The Greatest Championship Battle In NASCAR History That Never Happened

[@TheIceberg]

What do you think the greatest championship battle to never happen in NASCAR was?

[@Nascar4Life]

I’ve been watching since 2015, so probably 2016 or 2018

[@DupontandLowesWarrior]

2002

[@whoasked9500]

2006 was pretty underrated. Without the Chase, Johnson would've won by only a mere 4 points. 2019 would've also been rather intense and close with a full-season points format.

[@zacharymohammadi]

2019 or 2018

[@lukebreadstick56]

@jamespic there isn’t much content here. It’s not like it would change his career much.

[@jimobrien9104]

I'd be genuinely curious to see a "How Good Was Greg Biffle?"

[@dylanhills3244]

YES SIR!

[@Happymars24]

He was great, he just went down with the ship at Roush.

[@seannolan9857]

Above average, but started too late to have a major impact. If he had the race management skills he'd acquired by 2012 combined with the raw speed he had in 2005-6, he'd be a champion for certain.

[@HiyoriAroused]

Biffle was decent during his prime, getting a respectable amount of wins and finishing second to Stewart in 2005. But like all drivers, his prime ran out during his last few seasons.

[@AlanpittsS2b]

I believe biffle was pretty great in his day. I may be biased because i just bought an old late model car that was his years ago and its my favorite toy at this moment lol.

[@whoasked9500]

One of NASCAR's most underrated seasons ever.

[@hunternixonfishing2500]

2011 and 2014 are more underrated

[@whoasked9500]

@@hunternixonfishing2500 Bruh those aren't underrated seasons everyone talks about those

[@hunternixonfishing2500]

@@whoasked9500 Bro I never see anyone talk how good 2011 and 2014 were. I don’t know what your looking at bud lol

[@whoasked9500]

@@hunternixonfishing2500 How long have you been a NASCAR fan? Because every time I hear people talk about best seasons ever, all they mention is 1992, 1997 2002, 2004, 2011, 2014, and others. 2012 is barely even mentioned, ever.

[@hunternixonfishing2500]

@@whoasked9500 I’ve been a fan my whole life and I can tell you right now when people talk about the best seasons I hear 2012 way more than 2011 or 2014. Because of all the drama that happened in 2012.

[@michaeldeitch3642]

Chase or no chase, 2012 will always be 1 of my favorite seasons of all time!

[@stonexl]

5:45 Remember when engines actually failed and you had to build a reliable one? Back when NASCAR wasn't circumcising them? (Grr I hate that tapered spacer)

[@FUELBandicoot]

Full season point battles are the best. It’s an absolute shame NASCAR doesn’t crown their champions by points earned all year long instead of using a playoff system.

[@matthewlumsden3723]

"And It Makes Many Wonder, What If Johnson Hadn't Blown A Tire At Phoenix, What If His Team Hadn't Missed A Lugnut At Homestead, What If In 2012 Jimmie Johnson Captured His Missing Ring"

[@SaintGBar22]

It only makes hendrick fans wonder the rest of us couldn’t have been happier

[@michellephillips762]

Just like with Earnhardt Sr...he came in 2nd place back in 2000 ...had he won...it would have made him his 8th as well.

[@AntonMCR]

2019 would have been amazing. After dominating the season, Kyle Busch almost blew the whole thing, losing the points lead with 7 races left. Going into Homestead, 5 drivers would have had a chance, and Kyle would have clawed back up and sneaked out a title by TWO POINTS

[@pesopapiii]

wow

[@pesopapiii]

I'm guessing Kyle, martin, denny, harvick, and brad or chase would be in contention?

[@AntonMCR]

@@pesopapiii Joey, Harvick, Kyle, Truex, Denny

[@AntonMCR]

@@pesopapiii in that order. Kyle entered Homestead 3rd, and grabbed the title back at the buzzer

[@lorddrac_dontaskmetodance]

I think 2012 was a crazy year for motorsports as a whole, if you ask me.

[@whoasked9500]

F1 had one of its best seasons ever, Indycar's title battle was somewhat intense, this, yeah it was definitely a different year for racing fans in general.

[@zikalokof1challenge414]

@@whoasked9500 And even with the Chase format, Nascar had quite a good season

[@whoasked9500]

@@zikalokof1challenge414 Yeah

[@whatincarnation95]

I guess this championship battle is _hypothetical_

[@TheEmilyFravel]

*Y E S*

[@RhygonGG]

h y p o t h e t i c a l

[@GaboxRox15]

In my opinion, 2012 is the most underrated season of the 2010s, just like how 2006 was the most underrated season of the 2000s. In large part, the main reason why I say both of these seasons are underrated is the fact that, had the playoffs never happened, the championship battle would have come down to the wire. I'm giving the edge to 2012 though, because while 2006 was a 2-man fight, 2012 had as many as 8-10 guys within 90 points of each other. Anyone in the top 10 could have gone on a hot streak and won it

[@philipdawson7800]

To me, it's Ernie vs Earnhardt (1994). Ernie Irvan was the only driver anywhere near Dale Earnhardt that year, he was just a few points behind Dale, before his near-fatal accident in Michigan.

[@fishproductions22]

The playoffs have caused more harm than good

[@Nascar4Life]

^

[@JohnSmith-mk5jt]

^^

[@LP_8723]

Hamlin and harvick Mark Martin and Carl Edwards would have championships

[@jamesb_53]

If only everybody had been trying to tell them that from the start!! Oh wait....

[@6Humanity6Is6Doomed]

​@@LP_8723 harvicks has a championship but he should definitely have 3 or 4 more

[@briangriffinfamilyguyfan81]

By the way, it's ironic that Logano and Kenseth had a crash with each other in it 3 years before the Kansas race happened

[@andrewhaywood1262]

That wasn't too long after he announced he was leaving Roush and heading to Gibbs, so he was wrecked by the car he would later be driving (and then three years later Logano clashed with the car he once drove)

[@Mike4k_]

Since no one ever says it I’m gonna say it the background music is fire 🔥

[@bradlygray1974]

First season I watched nascar heavily. My father had always been a fan and watched majority of races every year, only missing ones when work called for him to come back to garage. He was a Jeff Gordon super fan, so naturally a 12 year old me was also, but wanted a driver of my own. We were from Kentucky and Brad K ended up winning Ky speedway that year, so that combined with the fact we shared the same name I instantly clung on to calling myself a #2 Penske Dodge fan. Later when he wheeled his way to the title I was estatic and absolutely hooked on rooting for him. To this day watch 30 or more races a year wearing my #2 Discount Tire hat rooting for Brad. We had a great year this pass season, and I was convinced we were going to bring home the gold, just couldn’t catch Chase Elliott’s camaro, even though our mustang was the best car on track at Phoenix. We just ran out of time. Seeing a young Brad battle like this makes me so happy. Great video, we’ll always love going back and watching his triumphs.

[@johnvandeventer8668]

With no chase, Keselowski would have won by a few less points over Johnson

[@benharris8078]

What

[@DupontandLowesWarrior]

2002 Because of Marlin's Neck Injury

[@GaboxRox15]

Honestly, 2002 and 2012 (without the Chase) are pretty similar seasons. The eventual champion didn't take the points lead until late in the season (Stewart-Keselowski), one of the main championship contenders had their season end early due to injury (Marlin-Dale Jr), and the championship battle was chaotic in the final 10 races, with the points lead swapping hands almost every week

[@ZIGAG1999]

All this does is show how good the COT from 2010-2012 truly was and why people shouldn't judge something off of how it looks and personally i like the look of the COT from 2010-2012 i think it looks better than the gen 6.

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

It raced way better than the Gen 6

[@John-Laird]

When someone mentions the 2012 Nascar season. Montoya running into the jet dryer: Allow me to introduce myself!

[@theread3480]

Funny how people that say season end points systems would lead to boring championship battles are pretty much saying that every nascar championship battle before 2004 is boring, which is obviously not true. Also who cares if the championship battle is “boring”. This is supposed to be a competitive sport and if a driver is dominant enough to lock up the championship a round or two early then he deserves to do so.

[@SuperHamrick94]

perfectly said

[@lukebreadstick56]

This video is proof that we need the Winston Cup format back. Lmao “it’s not exciting”

[@mattrogers6932]

2012 wasn't a Winston Cup points year though, it had the Chase format

[@stoneyboyplays]

But with the smaller amount of points the old Winston cup format wouldve worked a bit better

[@chromediesel444]

Points payout is different since 2011.

[@chromediesel444]

@@scjacket611 I mean't one point per track position.

[@sportpersona9986]

one time it's exciting..... while the last 4 years had people on edge. but keep living it the past

[@StarTheKid16]

As a Biffle fan, pain. As a racing fan, WOW!

[@aaronspringborn34]

Wow. The points were that close! That’s amazing! Thank you for sharing

[@TotoDG]

1992, 2002, (potentially) 2012… What was with the Cup Series having great championship battles in years that ended with 2? Hopefully by 2022, NASCAR wises up and gets rid of the Playoffs so we can have a great title fight for the first season with the Gen7 cars!

[@Tomsbananacakes]

"Remember that this is just a hypothetical scenario. I know that they would have raced differently had this system been in place. This is just for fun."

[@DennyDeliversYT]

2012 as is: *🅱️RAD* 2012 with *HYPOTHETICAL: 🅱️RAD* *At least we get to see him drunk either way...* lol

[@DL-nn1ws]

Your driver didn’t win under this format lol

[@jj9487]

2012 was just a great year for motor sports. That’s when IndyCar started to become more competitive, nascar was great across all 3 series, and F1 was crazy too

[@JBarrett027]

Funny how Nascar created the Playoff format to fabricate close finishes like this when they naturally happen with the plain points format anyway.

[@BrandonA1]

What this shows is how a year end points format actually works. F1 is by far the biggest motorsport and they use it, Indycar uses it, pretty much every single other league uses it. If we can have legitimate championship battles like that it would mean so much more than what we have now where everything is manufactured. Great video as always and Nascar should really look at this as an example to bring back natural racing

[@rudyk5518]

Agreed

[@xNobodyOfConsequenceX]

I'm just here to say that Strange Animal is an absolute BANGER. Thank you, and goodnight.

[@ChuckyLarms]

The COT era car with the spoiler and redesigned nose was taken for granted

[@14stockfan]

As much as we hated the looks of that car, the last couple years of the COT had some of the best racing we've had in a while.

[@whoasked9500]

My boi finished 4th in the final points standings that year with the Chase system.

[@DepravedCoTApologist]

Even in a season long format, Brad Keselowski is a championship upset. I love it

[@NASCARFAN93100]

2006 Has to be the Greatest Championship battle to never happen in NASCAR Considering that Jimmie Johnson would have won the Championship over Matt Kenseth by just 4 points But I gotta say 2012 ain't far behind

[@SirKingBoo21]

2018 xfinity wants to know your location.

[@nazcarcup]

This would have been better than the 1992 Championship. But NASCAR wants 'excitement'

[@peydam5736]

To whomever is reading this, I hope you have a great day/night :)

[@benharris8078]

I appreciate that but nows not the time or the place

[@johncodysealey830]

Can you please do more of these Championship Seasons videos. Like seasons where we had chase or playoffs, can you analyze how the season would play out under a points system? It’d be a lot of work I’m sure but this was hella entertaining!

[@James-sm5vg]

Bro I never got to see the original point system. That is why I watch f1. And I just wish we had it in nascar. It would get me to watch more races too because every race would really matter

[@TheNASCARJeff]

And to celebrate, Brad got totally trashed on Miller Lite and went on SportCenter

[@EvlEgle]

Praise Hell, Raise Dale

[@DennyDeliversYT]

Bruh... is there ever going to be a time where *Denny Hamlin could be at least a hypothetical champion?....*

[@fishproductions22]

Nope hehe

[@nascar4842]

Stay strong. Remember 2019 when people thought "Hes just gonna be replaced. He'll never win a race again, hes lost his mojo " after going winless in 2018. 2019 Daytona 500 he wins a 1-2-3 for Gibbs after losing his son the month before. Then after the drama in Martinsville and his Texas mistake everyone thought he wasn't ready for big moments and he WINS the next week to show the world and to himself that he is ready to be a champion and he is championship material. Now some people today think he never will win a title then just watch before you know it Denny might surprise you with a championship!! Plus btw 2019 made me a Denny Hamlin fan!

[@flyingpizza98]

Honestly I kinda hope he doesnt ever win one, but hear me out before you get upset: if he doesn't ever win one, he will be the best to never win a championship, bumping Mark Martin to the 2nd best to never win a championship, allowing the meme of Mark Martin always being 2nd to continue. ... but in all honesty, Hamlin is in my opinion the favorite to win the 2021 title since Harvick is 45 and is starting to decline subtly, but significantly. Hamlin's strongest competitors will most likely be Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano

[@nascar4842]

@@flyingpizza98 Age is simply a number. Harvick I'm pretty sure is gonna get to the final 4 again along with Kyle Busch in 2021. The last spot I think will come down between Keselowski and Truex. I'll honestly be happy if Busch Hamlin or Harvick win the championship in 2021

[@Nascar4Life]

The only format I’ve watched was the playoffs, so every year was a good battle except for 2017

[@lemoneggpie]

They are entertaining, but entirely manufactured.

[@nintendostyle3500]

@@lemoneggpie What do u mean?

[@lukebreadstick56]

@@nintendostyle3500 he’s saying that if you condense the field, obviously you’re gonna have close battles.

[@adamrtr2774]

*CHASE

[@zikalokof1challenge414]

@@nintendostyle3500 Simple, they do that artificially, with all of this elimination style of today, the championship will always be decided on the last race, no matter what you do, those moments were so shiny in the season long points format bcs they didnt happen all time, its just logic: More times it happen, more boring it is

[@nascarnational]

Yea 2012 could've been insane had there been a season-long championship battle. I was hoping for a little more craziness but for what it was worth, I would've taken it.

[@marbleman2278]

Hi

[@jimbo-tq1rr]

Hello there

[@duncan303]

Hi

[@TheIceberg]

@@jimbo-tq1rr General Kenobi

[@jimbo-tq1rr]

@@TheIceberg you are a bold one

[@fishproductions22]

I remember being extremely confused by the playoffs, after all, 2012 was my first season I watched. I didn't understand all of the wild card nonsense. I feel like if it was a full season points format, its fair to say that it would've been WAY easier for me to understand. And if I thought that was confusing, I can't even imagine what people trying to get into the sport think now when they see how the playoffs work.

[@rudyk5518]

I’d say the same about all sports. Playoffs only crown fluke championships across all sports. Season long championships are the absolute best way to crown a champion

[@theread3480]

@@rudyk5518 That’s not true. Racing is A LOT different from stick and ball sports. In racing you will have mechanical issues, you will have crashes, and you will have just plain bad luck. The season end points system is designed to average all of that out so the most deserving driver gets the championship at the end of the season. With stick and ball sports everything is much more consistent and much less prone to bad luck which allows a playoff format to work. I’d definitely say the Kansas City chiefs were the best team in Football in 2019 and I’d definitely also say the Los Angeles Dodgers were the best team in baseball in 2020.

[@theread3480]

@Matthew Chandler Ok. That’s cool for that little English ball league. The World Series, superbowl, NBA finals, March madness, and Stanley cup disagrees with them.

[@chromediesel444]

Chase or no chase, Keselowski dethrowned Johnson for the championship. We need to look at with 2018 and 2019 season. It had some potientals if counting full season with no playoffs. But its all hypothetical and they could've raced differently.

[@VenkCutterman]

Ngl, Jr’s Amp, Mtn Dew Dega, and Keselowski’s Miller Lite cars (normal and retro) were 🔥

[@PanicTheManic11]

Jeff would’ve had 7 if Jimmie never raced

[@racechamp2280]

How many point lead changes were there?

[@MinhLe-kt5zg]

This was definitely one of the most underrated nascar seasons it was just a shame that Jimmie had issues right at the end of the season and we got denied an amazing championship battle at the end. If it wasn’t for his issues it would’ve the greatest title showdown in history

[@CL8ON6]

Wasn't there a year where the chase ruined a possible Gordon vs Jr title fight?

[@joejennings5470]

2014 and 2015 I still to this day feel like Jr won the fall race at Talladega in 2015

[@emmanuelsantiago6641]

My only thing is that as fans we look at seasons with the playoffs format and say "oh if we didn't have the playoffs this would have happened instead" or "so and so would have x amount of championships if the playoffs didn't exist" - but that doesn't account for the human element of things. If the playoffs format didn't exist then drivers, crew chiefs, and teams would have approached the ENTIRE season differently and faced different pressures in different races so the points wouldn't be the same as they ended up being in reality, because they wouldn't react or prepare for races the same as they did with the playoffs. Hell you can't approach different formats the same on something like Iracing let alone in real life. In terms of the video great vid tho, love the channel ❤💪

[@2tuff.saints]

Background music 🎵🎶🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@cmtnf9]

Anybody noticed that on a point list he added another 7?

[@baitbustersfishingoutdoors4709]

yes, it means they're tied. look at the points

[@martinhenderson1359]

“The shit got put, big time, into the fan.” 2020 exists.

[@kben24]

Remember the "Big 3" Truex, Harvick, Busch. That could've been the greatest season long championship battle ever... but the playoffs ruined that entire storyline.

[@arwyss]

But with a season long championship, those drivers would have raced differently.

[@CDNC22]

@@arwyss Thank you! No one ever takes that into account when saying these “would haves”

[@kben24]

Adam R. Wyss "they would've raced differently" is a total myth. The goal in racing is to win every week.

[@tamezzodiac2862]

@@arwyss you mean not wanna win?

[@CDNC22]

@@kben24 Different pit strategies for stage points would effect the outcomes of these races 🤦‍♂️ Also being desperate and doing desperate things like Harvick spinning out Kyle at Martinsville this year.

[@DiecastEmporium]

Love seeing that Bradley would have won regardless of the points format

[@sulphurous2656]

That photo at 1:27 looks so beautiful. Must have been a great day to be outside.

[@bartj19]

It would look better if the clouds cleared up imo.

[@shawnf820]

Jimmie would have had it under either format if he didn’t DNF in the last two races... That’s one season I’ll never get over.

[@sharksuitabq9017]

Your videos rock except that last song. I make sure to skip skip skip ahead to your next suggestion, cuz I love it. Maybe consider a @sharksuitabq song?

[@auburnltl7452]

I think the 2002 championship battle is another great championship battle that never happened. I mean you had Marlin, Stewart, Martin, and Johnson all elegible for the title in the closing races.

[@luisrosales9349]

Jimmies crew got the job done and taped that thing back to 9th in Kansas. Impressively

[@autorockinracing944]

Hey guys

[@guy9985]

So either way bad brad has it 😂

[@alexclarkro9414]

That was a great battle.

[@hengineer]

2018 would have been interesting between Harvick, Busch and Truex Jr. I think Busch got it by just a handful of points.

[@flyingpizza98]

I got a hunch that theyre gonna change the points system for next season. after all, they havent stuck to the same one for more than 4 years. they changed it in 2004, 2007, 2011, 2014, and 2017. If the trend continues, we're due for a change for 2021

[@nascarmonsterjamindycar9031]

You could make the arrangement that 2002 with Stewart,marlin,gordan, johnson, and martin But kansas took out martin and Marlin, gordan and Johnson's seasons were over after dega and officially mark martins was too

[@badbooking3221]

Martin's season wasn't over, he only lost by 38 points. Without the BS penalty at Rockingham, the margin would have been a slim 13. Had Mark not lost the steering box at Dega, he would have been champ.

[@lemoneggpie]

Who else noticed when he remade this and then set the video to private?

[@Paulmagic8ball365]

2014 is one of my favorite battles ryan newman cat in the seat chasing behind harvick n Gordon between it all

[@Rob_Basich]

It was a great battle. And had Jr not had the concussion issues and sat out those races, who knows...

[@rolandjovi2441]

2012...the years us Jeff Gordon fans try to forget. After eleven races, Jeff was 24th in points with only two top ten finishes. So much bad luck that season! The 2012 season started looking better until Phoenix. IMO Jeff was way out of line. Other than Sonoma in 2010, it was the only time I was ever truly disappointed in my driver. Gordon at least ended the season with a victory at Homestead. Unfortunately he would only muster a 13th place points finish. Luckily, there was a Chase and Jeff squeaked out a tenth place points finish.

[@JoshB4802]

1992 has entered the chat .

[@badbooking3221]

The title is "never was". That year lived to its billing and a crap ton more!

[@codyjones8257]

I can’t help but think that if this were all the case then Jr may have finished the season out just to have a chance. But then again that concussion is part of what made him decide to retire.

[@ethantaube2512]

I think the 1992 season would be better if Dave Allison did not crash

[@Posirep]

If Allison didn't crash then the championship doesnt end in a tie based on laps lead... So in a way... No it wouldn't have been better. Unless you were a fan of Allison.

[@cynicsports]

I wasn’t noti gang this time 😔

[@vellbariaofficial]

I'm in this deep thinking that "So you think Denny Hamlin will get the championship this season?"

[@jimb8601]

I really would love for a return to the season-long points format, but I doubt we'll ever see that. Heck, I'd even be happy to see them roll back to a variation of the original playoff format. Ten races without points resets and all the other crap that guarantee four (no more, no less) drivers have a chance at the championship at the final race. It doesn't guarantee the championship isn't clinched before the last race of the season and it doesn't guarantee 4 drivers will be racing for it, but it feels more traditional and is more exciting when there are close points races. People always refer to the great season ending at Atlanta in 1992. For me, I'll always remember the final race of 2011 where Stewart and Edwards tied in points. That race was epic and the final 10 races of that season were an incredible drive by Stewart. And it wasn't scripted by Nascar, aside from the playoff reset. Please, NASCAR. Dump the current playoff system.

[@dillongates3710]

13:53 Brian looks like he wants some

[@jasonbuchinsky5155]

You should do this with the 2014 season

[@adamrtr2774]

Its BADASS Brad

[@Nedums]

SOooo now that 2024 is over can you do this with the 2024 format?

[@laneguest9990]

Lol as a Gordon fan, I will always be quick to point out his 7 😂

[@blittzy5698]

Ah hell, im early lol

[@Wahoo_Wa115]

1:44 I’m A Denny Fan So............. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@jonathansobczak9394]

But 15 year old nascar fans told me that the championship was always done with a few races left and was boring in a full season format. How can this be entertaining without my manufactured drama?

[@macdaddy67]

reminds me of the 2012/2010 seasons from Formula 1

[@Trainlover1995]

Further proof that NASCAR created the playoffs to artificially manipulate the championship outcome in favor of whoever they wanted to hawk merchandise of.

[@zacharypeterson2751]

I mean 2 years ago would have been a crazy battle

[@mtchcrtrmm9299]

2019 would've been pretty crazy through the whole season, considering five drivers would've had a title shot by Miami and there would be a points change in the final race (Kyle Busch would edge out Kevin Harvick by just 2 points)

[@nascarandgamer1017]

Think about what could've happened if Dale Earnhardt Jr didn't have his concussion

[@cito1101]

Big 3 vs Joey Logano in 2018

[@natethesnake3765]

In my opinion, the Playoffs are harder to win a championship then the Winston format.

[@spacemanmonster23]

O_O 4 wide at Tally!!

[@jonpeek5619]

I do miss the old way

[@nolandavis9040]

Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson in 2008

[@MarshallDog]

I've basically ignored the championship battles for the last 17 years, so I would say all of those.

[@austinjestis7124]

Epic season. Wish jr coulda stayed healthy