The DALE Guys Fix the Perfectly Fine NSCS Chase

Late last week, we learned of potential MEGA changes to the Sprint Cup Championship as we know it. It's got everyone in the sport talking, and has us conflicted. Here are my highly educated, knowledgeable thoughts.

• Chase field expands from 12 to 16 drivers. HATE it. And not because I feel the chase would be watered down. I firmly believe there are 15-16 drivers that will compete for top 10 finishes every single week, (3 Gibbs, 3 SHR, 2 Roush, 2 Penske, 4 Hendrick, 1 MWR, 1 RCR). The purpose of the chase isn't to include every competitive car. It's meant to eliminate someone before hand. Hell, even with that said only 6-8 of those cars actually have the team to compete for a championship anyway. 
• Chase qualifiers include all winners, with the remaining spot filled by most points. OK with it. While I like the focus on winning, what really is the point of having a driver like Ragan last year be in the chase? Keep the field at 12 and include everyone in the top 20, If you want to change it up, how bout this. Top 10 in the Chase make it solely on wins, then the two wild cards are decided by points with tie breakers wins, seconds, thirds, etc. It's just not in the best interest of the sport to be excluding someone like Dale and Clint last year simply because they didn't win. They obviously have a better shot at a title than Taco Bell Ragan. 
• Chase Eliminations at week 3, 6, and 9 of the Chase. LOVE it. Why not? It essentially exists anyway. Being there for an 'elimination race' at Dover would give the fans (ie. the dale guys) something else to follow and the commentators something more to talk about. At least we could end the damn 'Stick a fork' ESPN bit.  Eliminate 2 after week 3, 3 after week 6, and 3 after week 9. 
• The champion is determined at a winner-take-all race at Homestead. This is the toughest part of the whole deal. After initially hating the idea as a long time fan, I got a text from one of my buddies and fellow dale guys pumped up for a true 'championship' race. What would it really do for the sport to have a real super bowl at the end of the year? Fan interest would increase, but is it enough to counteract the lifers and fundamentalist fans? Despite 16+ years of schooling, I honestly have no idea. It's easy to argue with the new points system and the chase as it is, we already get enough drama without creating any more. Plus, it doesn't really seem fair to have the winner-take-all race at the same track where the same drivers are constantly good, and the same are constantly bad. Here's a suggestion... If any of the remaining 4 win the final race, they are champs. Otherwise, points control with no reset. It still feels wrong, but I honestly do like what NASCAR is trying to do here. 

Summary for some of the slower Dale fans out there. 

• Keep the chase field at 12, or 12+1 if there are extenuating circumstances.
• Build the field from the 10 drivers with the most wins (tiebreaker points), and the 2 remaining drivers with the most points (tiebreaker wins, seconds, thirds...)
• Eliminations are 2 after week 3, 3 after week 6, and 3 after week 9.
• If any of the four remaining drivers WIN Homestead, they are champs. If they do not, points govern and are not subjected to any reset. 
• Most importantly, if DALE wins Homestead, he is the champ no matter what cause he sucks at Homestead (except for 2013).