Nationwide Format to Change, No Chase for the Series

The sanctioning body which governs one of the most watched motorsports in the world is preparing to bring some changes to one of its series, in an attempt to better set them apart from one another. Confronted with a melange of competitions which pretty much look and ultimately are the same, NASCAR is looking for a new, better format for the Nationwide Series.

The changes under consideration at this time may mean, according to Brian France, chairman and CEO of NASCAR, that some of the drivers competing for a full season in the Sprint Series will not be eligible to win the Nationwide competition.

Although no other details were offered during the 2011 schedule announcement at the Texas Motor Speedway on Tuesday, France ruled out the possibility of having a Chase-like format in Nationwide in the near future.

“We have four national divisions, and we've got to distinguish them," France said in Texas. "I think making too many things that would not differentiate them wouldn't be good. So I don't think you're going to see that - I know you're not going to see that."

The changes to be brought to the series will also try and emphasize the merits of the drivers competing for a full-time Nationwide season, as well as to balance the number of Nationwide drivers with the number of drivers coming from the Sprint Cup.

"I think you're going to see some work in that area on our behalf to change the way we reward the Cup drivers who are involved in the Nationwide events," France added. "We are not altogether certain of how. ... Obviously, we've got a number of ideas -- just which ones we'll use, I'm not sure."