Chase format coming to Xfinity and Truck Series for 2016
NASCAR is so committed to the Chase format that it’s expanding it to all three national series.
The sanctioning body announced Tuesday that its No. 2 and No. 3 series would have elimination-style Chase formats modeled on the format in the Sprint Cup Series.
“Fans, partners and the industry have embraced the new Chase format like nothing we’ve seen in the sport’s history,” NASCAR CEO Brian France said in a statement. “Winning never has been this important, and the excitement generated the past two seasons in the Sprint Cup Series has led to this implementation of the Chase format in all three national series. Competition in both the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will undoubtedly elevate to new heights and shine a spotlight on the rising stars of our sport.”
Here’s how it will work:
Xfinity Series: The Chase will be seven races and include 12 drivers. Four drivers will be eligible for the title at Homestead, the final race of the season. The lowest four drivers in the Chase standings will be eliminated after the first three races and the second three races. If a driver wins in the first or second round, he automatically advances to the next round of the Chase.
Camping World Truck Series: The Chase is seven races and features eight drivers. Four drivers will race for the title at Homestead. The lowest two drivers in the standings after the first three races will be eliminated. After a points reset, the lowest two drivers in the standings after the next three races will be eliminated.
Much like NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Chase format, any driver who wins in the first 26 races in the Xfinity Series and the first 16 races in the Truck Series is guaranteed a spot in the Chase. Any remaining spots available in the Chase will be filled by the highest-ranking winless drivers in the points standings.
Sprint Cup Series drivers who race in the lower series are not allowed to race in the Xfinity and Truck Series races at Homestead.
NASCAR has not released any data showing a fan demand for this Chase format to be expanded to its other series. And while ratings for the 2015 Cup finale at Homestead were up (helped by a rain delay that pushed the end of the race into the window for NFL pregame coverage), reports emerged before the end of the season that NASCAR was considering expanding the Chase. It was not a decision made based off the apparent popularity of the race Kyle Busch won on Nov. 22.
And it’s a bold move by a sport that hasn’t been afraid to change the Chase format since the playoff-style system was implemented in 2004. By putting this type of Chase in all three series, NASCAR is making a statement that it won’t be tweaking this format any time soon and it’s committed to making the format a success. No matter how fluky it is.
But what will constitute a success? Once the fall hits, the Cup Series fights the NFL and college football for relevance. The Xfinity Series and the Truck Series get smashed. Sure, hardcore race fans watch, but they’re the ones that will be watching anyway. Casual fans have football. Will they pay attention to NASCAR’s minor leagues now that there’s an elimination-style format? NASCAR hopes so. But those hopes may be pretty farfetched.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg
