We Raced To Visit The Most US States In 100 Hrs - Finale

I don't understand how Sam misplayed this so bad, there were three clear ways to win that would have been apparent to them if they just calculated how many powerups they had and that it was highly expected that the opposing team had a powerup:
1. Don't waste a powerup on the tracker. Assume that the opposing team is going to Alaska. If they don't, they lose. This was the most obvious call that should have been made, and that RealEngineering suggested, wisely.

2. Don't use up a powerup early, and wait until they swap cards until you go over the Wyoming border, and swap back again. You would not have a powerup anymore, so you would need to wait for a bus etc. This is better than potentially getting your cards swapped back. You still have a potential patch to victory, if there is a bus stop nearby. 

3. Get an extra powerup early and advertise in the smallest town of Colorado. This way you get the powerup that you have in the bank, incase they swap cards back. The smalles town is Sawpit, which was in the direction of New Mexico, so the whole plan would have to change and the team would have to travel to New Mexico after, but its better than potentially getting your cards swapped back. I haven't calculated the drive times, but may also have time to do the original plan, starting after Colorado is claimed.