[johnta1]

-- The Chase field will be expanded from 12 to 16 drivers, virtually assuring that every major-team, big-sponsor “name” driver will make the playoffs. In recent years, a number of fan favorites -- among them, Kasey Kahne, Clint Bowyer, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon -- haven't qualified for the Chase.

Forgot Danica in there?



Maybe expand the points to the top 30?

[MattB78]

Originally Posted by johnta1

Forgot Danica in there?



Maybe expand the points to the top 30?

If anyone wants to take me up on it, I'll bet she doesn't finish in the top 30 in drivers points at the end of the 2014 season!

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by MattB78

If anyone wants to take me up on it, I'll bet she doesn't finish in the top 30 in drivers points at the end of the 2014 season!

All drivers that run all 36 races for a team with reasonable funding will finish in the top 30.

Heck, Tony Stewart made the top 30 and only competed in 21 races. Mark Martin only raced in 28 races and finished 25th. Dave Blaney missed a race and finished 30th...

I think it's well known that I don't think Danica is not a real racer - but with the equipment provided her - if she just goes out and make laps she will finish in the top 30. Of course that's assuming that she races all 36 Cup races.

[Alvin]

Earlier this month, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said he was “not satisfied” with the current points structure. “We think we can make some tweaks that continue to incentivize risk-taking, racing harder and so on,” he said. Drivers, on the other hand, have said they can't run any harder than they already are and can't take more chances that they already do.
As for NASCAR, vice president and chief communications officer Brett Jewkes said the organization will have no comment until later in the month. “[We] have begun the process of briefing key industry stakeholders on potential concepts to evolve the Sprint Cup championship format,” he said in a statement. “This dialogue is the final phase of a multi-year process that has included the review of extensive fan research, partner and industry feedback and other data-driven insights.

“[We] have no plans to comment further until the stakeholder discussions are complete. We hope to announce any potential changes for the 2014 season to our media and fans very soon.”

Fan Research Question #1 should have been: Why are our race series no longer relevant, exciting or entertaining to you?