More Changes Needed in Chase

I'm all for NASCAR's Chase for the Nextel Cup format. I was in attendance in 2003 when Matt Kenseth won his only race of the year at Las Vegas before winning the then Winston Cup. Despite being Mr Consistency all season, Kenseth's title run was marked with an asterisk by the NASCAR elite who realized they quickly needed a fix to keep NASCAR competitive in the fall months when NFL football consumed the televisions of the American public.
So the Chase format was born, and has since been reborn on a couple of occasions, including the expansion this season from 1o to 12 drivers. But since the Chase was adopted in 2004, only Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart have been able to win a Cup, with Jimmie Johnson now poised to win his 3rd straight. Now I don't want to penalize domination, matter of fact I applaud it. NASCAR adopted this "playoff" system and now just like any other sport, some teams are coming to play when the postseason rolls around, and Johnson's #48 team is such a group. But I think changes are once again needed.
The Chase started with plenty of drama when Kyle Busch who dominated all season was eliminated from contention early with several poor finishes, but one man's misfortune was another's jackpot. Enter Jimmie Johnson who won again on Sunday and needs to finish only 36th or better next week in the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway to join Cale Yarborough (1976-78) as the only drivers in NASCAR history to win three straight titles.
36th or better huh? Bakersfield's Casey Mears occupied that spot Sunday at Phoenix and only completed 278 of the 313 laps before an accident ended his day. If another accident or series of misfortunes ends the days of 7 drivers early this weekend at Miami, Johnson could throw the #48 in reverse and win his third straight Cup.
10 races in the Chase are simply too many. Give me five or six, cut down the cookie-cutter mile-and-a-half ovals and throw in the Talladega's, the Bristol's, Phoenix' and any other track that requires keen setups and a driving ability. I also want the Chase reduced to 10 drivers once again, even 5 would make things more interesting. NASCAR is worried that if the stars that sell the most at the souvenir stand don't make the Chase, then folks won't watch. Well, all those drivers made it this year and I still don't see America turning off the NFL for racing action. With fewer drivers and fewer tracks, the competition will be fiercer, allowing some drivers to make mistakes without the risk of losing ground, and placing a bigger incentive on Chase wins and strong finishes. It also won't allow even the most dominating driver the cushion to have the Cup wrapped up before "Championship Weekend," at Homestead-Miami.
The economy is turning the gold mine that was once NASCAR into a gravel pit. Fewer sponsors and fewer dollars demand a scale back. But done correctly a scale-back can be a move forward, and maybe even provide that valuable dent in the TV audience dedicated to football on Sundays.