What if the Chase started now?
Never a big fan of hypothetical scenarios, I believe there’s a hypothetical scenario actually worth pondering.
If The Chase For The Sprint Cup began today, Mark Martin and Kyle Busch – now eighth and ninth in points, respectively - would be tied for the series lead. Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson would be deadlocked for second, with everyone else falling in behind.
The shakeup would occur because the top 12 points positions change at the start of the Chase to reflect regular-season wins. Busch and Martin have a series-leading three victories apiece so far, while Kenseth and Johnson have two each. The other drivers in position to make the Chase have one win or no wins.
Just imagine if the Chase commenced with the 50-year-old Martin and the 24-year-old Busch at the top of the points heap. What a compelling storyline it would be for two drivers at opposite ends of the age and career spectrum to be leading come Chase time.
Certainly, there are still 11 races left before the 10-race playoff gets under way, and much can – and probably will – change between now and then.
But the way things are going, the scenario I’ve introduced is a plausible one.
