Rowdy People

Time to "Do the Math" with chase ideas..long blog sorry..

I have always believed that the idea to fix the chase was to have the chase drivers on their own points system. So, after listening to Wednesday's pod-cast Thursday morning at work, I decided to set out on a quest to see how this idea worked out over the past four years.

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So, with time at work already set aside to do the "Pocono Shuffle" I started with 2006 and added up all the chasers on their own points system where each driver is given points based on where he finished in relation to other chase drivers. So, if the 48 finished 3rd but was the first chase driver then he gets first place points or 185 pts. Bonus points work the same as they do in any race. I'm calling it the "Rowdy Points." Here is what we have:

In 2006 Jimmie Johnson won the NASCAR chase by 56 points over Kenseth and by 448 over Kyle Busch who finished 10th(only 10 chasers that year) Under the "Rowdy" system Jimmie still wins by 52 pnts over Harvick and 195 pnts over Busch who stays in 10th, but Kenseth falls to 4th, 101 pnts back.

In 2007 Jimmie won the NASCAR chase by 77 pnts over Gordon and 580 pnts back was Hamlin in 12th. With the "Rowdy" system Jimmie still wins but by 81 over Gordon, but only 331 over Hamlin still in 12th. 2007 was the year the 48 won 4 of the last 5 chase races.

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So, I went to bed on Thursday thinking I was wasting my time with Jimmie still winning. I got up Friday and looked at my unshaven face in the mirror and asked myself if I was wasting my time. Then I saw my Gillette Fusion Pro-Glide and I knew I had to finish what I started.

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In 2008 Jimmie won the NASCAR chase by 69 pnts over Edwards and 557 over JR who finished 12th. Under the "Rowdy" system Jimmie beats Edwards still but only by 21 pnts and 332 over Stewart in 12th.

In 2009 Jimmie beat Martin by 141 under the Nascar system, and by 117 under the Rowdy system.

With the chase drivers on their own points the results are the same. My dream for change had been crushed.

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So, then I read Buzz's blog about resetting the field after 5 chase races with only the top 6 in points racing for a championship. It was time to "Do The Math" again. To do this I used the points the system NASCAR uses now. So, if a driver in the "Buzz Fab 6" finished 25th he got 25th place points.

In 2006 the "Buzz fab 6" after Homestead are:
1. Hamlin 781
2. Harvick 706
3. Kenseth 681
4. JR 657
5. Martin 489
6. Burton 381
No Jimmie!!

2007 Jimmie won 4 out of the last 5 races so Jimmie wins running away under the "Buzz Fab 6"

2008 "Buzz Fab 6" after Homestead:
1. Edwards 905
2. Jimmie 806
3. Harvick 766
4. Bowyer 688
5. Biffle 675
6. Burton 526

2009 "Buzz Fab 6" after Homestead:
1. Jimmie 729
2. Kurt Busch 700
3. Gordon 685
4. Martin 678
5. Stewart 541
6. JPM 524

So, looks like Buzz may be on to something with 3 different champs in the past 4 years.

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I also feel like I need to say something about the idea of the top 4 in points racing for the championships in the last races of the year. The idea that football crowns its champ in one game is why NASCAR needs to do the same thing is just bad. Here is why. In football you only have TWO teams on the field at one time trying to win. In NASCAR we have 43 starting the race. So, that is like playing the Super Bowl with all the NFL teams on the field at one time. I can just see last year's Super Bowl like this. Not only do the Saints have to get past the Colts for a 1st down, but every 5 yards they have get past the Lions also? That is like the Chase divers having to pass the 34 car every five laps right?

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Everyone says that the tracks in the chase are boring. What if the chase is making the races boring at the tracks? Right now we have 12 drivers racing and 31 drivers trying to stay out of their way. I like the idea of the non-chasers getting more points for each chase driver they finish in front of. This way they will race them and not just let them driver right by.

Looks like only 3 Weeks Probation for 99

Looks like NASCAR has placed Carl Edwards on probation for the next 3 races. No points and no fine for Edwards. So, is NASCAR going to let them keep the gloves off and race?Can not wait to be in the stands at Bristol and Martinsville!!

Martinsville Speedway help?

I do not know if I'm posting in the right place but.....

Some friends and I are planning a trip to Martinsville for the end of March. I know they have some great deals on seats from rows 10 and down, but can you see all of the track? If not how high do we need to be to see the all the track? Also, any info on the camping at the speedway? Where the best place to camp is? We have been to Bristol, AMS, Dega, The Lady in Black, LMS, and Homestead, but 1st time to Martinsville. Thanks in advance for the help!