2007 Chase for the NEXTEL Cup: NASCAR'S Version of the Playoffs

In 2004, NASCAR created the Chase For The NEXTEL Cup, NASCAR's version of the playoffs. The way it worked was, any driver in the top 10 in points, and any driver that was within 400 points of the leader, after the first 26 races of the season would be in The Chase. The points would be reset for those in The Chase with the leader going to 5050 points with the next 9 going down in increments of 5 (2^nd 5045, 3^rd 5040, etc.). 10^th place, and any other driver outside the top 10 within 400 points of the leader would be reset to 5005 points. The drivers would then spend the final 10 races fighting for the championship.

After 3 years with this system, NASCAR has made a few changes. First, the 400 point option is gone, and two more drivers have been added to The Chase. So now, there will be a guaranteed 12 drivers in The Chase after 26 races.

The way the points are reset for The Chase has also changed. All drivers will be reset to 5000, and then given 10 points for every win they got in the first 26 races. So if a driver gets 3 wins in the first 26 races, they would start The Chase with 5030 points.

The amount of points a driver earns for winning has also changed. The winning driver will now be awarded 185 points for the win, and an additional 5 points for leading at least one lap. If the winning driver leads the most laps, they will get that additional 5 points for a total of 195.

My Thoughts on The Changes

I'm kind of on the fence about the changes. On one hand, I think the winner should be rewarded, as it is much harder to win in today's Cup Series. On the other hand, I think these changes are taking away from the one thing that has made past champions, consistency. Now, drivers who are consistently in the top 5 and top 10 week in and week out won't have the same chances against the driver who has won 5 or 6 races as they would have in years past. Terry Labonte won the 1996 championship with only two wins that year. I can't see any driver doing that with this new system.

My 2007 Chase Predictions

I know, Speedweeks haven't even started yet, but this is my prediction on the 12 drivers that will make the 2007 Chase For the Cup.

Jimmy Johnson

Jeff Gordon

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Tony Stewart

Greg Biffle

Jeff Burton

Kevin Harvick

Denny Hamlin

Carl Edwards

Ryan Newman

Matt Kenseth

kasey Kahne

I think the 2007 champion will be either Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Jeff Burton. But no matter who wins it, they will do it like no other champion before them with the new points system.