Nascar ready to change face with its Chase

The Charlotte Observer dropped a bombshell by claiming that the organizers of the Nascar were thinking about profoundly changing the way the Chase is run in future seasons of the Sprint Cup Series. The model implemented since 2004 offers a regular season of 26 races where the 12 best drivers in the ranking then compete in the last ten events. This concept would be on the verge of being left to an elimination race.

According to information revealed by our American colleagues, the Chase would no longer have 12 but 16 drivers who could get their ticket to the play-offs in the event of victory in the regular season. If the number of different winners was not large enough, the drivers' rankings would then be taken into account to complete the list. The Chase would be divided into three segments. The four least competitive drivers would be eliminated in the third, sixth and ninth rounds of the play-offs. Finally, the finalists would be tied on points before competing in the final at Miami-Homestead in order to ensure a suspenseful end to the season, even if it meant destroying the very spirit of competition...

Proof that these revelations are more than just a rumor, Brett Jewkes, Nascar's communications director, quickly took the floor to comment on this information. “Nascar has begun to study possible concepts to evolve the format of the Nascar Sprint Cup Series. These discussions are the final phase of a reflection lasting several years. Nascar does not plan to make further comments until discussions with shareholders are completed. We hope to announce possible changes for the 2014 season very soon.”