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Kyle Busch: Another rules change isn't what NASCAR needs

Brant James
USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Busch doesn't believe it's necessary to keep changing NASCAR rules.

MIAMI – Kyle Busch received a text Saturday. NASCAR will alter its competition format.

A news conference was called for series stakeholders at 6 p.m. ET on Monday at Charlotte Convention Center, site of the sanctioning body's annual media tour.

Busch has opinions on the changes as detailed to him. But he has no interest in breaking the news, he told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday.

“I’m smarter than that,” he said.

According to a Saturday night report on ESPN.com, NASCAR will begin awarding points for running position at various segments of races, instead of just based on finishing order. The procedure for qualification into the 16-driver Chase for the Cup would not change, according to the report. That format was last changed before the 2014 season with the introduction of elimination rounds.

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The 2015 Cup series champion does wonder if the expected changes are necessary, however, to stoke the perception of the level of competition and entertainment as television ratings sour and tanking attendance figures continue to trouble the industry.

“Yes and no,” Busch said before the final day of the Race of Champions at Marlins Park. “ ’Yes’, because we need to improve something. But ‘no’ because we’ve made so many changes over the past few years. It’s not made a difference, so why keep going?”

Kurt Busch, the 2004 premier series NASCAR champion and fellow ROC competitor, said he has heard parts of what he believes will comprise the new format from owners, drivers and the series, but will learn more tomorrow.

“I don’t have an opinion yet,” he said. “I’ve been in wedding la-la land and then now at ROC. So tomorrow I’m heading up to Charlotte and meeting with Stewart-Haas executives, and we’ll see how things (end) up.”

Follow James on Twitter @brantjames

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