Hot 20 – In search of the Sprint Cup series 2014 driver of the year

As justly proud I am of my ancestors, there is a downside to not being born a France. I could have a dream, wake in the morning and jot it all down on a napkin, and there is no chance in hell that it could be NASCAR policy by the afternoon. Some might think that a good thing. I think the circuit’s new emphasis on winning is also a good thing.

Just win baby, and it is a philosophy many of us can agree with. As I do not have to worry about television numbers or game seven moments, abandoning the Chase and adding 22 points to the winner’s total to a maximum of 70 seems just as good a way as any to determine just who was the most successful any given season.

Unless the champion at the end of the season turns out to be someone most can not accept, the new Chase elimination system will eventually be accepted. I mean, unless wins and wins alone determine who is king, then there has always been room for argument as to whether a champ was worthy or not.

We think back to 2003 when one race winner Matt Kenseth won the title over eight race winner Ryan Newman. Still, Kenseth won his crown using the same points system that had been in place for more than thirty years. Back in 1973, David Pearson won 11, Richard Petty had six, but the title that year went to single race victor Benny Parsons. No one seems to be arguing about that outcome today.

As I am not a France, I have no championship to bestow. However, I am interested in what keeping the present points system, but making a win worth between 25 and 28 points more than the runner-up, would have given us over a 36 race, non-Chase, season. The leader might not wind up our champion, but he sure would be my driver of the year.

Our Hot 20 as we head to Las Vegas are…

Pos Driver Points

Wins

1

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

112

1

2

  Kevin Harvick

101

1

3

  Jeff Gordon

80

0

4

  Jimmie Johnson

78

0

5

  Joey Logano

75

0

6

  Kyle Busch

71

0

7

  Matt Kenseth

70

0

8

  Denny Hamlin

68

0

9

  Carl Edwards

65

0

10

  Casey Mears

64

0

11

  Greg Biffle

64

0

12

  Jamie McMurray

64

0

13

  Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.

63

0

14

  Ryan Newman

60

0

15

  Austin Dillon

56

0

16

  Marcos Ambrose

49

0

17

  Kasey Kahne

47

0

18

  Reed Sorenson

41

0

19

  A.J. Allmendinger

37

0

20

  Tony Stewart

37

0

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SpeedwayMedia.com

Ron Thornton
Ron Thornton
A former radio and television broadcaster, newspaper columnist, Little League baseball coach, Ron Thornton has been following NASCAR on this site since 2004. While his focus may have changed over recent years, he continues to make periodic appearances only when he has something to say. That makes him a rather unique journalist.

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