Points haven't mattered much since 2003, and they really haven't mattered since 2013. It has been years since I've looked at the points standings, which is crazy because I watched the standings like a hawk during the Winston Cup era. I was really glad to see my driver win the title last year, and even though he truly deserved it, I didn't feel the same excitement that I did about seeing my driver win a Winston Cup title.
You can theoretically win the first 35 races and still lose the championship to a guy with one (or zero) wins. But but but Super Bowl and 18-1 Patriots and the NCAA basketball tournament and "Game 7 moments" and all the other stick and ball nonsense comparisons!!!!!!
I don't know why anyone cares the slightest bit about the points right now. Let the NBC clowns worry about that in a couple weeks.