NASCAR Championship Evolution: For three decades, NASCAR crowned its Cup Series champion based on a point system that often prized consistency over outright victory.
In this system, points trickled down from first to last, yet its flaw surfaced glaringly when a second-place finisher, leading the most laps, received the same points as the race winner. This structure diminished the significance of winning, offering merely a slight points boost to top-10 finishers.
While this method produced several deserving champions, it frequently drained the season’s closing weeks of excitement, with drivers clinching the title before the final race.
NASCAR, cognizant of television ratings and fan engagement, recognized the system’s shortcomings. A seismic shift occurred in 2004, narrowing championship eligibility to the top 10 drivers in the closing weeks. Then, in 2014, the elimination concept debuted, ejecting playoff drivers in three rounds, leaving four contenders to vie for the title in the climactic final race.
This transformation from nine years ago injected fresh vigor into the season’s final 10 weeks and generally garnered positive reviews. However, criticism arose, especially from traditionalist fans who believed the old season-long system better and fairer for determining the champion.
While drivers largely support the current system, some experienced various old setups in their careers and appreciate the notion of rewarding season-long consistency.
Take Ryan Blaney, who navigated the knockout-style format to clinch the championship despite winning merely three races in the 36-race season. Starting the Playoffs as the 12th seed among 16 qualifiers, his victory is a testament to resilience.
Chris Buescher, entering his ninth full season in Cup racing and never experiencing the old system at the Cup level, remains rooted in tradition. He opposes the idea favored by some driversusing the results of the final three races of the season to determine a championinstead of the current emphasis on the final race.
If you’re going to rely on three races’ points,” Buescher contended, “might as well revert to tallying points from the (season-opening) Daytona 500. Zeroing in on a single race as the decider seems a tough call.”
While some drivers hold reservations about the current system, most acknowledge the need to foster more dramatic races and nail-biting finishes.
Former champion Kyle Larson commented, “What we have now brings excitement. But does the right champion always emerge? Hard to say. Look at F1Max Verstappen clinched the championship with six races left, winning 19 of 22 races. Such scenarios spark discontent.”
Kevin Harvick, a former champion who retired this season, hailed the system’s emphasis on race wins as a positive. However, he believes there’s room for a more balanced approach, steering away from over-prioritizing a single race.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., securing his playoff spot by winning the season-opener Daytona 500, appreciates the playoffs’ intensity despite a lackluster season overall. The playoffs’ knockout rounds, he remarked, bring excitement for fans, demanding top performance at every turn.
While some drivers reminisce about the old system, preferring a season-long point structure, Michael McDowell views the current format as more engaging for fans, veering away from predictable outcomes.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What is the hardest NASCAR race to win?
Experience the thrill of betting on a Superspeedway NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway or Talladega Superspeedway. Witness over thirty cars racing at 200 miles per hour, inches apart from each other. The adrenaline rush is unparalleled. Even making it to the final twenty laps is a victory for your driver. Don’t miss out on this heart-pumping experience.
How many different NASCAR champions are there?
A total of 36 drivers have clinched the Championship title, with Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson leading the pack with seven wins each. Johnson, on the other hand, holds the record for the most consecutive Drivers’ Championships, having won five from 2006 to 2010.
What came after Winston Cup?
In 2004, NASCAR struck a deal with Nextel, a telecom company, to take over from Winston as the series sponsor. This led to the rebranding of the series as the Nextel Cup. However, in 2006, Sprint merged with Nextel, leading to another name change for the series. From 2008 onwards, it became known as the Sprint Cup.
Has anyone won all three stages in NASCAR?
Kyle Larson made history by becoming the third driver to sweep all three stages in a NASCAR Cup Series race this season. He dominated the Las Vegas playoff race and left his competitors in the dust. This feat has only been accomplished 25 times since NASCAR introduced stage racing in 2017. Larson’s impressive performance is a testament to his skill and determination on the track.
