NASCAR open to rewarding regular season champion (Update)

UPDATE t's also an argument many fans have raised since the beginning of the Chase era. "It's something that we want," driver Joey Logano said Tuesday. "The drivers want that. It's something to race for during the regular season, and we want more than just a trophy. There has got to be some kind of reward." Logano said the NASCAR Driver's Council has been discussing the issue and possible incentives and awards for leading the regular-season standings. One proposal is a bye into the second round of the Chase. Harvick advanced to the second round but had to win at New Hampshire after a 20th-place finish in the Chase opener at Chicagoland Speedway. He is 12th in the standings entering Round 2. Logano said drivers have discussed the issue with NASCAR, but no decisions have been made yet. Sporting News

10/04/16 For the fans – and competitors – that feel there hasn't been enough of a premium awarded to the driver/team that accumulates the most points in the regular season be patient. The point system could be changing again. NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Office Steve O'Donnell said Monday on Sirius/XM NASCAR Radio the possibility is under consideration. "One of the things we're looking at is (in) the first 26 races, are there some additional things we could do for the winner of the regular season," O'Donnell said. "I think that's certainly fair for us to look at – and we are."

"That's the beauty of this format," O'Donnell added. "You have to be on top of your game. We feel like the first 26 (races) do matter in terms of what you've learned, are you carrying any momentum in, and then who can really get hot over the next six weeks and move on." But that doesn't mean NASCAR is opposed to rewarding the regular-season points leader. "I'd say very serious consideration and it's not just snapping your fingers," O'Donnell said "There's a lot of things that need to go into it but a lot of those things have already happened with conversations. Not there yet. Not ready to announce anything but certainly taking a strong look at that for all three series for next year as well." Motorsport