NASCAR Sprint Cup: Should the Chase Be for the Top 15?

While the Chase field is set, the drama of the Chasers last weekend makes me think: Should the top 15 in the field get in instead of the top 10 and two wild cards?

Yes, this has been beat to death over the past few years, and I am a fan of the argument for totally getting rid of the Chase. But since that will probably never happen, I am playing devil's advocate and going over some reasons the Chase field should be expanded. So, let's take a look.

(All of these reasons are based on the points before the Chase was started and the points were reset.)

No. 1: More Fan-Friendly Field

Yes, the top 10 each season is usually the same and has the brand names of the sport. But there is usually one or two of those brand names missing because only so many people can fit in a top 10.

Admittedly, some of the top 15 could just be some of those Chase cars that drivs around with no chance. But it may keep more fans interested if their driver is in the Chase, even if he didn't finish top 10 or win the most races.

No. 2: Points

If there was no wild card and the top 12 got in again this year, the gap between 15th and 12th would have only been 28 points (pre-Richmond).  The driver in 15th (Greg Biffle) would not have reached the 10th spot, which was a 70-point gap, but if there was a point reset, he would have had equal points to work with.

In fact, the 15th-place guy had only one less top five than the 12th place guy. Sure, he didn't win, but with such similar stats, he may deserve a chance at trying for the Championship.

No. 3: New Faces

If the top 15 got in this year, we would have at least one new face in the Chase with A.J. Allmendinger.

A lot of people complain that every year is the same with the Chase and no new blood gets in. If NASCAR expanded the Chase to the top 15 (or even 20), there wouldn't be those complaints, and other guys would have a chance to gain Chase experience and sponsorship exposure—something that definitely isn't bad for the sport.

No. 4: Sometimes Points Are Pointless

In 2006, Tony Stewart didn't make the Chase (it was a 10-man championship at that point). However, he won three Chase races and beat the 12th-place car by 299 points. If there would have been no Chase, he may have even won the Championship.

The points system has changed since then and more men get into the Chase, but it is still possible for this scenario to happen—even with 12 drivers. If the top 15 got into the Chase, it would be more representative of all the guys that would have any shot of a chance to make a Championship run.

No. 5: Racing Luck

It could be argued that if the 13th-15th-place guys want to make it in, they have to race better. However, with the top 15 being in the Chase, racing luck can take a smaller seat than talent.

All drivers get into trouble at some point or another, but some drivers have times where they can't get a break, and it can ruin their chance to get in the Chase.

No one can deny the luck involved in racing, and Kevin Harvick said it best in this quote about Jimmie Johnson, as ESPN reports:

"They're really good, but they're really, really lucky, too. Jimmie is a good friend mine, but there's no denying how lucky they are. They have a golden horseshoe stuck up their ass."

Luck is part of racing and will be in any scenario, but allowing more drivers into the Chase forces luck to take a smaller part in the racing scheme than talent, which is always a good thing.