Travis Kvapil
Driver, No. 34 Long John Silver’s Ford
Front Row Motorsports
“I don’t think it will make a difference how we race, as far as passing cars or going for a win. It’s still going to be the same, in that the higher you finish, the more points you get.
“I like the idea of it being easier to understand, though. If you’re battling someone around you in points — say someone who’s 10 points ahead — you’ll know how many spots you need to catch up to him. Before, it was harder to figure out. You had to wait until after the race or even until you got home to look it up on the Internet to see how many points you got.”
David Gilliland
Driver, No. 38 Taco Bell Ford
Front Row Motorsports
“I definitely think this new point system is going to be better, especially for the fans. I think NASCAR has done a great job in listening to the fans and trying to make changes for their benefit.
“For us, as drivers on the track, I don’t think it’s really going to change anything there. You’re always going to race hard and race to get ahead of the guy in front of you, whether it’s for one point or five or 10. But it will definitely make it easier when you’re trying to figure out what you wind up with when you cross the finish line.”
Jennifer Jo Cobb
Driver, No. 10 “Driven” Ford
Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing
“I like the new system a lot. It simplifies the process. It’s not just easier for the fans to follow, but it mirrors the system that I grew up with in NASCAR’s grassroots level. Each position was always separated by one or two points from first place to last place. It keeps the competition close throughout the year, which I know the fans will enjoy.”
Alli Owens
Driver, No. 76 Mullinax Ford/
TheQualityConnection.org Ford
Ray Hackett Racing
“This will be an easy system for the fans to follow. The old way was very confusing to the casual fan. Heck, it was too confusing for the diehard fans. There were so many variables and factors that made it too tough to know what was going on.
KASEY KAHNE, No. 4 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Red Bull Racing Team
What do you think of NASCAR’s new system of awarding points?
“If it’s the whole 43 (points) — drop by a point — the way the bonus points are going to work out, the way you will make the
Chase and the bonus points in the Chase — I like all of it. I think it’s kind of similar to what we have now. The only differences
are — I think it’s a little easier for the fan. It’s easier for the fan in the grandstand to keep up with the points when things are close
or to see where their favorite driver is in the points. I like it. Making the Chase — I think wins is a big part of the sport still.
NASCAR has really kept that a big part of the points and a big part of the Chase, which is good.”
What do you think of earning additional points for race wins?
“It should be three points. Three bonus points — I think that is plenty because last year with the bonus points it was like 92
percent of your points if you won a race. This year, it will be 91 percent — which will make winning a race a touch bigger.
Consistency is still going to play a big part of our sport because if you finish bad it actually hurts you more by only getting a
point. Having those bad races will hurt you more than it did in the past. The two extra drivers in the Chase by most wins keeps
everybody after wins too. You’ve got to win races — that’s the only way you’ll make the Chase. The only way you’ll win
championships is to win races. The top-10 and the next two with the most wins in the top-20 in points (will make the Chase).”
Could this new system change strategy in race number 22 or 23?
“I think it depends where you are at that point. If you have a couple wins and you are 14th in points — you are doing pretty good.
But, if you have zero wins and you are 14th in points — you have an issue and you better figure it out quick. You can win your
way in if you get after it. It creates a little more excitement and it gives everybody a little easier way to understand the points and
how it works.”
BRIAN VICKERS, No. 83 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Red Bull Racing Team
How do you feel about the new NASCAR points system?
“The difference is easy – the 43 to one points is explainable to anyone by a text and not a long email. It’s all nice — but when does
Daytona start again? I’m ready to race!”
MICHAEL WALTRIP, owner, Michael Waltrip Racing
What do you think of the new NASCAR points system?
“As a race car driver I’ve known for a long time that if you finish 11th you’re going to get 60 more points than if you finish 30th.
But I know that, and not very many other people know that. Now anyone can understand that if you finish 10th and someone else
finishes 20th you’re only going to get 10 more points than him and so it will just make the fans more engaged.”
“I think we not only need to look at the points system but beyond that. Look at the tracks to make sure that people understand
where pit road speed starts. You know if you look at the Dallas Cowboys new stadium that’s the new standard. That’s where the
bar is set with those big video screens and all sorts of technology. That’s where we need to head with our race tracks. We don’t
need a cone set up at the end of pit road saying that’s where pit road speed begins, we need it either shot across digitally or it
needs to be a big sign saying ‘enter here – speed limit 45.’ We need to show that so a fan in the stands can see those things. I
think that is the direction we’re going and this is just the first little step.”
DAVID REUTIMANN, No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
What do you think about the changes to the NASCAR points structure?
“It is what it is. I think in the end, especially toward the end of the year, when you’re trying to figure out who gets in and who
doesn’t it should make things a little easier for everyone to understand. The old way was pretty complicated for not only the fans,
but for some of us as far as trying to figure some of that stuff out – maybe more complicated than it needed to be. I think it’s a
good move to try and simplify things. I don’t see any down side to it.”
“Really, I don’t think it’s something that I’m going to put a lot of thought into. I know that if I’m winning races or finishing in
the top five and maintaining a high level of consistency it’s all going to work itself out and I’ll be where I need to be in points
when the time comes. That may be trying to over-simplify it, but I don’t spend a lot of time looking at where I’m at in the
standings now — that’s just how it is. If it’s better for the fans and better for the sport I’m racing as hard and as fast as I can every
week to get everything I can out of the race car and get the best finish I can – that’s not going to change.”
