Even Without Top Stars, There Are Still Many Reasons to Enjoy Rest of the Chase

Forget the first six races that have passed—the real test for the new Chase for the Sprint Cup format begins Sunday. With eight of the original 16 Chase qualifiers having been eliminated in the Contender and Challenger rounds, will fans still tune-in to watch the last four races of the season on TV or actually attend a race in person knowing their favorite driver is no longer in contention for the championship? On the surface, the answer might appear to be no, especially when so many of the sport’s biggest stars are out. Defending and six-time Sprint Cup champ Jimmie Johnson, brothers Kyle and Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart (didn’t even qualify for the Chase) are all still racing but for little in return b...

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