After 26 races a year ago, Kurt Busch was 12th in the standings. Over the final 10 races, however, Busch had 1,563 points — more than anyone who would have qualified to race for the title over the final 10 races. Eventual 2002 champion Tony Stewart, who was fifth after 26 races, had 1,479 over the final 10 races. Brian France said Thursday any system NASCAR adopts would have to choose a “credible” champion. But if Busch scored more points in the final 10 races than Stewart, would that have damaged the credibility of Stewart’s title? Because of that situation, officials are looking at possible ways to allow for a “wild card” contender to earn his way into the title chase. Of the Winston Cup champions crowned since 1996, only Gordon in 1998, Bobby Labonte in 2000 and Stewart last year would have would have also won titles under the 10-race postseason system. Sterling Marlin would have won the 2001 title instead of Gordon. Labonte would have won in 1999 instead of Dale Jarrett. Jarrett would have won in 1997 instead of Gordon and Gordon would have won in 1996 instead of Terry Labonte.(full article on ThatsRacin.com and see another column at FoxSports/Sporitng News: Turning a marathon into a sprint ) Bill France Jr., retired chairman of NASCAR but still a power in the stock car sport, isn’t convinced the points system needs to be changed.(See full story at NASCAR.com )(12-5-2003)
