Reporters in Daytona were a little disappointed when NASCAR officials advised that they were not in a position to announce the rules changes that will condition how the various series champions, Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series and Camping World Series will be determined.
For the past two weeks, the speculation has been that the current system, basically intact – except for the Chase for the Sprint Cup – for almost 40 years – would be simplified with 43 points (representing the total field) for the winner down to 1 point for finishing.
Reports have added that the winner would get three bonus points and that the lap leader bonus would be affected.
Mike Helton, president of NASCAR, confirmed only that the simplification was desired and that series’ officials were in discussion with team and the NASCAR fan council on adopting final rules which would, likely, be announced by NASCAR CEO, Brian France, on Wednesday.
NASCAR officials nevertheless confirmed that drivers must chose only one series to earn points starting in 2011.
Until recently top-tier Sprint Cup drivers, like Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski ran the junior, Nationwide Series, earning points and taking glory away from the upcoming and full-time Nationwide drivers.
Edwards said: "Yeah, that would have been nice for myself and Brad (Keselowski) and whoever else. We are going to run for the Cup championship. I am going to start with the No. 60 team, running every race.
"We are going to start that way, see how it goes, and we still have the owners championship to go for and all those wins to race for. That is fun. That is what makes the Nationwide series fun.
"I would really love to have a championship battle with Brad. Especially with him because of how well he ran last year. It would be nice to be able to race him for it.
"My plan is to run every race, but if we get eight or 10 races in and it isn’t looking good, then I don’t know what we would do. Whatever looks best for our Cup program at that point."
NASCAR president denied that the rule would hurt the championship title.
"It’s still a championship," Helton said. "It’s still a big old trophy. It’s still a nice check. It’s still a guy who went out there and competed against (42) teams and became the champion out of that series. It’s still a NASCAR National Series Championship."
It was also noted that the car owner's points would still be awarded no matter who was driving a car – so it would be comparable to a Formula One Manufacturer’s championship.
For the past two weeks, the speculation has been that the current system, basically intact – except for the Chase for the Sprint Cup – for almost 40 years – would be simplified with 43 points (representing the total field) for the winner down to 1 point for finishing.
Reports have added that the winner would get three bonus points and that the lap leader bonus would be affected.
Mike Helton, president of NASCAR, confirmed only that the simplification was desired and that series’ officials were in discussion with team and the NASCAR fan council on adopting final rules which would, likely, be announced by NASCAR CEO, Brian France, on Wednesday.
NASCAR officials nevertheless confirmed that drivers must chose only one series to earn points starting in 2011.
Until recently top-tier Sprint Cup drivers, like Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski ran the junior, Nationwide Series, earning points and taking glory away from the upcoming and full-time Nationwide drivers.
Edwards said: "Yeah, that would have been nice for myself and Brad (Keselowski) and whoever else. We are going to run for the Cup championship. I am going to start with the No. 60 team, running every race.
"We are going to start that way, see how it goes, and we still have the owners championship to go for and all those wins to race for. That is fun. That is what makes the Nationwide series fun.
"I would really love to have a championship battle with Brad. Especially with him because of how well he ran last year. It would be nice to be able to race him for it.
"My plan is to run every race, but if we get eight or 10 races in and it isn’t looking good, then I don’t know what we would do. Whatever looks best for our Cup program at that point."
NASCAR president denied that the rule would hurt the championship title.
"It’s still a championship," Helton said. "It’s still a big old trophy. It’s still a nice check. It’s still a guy who went out there and competed against (42) teams and became the champion out of that series. It’s still a NASCAR National Series Championship."
It was also noted that the car owner's points would still be awarded no matter who was driving a car – so it would be comparable to a Formula One Manufacturer’s championship.