Earnhardt speaks volumes but is anyone listening? (cont'd)

Realistically, NASCAR is not going to "Jimmie proof" its playoff system. No system will ever be "Insert Driver's Name proof." But that doesn't mean what NASCAR has can't be better.

Yes, celebrate Rick Hendrick, Chad Knaus, Jimmie Johnson and everyone associated with the No. 48. They have set the bar, no question, during the past five years. Even when Kurt and Tony were winning the title, you knew the 48 was to be reckoned with.

But let's consider the possibilities of keeping the fan base engaged from Daytona through Homestead without gimmick-like tactics. What if the 43, 42, 41, etc. system were in place, you ask? Well, here's how it would have played out (sans the bonus points for top-five finishes; that provision was added after Mark Aumann crunched the numbers):

And if the system were in place for 2008? Well, it would be a bit tighter than 106 points (chart at right). Also understand that no system is going to make everyone happy, and no system is going to guarantee a close points race 'til the end. It's just not possible.

As it is, everyone started the season knowing the rules. Everyone drove under them for the first 26 races, and the last eight in the Chase. It is what it is.

Again, I digress. Celebrate the accomplishments -- and hope that your favorite driver's team makes the necessary adjustments to make a leap forward next year.

After all, we need something to keep us occupied for 12 months, especially since The Ex List has been canceled.

Bump-and-run thoughts after Texas ...

Winner
• Carl Edwards gassed the field and then crew chief Bob Osborne credited the Ford engine. ... Where can I get one of those fuel-efficient NASCAR engines, Bob?

Loser
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. stalled his car on pit road during his final gas stop and finished 20th after running in the top 10 most of the day.

Lucky Dog
• Edwards, for being able to run the final 69 laps without having to stop for fuel. And there's no truth to the rumor that post-race inspection was all of "Yeah, it has four wheels; you're good to go."

Who's hot
• David Gilliland, literally. "I meant to get him [Juan Montoya] loose, I didn't mean to wreck him and ruin both of our days," Gilliland said. "It was just one of those racing deals, you know. I wanted to come down behind him and I just misjudged and clipped him there." Riiiight ...
Raygan Swan has the details

Who's not
• Jimmie Johnson, figuratively. "It's like getting kicked in the [groin] over and over," Johnson said. "That sucked." C'mon, dude -- call it a mulligan ...
David Caraviello has the details

(Neither is Phillip Fulmer. Guess it's time to fire up that U-Haul that I've promise to drive if UT ever canned the Great Pumpkin. My guess is that with that $6 million buyout, he can afford Mayflower ...)

In case you missed it ...

• After winning Saturday's Nationwide race at Texas, Kyle Busch donated $100,000 to Sam Ard, a former Busch Series champion who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and financial difficulties. That should earn Busch a pass the next time you want to boooooo the driver, but it probably won't.

• Jamie McMurray has three top-10 finishes in the past four races, including his only top-five finishes of the season (fifth at Charlotte; third at Texas).

• David Ragan posted his sixth consecutive top-15 finish. He has 1,035 points in the Chase, more than Matt Kenseth (973), Tony Stewart (962), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (927), Denny Hamlin (925) and Kyle Busch (858).

• Martin Truex Jr. has four consecutive top-15 finishes. After finishing eighth on Sunday, he now has six top-15 runs in seven starts at Texas.

• David Reutimann posted his first top-10 finish since Richmond. He'll never be the pitchman that Mikey is, but Reutimann has rightfully become the on-track face of Michael Waltrip Racing.

• Mark Martin's 12th-place finish was his 30th top-15 in 47 starts during the past two seasons. Driving the No. 5 for Hendrick in 2009, go ahead and pencil in Martin for the Chase next year .... (Continued)