NASCAR Behind the Wall Opening Round of 32
It's March again in the NASCAR world. That means the sports world is starting to buzz about the NCAA March Madness Basketball tournament. It's time for you to start filling out your brackets just to find out its ruined after the first 5 games. So, for the third straight year NASCAR Behind the Wall is going to bring you the March Madness NASCAR Style Bracket! No, you can not win millions of dollars here if you get the perfect bracket (sorry, NASCAR doesn't pay me), but you can play along and try and predict who you think will advance and win anyways!
So, lets jump into the rules and how the brackets were created.
Rules and Bracket Breakdown
- Brackets were decided by current standings after the race at Las Vegas. Four Divisions, top 4 in the standings got the #1 seeds, 5-8 in the standings got the #2 seeds, 9-12 #3 seeds and so on.
- From the standings the rankings were given out serpentine style. Meaning: The driver ranked 5th (first #2 seed) started in the lowest #1 seed's bracket. That continues until the three seeds where it then goes from top back down.
- Here is how the rounds break down by race (first race we have two eliminations to speed it up).
- Phoenix: Round 32
- Auto Club: Sweet 16
- Martinsville: Elite 8
- Texas: Final Four
- Bristol: Championship
- The driver that finishes Highest in the race moves on, no bonus points included (Think the last Chase Race)
2015: 3rd
Annual NBTW NASCAR March Madness
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2014 Champ Division
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Juniors Division
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1
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Kevin Harvick
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1
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Dale Earnhardt Jr
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8
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Ricky Stenhouse Jr
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8
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Cole Whitt
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4
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David Gilliland
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4
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Aric Almirola
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5
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Brad Keselowski
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5
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Sam Hornish Jr
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3
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Casey Mears
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3
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Matt Kenseth
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6
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Trevor Bayne
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6
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Carl Edwards
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2
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Denny Hamlin
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2
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Jimmie Johnson
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7
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Jamie McMurray
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7
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Michael Annett
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Comback Division
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Sliced Bread Division
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1
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Martin Truex Jr
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1
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Joey Logano
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8
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Brett Moffitt
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8
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Jeff Gordon
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4
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Ryan Newman
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4
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Clint Bowyer
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5
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Danica Partick
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5
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David Ragan
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3
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Paul Menard
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3
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Greg Biffle
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6
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Kyle Larson
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6
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Austin Dillon
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2
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AJ Allmendinger
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2
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Kasey Kahne
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7
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Michael McDowell
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7
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Justin Allgaier
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Match-Ups to Watch
2) Denny Hamlin v 7) Jamie McMurray
- McMurray is easily the best #7 in the field. The Gannasi Chevy's have been pretty strong to start 2015 even though they have lacked some of the finishes that show that. Denny could have his hands full while some of the other #2's get to possibly slide by.
1) Joey Logano v 8) Jeff Gordon
- Rough draw for JoLo getting Gordon in the first round. Gordon sandbagged his way into the tourney (yes, obviously that's why he had all that bad luck, to get a low seed in the NBTW tourney). Joey has been good in 2015, but Gordon has also had very strong cars. So, an 8 has a chance to move on.
3) Matt Kenseth v 6) Carl Edwards
- Carl is three races into his new seat at JGR and Kenseth is on his third season, but new teammates will go head to head this weekend at Phoenix. Anytime two teammates have to face off it is a fun battle to watch.
4) Aric Almirola v 5) Sam Hornish Jr
- Another teammate battle in the opening round. This one in the heated 4 v 5 seed (one of the more interesting ones in this years tourney). Neither guys has been that strong in 2015, so one may get lucky and just squeak by at Phoenix.
4) Clint Bowyer v 5) David Ragan
- Bowyer was no where to be seen at Las Vegas meanwhile Ragan was trying to dig out of a hole that was created when he had to go to the back after qualifying well on Friday. This match-up is even more interesting because Ragan now gets a ride in the #18 until Kyle is back, which gives him a shot to move on.
Looking at the Bracket
- The "Comeback Division" has a lot of underdogs that could make an easy run if they get hot.
- The toughest division might be the "Junior Division" with Jr, Kenseth, Carl, and JJ.
- The final seed in was Ricky Stenhouse Jr who just beat out Brian Vickers who made one start
- No Hendrick teammate could potential face each other until the Elite Eight.
- Penske Seeds: 1 and 5
- Hendrick Seeds: 1, 2, 2, and 8
- JGR Seeds: 2, 3, 5, and 6
- SHR Seeds: 1 and 5 (two not in)
- RCR Seeds: 3, 4, and 6
- RFR Seeds: 3, 6, and 8
Previous NASCAR Behind the Wall March Madness Champions
- 2014 Champion: Tony Stewart
- 2nd: Carl Edwards
- Final Four: Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Brian Vickers
- 2013 Champion: Brad Keselowski
- 2nd: Kasey Kahne
- Final Four: Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch
Last years March Madness Articles
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