NASCAR revealed on January 12 a new points format to decide the champions in its Cup, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Craftsman Truck Series competition.
One person who will observe The Chase from three different views is NASCAR Hall of Fame driver, team owner and broadcaster Dale Earnhardt Jr.
His credentials certainly carry a lot of merit.
A winner of 26 NCS races, 26 O’Reilly events and a two-time champion in that series, a broadcaster for Amazon Prime Video, owner of JR Motorsports that produced four championships and his own popular Dirty Mo Media empire helped propel him into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012.
After the initial press conference Monday, he was asked by Heavy Sports to share his thoughts about the new Chase format from three different perspectives.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Calls for NASCAR Format ‘That Matters Every Week’
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has always been upfront about being an avid fan of NASCAR, even when he disagrees with their decisions. When asked how the new points format will change fan’s interest level, he said they need to get involved again.
“What I miss most about our history is being compelled to plug in every week,” Earnhardt, Jr. said. “As we’ve ran over the last several seasons, I as a race fan, have been allowed the opportunity to take a couple of weekends off. If my driver has won a couple of races early in the year, I said to myself ‘I can probably miss this race because he was already in the playoff. I’ll watch it later via highlights.’
“How do we get it back to where I’m a diehard fan of THIS one driver? I need a format that matters every week. If I want him to win the championship, he can’t have too many bad races. If he blows a motor, breaks or runs last that’s detrimental.
“This format makes it more critical. There’s no more “win and you’re in” you have to work all year long. As a fan, I want to be drawn into the broadcast every week. I want to get up in the morning knowing I can’t miss the race.”
From the Booth
Earnhardt Jr. started his race broadcast career in the booth with NBC Sports. Now, his race calling days are done via the Amazon Prime Video channel. With this new format, he feels the way a race is watched will tremendously change.
“I do enjoy the battle at 16th place,” Earnhardt, Jr. said. “I want to celebrate the guy who won the race, and we will do that more because of the points given compared to the previous format. I do love seeing if that guy in 20th can put together four or five races and get up into that championship conversation.
“Now, it will be easier to look at the numbers and tell that story. You won’t have to worry about the guy 30th in points screwing it all up and flipping the whole thing upside down by winning his way in and moving that line.
“That line of 16th in points will stay right where it is all year long. That’s a lot of fun. You will feel like a damn underdog if you’re one of the guys who are 14th, 15th or 16th in points. But, the pride you’ll have being in that final group will be like getting an invitation to join a fraternity and be part of the party.”
From the Pit Box
As a four-time O’Reilly Series championship owner at JR Motorsports, Earnhardt, Jr. and sister Kelley have experienced the spoils from the former format. Last year, they experienced the agony of defeat as three of their drivers in the playoffs were defeated by Jesse Love of Richard Childress Racing winning the championship.
“I think, if you feel great and confident about your team making the final 16 drivers and they can go out there and put 10 good races together, you’re feeling pretty good,” he said. “Frankly, as an owner, you have to worry less about the fluke and more about the consistency.
“It’s probably going to ease the mind of the marque owners who are used to success in our three series. But, it doesn’t mean the other guys can’t be the spoiler. I feel like JR Motorsports has the team to go out there and make it happen. We know more clearly what the path going forward is this year.
“Man, it was tough to have three guys make that final race, get your ass kicked and not win the championship. Now, we know when The Chase starts, we just have to be the best. And dammit, if you can you deserve it, and if you can’t – you don’t”
JRM and all the other NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series teams will begin their quest on Saturday, February 14 at Daytona International Speedway.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Drops Honest Take About NASCAR’s New Points Format