2011 Season

[Greg1Fan]

This year was great.. it was good to finally be rooting for Jamie in competitive cars again.. winning 2 of the biggest races is also awesome and finishing 2nd in the other big ones ( Coke 600 and Southern 500).. that being said...

Next year to ME is Chase or bust.. I don't care if he wins 10 races.. if we aren't in the chase next year to compete for the title.. it's a down year for me.. I don't think they'll make it this year.. but next year if they don't.. it's a failed season.

that means more consistency is needed.. after a win don't finish 25th.. turn 20th place cars into top 15.. and stay out of as much trouble as you can.

I haven't been to the chase as a fan since Rusty took me there in 2005.. I think it's time gang.. Next year for Mac Chase or bust... agree??

[tyecopeland]

I agree that it would be disappointing if they aren't in the chase next year but I wouldn't say that it would be a failed season as long as there are some wins (at least 2) and they are competing for a chase spot. Worse than that, than yeah I would say it would be a failure.

[JamieMcMurray1Fan]

I agree... 100% with that!

[Greg1Fan]

I agree... 100% with that!

thanks.. it's just time.. If Jamie is ever going to be known as one of the elite in the sport.. as one of the top dogs.. he has to start making these chases.. thats the bottom line.. the wins are great.. but racing for 13th and usually finishing much worse.. in the point standings every year isn't gonna get you in the top dog status no matter what races you win.

[#1 fan]

Yeah, I gotta agree, if Jamie doesn't make chase next year.. gonna be very disappointing.

[Lizzie]

I hate the Chase...

[tyecopeland]

I hate the Chase...

I agree 100% with that

[jamiefan]

I hate the Chase...

Amen!!!!

I have hated the Chase from the day it was first announced and still do. It's just a gimmick concocted by Brian France to compete with the NFL. Well, it has not worked. The NFL still gets higher TV ratings,while NASCAR's TV ratings have declined, race attendance has fallen,and it started long before the recession. If the Chase is as successful as Brian France,Mike Helton,and others say it is,then why does NASCAR keep tweaking it? The Chase is a joke and should be disbanded.

[Greg1Fan]

Amen!!!!

I have hated the Chase from the day it was first announced and still do. It's just a gimmick concocted by Brian France to compete with the NFL. Well, it has not worked. The NFL still gets higher TV ratings,while NASCAR's TV ratings have declined, race attendance has fallen,and it started long before the recession. If the Chase is as successful as Brian France,Mike Helton,and others say it is,then why does NASCAR keep tweaking it? The Chase is a joke and should be disbanded.

maybe so... and i agree i'm not big on the chase either.. but it is what it is..and if you ever want to compete or win the title.. need to start making it

[jamiesthebest]

I dont care what anyone says Jamie has had an awesome year!!!!!!!! I mean when was the last time he was leading laps in this many races, these many top fives and top 10s and contended for a win how many times?????????/ You can add the four years up of hell that he had at Roush and I am sure wont even come close..............

do the ****** days of finishing in the 20s have to end...........yes but I am beyond happy with this year!!!!!! Is it a remote shot of making the chase yes...........but to be 13th in points and 100 out I will take it~!!!!!!!

[Miss Nascar]

Well I guess I agree and disagree with all of these posts... I have as many of you have been a true fan of Jamie's since he took the stage with his first Cup win in Marlin's ride.... My son and I have stuck with him through thick and thin....even as we were ridiculed by many of our fellow NASCAR friends.... Yes I am not a fan of the Chase either...It is amazing to me that someone like Jamie can have tremendous wins in a season and still not make the Chase...with the fact that he has run well during the other races he did not win in....If the guy finished in the back of the packs all season and then had those 2 freak wins, I could understand, but that has not been the case. If he makes the Chase or not, He has had an AMAZING year, especially coming from those awful years in the 26. His credit is due no matter what. Does your favorite football team make it to the Super Bowl every year?? I think not...Do they make it to the playoffs..yes good chance.. I really think the way the Championship is won in NASCAR should seriously be rethunk...(is that a word? lol) Just like the shootout....I think similar rules should apply...If you win a race before the cutoff you should be an automatic in the Chase...then take the next 10 drivers according to points... I know there would have to be some variations there, according to how many wins each driver had and the points...to set up chase would take some math and thinking...but I kinda like the idea........

[speedfan]

Well I guess I agree and disagree with all of these posts... I have as many of you have been a true fan of Jamie's since he took the stage with his first Cup win in Marlin's ride.... My son and I have stuck with him through thick and thin....even as we were ridiculed by many of our fellow NASCAR friends.... Yes I am not a fan of the Chase either...It is amazing to me that someone like Jamie can have tremendous wins in a season and still not make the Chase...with the fact that he has run well during the other races he did not win in....If the guy finished in the back of the packs all season and then had those 2 freak wins, I could understand, but that has not been the case. If he makes the Chase or not, He has had an AMAZING year, especially coming from those awful years in the 26. His credit is due no matter what. Does your favorite football team make it to the Super Bowl every year?? I think not...Do they make it to the playoffs..yes good chance.. I really think the way the Championship is won in NASCAR should seriously be rethunk...(is that a word? lol) Just like the shootout....I think similar rules should apply...If you win a race before the cutoff you should be an automatic in the Chase...then take the next 10 drivers according to points... I know there would have to be some variations there, according to how many wins each driver had and the points...to set up chase would take some math and thinking...but I kinda like the idea........

Under this scenario; If you add to the requirement that you have to be in the top 20 in points then yes I would agree but sometimes someone can get a win like Brad Keslowski last year and be no where near 30th in points.

[mcmurrayrocks1]

Well personally I liked the Chase best as it was when it was introduced. Top 10 plus all drivers within 400 points of the lead. I think there was just one thing missing from that: any driver in the top 20 that has won a race. The 400 point rule didn't really do anything, and likely never would, so if they went back to the top 10 and included any driver in the top 20 with a win, it'd be pretty good. So, for instance, there would be 15 drivers in the Chase this year. The top 10, plus Biffle (11th in points, Pocono win), Newman (13th in points, Phoenix win), Jamie (14th in points, Daytona & Indy wins), Reutimann (16th in points, Chicago win), and Montoya (18th(?) in points, Watkins Glen win). That way, both consistency and wins would be rewarded. You'd have the ten best teams in the series for the year, plus teams that proved they could win and be consistent enough to be in the top half of the point standings. Anyway... this topic has sorta changed from Jamie's 2011 season to a debat about the Chase. I've given what I think of the Chase, so here's what I think of 2011. Do I want Jamie in the Chase? Absolutely. Will 2011 be a waste if he's not in it? Not necessarily. If he runs next year like he did at Roush, then yes, it will be a waste. But if he wins a few races and runs up front a lot, then it won't really be a waste. I won't say I'll stop being a fan if he misses it next year, or I'll lose all hope for Jamie, because I won't. I've been a fan of his since he started in Cup. He's been my favorite driver since 2006. I'm not gonna give up if he misses the Chase again next year. That's not to say I won't be disappointed though. I'm disappointed this year. He should be in the Chase. If 20-something finishes at places like Pocono and Michigan were just top-15s, he'd be in no problem. If he had less bad luck, he'd be in no problem. Early spin at Sonoma, broken track bar at Dover, wreck at Daytona, wreck in Vegas. If those races had been top-10s like they easily could have been, he may have even clinched a spot last night. So yes, he should be in the Chase this year but won't, and definitely should make it next year. But I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say Chase or bust next year.