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Wessa Fund continues to gain traction (cont'd)
And Finally
After last week's take on the Driver Rating (and NASCAR's subsequent rebuttal
), NASCAR's resident Good Will Hunting, Mike Forde, weighed in with the formula:
• SECTION 1 -- Primary Statistics
The "Primary Statistics" are those that are most important to the formula -- and therefore awarded the most points.
The points assigned to each "Primary Statistic" are based on the point structure in place when the Driver Rating was developed in 2005, and use the points structure in place from 2004-2006. In the interest of continuity, the formula still uses the old points structure, even though the point structure was changed in 2007.
In the formula, the first place driver earns 180 points and the 43rd-place driver earns 34, with the increments in between the same as NASCAR's points distribution scale. Each statistic is then "multiplied" or "weighted" depending on its importance to the formula. All ties in the "Primary Statistics" are broken by finishing position.
| Primary Statistics | Max | Min | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | 180 | 34 | 1 |
| Average Running Position | 360 | 68 | 2 |
| Average Speed | 180 | 34 | 1 |
| Fastest Lap | 20 | 3.8 | 1/9 |
• Average Running Position are while on the lead lap and under a green flag.
• For restrictor-plate races average speed in turns is used instead of overall average.
• Fastest Lap is the average of the fastest three laps by that driver.
• For restrictor-plate races average speed in turns is used instead of overall average.
• Fastest Lap is the average of the fastest three laps by that driver.
• SECTION 2 -- Fixed Bonus Points
Bonus points are given for reaching certain goals. Below are the goals and the bonus points for each. (Note: All ties in "fixed bonus points" result in the bonus being added to all applicable drivers.)
Each "Fixed Bonus Points" total is then added together.
| Fixed Bonus Points | No. |
|---|---|
| Win | 20 |
| Top-15 Finish | 10 |
| Leading Most Laps | 10 |
| Lead Lap Finish | 5 |
| Average Running Position better than 10.0 | 5 |
| Average Running Position better than 6.0 | 5 |
| Average Running Position better than 2.0 | 5 |
• Average Running Position are while on the lead lap and under a green flag.
• SECTION 3 -- Variable Bonus Points
These are bonus points that are dependent on two statistics a driver earns in a given race -- green flag laps led and green flag fastest laps.
The two stats are added together and then divided by the total green flag laps the driver has run in the race. The resulting number is then multiplied by 100.
The maximum number of points a driver get can in this section is 100.
• OVERVIEW
When all three sections are tallied, the points from each section are added together (the maximum number possible is 900 points, the minimum is 139.8 points) and then adjusted by dividing by six, which makes a perfect Driver Rating 150.0 (the minimum rating is 23.3).
Also, if a given race has less than 43 participants, the points awarded are adjusted accordingly to prevent inflated ratings. This is by design with reference to the Truck Series which has a standard field of 36 trucks.
Driver Rating Example: Jeff Gordon at Darlington on May 10, 2008
Gordon, who finished third, scored a Driver Rating of 116.5
| Primary Statistics | Value | Rank | Pnts | Factor | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | 3 | 3 | 165 | 1 | 165 |
| Average Running Position * | 4.381 | 4 | 160 | 2 | 320 |
| Average Speed | 165.394 mph | 3 | 165 | 1 | 165 |
| Fastest Lap | 172.166 mph | 9 | 138 | 1/9 | 15.3 |
| Total for Section | 665.3 |
* -- Average Running Position while on the lead lap and under a green flag.
| Fixed Bonus Points | Achieved? | Points Worth | Points Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | No | 20 | 0 |
| Top-15 Finish | Yes | 10 | 10 |
| Leading Most Laps | No | 10 | 0 |
| Lead Lap Finish | Yes | 5 | 5 |
| Average Running Position better than 10.0 | Yes | 5 | 5 |
| Average Running Position better than 6.0 | Yes | 5 | 5 |
| Average Running Position better than 2.0 | No | 5 | 0 |
| Total Points for Section | 25 |
| Variable Bonus Points | No. |
|---|---|
| Green Flag Fastest Laps | 11 |
| Green Flag Laps Led | 18 |
| Green Flag Laps on Track | 326 |
| Total Points for Section | 8.9 |
Formula: (GF Fast Laps+GF Laps Led)/GF LapsX100 equates to 11+18/326X100=8.9
When sections are added together: 665.3 + 25 + 8.9 = 699.2
Then divide by 6, per the formula: 699.2 / 6 = 116.5
GORDON'S DRIVER RATING IS 116.5.
Got it? Your MIT application awaits ...
The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.
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