Years ago, NASCAR operated with a straight aggregate points system: drivers accumulated points across the season, and the highest total won. There were nuances in scoring and eligibility, but the champion was the best all-season driver. Just for one example, before 2004, the champion could be determined several races before the end.

But in 2004, NASCAR introduced what became known as the “Chase for the Cup,” the first real playoff-style shift. That change marked a turning point, and what the table highlights is the ‘what if’ world where that horizon wasn’t crossed.

What’s at the core of the backlash is the feeling that someone who may have scored the most points over 36 races lost the title because the rules turned into a playoff elimination. That table highlights seasons where the actua

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