NASCAR officials are considering a possible Chase playoff format for the Nationwide Series next season that would exclude Sprint Cup competitors, sources confirmed Tuesday. Officials discussed the possibility of limiting or eliminating points for a Cup driver who ranks in the top 35 in the Cup standings. NASCAR president Mike Helton met with Nationwide Series team owners, drivers and crew chiefs Monday in Concord, N.C., to discuss cost-containment ideas and possible changes that would allow a Nationwide-only driver to win the championship. If implemented, a Nationwide Series Chase probably would have fewer drivers and fewer races than the Chase for the Sprint Cup, which has 12 drivers for the final 10 events. Full-time Sprint Cup drivers have won the past four Nationwide Series titles and a Cup driver probably will win it again this season. Brad Keselowski holds a commanding lead over Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch, all three of whom are Cup regulars. NASCAR wants to bring more attention to Nationwide Series drivers who don’t compete regularly in the Cup series. Officials discussed the possibility of limiting or eliminating points for a Cup driver who ranks in the top 35 in the Cup standings. Cup drivers still could compete in all the Nationwide events, but not compete for the championship. The team owner of those cars would continue to receive owners points, which would allow the car to win the owner’s championship, but not the driver championship. This would appease sponsors, which still would win a championship as the primary sponsor on the car.(ESPN.com)(8-17-2010)
UPDATE: NASCAR is considering changes to the Nationwide Series that could make full-time Sprint Cup drivers ineligible to win the series championship, but a Chase format for NASCARs Triple-A division is not under consideration, said Brian France, chairman and CEO of the sanctioning body. We have four national divisions, and weve got to distinguish them, France said Tuesday night at a Texas Motor Speedway 2011 schedule announcement. I think making too many things that would not differentiate them wouldnt be good. So I dont think youre going to see thatI know youre not going to see that. France did outline the need to balance the participation of Cup drivers against the desire to highlight the accomplishments of full-time Nationwide competitors. I think youre going to see some work in that area on our behalf to change the way we reward the Cup drivers who are involved in the Nationwide events, France said. We are not altogether certain of how. Obviously, weve got a number of ideasjust which ones well use, Im not sure.(Sporting News)(8-18-2010)
