Completely agree. Because of the initial points reset, what point was there for Jr., Gordon, and others to really try for a win after they got their first one this year? None. What do you think Newman, Hamlin and some of the other top 4-5 in points drivers will do the next two weeks? They sure as heck aren't going to kill themselves for a win. They will play it safe. And what will NASCAR do if a 1 win driver beats guys with 3, 4 wins after all their talk about wins being the most important thing (which doesn't even make sense since a winless Dale Jr. would have won last year)?
And all this talk about brackets is SO irritating. We are not basketball nor should we try to be. Forcing this type of system would work if everybody not in the Chase is not on the track - like other sports' playoff systems - strictly head to head. Greg Biffle was eliminated, yet he very possibly destroyed Johnson's chance at a championship this week. Go back to rewarding drivers for their year long performance and stop the gimmicks.
Then why did certain drivers rip off a series of wins? I get your point and it's not completely invalid - but there is a financial component and fan support part to winning. Plus, no one likes to use - even in intramurals.
I do think there should be a bit of a reward from segment to segment based on how a driver finishes in those 3 races. They carried over some for the first segment and I think it's a mistake for a full reset for the next ones.
But you can't deny this format will make the next 2 races a bit crazier than without it. Without it, guys like Jimmy, Dale and Brad are all but toast. Next 2 races gonna be good as those 3 drivers need to do something drastic to move on. And even Gordon/Kahne to a lesser extent. Wild that it's completely possible to see all 4 Hendrick drivers go out at the same time in this round.
Some say that is unfair and I say - well - they are all behind the 8-ball in the current format anyway. In the current format, it could be perceived as unfair tho they can get back in it with a win and then reset, so they feel none of the pain from that bad finish last week.
Fact is - change or no change - few will be completely happy. I've found the NASCAR fanbase is likely the biggest set of complainers/whiners than any other.