If the “Chase for the Championship” had been in place over the last five seasons, four Winston Cup champions would not have finished first. If we apply the new formula based purely on the drivers’ performances over the final 10 races, we find that Jimmie Johnson would have won instead of Kenseth in 2003; Kurt Busch instead of Tony Stewart in 2002; Sterling Marlin instead of Jeff Gordon in 2001; and Bobby Labonte instead of Dale Jarrett in 1999. Only Labonte would have survived the change in retaining his crown in 2000.(Philadelphia Inquirer)(1-21-2004)
