Bayne’s Decision to run for Nationwide Championship Leaves Major Mark in Cup Standings

“It’s a good thing NASCAR changed the points system to make it easier for people to understand. [They] would have been really confused if Trevor Bayne was leading with 185 points. It’s easy to understand why he’s tied for last with zero after winning the Daytona 500...”

Sylvan beat me to it.

It’s one of the many workings of NASCAR’s new points system and Trevor Bayne uncorked it on Sunday

Remember that Bayne and the Wood Brothers are a part-time organization. As a result, Bayne asserted himself into the Nationwide Series mix. Beginning in 2011, drivers had to choose which series they wanted to collect points in. With Bayne running the full Nationwide schedule, that made more sense.

What doesn’t make sense is that the winner of the season-opening Sprint Cup Series event is tied for last place with zero points.

This isn’t meant to be a criticism of the system. It’s much too early for that. But one has to admit that the status quo doesn’t send a clear message to first-time fans.

“How could Trevor Bayne win the Daytona 500 and not be points leader?”

As a result, the next outcry of commentary will state that, as the winner of the Daytona 500, Trevor Bayne should have the opportunity to switch divisions.

It could be argued that his winning the first race of the season could have made him an instant wild card contender. And it’s equally hard to argue that. But alas, it’s not to be.

Instead, Carl Edwards is the Cup Series points leader (42 Pts), just one point ahead of second place David Gilliland and Bobby Labonte.

The unsuspecting winners in Bayne’s Cup dismissal is Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and several other top drivers eliminated early in the Daytona 500.

Not only has Bayne forfeited 43 points as the race-winner but he also gave up three for winning the race and one for leading a lap. It is subtle but several drivers will benefit from Bayne’s victory by the end of the season.

The standings are much closer this way than any other season after leaving Daytona. The end result could be exactly what NASCAR had wanted all along - the World Series Game Seven atmosphere.

That’s what we want too, right?

Discuss.