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October 26, 2010.
If there was any lingering doubt about the success of the Chase, it has been eliminated this season.
Jimmie Johnson holds an almost invisible six-point lead on Denny Hamlin and the reigning champ is up just 62 points on Kevin Harvick. The three best drivers of the season neck-and-neck-and-neck for the championship -- it doesn't get any better than this.
And if we didn't have the Chase ... well, let's just say we would have our minds elsewhere.
Harvick would hold a massive 264-point lead on Johnson if the Chase wasn't in play. Talk about a snoozefest. Harvick would play it safe, Johnson wouldn't be able to catch him, and the rest of the season would be a bore.
It's like that now in the Nationwide and Truck series. Take nothing away from Brad Keselowski and Todd Bodine, because they have earned their accolades. But they had their titles locked up in August. Not exactly must-see TV.
The biggest winner in the Chase? The fans. We now get a three-way title showdown because NASCAR had the insight to add a playoff system. Talladega, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead have become relevant in a major way. The racing will be phenomenal, and we have the Chase to thank for that.
Whether it's Johnson, Hamlin or Harvick -- all three are deserving Cup champions. But whoever ends up hoisting the trophy at Homestead, the fans will ultimately come out on top.
Now that's something I can get behind.
• Bill Kimm, NASCAR.COM
If there was any lingering doubt about the success of the Chase, it has been eliminated this season.
Jimmie Johnson holds an almost invisible six-point lead on Denny Hamlin and the reigning champ is up just 62 points on Kevin Harvick. The three best drivers of the season neck-and-neck-and-neck for the championship -- it doesn't get any better than this.
And if we didn't have the Chase ... well, let's just say we would have our minds elsewhere.
Harvick would hold a massive 264-point lead on Johnson if the Chase wasn't in play. Talk about a snoozefest. Harvick would play it safe, Johnson wouldn't be able to catch him, and the rest of the season would be a bore.
It's like that now in the Nationwide and Truck series. Take nothing away from Brad Keselowski and Todd Bodine, because they have earned their accolades. But they had their titles locked up in August. Not exactly must-see TV.
The biggest winner in the Chase? The fans. We now get a three-way title showdown because NASCAR had the insight to add a playoff system. Talladega, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead have become relevant in a major way. The racing will be phenomenal, and we have the Chase to thank for that.
Whether it's Johnson, Hamlin or Harvick -- all three are deserving Cup champions. But whoever ends up hoisting the trophy at Homestead, the fans will ultimately come out on top.
Now that's something I can get behind.
• Bill Kimm, NASCAR.COM
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