The various points schedules devised by NASCAR over the years for its premier division — Strictly Stock, Grand National, Winston Cup, Nextel Cup, and now Sprint Cup — have tended to reward consistent finishes in the top dozen or so in the field. From 1952 until the end of the 1967 season, it was prize money that generally determined the points awarded.

When I did a complete rundown on the 1964 Grand National season, the which holds the dubious distinction of the longest regardless of how you measure it, I found that thee were 16 different points schedules used during the season. The points schedule that was posted in the generic NASCAR programs for the 1964 season usually did not match what was actually awarded in the actual races.

Just for the record: There were 62 GN events between the first event at Concord, NC on 10 November 1963 until the final one at Jacksonville, NC on 8 November 1964. The 62 GN races does not reflect the various qualifying races (only the two Daytona qualifiers paid points, but not the two races also held on pole qualifying day) and trophy dashes held as part of the GN races.

Each and every points system has its drawbacks as well as its advantages. Over the years I have come to regard the various points systems from a disinterested — or academic — viewpoint and not giving much (if any) thought to their merits. I am a historian, not a journalist or “fan” when it comes to such things.

The only current racing series I have had much interest in over those that NASCAR provides — trucks, Nationwide, and Cup. Even after the unification as the IRL or ICS or whatever it is now called this year, way too late for me. I gave up on F1 eons ago. However, anticipating another long tour back in the desert begining in mid to late January, this might be when I finally abandon the contemporary racing scene for good. During my previous 21-month tour, I sort of kept up with things, but found myself not being all that involved, if you will. I would check the internet for the results and that was pretty much that.

Maybe this is as good a place as any to write something that is on my mind:
When Motor Sport changed hands, the new crew cut off the complimentary copy that the previous publisher, Stuart Forrest, had been sending to my base of operations at Camp Arifjan (I go all over the Central Command area from my office there) in Kuwait. I would read it — I had a subscription so a copy was arriving at the house back in the States — and then pass it on to someone else. My brothers in arms from the Land of Oz were, generally, the folks that ended up with them after I read an issue. Two years later and I am still a bit miffed about it.