Comments on: What’s The Point?

By: The Chrome Horn (@thechromehorn33)

The Chrome Horn (@thechromehorn33) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 19:16:30 +0000

Agree that the point for leading a lap is lame.

I agree with George the old CART point system was awesome. The only change I’d make is 25 points to win, then keep the rest exactly as was.

Also, glad IndyCar changed the points for the rear of the field.

By: Ron Ford

Ron Ford — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:09:01 +0000

I like the 2013 IndyCar points system better than the old CART points system, except for the point for leading the race. If BB King insists on keeping this rule, it should at least be for leading under green.

Vince Lombardi famously said about touchdown celebrations: “If you score a touchdown, act like you’ve been there before”. Pretty much the same thought as for being rewarded for leading under yellow.

Not a lot of props here for backmarker points, but I think those opinions make light of the amount of time, effort, and money that it takes to just field a team. If we show up for work every day at our regular jobs, at some point and in some way we are usually rewarded for that. I prefer to see racing all the way through the field.

By: Pete V

Pete V — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:58:20 +0000

I could get behind awarding a point for leading a Green Flag lap but not under yellow.

By: JohnMc

JohnMc — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:21:06 +0000

I think that I can live with it. As for Will Power letting Helio take the lead for a point, well he might just see a competitive guy like that take the lead and NOT give it back. I do agree that the CART point system was near perfect.

By: Carburetor

Carburetor — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:02:03 +0000

Hmmmm, that idea about awarding a point to the most popular driver might have some merit……..

By: billytheskink

billytheskink — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:53:30 +0000

Earning a point for leading a lap is not unprecedented in American open wheel racing. ChampCar awarded a point for leading a lap from 2004 to 2006. They also dished out bonus points for fastest lap, most positions gained, and a point for the fastest qualifier on each of the two days of qualifying.

That doesn’t mean I’m a fan of the change, though I think it is less ridiculous than giving out a point for gaining the most positions (think Luiz Garcia Jr. winning CART’s “Hard Charger” award for improving the most positions during the course of a season). It is also less ridiculous than the IRL points system from 1996 and 2001-2008 that awarded no bonus points for winning pole position.

The 1983-2003 CART points system is probably still the best. I like the fact that it is possible for drivers to fail to score points in a race. However, with the TEAM guarenteed prize money allocated based on the points earned by full-time entries, awarding points to every car is necessary to create some seperation between the backmarkers.
At the top, the current points system does a pretty fair job of replicating the results of the CART system.

By: Mike Silver

Mike Silver — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:04:53 +0000

I agree with you. I thought the CART point system was the best system ever. I have never agreed with every starter earning points. A driver should not get a point just for leading a lap as your scenario shows. I would be more in favor for a point for the fastest lap of the race.

By: JB

JB — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:43:58 +0000

Free Andrew Craig!

By: Steve K

Steve K — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:47:41 +0000

Agree with you on the CART point structure. No need to reward back markers with points. I do not think it encourages those back markers to park it though unless they are several laps down. F1′s point system shows us this. As for a point for leading a lap, I am not crazy about it but can live with it.