NASCAR has always pushed boundaries to keep the sport fresh and fans hooked, tweaking formats and rules to amp up the excitement on track. From its roots in the late 1940s, when Bill France Sr. organized stock car racing into a structured series, the organization has evolved by listening to what draws crowds: high-stakes competition and star power that keep viewers tuning in week after week. One such term popping up in fan circles over the years is “bushwhacking,” which nods to those moments when top Cup Series drivers step into lower-tier events like the Xfinity or Truck Series, often turning heads with their experience against up-and-comers.

Back in 2004, NASCAR made a bold move with the introduction of the Chase for the Nextel Cup, resetting points mid-season to create playoff-style

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