Kyle Larson debates purpose of stage points, call them "participation awards"

The debate over the purpose of stage points in NASCAR has been a hot topic recently. After a 13-year hiatus, the Chase format was brought back with some adjustments, but stage points weren't part of the original design. At a recent race in Kansas, Kyle Larson was the first driver to earn the maximum 55 points for a win, along with stage points for winning both stages and a bonus for the fastest lap.

Larson pondered on the purpose of stage points during a post-race interview in Las Vegas. He admitted he hadn't given the matter much thought, but recognized that stage points seem to carry significant weight in the Chase. He cited Denny Hamlin as an example, who has finished in the top-10 in every race so far, but has only accumulated five stage points in the Chase.

This has left him somewhat stuck, as other drivers can earn almost as many points as him through good, consistent finishes, even if they've had some misfortune like a rotor failure or a crash.

Larson argued that stage points reward drivers for running at the front all race long, but also for just having good, consistent finishes. He questioned whether this system truly differentiates between top contenders. The numbers seem to back up his point. While Larson has scored the most stage points, he's also the one driver who finished in the top-10 the most times, suggesting he's benefited more from stage points than others.