When NASCAR revealed their new points distribution system at the start of the year, much fanfare was given to the fact that drivers could earn points in only one series. This meant that for the first time in a half decade, the Nationwide Series would crown one of their own as series champion.
[media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”213″][/media-credit]Naturally after the completion of the Ford 300 at Homestead, one of the initial questions was, “How would the Cup drivers have fared had they been able to accumulate points during the season?”
Only four Cup drivers started more than twenty Nationwide Series races this year, and only three of those accrued enough high finishes to warrant consideration. It provides an interesting glimpse as to how definitely the championship would have turned out. Or, conversely, how well Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. ran over the course of the year.
And now, I present to you the final 2011 Nationwide Driver Standings… with a splash of Cup drivers.
- Carl Edwards 1306
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. -84
- Elliott Sadler -129
- Justin Allgaier -201
- Aric Almirola -211
- Reed Sorenson – 244
- Brad Keselowski -257
- Jason Leffler -278
- Kenny Wallace -343
- Brian Scott -359
- Michael Annett -362
- Steve Wallace -385
- Trevor Bayne -413
- Kyle Busch -475
- Mike Bliss -479