Martin's part-time success could hurt sport in future (cont'd)

Look at this season. Johnson and Gordon are running away with the top-two point positions. It is conceivable, both drivers could take three races off, and still sit comfortably in the top 12. Not borderline, comfortably.

And with the current Chase points system, all Gordon and Johnson would have to do is make the Chase, and they will start 1-2 when it begins.

Drivers noticing Martin's success

With the success of Mark Martin running part-time this season, other drivers are taking notice and it has them looking at extending their careers.

• Complete story, click here

No one will win three or four races this season the way the Hendrick duo has. So when the Chase begins in New Hampshire, despite where the two finish -- as long as they are in the top 12 they will be seeded 1-2.

So is it not in their best interest to take a couple weeks off and be refreshed when the Chase starts in September?

And don't for a second think the sponsors won't be on board with this.

DuPont, Lowe's, Home Depot, Budweiser, all of them will be just fine backing a car for all 36 races, as long as their money driver gets into the Chase. There is no way one of those sponsors will take their precious dollars away because their marquee driver takes a few weeks off, it just isn't logical.

It's a win-win for all involved. Drivers get a few weeks off, owners get some young guy valuable track time, sponsors will still see their car in the Chase -- the only people who suffer are the fans.

All the Sonoma fans that pay big bucks to see Junior race, get Fellows in the No. 8 instead. Or everyone at Richmond who expected to see Gordon and Johnson battle for the points lead heading into the Chase don't even see the No. 48 or No. 24 on the track because -- well honestly, there is no need.

Gordon has already said this has given him a new outlook on his career.

"I can tell you what, what Mark has done has probably extended my career," Gordon said. "It's now going to make me look at when that day comes when I feel like I can no longer race full time in the Cup Series. I might still want to race part time.

"I'm not saying we could pull it off, but it's something I would consider now,"

That statement scares me.

I don't want NASCAR turning into golf. I don't want to see Gordon, Johnson, Junior and Stewart turn into Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els and pick which events they will participate in. I want to know when I go to a track, my favorite driver is going to be there.

Don't get me wrong, what Martin has done has been impressive. And if he can make the Chase on a part-time schedule, even more of a feat. But the next time you go to a race or turn on the TV expecting to see your favorite driver only to see a guy in that car you've barely heard of -- blame Mark Martin.

Unbeknownst to him, he has changed the way drivers look at a 36-race schedule, and it's not for the benefit of the sport or its fans.

The opinions expressed are those solely of the writer