2016 March Madness NASCAR Style: Sweet 16

Behind the Wall Sweet 16

By Richard Tix

The opening round at Phoenix International Raceway was a fun ride. Most of this had nothing to do with Behind the Wall's March Madness bracket, but I would like to think it was watched by a small handful of followers. The real action, as always, was on the track. 

Fan's got a treat with tons of goof passing and a late race attempt at the win which gave us another photo finish.

In the bracket the action wasn't as exciting. The field went almost 100% "chalk" and only had one real upset. That was to 2013 and 2015 NBTW March Champion Brad Keselowski. Check out the rest of the coverage below and get ready for the Sweet 16 at Auto Club Speedway.

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)

Round by Round Articles:

• Opening Round: Round of 32

 Jared C. Tilton Getty Images

2016: 4th Annual NBTW NASCAR March Madness
Six-Time Division									Beer/Energy Div
1	Jimmie Johnson								1	Brad Keselowski
8	Clint Bowyer		1	Jimmie Johnson		8	Michael McDowell		8	Michael McDowell
			4	Jamie McMurray		4	Aric Almirola
4	Jamie McMurray								4	Aric Almirola
5	Ryan Newman								5	Paul Menard
3	Austin Dillon								3	Martin Truex Jr
6	Casey Mears		3	Austin Dillon		3	Martin Truex Jr		6	Greg Biffle
			2	Carl Edwards		2	Kurt Busch
2	Carl Edwards								2	Kurt Busch
7	AJ Allmendinger								7	Danica Patrick
2015 Champ Division									Rook's are Us Div
1	Kyle Busch								1	Denny Hamlin
8	Michael Annett		1	Kyle Busch		1	Denny Hamlin		8	Landon Cassill
			4	Kasey Kahne		4	Ryan Blaney
4	Kasey Kahne								4	Ryan Blaney
5	Trevor Bayne								5	Regan Smith
3	Dale Earnhardt Jr								3	Ricky Stenhouse Jr
6	Kyle Larson		3	Dale Earnhardt Jr		6	Matt Kenseth		6	Matt Kenseth
			2	Kevin Harvick		2	Joey Logano
2	Kevin Harvick								2	Joey Logano
7	Chase Elliott								7	Brian Scott

The first round was almost all "chalk" (higher seeds all advance). However, Brad Keselowski blew a tire and had a rough finish which ended up with BK losing to Michael McDowell. BK is a two time Champion of this bracket (in only three years) so he will not win a third time. It also means we will have a first time winner since the other winner of this bracket challenge is Tony Stewart in 2014. The only other lower seed to win was No. 6 Matt Kenseth over No. 3 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. It wasn't really an upset as Kenseth's low ranking was due to a rough start this season. 

Match-Up's to Watch

2) Joey Logano v 6) Matt Kenseth

• This one is obvious for plenty of reasons (Kansas and Martinsville come to mind). This couldn't have worked out better for a fun match-up in the Sweet 16. Not only do they have a past, but it seems like they have been around each other a lot early this year.

2) Kevin Harvick v 3) Dale Earnhardt Jr

• This has to be the most interesting 2 vs 3 match-up of the round. Junior has had a very strong 2-3 years as of late which go along with a dominate 2-3 years for Harvick. One is coming off a win (Harvick) and the other three straight top 10's including 5th at Phoenix (Earnhardt). Both drivers have 2 top 5's in the last four Auto Club races, so this one should be fun.

1) Denny Hamlin v 4) Ryan Blaney

• Hamlin may have been the least deserving No. 1 seed coming into this bracket (got a No. 1 seed because of his Daytona win). Hamlin was strong last week at Phoenix but hasn't been very good at Auto Club in his last three despite winning the pole twice. Although, the bigger interest maybe in the rookie Ryan Blaney who is taking part in his first Behind the Wall March Madness NASCAR Style. He is the only rookie to have advanced in this years bracket and can take a strong run at PIR into Auto Club and keep the Cinderella story going.

Previous NASCAR Behind the Wall March Madness Champions

• 2015 Champion: Brad Keselowski
• 2nd: Joey Logano
• Final Four: Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, and Aric Almirola
• 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