Gentlemen, Start Your Engines

Twelve of the nation’s best drivers have begun their quest to be the next NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion.  By Carly Signor

  

(AP Photo/David Graham)

     The Chase for Sprint Cup is a new concept surrounding the last 10 races leading up to the Sprint Cup Championship. The Chase’s goal is to bring more excitement and competition to the sport and gain more viewers. 

     This massive change came with mixed feelings: while old school fans hate the change, younger fans love the excitement it adds to the sport. NASCAR has tried to please all its fans by revising the Chase over the years. Starting in 2007, NASCAR increased the Chase eligible drivers from the top 10 to the top 12 drivers in points. At the beginning of this season, the 11th and 12th places in the Chase were considered “wildcards” and went to two drivers ranked from 11th to 20th in points who had the most wins. 

     The 2011 season also welcomed different tracks to become a part of the Chase. The 2011 Chase tracks (in order) are Chicagoland Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Dover International Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Martinsville Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway, and Homestead-Miami Speedway. After the 2010 Chase, Auto Club Speedway lost its race and Chicagoland Speedway became the Chase opener. 

     Can we see any trends on how the Chase will play out? Well, for one, Tony Stewart has won both Chase races thus far. Both wins were based on fuel mileage, so strategy has been key. Stewart is already a two-time champion and the only driver to win a championship in both the pre-Chase and Chase eras. 

     Though it’s still early, you can start to see which drivers might contend to claim the Championship. For example, Brad Keselowski is making his first Chase appearance and has worked his way up to third in the points. Five-time consecutive champion Jimmie Johnson is 10th in the points, the lowest he has ever been during the Chase. 

     So who will dominate? Will we see a first time Champion? Will Jimmie Johnson win a sixth straight title? We can’t even begin to guess what will happen in the remaining Chase races. Looks like we will have to wait another eight weeks to find out.