It was in 2004 that NASCAR conducted its first season under a “playoff” system, having abandoned its long-lasting points system that was the foundation of a championship based on season-long consistency of performance. When the “Chase for the Championship” was announced, rest assured it was not universally accepted among NASCAR’s competitors, fans and media. Many thought it was merely a gimmick that denigrated the true meaning of a championship — one that was achieved over the course of an entire season.
Among other reasons, NASCAR said that it hoped the Chase would increase fan interest, meaning an increase in television ratings, to the point where stock car racing would rival the NFL during the fall season.
Well, we all know how that has turned out, don’t we?
Over the years the Chase has been modified several times to the point where today’s playoff has resulted in four drivers — a “Final Four,” if you will — as the contenders for the title in this weekend’s season finale at Phoenix.
Despite the modifications, the playoff still has its critics. It always will.
I admit I wasn’t one of them. Well, I might have been on the fence. My contention was that under the previous point system, there weren’t many years during which the championship was decided at the last race.
Often, the champ was crowned one or even two races before the conclusion. Not much drama in that.
I admit there were indeed some dramatic points-based championship battles that lasted until the final lap of the final race. You are quite familiar, I trust, with the 1992 Hooters 500 at Atlanta.
But I came to accept the fact that, if nothing else, at the very least the playoff system results in the championship being determined at the last race and contested among four drivers.
Feel free to disagree, of course.
NASCAR began what has evolved into its current playoff system in 2004. Called the “Chase for the Nextel Cup,” the championship was to be determined at the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 21.
Kurt Busch was in his fourth full season with team owner Jack Roush. He came into the Ford 400 with three victories, nine top five finishes and 20 among the top 10. Things started well for Busch at Homestead-Miami. He won the pole position over Roush teammate Greg Biffle.
But the race was almost a disaster.
On lap 93, Busch entered the access road between turns 3 and 4 en route to pit road. As he moved toward pit road, his right front…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Frontstretch…