Non-Chase System "What If" Champions
- 2004: Jeff Gordon would have his 5th career title and the 6th title for car owner Rick Hendrick.
- 2005: Tony Stewart, first driver in NASCAR history to win both old points format and Chase system, would win either way.
- 2006: Jimmie Johnson would win the title either way in 2006.
- 2007: Jeff Gordon would have won his 6th career title - the 8th title for Hendrick and three of the last four. Wins by over 350 points.
- 2008: Carl Edwards would have dethroned Johnson by 16 points for first title.
- 2009: Jimmie Johnson would get second title beating Gordon by 66 points. 4 of the last 6 for Hendrick.
- 2010: Kevin Harvick dominated the entire season beating Johnson by over 200 points.
- 2011: With the new 2011 season's points format, Carl Edwards takes 2nd title in four seasons after clinching title at Phoenix after finishing 2nd to Kasey Kahne.
- 2012: Brad Keselowski beats Greg Biffle by 19 points, while Jimmie Johnson still finishes third, 28 points behind.
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Famous quotes containing the words system and/or champions:
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—W. Winwood Reade (1838–1875)
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