DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Less than three years into the Chase for the championship, NASCAR chairman Brian France wants to tweak his title-crowning format.

He's just not 100 percent sure what he wants to do to it.

France could widen the field to include more than 10 drivers, or he could reduce it. He might tinker with the way points are awarded, or he might place a larger emphasis on winning.

There's also an outside chance France might shuffle the final 10 races, giving the eligible drivers a variety of tracks to conquer.

It's all a mystery right now because France himself doesn't know what he wants to do. The only thing that's certain is that the drivers are praying he gets it right.

Since the Chase debuted in 2004, making that 10-race “playoff” has become the benchmark in NASCAR. The drivers who are in it get a shot to win the Nextel Cup title, make more money, get more attention and keep the sponsors happy with increased exposure.

Those who fail to qualify have nothing to gain except perhaps playing the spoiler and stealing a victory over the final stretch of the season. For them, next year is all that matters.

“If you're not in the Chase, you're a nobody,” said Greg Biffle, a sideline spectator in 2004 who rallied to finish second in last year's Chase.

“Those are kind of harsh words, but that's what everybody wants. You get recognized. They talk about you. You're part of the series. Those 10 drivers are the top level of the sport.”