26 down, 10 to go. Welcome to Chase for the Cup 2013! The "playoffs" of NASCAR kick off this coming weekend whether you love or loathe the Chase. Either you embrace a time of the season like this, or in the words of mi amigo RACECAR... "kill it with fire." Here is an outlook of this season's Chase:
--- Chase for the Cup: 2013 ---
Sep. 15: Chicagoland
Sep. 22: New Hampshire
Oct. 6: Kansas
Oct. 12: Charlotte
Oct. 20: Talladega
Oct. 27: Martinsville
Nov. 3: Texas
Nov. 10: Phoenix
Nov. 17: Homestead-Miami
The only true night race is the Charlotte event, which starts at 7:46 PM Eastern; and it is also the only ABC-televised event of the Chase. All others are on ESPN.
Let me discuss the Chase format as I understand and perceive it. You all may need to set me straight (fix) my opinions if I screw something up. Anyhow... here goes. The way I have understood the Chase format, it was created to bring more merit to what a true champion was. I think the 2003 Cup Champion, Matt Kenseth, won the championship by winning a grand total of one race. Maybe the mindset was on a real champion as one who wins races rather than just lead the points. So the Chase was created. Take the best (and perhaps luckiest) drivers this season, skyrocket their points so it comes down to those top drivers, and let them battle it out to determine the champion. Again- this is how I perceive the Chase format. Feel free to fix any thoughts of mine or agree/disagree.
All of us can debate what tracks should and should not be featured as part of the Chase format. The way I've seen it, the Chase is more like a nationwide tour of ten races to close out the season. The chosen venues all make up most of the individual parts of the nation where NASCAR races. Only exception is, of course, the Pacific Northwest (unless you count Sonoma Raceway as the Pacific Northwest). I would trade certain tracks for others in the same vincinity as some of these tracks, but we know that's probably not going to happen. Like if I could, I would have NASCAR race at tracks like Virginia International Raceway, Road Atlanta, or even Sebring. You already have different ovals of various lengths. Why not add a road course to the Chase like the two Cup races every year?
Whatever you think about the Chase for the Cup, that's up to you to decide and debate on. The Chase action begins this coming weekend. All three major NASCAR series will be enjoying Midwestern hospitality at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend.