March Madness Nascar Style

So here it is, the time they call March Madness. Well for Nascar Daytona has passed, and the Chase is a ways away. I guess visiting Bristol in March is Madness in Nascar, but I figured I would add to it. I have created a 32 driver tournament from points standings. Starting at Jimmie Johnson I have serpentine down the standings creating 4 regions. (So when I got to 5th, Carl Edwards, he went into the 4th Region which was Denny Hamlin, not JJ. In theory JJ should have it better because his #2 seed is actually the 8th guy in the standings) Just like in College Basketball it is all about the match ups.

Bristol Motor Speedway, Home to round of 32 and the Sweet 16

Here is how it works, so it doesn't get dragged out too long, the first match up and second match up will come from Bristol Results. (So the round of 32 and Sweet 16 will be determined this Sunday). Next the Elite 8 will be played (raced) at Fontana, CA. Martinsville results will be taken for the Final Four and the Championship race will be at Texas Motor Speedway. The winner each round will be determined by who had the most points in that given race. So once Nascar goes to Fontana it will only take into account the points in that race and not any from Bristol.

So who do you got? Here is how the bracket has been set, I will update after every race.

5 Time Winners Division					Loud Mouth Division
1	Jimmie Johnson				1	Brad Keselowski
8	Travis Kvapil				8	Ryan Newman
4	Marcus Ambrose				4	Joey Logano
5	Kyle Busch				5	Tony Stewart
3	Clint Bowyer				3	Aric Almirola
6	Bobby Labante				6	Juan Pablo Montoya
2	Greg Biffle				2	Matt Kenseth
7	Casey Mears				7	David Reutimann
Drivers and Danica Division					We Don't Pay Up Division
1	Dale Earnhardt Jr				1	Denny Hamlin
8	Danica Patrick				8	Kurt Busch
4	Kasey Kahne				4	Jeff Gordon
5	Kevin Harvick				5	Jamie McMurray
3	Ricky Stenhouse Jr				3	Paul Menard
6	Martin Truex Jr				6	Jeff Burton
2	#55 Car				2	Carl Edwards
7	Dave Blaney				7	JJ Yeley

**Brian Vickers in the spot of Mark Martin for Bristol, assuming Mark will be back for Sonoma, just listed as #55 Car**

A few interesting first round match up's:

1) Brad Keselowski vs 8) Ryan Newman

• This would be a huge match up no matter the track. Newman has started off struggling which is why he ended up an eight seed (almost didn't make the cut) but we all know he can drive. With this being Bristol it is the perfect track to start out on because anything can happen. After all that's what is so great about the Big Dance.

1) Denny Hamlin vs 8) Kurt Busch

• Denny has had some bad luck at Bristol in the past 6 here. He has either fared well or got caught up in a wreck. That's not a goo thing for him in first round since he is matched with Kurt. Kurt is a good driver here at Bristol and back in the day was one of the best. Possible upset in round one.

4) Kasey Kahne vs 5) Kevin Harvick

• This is defiantly one of the closest match ups on paper. Both drivers can be Chase contenders at the end of the season. Not only this match up, but whoever gets out alive has a chance to take down #1 seed Dale Earnhardt Jr in the next round (Also scheduled for Bristol).

Possible second round match ups which is also determined at Bristol.

1) Dale Jr vs Kahne/Harvick

• Whichever wins in round one, they will bring a possible upset in the Sweet 16 against Jr. The winner of this round could go on to the Final Four from the Division.

1) Jimmie Johnson vs 5) Kyle Busch

• Kyle could be in victory lane at Bristol, which would mean he would get out of round one and take down Jimmie Johnson in the same race. Kyle can drive the wheels off of the car at Bristol so watch out for him to move along easily.

2) Greg Biffle vs 3) Clint Bowyer

• Both very consistent drivers for the past few seasons, these two could match up in round two at Bristol this weekend. A close match up that would result in facing most likely Kyle Busch or Jimmie Johnson for a chance at the Final Four

Review of Races and Rounds:

• Bristol Motor Speedway (3/17): Round of 32 and Sweet 16
• Auto Club 400, Fontana, CA(3/24): Elite 8
• Martinsville Speedway (5/7): Final Four
• Texas Motor Speedway (5/13): Finals

Well that's it folks. Hurry up and fill out your bracket (Sorry no Million Dollar prize here for a perfect bracket) and let the Madness begin!