A few additional things I see happening with this, now that I've had a while to digest it.
Team orders, payoffs, and flukey races will have a higher chance of occurring. Without an entire season to catch up and grab points, I can see the potential of fewer true races between race teams. Say at race 17, one teammate solidly in the top eight lines up against another who is at 9th or 10th. This is going to put incredible pressure on the teams to advance their second car so that both car sponsors are fully represented for the remaining races. I can also see non-championship contending opponents mysteriously 'breaking' or going up in smoke against well funded opponents as the funded teams attempt to hit those eight spots. Even if it's an innocent occurrence, it's going to be seen as scripted.
The Melanie Troxel situation. She dominated in early 2006, then has stumbled somewhat. Let's say that continues under the new system. This year, she has a pretty good points total and could hold on for a top five finish or even retake the lead if they figure out what ails the Skull Gear car. Next year, under the same circumstances, perhaps the biggest star of the current season (to the outside world) might not even be able to qualify to vie for the championship... or might get quickly dispatched if she did qualify. On the other hand, her teammate Tony (who didn't do much all year until recently), could dominate the late season with little regard for his poor showing early in the season.
Money will dominate even more. In past seasons, you could actually see the money run out for certain teams. They'd be doing really well all year, but as the last several races occurred (say, post Indy), they kind of stopped running as well, or more accurately, the racing teams with the money had the ability to keep purchasing new parts and they would slowly overtake their peers in the points. Starting now, every team in that final eight had better have a huge war chest, because any early season advantage you may have built up through skill or ingenuity is out the window. Not only have the big guys sneaked up on your combination, but they have lots of money. At this point of the season, there's a huge advantage to those who can keep digging into the parts pile and coming up with fresh bullets. I guess I'm dating myself at least 20 years by thinking that any of the last eight wouldn't be able to do this, but I've seen championships lost to parts attrition in the past.
Whatever happens, I'll still be recording the ETs and speeds... bp
