Smack: Grading the 2009 season at halfway mark (cont'd)

2. Mark Martin leads the Cup tour with four victories, yet he's only 11 points out of missing the Chase. Should there be an outcry if NASCAR's wins leader fails to make the playoff?

Raygan Swan: I don't think so. I know that NASCAR implemented the bonus points system to create an emphasis on wins, and Tony is the points leader with only two wins. But he has 11 top-five finishes, and he has finished second four times. That in my opinion is the kind of season that should make the Chase.

David Caraviello: If Mark Martin wins four or five races, leads the series in victories, and doesn't make the Chase, absolutely there needs to be a re-examination. What happened to "emphasis on winning," NASCAR's big credo of the last few years? Maybe it's time for everybody to realize that winning should be worth more than the slim edge over second place that it is now.

Constant change

Chicago provided more uncertainity in the Race for the Chase, but one thing is for sure -- Kasey Kahne and Juan Montoya are legitimate threats this season.

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Joe Menzer: It's not likely to happen. I don't believe it has since the Chase format was introduced. But it's not like there haven't been plenty of times in the past -- including last year -- when the overall leader in wins wasn't champion. I do agree with you, David, that wins should be given an even higher value over second and all else. That is the only way winning truly will become the only thing these drivers care about. There is still too much points racing going on.

Raygan Swan: I understand why NASCAR put the emphasis on wins, but we've seen this season that not always the best car or driver wins. Sometimes it's random. What should be rewarded is consistency, running in the top-five every weekend and racing for the win.

David Caraviello: I completely understand the need to reward consistency, but it's kind of bogus that race winners get only five more points than the guy they beat.

Joe Menzer: I go back to Sonoma and how shocked I was that none other than the aforementioned Montoya said he let guys pass him toward the end of the race rather than go more aggressively for the win and possibly spoil a good points finish. A change in the format would have produced a more exciting finish there, although it wasn't bad as it was. Marcos Ambrose at least ran for the victory until his car was all used up, and should be applauded for it.

Raygan Swan: Joe, I'm OK with "points racing." The competition is so fierce in the Cup Series today that some of these guys admit a second-place finish or even a top-five feels like a win to them.

David Caraviello: Well, that's the kind of racing this time of year produces. Guys have realized that to get into the Chase, you have to get real conservative, which is understandable on their part. If you're a driver on the bubble, I don't know if giving more points to the race winner would have changed anything there. You still have to make sure you bring the car home in one piece first.

Joe Menzer: I see why guys points race. I get it. But that's why we're talking about possibly changing the value of a race win in the points system. I'm not sure it's right how it's currently structured, precisely because some guys back out of going all-out for the win. I guess I'm not OK with it, Raygan.

David Caraviello: Exactly, but given that they're managing failure, I don't know how a points change would alter anything. What I would like to see changed is the possibility of an embarrassment like a season wins leader being kept out of the Chase. We're not there yet, and I ultimately think Martin will get in anyway, but if it happens, get ready for the outcry.

Raygan Swan: The only downside I see is that the points leader could be seeded lower in the final Chase than say a Kyle Busch because Kyle has more wins.

Joe Menzer: But that's not a downside! If you have more wins, you should be seeded higher.

Raygan Swan: Yeah I know you're right Joe, but I just think running up front in the top five every week like Tony has seems like more of an accomplishment.

David Caraviello: Raygan, I don't think a 20- or 30-point edge once we're in the Chase means much anyway. That kind of slim advantage can disappear in one afternoon. But you have to get in to have a chance, and despite four wins Martin is still on the bubble. You wonder if that's fair.

Joe Menzer: Well, it used to be that winning races was the only accomplishment that really, really mattered. Sadly, that mentality went away years ago, though. Except maybe for in Kyle Busch's twisted mind, which is good for the sport.

Raygan Swan: I see your logic and you're probably right, like Joe, but I hate all the knee-jerk rule changes in this sport.

David Caraviello: Unless they benefit Tony.

Joe Menzer: Her fellow Hoosier.

Raygan Swan: Yeah. Wait, what? I mean, no! I'm completely objective guys!

David Caraviello: Sorry, we gotcha! Next topic! (Continued)