Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Author: SM Staff

  • Matty’s Picks: AdvoCare 500 Vol. 16 – Atlanta – September 4, 2011

    Matty’s Picks: AdvoCare 500 Vol. 16 – Atlanta – September 4, 2011

    We make our only trip to Atlanta Motor Speedway this Labor Day Weekend, a track where in 1995, the late Dale Earnhardt drove his No. 3 to victory in a race time of 3 hours, 3 minutes, and 3 seconds. That might just be my coolest “quirky fact” yet for Matty’s Picks.

    [media-credit name=”atlantamotorspeedway.com” align=”alignright” width=”152″][/media-credit]Atlanta has no characteristic of being dominated by one or a few drivers as 7 different drivers have won this race the past 10 years, repeat winners being; defending race winner Tony Stewart (2010 & 2006), Carl Edwards(2005 & 2008), and Jimmie Johnson (2007 & 2004).

    For the first time in 50 years, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will visit Atlanta Motor Speedway just once in the 2011 campaign. Atlanta forfeited its spring race this season to yield an opening in the 36-race schedule for its brother, Kentucky Speedway. Being one of the original NASCAR superspeedways, the track has traditionally drawn two races to the Peach State but with just one weekend on the schedule this year, you can be sure that the fans will pack the grandstands when the lights come on Sunday night.

    Bristol Recap

    For the first time since The Brickyard, I didn’t pick a driver that finished inside the Top 10, so in turn my Bristol recap will be rather brief.

    Before his troubles last Wednesday night in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in Thunder Valley, Kyle Busch had won the previous 5 NASCAR events at Bristol Motor Speedway. His prior dominance in all three major NASCAR series at BMS was my basis for picking him as my Winner Pick last week.

    Busch struggled for the majority of the weekend, (besides the Nationwide Series race Friday night) and his troubles carried into the race on Saturday. His car was NEVER good last weekend, and really drove the wheels off his Doublemint Camry to try and say in the Top 10. Busch eventually would come home 14th and had this to say about his troubles:

    “Kind of a disappointing day, but proud of the guys. We never gave up, but we just never could get the car to where it would feel like it had in the past. That’s kind of what we struggled with all weekend — just not being able to get that special Bristol feel.”

    As for my Dark Horse pick last week, he fared a bit better than Kyle Busch but still failed to finish inside the Top 10 by just one spot.

    Kasey Kahne found himself one lap down just past the midway point in the race, but was fast enough to stay just behind the leaders and catch the lucky dog, putting him back on the lead lap.

    Kahne started at the tail of the field and was able to work his way through a bit of traffic after the Lucky Dog, and was able to secure an 11th place finish for his efforts. The finish boosted him two spots in the points standings and he spoke after the race:

    “We worked on the balance of the car all evening. Luckily, we got the lucky dog and were able to work our way up to 11th at the finish. The finish moved us up two spots in the points, which is great with two races left to get in the Chase. We head to Atlanta next week, which is one of my favorite tracks so looking forward to that.”

    Atlanta Picks

    Without a spring race at Atlanta this year, I will be turning to some statistics from prior seasons as well as results from the first race at AMS’ twin sister, Texas Motor Speedway. Texas was modeled after its big brother in 1996, and produces extremely similar racing to AMS with its 24-degrees of banking and corner-entry speeds over 200 MPH.

    Winner Pick

    This week, I’d like to please my girlfriend again by picking her favorite driver. I’m trying to score some brownie points with her after ditching her this Labor Day Weekend to head to South Bend, Indiana to fulfill a dream I’ve had for quite some time. I will be attending my first football game at Notre Dame Stadium as my beloved Fighting Irish take on the Bulls from the University of South Florida.

    At least my girlfriend’s favorite driver has some history at Atlanta Motor Speedway and is extremely familiar with Victory Lane at the track. Jimmie Johnson has 3 wins at AMS and an average finish just outside the Top 10 at 10.4. He finished 3rd in this race last year, but his last win at Atlanta came in October of 2007, the year he swept both Sprint Cup races at AMS.

    Johnson finished 8th at Texas earlier this year, and will probably go down as the best Intermediate Track drivers in NASCAR history. He has tallied 37 of his 54 victories on Intermediate Tracks and averages a Top 10 in all combined races on 1.5 mile courses, a no-brainer pick I would say.

    Dark Horse Pick

    My dark horse pick is desperate for a win here late in the season, and Atlanta is a place I feel he has a good shot at doing it. Clint Bowyer sits 12th in the Chase for the Sprint Cup standings, but with zero wins would find himself on the outside looking in for the last 10 races of the season.

    As it stands now without Bowyer having a win, Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin would seal the two Wild Card spots, moving Bowyer aside. Atlanta is a place that Bowyer enjoys racing at as it brings him back to his days of Dirt racing in the Midwest. Atlanta’s slick, high-banked corners make turning though the corners similar to that of driving on Dirt.

    Bowyer scored a Top 10 in this race last year with his 7th place finish, his 5th at AMS, but has failed to finish inside the Top 5 at Atlanta. Bowyer finished second earlier this season at Texas, and has fire in his belly for a win this weekend. Bowyer is looking for a win in the worst kind of way and he might just do it Sunday night.

    That’s all for this edition of Matty’s Picks. As a quick side note, I’m extremely excited for the 2011 College Football season to start this weekend. I’ll be watching my Alma Matter, West Virginia University take on the Marshall Thundering Herd this Sunday afternoon in preparation for the race Sunday Night.

    Until next week…LETS GOOO MOUNTAINEERS!

  • NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: THE NATIONWIDE SERIES AT ATLANTA

    NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: THE NATIONWIDE SERIES AT ATLANTA

    NASCAR’s Nationwide Series will play a major role in the big weekend at the Atlanta Motor Speedway with Saturday’s running of the Great Clips 300. With this race comes a very tight battle for the series’ championship that could go down to the final race of the season. There is also the presence of NASCAR Sprint Cup double duty drivers in this race that will likely make their presence felt.

    THE STORY BREAKDOWN.

    [media-credit name=”Barry Albert” align=”alignright” width=”260″][/media-credit]The direction of the Nationwide Series’ championship profile seems to be focused on three drivers. Roush Fenway Racing’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr continues to lead the points standings and has been there for the past four weeks. However veteran driver Elliott Sadler, representing Kevin Harvick Inc, has used some very consistent performances as of late and has whittled the Stenhouse lead to a mere five points. Still very much a major player in this championship battle is Turner Motorsports driver Reed Sorenson who is only ten points away from the top.

    The big difference maker in the final resolution of the Nationwide Series championship could very well be based on the bonus points system that comes with winning a race, leading a lap or leading the most laps in a race. This is an area where Stenhouse has excelled so far this season. He has already accumulated 21 bonus points while Sadler has nine and Sorenson has eight.

    The other Nationwide Series championship, the owner’s points, seems to be well settled. Joe Gibbs Racing, and their #18 Toyota team, currently holds a 50 points advantage over Roush Fenway Racing’s #60 Ford team. The Gibbs success, needless to say, has been based on the phenomenal series success of driver Kyle Busch. Joe Gibbs Racing is currently seeking their fourth, consecutive, owner’s title in the Nationwide Series. If they’re successful, and it certainly looks like it, it will be a new series record.

    ************

    What would a Nationwide Series event be without the presence of Sprint Cup double duty drivers? The Great Clips 300 has a pretty impressive collection of Cup drivers who will be looking to gain some information, regarding track and tire conditions, that can be used for Sunday’s race. The truth be known, these drivers will largely be looking to just have some Saturday night fun.

    Kevin Harvick will be in his self owned KHI #33 Chevrolet but will be running this race with a brand new crew chief. On Tuesday KHI announced that Chris Carrier has been named as the new head man on the pit box. Carrier will be very busy at Atlanta doing some double duty himself. He’s also the crew chief for KHI’s #8 Chevrolet, driven by Nelson Piquet Jr, in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Carrier will be on the pit box for both races this weekend. Eventually KHI plans to name a new crew chief for their truck team.

    Joe Gibbs Racing will also be well represented in Saturday night’s race. The always formidable Kyle Busch will behind the wheel of their #18 Toyota. Making his official debut, as the new JGR development driver, will be Ryan Truex who will drive the team’s #20 Toyota.

    Other double duty drivers include Kasey Kahne who will be behind the wheel of the #38 Chevrolet for Turner Motorsports. Meanwhile JR Motorsports has named Jamie McMurray to drive their #7 Chevrolet at Atlanta.

    But the one surprise on the double duty list is the name Brad Keselowski. The Penske Racing driver returns to his Nationwide Series duties for the first time in four weeks following an August 3d test session accident on a road course that left him with a very painful fractured left ankle. All season long Keselowski has been running the full schedule in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series. That, of course, was deterred after the accident.

    Penske Racing lined up some high quality replacement from their talent pool to fill the seat for Keselowski’s Nationwide Series Dodge. That talent roster included Kurt Busch, Sam Hornish Jr, Jacques Villeneuve and Parker Kligerman. During the short fill in time this quartet of drivers turned in one win, two top ten finishes and two poles.

    On the Sprint Cup side, Keselowski has been red hot. He’s currently in 11th in the points, with three wins, and that guarantees him at least a wild card berth in the series’ Chase For The Championship. With two races left, before the Chase line up is officially set, Keselowski could possibly get into the top ten which means he would be eligible for the bonus points for his wins and that would guarantee a high seed position in the Chase.

    While the healing process for his fractured ankle is on track, one has to wonder if this is a good time for Penske Racing to put Keselowski back into their Nationwide Series car. With his Chase status now a certainty, why take the chance of something happening Saturday night that could re injure his foot? It just makes more sense to keep this driver out of the Nationwide car until it’s time for the Chase to start.

    ************

    THE RACE BREAKDOWN

    The Great Clips 300 is 195 laps/300miles around the Atlanta Motor Speedway’s 1.54 mile, very fast, quad oval.

    The race has 45 entries vying for the 43 starting berths and the winner’s share of the $942,000 plus race purse.

    15 of those entries are on the go or go home list meaning they are not guaranteed a starting berth in the race because they are currently outside of the top 30 in the series’ owner’s points. These teams will have to rely on qualifying speeds to make the race. The lone exception here is driver Jeff Green who has the option of using a past champion’s provisional.

    Saturday’s Great Clips 300 will be broadcast live by the ESPN2 Network with the “NASCAR Countdown” show beginning at 7 pm eastern time.

  • NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: A TAILGATE PARTY AT HOT ‘LANTA

    NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: A TAILGATE PARTY AT HOT ‘LANTA

    The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be bringing their high energy brand of tailgate party to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for Friday night’s running of the Good Sam Club 200. The truck series will join their Nationwide and Sprint Cup counterparts for the massive NASCAR weekend at Atlanta. Don’t be too surprised if the truck brigade turns out to be the class act of the entire weekend. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that happened.

    THE STORY BREAKDOWN

    [media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”277″][/media-credit]During the SPEED Channel coverage of the NASCAR Camping Word Truck Series event at Atlanta, you will hear a lot of speculation regarding Kevin Harvick Inc and their future in the truck series. The speculation says they may be severely limiting, if not even completing shutting down, the truck side of their operation and, yes, that could mean four time series champion Ron Hornaday Jr could be looking for a ride next year. Remember this is only speculation and nothing is official until we hear a formal announcement from Kevin and DeLana Harvick which could be coming next week. As far as the Atlanta race goes KHI will field three trucks with Sprint Cup driver Clint Bowyer in their number 2 truck. Nelson Piquet Jr will be in his #8 with Hornaday in his traditional #33 business as usual.

    *************

    The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be bringing a very tight points battle to Atlanta featuring a series veteran and two young hopefuls who seeking NASCAR gold at the end of the season. Thorsport Racing veteran Johnny Sauter leads the current standings with 61 points. However, that lead is only seven markers ahead of Turner Motorsports’ James Buescher. The presence of this young driver in the championship profile is especially impressive because he missed the series’ race at Phoenix and had to work hard all season to eradicate that deficit. Third in the standings is Red Horse Racing’s Timothy Peters who is only 15 points out of first.

    ************

    There are four previous Atlanta winners entered in Friday night’s race: Todd Bodine, Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman and Ron Hornaday Jr. From this group, only Busch is a multiple Atlanta winner having won there four times with the last trip to victory lane dating back to 2009.

    Over the years the truck series at Atlanta has displayed a tendency to create some very close finishes. Nine of the last 11 events has featured margin of victories of 0.971 seconds or less. The closest ever Atlanta truck finish came in March of 2005 when Ron Hornaday Jr led Bobby Labonte under the checkers with a margin of 0.008 seconds. It remains as the fifth closest decision in series history.

    **************

    Sprint Cup Chase contender Ryan Newman will be making a guest appearance in Friday night’s truck behind the wheel of the #08 Realtree/Brandt Chevrolet for Turner Motorsports. This race entry is a celebration of life in honor of Beau Slocumb, an employee of Turner Motorsports and former driver, who tragically passed away due to cancer at the age of 26. Newman first met Slocumb while on a fishing trip at his house. The pair quickly became lifelong friends. Slocumb’s passion, beyond racing, was hunting and fishing. Turner Motorsports and Realtree had the Chevrolet truck wrapped with a camouflage design in his honor and stenciled his name above the passenger window. In recent days it was announced by the team that any purse money won from the Atlanta race will be donated to Mrs Slocumb.

    ***************

    Driver Johanna Long will be making her truck series debut at Atlanta Friday night. Her #20 Panhandle Motorsports Toyota will be “Paw Paw Powered.” That phrase will be turned into a decal and placed on her truck in honor of her “Paw Paw”,(Grandfather). Explaining the special tribute, Long said “I’m racing in honor of my Paw Paw this weekend. He’s been battling liver disease for awhile and is still staying strong, so I want this race to be for him. He’s the one who has given me the opportunity to do what I love from the beginning of my career, and he has been my biggest supporter. Every lap I take around the Atlanta Motor Speedway will be for him.”

    ************

    THE RACE BREAKDOWN

    The Good Sam Club 200 is 130 laps/200.2 miles around the Atlanta Motor Speedway’s massive 1.54 mile quad oval.

    The race has 37 entries vying for the 36 starting berths. Ten of those entries are on the go or go home list meaning they are not guaranteed a start in the race because they are currently outside of the series’ top 25 in owner’s points. These teams will have to rely on qualifying speed to make the race.

    Friday’s Good Sam Club 200 will be broadcast live by the SPEED Channel beginning with qualifying at 5 pm eastern time. The pre race show will be aired at 730 pm eastern.

  • NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: SOME HOT CHASE ACTION IN HOT ‘LANTA

    NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: SOME HOT CHASE ACTION IN HOT ‘LANTA

    NASCAR’s Sprint Cup teams are headed to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for Sunday’s running of the AdvoCare 500. This is the next to the last race before NASCAR names its official line up for the 2011 Sprint Cup Chase For The Championship. That alone is going to add a lot of high speed drama to a race that will be ran on the fastest track on the Sprint Cup schedule.

    THE STORY BREAKDOWN

    [media-credit name=”Brad Keppel” align=”alignright” width=”223″][/media-credit]Going into Sunday’s race at Atlanta six teams have officially clinched their starting berths in the 2011 Chase. That includes Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards. Kevin Harvick, with three wins, and Jeff Gordon, a two time winner, are currently in the Chase based a guaranteed wild card status but it’s highly likely they will officially join the top ten Chase starters this Sunday.

    The magic number for the Chase is 49. That means that any driver, in the top ten standings, who is at least 49 points ahead of the 11th position, after Sunday’s race, will clinch a starting berth in the Chase. The Chase scenario for those seeking to clinch a Chase berth this Sunday is as follows:

    Kevin Harvick and Jeff Gordon are each 93 points in front of the 11th position. By clinching an official top ten Chase berth they will be entitled to three bonus points for each of their previous wins when the Chase contender’s points are reset after September 10th. To make this happen, Harvick and Gordon has to finish at least 40th at Atlanta, 41st with a bonus point for leading a lap or 42nd with the bonus point for leading the most laps.

    Ryan Newman is currently 73 points in front of the 11th position. To officially earn a Chase berth Newman needs to finish at least 20th at Atlanta, 21st with a lap lead or 22nd after leading the most laps.

    Kurt Busch is 60 points in front of 11th and needs a seventh place finish to clinch, 8th with a lap led or 9th with the most laps led.

    For Dale Earnhardt Jr, 39 points in front of 11th, and Tony Stewart, 21 points in front of 11th, there is no real specific numerical formula for them to clinch this Sunday. They are going to need some help at Atlanta as in the 11th place driver experiencing some bad racing luck. Unfortunately for Earnhardt and Stewart that 11th place driver is the red hot Brad Keselowski. Earnhardt and Stewart may have to consider a conservative racing for points stance at Atlanta and, hopefully, claim their Chase Berths the following weekend at Richmond. This points scenario could get really interesting next Sunday.

    Positions 11 and 12 in the official Chase line up are the wild card berths. Going into Sunday’s race, Brad Keselowski is locked in due to his three wins this year. Denny Hamlin has the second wild card berth with his one win earlier this year.

    However, Hamlin’s wild card berth is not 100 percent safe. A win by Clint Bowyer at Atlanta, who is 12th in the points to Hamlin’s 13th, could load up the wild card drama. A surprise win from either A J Allmendinger or Kasey Kahne would produce the same result.

    The Chase rules states that wild card drivers must be in the top 20 in the championship points. Another surprise, second, win by Paul Menard could put him in the Chase because he’s 20th in the points. Other possible wild card surprises, from drivers with one win, includes David Ragan, three points out of 20th and Marcos Ambrose, four points from 20th.

    *************

    Also at issue this Sunday is the final resolution of the Sprint Summer Showdown promotion. After selecting four qualifying races, the Showdown could be won by any one of three drivers at Atlanta. The grand prizes includes $1 million to the winning driver and their team, $1 million to the winning driver’s designated charity and $1 million to a lucky NASCAR fan.

    Eligible drivers, their winning qualifying race and their charity includes:

    Paul Menard, Indianapolis, Habitat For Humanity

    Brad Keselowski, Pocono and Bristol, Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation

    Kyle Busch, Michigan, Kyle Busch Foundation

    ************

    During the Atlanta weekend you will also hear a lot of speculation regarding the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup silly season, the annual process of sorting out rumors regarding which driver is going where next year.

    Highlighting the final dregs of this silly season is Clint Bowyer, the driver of the #33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. It’s well known that Bowyer wants to remain with Childress. In turn Childress is determined to make that happen and there has been some reported intense contract negotiations as of late. However, according to recent reports from ESPN, one of the problem areas seems to lie with this driver’s hesitation to take a pay cut. In the recent past, many Sprint Cup drivers have agreed to salary cuts to help with the high cost of maintaining their teams in the wake of dwindling sponsor dollars.

    There is also an issue of sponsorship with the Bowyer team. It appears that Cheerios, along with other General Mills brands, will not be returning. There is already speculation that says Five Hour Energy Drink may be sponsoring some of the 2012 races if Bowyer remains with the team.

    But the really interesting silly season rumor regarding Bowyer came up in recent days when it was revealed that he had been talking to other teams including Richard Petty Motorsports. This was confirmed by RPM co-owner Andrew Murstein who, during an interview with the Sirius Satellite Radio NASCAR Channel, said his organization has been working on the creation of a third Sprint Cup team for the past six months and were definitely talking to Bowyer.

    **************

    THE LAS VEGAS BREAKDOWN

    Which Chase driver is going to pad his Bonus points total at Atlanta? Who’s going to clinch a Chase berth next Sunday? Who’s going to make waves with the wild card berths? Who’s going to shock us all with a surprise Atlanta win?

    The best way to determine the answers to these questions is to examine the numbers presented by professionals from the Las Vegas based World Sports Exchange, (WSE).

    At the top of the WSE’s Atlanta ranking are certified Chase contenders Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson each rated at 8 to 1 odds. Edwards has excellent Atlanta numbers that includes three wins, seven top five finishes and a 14.2 average finish ratio, (AFR). Busch is a previous Atlanta winner with a 17.3 AFR and , as we all know, he’s always a threat to find victory lane. Johnson’s numbers are also outstanding at this track and includes three wins, including sweeping both races in 2007, along with ten top fives and a very healthy 10.4 AFR. All three of these drivers are potential winners as well as rock solid wager considerations.

    At 9 to 1 odds is Chase contender Jeff Gordon who is also a solid wager consideration due to outstanding Atlanta numbers that includes four wins, 14 top fives and a 12.5 AFR.

    Kurt Busch leads the Dodge hopes with a 10 to 1 ranking. He’s a three time Atlanta winner with three top fives. However, the AFR, 18.0, is a little on the high side.

    The same applies to Kevin Harvick, also at 10 to 1, who is a previous Atlanta winner with four top fives. However, his AFR, 20.5, is also very high and there has been mysterious performance issues with this team as of late.

    At 11 to 1 odds is car 11. Denny Hamlin presently holds on to the second wild card berth but seriously needs a second season win to fortify his Chase potential. Unfortunately, Hamlin’s Atlanta numbers does not reflect that possibility. He’s still seeking his first win there and has an 18.4 AFR. However, the element of a surprise win from this driver is not beyond the realm of possibility especially in light of some of the surprises we’ve seen this season.

    At 12 to 1 odds you will find the trio of Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart and Brad Keselowski. All three will be drivers to watch this Sunday. Kenseth is win less at Atlanta but he does have eight top fives and a 13.2 AFR. This driver has a habit of quietly riding around during a Sprint Cup event only to show up as a major player at the end of the event. He’s already being touted as a potential 2011 champion.

    Tony Stewart is at the height of frustration over performance levels of his team and has dropped to tenth in points, perilously close to falling out of the top ten. If there’s going to be a badly needed turn around then Atlanta just might be the place. He’s a three time winner with nine top fives and a healthy 11.6 AFR.

    Brad Keselowski has locked down the first wild card berth in the Chase and will be seeking his fourth win of the season that could move him into the top ten and the bonus points that comes with it. However his Atlanta numbers does not support the theory. He has no wins, no top tens and a 30.5 AFR. But, then again, six weeks ago we didn’t believe he had a chance of making the Chase.

    The WSE’s middle tier is led by two time Atlanta winner Kasey Kahne who could make some waves toward the second wild card berth with a win this Sunday. Right behind him are Greg Biffle along with previous Atlanta winner, and Chase hopeful, Dale Earnhardt Jr at 26 to 1. Juan Pablo Montoya is ranked at 30 to 1 followed by two time race winner Mark Martin at 35 to 1.

    Ryan Newman leads a quartet of drivers at 36 to 1. Newman, still seeking his first Atlanta win, could clinch a Chase berth this weekend. Clint Bowyer could create havoc with the second wild card Chase berth with a win this Sunday despite the fact he’s still seeking his first top five finish there. Also in this category are drivers Joey Logano and David Ragan.

    In the WSE lower tier is Jeff Burton at 40 to 1 followed by Michael Waltrip Racing team mates Martin Truex Jr and David Reutimann at 41 to 1. Paul Menard closes the Atlanta ranking at 51 to 1.

    If you do not see the name of your favorite driver on the WSE Atlanta posting then assume they are listed under “all others” at 15 to 1 odds. The one stand out in this particular group is JTG Daugherty Racing’s Bobby Labonte who has six wins, 12 top fives and a 17.8 AFR at Atlanta. If there’s a driver who could shock us all ,to the point of yelling “where did he come from?” then this is the guy.

    Now for the disclaimer: NASCAR wants us to remind you that these posted numbers are for informational and entertainment purposes only. They neither encourage or condone the placing of wagers on their events. But if you’re going to make those bets anyway, and many of you will, then you may as well use the professional number crunching from the WSE or you can opt to spend your gambling budget on Danica Patrick souvenirs before the prices go up due to the monetary value of those contracts she signed last week.

    *************

    THE RACE BREAKDOWN

    Sunday’s AdvoCare 500 is 325 laps/500.5 miles around the Atlanta Motor Speedway’s massive 1.54 mile quad oval and is the fastest track on the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule.

    The race has 47 entries vying for the 43 starting positions seeking the winner’s share of the $6 million plus purse. 12 of those entries are on the go or go home list meaning they are not guaranteed a start in the race because they are currently outside of the top 35 in NASCAR owner’s points. These teams will have to rely on their qualifying speed to make the race.

    The Atlanta Motor Speedway has played a significant role in the history of NASCAR and first opened in 1960. The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held in July 1960 and was won by the legendary Fireball Roberts from the pole position. Since that time there has been 103 Sprint Cup races at Atlanta that has sent 42 different winners to victory lane. Dale Earnhardt Sr leads the track stats in wins with nine. Bobby Labonte leads all active drivers with six wins. The Wood Brothers leads the category of team wins with 12. 14 Atlanta wins have come from the pole position while 59 wins came from starting positions within the top five.

    The Atlanta Motor Speedway is a 1.54 mile quad oval with 24 degrees of banking in the turns. The front stretch measures 2,332 feet, with five degrees of banking, while the backstretch measures 1,800 feet also banked at five degrees. The pit road speed is 45 MPH. The speedway presently has seating for 99,000 fans.

    The weather forecast for the Atlanta area calls for sunny skies on Friday and Sunday with temperatures ranging from 88 to 91 degrees. However weather could play a huge role on Sunday race day with cloudy skies and a 30 to 40 percent chance of thunder storms from Sunday afternoon to Sunday night.

    Sunday’s AdvoCare 500 will be broadcast live by the ESPN Network with the “Countdown” program beginning at 7 pm eastern time. The race re air will be on Wednesday, September 7th, at 12 pm eastern on SPEED.

  • EXPERIENCE FRIDAY’S ON-TRACK ACTIVITY FROM PIT ROAD WITH RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY’S PRE-RACE PIT PASSES

    EXPERIENCE FRIDAY’S ON-TRACK ACTIVITY FROM PIT ROAD WITH RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY’S PRE-RACE PIT PASSES

    Fans Can Experience Unforgettable Sights & Sounds Up Close on NASCAR Race Day

    Richmond, VA (September 1, 2011)—Richmond International Raceway is bringing you closer to the action than ever before with Friday Pre-Race Pit Passes for the next weekend’s “One Last Race to Make The Chase” NASCAR doubleheader. You can watch NASCAR pole qualifying and practice from the perspective of a NASCAR crew member and see the stock cars from just a few feet away as they rumble down pit road, giving you an unforgettable experience of the sights and sounds that only NASCAR can produce.

    For the first time ever this past April, America’s Premier Short Track offered fans individual Friday Pre-Race Pit Passes. And passes are available for the upcoming September race weekend as well. For just $50 per person, you can enjoy pole qualifying and practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series. Pre-Race Pit Passes are available online or by calling 866-455-7223.

    Friday’s events include Fas Mart Pole Qualifying and practice for the Sprint Cup Series, as well as WRIC-TV8 Pole Qualifying and practice for the Nationwide Series. In order to purchase the Friday Pre-Race Pit Pass, you must have a ticket for the September 9 Virginia 529 College Savings 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Pre-Race Pit Passes are limited to guests 16 years of age and older. Parent or guardian must sign waivers for and accompany children under 18 who are utilizing Pre-Race Pit Passes.

    New this year, shorts, short-sleeve or sleeveless shirts and blouses and open-toed shoes are permitted. Shoes, shirts and pants or shorts, dresses and/or skirts and blouses are required. No alcohol or coolers are permitted in the infield.

    NASCAR returns to Richmond International Raceway September 9-10 for a doubleheader weekend “under the lights.” The Saturday, September 10, Wonderful Pistachios 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race is “One Last Race to Make the Chase” for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Advance tickets start at $45 and can be purchased online at www.rir.com or by calling 866-455-7223.

    The weekend begins on Friday, September 9, with a full day of on-track activity, highlighted by the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Friday’s ticket includes practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series. Advance tickets start at $30, with children 12 and younger admitted free with a ticketed adult in general admission sections. For tickets and information, log on to www.rir.com or call 866-455-7223.

  • The New Simpler Point System…Or Not

    The New Simpler Point System…Or Not

    NASCAR tied very hard to make the point system easier to understand for Joe Fan. Apparently, it didn’t work with the revelation today that Jeff Gordon qualified for at least a wild card entry into the almighty Chase for the championship. Huh? The one point difference in positions was supposed to simplify the standings so that fans could understand where their favorite driver was during the season. Then, NASCAR threw in a curve ball with the wildcard. I guess it sounded like the NFL and MLB, so it had to be good, right?

    [media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”246″][/media-credit]It has now become so complicated that even those that have followed the sport for years cannot tell you who will be the 11th and 12th qualifiers or even the leaders for those positions right now. It appears that Brad Keselowski will make the short list, but who is the leading candidate for that 12th man? The question usually follows with an answer that it takes algebra, calculus, and solid geometry to solve. Not much different than the old system? Well, at least that system was based on who had the highest points and positions 1-12 were easy to determine. Now? Not so much.

    The powers that be meant no harm. They wanted to reward winning and get away from the consistency tag that the point system has always had. They started a few years ago when they created the Chase and watched it become a monster before their eyes. From the first race at Daytona, the Chase talk began and has continued. The final ten races are all that matter. Trying to add a bonus for winning made sense until so many first-timers won. Just like it appeared that the Chase was an answer to Matt Kenseth’s one-win championship, this appeared to be an answer to Jamie McMurray’s dream season of last year. McMurray won three big races and did not make the Chase, so the rules were changed. My guess is that no one will admit that, but it’s pretty clear that NASCAR wanted to include the guys who won races since the Chase had taken most of that emphasis on winning away. And now we have the new system with its confusing wild card addition. Look for more changes next year. Someday, they’ll get it right. Or they’ll go back to Bob Latford’s original system and say the heck with it.

    One more comment or two on last week’s races in Bristol. Attendance was light for the Nationwide Series on Friday night, but attendance was good for Saturday night’s Cup race, though not a sellout. There were plenty of empty seats. I think of lot of the reason for this is that the media continues to make comments about how Bristol will be a knock them out race and tempers will flare and all that. That used to be the case, but Bristol is now more like Charlotte. Passing is available on the inside and the outside these days and the one groove track that used to be is gone. That means less beating and banging and less excitement for the fans. That kind of racing is now only found in Martinsville, Virginia. The drivers love the new Bristol and the media is quick to say how much better the racing is on the new surface. They apparently haven’t convinced the fans who pay admission. Just listening to the crowd after the race said it all. They’re not impressed, and that is the bottom line.

    Finally, all the talk about Carl Edwards getting his contract with Roush-Fenway behind him and being able to race better isn’t working out. Edwards has been a non-factor in the races since he decided to re-up with RFR, dropping from first in the standings to fourth with fifth-place nipping at his heels. Just goes to show you that these are machines they are piloting and anything can happen in a race. Just ask Brad Keselowski.

  • SOME COMMENTS DESERVE TO BE REPEATED

    SOME COMMENTS DESERVE TO BE REPEATED

    A surprise resurrection of the Harvick vs Busch feud, under strange circumstances, led to a lot of observations from the recent NASCAR visit to the Bristol Motor Speedway. Many of those observations produced some comments that deserve to be repeated.

    [media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”277″][/media-credit]Highlighting the string of NASCAR night races at Bristol was the Camping World Truck Series event. That’s where the on track dust up between Kyle Busch and Elliott Sadler turned into three days of comments that somehow involved Kevin Harvick. Busch, in an effort pass Sadler ran into the front of his truck and slammed into the wall. He made a quick recovery and no caution flag was thrown. However Busch slowly moved around the track and, when Sadler arrived at full speed, he spun him out with a move that was clearly intentional.

    An understandably livid Sadler came over his radio and said “that son of a b***h pulled in front of me. I don’t know what he’s mad about. It ain’t my ******* fault. He ran up into me. If he wants to talk about it after the race, I’ll be glad to. If I could I would break his jaw in four spots. It’s what I’d like to do right now.” It was later reported that the two drivers did talk things over and basically agreed to disagree and it appears to be over and done with at least for now.

    Apparently Kyle Busch wasn’t quite ready to let it go and actually found a way to involve Kevin Harvick his season long Sprint Cup rival. Busch felt Sadler was acting on Harvick’s behalf when he caused him to hit the wall. In a post wreck interview Busch was asked for an explanation and replied: “the guy, (Sadler), is paid by KHI, (Kevin Harvick Inc), so what do you think? He ran into me three times prior in the race and then spun me down the backstretch. He hooked me so I wrecked him.”

    It’s true that Elliott Sadler is an employee of KHI. But Sadler’s contract with Harvick is for his full time services as their team driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. While he has on occasion driven a KHI truck in the NASCAR Camping World Series, on this particular night at Bristol he was driving a truck for Joe Denette Motorsports. The other important aspect here is the fact that Kevin Harvick simply doesn’t need help from one of his drivers to deal with Kyle Busch.

    By the way, where was Kevin Harvick when all of the Busch-Sadler action was taking place? He was in front of the race field in the process of winning this third, consecutive, truck series race. One of the interesting issues here was the lead for the coveted owner’s points championship. Prior to the Bristol truck race, Kevin Harvick Inc and Kyle Busch Motorsports were tied in the standings. Following the Bristol race KHI now holds a 34 point lead in the new standings and that’s something else that may have rubbed Busch the wrong way.

    On the Friday morning, prior to the first Sprint up practice session, it was reported that Harvick hailed Busch and asked if he had “seen the replay from Wednesday’s truck race.” Busch reportedly kept walking through the garage and didn’t respond.

    Later in the day Harvick was conducting a press conference, in the speedway media center, and it was only inevitable that the truck race was going to become a topic for discussion. Responding, Harvick said “the first thing that happened was Kyle Busch shoved him up the race track and then he got mad because Elliott ran into the back of him, and then he, (Busch), drove over the front of him and wrecked himself. “It’s just like old Kyle, I guess, showed up last week and really laid into the fact that he was kind of pouting because he was getting his butt whipped. If he keeps running his mouth he might get it whipped off of the track.”

    From all of this drama came a genuine funny moment from SPEED Channel reporter Hermie Sadler, the older brother of the truck race victim, and Kurt Busch, the older brother of the truck race instigator. At the beginning of a live interview Sadler asked: “your brother seems to have a problem with my brother, does that mean you have a problem with me?” Kurt Busch had a little problem answering the question. Then again, it’s difficult to speak when you’re laughing that hard.

    **************

    I just wanted you to know that this week’s “comment” column was never intended to become a bash Kyle Busch festival. Somehow the circumstances of the Bristol weekend just turned it that way. I actually respect his talent as a driver and I’m quite impressed with his NASCAR numbers such as becoming the winiest driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series after winning his 50th race at Bristol. I just felt like you needed to know this.

    Now let’s get back to some more Kyle Busch bashing.

    A part of the NASCAR Sprint Cup tradition at the Bristol Motor Speedway is the driver introduction process. The drivers get to select their walk on music and introduce themselves over the track’s PA system. Last year Brad Keselowski, yet another alumni member of a Kyle Busch feud, walked out on the stage and announced “Kyle Busch is an ass !”

    Prior to this year’s Bristol race it was only natural that someone would ask Keselowski if he was planning some special announcements. Responding, he said “every autograph signing that I go to, there are two comments that are always made: one, wreck Kyle Busch and two, Kyle Busch is still an ass. It’s very interesting. I want to have a fan base that likes me for who I am and what I do performance wise. But I understand that there is more to this sport than that.”

    **************

    Kevin Harvick, and his #29 Budweiser/Richard Childress Racing team, officially clinched a berth in the 2011 Sprint Cup Chase For The Championship following the Bristol race. He actually made quick work of that process with his three wins earlier in the season. But here lately he has felt some frustration with some team performance anxiety. That frustration showed during the course of a 22nd place finish, one lap down, at Bristol. Harvick came over his radio and said: “we haven’t run (good) in four f*****g months. We’ve got to get it figured out. We keep doing the same s**t every week.”

    **************

    Right after the Bristol race, Goodyear conducted a two day tire test to determine what tire compound was going to be needed for the Sprint Cup teams to race on a brand new surface recently completed at the Phoenix International Raceway. Kurt Busch was one of five drivers participating in that test. Unfortunately, on the first day, Busch cut down a tire and hit the wall hard. The team had to roll out a back up car.

    That prompted Jimmie Johnson, who had a pit road problem with Busch after the Pocono race earlier this month, to send a “Twitter” message to Busch’s Penske Racing team mate Brad Keselowski. That message read: “the boys back in the shop are looking for pictures of Kurt’s wrecked car from Phoenix. Any help?”

    It’s not exactly clear if the #48 team received the pictures of what they planned to do with them.

    *************

    There were of course a lot of comments regarding Danica Patrick’s plans to come to NASCAR full time in 2012. One of the more honest ones, via “Twitter”, came from the always candid Kyle Petty who wrote “there are drivers out there who can win weekly, but Danica brings a lot of fans and fans means MONEY and NASCAR loves money!”

    ***********

    The final comment of the week belongs to NASCAR Hall Of Fame member Darrell Waltrip who recently commented, also on “Twitter”, on the difference between modern day race drivers and those from the past. In his message Waltrip wrote: “one of my driving buddies once said, the difference between drivers today and in the past, we had wine FOR dinner, they have wine WITH dinner.”

    Now there’s a comment that deserves to be repeated.

  • NASCAR Sprint Cup Point Standings Analytics – After Race 24

    NASCAR Sprint Cup Point Standings Analytics – After Race 24

    The announcement of a change to the distribution of points across NASCAR national series sparked debate among even the most conservative NASCAR fans.  One of the explanations behind the change was to develop a more dramatic points battle to increase fan interest.

    [media-credit name=”Brad Keppel” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]A debate arose over the fact that a quick calculation would show that very little, if anything, would change in the final championship standings. In fact, even among the more common point distributions across all major racing series, by the end of the season there did not appear to be much of a difference in the order of the final standings.

    Here, I shall contend that debate with weekly comparisons across the three most commonly mentioned distributions, plus my own personal points schedule designed to reward both race winners and consistent high finishes.

    Classic Points System – Standings After Race 24

    In each of the various points distributions Kyle Busch enjoys a commanding lead over the rest of the Sprint Cup field. As has been shown throughout the season, the majority of the standings remains virtually unchanged between the old and new system.

    Notable changes in position compared to current system: None

    Changes to Chase Field: NONE

    F1 System – Standings After Race 24

    Kyle Busch’s lead decreases ever so slightly, but Brad Keselowski continues to rocket up the F1 standings as he now sits at the entrance to the top five. Surprisingly, Marcos Ambrose is also in position to jump into the top ten, sitting a mere 13 points behind  Denny Hamlin, while Regan Smith is barely in Wild Card contention.

    With Keselowski and Hamlin residing in the top ten, big changes occur in the Chase field.

    Notable changes in position compared to current system: Marcos Ambrose (+11), David Ragan (+6), Brad Keselowski (+5), Tony Stewart (-4), A.J. Allmendinger (-12)

    Changes to Chase Field: Marcos Ambrose (IN), David Ragan (IN),  Tony Stewart (OUT), Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (OUT)

    IndyCar System – Standings After Race 24

    Busch enjoys a nearly two race advantage over both Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson who are currently tied for second. The top ten remains relatively stable, and the race for final Wild Card position is still extremely tight with 12 points separating the three drivers.

    Notable changes in position compared to current system: Marcos Ambrose (+7), David Ragan (+5), Denny Hamlin (+3), Greg Biffle (-5), A.J. Allmendinger (-9),

    Changes to Chase Field: Marcos Ambrose (IN), David Ragan (IN),  Tony Stewart (OUT), Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (OUT)

    Phat’s System – Standings After Race 24

    For an explanation of the points distribution, please see consult table below standings. This distribution is designed to reward race winners, while also rewarding those who run well every week.

    Jimmie Johnson lops of nearly 100 points of Busch’s lead as we inch closer to the Chase. Brad Keselowski jumps up into the top ten, assuring himself a spot in the Chase, while Tony Stewart falls out of the top ten. With both Stewart and Earnhardt, Jr. out of the top ten, there are currently two Wild Cards entering the Chase on virtue of their victories.

    Notable changes in position compared to current system: Marcos Ambrose (+7), David Ragan (+4), Brad Keselowski (+4), Ryan Newman (-2), Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (-3), Greg Biffle (-7)

    Changes to Chase Field: Paul Menard (IN), Marcos Ambrose (IN),  Tony Stewart (OUT), Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (OUT)

  • HOORAHS AND WAZZUPS: BAD BRAD IS STARTING TO LOOK REALLY GOOD

    HOORAHS AND WAZZUPS: BAD BRAD IS STARTING TO LOOK REALLY GOOD

    During NASCAR’s visit to the Bristol Motor Speedway we watched another round of “Bad Brad” looking really good. We watched new milestones in the Nationwide Series and we watched some bizarre circumstances that led to the latest round of a high profile driver feud. With those thoughts in mind, let’s begin with:

    [media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”244″][/media-credit]HOORAH to Brad Keselowski who once again overcame the pain of a fractured left ankle to win a physically demanding Sprint Cup race at Bristol. The win was his third of the season and, more importantly, guarantees him at least the first wild card berth that will place him in the line up for the Sprint Cup Chase For The Championship. If Keselowski, and his Penske Racing Dodge team, can keep up their torrid pace, it’s very likely that he will be in the top ten of the points which means he can use the bonus points from his three wins to get a high seed position in the official Chase line up. In his last four races Keselowski has finishes of first, second, third and first. This is all quite remarkable especially when you consider that just a few weeks ago this team was mired down in 25th in the points with no hopes of making the Chase.

    Speaking of Keselowski making the Chase, WAZZUP with Speed Channel analyst Jimmy Spencer having to eat a cigar during an upcoming live edition of the network’s “Race Hub” program. In recent weeks Spencer went on record as saying there was no way Brad Keselowski was going to make the Chase line up. Then Spencer further stated that he would eat one of his signature cigars if he did. Bon Appetite Mr. Spencer. Keselowski is in the Chase.

    ****************

    HOORAH to the handful of teams that did their homework in terms of pit stall selections that helped them get around the electronic scoring loop that measures pit road speed. Bristol is unique in the fact that it has two pit roads but only one scoring loop on each of them. Through careful pit stall selections after qualifying a driver could exit his pit hard on the throttle, stab the brake pedal just prior to approaching the scoring loop and then speed down the remainder of pit road. This turned out to be a huge advantage for these teams in terms of gaining valuable track position. It was a huge factor in Keselowski’s win.

    Despite appearances on television, these teams were actually not doing anything wrong. However NASCAR was watching closely and, in the days following the race, announced that they would be adding more pit road scoring loops when the series returns to Bristol next spring.

    ************

    WAZZUP with Kurt Busch not getting the rhythm with that pit road scoring loop? He was busted by NASCAR two times for speeding on pit road. The pass through penalties killed his track position and led to a 17th place finish.

    WAZZUP with Busch having an even worse day the following Monday. Busch was one of five drivers participating in a Goodyear tire test on the newly installed surface at the Phoenix International Raceway. Unfortunately in that process he blew a left rear tire and crashed hard into the turn one wall. The team had to roll out a back up car.

    *************

    WAZZUP with the performance of Tony Stewart’s Chevrolet during the Bristol race? The car was terrible during both practice sessions as well as qualifying and Stewart found himself starting the race from the 42nd position. Prior to the race he announced he wouldn’t be back there very long but it was a prediction that just wasn’t meant to become reality. He languished all during the race and finished 28th, three laps down. Stewart started the Bristol race tenth in the points just 24 markers ahead of Clint Bowyer. The saving grace here was the fact that Bowyer also had a bad night at Bristol and finished 26th, two laps down.

    Heading into the Atlanta race next Sunday, Stewart remains tenth in the standings 21 points ahead of the red hot Brad Keselowski and 18 points behind Dale Earnhardt Jr in ninth. If Stewart is going to make the Chase line up he needs some strong improvement in the car’s performance level and he needs it now.

    On the brighter side of the race for the Chase, HOORAH to the five drivers who have already clinched their Chase berths. Series points leader Kyle Busch came to Bristol already in the Chase. Following Bristol, drivers Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick are also now locked into the Chase. The remaining seven berths are going to get very interesting with only two events left until the Chase officially starts.

    *************

    WAZZUP with Sprint Cup driver David Stremme not following his own advice? During pre race introductions the drivers were asked to choose their own walk on music and make a brief statement. Stremme said “have a nice night and hopefully we’ll all keep a cool head.”

    On lap 299 of the race there was some contact between Stremme and David Reutimann. The television replay clearly showed that it was one of those no harm no foul racing deals typical of racing at Bristol. Unfortunately Stremme turned it into Bristol road rage and rammed Reutimann’s Toyota causing major damage to both cars. Stremme is driving for Inception Motorsports, a new Sprint Cup team that ran it’s first race last April. This team doesn’t exactly have the financial support of a full time primary sponsor and having to repair that much crash damage, that should have never happened to begin with, is something this team didn’t need.

    **************

    HOORAH to Kyle Busch for winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Bristol while setting more NASCAR records. The event marked his 50th series win, in 219 starts, and puts him on top of the series’ all time winner’s list. No matter what your opinion of this driver is, you have to at least respect this milestone in the Nationwide Series. To earn 50 win series’ wins, at the age of 26, is simply astounding.

    HOORAH to the stunning one-two finish from Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing team mate Joey Logano in the Bristol Nationwide Series race. The side by side finish had a margin of victory of 0.019 seconds reported to be the closest finish in the 50 year history of racing at Bristol.

    **************

    With all due respects to those accomplishments, WAZZUP with Kyle Busch’s behavior during the course of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Bristol? During this race there was some contact between Busch and Elliot Sadler. The contact caused the Busch truck to slam into the wall. He drove away from the incident and no yellow flag was thrown.

    The television replay clearly showed that this was a racing deal. Both drivers thought they were clear of each other before the initial contact was made. However, an angry Busch slowly motored around the track waiting for Sadler and then hit him hard in what was clearly an intentional act of retaliation. This action nearly caused an even larger wreck among the race traffic behind them. This was especially true in the case of James Buescher, a major player in the series championship, who barely got by unscathed.

    The bizarre element came when Busch actually tried to blame Kevin Harvick for this incident citing the fact that Sadler is an employee of Kevin Harvick Inc. It’s true that Sadler drives a KHI owned car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series but in the truck race he was driving for Joe Denette Motorsports. During a SPEED Channel interview, Busch was asked to justify his belief and said “who signs his, (Sadler’s), paychecks, I’m not putting up with it anymore. ”

    While all of this was going on Kevin Harvick was on the track collecting a HOORAH for winning his third, consecutive, truck series race.

    *************

    In some final thoughts, HOORAH to the children of the MRO: Motor Racing Outreach, who sang “The National Anthem” prior to the Bristol Sprint Cup race. It was a precious thing to watch.

    HOORAH to the near capacity 156,000 fans, from 50 states and nine countries, who attended the Bristol NASCAR Sprint Cup race. HOORAH to the Bristol Motor Speedway for its 50th anniversary. As a special tribute the speedway had the names of 1,000 season ticket holders placed on the retaining wall at the exit of turn four.

  • Brad Keselowski recalls decision to leave Hendrick, what he saw in Penske

    Brad Keselowski recalls decision to leave Hendrick, what he saw in Penske

    Not many drivers would pass up the opportunity to drive for Hendrick Motorsports but Brad Keselowski isn’t any driver.

    [media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”235″][/media-credit]Following his win at Talladega in the spring of 2009, Keselowski stated he wanted a full-time Sprint Cup Series ride for 2010. Already driving full-time in the Nationwide Series (NNS) for Dale Earnhardt Jr., while doing select Cup races in a fifth HMS car, Keselowski felt he was ready for the Cup Series.

    There was only one problem; there was no room for Keselowski. Adamant about making the move, the Michigan native started exploring his options. Roger Penske came calling and Keselowski signed a multi-year deal to team with the Captain and 2004 NSCS champion Kurt Busch.

    “Well, there’s no doubt that that was a very difficult decision,” said Keselowski Saturday night in Bristol after winning for the third time in 2011.

    “Sometimes in life you have to step back and look at the complete picture and be able to see the complete picture and know that you have to let go to get what you want,” he said. “Let go of what you have, leave your comfort zone to make it to the next level. And I’m sure, although I did not have a spot at Hendrick for the 2010 season, I’m sure Rick and his team would have figured something out.”

    Keselowski never gave them the chance, jumping at what Penske was offering. Drawn by the loyalty Roger Penske displayed while meeting with him, feeling it was the right time to join the organization and seeing many positives ahead of him, Keselowski made his decision.

    “If I had gone to Hendrick or waited it out, there was a long list of bad things that could have happened and a very short list of positives things that could have happened,” Keselowski said. “And I didn’t see that at Penske. I only saw a list of thing that were good that could have happened and the biggest negative that could happened was everybody telling me I was an idiot.”

    Being called an idiot is something he said he’s used to. So, he became a full-time Cup driver while still running a full NNS schedule, now with Penske and the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge. In 2010 he finally won the title that had eluded him for two seasons at JR Motorsports when he finished third in points.

    The NNS program is something Keselowski is especially proud of. It was a team that he built with Paul Wolfe from the ground up from their vision. They clinched the championship early and by almost 500 points, winning six races in the process. But on the Cup side it was anything but a fairy tale.

    Keselowski finished 25th in points with no wins, no top fives and only two top tens. It wasn’t the reward that Keselowski thought he’d get by joining Penske.

    “I’ll be honest, last year in Cup I was miserable,” he said. “There were a lot of people that told me, ‘You should have waited, you should have waited.’ But there just wasn’t an opportunity and it’s such a tough question to answer because no one here can sit here knowing all the pieces to the puzzle.”

    With just two races before the start of the Chase for the Championship it’s easier for Keselowski to say that he made the right decision. Coming into the year the puzzle pieces changed when Keselowski was moved into the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge that had been driven by Busch as Busch moved to the newly formed 22 team. Wolfe was prompted to Keselowski’s Cup crew chief and they haven’t looked back.

    Three wins, rocketing from 21st to 11th in points over the last four weeks thanks to finishes of first, second, third and first. He’s most likely going to make the Chase either through moving into the top 10 in points or the wild card. Even if he only has nine top 10s and six top fives.

    Just as NASCAR intended, winning means a whole lot more this season. Keselowski is winning in more ways than one, something he’s glad he’s proving was possible to everyone who doubted him.

    “I’m glad we’re able to perform now and prove to everyone that it was [the right decision],” said Keselowski. “I think the performance at the end of the day is always the proof. I’m really proud of this whole group to be able to prove that this was the right call. It certainly wasn’t the easy call, but this was the right call.”

    For Keselowski, where he’s at now and what he’s doing means more to him. And while he’s currently outrunning those he would have been running with at HMS, the test becomes doing it for another 12 weeks and into the season finale.

    “Not the easy call, for sure,” said Keselowski. “But it’s looking real good right now.”