Johnson continues to make mockery of Chase system

You knew it was going to happen -- sooner, rather than later. It's been talked about, written about, publicly criticized and slammed behind closed doors. And now that Jimmie Johnson has a 183-point lead, let's openly address the elephant in the room: The much-ballyhooed Chase system is flawed.

Much like the alcoholic uncle no one wants to discuss but who nonetheless shows up during the holidays and you're forced to deal with him, the Chase system -- even before the 2007 changes -- was wobbly, at best, and now it's fallen down the front steps just as the preacher was coming for Sunday dinner.

Who didn't see this coming; separate point systems for the regular season and the playoffs is not a good idea. It never was, and hopefully those with their heads buried in the sand will realize this. Hopefully NASCAR will address the problem. Racing does not need gimmicks, especially not during the most important stretch of the season.

So, Mr. Know-It-All, how do you propose the point system work?

• Race winner receives 43 points, second place gets 42, third place 41, etc.

• No bonus points -- for leading a lap, leading the most laps, or for victories in regards to Chase seeding.

• Leash the Lucky Dog. It's racing; free passes are available for the carnival.

• After the first 26 races ... everyone continues racing for the championship.

This system rewards consistency during the course of a 36-race season, and the buzz would be about the racing instead of how one team has made a mockery of the playoff system.

Sometimes simple works best. In this case, a simple point system would be the best solution for a sport that deserves an exciting climax.

Let the stick and ball sports have their playoffs. NASCAR fans have shown that they do not need "postseason" drama, they do not need a reason to get excited about their sport, they do not need to be trivialized.

It's time to chase the Chase -- right down the backstretch and through the Turn 4 tunnel. C'mon NASCAR, take Da Mayor's advice: Do the right thing.

Blog: NASCAR Says ... Johnson's historic run should be lauded (Continued)