Tuesday, March 14, 2006

NASCAR Loop Statistics And NASCAR's Continuing Disconnect

NASCAR has a bevy of new statistics it has been pumping up based on the scoring loops it has around each racetrack. They show a lot of things like "quality passes" (passes for position within the top fifteen), straightaway speeds, etc. They have become a new angle of analysis of races in the same vein as passing yards, touchdowns, on-base percentage, and the like from football, baseball, etc.

But there is a glaring omission here - lead changes. NASCAR has these stats, but where are the lead changes? The number of lead changes is the only statistic, from scoring loops or otherwise, that is ultimately worth the paper it is printed on.

All those gaudy stats are of the same relevence as Peyton Manning's touchdown stats for the regular season - where it matters most they don't mean a thing.

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