IRONY: an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected.After Matt Kenseth whooped the field in 2003, the NASCAR 'Chase' points/playoff system was created to make sure the Miami finale was a nailbiter. For 2009, it will actually lessen the drama.
Under the new/current system, Jimmie Johnson is heading to Miami with a 108-point lead over Mark Martin, needing only to crack the top 25 to take his fourth-consecutive Cup title. Stranger things have happened, but Johnson is pretty much a lock.
If they were still racing under the 'old' points system, the story would be much more interesting. Left alone, Johnson would be entering the final race just 13 points ahead of Tony Stewart - who was the unofficial 'regular season' champion. Jeff Gordon would be third, 56 markers back of JJ, while Martin would sit fourth, a whopping 361 points in arrears.
For next year, wouldn't it be the ultimate NASCARian move for them to keep both systems in play... and let fans vote, just prior to the green flag at Miami, which (new or old) will determine the champion?
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