NASCAR Playoffs 2011 Set

by | Sep 11, 2011 | NASCAR

With the new format for 2011 there was quite a bit of excitement even if the last race results were not exactly what NASCAR had hoped for. I’m sure that they were thinking that in the last few races the racers would change spots and someone would make it with someone else falling out. It did not quite work out that way but that does not mean it was not a success. Holding the final race for the chase at a short track worked out very well for NASCAR. There was a lot of excitement and I’m sure there was a big scare when Dale Jr. was involved in several early crashes. He held on and finished strong to earn his position in the race for the Sprint Cup. It actually has been a dream season for NASCAR this year. You have the Bad Boy (Kyle Busch) tied for the lead to start out next week and the Fan Favorite (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) in for the first time in 3 years. The usual’s are in as as well which is great for the fringe fans.

Making wins more important was a great move for NASCAR. Since they only give a trophy to the winner of each race it kind of makes sense that you would want someone who has won a race to win the Championship. Getting the final two spots in the chase base on wins has made each race count and has made drivers take chances that they other wise may not have made.

The best thing that could happen for NASCAR now would be for someone to win who has not won the Cup before. With sagging numbers and some of the race venues having trouble filling the tracks something big has to happen to keep things going. Really what they need if for Dale Jr. to pull some wins out of no ware and win the whole thing. I really don’t think that is going to happen. A good second best for the win would be Brad Keselowski he is a young driver with a chip on his shoulder and has been the hottest driver over the last 6 weeks. He has a tough attitude like Kyle Busch but is likable. Either one of these drivers winning the Cup would be a great thing for NASCAR.

Line up for the Chase

1 Kyle Busch

2 Kevin Harvick

3 Jeff Gordon

4 Matt Kenseth

5 Carl Edwards

6 Jimmie Johnson

7 Kurt Busch

8 Ryan Newman

9 Tony Stewart

10 Dale Earnhardt Jr.

11 Brad Keselowski – Wild Card

12 Denny Hamlin – Wild Card