What If NASCAR Had the Playoffs In 2002?

[@TheIceberg]

Update: Mr. Phelps will not be on the show tonight due to scheduling reasons and trying to bring back NASCAR, Hailie Deegan still will so tune in at 8 P.M. ET/ 7 P.M. CT for our 100th episode.

[@whatincarnation95]

Should still be a fun EP. 100!

[@evannuh-koo-la4054]

Owning a major sport can be a bitch at times

[@NASCARFAN93100]

@@evannuh-koo-la4054 He's certainly doing a WAY better job than you know who

[@matthewlumsden3723]

YOUR A BEAST😊

[@masoneveridge4078]

I think you should do one of these once a month or 2 months so that way you can get this over sooner and get to more stuff

[@irvingboy1120]

This is just hypothetical I know they would of raced differently but this is just for fun I’ll never get tired of hearing that lol

[@nolandavis9040]

The fact that Michael Waltrip made it that far deserves a round of applause 😂

[@briancromartie3149]

Michael in real life , had a horrible 2001 & 2002 season. He improved dramatically in 2003.

[@andyhayner9519]

Kurt Busch would have went from not being eligible for missing a race in his rookie year to winning the championship his sophomore year.....

[@cito1101]

How fitting that the Podcast is held on Dale Sr's birthday!! I just can't say it enough

[@DennyDeliversYT]

Tomorrow is also Mikey‘s birthday

[@cito1101]

@@DennyDeliversYT MIKEY!!!!

[@DupontandLowesWarrior]

It's Today

[@aaronkristofer18]

@@cito1101 Mikeeyyyy YOU GOT IT!!!! ALRIGHT!!! YOU'RE 57!!!!

[@hamlinfanatic11]

This is a hypothetical scenario I know they would've raced different

[@whatincarnation95]

all the boys are watching Episode 100 of the NASCAR Weekly Podcast

[@roady5115]

Long story short It would be hell

[@RacedayGamingunboxingsisteryin]

How to make a legitimate champion: 1. Get a time machine 2. Stop Brian France from making the chase 3. Done

[@SylSavior]

Michael Waltrip locked himself into the chase with a win. There’s something you don’t hear everyday.

[@tloz171nfs]

It's a strange mix of weird and cool seeing my favorite driver, Ricky Rudd, making a hypothetical deep playoff run

[@ChazTheFloofer]

Never expected Michael Waltrip to get far honestly.

[@carfan3649]

I love how you continued with this series with the pre-Chase seasons. It shows how much the NASCAR seasons can change, depending on the format you choose. Amazing video!

[@dualthreatoutdoors]

Michael Waltrip almost made the final four👀👀👀

[@bradsanders407]

That tells you how ridiculous the system is. No one outside of diehards take it seriously.

[@DL-nn1ws]

Why is nobody talking about Mikey nearly going to Homestead

[@doomusrlc]

This is probably the MOST surprising thing about this whole video LOL

[@badbooking3221]

@@doomusrlc I didn't think so. Mikey had a somewhat weak start to 2002, but had waves of finishes near the front of the pack through the season. I wonder what 2003 would have been not he suffered that wreck at Bristol which led to a freefall in the points. To me, the most surprising part is how either Rusty Wallace missed it altogether or Jeff Gordon had an abysmal round 2.

[@JReaLBiz86]

Definitely cool to take a look at the NASCAR seasons if they had playoffs. I wanna suggest again that once this series is done, it'd be cool to see the formula flipped, and see how seasons would have ended during the Chase/Playoff era if they still had the classic points championship system (maybe not the one where points per race were all over the place, but I believe there are places that have the old points for each finishing position, and it could include the 5 bonus points for leading a lap or leading the most laps).

[@JackCallSports]

2001 should be interesting because a lot of different drivers won

[@darcygregorio]

I agree also with the final lap wreck at the Octouber Talladega race. A lot of things can change with some of the drivers that are invoiled in that crash that could be in the playoffs

[@JackCallSports]

Darcy Gregorio absolutely

[@darcygregorio]

@@JackCallSports also I agree with you comment about the drivers that won a race in the cup series for 2001. I literally looked on racing reference.com and it said for 2001 Winston cup series, it showed that 19 drivers won at least one race in 2001, but 2-3 of them won one race of the final 10 races. so the 2001 episode of what if nascar had playoffs in 2001 should be interesting and insane and most likely wild. I'm honestly really excited for it.

[@RingsideCinema]

Have you ever considered doing a "What If" series in reverse? By reverse, I mean how the 2004 - 2019 seasons would have played out under the pre-Chase points system. IE The Winston Cup Points System. I do enjoy these videos talking about if the playoffs had been around in previous seasons, so a series of if Brian France never came up with the Chase would be very interesting to see how the season would play out.

[@JoshRandall187]

I miss Kurt in the number 97 car. I feel like if Kurt could channel some of his old attitude without going overboard, he could once again be a champion.

[@kalebrooker8354]

I love nascar stats, even hypothetical ones! Thank you! I'd love to see more!

[@jstorey9614]

Please do more!!! And you should keep going into the past into the 90s and 80s!

[@davidbuell7051]

Yess! Been looking foward to these pre chase what if's for a while now. Hope you do the 2000 season at some point. That one might get tricky in the first race of the "what if" chase in that season, Jeff Gordon won but the win would not advance him due to post race infractions(Was fined 150 points a major fine in that era)

[@doomusrlc]

I'm curious how it goes pre-2001 due to 34 or fewer races in the season lol

[@BottleRocket11]

I never knew how much I wanted Kurt Busch celebrating a Cup championship with his goofy-ass Little Tykes paint scheme until today. Thank you, it's all I ever wanted

[@martinhenderson1359]

As a Dale Jarrett fan, I approve of this...if only the 88 had taken fuel only on that last pit stop at Homestead.

[@DennyDeliversYT]

HYPE FOR 100!!!!

[@berryboiblast]

Would’ve been cool to see Kurt win 2 Cup titles, in only 4 years of being in the Cup series full time too, would’ve been a record.

[@papadragon695]

He wouldn’t have won 2004 under the playoff system, that’s under the chase system. We would’ve won in 2009 though, so that’s 2 championships.

[@dualthreatoutdoors]

After this series is over, you should do a reverse version of how the regular points would play out without the playoffs or the chase starting in 2004 and going up. How the title would have been decided under the old Winston cup format

[@sirnickels9979]

Yet another heart breaker video for Jr nation 😂

[@graycon-il2vs]

Please do this for the 2001 season. Great video! Thank you

[@MarcoEvens]

My parents were at that Coke 600. It was the first race mom went to for dad’s 40th birthday.

[@ianmiller486]

this was my first season as a NASCAR fan

[@jaredshinn5840]

It’s crazy to think where Kurt would be in his career if he stayed with Roush

[@masonaaronsracingvideos]

2002 was the last great season with a points battle. And you never knew who was going to win.

[@tamezzodiac2862]

Going to have to go throughout the 90s and 80s now

[@jt-hb8lh]

The hypothetical scenario is back 😀😀😀

[@AutoRockinRacing94]

Figured it was Kurtis that wins it. I mean, going from what 11th to 3rd in 10 races was an obvious thought that he would win the playoff system. Dale Jarrett in the C4 while Mikey nearly making it though!

[@ateddybear1392]

If 2002 had the playoffs, then I’d more easily consider 2009 to be Harvick’s worst year since he’d have made the playoffs in 2002 at least

[@CJODell12]

The funniest thing is that Kurt Busch would have won the championship in this scenario driving a “Little Tikes” paint scheme.

[@brockstar1461]

I would like to request videos similar to this. How about what chase/playoff years would look if it was still the Winston cup style format.

[@DanWestRadio]

Brandon Brock On Racing Reference, they have the traditional points right next to the playoff standings in the race results. Scroll all the way to the bottom. Just go to the Homestead results every year, and you can see the “Winston Cup Champion”

[@matthewakers2659]

I personally think it would be cool if you did this with some old Busch series seasons before they adopted the playoff format.

[@gianni4925]

Long story short: It be the perfect blend of mayhem and fun.

[@the_elmeister]

SPOILER 7:54 - “After a tough year in 2001, Kurt Busch turned it around and his rowdy drive has led him to a victory here in Homestead Miami and what a rise! The rowdy kid from Las Vegas is the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup champion. First championship for Jack Roush and this means that Kurt Busch is now the 25th different champion in NASCAR Winston Cup series history!!”

[@stevensmall9398]

Holy ol hell that pic of Ryan and rusty. Newman was young then.

[@ryanmorrison3699]

When the heck will we get 12-14 different winners in the regular season again?

[@DDogDan]

Since im young, i always had a thought that Dale Jarret from 01-02 were the beginning of his decline, but he contended, and i was surprised by that

[@doomusrlc]

2001 was a great season until a horrible summer. He and Gordon were neck and neck for much of the first half of the season, leaving races tied at the top 2 or 3 times. But he had a very rough summer run and never recovered (despite nearly winning Msrtinsville in the fall). 2002, the cracks really started to show but still was a solid year. 2003 however... yikes.

[@TBaker_HighlineDesigns]

Just curious of what all goes into doing videos for this series? I would imagine it's quite a bit lol.

[@sulphurous2656]

Will you be doing an equivalent series for what if the Winston Cup style of points continued into the 2010s?

[@spenceroneil4747]

I have a bad feeling This is gonna pull all of Jeff Gordon's titles away except for maybe 1997 and 1998

[@seannolan9857]

He might pick up 96. But he ain't winning 97. He finished 17th, four laps down at Atlanta. DJ probably will win that year.

[@spenceroneil4747]

@@seannolan9857 no way he doesn't win 98

[@claytonmatthews7323]

Sometimes I just wish that rain shortened playoff races didn’t count

[@BarryJowers]

What if we had the playoffs in 2000. Would Earnhardt had won his record 8th championship?

[@sirnickels9979]

We'll know in 2 videos

[@seannolan9857]

I highly doubt Dale will have 7 from 79-99.

[@BWASRawk]

D.J. in the final four was a bit surprising to me. I do know he was a lot better late in the year

[@stevencook388]

What lap do you take your stage points at? Since they just updated the stage lengths this year

[@null7265]

3 of my top 4 drivers of this time in the final 4? 12 year old me would have been in cloud 9... till the one I didn’t like won the title.

[@emmettm7482]

Before you start ‘01, I believe that the top 15 winners get in to playoffs and then top non winner if they are ahead of winner 16. Is there any clarification on that? I think ‘01 had 18 or 19 winners

[@ROBERTBROOKS_GIRLFRIENDSTABBER]

As of the 26th race of that season there were only 15 different winners.

[@emmettm7482]

The Gonz good to know, I knew Robby won the season finale but I didn’t know if there were any more first season wins after race 26.

[@seannolan9857]

@@emmettm7482 Bill at Homestead, Nemechek at Rockingham and Craven at Martinsville. There might be a second spot open for points though, since race winner Steve Park was injured with two races to go.

[@DennyDeliversYT]

Are hypotheticals really that hypothetical anymore?.... I mean, this is part #_____already.... I think most people know.... Still I guess it’s fun

[@whatincarnation95]

It will always be a hypothetical situation

[@DennyDeliversYT]

What In Carnation? I think you are a pretty hypothetical person yourself... not sure how you come up with your memes

[@whatincarnation95]

I just vibe

[@tgs2141]

Pretty shocking how good Waltrip was if there was a playoff

[@kylewagoner]

Wow I didn't know Jeff ever finished that poorly at Martinsville.

[@samuelwilliams8845]

Jeff didn't finish well in either race in Martinsville but had bad luck in both races but ran well before issues in both races. At least he swept both Martinsville races the following year

[@briancromartie3149]

Jeff has had some bad luck at the paper clip, in his career. Remember that time part of the track came up, and damaged the front of his car.

[@fishproductions22]

It's DAEL day in America

[@whoasked9500]

Damn, Kurt would've won the title in only his 2nd season.

[@briancromartie3149]

Dale Sr. did just that.

[@whoasked9500]

@@briancromartie3149 But of course.

[@BrettMKW]

Kurt would have won the championship in his sophomore season. Only other guy to do that other than when the series was starting out was Dale Earnhardt.

[@chromediesel444]

What if 2002 season was under the original chase format?

[@seannolan9857]

Kurt still wins. Even though he entered the Chase 12th in points, this season was the only time in history that the rule about all drivers within 400 points of the lead making it in would apply. He moved from 12th to 3rd in full-season standings in the last ten races, so he certainly would have won with the old Chase.

[@Railroadracer49]

I have an idea of a series what if the 2004 to 2019 seasons had the old Winston cup points format

[@liambuchanan6342]

My prediction for 2001: Bobby Labonte

[@rolandjovi2441]

It's gonna be Sterling Marlin.

[@liambuchanan6342]

@@rolandjovi2441 I'll admit it. You're right, I'm wrong. It's gonna be Marlin

[@austindingess72]

How far are you going back?

[@fishproductions22]

1949

[@whatincarnation95]

Chariot races

[@TheIceberg]

I'm not sure yet, I'm gonna try to go back to at least the early 90s as long as the races are mostly on KZbin

[@whoasked9500]

@@TheIceberg That is wonderful news to me.

[@seannolan9857]

@@TheIceberg I think 91 is missing a race or two, so you might have to stop there.

[@joshhenderson5242]

Let’s go Kurt!!

[@e93sports80]

I hope to see a 2001 playoff

[@pandaexpress7326]

Missing rings: Matt Kenseth 2002 Just shows that wins matter for 35 races, but not number 36

[@armondealey3714]

I thought you already did this.

[@the420secrets6]

He did 2003

[@NeverwascooL]

I cant ahit for him to go over the 90s. I wonder if any of those titles would be changing hands

[@youngmoney2122]

Can You Do The 2001 Season ?

[@jabber1990]

how do you plan on doing prior to 2001? there wasn't 36 races until 2001, so I don't know how you do that

[@seannolan9857]

By cutting off ten races before the end, just like Xfinity and Trucks do.

[@DanielNuteson]

This is just a hypothetical scenario

[@DixietheGoat9]

So by this format Kurt Busch wouldve been the first driver since Dale Earnhardt to win the championship in his Sophmore year

[@liambuchanan6342]

I WAS RIGHT AGAIN!!!

[@oscarjimenezsr.716]

Kurt wins at Age 24

[@jamiewright5270]

I’m surprised DJ did as good as he did

[@briancromartie3149]

Junior always raced well at Atlanta, Phoenix, and Martinsville. Homestad was his Achilles heel. That concussion he sustained at California early on in the year, really impacted him for a good 2 months.

[@jamiewright5270]

@@briancromartie3149 I wasn't talking about Jr

[@briancromartie3149]

@@jamiewright5270 oh 😂

[@iracingfan9304]

Can you do the NASCAR with the 2004 chase in 2014-2019

[@DanWestRadio]

IRacing Fan#9 That’s easier to do on your own. Just find the top 10 after race #26, and then find a stat for who got the most points over the last 10 races.

[@clarkmckee4700]

Do 2001 next

[@jefftaylor1186]

Bill Elliott would’ve probably won it. Probably would’ve won rockingham and homestead if it was on the line.

[@jr4038]

Every time I see these and see Dale Jr make homestead it depresses me. He’s for sure a top 5 driver to never win a championship

[@superass113]

jr., Edwards & Mark Martin have to be the top 3

[@joejennings5470]

Jeff Gordon 2001 is what im calling reguardless cause he finished 5th at Atlanta 500 that fall.

[@seannolan9857]

But the final race will be Loudon, where Robby Gordon spun him. Sterling Marlin seems like the safer option.

[@joejennings5470]

that's true I forgot all about the later running New Hampshire race due to 9/11

[@rosschastainfan1851]

1:20 BIG SAD.

[@whoasked9500]

On fuel mileage my ass.

[@germanequihua3358]

What If NASCAR Had the Playoffs In 2001?

[@lukebreadstick56]

This video proves why this system is SO STUPID.

[@doomusrlc]

Yes, however Kurt did actually finish 3rd that season, after a very rough rookie season haha.

[@jefftaylor1186]

and Sterling Marlin would’ve came back and raced hurt in the playoffs. And probably would’ve been 2nd

[@alexander1485]

we?

[@talanhumphrey6827]

If there were playoffs in 2001

[@evannuh-koo-la4054]

What if NASCAR had the playoffs in the pro invitational series?

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

Evan Nekula it would be horrible

[@DupontandLowesWarrior]

Poor Sterling

[@littletimmythefifth29]

Here at 26,121 views.

[@NASCARFAN93100]

Who's excited for 100?

[@ChickenNuggggy]

Idk what if I had a nascar in 2002?

[@kangarooswild]

no just no haha. even hypothetical just for fun no. this season was great as it was. last true season of veterans vs young guns. with 9 races left top 10 in points was within 227 points. underrated season is 2002...

[@lindaelwell1924]

Hate the playoffs. Just let them open up and race. Liked it better when they could draft.

[@TheDthatcher]

First!

[@davefroman4700]

The playoffs is the stupidest idea in NASCAR history.

[@GatoradeCupSeriesX94]

GANASSI DIES AGAIN

[@superbird4351]

69th like