Tuesday, June 21st 'What If' Question

Every January before the start of a new NASCAR season the officials gather and put together their new rules and regulations. Then, during a "State of the Sport" address just weeks before Speedweeks in Daytona, they announce the changes for fans and media alike.

Last year the biggest change was when Robin Pemberton uttered, "boys, have at it." It opened the door for drivers to have more freedom in how they handle themselves and how they treat their competitors on the track. This past year one of the biggest announcements was NASCAR stating that Sprint Cup Series drivers would no longer be able to earn points should they compete in the lower series of Nationwide and Truck.

After seeing Cup drivers dominate year after year, winning races and championships, many felt it was time to even the playing field and let the NNS regulars have a chance to shine in their own series. The Cup drivers would still be allowed to compete in NNS and CWTS events but they wound't be granted points and therefore would be ineligible for the championship.

While it sounded great on paper many were curious to see how it was going to play out. Once the season started it didn't take long to realize that NASCAR had great intentions but it might not work out how they imagine. Cup drivers won the first 11 NNS events. Of the seasons now 15 races, Cup drivers have won 13 of them with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Justin Allgaier the only two regulars to have won a race.

In the CWTS it's no different. The season started with Cup drivers winning the first three events before Johnny Sauter broke through in race four at Martinsville. Now with nine races in the books, Cup drivers have won seven of them as Ron Hornaday became the second series regular to win by capturing the checkered flag at Texas.

Should this streak continue NASCAR runs the risk of having one of their worst nightmares come true: a winless champion. Many knew it was possible before the season started after the rules were announced, some even predicted it. Others hoped that rule would have the opposite effect and led the regulars to work that much harder to win races and protect their turf. Fortunately the current point leaders in both series, Stenhouse Jr. and Sauter, have already won this season.

But ...

What if Truck & Nationwide champions don't win a race this year, would you be OK w/ it or rather go back to Cup guys getting points? #NASCAR

@cruetten i'd be ok with it, but i wouldn't necessarily like it. if the points champion doesn't win a race, it will make the championship seem less meaningful. regardless of what happens though, i do not want the cup guys earning driver points again.

@BuDwEiSeRaCeR I'd rather see limits on the number of races a year cup guys can run in trucks/nns. 36 races a year - givem 10 each

@nathanmedic I'm fine with NNS/CWTS winner not winning a race, though it's not preferable. I definitely don't want to go back.

@ronsracing88 Yes, I would be fine with them as champs if they did not win a race. #NASCAR needs to keep those 2 series unique from Cup.

@NancyatStudioN I don't know the solution but I think Nascar would need 2 take a serious look at it. There doesn't seem 2 B a right answer.

@lflowers ABSOLUTELY NOT! Just like Major League Baseball players don't play AA or AAA ball, neither should Cup guys be there

@Lady31RCR Its about being consistent..No points for cup drivers, in fact would like them limited to 10 races in NW and Truck!!

@MattEmbury Won't have to worry about it in Nationwide Kellly, Stenhouse will title, maybe a couple more races #NASCAR

@MsNascar47 I'd rather they'd quit letting the cup guys drive in the lower series. What other sport would do something so stupid.

Stroker Ace (via Facebook) Would be ok in my book - Truck and Nationwide teams made a commitment to run those series full time, they deserve to be able to earn a Championship Title - Cup guys got enough problems with their hurting series right now, they need to commit more seriously to their own cup teams before they lose any more sponsors or team owners.