Quite often, a good idea can create unintended consequences. Such has been the case with DirecTV's most recent promotion.

During the fervor of the NCAA basketball tournament and the onset of bracketology experts, Jon Gieselman and DirecTV executives floated a concept. The intent was to create more awareness for DirecTV's Hot Pass program where fans can tune in and watch an entire NASCAR race from their favorite driver's viewpoint, listening to team communications while riding shotgun with a particular driver. In all honesty, if you like sports, any sport, DirecTV is in its own universe.

DirecTV's Head2Head Knockout promotion was created. Now it begs the question: Is this type of head-to-head competition how we should determine our NASCAR Sprint Cup champion each season?

In the DirecTV program, the top 32 NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers were ranked and placed in four regions (á la NCAA basketball) with eight drivers in each region seeded 1 through 8. They raced head to head over a four-week promotion with only finishing position determining the winner. Each driver who advanced won exponentially more money for his designated charity.

The DirecTV promotion started in Texas and will culminate this weekend in Darlington. And just like the NCAA Tournament, the DirecTV Head2Head program has not been light on drama or upsets.

The Final Four headed into the championship weekend at Darlington are Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. The highest finishing driver among those Final Four will win the grand prize of $250,000 for his charity. Each driver is already guaranteed around $35,000. (Continued)