As a NASCAR Nation neophyte, I am not one to generally complain about recent NASCAR innovations such as the Car of Tomorrow or the Chase. I understand how the CoT makes sense economically and safety-wise. As for the Chase, I’m not 100% bought in to the idea, but I understand the reasons why, and I agree that the old points system was flawed. To detractors, I’d borrow the old Bill Clinton line: “Mend it, but don’t end it.”

There is an exception, though. I have a passionate dislike for the top 35 owner points system where teams in the top 35 automatically qualify, leaving on average about 13 teams vying for 8 qualifying spots. To the serious NASCAR fan, the racers trying to qualify on time are known as “Go, or go home” drivers. The automatic qualifiers only go through the exercise to determine where in the line-up they’ll be. further complicating affairs is the “champion provision”, where past Cup champions are allotted 6 races a year where they are essentially given a pass as a reward for past excellence.  To hear the talking heads tell it, this rule is a boon for sponsors. Sponsors of top 35 cars have the assurance of knowing that their car will always get in the race and get the track time and camera time, thus the exposure sponsors are looking for in return for their investment. I can understand it, but I hate the rule.

It makes it very difficult for smaller teams to get in. Quite often, most non-qualifiers barely miss the field, and often the same guys (Ward Burton and Kevin Lepage among others) are the ones not making it- even they may run faster than a past champion like Bill Elliott. Wood Brothers Racing brought “Awesome Bill” out of retirement to run their #21 knowing that he could automatically get in a few races and hopfully vault them into the top 35. Smart move.

Similarly inspired, Roger Penske’s team has been granted permission to transfer Kurt Busch’s points from the #2 car to former Indy car champ and NASCAR newbie Sam Hornish Jr. In 2007, Hornish struggled, missing the first six races he attempted to enter- showing that NASCAR driving may not be as easy as it looks. Now that Hornish gts Busch’s top 35 points and champion provisional, he’ll have a much easier road in 2008 as he adjusts to NASCAR’s cars and tracks. Pretty slick. Don’t cry for Busch. As a result of his driving prowess and being on a well-funded team, the 2004 Cup champion should do just fine.

If NASCAR allows it, why not? Hornish can focus on driving and not qualifying- which is a gut wrenching process if you’ve ever watched the “go or go home” drivers go through it. The focus is completely on getting in the field, rather than on preparing the car to successfully run the race. Quick- when was the last time a “go or go homer” ever won a race? I couldn’t tell you.

Call me old- fashioned, but I say only the fastest 43 qualify. Forget the top 35.  Most cars IN the top 35 will make it in on time anyway. I can tell you it’s been a long time since a top driver had worse than a top 43 time, so to me, the whole sponsorship mentioned above is rarely an issue. However- if Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart can’t get in on time- then they don’t deserve it. It’s really that simple. Let the top guys experience that agony of trying to make the race.

That’s leveling the playing field. That’s REAL racing.

In the meanwhile, props to Team Penske for making the system work for their rookie.

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