Accidents, spins piled up in ‘07 Chase races

Accidents and spins soared during the 2007 NASCAR Chase for the Nextel Cup, USA TODAY database research shows.

Fueled by a track-record number of cautions in races at Martinsville Speedway (21) and Atlanta Motor Speedway (14), a total of 89 incidents were recorded - the most since NASCAR’s 10-race playoff was instituted in 2004 - and a 14.1 percent increase from last year’s 78 crashes and spins.

A total of 240 accidents/spins were recorded during the 2007 season, the most since 253 incidents in 2005.

Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and his nearest rival, teammate Jeff Gordon, had more than their Hendrick Motorsports kinship in common as they ran away from the field. Like third-place finisher Clint Bowyer, Johnson and Gordon were running at the end of every event in NASCAR’s playoff system.

“As a kid, I crashed a lot,” said Johnson, who has learned it pays to be around at the checkered flag.

Observers cite three reasons for the spike in incidents this season. Chief among them: NASCAR’s use of two model cars in its Cup series.

The Car of Tomorrow, designed with closer, more competitive racing in mind, posed handling challenges. An influx of drivers to Cup and outside pressures on drivers were other possible factors.

NASCAR said it will review all phases of the sport before 2008, but vice president of competition Robin Pemberton sees little cause for alarm.

“I think (an increase in incidents) is coincidental,” he said. “All this stuff goes in cycles.”