Wednesday September 29th "What If" Question

It's dominated the news the last two weeks and won't be completely resolved until Tuesday of next week. Fans, drivers and media alike can't stop talking about it and it was only natural to throw it out on Twitter to get an unofficial response from NASCAR fans.

After winning the first race of the 2010 Chase at New Hampshire, which was his first win of the season, Clint Bowyer's car was found to be illegal. After passing inspection at the racetrack, NASCAR brought the winning car back to their research and development center for further evaluation. Regardless of where Bowyer finished at NH, it was going to happen since a week before his No. 33 team had been warned by NASCAR that they were getting close to the crossing the line.

NASCAR handed down a penalty of 150 driver/owner points, $150,000 from crew chief Shane Wilson and a six week suspension to Wilson and car chief Chad Haney. The penalty took Bowyer from second in points to 12th, over 100 points behind the leader. Team owner Richard Childress called for an appeal of the penalty saying his team didn't cheat and the car was knocked out of proportion by the tow truck that pushed Bowyer to victory lane after the win.

Before the appeal could be heard the second Chase race was run at Dover where Bowyer finished 25th and fell over 200 points behind in the championship, coming ever so close to eliminating himself from contention. Earlier this week NASCAR heard the appeal and denied overturning. While Childress said he'll further appeal to the commissioner, Bowyer said his title hopes are over and it's not worth fighting anymore.

But ...

What if Clint Bowyer's penalty was overturned. Would he still be able to win the championship? (Would be 85 points behind Hamlin)

@SummerDreyer Um... no. LOL just a little brutal honesty. Good driver but wouldn't compete with the likes of Hamlin, Johnson, etc.

@Talon64 Clint would have as much of a chance as any of the RCR guys, which is only a small chance.

@TERRIFICSTWEETS Nope

@mbauerherzog I think it would put him back in the chase and if he stayed solid, he could potentially win.

@nascarjaj I dont think so, because he hasnt been as strong as the 11 has all year

@Ol_Man_Winter No. JJ would still win even if Clint Bowyer's penalty was overturned.