The NASCAR scoring system, renowned for its complexity, has sparked a wave of controversy and perplexity among insiders and fans alike. Unlike other motorsport series where points are allocated based on the finishing position in a single race, NASCAR’s unique approach awards points three times in one race. The system also involves two types of points: standard and playoff points.
In this multifaceted scoring system, each stage winner receives 10 points, which decrease by one for each subsequent position down to the 10th place. The final race sees the winner awarded 40 points, and the following positions receive diminishing points down to the 36th place, which garners a single point. The playoff points, on the other hand, serve as bonus points for drivers during the weekend and can significantly impact the playoffs.
The system’s complexity has given rise to a peculiar phenomenon. Drivers can dominate the race track, winning consistently throughout the season, only to find themselves not leading the points table. This paradox, a result of NASCAR’s intricate point system, has stirred quite a storm lately.
Take for instance, the curious case of Christopher Bell. Despite making history as the first driver to win three consecutive races in the NextGen era, Bell, surprisingly, found himself in second place in the points table, trailing William Byron who had only one race win to his credit. The reason behind this anomaly? Stage points.
Veteran NASCAR reporter, Jeff Gluck, took to Twitter to express the prevailing bafflement succinctly, “Christopher Bell: Best average finish, wins three of first four races. Also Christopher Bell: NOT the points leader (Byron is).”
A closer look at the stage points table reveals that Byron leads with 49 points, while Bell lags in the 7th position with just 26 points. This 23-point gap explains why Bell, despite his victories, is not leading the points table.
This seemingly unfair system has evoked concerns among fans and insiders. NASCAR legend, Richard Petty, suggested a radical change, advocating for a ‘win-and-you-are-in’ system, which would let race winners compete for the Championships regardless of points.
This debate is not new. Last year, Joey Logano bagged the championship despite not being a strong contender in the regular season, a feat that left fans questioning the legitimacy of his victory. Logano, however, was merely playing by NASCAR’s rules.
Despite calls for a change in the playoff format, NASCAR’s chief racing development officer, John Probst, stated that the current system would prevail, although they are actively considering fans’ feedback.
The impact of stage racing on championship chances has been significant. Last season, Kyle Larson narrowly missed the regular season championship by a single point, despite an excellent performance throughout the 26 races. A tire issue in Homestead Miami dented his title hopes, despite a P3 finish in Martinsville.
If NASCAR is considering a format tweak, it ought to address the implications of stage racing and reward drivers for consistent performance during the regular season. The current scenario, while perplexing, certainly adds an intriguing layer to the sport, keeping drivers, insiders, and fans on their toes.
