almost 300

...isn't that the whole point of the chase?

 I wish someone could tell me what the point of the Chase is??? Six years later and I still don't have a clue.

[south jersey girl]

the point of the chase is by resetting the points, you give all 12 drivers a shot at the championship, thereby artificially creating drama, suspense and excitment, and making the first 26 races unimportant

[Chris]

What I find extremely funny is that the "Chase" was a knee-jerk reaction to when Kenseth won the CUP Championship without winning but one race... ALL this "question" was brought up that if a driver doesn't win 'multuiple' races,.. he's not "deserving" of being the champion.  SO "The Chase" was born.

SO now here we are... we have FIVE drivers with ZERO wins in 2010.. any of which could be the 2010 Champ.
Funny how we still end up in the same situation.... (even with a chase)

Of course..  NASCAR changes the "format" and creates the "playoffs" to find a 'deserving" champion... but DO NOT change the way that points are distributed.  Big BIll always said the points pay-out is laid out in a way to reward CONSISTENCY.  SO as long as the way points are rewarded never changes... this problem will always be here.   (not that I see it as a problem)

I'll say what I said every since the chase started... You can't reward (or even encourage) teams to get locked into the chase, and then only give them 10 points per win to "balance" the field..
I've always said to encourage teams to quit "being safe" during the races... would be to give the teams a % of the lead they are ahead.
Here's an example. 
Harvick finished the year with 3723 points. 
Ky Busch had 3495
Gordon 3493
Edwards 3427
and on down to Bowyer 3221

What SHOULD happen to ENCOURAGE more racing through out the year,.. and serve as some type of reward to keep trying to excel even after being locked into the chase is this.
Harvick was far and above the class of the field the first 25 races.  Beat Ky by 228 points.
SO they should take the amount each driver is behind the leader, and multiply that amount by .25%
SO this way harvick would be rewarded for leading at the end of 26 races,.. and have a lead of 57 points over Busch when the chase starts.
Harvick lead Gordon by 230 points.. therefore he would start chase 58 points ahead..  Only two point gap between Busch, and Gordon would only amount to one point between Busch and Gordon when chase starts..
Harvick lead edwards by 296.. so that lead would be converted to 74
On the bottom end.. Bowyer was 502 points behind... that would end up being 125

SO top to bottom would be 125 points... It would STILL encourage teams like Harvick and Ky Busch to win and run as well as possible to try and increase their lead.. both over the field.. or over the guy closest to them.  And the person who won the chase would still have some type of "reward"
What kind of "reward" is it to Harvick to lead the points for 26 races... and then start off the chase 30 points BEHIND..  huumm?
Of course I guess we  ARE talking about the idiots that now run NASCAR huh?
 

[Tyyrus]

Yeah your right SJG lots of Racing yet ahead , but I think Happy is the favorite with JJ second. I don't know if Denny and Carl can continue with their recent success . I would like to see Carl succeed have watched him for yrs as a Former Roush Racing Fan . Not really a Fan of any Particular Team anymore .  I guess since Mark is out my loyalties would go back to Carl , since Matt has already Won a championship as Chris has indicated the Hard Way lol . 

[Blu]

Well lotta stuff could happen yet and the 48 team looks merely mortal lately. I can hope anyways.

Harvick is pretty hot and I sure wouildnt eb dissappointed to see him win it all , but Im sure not counting out Kyle  or Denny.We shall see for sure but  Im hoping its NOT the 48 and that stinkin weaselly grin of Chad Knauss and of course "Mr. Hendrick" thaytwe see standing at the end.

 Ill give JJ his credit where its due but i simply cant stomach either of those 2 anymore at all.

[DotheDew88]

I am going with Harvick all the way!

[CodeBlueEMT]

 I'll "pick" my nose and be thankful that football season has started. The NHL will be hitting the ice next month too.

 What night does the "Race in an Hour" come on? That's 30 minutes more of NASCAR than really needed these days, but it's a safe bet I won't fall asleep.

 I hope the other 31 drivers don't make the mistake of running for a win. NASCAR might not like anyone outside of the chosen 12 interfering with the racertainment.

 I'm sooooooooooooooo excited.

[scott b]

  I hope the other 31 drivers don't make the mistake of running for a win. NASCAR might not like anyone outside of the chosen 12 interfering with the racertainment.

Maybe the Brain will put everyone outside the chase on double secret probation for the rest of the season, just as a precaution.