Your Turn: Does the Chase reward the best driver?

It’s that time of week again – the time for you to sound off on all things NASCAR.

If you’ve got an opinion you’d like to share – and the more diverse the opinion, the better chance you have of getting published – you can be a part of Your Turn by emailing us your rants right here.

We’ll kick things off with Josh from Atlanta, Ga., who analyzes the 10 tracks in the Chase:

I pose the obvious question, is the Chase set up to bring out the best in each driver? The answer is, no.

Of the 10 tracks, eight are intermediate tracks with Martinsville and Talladega the exceptions. Phoenix and Loudon are flat tracks so that is a bit different but there are no road courses, Bristol is omitted and Daytona isn’t there. Talladega isn’t Daytona.

Jimmie Johnson has won 29 of his 46 races at the 10 tracks. Granted, there aren’t a ton of tracks remaining but Johnson hasn’t won at Bristol, he’s marginal at best at Daytona and he’s yet to prove his worth on a road course.

The Chase should include Bristol, Watkins Glen, Richmond and Daytona. Take out four of those intermediate tracks. I don’t care which ones. Leave in Phoenix, Martinsville, Talladega and Charlotte for sure and maybe Loudon. That would give you a true mix and I bet would level the playing field a bit. If nothing else, it would make the 48 team do more than win at intermediates and Martinsville. It probably wouldn’t matter though. The 48 team is just that good.

Mike Raby of North Port, Fla., shows some sarcasm:

I loved the coverage of the Martinsville race. Each time I flipped the channel from a football game to the race and saw “Leader: Johnson” I could flip right to the game back without wasting any time. And that is my question: Has there ever been a driver/champion who people care less about than Jimmie Johnson?

Dave Dickinson of Wallingford, Conn., wants the media to know he can think for himself:

Please stop. I am tired of racing commentators and columnists telling me that I have to admire and respect Jimmie Johnson. If you experts have to keep telling me who to respect and admire you either think I am stupid, or I am correct. No one had to tell me to admire and respect Tony Stewart, or Jeff Gordon or Dale Sr. The fact that y’all do isn’t improving the sleepfest that NASCAR is becoming.

Sarah Whitehead from parts unknown wants someone, anyone to give Kurt Busch some attention:

Am I the only one whose noticed how undiscussed Kurt Busch is? Yeah, I get it – he’s made some bad choices and isn’t the fan favorite. Get over it! He’s been real mature lately and no one is ever around to commend him.

Busch has been phenomenal all season and is still in Chase contention. Even with a disheveled team, crew chief and Dodge car, he’s always a threat in every race, and yet no one EVER talks about him.

There are still HUGE Kurt Busch fans out there. If you’re going to obsess over the other 11 Chasers, please be fair to those who like him and COVER HIM ON THE TRACK.

Patrick Padilla of Clovis, N.M., wants to know if NASCAR fans will ever be happy:

So when will NASCAR have it “right”, for all you complainers? You know, I don’t understand why people hate on other people for being good at what they do. Maybe we should blind fold Jimmie Johnson during the race, would that work for you? Let’s tie one of Tiger Woods hands behind his back, let’s break one of Floyd Mayweather’s hands.

When does the complaining stop?

Just because it’s not your favorite athlete winning, you have to bring up that a change needs to be made. These guys work their tails off to be the best, and then get ridiculed about it. You people are a joke, I swear. How bout the economy, lets change something there!

JIMMIE RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally, someone who goes by Hurricane sends us off with this observation:

Has anybody ever noticed how the 5-24 48 teams always congratulate each other in Victory Lane. Where’s Junior? When he won at Michigan (many moons ago) they were the first to Congratulate him in Victory Lane. Once again it just goes to show how much of a team player he really is? I for one will be glad when Junior (and his Nation) are gone from Hendrick Motosports!