Fixing NASCAR: Cup Series playoff format tweaks, an endurance race and Adriana Lima
Here are some ideas to improve NASCAR, including playoff format tweaks, an endurance race, and a unique championship selection process.
The Harvick-Hamlin Hybrid Model
One idea is to combine Kevin Harvick's suggestion of a midseason, single-elimination tournament with Denny Hamlin's idea of expanding the playoffs from 10 to 12 races. In this format, the top 16 drivers would be seeded and placed in a head-to-head bracket, with each matchup lasting three races. The driver with the most points at the end of three races would move on to the next round. The championship would be decided based on points accumulated across three races.
This format allows for more races in the playoffs and adds a level of consistency by including playoff points. It also eliminates the potential of a single race determining the championship.
The Knockout Model
In this model, instead of winners automatically getting into the postseason, the last-place finishers are automatically out starting after the Daytona 500. Each race, the lowest finishing driver is eliminated until the finale, where the highest finisher of those remaining wins the championship.
Additionally, there are opportunities for eliminated drivers to re-enter the playoffs. The highest finisher among eliminated drivers in the All-Star race is given a second chance, and the highest finisher in the regular-season points race among eliminated drivers is also given an exemption into the playoffs.
The We're-in-this-Together Playoff Model
In this model, each team would declare one car as being championship eligible at the beginning of the season. Throughout the season, team owners could move drivers and pit crew members around each week, with the car accumulating points instead of the driver. This allows teams to strategize and make decisions based on each track's strengths and the driver's performance.
The championship standings would consist of 15 cars owned by teams with charters, and all drivers not in those 15 cars would race for wins and pride.
An Endurance Race
This idea involves replacing a regular-season race with a 12-hour endurance event that pairs drivers up in teams. The race would take place at different tracks each year and include shifts of three hours, with drivers alternating. There would be four shifts in total, and teams would have a 30-minute window for pit stops and driver changes at the end of each segment.
By reducing the field to 18 cars, it alleviates some of the sponsorship concerns for one week. Points would be awarded based on the overall finish, with the winning drivers receiving 60 points and five playoff points.
