2014 NASCAR Thread

[BDKJMU]

Daytona week deserved its own thread, but I figured not a new thread for every race.

2 big new changes this season- qualifying and the Chase. New group qualifying wasn't used at Daytona because of rain, so Phoenix was the 1st time.

The below article explains the new qualifying format along with qualifying for Phoenix- Keselowski on the pole.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/keselowski ... 1PVVMyNV8x" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BDKJMU]

Phoenix Qualifying
Penske takes top 2 spots, with Keselowski on pole & Logano 2nd. McMurray 3rd, then Johnson & Jr 4th and 5th.

Spoiler: show

1 Brad Keselowski Ford Alliance Truck Parts 139.384 25.828 Leader
2 22 Joey Logano Ford Shell Pennzoil 139.265 25.850 --0.022
3 1 Jamie McMurray Chevrolet Cessna-Bad Boy Buggies 138.969 25.905 --0.077
4 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's 138.350 26.021 --0.193
5 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr Chevrolet National Guard 138.344 26.022 --0.194
6 16 Greg Biffle Ford 3M 138.339 26.023 --0.195
7 18 Kyle Busch Toyota Skittles 138.318 26.027 --0.199
8 42 Kyle Larson Chevrolet Clorox 138.318 26.027 --0.199
9 43 Aric Almirola Ford Farmland 138.281 26.034 --0.206
10 41 Kurt Busch Chevrolet Haas Automation 138.047 26.078 --0.250
11 5 Kasey Kahne Chevrolet Farmers Insurance 137.889 26.108 --0.280
12 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota FedEx Office 137.315 26.217 --0.389
13 4 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Jimmy John's 137.815 26.122 --0.294
14 15 Clint Bowyer Toyota 5-Hour Energy 137.810 26.123 --0.295
15 31 Ryan Newman Chevrolet Quicken Loans 137.794 26.126 --0.298
16 55 Brian Vickers Toyota Aaron's Dream Machine 137.788 26.127 --0.299
17 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Pepsi MAX 137.741 26.136 --0.308
18 13 Casey Mears Chevrolet No. 13 GEICO Chevrolet SS 137.588 26.165 --0.337
19 20 Matt Kenseth Toyota Home Depot Husky 137.546 26.173 --0.345
20 14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops / Mobil 1 137.483 26.185 --0.357
21 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr Ford NOS 137.473 26.187 --0.359
22 27 Paul Menard Chevrolet Pittsburgh Paints / Menards 137.347 26.211 --0.383
23 99 Carl Edwards Ford Subway 137.216 26.236 --0.408
24 3 Austin Dillon Chevrolet American Ethanol 137.200 26.239 --0.411
25 47 AJ Allmendinger Chevrolet Clorox Fraganzia 137.179 26.243 --0.415
26 95 Michael McDowell Ford K-Love 137.065 26.265 --0.437
27 78 Martin Truex Jr Chevrolet Furniture Row 136.903 26.296 --0.468
28 38 David Gilliland Ford Love's Travel Stops 136.867 26.303 --0.475
29 9 Marcos Ambrose Ford Mac Tools 136.794 26.317 --0.489
30 34 David Ragan Ford Farm Rich 136.789 26.318 --0.490
31 26 Cole Whitt Toyota GEAR Speed Stick 136.726 26.330 --0.502
32 33 Brian Scott Chevrolet White Tail 136.721 26.331 --0.503
33 10 Danica Patrick Chevrolet GoDaddy 136.545 26.365 --0.537
34 83 Ryan Truex Toyota Borla Exhaust Toyota Camry 135.875 26.495 --0.667
35 23 Alex Bowman Toyota Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry 135.614 26.546 --0.718
36 30 Parker Kligerman Toyota TBA 135.384 26.591 --0.763
37 35 Blake Koch Ford MDS Transport 135.262 26.615 --0.787
38 66 Joe Nemechek Toyota Land Castle Title 134.983 26.670 --0.842
39 36 Reed Sorenson Chevrolet TBA 134.897 26.687 --0.859
40 32 Travis Kvapil Ford Ask More-Get More 134.771 26.712 --0.884
41 7 Michael Annett Chevrolet Accell Construction 134.148 26.836 --1.008
42 87 Morgan Shepherd Toyota Morris-Hardwick-Schneider 128.995 27.908 --2.080
43 51 Justin Allgaier Chevrolet
http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup- ... erica.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BDKJMU]

42 87 Morgan Shepherd Toyota Morris-Hardwick-Schneider 128.995 27.908 --2.080

Morgan Shepherd.. He's 72 years old!.. WTF!
http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup- ... pherd.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BDKJMU]

New Chase format explained:
".......
- A victory in the first 26 races likely will guarantee a driver a berth in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup -- a change that will put an unprecedented premium on winning a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race all season long
- Expanding the Chase field from 12 to 16 drivers, with those drivers advancing to what now will be known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase Grid
- The number of championship drivers in contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship will decrease after every three Chase races, from 16 to start in the Chase Grid; 12 after Chase race No. 3; eight after Chase race No. 6; and four after Chase race No. 9
- The first three races of the Chase (27-29) will be known as the Challenger Round; races 30-32 will be known as the Contender Round; races 33-35 will be the Eliminator Round and race No. 36 will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship
- A win by a championship-eligible driver in any Chase race automatically clinches the winning driver a spot in the next Chase round
- Four drivers will enter the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship with a chance for the Cup, with the highest finisher among those four capturing the prestigious NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title.

Eligibility for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup

The top 15 drivers with the most wins over the first 26 races will earn a spot in the Chase Grid -- provided they have finished in the top 30 in points and attempted to qualify for every race (except in rare instances). The 16th Chase position will go to the points leader after race No. 26, if he/she does not have victory. In the event that there are 16 or more different winners over 26 races, the only winless driver who can earn a Chase Grid spot would be the points leader after 26 races.

If there are fewer than 16 different winners in the first 26 races, the remaining Chase Grid positions will go to those winless drivers highest in points. If there are 16 or more different winners in the first 26 races, the ties will first be broken by number of wins, followed by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver points.

As was implemented in 2011, prior to the start of the Chase, all Chase Grid drivers will have their points adjusted to 2,000, with three additional bonus points added to their total for each win in the first 26 races.

Advancement Model during Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup
After the third Chase race, the Chase Grid will be left with 12 drivers. After the sixth Chase race, the field will drop to eight drivers, and following the ninth Chase race, only four drivers will remain in championship contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship.

The first round (races 27-29) will be called the "Challenger Round." If a driver in the Chase Grid wins a Challenger Round race, the driver automatically advances and his/her points will be reset to 3,000. Only the top 12 in points after the Challenger Round remain in championship contention, and all will then have their points reset to 3,000.

The second round (races 30-32) will be called the "Contender Round." Likewise, if a driver in the top 12 in points wins a race in the Contender Round, the driver automatically advances and his/her points will reset to 4,000. Only the top eight in points after the Contender Round remain in championship contention, and all then will have their points reset to 4,000.

The third round (races 33-35) will be called the "Eliminator Round." If a driver in the top eight in points wins a race in the Eliminator Round, the driver automatically advances and his/her points will reset to 5,000. The top four in points after the Eliminator Round remain in championship contention, and all then will have their points reset to 5,000.

Additionally, as drivers are eliminated from the Rounds, their points total will be readjusted to the normal points format in sync with all other drivers in the field no longer in contention for the championship. This will allow all drivers not in contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship to continue to race for the best possible season-long standing, with fifth place ultimately still up for grabs at the season finale.

Four-Driver, First-to-the-Finish Championship Finale
The 36th and final race of the season will be the "NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship." Simply stated, the highest finisher in the Championship race among the remaining four eligible drivers will win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title.

Bonus points for laps led or previous race wins will not apply in the season finale, so the official finishing position alone will decide the champion........."
http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/ ... anges.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[93henfan]

The new Chase format will be exciting, but is quite stupid.

A guy could win every race on the schedule going into the final week, get a flat tire 100 yards from the finish line in the final race, and not be the champion.

You are going to see some epic crashes in the final five laps at every cutoff race. It will make the MWR controversy at Richmond last year look like childsplay.

[93henfan]

Not a bad race at Phoenix today for Danica. Only two wrecks by her so far.

[clenz]

Not a bad race at Phoenix today for Danica. Only two wrecks by her so far.

Improvement....it's still improvement. It means her first one wasn't bad enough to take her out.

Now she is just trying to figure out what it takes to take her out of the race so she can improve from there...

[93henfan]

Harvick the class of the field at Phoenix. Earnhardt Jr. second.

Results:

Spoiler: show

# Driver Car Behind Status
1 Kevin Harvick [+] 4 --
2 Dale Earnhardt Jr. [+] 88 0.489 sec
3 Brad Keselowski [+] 2 1.361 sec
4 Joey Logano [+] 22 1.660 sec
5 Jeff Gordon [+] 24 2.849 sec
6 Jimmie Johnson [+] 48 3.328 sec
7 Ryan Newman [+] 31 4.238 sec
8 Carl Edwards [+] 99 4.347 sec
9 Kyle Busch [+] 18 5.213 sec
10 Jamie McMurray [+] 1 5.490 sec
11 Kasey Kahne [+] 5 6.885 sec
12 Matt Kenseth [+] 20 6.905 sec
13 Clint Bowyer [+] 15 7.410 sec
14 Casey Mears [+] 13 7.725 sec
15 Aric Almirola [+] 43 8.234 sec
16 Tony Stewart [+] 14 8.380 sec
17 Greg Biffle [+] 16 8.752 sec
18 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. [+] 17 9.228 sec
19 Denny Hamlin [+] 11 12.308 sec
20 Kyle Larson [+] 42 12.521 sec
21 Marcos Ambrose [+] 9 1 lap(s)
22 Martin Truex Jr. [+] 78 1 lap(s)
23 Paul Menard [+] 27 1 lap(s)
24 Austin Dillon [+] 3 1 lap(s)
25 Brian Vickers [+] 55 1 lap(s)
26 AJ Allmendinger [+] 47 2 lap(s)
27 Cole Whitt [+] 26 2 lap(s)
28 David Ragan [+] 34 2 lap(s)
29 David Gilliland [+] 38 3 lap(s)
30 Justin Allgaier [+] 51 3 lap(s)
31 Reed Sorenson [+] 36 4 lap(s)
32 Brian Scott [+] 33 4 lap(s)
33 Michael McDowell [+] 95 5 lap(s)
34 Michael Annett [+] 7 5 lap(s)
35 Ryan Truex [+] 83 5 lap(s)
36 Danica Patrick [+] 10 6 lap(s)
37 Blake Koch [+] 35 6 lap(s)
38 Travis Kvapil [+] 32 10 lap(s)
39 Kurt Busch [+] 41 19 lap(s)
40 Joe Nemechek [+] 66 20 lap(s)
41 Alex Bowman [+] 23 81 lap(s)
42 Parker Kligerman [+] 30 85 lap(s)
43 Morgan Shepherd [+] 87 283 lap(s)

[JoltinJoe]

Not a bad race at Phoenix today for Danica. Only two wrecks by her so far.

Worried about her. She might just get herself killed out there one day.

[TheDancinMonarch]

A guy could win every race on the schedule going into the final week, get a flat tire 100 yards from the finish line in the final race, and not be the champion.

This. So much for rewarding a season of excellence.

[grizzaholic]

Not a bad race at Phoenix today for Danica. Only two wrecks by her so far.

Worried about her. She might just get herself killed out there one day.

But. But. They weren't her fault. Other drivers caused those wrecks and she just got caught up in the mess.

Amirite SH?

[clenz]

A guy could win every race on the schedule going into the final week, get a flat tire 100 yards from the finish line in the final race, and not be the champion.

This. So much for rewarding a season of excellence.

Yeah...not really a big fan of the system.


I am not a hardcore nascar guy so I'm sure someone will hate my idea...but I'd like to go back to the "old" way from what I understand it was.


You can adjust the "total" numbers to whatever you'd like...but


43 points for 1st
42 points for 2nd
and so on.

With 10 bonus points for a W, 5 points for leading the most laps, and a point for leading a lap....

No playoff, no chase, no nothing....

Whoever has the most points at the end of the season wins. Might that mean someone wins the title with 5 races left? Sure...I don't care. NASCAR is completely different than the other sports.


Then again, the new system is just like the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc... Just look at the 07/08 Patriots...get to the Super Bowl at 18-0 but don't win the title because the 9-7 Giants beat them in the title game

[93henfan]

Then again, the new system is just like the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc... Just look at the 07/08 Patriots...get to the Super Bowl at 18-0 but don't win the title because the 9-7 Giants beat them in the title game

But the Giants beat the Patriots in a game all by themselves.

A dominating Sprint Cup driver can possibly lose a championship because of a crash that happens in front of him or a freak flat tire like I mentioned previously.

If they insist on a single race, winner take all championship race, there should only be those four cars in the race. Putting 43 cars out there is like having the Giants and Patriots play with random people allowed to jump onto the field and make tackles or guys in the upper deck to take rifle pot shots at field goals, etc. It just totally cheapens the championship.

[clenz]

Then again, the new system is just like the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc... Just look at the 07/08 Patriots...get to the Super Bowl at 18-0 but don't win the title because the 9-7 Giants beat them in the title game

But the Giants beat the Patriots in a game all by themselves.

A dominating Sprint Cup driver can possibly lose a championship because of a crash that happens in front of him or a freak flat tire like I mentioned previously.

If they insist on a single race, winner take all championship race, there should only be those four cars in the race. Putting 43 cars out there is like having the Giants and Patriots play with random people allowed to jump onto the field and make tackles or guys in the upper deck to take rifle pot shots at field goals, etc. It just totally cheapens the championship.

Agreed....still doesn't mean the Giants were the best team that year....though I'm a Patriot hater so fuck them...

[ASUMountaineer]

Then again, the new system is just like the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc... Just look at the 07/08 Patriots...get to the Super Bowl at 18-0 but don't win the title because the 9-7 Giants beat them in the title game

But the Giants beat the Patriots in a game all by themselves.

A dominating Sprint Cup driver can possibly lose a championship because of a crash that happens in front of him or a freak flat tire like I mentioned previously.

If they insist on a single race, winner take all championship race, there should only be those four cars in the race. Putting 43 cars out there is like having the Giants and Patriots play with random people allowed to jump onto the field and make tackles or guys in the upper deck to take rifle pot shots at field goals, etc. It just totally cheapens the championship.

Wouldn't a freak flat tire be like Tom Brady getting hurt on the next-to-last series down 4?

I do agree that if there's only 4 in contention, just let those four race.

[tribe_pride]

But the Giants beat the Patriots in a game all by themselves.

A dominating Sprint Cup driver can possibly lose a championship because of a crash that happens in front of him or a freak flat tire like I mentioned previously.

If they insist on a single race, winner take all championship race, there should only be those four cars in the race. Putting 43 cars out there is like having the Giants and Patriots play with random people allowed to jump onto the field and make tackles or guys in the upper deck to take rifle pot shots at field goals, etc. It just totally cheapens the championship.

Wouldn't a freak flat tire be like Tom Brady getting hurt on the next-to-last series down 4?

I do agree that if there's only 4 in contention, just let those four race.

I think that's the question but that's because they are trying to crown a season long champion on 1 race (or in this case 4 races) while allowing others who are out of it to contend. Do you want the champion to be the one who has been the best driver for the season or the best driver who has qualified for it in the final race?

If you want the best in the final race, why are there other cars in the race outside of those who have a chance to win the championship?

If you want the best for the whole season, why are you resetting the points?

Golf has the same issue with the FedEx Cup. Any sport that is not a head to head sport but wants to declare a champion at the end of the season will have this problem. Probably no perfect answer - just a question of where you want the focus to be.

[93henfan]

I would have no problem with a four car match race at Homestead to end it, btw.

I've never liked the Chase and would greatly prefer a return to the pre-2004 format, but if we're stuck with this current one race takes all format, then get the other 39 also-rans (which will include up to three teammates for each of the four contenders) off the track. You are just begging for shenanigans like MWR pulled at Richmond last year. There will be sandbagging (on track and pitting), blocking, and outright crashing to either take out a competitor or cause a caution to get a competitor back in it again.

Again, this cheapens the championship terribly.

[BDKJMU]

This. So much for rewarding a season of excellence.

Yeah...not really a big fan of the system.


I am not a hardcore nascar guy so I'm sure someone will hate my idea...but I'd like to go back to the "old" way from what I understand it was.


You can adjust the "total" numbers to whatever you'd like...but


43 points for 1st
42 points for 2nd
and so on.

With 10 bonus points for a W, 5 points for leading the most laps, and a point for leading a lap....

No playoff, no chase, no nothing....

Whoever has the most points at the end of the season wins. Might that mean someone wins the title with 5 races left? Sure...I don't care. NASCAR is completely different than the other sports.


Then again, the new system is just like the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc... Just look at the 07/08 Patriots...get to the Super Bowl at 18-0 but don't win the title because the 9-7 Giants beat them in the title game

Agreed, but here was the old way pre 04':

http://www.fieldoffortythree.com/wp-con ... 2004-1.bmp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In recent years (at least the previous 3 seasons, regular season:
43 points 1st place
42 ppoints 2nd place
41 points 3rd place
.
.
1 point 43rd place

+1 bonus point for leading a lap, 1 bonus point for leading most laps, 3 bonus points for winning
http://nascar.about.com/od/standings/a/nascarpoints.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I agree with your plan, same as as what it was regular season the at least last 3 seasons, but your plan of 5 bonus points for leading the most laps instead of 1, and 10 bonus points for a win, instead of 3. That would put the heavier emphasis on winning, the only thing lacking some IMHOP under the old system. And agreed, no Chase..

[BDKJMU]

I would have no problem with a four car match race at Homestead to end it, btw.

I've never liked the Chase and would greatly prefer a return to the pre-2004 format, but if we're stuck with this current one race takes all format, then get the other 39 also-rans (which will include up to three teammates for each of the four contenders) off the track. You are just begging for shenanigans like MWR pulled at Richmond last year. There will be sandbagging (on track and pitting), blocking, and outright crashing to either take out a competitor or cause a caution to get a competitor back in it again.

Again, this cheapens the championship terribly.

Yep. Of course the ratings will be high. Agreed on the old format, see above.

[clenz]

Yeah...not really a big fan of the system.


I am not a hardcore nascar guy so I'm sure someone will hate my idea...but I'd like to go back to the "old" way from what I understand it was.


You can adjust the "total" numbers to whatever you'd like...but


43 points for 1st
42 points for 2nd
and so on.

With 10 bonus points for a W, 5 points for leading the most laps, and a point for leading a lap....

No playoff, no chase, no nothing....

Whoever has the most points at the end of the season wins. Might that mean someone wins the title with 5 races left? Sure...I don't care. NASCAR is completely different than the other sports.


Then again, the new system is just like the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc... Just look at the 07/08 Patriots...get to the Super Bowl at 18-0 but don't win the title because the 9-7 Giants beat them in the title game

Agreed, but here was the old way pre 04':

http://www.fieldoffortythree.com/wp-con ... 2004-1.bmp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In recent years (at least the previous 3 seasons, regular season:
43 points 1st place
42 ppoints 2nd place
41 points 3rd place
.
.
1 point 43rd place

+1 bonus point for leading a lap, 1 bonus point for leading most laps, 3 bonus points for winning
http://nascar.about.com/od/standings/a/nascarpoints.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I agree with your plan, same as as what it was regular season the at least last 3 seasons, but your plan of bonus points for leading the most laps instead of 1, and 10 bonus points for a win, instead of 3. That would put the heavier emphasis on winning, the only thing lacking some IMHOP under the old system. And agreed, no Chase..

I wasn't 100% on the old format but knew I was close...I remember seeing some real high point totals though.

I'd like more emphasis on winning - which I like about the new one - and being good at the race even if you don't win (leading most laps).

Without the sport being head to head it's so tough to do a playoff style...

But ratings for the last 4 races if the title had been decided vs the last 4 in this system wouldn't be close...even if it means the "Wrong" guy wins the title.

[BDKJMU]

--- Won under Chase/Would have won under old format
04' Kurt Bush----------------Gordon
05' Stewart------------------Stewart
06' Johnson------------------Johnson
07' Johnson------------------Gordon
08' Johnson------------------Edwards
09' Johnson------------------Johnson
10' Johnson------------------Harvick
11' Stewart------------------Edwards
12' Keselowski---------------Keselowski
13' Johnson------------------Johnson (not included under below link)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1522 ... hip/page/1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So 5 of the 10 Chase seasons have produced a different winner than would have had under the old points system. If the old points system had remained in place:
-Johnson would have gone from 6 championships to 3.
-Stewart would have gone from 2 championships to 1
-Kurt Busch wouldn't have won 1.

-Gordon would have gone from 4 championships to 6.
-Edwards would have gone from 0 championships to 2.
-Harvick would have won a championship

[BDKJMU]

1st race of the Chase last season at Chicagoland JR finished 35th after an engine failure. The 11 races since then, last 9 races of Chase + 1st 2 this season:

New Hampshire: 6th
Dover: 2nd
Kansas: 8th
Charlotte: 15th
Talladega: 2nd
Martinsville: 8th
Texas: 2nd
Phoenix: 4th
Homestead: 3rd

Daytona: 1st
Phoenix: 2nd

Last 11 races, all top 15, 10 top 10, 7 top 5.

[ASUMountaineer]

Wouldn't a freak flat tire be like Tom Brady getting hurt on the next-to-last series down 4?

I do agree that if there's only 4 in contention, just let those four race.

I think that's the question but that's because they are trying to crown a season long champion on 1 race (or in this case 4 races) while allowing others who are out of it to contend. Do you want the champion to be the one who has been the best driver for the season or the best driver who has qualified for it in the final race?

If you want the best in the final race, why are there other cars in the race outside of those who have a chance to win the championship?

If you want the best for the whole season, why are you resetting the points?

Golf has the same issue with the FedEx Cup. Any sport that is not a head to head sport but wants to declare a champion at the end of the season will have this problem. Probably no perfect answer - just a question of where you want the focus to be.

I think it should points throughout the season. No chase, no resetting of points. Fans will still be interested as their driver, even if not in contention for the title, has a chance at a victory.

[ASUMountaineer]

1st race of the Chase last season at Chicagoland JR finished 35th after an engine failure. The 11 races since then, last 9 races of Chase + 1st 2 this season:

New Hampshire: 6th
Dover: 2nd
Kansas: 8th
Charlotte: 15th
Talladega: 2nd
Martinsville: 8th
Texas: 2nd
Phoenix: 4th
Homestead: 3rd

Daytona: 1st
Phoenix: 2nd

Last 11 races, all top 15, 10 top 10, 7 top 5.

IIRC, had the news rules been in place last year, Junior would have won the championship.

[BDKJMU]

1st race of the Chase last season at Chicagoland JR finished 35th after an engine failure. The 11 races since then, last 9 races of Chase + 1st 2 this season:

New Hampshire: 6th
Dover: 2nd
Kansas: 8th
Charlotte: 15th
Talladega: 2nd
Martinsville: 8th
Texas: 2nd
Phoenix: 4th
Homestead: 3rd

Daytona: 1st
Phoenix: 2nd

Last 11 races, all top 15, 10 top 10, 7 top 5.

IIRC, had the news rules been in place last year, Junior would have won the championship.

Yep. Another flaw with the new system. A driver with 7 wins (Kenseth, who finished 2nd in the Chase) doesn't make the final 4 because of a poor finish in the next to last race. And in the final race at Homestead driver with 0 wins (JR) would have won the championship over a driver with 6 wins (Johnson) based on 1 race. Even as a JR fan that would have been flat out wrong.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/na ... p/5063901/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;