Competition format will see changes
Report: Running position could be part of points formula
Kyle Busch received a MIAMI text Saturday. NASCAR will alter its competition format.
A news conference was called for series stakeholders at 6 p.m. ET Monday at Charlotte Convention Center, site of the sanctioning body’s annual media tour.
Busch has opinions on the changes as detailed to him. But he has no interest in breaking the news, he told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday.
“I’m smarter than that,” he said.
According to a Saturday night report on ESPN.com, NASCAR will begin awarding points for running position at various segments of races, instead of just based on finishing order. The procedure for qualification into the 16-driver Chase for the Cup would not change, according to the report. That format was last changed before the 2014 season with the introduction of elimination rounds.
But the 2015 Cup champion wonders if the expected changes are necessary to stoke the perception of the level of competition and entertainment as television ratings sour and tanking attendance figures continue to trouble the industry.
“Yes and no,” Busch said before the final day of the Race of Champions at Marlins Park. “Yes, because we need to improve something. But no, because we’ve made so many changes over the past few years. It’s not made a difference, so why keep going?”
Kurt Busch, the 2004 Cup champion and fellow ROC competitor, said he had heard parts of what he thinks will constitute the new format from owners, drivers and the series but will learn more Monday.
“I don’t have an opinion yet,” he said. “I’ve been in wedding la-la land, and then now at ROC. So tomorrow I’m heading up to Charlotte and meeting with Stewart-Haas executives, and we’ll see how things (end) up.”
“We’ve made so many changes over the past few years. It’s not made a difference, so why keep going?” Kyle Busch, 2015 Cup champion