Is NASCAR's new green-white-checkered flag finish rule a good thing?(Counterpoints)(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing )

Yes. The fans spoke and NASCAR answered.

After years of complaints that too many Nextel Cup and Busch races ended under caution, NASCAR took a page from the Craftsman Truck Series' book and added the green-white-checkered flag rule to its top two divisions.

In the race at New Hampshire last month, there was a preview of how it would work. After a late caution because of a wreck, NASCAR waved the green flag and allowed the competitors to fight for the finish. The race featured a three-lap shootout, one more than the two-lap run the green-white-checkered would entail. NASCAR and the drivers executed the finish flawlessly, suggesting the two-lap procedure would be no problem. There was no mayhem--no massive carnage scattered on the racetrack. And best of all, no fans left the track dissatisfied---other than those cheering against Kurt Busch.

Certainly, there will be hiccups. Only one green-white-checkered finish will be attempted in a race; if another caution comes out, the race will finish under yellow. But the excitement the new process will generate definitely will spark the finishes. Fans not only will be guaranteed a dash for the cash, they will leave a race with closure knowing that NASCAR did everything possible to let the outcome be determined on the track.--Lee Spencer

No. If NASCAR wants to be a real sport, it has to come up with real rules. By which I mean, NASCAR has to come up with the rules, not the fans. If NASCAR ...