2017 March Madness NASCAR Style: Round of 32

Behind the Wall Opening Round of 32

By Richard Tix

Can you believe it, it's year five of this silly NASCAR style March Madness bracket? It all started with my love of NASCAR and college basketball and the fact that March -- Spring -- is a wonderful time in sports. The NASCAR season is kicking off and college basketball gives us one of the best weekends in sports, hands down I won't even debate this. The opening weekend of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is one of the best times of the year bringing exciting basketball and the unpredictability to us all on a national level so its always fun to bring that into the NASCAR world. So, check out the rules and how it was all broken down below. Then check out the bracket for the 2017 Tournament and lastly you can look back at the past champions of this Behind the Wall tournament.

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.

2017: 5th Annual NBTW NASCAR March Madness
Full RCR Division			Loaded Division
1	Brad Keselowski		1	Kyle Larson
8	Chris Buescher		8	David Ragan
4	Paul Menard		4	Denny Hamlin
5	Ryan Newman		5	Jimmie Johnson
3	Kasey Kahne		3	Jamie McMurray
6	Austin Dillon		6	Ty Dillon
2	Kevin Harvick		2	Kurt Busch
7	Cole Whitt		7	Dale Earnhardt Jr
Double Jr. Division			Young Guns Division
1	Martin Truex Jr		1	Chase Elliott
8	Ricky Stenhouse Jr		8	Danica Patrick
4	Matt Kenseth		4	Aric Almirola
5	Erik Jones		5	Kyle Busch
3	Clint Bowyer		3	Trevor Bayne
6	Michael McDowell		6	Matt DiBenedetto
2	Joey Logano		2	Ryan Blaney
7	Daniel Suarez		7	Landon Cassill

Bracket Notes:

First thought when I looked at the bracket after seeding the drivers was, "Wow Kyle Larson's division is tough." Hamlin, Johnson, Ku Busch, Junior, and a red hot McMurray all in one division. Next I looked at who had favorable match-ups to get to the Elite Eight. Keselowski and Harvick are easy favorites in their bracket as are Logano and Truex in their's. The other two rae a bit more of a toss up with a mix of guys who have all either started strong or are typically strong and are off to slow starts.

So, who is your favorite to win? Team Penske has actually won this bracket challenge three of the four years that I have done it, which is crazy. Keselowski is a two time Champion. The leader for Final Four appearances is a tie at two: Keselowski, Edwards, Logano, Ky Busch, and Ku Busch.

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: Brad Keselowski

NASCAR Behind the Wall 2015 Champion

By Richard Tix

First, I want to start this by stating I know this article is a week late, sorry Brad Keselowski fans! I did state on Twitter a few times that Brad Keselowski won the battle between he and Joey Logano after he took JoLo out early.

Maybe BK knew about this tournament? Maybe he thought it was his best way to win the NASCAR Behind the Wall title this year? Or, maybe it was just that his car got loose at Bristol?

No matter what way you look at it Brad Keselowski had a good run to the Championship match-up and then limped off with the title after Bristol. It wasn't the most riveting Championship match-up, but such happens in the NASCAR world. That's most likely why NASCAR set up the last race at Miami to have four drivers, because two can be a total crap shoot (that is, if you already don't think the four is a crap shoot as it is). 

This title is BK's second in the three year running of the March Madness NASCAR Style tourney on NBTW. He won the inaugural bracket in 2013, Tony Stewart won in 2014, and not notched his second in three years. 

Of course it is easy to note that both previous Champions of this bracket didn't turn into real season success as BK had a rough 2013 and Smoke has been in few year slump. Either way, its a fun time of year to add a little bit to the NASCAR season. So, congrats to Brad Keselowski and here is to you beating the March Madness bracket curse!

So lets take a look back at the rules and how he got to the Championship and won.

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
• Elite Eight
• Final Four
• Championship

Opening Round

• After a rough Daytona and then a pair of top 10's at Atlanta and Vegas BK came into the tourney as a #5 seed in the 2014 Champ Division. The notables in the division were Harvick, McMurray, and Hamlin. BK's first round match-up was with the #4 seeded David Gilliland. Gilliland finished an ok 29th at Phoenix, meanwhile BK advanced by finishing 6th. He also lead 52 laps in the race that was pretty much dominated by Harvick.

Sweet 16

• The bracket then moved to Auto Club where BK met up with Kevin Harvick. This was the biggest test of the bracket and was BK's biggest competition in his division. Well, BK went into Fontana and won after starting 8th and leading just 1 lap, the one that mattered. It was a big move that shaped how the bracket turned out and took the 2014 Champ out after just one round.

Elite Eight

• In the Elite Eight Keselowski met up with Jamie McMurray at Martinsville, where anything goes. McMurray came into the race after a rough 21st finish at Auto Club and he posted a strong finish at Martinsville. However, JMac's 10th place finish at the paper clip wasn't enough to beat out Keselowski's runner up finish. Once again BK had a close call but also put out one of his better performances of 2015 to move on.

Final Four

• The NASCAR Behind the Wall tourney then moved onto Texas where only four drivers were left. BK faced up against Kyle Larson and Joey Logano faced Aric Almirola. Kyle Larson actually advanced while he was out a race after he fainted at Martinsville. Regan Smith filled in for him and advanced the #42 car onto the Final Four. After starting 9th, Larson finished 25th and didn't give him much of a shot to beat BK. On top of that, BK finished in the top 5 again to put himself into the Championship again (5th). 

Championship

• Heading into Bristol Brad Keselowski earned his way in. He had finishes of 6th, 1st, 2nd, and 5th to get to the Championship match-up. At Texas Joey Logano beat out Aric Almirola for a spot in a head to head battle with his Penske teammate. As we all know, Bristol and rain went together like milk and cereal. Who know's if that played a factor in BK getting loose, but he did and Logano had no where to go. So both Penske drivers, both NBTW Championship contenders, were down for the count in one turn. BK ended up getting back out onto the track before Joey and that ended up being the end of the Championship. It was anticlimactic, but sometimes that is how it goes I guess. 

So, that's the end of the Third Annual March Madness NASCAR Styke Tournament brought to you by NASCAR Behind the Wall. So, go congratulate BK on something he most likely has no idea he won and lets enjoy the rest of the NASCAR season until we get to there playoff system in the Fall. 

As always, thanks for checking out NASCAR Behind the Wall and all the March Madness articles. It is some of my favorite articles to do because it brings a few sports into one, and I am a huge sports fan in general. 

2015 March Madness NASCAR Style: Final Four

NASCAR Behind the Wall Final Four

By Richard Tix

So the craziness of Martinsville Speedway is now past the March Madness bracket and four drivers have fought through to make it to the Final Four. These drivers will get a week off to get ready for the race that could send them to the Championship at Bristol. That race is the Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway that will be held Saturday night, April 11th. This will be the drivers last shot at making the Championship. NASCAR Behind the Wall is left with only one #1 seed, but still has a few strong drivers left. Check out the bracket and Final Four match-ups 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.
• 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
• Elite Eight

2015 March Madness NASCAR Style Brackett

5	Keselowski								4	Almirola
7	McMurray		5	Keselowski		4	Almirola		2	Johnson
4	Newman		6	Larson		1	Logano		1	Logano
6	Larson (#42)								2	Dillon

So after Martinsville we are down to just four drivers. Regan Smith filled in for Kyle Larson so we adjusted used the #42 car in the match-up with Newman. Fortunately for Larson, Regan Smith did a fine job filling in while Newman struggled. It should make a great match-up at Texas between him and Brad Keselowski. Jimmie Johnson struggled all day so it left the door open for the Cinderella of this year, Aric Almirola.

Final Four Match-Ups

5) Brad Keselowski v 6 Kyle Larson

• Larson- This one could get interesting. Last week Kyle Larson fainted at an autograph session which prompted him to go to the hospital. Like normal, if any driver ever steps out during the March Madness Tourney we just treat it as whoever drives the car that weekend. Regan Smith filled in and kept Larson going in 2015. All sign's lead to Larson back in the #42 after a week break for Easter. Larson only has three career starts at Texas but these kinds of tracks seem to suit him well. After his first finish of 23rd, he has finished 5th and 7th in his last two respectively. He might just pull of a bid to the Championship.
• Keselowski- Kyle may have two straight top 10 finishes, but he still is up against Brad Keselowski. BK's early career here wasn't the best, so it brings down his average finish, but if you take a look at his last five starts at Texas you will see a different story. In his last five BK has finishes of 2, 9, 6, 15, and 3 (2 top 5's and 4 top 10's). Starting during his title year in 2012, BK has run well here but has yet to pull of a win.

1) Joey Logano v 4) Aric Almirola

• Logano- This one seems like an obvious advantage to JoLo, after all he won this race just one year ago. Still, bad luck can happen at anytime which is partially how Aric got here, so could it happen to Joey? JoLo has five straight top 15 finishes here including 1 win and 3 top 5's. 
• Almirola- To advance to the Final at Bristol it will take a quality race by "Double A." Aric doesn't have a ton of tracks with top 10 streaks like a guy of JoLo's calaber, but he hasn't had a lot of crippling finishes here. He has finished in the top 25 6 of 8 starts and has 3 top 15's. If he can safely bring it home maybe JoLo will run into some bad luck?

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

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