Since Brian France became chairman of NASCAR in Sept. 2003:
-The field is frozen after a yellow (Sept. 14 2003)
-The Lucky Dog rule was added less than two weeks later and one week after the above rule (2003)
-The Chase was introduced (2004)
-The provisional rule, after including 6 provisionals + a champion's provisional since 1998, is reduced to 4 regular provisionals and 1 champion's provisional (2004)
-Wins were given an additional 5 points (2004)
-The All-Star was tweaked for the 7th time and the 2nd time in 2 years (2004)
-The Green-White-Checkered Rule was added (2004)
-The cars were redone, making them to have a more pointed nose, rather than the round ones since '98 (2005-2006) Here are some comparisons (Dodge 2003, Dodge 2005) (Chevrolet 2003, Chevrolet 2006)(Ford 2003, Ford 2006)
-Top 35 rule was added and the provisional rule was replaced (2005)
-The Chase was redone, and added 2 more slots (2007)
-The COT was introduced (2007)
-The Chase is changed for the 9th time, this format would only be used for one year (2007)
-Champion's Provisional limited to 6 (2007)
-The All-Star is changed for the 10th time, like in 2007, this format only lasted one year (2008)
-The Shootout is changed, now being solely based on the manufacturers (6 for each one) rather than skill, the driver isn't even important, it was the owners points that mattered (other than the 4 champion berths) (2009)
-The Truck series is forced to take tires or fuel on stops, not both (2009)
-The All-Star is changed AGAIN for the 11th time and 4th time in 6 years (2009)
-Literal Double-File restarts are used (2009)
-Wave-Arounds introduced (2009)
-Having an EOLL penalty denies the right to a wave around, rather than serving the EOLL after being waved around like before (2009)
-The Shootout is changed AGAIN, now emphasizing manufacturers over skill and eliminating the addition of poles (2010)
-The Green White Checkered rule can be used three times, instead of once (2010)
-The Shootout is changed ANOTHER TIME, now it's only for chase drivers, shootout and daytona winners, the rookie of the year, and champions (2010)
-The COT has the wing replaced with a spoiler (2010)
-The Nationwide gets it's own COT (2010)
-The Shootout is changed AGAIN, now it includes the past ten rookie-of-the-years (2011)
-Drivers can only accumulate points in one series, regardless of how well they did in the others (2011)
-Points system completely discarded and replaced(Hopefully a rumor?) (2011)
-The COT is changed AGAIN (2011)
-The COT is scheduled to change YET AGAIN (2013) (making it the 5th new car design within 10 years)
Benny, I agree. It'd be nice to paint some older schemes for once :P
IMO the Shootout ought solely to be pole winners only, not a full rehersal for the 500. Why is NASCAR allowing everyone into the shootout? Bring back poles only rule. Heh why not kick Bud out, get Coors in, call it the Coors Clash or Challenge?
I read a list of changes Brian France made since 03, its scary. 10 Cot redesigns in 5 years, arrogantly ignoring a poll that showed 75% (iirc) of fans want the chase gone. That brings meto another point. NASCAR wants a tight points battle every year. Not gonna happen. Brian France referrred to a "game 7" situation. More Game 7's have been blowouts yes?