OK now we know which four. Now who's going to be Champion?

[Bobby Diehl]

I for one haven't missed any of NASCAR races this year and love the NEW Chase format. Now it's time for you (NASCCRAP HATERS need not apply) who watch and followed the top level of our Sport.
Please comment on:
1. Who is your Driver that will WIN the 2014 NASCAR Sprint-Cup Championship and why you choose him and which of our Short Track Drivers remind of your pick.
2. Who do you think will win the last race of 2014 Season.

[OldSchool+]

Ryan Newman is my pick for the race and the Championship.

I believe that Dickie (or Wayne) Anderson and Ryan are similar in on track demeanor.

Tough, fair, appropriately aggressive but cross them and expect some bent sheet metal.

Both also have an mind for engineering, and both can handle themselves in the pits if neccessary.

[jbonez21]

Ryan Newman is my pick for the race and the Championship.

I believe that Dickie (or Wayne) Anderson and Ryan are similar in on track demeanor.

Tough, fair, appropriately aggressive but cross them and expect some bent sheet metal.

Both also have an mind for engineering, and both can handle themselves in the pits if neccessary.

I like your pick! I'm going for Newman too.

[Groundpounder]

Ryan Newman is my pick for the race and the Championship.

I believe that Dickie (or Wayne) Anderson and Ryan are similar in on track demeanor.

Tough, fair, appropriately aggressive but cross them and expect some bent sheet metal.

Both also have an mind for engineering, and both can handle themselves in the pits if neccessary.

Disagree on a couple points:

Being born large and because of that advantage, therefore being able to win pit fights, doesn't make you a champion. He certainly didn't scare JJ earlier this year...

The dive bomb slidejob pass on Larson wasn't fair at all (but NASCAR legal I guess). Most don't drive a Cup car like a street stock.

He knows that he will steal it if he wins the Cup because of the system.

I will pull for sliced. He's had a great breakout year.

[OldSchool+]

Dickie, nor Ryan, prefer to fight. They also don't need to work at scaring anyone.

No theft, the rules is the rules.

But hey, you are entitled to your opinion.

Which local driver would you say is similar to Joey?

[Matt Albee]

JJ is scared of every body. Danica could stare JJ down.
My pick is Harvick, though Homestead isn't really his track. Newman would be a good pick too.
The 2011 championship had just as much drama as this one, and was decided on the last lap and by a tie breaker at that. With all the manipulating NASCAR has done, this one isn't any better. In fact, i really think the interest has fallen off. The tv ratings are the lowest they've been in years.

[Roadtrip]

Don't like Harvick at all, so he will probably win. I'm OK with the other guys. I really miss the old Nascar. Now it should be called CANSUWNMR, Corporate Amalgamation of Non Stock Unicars With Not Much Racing.

[OldSchool+]

"ESPN drew a 2.8 overnight for the telecast from 3:00-6:45pm/et, up 12% from last week and up 21% from same race in 2013 and is best for the penultimate Chase race in at least the last five years. ...(added later: ) ESPN's live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 9, was the highest-rated and most-viewed Fall race at Phoenix since 2009, earning a 3.1 U.S. household rating and averaging 5,091,000 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating and viewership were up double digits from last year's race, which earned a 2.7 rating and averaged 4,271,000 viewers. The rating was also up from 2012 (2.8), 2011 (2.9) and 2010 (2.5)."--Jayski's [bold added]

[Matt Albee]

"ESPN drew a 2.8 overnight for the telecast from 3:00-6:45pm/et, up 12% from last week and up 21% from same race in 2013 and is best for the penultimate Chase race in at least the last five years. ...(added later: ) ESPN's live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 9, was the highest-rated and most-viewed Fall race at Phoenix since 2009, earning a 3.1 U.S. household rating and averaging 5,091,000 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating and viewership were up double digits from last year's race, which earned a 2.7 rating and averaged 4,271,000 viewers. The rating was also up from 2012 (2.8), 2011 (2.9) and 2010 (2.5)."--Jayski's [bold added]

I stand corrected, it looks as though NASCAR hasn't lost any of it's popularity. I wonder what the viewer numbers were like for the Phoenix race before 2009.

[OldSchool+]

Matt,

I believe you are correct in your premise (viewership is down, overall), but am pleased that the numbers are currently up, fight or no fight.

I further believe that there are other factors that are responsible for the downturn: The economy in general and, like any other fad, the NASCAR fad among non-racing fans is over--as opposed to the Chase, per se.

In fact, it could be argued that the numbers would be worse than they have been without the Chase.

Since there are several factors in play, and nothing can really be quantified, it is all speculation...

[andre]

TV rating b4 2009:

3.6 in 2008
3.8 in 2007
4.7 in 2006

[OldSchool+]

Median home values in my area:

2007 $256k

2008 $228k

2009 $182K

That darn chase!

[Bobby Diehl]

Homestead tickets sold out.

On the TV Show "NASCAR Hub" opening quote Homestead sold out. Standing room only. Can't wait to see if that's a true statement. Harvick has highest finishing rate since 2008 is 5.6. But does Newman have the last turn Moe pushing him into Championship. He has finished 4 races where he finished ahead of the other three. Remember Newman hasn't Won this year. The last two you can't kill with a stick. Going to be the one to watch.

[Matt Albee]

You guys apparently never dealt with a car salesman. Hyping the product ( or lack of product ) is the NASCAR way. Homestead a sell out, or Ford and NASCAR giving away tickets to make it look like a sellout?
The economy is blamed for a lot of things that have nothing to do with the economy, and the chase is one of those things. Manipulating the format only drove away more fans than were already leaving. I mean, what do you expect to happen when your scheme backfires and the biggest names in the sport aren't even in the chase.
The viewership numbers for the last couple of races are strictly in response to the audience wanting to see another fist fight/payback concerning BK. Nothing more.

[OldSchool+]

From Speedworld to Humpy Wheeler, they are up front about their deal.

They are called "promoters" and they are promotin'.

I am in Sales, but please, I certainly defer to by far the biggest Salesmen of them all...Politicians.

Home values, the deficit, underemployment and the "participation-rate" of employment (68%--lowest since '78) all point in one direction--that is, less disposable income (to buy tickets with).

All that or the Chase...hmmmmmmmm?