Jimmie Johnson's run toward an almost certain third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup title has prompted many ideas on how to change the Chase for the championship to make it more competitive.

Some would like to see the 12 drivers in the 10-race Chase have a completely separate points structure that would keep one or two bad finishes from knocking them out of title contention. Others insist that each of the eligible drivers be given a "mulligan," allowing them to throw out their worst finish.

But should the domination of Johnson and his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team be a catalyst for change in the 5-year-old playoff format?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been in the Chase three times and has yet to remain in contention to the end. With two races remaining, he is well out of the title picture in 11th.

Even so, Earnhardt spoke for most drivers when he said it's just too soon to contemplate changes.

"How do we understand what to change and how to make it better if we can't watch it and look at it for seven years or eight years and see how it's working and really get a good look at how it is working and not working?" Earnhardt said. "How can we really know what to change and make the right change?"