iNSIDE SCOOP: Worst Fears Realized

CONCORD, N.C. – Well, I hate to say I told you so, but…

Way back in January, when the new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup format was announced, I noticed that there was a slight wrinkle that could mean a lot of controversy when it came down to the nitty-gritty: what if the 48, 88 and the 2 failed to advance?

Guess what happens Sunday at Talladega if not enough of the right cars do the right things?

The 48, 88 and 2 miss the Chase cutoff.

Ooops.

Now, having to win at Talladega is just as bad as having to win at Richmond in September. If you have to win, you’re behind the eight-ball from the jump. Having to win anything to advance is a monumental task, and a race at Talladega is like trying to tackle the breeze. You can’t do it.

Well, you can, but it’s lottery odds against you.

All three have won at Talladega, so it’s not uncharted territory. All three cars have been fast this year, with the 2 and 88 at the top of that short list. The 48 hasn’t been fast for most of the season, which is odd. You don’t win six titles with no speed in the car.

And the 48 and 88 are in the same shop, so it’s something else.

The 2 might have a bulls-eye on the side of his Ford after the tomfoolery after the checkered on Saturday night. I get the feeling that Joe Gibbs Racing’s got some red paint already loaded.

The fact that all three are facing elimination is a bad thing if you happen to root for them, or work there, but it’s a good thing for the excitement level. The remaining eight, which at this point is just Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick, has to like its chances without those three.

Jeff Gordon is perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the others’ misfortune. Take the 48 and 2 out of the equation, and he’s wiped out a pair of drivers who have won two of the last three titles.

It’s going to be interesting tomorrow if NASCAR comes down with a points penalty for the post-race brouhaha at CMS. If Keselowski loses more points, he’s deader than disco, Chase-wise. Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin probably won’t lose points, but they could, and that might open the door for the 48 and the 88.

My, the deeper you delve here, the juicier it gets!

When the checkered falls at Talladega, we’ll know who is moving on and who is done. That’s going to send a shock wave through the sport.

Hang on!