Monday November 29th 'What If' Question

With the 2010 season in the review mirror the first few weeks are always spent looking in the rearview mirror. Reflecting on what happened over the year that saw three champions crowned and many winners celebrating in victory lane. It also means that the 'What If' questions will continue, as they too will come from past races of the 2010 season.

And what a season it was.

There was the continuation of double-file restarts which resulted in exciting side-by-side racing ... and wrecks. It produced 88 lead changes, the most in NASCAR history, at Talladega in the sprint and 87 at Talladeaga in the fall. The car changed midway through the season as NASCAR listened to all the fans who said they hated the wing. At Martinsville in April the spoiler returned and in 2011 the splitter will be shortened and the braces taken off - reverting back to the old style of racecar.

Of course there was also "Boys, have at it," which resulted in a season where the drivers didn't hold back. Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick. Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski. Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski and Todd Bodine and Carl Edwards and even NASCAR. Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton.

Don't forget the trash talking between the championship contenders as they entered the final race of the season.

The 2010 season was nothing short of exciting and the racing the best it has been in years. On and off the track there were moments to fill a highlight year for the entire offseason. When many said that the sport was dying and losing fans, the 2010 season did its best to save the sport and have many ready and already anxiously waiting for next year.

But ...

What If #NASCAR's Robin Pemberton did not state in January "Boys, have at it." Would the 2010 season have been as exciting as it was?

@Patilynnw Nope it was the return of control to the drivers that made last year better..NASCAR had gone too far with rules & that fix it

@robwright11 Brad Keselowski would not have discovered flight...

@mbauerherzog Not at all, the drivers would have been afraid to touch either other.

@felipegana Good Q! I'm maybe in the minority, but I say Yes, racing was competitive and exciting out front, without use of "have at it"

@crutten not at all. the entire season would've been as boring as that race in Talladega (11/09, I believe) where the drivers were told not to bump draft. The entire race was single file, and it was hugely disappointing.

@88myjr Do you think Jef wld have gone after Jeff if they wouldnt have said Have at it..Yes he would have. Made No dif.

@TominBristol We'd have missed out on a great rap video!

@nascaranonymous if he hadn't said "boy's have at it" we would't have that really creepily weird rap video to watch... that would be better.