By: DJ DeSpain

The field is set for the 2009 Sprint Cup Chase but the specter of 2005 rears its head again. In 2005, both Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon failed to make the Chase. Now, it’s Kyle Busch’s turn to be the one on the outside looking in and fans are wondering if something besides him is broke.

At the time in 2005, the Chase format was still new, started the year before in fact, as the result of a rallying cry to make the races more exciting and dramatic for the fans. The system created because being consistent as Matt Kenseth was in 2004 paid off in a championship, but at the cost of making him cold and methodical. Remember those Nextel commercials making fun of Kenseth, comparing him to a robot?

When Earnhardt Jr. and Gordon, two NASCAR superstars and fan favorites, missed out in the Chase in 2005, there was some rumbling that the new system wasn’t good enough if those two drivers couldn’t get in. NASCAR held off on changing in 2006, wanting to give the new system a chance to prove them right. Dale and Jeff made it in 2006, but 2005 defending champion Tony Stewart failed to make it, which then started another clamor.

In 2007, NASCAR finally relented and both the Chase format and overall points system were tweaked. The Chase field was expanded from 10 to 12 spots and participants were awarded 10 bonus points for each race win during the first 26 races added to the 5,000 points reset. Those that were tied in points were then ranked on their overall average finish order. In addition to all that, 5 points were added to the 1^st place position for each race in the points system, increasing the maximum number of points earned from 190 to 195 (win plus most laps led bonus).

So did this fix everything and did everybody benefit in 2007? Not in the view of Earnhardt Jr. fans because he didn’t make the Chase field again in 2007.NASCAR didn’t quibble too much because the Chase field had 5 of 6 former champions that actively ran in 2007, Bobby Labonte was in 17^th position after Richmond that year (Elliott, Terry Labonte and Jarrett did not run full season that year).

Despite the best efforts of Earnhardt Nation, and some claiming a conspiracy for not changing both times after Junior failed to make it, NASCAR held ground again and made no changes to either the Chase format or the points system for 2008. Probably just as well because Dale Jr. did make it into the Chase for 2008, even though Kurt Busch joined Bobby Labonte as two former champions not making the field.

Even when Johnson claimed his third championship title in a row, not much was said about changing anything for 2009. In fact, talk was either could Johnson make it four in row or whether brash upstart Kyle Busch could knock him off the perch.

Unfortunately for Kyle, he won’t have that chance. Despite having 4 wins this year like Mark Martin, he missed the Chase cut-off by 8 points. Even Kyle admits that he has not had a consistent run this season, but that’s not stopping the “Change the System” train that seems to be rapidly approaching again.

A lot of chatter has been appearing in the social media sites like Facebook and Twitter regarding the question of whether wins should count for more. Once again, the idea of consistency seems to be regarded as less important than wins.

One idea is to add 5 more points to the 1^st place position, making the separation between 1^st and 2^nd 20 points instead of 15. If that were the case today, then Kyle would be locked into the Chase second behind Martin. Still wouldn’t have helped Earnhardt Jr. so I expect his fans won’t go for this as being the only change.

Another idea, more extreme and far-fetched, is that only drivers who have had wins during the season be allowed into the Chase. The last four spots of the Chase positions are occupied by drivers with zero wins this year. So Brad Keselowski, currently seeded 40^th, would surely vote yes for that plan, but he wouldn’t make it anyway as he would be the 13^th driver down the list of those that had wins this year. Rookie Joey Logano, now in 19^th, would be the 12^th driver.

I am not in favor of any change personally, as I believe that consistency does matter. In fact, I am not a fan of the Chase format at all. Who is to say that Kyle Busch, just barely out of reach of the 12^th spot, couldn’t suddenly make a run in the last ten races while those at the top have a reversal of their good fortune to date? It is definitely feasible as well as likely to happen.

The opportunity to race for a championship has been arbitrarily yanked from Kyle at this point. In this recent economy, the sponsors are more important than ever to woo and having drivers race up to a point only to hit a figurative wall that has a big “12” on it makes it hard to win over a sponsor by saying “Well, I finished 13^th last year but I really should have been ranked 1^st if you look at my last ten races.” Sponsors are only going to focus on those 12 spots.

I say if any change comes about, use today’s point system that has been around since Bob Latford created it in 1975 but minus the Chase format. Despite what NASCAR was thinking in 2004, there is still plenty of racing drama and excitement, especially with the COT making results tighter. At least the system is fair and rewards consistency instead of feeling like the equivalent of 12 “good job” ribbons handed out at the end of the year.

However, don’t expect any change for 2010. Earnhardt Jr. didn’t make it again this year, remember?

Please join us on our Facebook page at facebook.rubbingsracing.com to comment on this article.