NASCAR Sprint Cup: Why the Chase Should Include a Road Course

Even before continuous rain postponed the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen International in August, the discussion had already begun: Do right turns (i.e. road courses) belong in the final 10 races  of the season to determine the eventual champion?

This question is posed, generally, twice a year when NASCAR visits the two current road courses on its program: the aforementioned Glen and Infineon Raceway. Opinions are quite polarized, and there is no middle ground. 

Although there are currently no plans to include such a race, NASCAR president Mike Helton has not ruled it out in future seasons. Hopefully, this is an option that is given serious consideration in the future.

In its current format, the regular season consists of 26 races; therefore, one-thirteenth of the season consists of road racing.  Adding a road course to the Chase would encompass one-tenth of the total. 

To put it another way, road course racing equates to about 7.7 percent of the season and would then become 10 percent of the Chase.  That difference of 2.3 percent is much closer than the current balance and would better encapsulate a microcosm of the season.

Adding a road course also parallels the philosophy of the newly-created wild cards.  The wild card was implemented to place an emphasis on winning. 

As it stands right now,  any two victories, combined with a relatively decent overall season, is seemingly enough to have a strong chance of making the Chase.  It then follows that two road races in the regular season is certainly enough to make a case for its inclusion of a third in the Chase. 

Basically, it is now possible to make the Chase from victory in road racing and consistency at traditional tracks. Road specialists such as Marcos Ambrose, who won the most recent race at Watkins Glen, would be afforded a greater opportunity to succeed in the Chase with the addition of a road race. 

This is not to suggest, however, that a road course should be included simply to even out the playing field during the season finale.  If anything, it will raise the level of competition and force drivers to diversify their skill set.  

Additionally, since the inculcation of the Chase format in 2004, all Sprint Cup Champions have won road races.  This includes Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart.  Since 2000, only two Sprint Cup Champions do not have road course victories on their resumes: Bobby Labonte and Matt Kenseth. 

Because road course victories can be directly associated with champion drivers, there is little doubt that they should be part of the championship circuit.

No matter if a road course becomes a Chase staple or not, this debate will continue with heated passion.  But it is difficult to forever banish an addition that will diversify and intensify overall competition.

The rubber should meet the road in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.