2017 March Madness NASCAR Style: Elite Eight

Behind the Wall Elite Eight

By Richard Tix

The rounds and drivers are dwindling as we head to Martinsville Speedway to set up the last three races in the 2017 NBTW Bracket. Auto Club Speedway took us from 16 to 8 and now we get to see who wants a spot in the Final Four at Texas. Check out who goes head to head at Martinsville below.

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. We are going by regular points standings (meaning a win doesn't put you ahead of someone without a win). Straight points.
• 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.
• Phoenix: Round 32 
• Auto Club: Sweet 16
• Martinsville: Elite 8
• Texas: Final Four
• Bristol: Championship
• This year the winner will be decided by which driver ends the race with the most points under the current NASCAR points system. So, stage points will count towards the finish of head to head matchups.

Round by Round Articles:

• Opening Round: Round of 32
• Sweet 16

2017: 5th Annual NBTW NASCAR March Madness
1	Keselowski								1	Larson
5	Newman								5	Johnson
			1	Keselowski		1	Larson
			6	Dillon		3	McMurray
6	Dillon								3	McMurray
2	Harvick								7	Earnhardt Jr
8	Stenhouse Jr								1	Elliott
5	Jones								5	Busch
			5	Jones		1	Elliott
			3	Bowyer		2	Blaney
3	Bowyer								3	Bayne
7	Suarez								2	Blaney

Bracket Notes:

After Auto Club speedway we still have three of the four number one seeds remaining. Early it looked like Ryan Newman would take down Brad Keselowski when BK spun out, but he came back strong and finished 2nd to overcome Newman. The young guns continue to stay hot as Larson, Elliott, Jones, Dillon, and Blaney all move onto the Elite Eight. Only Keselowski, McMurray, and Bowyer are left standing of the Cup veterans. 

Previous NASCAR Behind the Wall March Madness Champions

• 2016 Champion: Joey Logano
• 2nd: Kyle Busch
• Final Four: Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, and Joey Logano
• 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, Brian Vickers, Carl Edwards, and Tony Stewart
• 2013 Champion: Brad Keselowski
• 2nd: Kasey Kahne
• Final Four: Brad Keselowski, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, and Kurt Busch

2015 March Madness NASCAR Style: Elite Eight

NASCAR Behind the Wall Elite Eight

By Richard Tix

This years March Madness NASCAR Style Annual Tourney started at Phoenix Int Raceway on the same day the NCAA Selection Sunday took place. Well, this year a #1 went down in round one after Dale Earnhardt Jr lost a right rear tire and ended up DNF. It was a tough break for Jr and his fans, but upsets happen, especially in this tourney.

This last week the tourney went on without Dale Earnhardt Jr at Auto Club Speedway and only a single number one seed will move onto Martinsville which is where the Elite Eight will play out.

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
• Sweet 16

2015 March Madness NASCAR Style Bracket

1	Harvick								8	Whitt
5	Keselowski								4	Almirola
			5	Keselowski		4	Almirola
			7	McMurray		2	Johnson
6	Mears								6	Edwards
7	McMurray								2	Johnson
1	Truex								1	Logano
4	Newman								5	Ragan
			4	Newman		1	Logano
			6	Larson		2	Dillon
6	Larson								6	Dillon
2	Allmendinger								2	Kahne

The closest match-ups ended up being for the win. Brad Keselowski stole a real life win and a tourney win from Harvick on the last Green-White-Checker. Dillon finished 16th while Kahne fell to 17th and moved on to face the only remaining #1 seed in Logano. Newman and Johnson's steady finishes have paid off and Larson got lucky while facing a struggling AJ "Dinger."

This week NASCAR Heads to Martinsville which will give these match-ups some added heat. Drivers get to bump and rub there way around this paper clip and it might be a place for an upset to make the Final Four. 

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