The
2017 NASCAR season is already two races in for all three of the sport’s highest
series. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series saw eighteen-year-old Kaz Grala
take the win at Daytona after a crazy last lap flip and Christopher Bell sweep
all three stages for the victory at Atlanta. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Ryan
Reed grabbed his second career victory at Daytona in a crash filled race and
Kyle Busch continued his dominance of the series with a win at Atlanta. In the
newly minted NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series, Kurt Busch took an emotional win
in the Daytona 500 for his first Cup restrictor plate win while Brad Keselowski
stole the victory at Atlanta after the dominating driver of the race, Kevin
Harvick, sped on pit road during his final stop. So far, I have enjoyed every
moment of the season and I believe 2017 is going to be one of the best years
for NASCAR in recent memory. However, there has been a lot of criticism of the
new rules NASCAR has installed for the near future. Those rule changes include
a five-minute clock for damaged vehicles to be repaired, an even lower
downforce package for the top two series, and tighter penalty procedures across
all three series. Of course, I left out the most prominent change for the year
because that is the subject of my analysis today: NASCAR’s new stage points
system.
For those who don’t know the procedures of the stage
system, let’s look at those first. During the offseason, NASCAR announced that
races in all three series would be split into three stages. At the end of the
first two stages, the top 10 would be awarded points from 10-1, respectively.
In addition to that, the winner of a stage would earn a playoff point. Playoff
points are the new version of bonus points in previous Chase years where each
win in the regular season would guarantee three extra points to start the
Chase. Now, the playoff points accumulate throughout the regular season and
carry all the way through the playoffs except for Homestead where the highest
finishing driver of the four championship contenders wins the title. Finally, at the end of the race, regular race
points would be awarded with the winner also receiving five playoff points. Ultimately,
NASCAR’s reasoning for the new race and points format was to increase the
importance level of the entire race. Rather than just being there at the end,
NASCAR wants drivers to run near the front for the whole event. However, fans
have had complaints about the new system. Of course, I agree that the points
system isn’t exactly perfect. I have two fixes I would love to see for the
system, but I truly believe it is a step in the right direction for NASCAR and
I love the new stage points system.
Let me explain why I love NASCAR’s new stage format.
The main reason is because every lap of the race now has increased meaning. In
previous years, lap 85 at Atlanta was just lap 85. Maybe there would be a
caution or a pass for thirteenth, but it was just lap 85. No one really cared
and no one can tell you that Matt Kenseth led that same lap in 2016 at Atlanta
before his race went downhill due a pit road penalty involving an engaged fuel
can. However, in 2017, lap 85 ended with a green checkered flag after intense
racing, a bevy of pit strategy calls, and drivers chasing the track to save
their tires. All those things combined to make every lap important for
determining how the stage would finish and how the race would ultimately
finish. Lap 85 even gave Kevin Harvick ten championship points and a playoff
point, which could be crucial later in the year. In addition to that, the
racing is just truly better when the drivers are racing for those stage points.
In the Daytona 500 two weeks ago, the end of stage 2, which is pictured before
the introduction, was chaotic as drivers fought hard for those points. It was
only lap 120 and I was on the edge of my seat watching that stage end to see if
drivers would risk their cars for a few critical points in the first race of
the season. I truly love that adrenaline rush throughout the race and it makes
the overall racing product much better for casual and dedicated fans. Racing is
what NASCAR should always strive to improve and the new stage system increases
the intensity of competition. Finally, the new system adds additional points
for drivers to obtain as the season progresses and those points will be critical
for the playoff hopes of certain drivers. Just look at Ryan Newman. He always
clinches his playoff spot thanks to points and by finishing sixth at the end of
stage 1 in Atlanta, he now has five extra points at this time of the year that
he wouldn’t have had in 2016. And that is thanks to NASCAR’s brand new stage
format. When it gets later in the year, as well, those points will be harder
fought for and fans will loving the racing. In terms of Ryan Newman, his need
for points isn’t unique. To help supplement my argument about the increased
amount of points for all three series and their importance, let’s look at the
2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series season.
Most of us remember the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide
Series season. Kyle Busch and other Cup Series regulars dominated throughout
the year, but the story at the end of season was the close points finish
between Austin Dillon, Richard Childress’s grandson, and Sam Hornish Jr., the 2006
Indianapolis 500 champion. Dillon ended up taking the championship by a slim
margin of three points, or three positions on track, over Hornish Jr. In
addition to that, he made history by becoming the first driver in one of
NASCAR’s top three series to win a title without winning a race. Because of
that historic achievement, Dillon’s championship run has been heralded as the
ultimate example of consistency. However, his finishes might have been
consistent, but his races didn’t have to be consistent to win the championship.
With NASCAR’s new stage system, the champion must have consistent finishes and
consistent race runs throughout the year. To analyze the impact of stage points
on the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship battle, take a look at this
table with all thirty-three races recorded with stage finishes, points from
each stage, and the total stage points for each race that both drivers earned.
To determine where Dillon and Hornish Jr. finished at the end of each stage, I
used the Lap-by-Lap Driver Chart available on Racing-reference.info. I also
used the laps that have been released by NASCAR as the designated laps to end
the stages in 2017 to award stages finishes and points. The stage ending laps
for each race are recorded below the table. Before looking at it, though, I
have two points to make about possible biases with these statistics.
Firstly, a couple of races from 2013 that I analyzed
didn’t have the positions of each driver on the exact lap NASCAR has designated
as the stage ending laps. In those cases, I used the lap that was recorded
directly before the actual stage ending lap. For example, races at mile and a
half tracks end stage 1 on lap 45, but only lap 40 was available to use so I
used that lap as the stage finish to award points. For the most part, Dillon
and Hornish Jr.’s position didn’t change by using a different lap, but I wanted
that to be known before anyone does a fact check on my table. Finally, it is
important to understand that I didn’t see if the race was under caution or see
the circumstances surrounding the stage ending lap. I recorded their position
on the specific lap to award points. Plus, neither driver had any knowledge of
the system in 2013 so their position could be reflective of a green flag pit
stop, hanging back in the field at restrictor plate tracks, an issue with their
cars, or anything that can happen in an unpredictable NASCAR race. Because of
that, each driver might have earned more points throughout the year if they
knew the system was in place. However, these statistics are conclusive about
who would have been the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion. Let’s take a
look:
Austin Dillon and Sam Hornish Jr. 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series Stage
Points
|
Race
|
Track
|
Stage 1 Finish/Points
Dillon Hornish Jr.
|
Stage 2 Finish/Points
Dillon Hornish Jr.
|
Total Points
Dillon Hornish Jr.
|
|||
|
1
|
Daytona
|
18th/0
|
9th/2
|
27th/0
|
32nd/0
|
0
|
2
|
|
2
|
Phoenix
|
13th/0
|
16th/0
|
12th/0
|
15th/0
|
0
|
0
|
|
3
|
Las Vegas
|
5th/6
|
6th/5
|
2nd/9
|
4th/7
|
15
|
12
|
|
4
|
Bristol
|
11th/0
|
12th/0
|
13th/0
|
6th/5
|
0
|
5
|
|
5
|
Auto Club
|
6th/5
|
3rd/8
|
4th/7
|
2nd/9
|
12
|
17
|
|
6
|
Texas
|
8th/3
|
2nd/9
|
5th/6
|
9th/2
|
9
|
11
|
|
7
|
Richmond
|
15th/0
|
1st/10
|
12th/0
|
9th/2
|
0
|
12
|
|
8
|
Talladega
|
37th/0
|
2nd/9
|
35th/0
|
10th/1
|
0
|
10
|
|
9
|
Darlington
|
8th/3
|
4th/7
|
8th/3
|
7th/4
|
6
|
11
|
|
10
|
Charlotte
|
5th/6
|
3rd/8
|
3rd/8
|
5th/6
|
14
|
14
|
|
11
|
Dover
|
2nd/9
|
6th/5
|
6th/5
|
11th/0
|
14
|
5
|
|
12
|
Iowa
|
1st/10
|
2nd/9
|
1st/10
|
8th/3
|
20
|
12
|
|
13
|
Michigan
|
1st/10
|
4th/7
|
1st/10
|
4th/7
|
20
|
14
|
|
14
|
Road America
|
11th/0
|
4th/7
|
22nd/0
|
3rd/8
|
0
|
15
|
|
15
|
Kentucky
|
4th/7
|
2nd/9
|
7th/4
|
4th/7
|
11
|
16
|
|
16
|
Daytona
|
9th/2
|
1st/10
|
14th/0
|
1st/10
|
2
|
20
|
|
17
|
New Hampshire
|
10th/1
|
7th/4
|
8th/3
|
5th/6
|
4
|
10
|
|
18
|
Chicagoland
|
4th/7
|
1st/10
|
2nd/9
|
6th/5
|
16
|
15
|
|
19
|
Indianapolis
|
13th/0
|
3rd/8
|
13th/0
|
4th/7
|
0
|
15
|
|
20
|
Iowa
|
4th/7
|
5th/6
|
1st/10
|
3rd/8
|
17
|
14
|
|
21
|
Watkins Glen
|
17th/0
|
3rd/8
|
15th/0
|
2nd/9
|
0
|
17
|
|
22
|
Mid-Ohio
|
21st/0
|
3rd/8
|
14th/0
|
3rd/8
|
0
|
16
|
|
23
|
Bristol
|
5th/6
|
11th/0
|
5th/6
|
12th/0
|
12
|
0
|
|
24
|
Atlanta
|
2nd/9
|
8th/3
|
3rd/8
|
7th/4
|
17
|
7
|
|
25
|
Richmond
|
11th/0
|
6th/5
|
13th/0
|
9th/1
|
0
|
6
|
|
26
|
Chicagoland
|
5th/6
|
3rd/8
|
5th/6
|
3rd/8
|
12
|
16
|
|
27
|
Kentucky
|
10th/1
|
1st/10
|
1st/10
|
4th/7
|
11
|
17
|
|
28
|
Dover
|
8th/3
|
12th/0
|
17th/0
|
22nd/0
|
3
|
0
|
|
29
|
Kansas
|
25th/0
|
9th/1
|
2nd/9
|
21st/0
|
9
|
1
|
|
30
|
Charlotte
|
4th/7
|
1st/10
|
4th/7
|
1st/10
|
14
|
20
|
|
31
|
Texas
|
4th/7
|
2nd/9
|
12th/0
|
10th/1
|
7
|
10
|
|
32
|
Phoenix
|
5th/6
|
10th/1
|
5th/6
|
13th/0
|
12
|
1
|
|
33
|
Homestead
|
13th/0
|
2nd/9
|
16th/0
|
5th/6
|
0
|
15
|
Dillon's Total Stage Points: 257
Hornish Jr.'s Total Stage Points: 364
Stage Ending Laps:
Daytona: 30, 60
Phoenix: 60, 120
Las Vegas: 45, 90
Bristol: 85, 170
Auto Club: 35, 70
Texas: 45, 90
Richmond: 75, 150
Talladega: 25, 50
Darlington: 45, 90
Charlotte: 45, 90
Dover: 60, 120
Iowa: 60, 120
Michigan: 30, 60
Road America: 10, 20
Kentucky: 45, 90
Daytona: 30, 60
New Hampshire: 45, 90
Chicagoland: 45, 90
Indianapolis: 25, 50
Iowa: 60, 120
Watkins Glen: 20, 40
Mid-Ohio: 20, 40
Bristol: 85, 170
Atlanta: 40, 80
Richmond: 75, 150
Chicagoland: 45, 90
Kentucky: 45, 90
Dover: 90, 120
Kansas: 45, 90
Charlotte: 45, 90
Texas: 45, 90
Phoenix: 60, 120
Homestead: 45, 90
Austin Dillon won the 2013 NNS
championship by only three points, but with NASCAR’s newly mandated stage
points system, Sam Hornish Jr. would have won the championship in 2013 by at
least 104 points thanks to his large amount of stage points. Quite a difference,
huh? With his very limited stage points throughout the season, Austin Dillon
might not have even finished second in the championship battle and no one would
have claimed he had a successful winless season. These results go to prove a
huge point about why I love this system. It is one thing to be consistent in
finishes throughout the year, but a real championship caliber driver must be
consistent during the race as well. And even looking back on the 2013 NNS
season, Sam Hornish Jr. was the better driver in my mind. I thought he earned
the championship with his win at Las Vegas and, as NASCAR’s new system shows,
his constant great runs throughout all of the races. Ultimately, his finishes
didn’t reflect some of his great runs, which cost him the title. And the
brand-new system fixes that problem. Just look at the Daytona 500. Kevin
Harvick finished twenty second at the end of the race, but his stage 2 win gave
him ten points and NASCAR rewarded him for running well. I love that. I mean, most
NASCAR races are over 400 miles. It is a testament to the teams that drivers
can dominate the race, even if they don’t win in the end. Of course, we want to
give all the credit in the world to the driver that wins after 500 miles, but
what about the guy who led 450 miles and finished thirty-fifth after he slammed
the wall? Before 2017, he would have received practically nothing from the
race. The team would have been disappointed that they couldn’t bring home the
win after having the best car at the track. But, this year, the driver will be
twenty points higher in the standings and the team will be compensated for
running good in the first half of the race. A driver who dominates a race and
doesn’t win shouldn’t go home empty handed in the championship fight. And I get
the argument about participation trophies and other things like that. NASCAR,
however, is a lot different. There are so many variables involved in our sport
from mechanical failures to driver error. It can seem unbelievable that a
driver can be given virtually no points for leading all day. The new stage system
awards drivers for race consistency and consistency throughout the season,
which is why I love the brand-new system.
There are flaws with the new stage
system. I don’t particularly like throwing the caution at the end of the stage
or having two stages before the end of the race, but the positives outweigh the
negatives for the new format. NASCAR has done a fantastic job making sure that
every race matters more than it ever has before, in my opinion. Since all those
points are available to help make the playoffs, drivers now race harder and crew
chiefs make much bolder strategy calls than previous years. In addition to
that, we are only two races into the new season. When the regular season begins
to wind down, drivers on the verge of clinching a playoff spot on points will
work even harder to gain those stage points before the craziness that always
happens at Richmond, the regular season finale. Plus, drivers with wins in the
bank will look to gain even more of those playoff points, which makes moving
onto Homestead for the championship even easier. In my mind, NASCAR has discovered
gold. This stage format will continue to make wins important while also making
consistency just as important for the entire field. I’m excited for the rest of
the 2017 NASCAR season and all the incredible moments the stage system creates
not only this year, but in the future.
Works Cited
“2017 XFINITY Series
Schedule.” Jayski's Silly Season Site,
www.jayski.com/news/nxs/2017/story/_/page/2017-xfinity-schedule.
“Comprehensive Racing
Statistics.” Racing-Reference.info - Race
Results and Driver Statistics for NASCAR and More!, racing-reference.info/.
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