NASCAR - Leave "The Chase" Alone!

After one of the more boring drivers on the circuit, Matt Kenseth, won the Nextel Cup a few years ago, NASCAR decided the 50 million fans needed more excitement at the end of the season. Much to Jimmie Johnson's chagrin, The Chase to the Nextel Cup was invented. It worked well the first year, with Kurt Busch winning the championship fair and square. Yet, much to the horror of sponsors and marketing dorks within NASCAR, the sport's two top stars missed the cut last year: Dale Jr. and Stiff Gordon.

Now, we have people saying the format needs to be changed. Huh?? What exactly is wrong with rewarding the top 10 drivers/teams who've been consistent all season long? I'm not sure. What pisses me off about this discussion is that certain people involved in NASCAR (and many NOT directly involved) think the "stars" (i.e. most marketable sponsor whores) absolutely have to be in the hunt for a championship. Well, if Mr. Gordon hasn't been consistent and has won but one race this season and Mr. Tony Stewart can't stop acting like a 3-year-old and wrecks himself out of the Chase, then why should the format be changed to include them? Last time I checked, there were 43 teams racing every weekend. And just because some of them aren't polished, compelling or charismatic people doesn't mean they should be pushed aside by someone shilling for Home Depot or Budweiser.

Maybe Major League Baseball should change its playoff format to make sure the Yankees make the playoffs every year. Maybe the NFL should rig its playoff system to make sure the Cowboys get in every year (something I'd be all for actually...) because that's what people want to see. Let's toss out the genuine reward system that has been part of all competitive sports' DNA since the beginning of time. Let's make a rule that says if Sterling Marlin makes the Chase, he's automatically substituted for Jeff Gordon. Or if Ward Burton gets a ride and makes it into the The Chase, he has to give up his spot for Junior. That sounds fair and will make everyone happy, right? Yeah....