In an effort to improve the sport, NASCAR is constantly developing and implementing new rules and regulations. When each new concept comes to fruition, some hit the asphalt running while others fail to qualify, if you will.

NASCAR spends a lot of time and money while planning for these changes and then there is the inevitable controversy that follows the implementation; drivers take sides, fans cheer or jeer and the media debates every little piece of the issue.

The COT was in the planning stages for a decade and even now, over two years after its debut, there is still controversy. The Chase has been in place for over five years and there is still controversy. The double-file restarts are a new concept and there will be controversy surrounding that for a long while yet.

This weekend, the debate of choice is the Lucky Dog Award because of defending champion (three years in a row) Jimmie Johnson’s struggle to recover after being three laps down during Monday’s Pennsylvania 500. Johnson managed to get back on the lead lap after being awarded multiple free-passes, thanks to the Lucky Dog, and managed to finish in the top-15 despite the odds.

Of course, it is not surprising at all that the concept of the Lucky Dog is now being debated because of this one fluke. People are saying that drivers should be limited to one award per race to eliminate these occurrences altogether. Well, there are multiple aspects to this discussion that need to be considered.

First and foremost, the Lucky Dog Award was developed to improve competition. Does it do that? Most certainly. Johnson had to race his tail off to get the finish he did even with the awards. The Lucky Dog did not get him a top-15, the No. 48 crew did.

Also, this does not happen often enough to warrant a change. It is extremely rare for a driver to be multiple laps down and still be eligible for the award. Normally there are multiple cars fighting to be the first car one lap down. A rare incident like this only makes the race more interesting because it is so unusual.

When considering this situation, unfortunately it is also necessary to consider the driver involved. Is it because Johnson has been the champion for three years in a row and it is “boring” to see him in Victory Lane? Possibly. If it had been Dale Earnhardt Jr. would the issue be completely different? Probably. If it had been an underdog driver like Scott Speed, A.J. Allmendinger or David Reutimann would the award be praised rather than condemned? Absolutely.

All in all, the Lucky Dog Award has proved itself week in and week out. It was created to increase competition and it most certainly does that. The concept is not perfect, nothing ever is, but even with an occasional fluke all it does is make the race more interesting for the fans. And pleasing the fans is the bottom line after all.

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