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FavoriteTeamWear asks: Would the Points Race Be Different Without Chase Points?

September 23, 2008 · Filed Under Carl Edwards, Commentary, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Drivers, Greg Biffle, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, NASCAR, Sprint Cup, tony stewart

After watching Kyle Busch fall to 12th in Sprint Cup Chase points over the last 2 weeks, I can't help but wonder where the chasers would be without the Chase setup. I did some research on this, and found that the points race would be different.

Chase Points After Dover:

Rank	Driver	Points	Behind Leader
1	Carl Edwards	5390	-------
2	Jimmie Johnson	5380	-10
3	Greg Biffle	5380	-10
4	Jeff Burton	5308	-82
5	Kevin Harvick	5289	-101
6	Clint Bowyer	5284	-106
7	Tony Stewart	5277	-113
8	Jeff Gordon	5272	-118
9	Dale Earnhardt Jr	5261	-129
10	Matt Kenseth	5123	-167
11	Denny Hamlin	5197	-193
12	Kyle Busch	5180	-210

While I believe everyone in the Chase still has a chance to win the Championship, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin really need to get their acts together to get there.

Dale Earnhardt Jr has fallen significantly, but still has a chance if he can win Talledega and Texas, which he historically runs well at for both.

All in all, the Sprint Chase For The Cup is still up for grabs, and any of the teams still have a chance to win it, or to throw it away.

In contrast, let us look at the points if there was no Chase Points:

Rank	Driver	Points	Behind Leader
1	Carl Edwards	4011	----
2	Kyle Busch	3978	-33
3	Jimmie Johnson	3916	-95
4	Dale Earnhardt Jr	3739	-272
5	Jeff Burton	3682	-329
6	Greg Biffle	3660	-351
7	Kevin Harvick	3572	-439
8	Tony Stewart	3562	-449
9	Jeff Gordon	3493	-518
10	Denny Hamlin	3422	-589
11	Clint Bowyer	3390	-621
12	Matt Kenseth	3355	-656

As you can see, this would be a much different chase, had the points not been realigned with 10 races to go. It would only be a 3 car race at this point, a Ford, a Toyota, and a Chevrolet. Also, three teams: Rousch, Gibbs, and Hendrick.

Kyle Busch would obviously be in better shape.

Looking at the top three, Jimmie Johnson would have more work to do to win a historical Championship for him (3 in a row). Kyle Busch would only be 33 points behind leader Carl Edwards, showing the benefits of having such a strong season.

Dale Earnhardt Jr, and everyone behind him could almost be counted out, making it a three car race.

I can't help but wonder, is the Chase For The Cup really more exciting, or is it unfair to those having raced so well all season, only to fall back from 1st to 12th after 2 races.

What do you think? Is the Chase setup better?