First, let's get something straight. Yes, we know that taking the new 2016 postseason format and applying it to the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results to show who would have been the champion last year in an elimination format isn't scientific. Obviously, drivers would have raced differently.
We get it. This isn't exact. It is, however, fun.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase will send eight drivers into a seven-race postseason, and the field will get whittled from eight to six and then from six to four for the season finale at Homestead.
If you need a refresher on the rules, go here.
So, who would have won the championship last year if the new format was in place? So glad you asked.
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THE FIELD
• Three drivers would have clinched their berths with victories in the first 16 races -- Tyler Reddick (Daytona, Dover), Matt Crafton (Atlanta, Kansas, Texas-1, Kentucky) and Erik Jones (Iowa, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park).
• Five drivers would have clinched their berths by virtue of points: Johnny Sauter, Daniel Hemric, Cameron Hayley, Timothy Peters and John Wes Townley. Townley would have earned the eighth and final spot by 12 points over Spencer Gallagher.
• Cole Custer (Gateway), Christopher Bell (Eldora) and John Hunter Nemechek (Chicagoland) all won races running for Truck Series points, but would not be eligible for the postseason since they did not attempt to qualify for every race.
The points heading into the first postseason race at New Hampshire would have looked like this:
Initial postseason standings
| Rank | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Crafton | 2,012 |
| t-2. | Tyler Reddick | 2,006 |
| t-2. | Erik Jones | 2,006 |
| t-4. | Johnny Sauter | 2,000 |
| t-4. | Daniel Hemric | 2,000 |
| t-4. | Cameron Hayley | 2,000 |
| t-4. | Timothy Peters | 2,000 |
| t-4. | John Wes Townley | 2,000 |
ROUND OF 8
The two drivers eliminated after the opening three races would have been Daniel Hemric and Cameron Hayley.
John Wes Townley's win at Las Vegas would've automatically clinched a spot in the Round of 6. Timothy Peters' win at Talladega would've automatically clinched a spot for the Round of 6.
ROUND OF 6
The two drivers eliminated after the round's three races would have been Johnny Sauter and John Wes Townley.
Matt Crafton (Martinsville-2), Erik Jones (Texas-2) and Timothy Peters (Phoenix) would have automatically clinched berths in the Championship Round with victories in the Round of 6.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
With a title field of Matt Crafton, Erik Jones (real 2015 champion), Timothy Peters and Tyler Reddick, Crafton won the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
That was the highest finish among the championship-eligible drivers, so Matt Crafton would have been the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion.