NASCAR Cup Series

Analysis: Mission accomplished? New Chase format showing results

Published Sep. 22, 2014 4:45 p.m. ET

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Over the past 10 years or so, NASCAR has changed and evolved as the sanctioning body did its best to keep up with public interest, top-notch competition and the ever-changing realm of safety.

Not every change worked. Not every fan initiative put butts in the seats and or made viewers tune into the races on a weekly basis. In fact, many of the changes initiated over the last decade pushed people away and alienated the old school fan.

However, it appears NASCAR has hit a home run with their latest change, the newly remolded Chase for the Sprint Cup.

When announced at the beginning of the season, there were many skeptics. Was adding four more drivers to the Chase field too many? What was the point of elimination races when drivers would be eliminated on their own after a few bad finishes? Why would the championship be determined in a winner-takes-all season-ending race at Homestead?

Well, after the first two races of the Chase, it appears clear the changes made to the format have helped create some of the most intense and competitive racing to date.

Sunday's race at New Hampshire saw nearly every Chase driver face adversity and challenges throughout the day, yet in the end many of those with damage or pit road problems fought and clawed their way back to the salvage the day.

Pit road strategy, restarts, side-by-side racing. All of it has stepped up in its level of intensity over the past two weeks, and with one race left before four drivers are eliminated from Chase contention, that will only ramp up even more at Dover.

Team Penske has shown that winning races is ultimately the best way to secure a spot in the next round, but as Kevin Harvick pointed out Friday in Loudon, points racing is still alive and well in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

"I think the whole winning thing is really overrated," said Harvick. "Obviously you want to win. You want to win every week and you show up to try to win, but you can't take any unnecessary chances and that is kind of the box that the point system puts you in. It's good and bad."

Harvick made that clear on Sunday as he battled hard, but did not push the limits on the late-race restarts at NHMS. Sitting just behind Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano in the Chase standings, going for the win was more risky than settling for a top five and having a solid points day.

However, for those drivers fourth on back in the Chase standings, next weekend's race at Dover International Speedway is a make-or-break race. While some will still be trying to win their way in, they will also have to be mindful on the points as they run throughout the day, knowing who they have to beat and by how many spots.

At a track deemed the 'Monster Mile,' the intensity, hard racing, pit strategy and bad performances will be magnified to a level unseen yet this season. Dover is a track known to tear up cars, end Chase hopes and put the best equipment, crew chiefs and drivers to the ultimate test.

The elimination aspect of Sunday's race at Dover will be present throughout the entire weekend, starting with Friday's practice and qualifying, Saturday's two practice sessions, and finally the 400 miles on Sunday.

With the levels of stress elevating for the Chase competitors, the true winners in all of this are the race fans.

While there is still plenty of racing left before a champion is crowned at Homestead-Miami Speedway, if the first two races of the Chase are any indication, NASCAR's decision to alter the playoff format during the off-season was one of the best in quite some time.

VIDEO: Chase race No. 2 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway highlights

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