Kyle Larson debates purpose of stage points, call them "participation awards"

Motorsport photoThe purpose of stage points and the impact they have on the championship has been a growing debate in recent weeks. NASCAR brought back the Chase format (with some alterations) after 13 years away, which was before stages were ever a part of NASCAR.At Kansas, Kyle Larson was the first driver to earn maximum points this year -- 55 for the race win, 20 for winning both of the stages, and one for the fastest lap bonus.Excluding the jump between first and second, one stage point is t