Sadler to JGR?

[MattSRD28]

The change they made was still terribly executed though, because Carl Edwards completely outmatched Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and got nothing to show for it points-wise, which makes the championship system questionable at best.

The championship system is always questionable. The more important issue is what's best for the sport. Having Ricky Stenhouse Jr. - a Nationwide Series regular - winning his series championship instead of Carl Edwards - a Sprint Cup Series championship contender - is better for the sport.

If you want to question that, go ahead, but there's no manipulation at work with the new rule. Carl's earned points are simply not counted because Carl is not eligible to earn points in any series other than Sprint Cup. Only drivers eligible for Nationwide points can be the Nationwide Series champion. It's a simple, effective solution that holds true to traditional norms, and maintains the value of the lower-tier national touring series.

 

[Markfan]

If you want to question that, go ahead, but there's no manipulation at work with the new rule. Carl's earned points are simply not counted because Carl is not eligible to earn points in any series other than Sprint Cup. Only drivers eligible for Nationwide points can be the Nationwide Series champion. It's a simple, effective solution that holds true to traditional norms, and maintains the value of the lower-tier national touring series.

Fair enough, but I'll always stand by the fact that I feel that a champion should be crowned based on overall performance, not necessarily points. A person that does less than another person in a given season should not be higher up in the standings than someone that outraced them.

The new "0 points for outsiders" rule also could be viewed as harmful to the series, as it makes winning the only incentive [other than money] for cup drivers to enter. It also resulted in an overly-forgiving ROTY eligibility in all three series and the ridiculous scenario that occurred during the 2011 Speedweeks (where all three championships were led by drivers that didn't win).

 

[K.Chuck]

They still collect owners points, which is what the 60 was racing for last year.

 

[MattSRD28]

The new "0 points for outsiders" rule also could be viewed as harmful to the series, as it makes winning the only incentive [other than money] for cup drivers to enter. It also resulted in an overly-forgiving ROTY eligibility in all three series and the ridiculous scenario that occurred during the 2011 Speedweeks (where all three championships were led by drivers that didn't win).

No Cup driver raced in the Busch Series for points before Harvick in 2001 after Dale Sr.'s loss. They raced for fun, to learn things they could use in Cup Series race the next day, and for the chance to win. It worked out just fine.

Nobody pays any attention to the points after Speedweeks. Never have. Probably never will.

 

[Markfan]

No Cup driver raced in the Busch Series for points before Harvick in 2001 after Dale Sr.'s loss.

I'm quite aware.

They raced for fun, to learn things they could use in Cup Series race the next day, and for the chance to win. It worked out just fine.

Yes, because the drivers had self-moderation when it came to how often they entered the series. The 0 points rule does nothing to stop cup drivers from entering every race (which is also a problem with the schedule), and with no reason for the regulars from cup to be conscious about points, they are more prone to focus on winning.

 

[DBReaver35]

No Cup driver raced in the Busch Series for points before Harvick in 2001 after Dale Sr.'s loss. They raced for fun, to learn things they could use in Cup Series race the next day, and for the chance to win. It worked out just fine.

Nobody pays any attention to the points after Speedweeks. Never have. Probably never will.

But it wasn't planned that way of course, He was only schedule to like a few cup events in a third car but of course like you said SR death changed a lot of things.

Anyway back to the topic it sounded like to me it was mutual decision for Elliot to look for other rides.

 

[MattSRD28]

Yes, because the drivers had self-moderation when it came to how often they entered the series. The 0 points rule does nothing to stop cup drivers from entering every race (which is also a problem with the schedule), and with no reason for the regulars from cup to be conscious about points, they are more prone to focus on winning.

Just because there isn't a rule against it doesn't mean Cup drivers will still enter every race. The eligibility rules basically tell the Cup guys to go back to using self-moderation because the possibility of winning 2 championships in 1 year that Harvick proved does exist now doesn't anymore.

Edwards and Brad K ran a ton of Nationwide last year, but that probably had more to do with sponsor commitments than anything. This year that has really tapered off. I expect to see more of a return to the limited Nationwide schedule for Cup drivers as time goes on.

And...yeah, Cup guys will be more focused on winning. That's the way it's always been, and it's worked out just fine. Jeff Gordon was able to race against Harry Gant in the Busch Series back in the day. Sure Gant won the race, but how much did Gordon learn from that? It's good for the up & coming drivers to be challenged like that. It makes beating the Cup guys, which can and will happen, that much sweeter.

 

[JamesFranklin84]

My dad years ago came up with this idea, I'm sure he heard it from somewhere, but I still think it's the best rule.

If you attempt to qualify for greater than 50% of the Nascar Cup Races, you can't run in another series. Period.

This would mean once the Nascar Cup season got half way, nobody that attempted to qualify for every race would be able to run in Nationwide or the Truck series.

This would allow everyone's points to be counted in Sprint Cup. So for the Harvick deal, he would be eligible to make the chase in 2001. Only problem is he would have had to jump out of his Nationwide ride half way through.

I've always been a fan of this set up or one similar. I don't have a problem with cup guys racing in the lower series but when they're running nearly a full schedule, I think that's a bit ridiculous.

Anyways, I really hope Sadler gets a cup ride. I think he's proven he can still drive.

 

[MillsLayne]

My dad years ago came up with this idea, I'm sure he heard it from somewhere, but I still think it's the best rule.

If you attempt to qualify for greater than 50% of the Nascar Cup Races, you can't run in another series. Period.

This would mean once the Nascar Cup season got half way, nobody that attempted to qualify for every race would be able to run in Nationwide or the Truck series.

This would allow everyone's points to be counted in Sprint Cup. So for the Harvick deal, he would be eligible to make the chase in 2001. Only problem is he would have had to jump out of his Nationwide ride half way through.

I've always been a fan of this set up or one similar. I don't have a problem with cup guys racing in the lower series but when they're running nearly a full schedule, I think that's a bit ridiculous.

Anyways, I really hope Sadler gets a cup ride. I think he's proven he can still drive.

The only problem (and it's a big problem) is that the Cup guys bring sponsorship dollars to the series that the other guys aren't going to be able to bring. Bottom line, it's money, and I can't really argue with that (as much as I don't care for the Cup guys winning in the lower divisions). It's an expensive sport, and if an owner can get more sponsorship with Cup regulars, they will. And I don't think NASCAR would argue with that, either.

 

[N7S]

You have a good point. We'll expect a lot of new faces and familiar faces in different cars next year. Just like last year. "It's the free agency frenzy of racing". Gonna be a wild Chase and Offseason.

 

[MattSRD28]

My dad years ago came up with this idea, I'm sure he heard it from somewhere, but I still think it's the best rule.

If you attempt to qualify for greater than 50% of the Nascar Cup Races, you can't run in another series. Period.

This would mean once the Nascar Cup season got half way, nobody that attempted to qualify for every race would be able to run in Nationwide or the Truck series.

This would allow everyone's points to be counted in Sprint Cup. So for the Harvick deal, he would be eligible to make the chase in 2001. Only problem is he would have had to jump out of his Nationwide ride half way through.

So what would your dad tell the track promoters of facilities hosting 2nd half races who now won't sell as many tickets because fans who would have bought a Nationwide ticket to see Harvick now won't because of the rule? What would he tell the TV networks whose ratings aren't as high because certain drivers are banned from participating? What would he tell the teams who can't attract sponsors because they have no idea how to answer when a sponsor asks them who's going to drive the car, and the sponsor isn't going to pay for Denny Hamlin and get Michael McDowell? A rule like that directly leads to less fans in the seats and less fans watching on TV, which is exactly the wrong direction for Nascar.

The eligibility rules leave the door open for Cup drivers to basically do what they want, but they can't accomplish the one & only reason to run an entire season in any series - they can't win the championship. With that gone, no Cup guy is going to run a full season, and they haven't. The rule works.

We'll expect a lot of new faces and familiar faces in different cars next year. Just like last year. "It's the free agency frenzy of racing". Gonna be a wild Chase and Offseason.

Silly Season happens every year. The fall Charlotte race is more or less the deadline for announcements regarding next season. It's just that time of year again...