Backseat Blonde -Payment Due Soon on Chase Hype Vouchers

February 14, 2005

Payment Due Soon on Chase Hype Vouchers
By Allison Wagda

One of the main reasons I was so incensed by the
Chase finale was the sheer volume of hyperbole before,
during, and after the playoffs.

I may seem like a militant critic at times, but if you’ve
been reading awhile you know I took my time before
passing judgment on the Chase championship format. When I heard of it I was
initially skeptical. I chose to let much of the season pass in order to gain perspective
and see if perhaps my opinions would change. I wanted to be fair to NASCAR’s new
regime and not dismiss their ideas out of hand.

But as the season progressed, my unease only grew. The whole thing seemed
gimmicky. By the time I finally published my thoughts; the vast majority of writers and
drivers had changed their tune and embraced the new playoff system.

And by the end of the Chase, fans were unilaterally deluged with headlines claiming
its unequivocal success. Brian France was crowned a visionary, man of the year,
even a genius. Everyone celebrated what was called a ratings coup (it was more
accurately a slight bump), and anyone still standing in opposition was told by one
reporter to “eat crow.”

It was truly a fun time for many of us (not). But you know, for the most part I would
have been willing to let them celebrate their apparent success in peace had it not
been for the claims of a “best season ever” and all that crap. Had the propaganda
maintained some level of decorum I wouldn’t have taken such offense.

After all, such glowing praise was a bit premature. Even if you are the most ardent
Chase supporter, you have to acknowledge that the results of this grand experiment
cannot be measured by a single season’s results.

Now is the time when we’ll start to see what affect the Chase will have on the future
of NASCAR. Now the Chase has to live up to all that hype. Will the sport be able to
sustain the ratings increase from 2004? Will they be able to grow viewership more?
How about next year?

And will the champions this year and next, and even the following year, be worthy of
that honor? Will additional sponsors be attracted to the sport, or will teams suffer as
sponsors begin to structure deals around Chase participation? Will the "regular
season" turn into an extended qualifying format, nullifying the excitement of weekly
racing?

Honestly, I don’t know if I’ll ever be comfortable with the Chase’s formula for
crowning a champ in its current incarnation since it fails to reward those who push
the envelope and go for the win. Regardless, it may come as a surprise to some
how much I do want NASCAR to thrive. All I want is the integrity of competition and
key traditions to remain intact during these changes.

If I end up being wrong about the Chase, I’ll admit it.

But the proof is in the pudding so to speak. The Chase has been labeled a great
success. Now it’s time to pay up and prove it.

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