“Since a lot of people dislike the Chase format, maybe this is the year to feature a different playoff format. NASCAR is more of a team sport than ever before and talk of franchising is occasionally breached so let’s take it a step further. Let’s make it a four way fight to determine the true NASCAR juggernaut. If Clint Bowyer hangs on, the field of 12 will feature only four teams: Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush-Fenway Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing. Each team also has three Chase drivers so it is the perfect year to transform the Chase into a four team Battle Royal. Sure, any team can throw Kyle Busch or Carl Edwards out there and compete for the Sprint Cup[legal disclaimer: not every team can throw any driver out there and compete], but let’s see who the deepest team in Cup is.

Instead of 75% of the drivers falling off the pace by the midpoint, suddenly every driver-and every place-would mean something. Let’s say Jeff Burton wrecks at Dover and blows an engine at Kansas. In normal years Burton would shrug it off and begin peeking at next year’s program. With the Juggernaut Cup (that’s right, I just invented it) RCR’s team still needs him to finish strong at the remainder of the races.

Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards have won the most races, but would their teammates contribute enough to get the most combined points? Hendrick has three drivers that could alternately finish in the top 5 or suffer horrible finishes. RCR doesn’t run at the front of the field but all three drivers avoid trouble and finish on the lead lap. Who would come out on top? If the standings hold suit after Richmond I plan on tracking the team stats and updating weekly.”