Deja vu all over again.  When NASCAR came out with their new 'Chase' program three years ago all the boo birds complained about the change.  Racers strongly resist change.  I was at the NHRA Bristol Springnationals in 1966.  I walked over and looked at the oval track.  The seats were all on the front stretch and they were just concrete steps not actual seating.  I figured if everybody sat cheek to cheek they might get 20,000 people in the stands at that time.  Today Bristol holds in excess of 160,000 fans and this on a one half mile track.  I have attended races at Bristol over the years and the growth has been phenomenal to say the least.  NASCAR under Brian France figured out quite quickly that they weren't in the racing business but rather the entertainment business.  The 'Race for the Chase' has garnered them tons of media attention.  Traditional 'stick and ball' sportscasters are all of a sudden looking at NASCAR.  Tom Compton is to be congratulated for his new plan.  Instead of NASCAR'S ten cars he has gone to eight cars.  Why?  That's the traditional number of cars in an elimination bracket.  Yes, teams, sponsors and fans will complain.  But this will be good for the sport as it will generate interest and discussion in and by the media.  Motorsports must compete with all forms of other attractions in the market.  The trick is to maximize our sport's exposure to offset the impact of stick and ball sports, the internet, movie theaters, movie videos and many other attractions.  People only have so much discretionary disposable income and that income will go to the ones getting their attention.  The fact that I own an NHRA track does not affect my opinion.  NHRA does many things well but also some things poorly (can you say Pro Mod and race results on website?).  This move is good for the sport, the racers, the sponsors, the fans and the media. - Dave Mathers