I'm not exactly sure if I'm a fan of the green, white, checker, rule (GWC) that NASCAR has instutited this year. But since my family and I were sitting in the Allison stands for last year's AMP Energy 500 that ended under caution, I'm not exactly a fan of that either. I understand the reason for the rule; it makes a lot of sense. But I just don't see how two laps is enough racing to determine much of anything. In reality, it makes the end of the race a self-fulfilling prophecy as everyone in the top 10 does everything they can to get to the front.

Last night's race was a sealed-deal for Kyle Busch, but a strategic mistake on pit road (taking 4 tires rather than 2) watched Busch's chance evaporate into the dry Phoenix air. Had the race taken multiple GWC attempts, Busch's crew chief, Dave Rogers, would have looked like a genius rather than a fool. Racing has become a game not only of skill and courage, but of trying to predict the future. I was glad to see Ryan Newman get his first win for Stewart/Haas, but as a fan of Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) it was somewhat bittersweet.

Which is really ironic when you think about it. Two weeks ago, the GWC worked in my favor, as JGR racer Denny Hamlin was able to slide to the front and win the race at Martinsville as Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon took each other out of the race. Last night, I became a victim of the GWC as I watched JGR's chances for a repeat win go down the tubes on pit road. While I can't say whether or not I like the new rule, it does make for unpredictable finishes.

Which may be the very thing that NASCAR is needing in a Cup series being dominated by (surprise!) Jimmie Johnson. NASCAR is trying everything it can to increase ratings and give new viewers reasons to get hooked on the sport, but yet another Johnson championship just doesn't get anyone's blood pumping. I'm all for the family-friendly image that Johnson puts forth, but seeing the 48 in victory lane week after week gets pretty old. If anything, the GWC rule may cause teams to completely alter their track strategy. Why bother racing to the front in the beginning or middle of the race, when it's most likely going to come down to a two-lap sprint to the finish anyway?  Are the five bonus points for leading the most laps really all that important in the grand scheme? I suppose we'll just have to wait and see how the rest of the season plays out, because the GWC is apparently here to stay (at least for this year).