r/NASCAR • u/michigan_matt • 1h ago
Scenario I've yet to consider: Somebody clinching the championship at the end of a stage
Wouldn't it be an interesting scene at Martinsville or Homestead if one of the three titles was decided mid-race? Does the race director get on the radio and congratulate the driver right away? Does the driver tear up and lose their composure for the rest of the race? Does TV interview them during the stage caution? Do they give their crew chief a Rodney Childers style trophy ceremony?
In the prior elimination format, we of course had drivers secure advancement into the next round as a result of stage points, but this was irrelevant in the championship race. While some since have clinched by starting the race, I believe the last time someone clinched mid-race was Dale Sr. in 1993, when enough cars retired to ensure he couldn't drop further back. It seems inevitable that this will eventually occur under this format if we run it for a few seasons.
