I will go along with the changes NASCAR announced Monday. The additional points for the winner of each race is a points tweak that has been needed for a long time. The following chart showing the potential difference in the points standings is copyright of the Washington Post.

2006 Pre-Chase Standings

Pos. Driver Points
1. M. Kenseth 5,050
2. J. Johnson 5,045
3. K. Harvick 5,040
4. Ky. Busch 5,035
5. D. Hamlin 5,030
6. D. Earnhardt Jr. 5,025
7. M. Martin 5,020
8. J. Burton 5,015
9. J. Gordon 5,010
10. K. Kahne 5,005
11. T. Stewart --
12. G. Biffle --


2006 Pre-Chase Standings Under 2007 Points System*

Pos. Driver Points Wins Adj. Points
1. Kahne 5,000 5 5,050
2. Kenseth 5,000 4 5,040
3. Johnson 5,000 4 5,040
4. Harvick 5,000 3 5,030
5. Stewart 5,000 2 5,020
6. Gordon 5,000 2 5,020
7. Hamlin 5,000 2 5,020
8. Busch 5,000 1 5,010
9. Earnhardt 5,000 1 5,010
10. Biffle 5,000 1 5,010
11. Martin 5,000 0 5,000
12. Burton 5,000 0 5,000


*If the 2007 rules had been in effect, here's how the pre-chase standings would have looked last season