I don't know if this new Chase format is going to bring many new fans to the sport; but I do know that it's energized the current fan base.
There have been plenty of naysayers about this new Chase format; but since the Charlotte Shuffle, I haven't heard from any of them.
Do you want passion? Check. How about raw emotion? Check. High tension? Check. And, that's just in the garage.
If those folks are feeling all this, it can't help but spill over into the stands. Isn't this what we all want? That passion and raw emotion is a big part of what we fell in love with in this sport.
Will it all, eventually, bring new fans in? I don't know. But, I do know this; if the current fans aren't excited and talking about it, you have zero chance of attracting new ones.