You know what I like about the current setup of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup? It's not gimmicky. Just like my column.
Except for my random comments and snarky remarks, which aren't gimmicky as much as they're just distracting and fun for everyone. Mostly fun for me, but I hope you enjoy them, too.
I like the fact that there's no separate points system for Chasers while the other 31 drivers in the field race under a separate points system. I like that there's not a new bonus structure for wins that doesn't exist during the first 26 races. And I like that drivers don't get eliminated during the Chase, nor can they race their way back into the field after not qualifying for the Chase in the first place.
It's like Michael Scott taught Dwight Schrute on "The Office": The K.I.S.S. method. Keep it simple, Stupid. Great advice, hurts my feelings every time.
Now, the next step? Simplify the points system even more in the regular season, and let that points system carry over to the Chase.
To sum it up briefly: 200 points for the winner, drop it off to 150 for the runner-up to add some incentive for winning. Go down in increments of 10, then five and then give the same number of points to the drivers finishing 30th or worse.
I've made my case before, and I'm still waiting for NASCAR's response. What's the downside? Winning incentive, and the open wheel-esque fashion of uniform points after a certain position (although I'll stop short of giving zero points for poor finishes) will keep damaged cars off the racetrack, cutting down on debris cautions.
But, for now, let's focus on looking back at Kansas. I've got some cool stuff for you this week.
Reversing his course
Tony Stewart now has five career wins in Chase races, but three of those came in 2006 when he missed the Chase.
In Stewart's first season in the Chase, he averaged an 8.7 finish, and even though he didn't win a race or the championship, he did have three runner-up finishes and two other top-5s. Since then, he's fallen off. But this year, he could be reversing the trend.
Tony Stewart's career average finish in Chase races:
Year -- Average finish
2009 -- 8.0
2008 -- 16.1
2007 -- 15.4
2006 -- 10.6
2005 -- 8.7
Trivia break! When and where was Stewart's only other Chase win as a Chase contender?
Getting tire-d
The move of the race was Stewart getting two tires on his final pit stop, along with Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson. Stewart came into the pits second, but left with the lead and the all-important clean air.
Running first on the restart and getting the preferred line on the restart had a lot to do with Stewart picking up his fourth win of the season and putting himself back in the Chase picture.
In the first five laps following the restart, Stewart's average lap time was 32.3 seconds. Kahne averaged a 32.9 and Johnson 33.0. Stewart was able to put space between him and the field, enough room to hold off Jeff Gordon and Greg Biffle.
The pit strategy didn't work out for Kahne and Johnson without the benefit of clean air. Kahne finished sixth and Johnson ninth.
Trivia break! Who did Stewart tie for 18th on the all-time win list with Sunday's win?
Second's the first loser
It's not often I'd refer to Gordon as a loser, but it all depends on how you feel about finishing second. I'm sure Gordon doesn't mind, as long as it keeps his Drive for Five alive (three rhyming words!).
Gordon's runner-up finish at Kansas was the seventh time this season he's finished second. Does that seem like a lot to you? Check out the most second-place finishes since 1980:
Year -- Driver -- Second-place finishes
1983 -- Darrell Waltrip -- eight
2009 -- Jeff Gordon -- Seven
1996 -- Dale Jarrett -- seven
1996 -- Terry Labonte -- seven
1994 -- Dale Earnhardt -- seven
1981 -- Bobby Allison -- seven
1981 -- Harry Gant -- seven
Trivia break! Who holds the NASCAR Cup Series modern era (since 1972) record for second-place finishes in a season?
Trivia break answers
1. Stewart's only other Chase win as a Chase driver came last year at Talladega.
2. Stewart tied 1970 Cup Series champ Bobby Isaac with his 37th win.
3. In 1972, Bobby Allison finished second a whopping 12 times. He also finished second in points to Richard Petty.
Matt Willis
