NASCAR's New Championship Structure, Good, Bad or What?

Life is change, growth is optional. Someone else said that long before I came along, but I love that statement, mostly.  And every year NASCAR embraces the part about change.  This year, there's been a lot of change.

There's the new qualifying rules and now there's the new Chase rules, which "we" did chat about almost two weeks ago.

Well, it's official.  Each race is going to be even more important, and bad luck will be even more evil than ever before.

NASCAR is going to make a few changes.

First up, they're allowing up to 16 drivers into the Chase.  It used to be 12.  And before that, 10, but Tony Stewart missed the field once, and they then upped it to 12.

A driver can get into the Chase by various methods and one of them is by winning a race.  This new aspect over-rules the process of having the most points.  If there are fewer than 16 drivers with wins, then points will settle out the field to 16.

This means that one can be the absolutely most consistently performing driver of the season, have 26 second place finishes, and not be rewarded for it.

This new focus on wins is designed to induce a tizzy about winning a race during the season.  Or, technically speaking NASCAR is putting the focus on winning.

And here's another new and interesting wrinkle.

After the Chase for the trophy commences, every three races, the field or contenders for the Championship will be reduced by 4 drivers.  I don't know about you, but adding 4 eligible drivers who will be getting eliminated in a few races seems moot.  But it should add some drama or excitement to talk about during this post season.

And then, after every few races of these final 10 of the year, we won't be playing the "mathematically possible" options any more.

To be honest though, most contenders who aren't in the top-five to begin with, usually aren't competitive.  Usually, I said.

-

And then for me, here is the MOST DISAPPOINTING aspect of the entire process, because it's not about points in the last race, it's about who has the least amount of bad luck, which means someone could barely squeak into the final race and still win the championship:::

"Four Drivers, First-to-the-Finish Championship Finale

The 36th and final race of the season will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. Simply stated, the highest finisher in that race among the remaining four eligible drivers will win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title.

Bonus points for laps led will not apply in the season finale, so the official finishing position alone will decide the champion."

Word is that some drivers are surprised and not so happy with the change,

I think the diagram leading off this article says it all, but I'll let the press release speak for itself.

-

press release (after the page break):

NASCAR Announces New Qualifying Format For the Sport

Oh my, NASCAR just released the new format of qualifying for their three National Series events, Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series, and it's quite different from what we've seen before.

It reminds me of a form of "heat races" at your local track, by just a little bit.  I think it will at least make it interesting and something worthy of watching.

But will it induce more on-track accidents before the races?  Meh, who knows?  But I suspect that we'll probably see teams working together to draft where needed and what not.  So this might be a disadvantage to the small fry team.

The new qualifying format will have a series of rounds for drivers to get into the races, and the track type dictates the format outline even more.

Here's how it goes, in graphic and wordage:

-
via press release

At tracks measuring 1.25 miles in length or larger, qualifying for the Coors Light Pole Award will consist of three rounds:

·         The first qualifying elimination round will be 25 minutes in duration and includes all cars / trucks. The 24 cars / trucks that post the fastest single lap from the first qualifying round will advance to the second round.

·         The remaining cars / trucks will be sorted based on their times posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order.

·         The second qualifying elimination round will be 10 minutes in duration and the 12 cars / trucks that post the fastest single lap time will advance to the third and final round. The fastest remaining cars / trucks earn positions 13th through 24th based on their times posted in qualifying in descending order.

·         The third and final qualifying round will be five minutes in duration and the fastest single lap time will determine positions 1st through 12th in descending order.

·         There will be a five-minute break between each qualifying round.

- -

At tracks measuring less than 1.25 miles, qualifying for the Coors Light Pole Award will consist of two rounds:

·         The first qualifying elimination round will be 30 minutes in duration and includes all cars / trucks. The 12 cars / trucks that post the fastest single lap time from the first qualifying round will advance to the second and final round.

·         The remaining cars / trucks will be sorted based on their times posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order.

·         There will be a 10-minute break between the two qualifying rounds.

·         The second and final qualifying round will be 10 minutes in duration and the fastest single lap time posted will determine positions 1st through 12th in descending order.

The new qualifying format does not apply to the Daytona 500, which will preserve its historic and unique qualifying format. Additionally, it does not apply to non-points NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events or the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Eldora Speedway.

“We believe the timing is right for a new qualifying format across our three national series,” said Robin Pemberton, vice president for competition and racing development. “This style of group qualifying has all the makings of being highly competitive and more engaging to our fans in the stands and those watching on television and online. For the drivers and teams, we believe this new qualifying will fuel even greater competition leading into the events. Additionally, it provides our tracks, broadcasters and other key partners with a greater opportunity to develop more entertaining content for our race weekends.”

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Email:

- - -

NASCAR Considers Changing CHASE, Again

Nothing says lack of confidence in a process than changing the process multiple times since its inception in 2004.

RUMORS HAVE IT THAT...

As it stands, the organization is looking to include almost half the field into the chase... SIXTEEN teams up from the twelve that they had upped it to a few years ago.

On top of the potential of having sixteen teams, those sixteen spots can be earned by merely having a win in the regular points season of the year.

If more than 16 teams get wins, priority will be given to those with more wins, and those teams that are full time.  (So much for the little guy!)

If there aren't 16 drivers with wins, then the field would be settled via points.

And once in the Chase, NASCAR is considering an elimination round every three races.

Wait... they're going to add cars to the CHASE field, then eliminate those extra cars in the process of the CHASE???  I'm confused.

Sigh.

-

I get trying to make the sport more exciting.  The season when Stewart took the title from Edwards by sheer force of wins, was an incredible season.  But it was a fluke.

Yet NASCAR, as I can appreciate it, wants these tight points situations to keep occurring so that each season is as nerve-wracking and drama filled as possible.

But there is only so much one can do with a field that will be dominated by certain personalities every season.  There's only so much you can do when math is involved.

And on top of this, they are trying to push the "wins" envelope, as they want to keep tweaking the system to reward the risk-takers.

They want the field to race harder.

But unless you very heavily weight wins with points, no matter how you spin it, with wins are 10 points or 100 points or what have you, the results will almost always be the same.  The top performer should take the trophy when the season is done.  If not, it's a scandalous premise where the overall top performer is not rewarded for their work.

Double sigh.

-

Racing is literally, like chess.  You start out slow (sending the pawns), move to the mid-game with some good moves (with the bishop, knight, rook, etc) and you finish it off with key moves you've been holding back until the last second. 

But if you charge out with all your high value pieces first (race hard), you'll have nothing left but pawns that can only do so much (unless they make it all the way across the board).

But then if one team "races hard," and the other team doesn't, it does not matter how many pawns you have, their rook and queen will eat them alive in the closing chapter.

If they want hard racing, they need to look at shortening races.

Justin Allgaier to The No. 51 Cup Series Car

Phoenix Racing announced today that Justin Allgaier will be helming the No. 51 Chevy for them in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.  The sponsor sitting on the hood will be BRANDT.

Here's the press release I picked up this morning in my inbox:

 It's Official: Justin Allgaier to Drive No. 51 for Phoenix Racing
Allgaier to compete for NASCAR Rookie of the Year honors
Phoenix Racing announced today that Justin Allgaier will be the driver of the No. 51 BRANDT Chevrolet SS during the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Allgaier, who finished fifth in the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship points, will be a candidate for the NASCAR Rookie of the Year award.

"This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I intend to make the most of it," said Allgaier. "I am very grateful to Harry Scott and BRANDT for having faith in me to compete against the best drivers in the world."

"Justin has worked extremely hard to get to this level and he is ready to take the next step," said team owner Harry Scott Jr. "Working with competition director and crew chief Steve Addington, I think the No. 51 can turn some heads this year."

BRANDT will be the primary sponsor for the No. 51 for 21 races during the 2014 season. The agriculture retailer and manufacturer of agricultural specialty products has been active in NASCAR since 2011 and sponsored the No. 51 for four races in 2013.

"The entire BRANDT team is excited about moving to the next level," explained Rick Brandt, company president and CEO. "We looked long and hard at this opportunity and ultimately we decided that we needed the broader footprint that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series affords us to drive our business forward. This is about taking our brand to the millions of fans who watch the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series."

Joining BRANDT on the car are The National FFA, TradeMark Nitrogen, Nutrients for Life Foundation, Precision Tank and Grigg Brothers. Together, these partners are supporting the only true ag-focused car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

"We are proud to help field the 'Ag' car," said Brandt. "This is an effort to raise awareness and build a positive reputation for agriculture of all kinds. We believe passionately that agriculture is the essential industry and we're doing our part to get that message out."

"I could not be more proud to represent BRANDT, a leading company that's headquartered about 13 miles from where I grew up, as we make the leap to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series," said Allgaier.

Allgaier, 27, joins Bobby Labonte as teammates at Phoenix Racing. Labonte will drive the No. 52 for several races in 2014, including the season-opening Daytona 500. Labonte has won 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in his 22-year career and won the series championship in 2000.

About Phoenix Racing

Phoenix Racing, which was established in 1989, is owned and operated by Harry Scott Jr. and competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Scott purchased the team from long-time owner James Finch in September 2013. His vision is to build a championship contender in due time by developing talented young drivers, partnering with dedicated sponsors and competing hard every week.

###

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Email:

- - -

Hope You Weren't Hooked on NASCAR Qualifying Processes!

Some time back, NASCAR had a fun qualifying process where the fastest practice times set the qualifying order in the Cup series.  It was fun because then qualifying became something fun to hover over and watch.

But then they went back to the draw for position, and the on-track qualifying push became what it used to be.  And I quit worrying about watching it.

But now some qualifying changes are coming up for the 2014 racing season and I hope you're ready for them!

-

This year, the single car qualifying format has gone by the wayside for the Nationwide and Truck Series leagues.

But in the pre-announcement, Robin Pemberton (NASCAR's vice president for competition) said they're still working out the details.

If you recall, NASCAR took their qualifying and went to group quals on road courses.

Well, suspicions are that the sport will go to group qualifying for the Nationwide and Truck series.  But there's still the possibility of qualifying heat races too.

Pemberton has not committed to anything. Yet.

And there's no word on Cup quals.  Though if there were, don't worry about the Daytona 500.  That lengthy process will still be employed.

In the presser that Pemberton made this almost non-news-yet announcement, he foretold of many news items to come in the month of January.

He only has a few days (10) left... he better hurry!

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Email:

- - -

Of Drafting Rules and Concussion Tests!

Concussion Testing:

The idea of concussion testing is a good one, but not all drivers careers can survive a "sit out!"

NASCAR has suggested to all three series drivers and teams that they should all head out and get baseline concussion tests, meaning get a baseline neurocognitive test.  Then, if they have a bad enough accident, it would be easier to determine how ditzy the hard hit made them.

But for now, it's not a mandatory request, but rather a suggested test.

This request dug up questions, where drivers were wondering what's up, how critical the results might be in a future event and what not.  The drivers are worried that if they get bumped around a bit and technically have a concussion, will they be forced to sit out races?

It's a valid question from their side of things considering their money making process (their job) seems to insist upon full-time participation.  And missing any days for any appearances or racing can be a detriment to one's career.

But there's also the safety of the drivers in a pack of racing cars.

When do you draw the line?

It's obvious that concussions have not been a huge factor that we can tell over the years, but as time goes on more entities in the business of NASCAR are concerned.

Hey, if Dale Earnhardt. Jr has to sit out some races for banging his head around, that's big.  Though in defence of the other drivers, they don't have the kind of "fame" buffer that Dale Jr. has.

But unlike other drivers, when Jr. misses races, Dale Jr. still has income from his production studio, race tracks, bars, real estate company and what not.

Other drivers don't have all those extra luxuries.

=

NASCAR Nationwide Series teams preparing for new drafting rules...

Well, despite the fact that the new drafting policies being enforced on the Nationwide series never really prevented any big accidents in the Cup series, we're still seeing NASCAR promote and enforce this new draft control here.

The new draft control is the artificial induction of engine overheating if cars stay in tandem too long, by lowering the psi on cooling systems so they start venting earlier than normal if they don't get enough air.

If they're not careful, NASCAR might start enforcing half-lap spaces between cars while they're at it!

But be it as it may, it seems the teams took to it well enough in a January 12th test.

I wasn't fond of the new policies NASCAR is enforcing to prevent drafting, but then I started taking to the tandem draft process over the last few years.  It started producing fascinating, close and exciting results.

That is, until they started mucking with again, and then, produced the Gen-6 car in Cup.

Now, with the Gen-6 cars, there's no more slingshot win.  There's no more "late lead doom" at a race.  Now, if a car made it to the front with 10, 15 or 20 laps top go, they've been holding that lead through to the end.

The Gen-6 car might be good for all the other tracks that look like each other, but for Daytona and Talladega, it's created a wee bit of boring racing at the back end of an event.

I'm not saying I like the wrecks that come from close racing on restrictor place tracks, but single file finishes are starting to remind me of the day the winners would be out front by laps instead of spaces.

Just saying.

-

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Follow me if you dare, on any of these platforms:

Email:

- - -

NASCAR Gives Chevy BIGGER Advantage in New Manufacturer Points System

NASCAR Says They Improved The Manufacturer Points System

At the end of the first week of January, NASCAR announced a new and simpler points system for the Manufacturer Points system with the sport.  They declared that the newest system to score points for the manufacturers now is the same for all three series and the points awarded the manufactures mirrors the point system for owners points.

Winning nets a brand 43 points, while last place will get 1 point.  Wins get a bonus point for the brand.

Additionally,

"The single highest finisher for each manufacturer will receive one additional bonus point for leading a lap, and one additional bonus point for leading the most laps.

At the end of the season, if two or more manufacturers have the same number of points, the manufacturers’ championship will be awarded to the manufacturer with the greatest number of first-place finishes. If there is a tie in victories, the greatest number of second-place finishes, third-place finishes, etc. will break the tie. If a tie still remains, the manufacturer having the earliest win of the current season will prevail. "

-

I can appreciate trying to simplify things for everyone, and I don't mean to be critical of NASCAR, but this looks like more of a bookkeeping simplicity for NASCAR and not the fans.

Before this "simpler" system came along for 2014, it used to be that the winning manufacturer of the race received 9 points.  The next placed logo, 6, the third placed logo, 4.  And that was that.

It seemed to be the simplest form of points winning there ever was.  Ha, what was I thinking!?

But now, they say that it is "simplifying it for fans, competition and the industry, while amplifying the already passionate rivalries between each auto maker."

Simpler?  Nah... Now you have to start balancing out who finished where and start tallying up points across the field.  Before, it was, hey, there goes 1 of the 30 Chevys!  That's 9 points.  Ah, a Toyota was right behind him. That's 6!  That means Ford gets 4!  You're done!

But no longer.

Now, we need our calculators or abacus' to figure out the entire field, then add it all up.  THIS IS NOT SIMPLER and in fact, this stacks the system in favor or the big money spender in NASCAR, Chevrolet.

Taking a look at the major teams, visually, the on-track odds of doing better are in Chevy's favor, if they're going to award points across the entire finishing field.

Looking back at 2013, Check it out:

CHEVY
Chip Ganassi Racing
Circle Sport
Furniture Row Racing
Germain Racing
Hendrick Motorsports
Hillman Racing
JTG Daugherty Racing
Phil Parsons Racing
Phoenix Racing
Richard Childress Racing
Stewart-Haas Racing
Tommy Baldwin Racing

FORD
Brian Keselowski Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports
Go FAS Racing
Leavine Family Racing
Randy Humphrey Racing
Richard Petty Motorsports
Roush Fenway Racing
Team Penske
Wood Brothers Racing

TOYOYA
BK Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing
Michael Waltrip Racing
NEMCO-Jay Robinson Racing
Swan Racing

Or breaking it down by full-time car/driver,
Chevy had 17 cars on the track, Ford, 12, Toyota: 10.

-

This new system now will give Chevy the statistical edge here.  I mean, they always have had the edge, with  more cars on the track, available to cross the finish line first and thus clinch a "title."

Looking back, Chevy has won the last 11 seasons.  They've dominated because they have the help of having more rubber on the track than any other brand.  And having strong drivers behind their wheels.

Now, giving points to every finishing spot, will just buffer their chances every more.  Despite what NASCAR claims, about making the Manu Points Race more exciting.

To simplify how I'm looking at it, pretend you have a bag of balls.

If you were to award 1 point for the first ball to hit the ground in a pack of 50 balls thrown up in the air, and 40 of the balls are blue, then 8 red, 2 green, well, you do the probability of what color hits the ground first.

{Champ charting:  jayski.}

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Email:

- - -

NASCAR Hall Of Fame Process Changes

If you're on top of all your NASCAR news, then this is old news, but if you had not heard, or forgot, there are some changes in store for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

For instance, the change with To the NASCAR Hall Of Fame Eligibility And Selection Process; and the New Award For Outstanding Contributions to the sport.

And since it's a pretty lengthy piece of info, I'm going to "summarize" it with the text from their press release sent out to press-like entities:

Following is a summary of changes:

-

Driver Eligibility

Currently, drivers who have competed in NASCAR for at least 10 years and been retired for three years are eligible for nomination to the NHOF. That will not change.

Moving forward, however, drivers who have competed for a minimum of 10 years and reached their 55th birthday on or before Dec. 31 of the year prior to the nominating year are immediately eligible for the NHOF. Also, any competitor who has competed for 30 or more years in NASCAR competition by Dec. 31 of the year prior to the nominating year is automatically eligible, regardless of age.

Drivers may continue to compete after reaching any of the aforementioned milestones without compromising eligibility for nomination or induction.

-

Nominating Committee Will Select Five Fewer Nominees for Enshrinement

Throughout its history, the NHOF Nominating Committee has selected 25 nominees each year to be discussed and voted on for NHOF enshrinement. That number will be reduced to 20 starting with the selection process for the 2015 class.

-

Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR

Beginning with the 2015 class, a new award – Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR – will be initiated to honor significant contributions to the growth and esteem of NASCAR.

Potential Landmark Award recipients could include competitors or those working in the sport as a member of a racing organization, track facility, race team, sponsor, media partner or being a general ambassador for the sport through a professional or non-professional role. Award winners will remain eligible for NHOF enshrinement.

Five nominees will be selected by the NHOF Nominating Committee and then be voted on by the Voting Panel. To win the award, an individual must appear on at least 60 percent of the ballots and no more than one award will be presented annually. Voting for this award will occur immediately following the voting for the NHOF class and be monitored by the same independent accounting firm that oversees NHOF voting.

-

Nominating Committee to Meet, Vote on 20 NHOF Nominees / Five Landmark Award Nominees

For the first time, the Nominating Committee will meet in person to discuss, debate and vote to create two ballots – the NHOF ballot and the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR ballot. Previously, the committee submitted nominees via mail to an independent accounting firm that tallies the nominations in order to create the final NHOF ballot.

The Nominating Committee will meet during Speedweeks at Daytona on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, and the nominees for both ballots will be announced later that day.

-

Nominees To Be Recused From the Nominating / Voting Process

Any member of the Nominating Committee or Voting Panel who appeared on the previous year’s ballot or current year’s ballot will now be recused from participating in the nominating and / or voting process for as long as he / she appears on the ballot. If an individual who is currently on the Nominating Committee or Voting Panel is inducted, or is no longer included on a final ballot, he or she is immediately reinstated to active participation on the panel(s).

-

Reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Added To Voting Panel

As was already announced on Nov. 14 at Homestead-Miami Speedway during the annual NASCAR Championship Contenders Press Conference, the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion will be added to the following year’s voting panel.

That means Jimmie Johnson, who captured his sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, will be included in the selection meeting and can cast a vote for the NHOF Class of 2015 on Voting Day, Wednesday, May 21, 2014."

-

There, that's not too bad.  I think I like these new changes... it adds a bit of depth in some places, while actually creating much more value to the nomination process, since fewer drivers can be added to the till.  Which, in my mind, will make it even tougher for the committee.  Ug.

-

FYI:


The 2014 NASCAR season officially gets underway with the 56th annual Daytona 500® on Sunday, Feb. 23 at Daytona International Speedway. The Great American Race® will air live on FOX, Motor Racing Network Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio™, with additional coverage on NASCAR.com.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Email:

- - -

Spotter Rule Changes in NASCAR and A Bit About Their Website

I've been talking about the TV coverage, but there have been more changes than just the big bucks that come from all the coverage that Fox and NBC have to offer...

Some officiating revisions went into effect after "events at Richmond," which address the spotters in the sport.

They were,

·         Spotters only on spotters’ stand (one per team)

·         Spotters’ stand limits: Two analog radios, scanners, Fan Views

·         Video camera will be installed on spotters’ stand

(Though I do believe that at very large tracks, there may be more than one spotter per team.  Thanks Michael W. to help mold NASCAR!)

Other changes that kicked in gear last year was the sports web page.

NASCAR finally got their own webpage back from Turner Digital and was able to run it as they see fit.

I'm not sure about you, but I don't like their site as much as I used to, even if I'm trying to embrace it.  But their website is doing well for them.

Because of "race-day engagement," they've seen in 2013

·        7.2 million average monthly unique visitors;

·        An increase of 24 percent in race-day visits year-over-year;

·        An increase of 35 percent in race-day visits during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ year-over-year;

·        More than 34 percent of NASCAR.com® traffic via mobile devices;

·        More than 50 percent increase in NASCAR FANTASY LIVE™ registrations year-over-year; and

·        Nearly 60 million total cross-platform video views.

-

(Just like my site here!!!  Not!  Plus, I don't think I could count that high if my site had those kinds of numbers.)

For 2014, they have at least one big change you'll see... if you haven't already:

"Other changes coming before 2014 Speedweeks® include an enhanced ‘hero’ (main image and accompanying story link on the homepage), appointment viewing of original content, better interactivity between stories and video and new versions of both mobile apps."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Email:

- - -

ICYMI: Fox and NASCAR Solidified Their Relationship Into 2024

Late last year, it was announced that Fox and NASCAR will be continuing their relationship through to the year 2024.

So basically put, starting in 2015:

FOX Sports’ Exclusive Rights (2015-2024):

·       Fox has the first 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points races of each season, including the Daytona 500

        o   Nine of these will be on FOX Sports and seven on FOX Sports 1

·       They have the first 14 NASCAR Nationwide Series points races of each season

        o   These Fourteen races will appear on FOX Sports 1

·       They will also cover the NASCAR Sprint Unlimited, Budweiser Duel and NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race

·       And all NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races

-

If you don't have Fox Sports 1, well, bummer I guess.  But I'm guessing most of us have that.  It's when things go to FS2 that I think we'll get dinged.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Follow NACAR Bits, if you dare, on:

Email:

- - -

NBC Snagged Season Ending Events From ABC/ESPN

In case you missed or forgot this...

After all the grumbling and complaining about ABC/ESPN, fans may actually have the potential for an improved NASCAR TV experience starting in 2015, for the season closing events.

Considering that at the hands of ABC and ESPN, fans have been on the butt end of preferred programming choices, having had pre-race events lost, I mean preempted, to football, basketball and even little league baseball. (Yea, my neighbors heard about that one, as I screamed, "Are you kidding me!!!???")

A few years back was the big clincher that got everyone's attention, when the Phoenix race ran too long for its own britches (or contractual time slot allowed on ABC), and with the last 10 to 20 laps to go, the race was cut from the network telecast and moved to some satellite cable channel while we were fed America's Funniest Videos.

If you didn't have that cable channel, you had to turn to news outlets to find out if Jimmie Johnson did what he needed to do to get into the Chase.

-

With that said, we still have what we have for 2014, at least in this perspective...

Here's how things look though, for NBC's coverage that will run from 2015 to 2024:

NASCAR and NBC Sports Group reached an agreement for NBCUniversal to have exclusive rights to the final 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series events, select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events and other live content beginning in 2015 NBC will telecast the last 20 Sprint Cup race and they will take the title from ABC/ESPN of exclusive home to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

This will obviously include the season-ending championship event at Homestead.

Where and what on NBC/NBCSN?  (Huh, I wonder if I have that particular cable channel?)

The Summary of events NBC will cover, from 2015-2024:

·         Final 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races (7 on NBC, 13 on NBCSN)

·         Final 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series races (4 on NBC, 15 on NBCSN)

·         NASCAR K&N Series and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events

·         NASCAR Toyota (Mexico) Series events

·         NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony and season-ending banquets

·         ‘TV Everywhere’ live-streaming rights for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series (This refers to practice and other events they're covering)

·         Spanish-language broadcast rights on Telemundo and Mun2 for national series events and NASCAR Toyota (Mexico) Series

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Email:

- - -

Rusty Wallace to Pilot the No. 2 For Testing

Rusty Wallace is getting back behind the wheel of the Ford Miller Lite car this Thursday for a test at Daytona.

It will be interesting to see how he feels about the new Gen-6 cars.

In a statement Rusty said that getting behind the wheel will give more of an edge on how he reports on the races, in regards to how the Gen-6 car works.

Brad Keselowski and everyone involved is pretty jazzed.

But...

To be honest, and pragmatic, I have to wonder just how much insight Rusty can get from a car by mashing the pedal and letting loose in a restrictor place car?

He won't get the handling or aero challenges others might get in a race on a smaller track.

But none-the-less, Rusty will at least have at the No. 2 Penske.

It's been 20+ long and good years that Miller Lite has backed Penske and NASCAR, and that's something all fans should be pretty happy or appreciative about, considering how other sponsors are starting to feel the financial pinch of these present economic times.
 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Email:

- - -