I guess here is where I'll make my debut to this thread for this season of NASCAR. I took a few notes and have some thoughts on this new format revealed tonight. Here goes...
Stages? Really?

Yep... NASCAR is almost basically just another usual American pro sport. It has gone WELL away from being any traditional motorsport. You know how we have "SMH" (stratching my head) or "SMDH" (stratching my damn head) in Internet lingo? Well, that's how I feel about this format change. Now NASCAR is even more lost than how it's been before the whole Chase format took form.
So my thoughts... either "SMH" or *facepalm*. I'll still watch as many of the races I can, but it's going to be damned difficult to try to follow NASCAR as any motorsport without thinking of it being like its own NFL or Major League Baseball or anything. Hell, you might as well draft drivers to cars or draft drivers to teams. This proves something I've always said- "different doesn't always mean better." The new format is different, but I don't think it will make it better, and I am speaking as a motorsports enthusiast. And it isn't like NASCAR has had some kind of identity crisis prior to these new changes. I'm just... mostly indifferent here on NASCAR with this new style showcased.
Time for me to play teacher and hand out some grades. How would I grade NASCAR with this new format across the top National Series? Simple: F. Or to be remotely kind: D-. Some of you may be better off trying to follow the lower NASCAR series rather than look at the top three Touring Series. Also to you people on social media, look at the various Facebook and Twitter responses (among other platforms) to this series. Actually, many of the Twitter comments are a bit more jovial and hopeful from me preparing this post. Many of them are in an uproar and are disappointed also. But if it's all about making money, NASCAR will do almost anything to help that cause.
We will see how this all plays out, but it's going to be real tough now to follow NASCAR with these changes among the top series.