Sunday, August 29th "What If" Question

Some, OK many, blame Matt Kenseth for NASCAR implementing the Chase system. After winning the 2003 championship after only having won one race, NASCAR felt things needed to be shook up. It wouldn't do the sport any good if a driver had a 200-300 point lead with five or 10 races left in the season, fans would tune into something else because they already knew who was going to win the championship.

In 2004 the Chase debuted. At the time only 10 drivers qualified for the Chase that consisted of the final 10 races of the season. Their points would be reset in order to put the drivers on a level playing field as they each chased the title. The format worked as the champion was decided at the final race of the season, Homestead-Miami, as Kurt Busch beat Jimmie Johnson by eight points.

Since then the Chase has been reformatted to include 12 drivers who are seeded in the Chase by the wins they accumulated over the first 26 races, pre-Chase. Drivers have come to understand and some even like the new point system and make it priority number one of qualifying for it. As Greg Biffle once said, if you don't qualify for the Chase, "you feel like a second class citizen."

But ...

What if NASCAR never implemented Chase. If point leader had over 300 point lead with 10-15 races left, would you watch rest of the season?

@spunk72 I'd absolutely still watch. Championship aside, each individual race is unique and fun for me.

@Emily_988 Yes. I watch for each race. I've never really cared about the big picture.

@nathanmedic I definitely would watch much less, just like '03. I'm in favor of the Chase.

@phathead Of course, then there's even more of a point to go all out for a race win

@nascarjaj Yes, I try to watch every race, the Chase makes it more exciting though.

@Jrocket10 Sure because that might not be my driver leading the points. I watch because I love racing. Yeah knowing who wins the title is boring, but not knowing who wins the race is another story!

@dougthethird Of course.

@NASCARinstig8r I still watch the NW series, why wouldn't I watch Cup? I could care less who wins the championship if the racing's good.

@racecrazy I'd watch it if they told me who the champ was even before the season started-its about each race

@SD80MAC I would still watch all races. Knowing who would be the champion is not a big deal. Love racing!

@Ol_Man_Winter Yes, I would still watch the weekly #Nascar races. I don't follow chase

@NASCAR_Outsider I watch the races & think the Chase is Bull Poo. I doubt if 10% of fans attending the last 10 races do it because of Chase!

@KYTAB Less points racing if the title is already won, which means better racing!!!