Changes coming to Chase format in 2011?

Chairman Brian France. "When it comes to the Chase, what we want is big moments where drivers and teams have to be their very best on a given day,"


This will allow teams to throw their pit crews to the curb and use another one. If you are a struggling one car team, you're out of luck. Bigger is better

If he wants to bring fans back he needs to step down immediately and let someone who actually cares what happens with the sport take the reigns.

QUOTE:

Originally posted by

I heard just a short time ago on XM that 2 of the #48 pit crew were hit from behind during the race and were struggling, and that was part of the reason the change came about.

During the first pit stop for the #48, Menard hit the tire out of one of the tire changer's hands, and it went rolling into the grassy area. I don't think he was actually struck though. The 48 team has had slow pit stops for a good while now and has already hurt him during the Chase. Yesterday, however, was the worst of it and it was time for a change. It was a good move on Hendrick's part, but I still feel bad that Gordon got the short end of the stick on it.

Brian France "on the prowl" Now thats funny I don't care who ya are!

Dear Mr France,

Make WINNING matter more than of accumilated points.

Thank you.

LOL after looking at France's photo, it looks like he had a bad night, pretty big sacks under them eye's. Nascar needs a lot of help if their going to get the fan base back the way it was, Too much has been taken away from the teams and the drivers, bring back the old nascar, and the cars.

Hey guys, if any of you were offended by my remark on the Sadler thread, I'am sorry, it just gets old that some people have to look for trouble instead of commenting on Some kind of sports. I singled out no one. Sorry again

Greetings all! I am long time reader first time poster.

About the topic on hand: I personally don't like the Chase, but it's going to be around for as long as Brian France is at the helm. I believe he sees this as his legacy to the sport and will twist, tweak, and change it to his whims. (So that the driver's driver Jimmie Johnson can win his 8 championships...in a row.)

Off topic: I disagree with the wholesale swapping of pit crews in the middle of the race. I think the crew should be like the engine, you use what you started the race with. Replacing guys who are injured is one thing, but to replace them all mid-race because of bad stops is just ridiculous. This could set a bad precedent of the top teams bringing multiple pit crews to the race track and rotate one out after a single bad stop. If NASCAR is truly looking for parity with the haves and have-nots this is another step in the wrong direction.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 03:26 PM ET  11.09 by Raistwalker

Greetings all! I am long time reader first time poster.About the topic on hand: I personally don't like the Chase, but it's going to be around for as long as Brian France is at the helm. I believe he sees this as his legacy to the sport and will twist, tweak, and change it to his whims. (So that the driver's driver Jimmie Johnson can win his 8 championships...in a row.)Off topic: I disagree with the wholesale swapping of pit crews in the middle of the race. I think the crew should be like the engine, you use what you started the race with. Replacing guys who are injured is one thing, but to replace them all mid-race because of bad stops is just ridiculous. This could set a bad precedent of the top teams bringing multiple pit crews to the race track and rotate one out after a single bad stop. If NASCAR is truly looking for parity with the haves and have-nots this is another step in the wrong direction.

Good thought, GOOD THOUGHT, start in the rear.

In all of the "changing pit crew" talk, people seem to conveniently forget that RCR just did the same thing. Moving Boyer's crew to Harvick's car.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 04:41 PM ET  11.09 by mecca

In all of the "changing pit crew" talk, people seem to conveniently forget that RCR just did the same thing. Moving Boyer's crew to Harvick's car.

Exactly. Nothing different. You make the move as soon as you see the need. If one crew member were having a really bad day, and there was another crew member who could step in and take his place, then there wouldn't be any hell raised. Why is it any different to replace the whole crew?

Johnson had a very good chance to win the race yesterday, but he kept getting backed up in the field and had to use up his car to keep moving forward. And there have been multiple races in the Chase where this was the case.

It's like yanking a pitcher in the middle of the inning while he's getting killed. You pull him when you can.

I'm sorry if I keep commenting off topic here. Ok...back on topic, other than "getting rid of the Chase" (cuz that's not happening), what's the one biggest change you guys would make?

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 05:29 PM ET  11.09 by Grizzly Fattums

I'm sorry if I keep commenting off topic here. Ok...back on topic, other than "getting rid of the Chase" (cuz that's not happening), what's the one biggest change you guys would make?

make the chase a one race event between all those who are statistically still within a chance of the title.

Wait, thats just a final race without a chase. never mind

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 04:41 PM ET  11.09 by mecca

In all of the "changing pit crew" talk, people seem to conveniently forget that RCR just did the same thing. Moving Boyer's crew to Harvick's car.

Not really, going back to the engine idea: If the car engine blows after the race begins the crew goes home and changes the engine AFTER the race back at the shop. The RCR change happened AFTER the race back at the shop, not on national TV.

Change the Chase: Mix the tracks in the Chase. 10 races should be something like 1 plate track, 1 road course, 1 two mile non-plate speedway (Michigan-like no necessarily MI or CA), 2 1.5-mile tracks (one tri-oval one not), 2 1-mile tracks, 3 short tracks. Also half of the tracks would be "Chase only" meaning they are only raced once a year during the Chase.

Brian France once said they couldn't "Johnson proof the Chase" but I fully believe they can, it just might take some pride swallowing and allowing more track owners a piece of the pie. A big dream I know but it's got to be better then what we've got!

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 11:20 AM ET  11.09 by Manimal1022

If he wants to bring fans back he needs to step down immediately and let someone who actually cares what happens with the sport take the reigns.

No need for me to say anything. You said it all.

I am new to NASCAR can someone explain the Chase format to me?

Good Morning All.

How is changing a pit crew in the middle of a race any different than changing drivers in the middle of a race? And even more than changing drivers, how about switching to a driver from an opposing team in the middle of the race? Junior for Kyle for $50, Alex?