Need for Speed
A NASCAR BLOG BY Jared Turner
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.
Jared Turner
Jared Turner has written about NASCAR for the past three seasons. He joined SceneDaily as a staff writer in February 2008.
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Comments
3 responses to "What if the Chase started now? ". Post a Comment.
cggapp said:
Jun 17, 2009 at 12:26 PMinteresting scenario. If the chase started now, I would be turning off my tv along with a lot of my friends. I usually do not watch the chase races. I am not a fan of manufactured championships which is all the chase is. I can not imagine wanting to win a championship by being given points so you can catch the top 2 or 3.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportlarisda said:
Jun 17, 2009 at 3:39 PMThen, CGGAPP, I guess you don't watch any stick and ball playoff games either. Really limits your sports viewing.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportKBfaninGA said:
Jun 17, 2009 at 5:35 PMCGGAPP, so you only watch the first 26 races of every season? Why bother at all?
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