NASCAR reveals new points system for the 2011 season – NASCAR news
NASCAR revealed new point system claiming it to be much simpler and understandable as compared to the previous system.
Still the winnings will base on point standings.
Brian France president NASCAR unveiled that the new system will be much simpler for the fans to understand the points and significantly raise the viewership of sport. This type of major change of point system is made after 36 years. This is to benefit the
drivers and encourage them to win more and more.
France announced news of new points formula at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Mike Helton also added that the NASCAR is looking for a long time to simplify the point system for fans and the drivers. He said even sometimes they do have to see the rulebooks to determine
which position received how many points. The main goal was to simplify the system as possible.
The new system will base the qualifying on practice speeds and if the qualifying is rained out, the standing order will depend on practice speeds as well. As in the previous system, a draw determined the qualifying and points the starting order.
The new system will give 43 points to the first driver, 42 points to the second and a point less for the drivers in descending order. This will also give the winner a three-point bonus with a bonus point for leading a lap and a point for maximum leading
laps.
The difference between first and second will remain same as overall percentage but in a much simpler way.
The winner can strike for 48 points maximum and 47 points at minimum, as for second will attain 44 points maximum and minimum 42 points.
The chase will remain with 12 teams, but the top 10 will be chosen on points with the following two positions on points standings. This will be now done from top 20 drivers rather than top 10 drivers as in previous system.
The chase will base on the wins with three points rewarded for each win within first 26 races.
Even by this system, Denny Hamlin would lose to Jimmie Johnson by five points, having his fifth victory in a row.
Winner attained 190 points for leading and winning a lap, 195 for most leading laps. Whereas the second received maximum 180 points, minimum 170 points by previous points system.
This new system is to reward wins as well as consistency. France and Helton were found defending the new system, consistency over wins. They added the system is simpler and yet balanced to benefit both at the same time.
The section left unchanged is penalty structure.
The penalty points will remain same but proportionally and unaffecting the fines. The figures will change but it will be same penalties for same infractions.
France sounds confident that this simpler system will create a great impact on wins while appreciating the consistency of performance throughout the season as marked by Johnson in the previous seasons.
“The win to get in is not a small thing,” France said. “It will start with the Daytona 500.”
The new and simpler system will be an ease for the viewers to keep up with the points of their favourite driver. This system is friendly with commentators to talk about and analyze positions and standings for championship.
Petty said, “That's the way it ought to be in NASCAR. They ought to make it so simple a 10-year-old can keep up with points.”
It will require more concentration on weekend practices if there is a chance of rain in qualifying.
In 2008, there were 10 races and in 2009 it were six races which set on points when the qualifying was rained out.
In the 2010 season, Johnson marked the pole at the spring Talladega race. Martinsville spring race, July Daytona race poles positions were claimed by Harvick.
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