NASCAR Sprint Cup Point Standings Analytics – After Phoenix
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[/media-credit]The announcement of a change to the distribution of points across NASCAR national series sparked debate among even the most conservative NASCAR fans. One of the explanations behind the change was to develop a more dramatic points battle to increase fan interest.
A debate arose over the fact that a quick calculation would show that very little, if anything, would change in the final championship standings. Here, I shall contend that debate with weekly comparisons across the three most commonly mentioned distributions, plus my own personal points schedule designed to reward both race winners and consistant high finishes.
Classic Points System – Standings After Race 2
Much like the current system, the Busch brothers sit atop the standings with the younger Busch leading the elder by a mere 15 points. Jeff Gordon moves up to third with A.J. Allmendinger and Ryan Newman rounding out the top five.
Notable changes in position compared to current system: Mark Martin (-5), Kevin Harvick (+2), David Gilliand (+2)
F1 System – >Standings After Race 2
After his Phoenix win, Jeff Gordon now sits tied at the top of the F1 standings with Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne. Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards both lurk three and seven points back respectively, while five-time champion Jimmie Johnson rounds out the top five.
Drivers without points: Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, Greg Biffle
Notable changes in position compared to current system: Kevin Harvick (+14), Carl Edwards (+8), Jimmie Johnson (+8), Denny Hamlin (-4), A.J. Allmendinger (-9)
IRL System – >Standings After Race 2
Again, Kyle Busch holds the point lead but this time by just two points over Phoenix winner Jeff Gordon. Trevor Bayne’s Daytona victory keeps in the top five in third, while Kurt Busch and Carl Edwards round out the top five.
Notable changes in position compared to current system: Kevin Harvick (+11), Carl Edwards (+7), Tony Stewart (-7), A.J. Allmendinger (-8)
Phat’s System – >Standings After Race 2
For an explanation of the points distribution, please see image on standings page.
Jeff Gordon’s victory would leap frog him to the points lead by nine points over Kyle Busch. Despite his 40th place finish, Bayne would again hold on to the third spot with Kurt Busch and Carl Edwards rounding out the top five.
Notable changes in position compared to current system: Paul Menard (-6), Juan Pablo Montoya (-5), Denny Hamlin (-5), Kevin Harvick (+11)
GORDON ENDS 66-RACE NASCAR DROUGHT AT PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
Track excavation begins will Gordon’s pull of the lever
(PHOENIX, Ariz.) – While fans at Phoenix International Raceway said goodbye to the track’s old racing surface and configuration, Jeff Gordon bid adieu to a winless streak of 66 races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Gordon pulled away from Kyle Busch during the closing laps for victory in the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ at PIR. At the end of a caution period, the field restarted on lap 291, with 22 to go.
Gordon was in third place behind leader Tony Stewart on the outside and Busch inside the front row in second place. Busch galloped to the lead over Stewart, who had gambled to improve his track position by taking two tires on lap 283. When Gordon drove his Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet past Stewart for second place, he took off after Busch. Gordon caught him on lap 305, tapped the Combos Toyota just enough to cause a slight bobble in turn four by Busch, who was looking for a sweep of NASCAR’s three main events this weekend. Gordon drove under Busch in turn one and was on his way with the checkered flag soon in sight.
“I knew Jeff was going to catch me,” explained Busch. “He drifted up into me in turn one, but it made no difference. Jeff was too strong.”
Gordon’s victory was the 83rd of his Cup career and tied him for fourth all-time with Cale Yarborough. Richard Petty remains well in front with 200 wins.
Two wrecks considerably impacted the outcome. Busch, by his own admission, accidentally caused the first on lap 60 when his car got loose, and in correcting it he cut down into pole-sitter Carl Edwards. “I apologize to Carl Edwards,” said Busch. “It was my fault, and I completely destroyed his race.”
Edwards’ SUBWAY Ford received considerable damage, much to his and his crew’s frustration. Edwards said, “Our car was so good, we should have been fighting for the win.” Instead he finished 28th, 60 laps off Gordon’s pace.
The second accident came right after the next restart, and it was a “big one” that collected 13 cars and was reminiscent of the kind of wrecks created by the tight racing on restrictor-plate tracks. It started when Brian Vickers got loose, and when it was over, dozens of crew members were rushing to the garage to try to quickly repair their crushed cars. Gordon was understandably happy afterward, saying, “It’s been a long time, I know.” He also saluted the ticket-holders of PIR. “I’m happy the fans stuck around for my lame burnout. I’m pretty bad at them,” he laughed.
Gordon’s teammate, Jimmie Johnson, suffered through a slow, late pit stop but rallied to a third place finish. Kevin Harvick finished fourth, and Ryan Newman was fifth.
About Phoenix International Raceway Since 1964, Phoenix International Raceway has served race fans as the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest. Watch the brightest stars in NASCAR take on PIR’s famed one-mile oval – including five-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Stewart and many more – on February 27, 2011 in the Subway Fresh Fit 500. Tickets for the entire Subway Fresh Fit 500 weekend at Phoenix International Raceway can be purchased online at PhoenixRaceway.com/Ticketsor by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223).
For more, visit PhoenixRaceway.com, Facebook.com/PhoenixRacewayand Twitter.com/PhoenixRaceway.
