Wheel2Wheel: No Special Privileges for Chase Drivers

Filed under: Kyle Busch, Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCARA retaliatory dust-up between non-Chase driver David Reutimann and Chase contender Kyle Busch during Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway was admittedly a case of payback; of tempers and emotions getting the best of both drivers -- point standings and championship hopes be damned.

But it brings up a valid question: Should the 31 non-Chase drivers race the 12 championship contenders any differently in the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup than they would the rest of the season? Should they capitulate a position when they see a Chase car in their rear view mirror or give extra room when restarting alongside a playoff contender?

The simple answer is no. The more complex answer involves common sense and kharma.

There's a big difference between racing hard and settling a season-long grudge. Do you think Brad Keselowski will even the score with Carl Edwards during The Chase? Does Joey Logano pay back Kevin Harvick at a time Harvick stands to lose the most?

As for Busch, whose competitors have a long list of I-owe-yous, he's simply got to live with the kharma he's accumulated all season.

But let's be really honest here. This is one of the subplots that makes the Chase interesting. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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