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This season, NASCAR has tweaked the points system when it comes to The Chase, changed the qualifying format and reinvented The Chase to 16 drivers making the field.
And now, it seems that if a driver wins in the first 26 races on the schedule, the chances of making The Chase are very likely.
The knock out round format of The Chase is the biggest change. Sixteen drivers will start, but will be down for 12 after the third playoff race, then to eight after the sixth race and down to four after the nine events going into Homestead. Depending on who finishes the best in race 10 of the playoffs will win the championship.
As for the 16 drivers I feel like will make the cut this season, here is the list below and how I see them finishing.
16) Jamie McMurray, 15) Martin Truex Jr., 14) Tony Stewart, 13)Greg Biffle, 12) Kevin Harvick, 11) Kurt Busch, 10) Denny Hamlin, 9) Kasey Kahne, 8) Kyle Busch, 7) Carl Edwards, 6) Jeff Gordon, 5) Clint Bowyer 4) Dale Earnhardt Jr., 3) Brad Keselowski, 2) Matt Kenseth, 1) Jimmie Johnson.
Rookie of the Year should come down to Austin Dillon and Kyle Larson. I believe either guy could win their first race this year. Dillon could emerge faster than Larson, but we will see. Dillon could vie for a top 16 spot in the Chase as well.
Daytona kicks off the schedule, but the Sprint Unlimited is first. Formerly The Bud Shootout, Pole winners from 2013 and those who have the Sprint Unlimited able compete in this 75-lap dash for the cash come Saturday night (Feb 15). I will step out of my comfort zone and take Kyle Busch is this one. Just gut feeling.
Stories to watch:
How Stewart-Haas Racing develops in 2014?
Three of the most stubborn, outspoken, yet talented drivers in the sport are all apart of one organization. Like it or not, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch are all teammates and that’s trouble waiting to happen. I expect for there to be some heated moments with some interesting thoughts between all three. Can they all three work together? Notably, there has been some bad blood between Harvick and Kurt’s younger brother, Kyle. All three are championship contenders again this season with Harvick the only one without a title of the group. Harvick and Busch also could struggle since Newman was in a second team car for a few years and didn’t have anywhere near the success as he did at Penske.
Can Johnson tie Petty and Earnhardt?
Jimmie Johnson has already established himself among Cup’s top drivers. While some say he already is among the elite, obtaining a seventh Sprint Cup title would be the pinnacle of Johnson’s career. Granted it’s very possible he could get more than seven, but he has to get there first. This year it would be 35 years ago since Richard Petty won his seventh title and 20 since Dale Earnhardt pick up his last of seven.
Evernham back to Hendrick Motorsports!
Who would have ever thought, Ray Evernham would go back to Hendrick Motorsports?
Rick Hendrick knew years ago that people were his main asset to winning races and championship. Ray Evernham guided Jeff Gordon to three championship as his crew chief, before he left to form his own team with Dodge. Evernham will be a competition director in a sense as Hendrick Motorsports just got even more stronger to beat in 2014.
*Prep Hoops update:
If (2A) East Rutherford’s girls sweep games this week, they win with the SMAC title. Thomas Jefferson’s boys have it a little tougher though. The (1A) Gryphons have to beat Bessemer City on the road and Cherryville at home (Friday) to become SPC champs. Both would get No.1 seeds in the west if they could sweep.
