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Author: Ron Thornton

  • The Final Word – Smoke wins, others just smoked, while Junior even led (briefly) in California

    The Final Word – Smoke wins, others just smoked, while Junior even led (briefly) in California

    Okay, so did we learn from Fontana?

    Well, we learned that with the palm trees lining the track and the mountains in the background, it can be a picturesque place to watch a race. It could also provide some action that was actually entertaining to watch, even on ESPN! I usually combine watching a race from Fontana with nap time, but that was not the case this time out. See, I can be wrong! Just not often.

    We learned a guy named Smoke would win when during the same race the likes of Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, and maybe even Matt Kenseth saw their engines go up in smoke. Yah, eerie I know! Stewart’s auto came alive in the latter half of the event as he won his first in California, the second of the season and 39th of his Cup career. Now the two-time champ is back in the hunt for a third, just 107 points behind with six to go.  

    We learned that Dale Earnhardt Jr can still lead a few laps. At one time he actually led a three train Hendrick parade for three whole circuits. I’m trying to be a glass half-full type of guy here. Okay, he led because his crew chief tried to scrimp on tires, and Junior paid the price for it. At least he fought back to finish 16th on the day.

    We learned that Jeff Gordon could get tagged for speeding and still manage to recover for a top ten. We learned that Jimmie Johnson could fail to win in California, though finishing third did not seem much of a heart break. Heck, even Mark Martin was sixth to make most of the Hendrick boys feel all warm and fuzzy.

    We learned that if it doesn’t blow up or start to blow up, a Roush car could just up and quit. Carl Edwards had distributor problems and sat in the back for a few laps before coming home 34th. His title hopes took a hit, but the car looked nice.

    We learned that even though Judge Roy Bean grabbed 150 of Clint Bowyer’s points, there is no quit in the boy. He could have won last Sunday, settling for second, though he could use some help digging out of the 247 point hole he finds himself in. Having another of those myterious debris cautions coming out late when Bowyer was in front was not exactly the kind of help he was looking for.

    We learned that David Ragan did not help Kurt Busch when he pinched the Chaser into the wall with a half dozen laps to go. The 21st place finish dropped the contender 140 points out to bruise his title hopes a tic.

    We learned that Jeff Burton can tick off team mate Kevin Harvick. The boys got close early in the event, making Harvick rather unhappy. I’m sure they hugged when it was over and all is now swell. Too bad, as a Burton-Harvick tiff could have been exciting. More so than, say, Harvick-Edwards turned out to be. That was the biggest disappointment since Danny Partridge beat down Greg Brady.

    The next date is at one of my favorite tracks as the boys return home to Charlotte. Half the Chasers have won there, with Johnson and Gordon already boasting rich histories at the venue over the years. As to who will be the big winner this Saturday night, I’m guessing that it will be you and me for tuning it in. Enjoy the week.

  • Hot 20 over the past 10 – It’s been three months since Carl has had a bad finish

    Hot 20 over the past 10 – It’s been three months since Carl has had a bad finish

    June 27th. It was the first race in New Hampshire and Carl Edwards finished 25th. It would be the last time he ran outside the top dozen before the boys headed to California for this Sunday’s fourth race of the ten event Chase. Over that span Edwards has not yet won, but has ten Top Tens to his credit. If only he could finish on top once or twice, the title could wind up his. Then again, maybe he won’t even need it.

    Officially, Edwards is 53 points behind Jimmie Johnson in the Chase, but Carl has been hot for more than three months. The big question is if he can continue to be so to the end, or is the big chill about to begin?

    Here is how things stand for our hot 20 after the past ten events…

    *Chasers in bold

    1 (1) – Carl Edwards – 1532 pts
    Hasn’t had a bad finish in over three months.
    5 (3) – Jamie McMurray – 1374 pts
    If not for those six times 30th or worse this season.

    2 (7) – Kevin Harvick – 1421 pts
    On pace to have the best season of his career

    3 (2) – Kyle Busch – 1400 pts
    A dream machine turned Kansas into a nightmare

    4 (4) – Tony Stewart – 1394 pts
    Has left over a hundred Chase points on the table

    6 (5) – Jeff Burton – 1327 pts
    Too bad about those last 130 miles.

    7 (9) – Ryan Newman – 1314 pts
    Not bad for only leading 31 laps all season.

    8 (10) – Jimmie Johnson – 1313 pts
    Thinks California is the place they ought to be.
    11 (6) – Juan Pablo Montoya – 1285 pts
    Must be thrilled that he is not in Kansas anymore.

    9 (8) – Jeff Gordon – 1296 pts
    Whenever he feels down he just thinks of Mark and Junior.

    10 (17) – Greg Biffle – 1293 pts
    Keeping within the top 15 each week would sure help.

    12 (13) – Matt Kenseth – 1254 pts
    Jack must be a happy man with three in the top ten at Kansas
       �
    16 (16) – A.J. Allmendinger – 1173 pts
    Has ran well since the Chase; too bad he is not in it.

    13 (11) – Denny Hamlin – 1235 pts
    Not good, not bad, just was what it was.

    14 (15) – Kurt Busch – 1226 pts
    Sure glad he didn’t tick off Reutimann.

    15 (12) – Clint Bowyer – 1186 pts
    Forget the title, he is fighting just to have dinner.

    17 (20) – Joey Logano – 1115 pts
    Tired of Ambrose and his baby kangaroo jokes.

    18 (21) – Mark Martin – 1097 pts
    After six straight outside top 15, has been inside the last two.

    19 (18) – Martin Truex Jr – 1096 pts
    Four straight 20th or worse.

    20 (22) – Marcos Ambrose – 1063 pts
    Loves singing Six White Boomers to Logano.

  • The Final Word – The day the dream machine became Kyle’s nightmare

    The Final Word – The day the dream machine became Kyle’s nightmare

    So, what did we learn from Kansas?

    Well, we learned that Kyle Busch and David Reutimann won’t be exchanging hugs anytime soon. Shrub was behind Reutimann in the early going, who seemed to lift in a corner which caused Busch to nail him from behind to ruin his day. It made Reuity a tad upset.

    We learned later by just how much. With Kyle in the top ten and Reutimann laps down, the dream machine took aim and became the #18’s biggest nightmare. If they do a modern re-make of Ben-Hur, that is what the chariot scene would look like.

    We learned that the best decision by a crew chief on the day might only result in a 21st place finish. With his rear end a mess, Kyle’s crew had a choice to make. They could go behind the wall, lose a ton of laps, and fix it right, or come up with some kind of fix on pit road. Dave Rogers’ decision to stay out there, to do the best they could with what they had, probably saved his driver at least 40 points. Instead of 120 points out, Busch is down 80. With seven races to go, that is doable.

    We learned that if you do something wrong in the eyes of a competitor, don’t expect any favors even if you happen to be in the Chase. Reutimann felt wronged, and Busch found himself on the business end of a front fender. Having a reputation as being something of a gunslinger doesn’t help when someone takes a few shots back at you. If Busch had hoped NASCAR would ride to his rescue, he was wrong. No sanctions seem forthcoming over the incident.

    We learned that Greg Biffle still has something to prove and the ability to do so. In the latter stages the Biff was the guy to beat, but nobody could pull it off. It was his second win of the season, and 16th of his Cup career. He remains 85 points back, which is close enough if this is a sign of what is to come.

    We learned that the cream rises to the top. In recent years, we have called that cream Jimmie Johnson. He was second on Sunday, and first in the points by eight over Denny Hamlin, 30 ahead of Kevin Harvick. Could it be, in the words of Yogi Berra, deja vu all over again?

    So, now they are off to California to that track that seldom entertains. Maybe this time will be the charm. Mind you, Mr. Johnson does not seem to mind it. Winning four of the last six races run there might have something to do with that. Maybe the only way to keep Jimmie away from another title is to get David Reutimann mad at him. I’m just saying. Enjoy the week.

  • Hot 20 over the past 10 – Carl and Kyle are the ones to watch heading to Kansas

    Hot 20 over the past 10 – Carl and Kyle are the ones to watch heading to Kansas

    If consistency indeed trumps victories, then Carl Edwards would be the poster child for that concept. Still winless in 2010, the Duckman has managed to keep pace by keeping close contact with the race winners in recent weeks. In fact, the worst he has done over the course of the past eleven events is a 12th place finish at Bristol just over a month ago. Nine times he has pulled in with a top ten, six times with a top five, including last Sunday’s event at Dover.

    On the other hand, Kyle Busch has already won 19 NASCAR events this season. He has claimed 11 of 23 Nationwide races he has been entered in, along with 5 of 11 Camping World truck derbies. His three Cup races almost appear to be a disappointment in comparison.

    Neither have won a Cup race at Kansas, though Edwards has done well enough at the track with four top tens in six tries and Kyle has a Nationwide win there. If you are looking for a dominant driver, that would be Jeff Gordon. A top ten is almost a sure thing for the four time champ, though Tony Stewart did win for the second time there a year ago.

    Unfortunately for them, Jimmie Johnson also has a good record there, and the reigning king is on the move after last week’s triumph.

    Here is a look at our hot 20 over the past 10 events, with the Chasers in red…

    1 (1) – Carl Edwards – 1552 pts – 6 Top Fives, 8 Top Tens
    You don’t need wins when your worst finish in the past eleven is 12th.

    2 (8) – Kyle Busch – 1412 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
    19 NASCAR wins this season, but “only” three in Cup

    3 (7) – Jamie McMurray – 1399 pts – 1 Win, 4 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    Making his reservations for a Chase place for 2011

    4 (4) – Tony Stewart – 1362 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
    Gas in the tank? Check. Speed on pit row? Doh!

    5 (5) – Jeff Burton – 1359 pts – 3 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    Hendrick driver without the drama

    6 (2) – Juan Pablo Montoya – 1329 pts – 1 Win, 1 Top Five, 5 Top Tens
    If not for those eight finishes outside the top 30.

    7 (3) – Kevin Harvick – 1312 pts – 1 Win, 4 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    “Cheaters” never win, but they can kick your ass

    8 (6) – Jeff Gordon – 1306 pts – 1 Top Five, 4 Top Tens
    At Kansas, he is the Dominator

    9 (12) – Ryan Newman – 1273 pts – 4 Top Tens
    At least he’s having a better year than those other guys out of South Bend

    10 (17) – Jimmie Johnson – 1251 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 4 Top Tens
    Is that the theme from “Jaws” I’m hearing?

    11 (13) – Denny Hamlin – 1250 pts – 1 Win, 4 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    Maybe he should pick on Danny Bonaduce before going after Harvick

    12 (9) – Clint Bowyer – 1233 pts – 1 Win, 4 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
    Anyone got a spare 150 points you can lend him?

    13 (11) – Matt Kenseth – 1227 pts – 1 Top Five, 2 Top Tens
    Best way to fix a fender rub is probably not by removing the fender.

    14 (9) – David Reutimann – 1190 pts – 1 Win, 2 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens
    Getting hits is great in baseball, not so good in stock car racing

    15 (15) – Kurt Busch – 1187 pts – 2 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    O brother, where art thou?

    16 (19) – A.J. Allmendinger – 1186 pts – 1 Top Five, 3 Top Tens
    Hopes of victory got deflated.

    17 (16) – Greg Biffle – 1161 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    Kansas has been good in the past, and he could use some lovin’ about now.

    18 (18) – Martin Truex Jr – 1123 pts – 2 Top Tens
    Once again the only Martin, Truex, or Junior to make this list

    19 (14) – Kasey Kahne – 1116 pts – 1 Top Five, 2 Top Tens
    Oh, krap!

    20 (23) – Joey Logano – 1109 pts – 2 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens
    Dover was much better than the New Hampshire experience.

  • The Last Word – Jimmie runs off with a win, Denny runs off with his mouth

    The Last Word – Jimmie runs off with a win, Denny runs off with his mouth

    So, what did we learn at Dover?

    Well, we learned that Jimmie Johnson had the best car. He led the most laps. He won for the sixth time this season, the 53rd Cup race of his career. In 18 races at Dover, he has won six, with a dozen top tens to his credit. Jimmie likes Dover, a lot. By the way, he kind of likes Kansas, too. Eight races, a win, six top tens, and three poles. It won’t be any easier for those who dream of challenging the champ.

    We learned that Denny Hamlin, still 35 points ahead of Johnson, has a lot to say about things he thinks he knows a lot about. We may soon learn how many fists Kevin Harvick can fit into Denny’s mouth. If you tell the world that someone is a cheat you better be standing on pretty firm ground, or a fellow could wind up laying on the dirt.

    We learned that a tow truck could have rearranged things at the back of Clint Bowyer’s car at New Hampshire which resulted in the 150 point penalty. I’m sure Hamlin disagrees, but that just reminds me as to why I don’t have any of his paraphernalia. By the time you read this, we’ll all know if NASCAR agrees or not.

    We learned that while Bowyer’s penalty was the talk of the garage, we got to talking about a few boys who got caught speeding last Sunday when they shouldn’t have been. Bowyer did it coming and going on the same stop and wound up 25th. Without those 150 points, he is done like dinner. Tony Stewart had enough gas at the end this week, but he also got caught being too rapid at the wrong time. He finished 21st and, along with Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle, could be nearing next year country.

    We learned that being good part of the time does not mean much when time is done. Just ask A.J. Allmendinger, who looked like a real contender until a tire went down to take him out of the lead, and contention. He still finished 10th. It was a better fate than the one experienced by Martin Truex Jr. He also looked good for a time, until that axle broke. He was back in Joe Nemechek’s Neighborhood with a 34th place result.

    Eight drivers remain within a hundred points of each other atop the standings as they head to Kansas for NASCAR’s tenth stop in the history of the venue. Jeff Gordon has owned this track, with a pair of wins and 6 top fives, but Tony Stewart won his second in Kansas just a year ago. Greg Biffle and Bowyer also have good records here, but so does one other fellow. His name is Johnson. That can’t be good news for a few fellows. Enjoy the week.

  • The Hot 20 over the past 10 – Carl leads the way, but somebody just took Clint’s ruby red slippers

    The Hot 20 over the past 10 – Carl leads the way, but somebody just took Clint’s ruby red slippers

    Those who are on top are not hot. Well, Denny Hamlin has not been. In fact, he has been downright frigid, at least until the last couple of weeks. Win one and finish second in the other, and all of a sudden one’s prospects begin to pick up.

    Win a race but have an illegal car, and the prospects head the other direction. Clint Bowyer lost 150 points, his crew chief, and his car chief as the car failed to pass post-race inspection coming out of New Hampshire. He tumbles to 12th in the Chase and from second to a tie for ninth on our charts. Sometimes when you leave Kansas you wind up in Oz, or the one with ruby red slippers under a house.

    Carl Edwards is the current belle of the ball, but has anybody noticed Juan Pablo Montoya recently? The Columbian might have missed a place in the Chase but, along with Jamie McMurray, might be in line to make as much news as the title contenders before they close the season.

    Here is a look at the hot 20 drivers over the past 10 events…

    *Those in bold blue are Chasers.

    1 (1) Carl Edwards – 1542 pts – 5 Top Fives, 8 Top Tens
    Is the Cup trophy bigger than the Nationwide one he already has on the shelf?

    2 (7) Juan Pablo Montoya – 1395 pts – 1 Win, 1 Top Five, 5 Top Tens
    Chase? I don’t need no stinkin’ Chase.

    3 (3) Kevin Harvick – 1389 pts – 2 Wins, 5 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
    You notice how Delana looks hotter in her firesuit?

    4 (2) Tony Stewart – 1355 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
    Well, he was good to the last drop.

    5 (5) Jeff Burton – 1349 pts – 3 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    Like Stewart, Burton was driving a chitty-chitty-cough-cough

    6 (6) Jeff Gordon – 1346 pts – 2 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
    Figures Junior had his car, and Mark Martin got Junior’s at Loudon.

    7 (9) Jamie McMurray – 1321 pts – 1 Win, 4 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    After Daytona and Indianapolis, is Jamie just marking time until Talladega?

    8 (8) Kyle Busch – 1305 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    How can a 25 year old with 80 NASCAR wins not be considered a contender?

    9 (4) Clint Bowyer – 1262 pts – 1 Win, 4 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
    Clint, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more.

    9 (11) David Reutimann – 1262 pts – 1 Win, 2 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens
    It truly is becoming a dream machine.

    11 (10) Matt Kenseth – 1236 pts – 1 Top Five, 2 Top Tens
    Has not yet begun to fight. I mean, he couldn’t have.

    12 (13) Ryan Newman – 1216 pts – 3 Top Tens
    Unlike his boss, he remembered the most important ingredient of an internal combustion engine.

    13 (16) Denny Hamlin – 1208 pts – 1 Win, 4 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    Knows the secret of the Chase is to have everyone chasing you.

    14 (17) Kasey Kahne – 1207 pts – 2 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens
    If driving a Hendrick car is heaven, does that mean he’ll be in purgatory next season?

    15 (14) Kurt Busch – 1173 pts – 1 Top Five, 5 Top Tens
    Discovered what happens when they play tag during a race.

    16 (15) Greg Biffle – 1163 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    The Biff beat Matt in New Hampshire, but Roush hopes ride with Carl.

    17 (12) Jimmie Johnson – 1131 pts – 2 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens
    I’m afraid if I look into my toilet, I’ll see Jimmie.

    18 (19) Martin Truex Jr – 1115 pts – 2 Top Tens
    Who thought the star of this team would be Reutimann?

    19 (18) A.J. Allmendinger – 1097 pts – 1 Top Five, 2 Top Tens
    We would change his name to Pettydinger if we thought it would help.

    20 (23) Dale Earnhardt Jr – 1051 pts – 2 Top Fives, 2 Top Tens
    Remember when a mere top five for Junior was a disappointment?

  • The Final Word – Loudon came down to one question, ‘Got Gas’?

    The Final Word – Loudon came down to one question, ‘Got Gas’?

    So, what did we learn at Loudon?

    Well, we learned that with no gas, you don’t go. You don’t go, you don’t win. Just ask Tony Stewart. Just ask Jeff Burton. Stewart was just one caution away from being able to save enough go-go juice to get there. It did not come, he wound up on fumes, and he got to the finish line by coasting as the winner was doing his burn out right behind him. Even Fred Flintstone would have been faster than Smoke.

    We learned that Clint Bowyer had just enough fuel to get there. Just. His burn out lasted only until his car coughed and quit. With his first win of the season, and just the third of his Cup career, Bowyer moves to within 35 points of Denny Hamlin after round one of the Chase.

    We learned that some would do well. Hamlin had gas, and finished second. Non-chasers such as Jamie McMurray and Dale Earnhardt Jr managed top fives, as did Kevin Harvick. Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch came through with top tens. Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch were also in the top 15, still in decent shape for this Sunday’s run at Dover. For some, the result last weekend was down right indecent.

    We learned that sometimes the risk isn’t really worth the reward. Stewart went from first to 24th, just one spot ahead of a snake bit Jimmie Johnson. It has been said a finish outside the top 15 in any Chase event could finish one’s championship chances. Well, Burton was 15th last Sunday, while Roush drivers Greg Biffle (17th) and Matt Kenseth (23rd) have even bigger holes to climb out of. Kenseth is now in twelfth place, 136 points away. He is not out, but he has had his mulligan.

    We learned that a track like the one at Loudon provides more televised entertainment than the one at Richmond. They raced close, they bumped, they spun, and some tried to win in the end carrying the same amount of fuel as a soap box derby auto. The ESPN boys and girls were even informative and entertaining. What more could you ask for? Okay, Rusty and Brad were once again all hat and no cattle, but let’s accentuate the positive.

    We learned that when Kevin Conway and his sponsor, Extenze, left Front Row Racing for Robby Gordon’s outfit, it may have stunted the financial growth of their former associates. So, Front Row is suing both driver and sponsor, no doubt to either extend their relationship or be compensated for denying them a potentially enlarged economic situation. Maybe another solution could be to firm up a new deal and return Viagra to NASCAR.

    Johnson swept Dover last year, with Kyle Busch taking this spring’s event. In fact, all of the Chasers were in the top twenty in May. Maybe good things do come to those who rate. Of course, having gas in the tank doesn’t hurt. Enjoy the week.

  • Hot 20 over the past 10 try to become the hot one over the last 10

    Hot 20 over the past 10 try to become the hot one over the last 10

    26 races down and now the Chase begins. With the points for those in the top dozen reset, it essentially comes down to who will get hot over these last ten events and claim the season crown.

    Denny Hamlin leads Jimmie Johnson by ten as they venture to New Hampshire on Sunday. Sure, neither have exactly been blazing a trail to the title just yet, though Hamlin thawed out to win last week and both have done very well at the Loudon track.

    Carl Edwards has been the hot hand in recent weeks, but he has never won at the New England venue. Tony Stewart and every other Chaser, with the exception of Matt Kenseth, have visited that Victory Lane at least once. Jeff Burton has been there four times. It would be a good time for the invisible man to take off the bandages and be seen.

    Clint Bowyer has sure been noticed in recent weeks, and for good reason. Kyle Busch seems to be waking from his slumber, while brother Kurt has six top tens in ten weeks. His misfortune is that when he isn’t up front, he is somewhere near the back of the pack.

    Then there are those previewing for 2011. Juan Pablo Montoya, Jamie McMurray, and David Reutimann have been among our best in recent weeks. Can they go from being considered pretenders to potential contenders by the time we go into winter hibernation?

    As they begin the Chase, here are our top 20 over the past ten events…

    1 (2) Carl Edwards – 1495 pts – 5 Top Fives, 8 Top Tens
    Some cousins are kissin’, some are flippin’

    2 (1) Tony Stewart – 1434 pts – 1 Win, 4 Top Fives, 7 Top Tens
    Does this make Tony the under dog?

    3 (3) Kevin Harvick – 1389 pts – 2 Wins, 5 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
    It has been fun till now, but the real season is about to begin.

    4 (5) Jeff Burton – 1363 pts – 3 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    Might wind up being the Kenseth of 2010.

    4 (6) Clint Bowyer – 1363 pts – 3 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
    This is another Clint who might dare you to make his day.

    6 (4) Jeff Gordon – 1351 pts – 3 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    Number 5 is alive, but can he keep it that way?
        
    7 (12) Juan Pablo Montoya – 1346 pts – 1 Win, 1 Top Five, 5 Top Tens
    Too late for this year, but this fall could be a preview of the spring

    8 (15) Kyle Busch – 1302 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 4 Top Tens
    Me thinks this Shrub is heating up to burning Busch status

    9 (7) Jamie McMurray – 1260 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 4 Top Tens
    Maybe this year was just a sneak preview of what is to come.

    10 (14) Matt Kenseth – 1254 pts – 1 Top Five, 2 Top Tens
    He is here thanks to being no worse than 18th over the past ten.

    11 (11) David Reutimann – 1234 pts – 1 Win, 2 Top Fives, 2 Top Tens
    See above for an idea as to why, and toss in a win for good measure.

    12 (8) Jimmie Johnson – 1233 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 4 Top Tens
    His trophies are more sequentially appealing than Jeff’s up on the mantle.

    13 (13) Ryan Newman – 1229 pts – 3 Top Tens
    Not in their Top 12, but could wind up in our’s before the season ends.

    14 (16) Kurt Busch – 1219 pts – 2 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    Either great or awful, it is time to be more of the former than the latter.

    15 (9) Greg Biffle – 1166 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    Three 30-something finishes can keep a good man down.

    16 (22) Denny Hamlin – 1159 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 4 Top Tens
    Could another trip to the bottled shower be coming up at Loudon?

    17 (10) Kasey Kahne – 1151 pts – 2 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens
    I miss the girls, I miss the good hands guy from 24

    18 (20) A.J. Allmendinger – 1109 pts – 1 Top Five, 3 Top Tens
    Anagrams of his name include “renal melding” and “gnarled me nil.”

    18 (21) Martin Truex Jr – 1109 pts – 2 Top Tens
    The only Martin, Truex, or Junior to be found on the list this week

    20 (18) Marcos Ambrose – 1096 pts – 2 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens
    Down under on the list this week with six of last ten outside the top twenty

  • The Final Word – Is the Richmond race over yet?

    The Final Word – Is the Richmond race over yet?

    So, what did we learn at Richmond?

    Well, we learned that it isn’t exactly a track conducive to providing riveting televised sports excitement. To be blunt, Saturday night’s race was as boring as blazes. I actually nodded off more than a few times during the dullathon. The ESPN crew simply does not have it takes to conjure up a silk purse from such a sow’s ear. Toss in Rusty and Brad and I’m sure the boys and girls did not convert any novice viewers into becoming die hard NASCAR fans. It was like watching soccer on wheels. Still, all was not lost. At least it ended with me feeling well rested.

    We learned that Denny Hamlin, who has been cold as ice the past couple of months, still has enough left in the tank to contend when it counts. Between Atlanta and Richmond, the Pied Piper went from worst to first, collected his 6th win of the season, and enters the Chase ten points better than Jimmie Johnson. Whether his lead will hold up or not will be answered soon enough this weekend.

    We learned that Clint Bowyer was not going to be denied a shot at the title. Rather than falling out in Joe Nemechek fashion early, which would have given some others a chance, the Kansas driver was near the front the entire evening, finishing 6th when all was said and done. Ryan, Jamie, and Mark can always dream that 2011 will be their year.

    We learned that while Johnson and Jeff Gordon will be racing for the roses this fall, their Hendrick team-mates Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr will not. For Junior, starting in the top ten was as good as this night would get, as the rest turned out to be like so many others this season. Junior was 34th on Saturday night.

    We learned that before we write off the son of the icon, the superman who was, we should check a few of the facts. Since he last made the Chase, Junior has led more than 1500 laps, averaged an 18th place finish over the past 134 events, collecting more than 110 points, on average, each race. Those figures are better than those of Juan Pablo Montoya over those same time period. Sadly, instead of being like the Columbian, Earnhart was supposed to be what Jimmie Johnson has become. In truth, the one guy Earnhardt fails to really measure up to is himself and the type of results he had enjoyed through 2006. Where he once won 2.4 races per year, he has won just once in the nearly four seasons since those glory days. Junior is still good. His misfortune is that what his fans want is greatness.

    We learned the final lineup as to who will challenge for the crown, beginning this Sunday in New Hampshire. Five of them have already won the title, combining for a dozen championships between them. Johnson and Jeff Gordon seek their fifth, Tony Stewart his third, with Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth hoping for a second trophy for the mantle. Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton, Carl Edwards, and Clint Bowyer would love to be part of their circle.

    If history means anything, don’t expect Edwards or Kenseth to lead the way after Sunday. Neither has ever won at Loudon. The other ten have, with Burton with four to his credit. However, the smart money would be on the current leaders, as both Johnson and Hamlin appear to be heating up at about the right time at a track both seem to do well at. It should be a good one to watch, unless you were hoping to doze off in front of the television set Sunday afternoon. The action might prove too exciting for that. Enjoy the week.

  • Hot 20 over the past 10 – RCR has 3 of the best heading to Richmond

    Hot 20 over the past 10 – RCR has 3 of the best heading to Richmond

    With just one more race to go before the Chase begins, four teams are featured among our hottest half dozen. Tony Stewart leads his own team, Carl Edwards for Jack Roush, and there is Jeff Gordon representing Rick Hendrick. The other three belong to Richard Childress, and all have got hot at about the right time.

    Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton have long had their place at the table set, and if Clint Bowyer can finish in the Top 30 at Richmond on Saturday night he would join his team-mates in the Chase for the title. Over the past ten events, Bowyer has averaged a 14th place finish. It gets better if you remove the two road courses, which have proven to be his Achilles heel, improving to an average finish of ninth. Simply put, he won’t be caught this weekend unless they force him to make some right hand turns out there.

    Usually, the hottest drivers are our leaders, but there are some exceptions. Jamie McMurray is very unlikely to make the Chase, but he has been almost as hot as Bowyer in recent weeks. Kasey Kahne, David Reutimann, and Juan Pablo Montoya have also been among our 12 best, but all are racing for pride and to establish themselves for a run next year.

    One driver who is cold as ice, who will make the Chase but who isn’t even among our Top 20 hot drivers, is Denny Hamlin. He might be tied with Jimmie Johnson for the Chase point lead, but since he won his fifth race of the season at Michigan he has finished outside the top twenty in half of the races run since. He could turn out to be the Brian Vickers of 2010, the guy who makes the Chase but does absolutely nothing once he gets there.  Mind you, Vickers didn’t go down the toilet until Kansas last year. Hamlin is already swimming around the bowl. He might have as much to prove at Richmond as anybody.

    Here is a look at our hottest 20 drivers over the past 10 events.

    * Drivers in the Chase ** Drivers with a slim chance of making the Chase

    1 (2) Tony Stewart* – 1462 pts – 1 Win, 4 Top Fives, 8 Top Tens
    If he ran speedboats, would he be Smoke on the water?

    2 (4) Carl Edwards* – 1432 pts – 5 Top Fives, 7 Top Tens
    Does a happy Carl mean a nicer Carl?

    3 (1) Kevin Harvick* – 1416 pts – 2 Wins, 6 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
    Hates engine gunk and exploding tires.

    4 (3) Jeff Gordon* – 1379 pts – 4 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
    The car looked pretty, but ran ugly.

    5 (7) Jeff Burton* – 1316 pts – 3 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    Rarely up front, but he usually can see the front.

    6 (9) Clint Bowyer* – 1283 pts – 3 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    Offered up only his back bumper to those chasing him.

    7 (8) Jamie McMurray** – 1266 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 4 Top Tens
    This year, Daytona and Indy. Next year, the title.

    8 (10) Jimmie Johnson* – 1248 pts – 2 Wins, 3 Top Fives, 4 Top Tens
    One last mulligan race before it begins again for real.

    9 (6) Greg Biffle* – 1245 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
    Put his car back together and pegged himself into a place in the Chase.

    10 (5) Kasey Kahne – 1235 pts – 3 Top Fives, 4 Top Tens
    Why would he upset a guy who has no neck?

    11 (11) David Reutimann – 1231 pts – 1 Win, 2 Top Fives, 2 Top Tens
    Literally was at a loss for words at Atlanta.

    12 (12) Juan Pablo Montoya – 1229 pts – 1 Win, 1 Top Five, 5 Top Tens
    I’m Juan Montoya. You race with me, you racin’ with the best!

    13 (17) Ryan Newman** – 1214 pts – 3 Top Tens
    Kahne should be thankful on Sunday it was a smilin’ Ryan.

    14 (13) Matt Kenseth* – 1206 pts – 1 Top Five, 2 Top Tens
    Outside Top 20 only twice this season.

    15 (18) Kyle Busch* – 1178 pts – 1 Win, 2 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens
    Too fast in the pits, too loose was the wheel, yet 5th was the finish.

    16 (14) Kurt Busch* – 1177 pts – 2 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
    Dear Kasey. You are welcome. Kurt.

    17 (16) Dale Earnhardt Jr – 1102 pts – 1 Top Five, 2 Top Tens
    Good thing he didn’t print up those 2010 Championship t-shirts.

    18 (21) Marcos Ambrose – 1096 pts – 1 Top Five, 3 Top Tens
    Favorite group is not Men at Work.

    19 (20) Mark Martin** – 1093 pts – 1 Top Ten
    Cup title will need to come now at the age of 52.

    20 (19) A.J. Allmendinger – 1091 pts – 1 Top Five, 2 Top Tens
    I wonder if he knows Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia?


    22 (15) Denny Hamlin* – 1025 pts – 2 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens
    If he gets any colder he’ll need to be wearing mitts.