Well since the rules now say win a race and you're in the chase, I don't think they're stretching their rules too much by allowing him the opportunity to try to win and get in. Nor is this a case where some part-time driver might get a win and then claim they should be able to participate, Tony is a regular driver who's been a part of the sport for many years and a past champion. I would've been more surprised if they hadn't allowed him the chance to qualify for the chase. I mean think about it say you worked for a company for about 15 years or so and you were a good employee, showed up for work every day did your job did it well, earned honors and bonuses for your hard work and then you experienced a tragedy that caused you to take three weeks off to get your head and life in order. Now you go back to work and you go back to focusing on hitting the numbers you need to earn that end of the year bonus and it's still possible for you to do as long as you put in the work but then your boss calls you into his office and tells you that you don't qualify because you missed that time off, wouldn't you feel like maybe you deserve the opportunity to earn it anyway?