Wednesday, October 22nd 'What If' Question

The 2014 Sprint Cup Series season was hyped around how much more winning was going to mean.

With NASCAR having announced a new Chase format along with new eligibility to make the Chase, it was all about winning. Wins would get you into the Chase and wins would advance you in the Chase. The thought process was that gone were the days of “good points day” from drivers in their post race interviews and how they raced on the track.

The Eliminator Round begins this weekend in Martinsville with eight remaining drivers in contention for the championship. Six of those drivers have won races while Ryan Newman and Matt Kenseth have moved through the Chase on their performance and points.

Newman has been winless since Indianapolis in the summer of 2013 but has compiled 14 top-10 finishes this season and has an average finish of 13.3. Kenseth meanwhile has been winless since New Hampshire of last fall, yet continues to scratch and claw with his Joe Gibbs Racing team.

Kenseth’s average finish in 32 races is 13.6 while he’s earned 19 top-10 finishes. He’s the 2003 Sprint Cup Series champion and whom many blame for the inception of the Chase.

Should one of the eight drivers win a race during the Eliminator Round it automatically moves them to Homestead-Miami. The final four will then go for the Sprint Cup Series championship in a winner take all event.

But …

What if we crown a winless Sprint Cup champion, how would that affect the perception that this season & NASCAR is now about winning?

@the DrakeKC another excuse for haters of the current system to express their displeasure at it. Though, think it would be a fluke, and hope NASCAR wouldn’t make any changes in response to it. Doubt they would

@CBWFAN if they win by the rules they are the champ. It has been done before and will happen again at some point.

@Tuck_Nation81 It would prove that regardless of pints format consistency still wins every time

@nascar7badger10 Odds don’t favor crowning winless Sprint Cup Champion since winners of next 3 races advance to final 4.

@poptart_31 we r going to make it happen!!!! P3 and haven’t won a race yet. #notbecausewehaventtried!!!!

@48GOAT Would not affect my perception; I read they used Dale Jr.’s 2013 stats to find he’d have won under this system.

@20goleft I guess we will see when Matt carries that trophy home!

@mattntonyfan No different than a Wild Card team winning Super Bowl.

@JoJo_6040 In this win and your in situation, hopefully fans will appreciate what it took for that driver to get there.

@RaceGirlAmanda They’d be the champion, it shows that being consistent does too play a favor much to France’s displeasure

Monday, October 20th 'What If' Question

Brad Keselowski did what he needed to do on Sunday afternoon in Talladega, win to stay in.

Keselowski’s victory in the GEICO 500 advanced him into the next round of the Chase, which he would not have done without the checkered flag. While Keselowski drove a masterful race and had the will to win, he also had two other teammates doing all they could to help. Late on Sunday Joey Logano threw furious blocks while running second and youngster Ryan Blaney also stayed glued to the No. 2 bumper when coming through the field.

It didn’t surprise many that teamwork was in play. After all, Logano was already locked into the next round, and Blaney was there for experience. Roger Penske had no hesitation in admitting during the winner’s press conference that coming into the weekend there were team orders.

According to Penske, all the drivers were sat down and instructed that they were there to ensure that Keselowski won the race. Logano played his part with his big blocks at the end, though it relegated him to an 11th place finish.

“I think he obeyed orders pretty well,” Penske said.

Keselowski and Logano, who have both been considered the class of the field this season, move on in the Chase. Keselowski now leads the series with six wins on the season, Logano the second-best with five.

But …

What if you were Joey Logano behind Brad Keselowski on Sunday, do you push / block or try to win and kick a strong car / teammate out of the Chase?

@TheAngryBirdie Brad and Joey seem to have a good friendship, so no

@lilmom88 ha, he had his orders.

@jpuryear91 I’d try and keep all the strong cars out. Not sure why you’d want a strong competitor even if it is a teammate.

@handsanfeet That’s a tough one. I guess help if I don’t have a chance to win myself. Bottom line though, win!

@Joturn33 No question go for the win at Talladega, or anywhere for that matter. Who knows if you’ll ever have that opportunity again?

@CBWFAN silly question, of course not. Winning is one thing, pay check is another

@mschub0928 I think we got our answer already. Looked like gave Brad a push then tried blocking when one of the lines got a run on him

Saturday, November 30th 'What If' Question

Not since the championship battle of Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards in 2011 had two drivers gone into the Chase for the Sprint Cup so equally matched.

Stewart and Edwards ended up tying for that title with Stewart earning his third crown because he had more wins. This past season history very well could have repeated itself with Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth. The two drivers who all season and all Chase long, proved they were the cream of the crop.

Kenseth opened the Chase with two straight wins and quickly took commanding control of the point lead. Johnson stalked the Joe Gibbs Racing driver and racked up top fives and wins of his own. During the second half of the Chase they traded the point lead back and forth, setting themselves up for a fantastic finale in Homestead.

But before Homestead comes Phoenix.

It was Johnson on the pole with Kenseth starting deep in the field. While the 48 Lowe’s team from Hendrick Motorsports had a solid top five day – escaping what could have been two major incidents – Kenseth struggled mightily. The No. 20 team never hit the setup and were only able to salvage a 23rd place finish.

Suddenly the exciting championship battle was out of reach. The point lead for Johnson heading into Homestead was an insurmountable 28. A top 25 finish in Homestead would (and did) seal his sixth Sprint Cup championship.

An anti-climatic ending to a Chase that had been shaping up as one of the best in its 10 year history.

But …

What if Johnson and Kenseth had gone into Homestead a lot closer in points, in a winner take all, who'd you put money on and why? 

@Revvin4Seven48 Johnson, been in championship situations more often that not. Plus Knaus would have been the X Factor. 

@kbr81911 Wow...thats a hard question. They are both great under pressure! I cant say Id even want to bet on either one! 

@MC412 Easily 48. They've been through this enough that the pressure wouldn't affect them. I think the JGR crew could choke. 

Josh Jones (via Facebook) Even though I am not a fan of his, I would still say Jimmie, just because Chad and him always know what to do during the chase races

Marshall Gabell (via Facebook) Jimmie, because he's Jimmie 

Brian Cullather (via Facebook) I'd say Jimmie too because of the Chad factor 

Saturday, March 30th 'What If' Question

The Sprint Cup Series championship picture is constantly changing. Teams go from contenders to pretenders and vice versa. There are drivers who get hot at the right time and charge into the Chase.

Perhaps rarely though, if ever before, had a championship picture changed so dramatically than five races into the season. But when Denny Hamlin crashed on the final lap in the final corner of the Auto Club Speedway two weeks ago, that’s exactly what happened. The crash, involving new foe / old teammate Joey Logano, resulted in Hamlin suffering a compression fracture to the L1 vertebra in his back.

The diagnosis puts Hamlin out of his No. 11 FedEx Toyota for a minimum of five weeks. Taking him out of Chase contention, at least temporarily. Mark Martin will sub for Hamlin at Martinsville and Brian Vickers will be the driver starting at Texas. Hamlin was sitting 10th in points leaving California and will now start to slide backwards with ever race he misses.

Except, it’s not impossible for Hamlin to make the Chase when he returns. The most important thing will be for him to win and try to get himself in the top 20 in points. From there, thanks in part to NASCAR’s new wildcard rule in which drivers who are outside the top 10 in points but have a win, Hamlin could get a Chase spot.

The good news is that some of Hamlin’s best tracks will be ahead of him when he returns. Thus making it difficult, but not impossible for him to make the 2013 Chase for the Championship, something he’s done every season since he’s been in the NSCS.

It will be a few weeks though, before any of that can be set in motion. In the meantime, Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the points as teammate Jimmie Johnson looks for another Martinsville win. Danica Patrick is struggling early in her Rookie season and Tony Stewart made it clear, again, that he’s not a fan of blocking.

But …

What if Denny Hamlin comes back from his injury and makes a charge into the Chase, will he be the story of the year? 

@HD388 without question if @dennyhamlin makes the Chase after coming back from injury it is the story of the year. I think the only story bigger than Hamlin coming back to make the Chase would be if Junior wins the title

@WilliamCheerboy No because it'll be impossible

@JoJo_6040 Depends on who might win the championship. He'd definitely be one if not the biggest stories & probably for years to come

Tuesday, October 9th 'What If' Quesiton

Sometimes all it takes to ruin the perfect moment or the perfect race, is one split second decision. Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart found himself in that position when he came down the track to block Michael Waltrip's big run and caused a 25 car wreck.

Stewart, who was leading at the time, was trying to win the race. When he quickly found himself in the sucker-hole, the middle of the track with cars flying past on the outside and inside, he made the only decision he could: try to protect his position.

Stewart ended up getting turned by Waltrip who was being pushed by Casey Mears. When the dust settled and the checkered flag was shown, Matt Kenseth was declared the winner with only Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon making it through the carnage behind him. Stewart did apologize for starting the wreck and took responsibility, but many others weren't happy with the type of racing they had seen.

Most vocal was Dale Earnhardt Jr., who we learned later had suffered a concussion. He'll be sitting out the next two Sprint Cup Series races.

The wreck also shook up the point standings. Brad Keselowski extended his lead to 14 over Johnson, who wrecked while Keselowski was able to save his car and drive to a seventh place finish. Anything could have happened had the pack made to the finish line as they were, instead one mistake on the final lap, in the final corner changed everything.

Such is the life in NASCAR.

But ..

What if Stewart and Waltrip didn't get together and start last lap crash, of that big pack coming off turn four, take your pick: who wins Talladega?

@TheOrangeCone Josh Wise

@Anthony_Stuart Kenseth: not enough time was left for them to get by him

@FurnitureRow_78 Waltrip definitely would have won!

@NaScArFaN995 michael waltrip or casey mears

@Gman1439 Waltrip vs Kenseth, I say Waltrip would of won

@31SpazCat15 I think Mikey wins!!

@philenespanol Mikey. He had a full head of steam (hence getting into smoke) and probably would have settled it between him and Clint

@mattwoodruff29 Harvick he was right on Kenseth's and could had went for the win!

@NancyatStudioN Michael Waltrip

@chuckallen2 @mw55 was going to win, no doubt in my mind. His momentum, getting pushed in the perfect spot on track were just enough

@Rasenna Tony! He's the man!

@HarpAmyStabler I think that Mikey or Casey Mears would have duked it out for the win.

Thursday, September 9th 'What If' Question

It all comes down to one race and two drivers. While others are still mathematically eligible  to make this year's Chase for the Sprint Cup Series Championship, all eyes are on Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon going to Richmond.

Busch holds the second Wild Card spot, with his one win from May at the same track. Gordon sits 14th, fighting a year of bad luck and many mechanical failures. He too, has a lone win from Pocono. And the scenario is simple: whoever finishes ahead of the other will make the Chase.

Yet, while both Busch and Gordon have had their fair share of success at the Virginia track, Busch enters the weekend as the favorite. He's the most recent winner at the track and it's Gordon who has to beat him. A tall task simply because of the fact that anything and everything that could happen to a driver and team this season, has to Gordon.

They must continue to fight from behind if they want a shot at the Chase. A situation neither company, Joe Gibbs Racing with Busch and Hendrick Motorsports with Gordon, imagined themselves in before the season started. Except here they are, Busch not wanting to miss the Chase again as he did in 2009 and Gordon hoping to have something go right in his season. Saying it's never over until it's over, and he too, doesn't want to experience being on the outside looking in as he did in 2005.

Each driver knows what they have to do, Busch feeling confident in his team and the track. Gordon looking to avenge a heartbreaking loss to Hamlin at Atlanta, saying he won't make the same mistake twice.

But ...

What if Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon are running together on the last lap Saturday, who makes it back to the checkered flag and into the Chase?

@ARosser14 Whoever's third

@HarpAmyStabler Kyle makes it to the Chase and the checkered flag

Tuesday, January 10th 'What If' Question

Following the 2001 season Jeff Gordon was the man on top of the sport and on the top of the list to tie if not pass Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt with seven Cup championships.

Gordon had just won his fourth title and it didn't look like he was going to stop winning anytime soon. But a lot has changed since 2001 like the cars, tracks, rules, teams and drivers. Gordon has continued to win races, he now sits third on the all-time wins list with 85 behind Petty (200) and Pearson (105), except the number in the championship column hasn't changed.

Gordon is still at four with Tony Stewart since claiming three titles since Gordon's last. Jimmie Johnson has claimed five and Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch each won their first. It hasn't been for a lack of trying on Gordon's part though, he finished second in 2007 after he dominated the season by putting together a modern day record of top tens with 30. But in the Chase he lost to Johnson who put together a better average during the 10 Chase races.

It wasn't the first time that the Chase seemed to do Gordon in. In 2004 Gordon scored the most points during the entire 36 week schedule, but not as many as Kurt Busch did during the 10 weeks during the Chase. Then in 2009 Gordon finished third in points as Hendrick Motorsports swept the top three spots.

So, he and his fans still wait for the next time they'll be on the big stage. Never knowing that it would take this long before they felt the taste of a championship again. If there's one thing that can be counted on though it's that every preseason Gordon will be on the top of a few lists to win his fifth championship. Just as he's been for the last 10 years. This will be the year they say, only to say it again the following preseason.

But ...

What if Jeff Gordon never wins another championship, will many attempt to turn the discussion or blame toward the Chase?

@Talon64 What if? Jeff Gordon fans already do; would've won championship under old system in 2004 and 2007.

@rcracer20 points are points,you need the most to win,then, when you also get rewarded points for wins #getuponthewheelanddrive

Thursday, September 1st 'What If' Question

It may be hard to believe but Jimmie Johnson only has one win thus far this season. That's one, single, uno, coming at Talladega in April when teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. pushed him past their other two Hendrick teammates and a Richard Childress duo on the last lap.

This time a year ago Johnson had five wins heading into the Chase and he would pick up his sixth victory at Dover on his way to a fifth straight championship. Such has not been the case this season as the anti-Johnson fans have been pleased with his shutout of victory lane. Although Johnson is currently tied for the point lead his overall performance hasn't been very Johnson-like.

It's almost like his golden horseshoe, which Kevin Harvick alluded to last year, is gone. Johnson hasn't been dominating races, he's experiencing more bad luck during races, some of which he wasn't able to overcome and at racetracks that he has become known for his performance, he wasn't even on the map. He's appeared more frustrated this year and has gotten into spats with the likes of Kurt Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya.

When the Chase starts however, Johnson will be the favorite to take home yet another title. Yet, right now it's Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch that are mentioned as the favorites. They're the ones with the most wins this season and who are climbing in the point standings. Winning has been great to them and they hope to continue to do so right into the Chase.

Should they or any other driver win races in the Chase, they could take home the title. Many drivers have already said that winning races will be what wins the championship. If that's the case, Johnson and company need to get going because once the Chase does start they'll be amongst the lowest seeds.

But ...

What if @JimmieJohnson doesn't win another race this year, only win being at Talladega in April, can he still win the championship? #NASCAR

@ARosser14 Absolutely. That team can win titles in just about any scenario. Even if he didn't have that inch on Bowyer in Talladega.

@canebrake_123 i hope not we need a new driver to win cup like Carl Edwards

@Talon64 he's won the championship every other way imaginable, just needs to do it with 1 win. So yes!

@VerloreneSohn32 Yes. Of course he can.

@cruetten just saw this. I have to say yes as well.

@14Patti14 He's superman! He can do anything. No really, if he wants it bad enough it will.come

Billy Fellin (via Facebook) I think he's proven that no matter how he does during the regular season, he's capable of winning a championship

Melissa Bauer-Herzog (via Facebook) I believe he can. Even with his "bad" season he's still tied for 1st and they really know how to turn up the heat when the Chase comes around.