2014 Standings Using the 2013 Chase Format

How Would the Standings Look if we Used the 2013 Chase?

By Richard Tix

NASCAR Behind the Wall already took a fast look back at how the 2014 season would have turned out under a points only system, so lets take a look at how it would have played out under last years Chase Format. 

As it has played out, no matter what system we look at each one would have brought us a different Champion. This just proves no one system is perfect and it will almost always yield a different result. The only thing teams and fans can do is play by those rules set forth. Each system gives drivers a different way to look at things and approach each race. Each system provides a chance for a drivers strategy to come into play. Each system has its flaws and its strengths, so I just try and enojoy what we have. 

What we have is an exciting format that doesn't even have to create drama, it just comes with it. It gets drivers and teams out of there comfort zone and putting it all on the line down the stretch of the year, when it matters most. No matter what Chase style you like, I have provided all the Standings so you can use them for yourself. So, here is how 2014 would have played out under last years Chase rules:

2014 Chase Final under 2013 Chase Format
Finish	Driver	Wins	Points	Points Back
1	Joey Logano	5	2396
2	Kevin Harvick	5	2389	-7
3	Brad Keselowksi	6	2361	-35
4	Ryan Newman	0	2354	-42
5	Jeff Gordon	4	2348	-48
6	Matt Kenseth	0	2334	-62
7	Dale Earnhardt Jr	4	2301	-95
8	Carl Edwards	2	2288	-108
9	Kyle Busch	1	2282	-114
10	Jimmie Johnson	4	2274	-122
11	Greg Biffle	0	2247	-149
12	Kasey Kahne	1	2231	-165

So there it is, under the 2013 rules Joey Logano would be your Champion. The only way Harvick even made it close was because he won the final race, otherwise the last three races would have been a snoozer. Over the old Chase, I will take this new one every day (my opinion). 

One thing I want to take a look at is averaging all three standings together and getting a final average standings. This means absolutely nothing, but I thought it would be cool to look at who faired well no matter what the style:

Championship Decided by Average Standings Finish
Points, 2013, and 2014 Standings
Final	Driver	Points	2013	2014	Average
1	Joey Logano	2	1	4	2.33
2	Kevin Harvick	5	2	1	2.67
3	Brad Keselowski	3	3	5	3.67
4	Jeff Gordon	1	5	6	4.00
4	Ryan Newman	6	4	2	4.00
6	Dale Earnhardt Jr	4	7	8	6.33
7	Matt Kenseth	7	6	7	6.67

Who I would consider the four fastest drivers of 2014 averaged the best finishing position in the standings no matter the format. That is good to see. No matter how unfair some may think things are, the top two drivers in most styles ended up being in the final. Interesting to note Ryan Newman was tied for fourth with Gordon after everyone's uproar in him being in the final.

There you have it, a look back at a few different ways NASCAR has decided its Champion. Thanks for checking out NASCAR Behind the Wall.