WTH has NASCAR become?????
It’s Denny Hamlin’s idea to get interest during the summer months — have a March Madness-style tournament. The NBA has its NBA Cup (and the New York Knickerbockers did the first-ever NBA Double in winning both the “apertura” NBA Cup and “clausura” NBA Finals). This is a single-elimination five-round race. Higher driver of the two at Sonoma advances to the next round in Joliet. The winners of the next rounds face off in an elimination round at Hampton. Winners of the next face off in North Wilkesboro. The two survivors — whoever finishes higher at Indianapolis wins the money and trophy.
Single elimination, stages don’t count. Just beat the other guy at the chequered flag to advance. You can lead 109 laps at Sonoma but if you fail to lead 110, and your opponent was second and passes you, he advances and you’re gone.