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Category: Hot 20

Thornton’s Hot 20 in NASCAR

Hot 20 – If you think racing at Bristol will be tough, you should have been on Moose Mountain

It was an off-week for NASCAR, but racing continued where I sit. At least, sitting would have been nice. Last weekend, my son John ran a 54-mile mountain terrain ultra-marathon. In following the action, I found myself walking up a half-mile dusty road with an uninterrupted 20-plus degree angle climb with a chest cold and a hacking cough. I do not believe a single bear remains on that mountain after the commotion I was making. By the way, the boy came through in far better shape than his father did. This weekend, my other son Ronald is running a marathon. I plan to sit.

Sitting before the big screen watching the action from Bristol Saturday night is definitely in the cards. Dale Earnhardt Jr. continues to sit as he waits for his concussion symptoms to run their course. Jeff Gordon gets to continue his second farewell tour, while we await Chris Buescher passing David Ragan in the standings to make his Pocono win count in the standings. Should that happen, and there is no guarantee that it will, Kyle Larson would fall from a place in the Chase to 30 points out. Then it would come down to everyone outside pretty much requiring a win to make the post-season derby.

Bristol is one of those tracks where you do not need much background info in order to simply enjoy the action. However, there are three storylines to follow. We will watch the duel between Buescher and Ragan. We will see if Ryan Newman, Chase Elliott, Austin Dillon, and Jamie McMurray can avoid disaster. Finally, we will be watching for who wins.

Usually, the fans are the big winners at Bristol. While on Sunday, I plan to stand on flat ground to watch my son race in the morning, the night before, my goal is to sit on my fat ass to watch the boys and girl perform in Tennessee. Now, that is a plan of inaction to stick to.

Here are our Hot 20 heading to Bristol.

1. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 4 WINS (727 Pts)
In NASCAR, “Sorry” is just another way of saying “Don’t kick my ass.”

2. KYLE BUSCH – 4 WINS (670 Pts)
This is a race that is destined to be won by a Busch brother, a Gibbs driver, or both.

3. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS (653 Pts)
Edwards could be that Gibbs driver. Would need to change name to Karl to be a Busch.

4. DENNY HAMLIN – 2 WINS (620 Pts)
Burnouts are fine. Tear ups are not. Just a reminder.

5. MATT KENSETH – 2 WINS (600 Pts)
Four of the top five belong to the Coach. Two years before room has to be made for Erik Jones.

6. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS (578 Pts)
Crew Chief Chad Knaus says things will be just fine, and Knaus knows stuff.

7. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN (718 Pts)
Jimmy Buffett was not wasting away at Margaritaville, he was hanging with Harv.

8. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (689 Pts)
Set rookie truck record with four wins in 2000. William Byron has beat that driving for Kyle.

9. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (652 Pts)
Winner of last two Saturday night Bristol races looked a whole lot like this guy.

10. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN (612 Pts)
Will be driving for the Mile High outfit for an additional two years.

11. TONY STEWART – 1 WIN (389 Pts)
One final helmet toss at Kenseth for old time’s sake?

12. RYAN NEWMAN – 562 POINTS
With a contract running out and the owner’s grandson ready to go, this Rocket needs to liftoff.

13. CHASE ELLIOTT – 561 POINTS
The only excuse you’ll get from Chase is if you ask him “why don’t you make excuses?”

14. AUSTIN DILLON – 559 POINTS
Took the free time to fulfill an engagement.

15. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 550 POINTS
Fishing for a Chase place, fishing in British Columbia with Dierks, Martin, and Clint.

16. KYLE LARSON – 520 POINTS
Was it the incident or was it A.J. that Kyle was calling “flat out stupid?”

17. TREVOR BAYNE – 512 POINTS
Bayne was in Ireland for a 70.3-mile Ironman race. Running I don’t get. Potato salad, I get.

18. KASEY KAHNE – 509 POINTS
It is good to have a couple of years left on a contract.

19. RYAN BLANEY – 502 POINTS
Iconic Wood Brothers ride will sport Virginia Tech colors on Saturday night.

20. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 486 POINTS
Thought he was Ben Hur at Watkins Glen, and the drummer called for ramming speed.

30. DAVID RAGAN – 295 POINTS
Not surprising a NASCAR driver supports Trump. Hey, both believe walls are important.

31. CHRIS BUESCHER – 292 POINTS (1 W)
Sometimes the story of a race does not unfold near the front.

August 17, 2016
Hot 20 – Watkins Glen runs on Sunday, so let the right hand turns begin

Left, left, left, and (if not at Pocono) a final left. That is usually how it goes each week in NASCAR. This week is one of those unusual ones. Eleven turns at Watkins Glen and seven of them are right. I think these road courses provide more exciting NASCAR races than some ovals, including Indianapolis. Let the arguing begin.

Some say that Chris Buescher’s win last week showed a weakness in the Chase format. I think it strengthens it. Winning is everything, and if that is so, then a regular should get his pass by simply winning. There are worse things, like not being a regular and winning races at lower divisions, but I digress.

No more Dale Earnhardt Jr. for at least another couple of weeks, while replacement Jeff Gordon reaches the 800 race milestone at Watkins Glen.

Kevin Harvick’s crew chief, Rodney Childers, returns after a week in the doghouse and $20,000 lighter for missing a lug nut at Indianapolis. It was a week where he needed dental work, a new windshield, and some twit did a little spin on his lawn. Oh, Harvick finished fourth at Pocono without him. Other than that, it was one hell of a week.

Kids. They are coming up in NASCAR, though at least a couple have to wait. One apparently fudged his birth date by a couple of years, another was thought eligible through something akin to a grandfather clause and additional insurance. Carson Hocevar won a Super Late Model race earlier this year in Michigan. Andrew Molleur won a recent SK Light Modified in Connecticut. Both lads are 13. Both are now parked by NASCAR. No question that the pair are good enough, but you need to be 14 to be old enough.

So, what to watch for this time out? Well, last week, a 24-year-old claimed the race and a four-year-old claimed some hearts. This week, one of them is racing to beat David Ragan and pick up points. If that happens, Kyle Larson’s Chase spot disappears like a fart in the wind, to use a most beloved phrase, and the boys outside will need to change focus and try to chase down Jamie McMurray. As for Kurt Busch, he will be out to run all 90 laps to keep his streak alive.

We already have Buescher in the picture. What if 2014 winner A.J. Allmendinger wins on Sunday? That would have some boys scrambling. This could be fun.

Our Hot 20 heading to Watkins Glen include…

1. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 4 WINS (687 Pts)
Buescher needed that win a lot more than Brad did.

2. KYLE BUSCH – 4 WINS (634 Pts)
Kids love him. He is Keelan Harvick’s favorite driver, William Byron’s favorite team owner.

3. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS (626 Pts)
Does fine at the Glen, but a win would be different.

4. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS (577 Pts)
Sits high on the standings, was third at Indianapolis, yet basically has been “Jimmie Who?” lately.

5. MATT KENSETH – 2 WINS (569 Pts)
In the future, when asked to go cycling he probably will ask more questions, like “how far?”

6. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN (709 Pts)
Once known as being a former NASCAR champion. Today, he is better known as Keelan’s dad.

7. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (658 Pts)
5811 laps have been completed this season, and Kurt is the only one to have completed them all.

8. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (612 Pts)
For whom does the Chase troll? He trolls for thee.

9. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN (577 Pts)
Fresh rubber and still he ends up getting fresh with the fence.

10. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN (576 Pts)
Second at Sonoma. Win at Watkins Glen?

11. TONY STEWART – 1 WIN (353 Pts)
Got word his insurer is not liable for covering costs of his defense in the Kevin Ward Jr. lawsuit.

12. AUSTIN DILLON – 549 POINTS
Still keeping Grandpa happy.

13. RYAN NEWMAN – 537 POINTS
Future would be more secure if Richard Childress adopted him.

14. CHASE ELLIOTT – 533 POINTS
Pocono does boast a wide track. Just not that wide.

15. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 517 POINTS
Could be the new bubble boy after Sunday.

16. KYLE LARSON – 508 POINTS
This Chase place disappears if Buescher gets the points.

17. KASEY KAHNE – 488 POINTS
Is within 20 points of making the Chase…or is it within 29?

18. TREVOR BAYNE – 480 POINTS
Be it 28 points, or 37 points, the lad has some work to do.

19. RYAN BLANEY – 480 POINTS
Ditto

20. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 472 POINTS
Made our list; Junior, Allmendinger, Biffle, Menard, Patrick, Bowyer, and Almirola did not.

30. DAVID RAGAN – 287 POINTS
Sometimes 30th matters.

31. CHRIS BUESCHER – 281 POINTS (1 Win)
Talk about incentive.

August 3, 2016
Hot 20 – Pocono, where some things just do not matter

As the boys and girl venture to Pocono for their second visit to the venue in 56 days, there are some things that matter and some that do not. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s recovery from his concussion issues matters, him making the Chase does not in comparison. Kevin Harvick is missing his crew chief after some lug nuts went AWOL at Indianapolis. With a win and the points lead, it does not matter.

XFINITY races do not matter, but they matter enough to Brad Keselowski to head out to Iowa to be the lone Cup representative. Camping World truck racing does not matter, it appears, in the land of hockey, curling, and Don Cherry. Danica Patrick matters to women, to sponsors, and to folks who just like attractive people, but buried once again 24th in the standings despite some good equipment, she does not matter on the track.

Pocono matters to Kasey Kahne, Trevor Bayne, and Ryan Blaney if they wish to keep their Chase hopes viable. It matters to Jamie McMurray and Kyle Larson, who do not want themselves finishing behind that trio to find their own positions threatened.

Live event attendance does not matter, as only 50,000 bothered to turn out to the Brickyard last weekend. It still might matter for those at home, as it seems NBC was pleased with its ratings. Imagine the savings if pro sport venues did not have to put in seating, concessions, or parking, as we all watched the action from our living rooms. Many of us are already doing that. You would think that would matter enough to some.

To that end, I have my own concession, private washroom facilities, a comfortable chair, a big screen television, my remote control, and our Hot 20 going into Pocono. What more do I need?

1. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 4 WINS (647 Pts)
Watkins Glen testing crash appears to have knocked Cup’s big dog all the way to Iowa.

2. KYLE BUSCH – 4 WINS (601 Pts)
Best damn driver in NASCAR today…and Keelan Harvick would agree.

3. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS (593 Pts)
It can be fun to chase your car up the hill, except when other drivers catch it first.

4. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS (552 Pts)
#2 in merchandise sales. You know who is #1.

5. MATT KENSETH – 2 WINS (545 Pts)
Top five are locked into the Chase.

6. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN (671 Pts)
No lug nuts, no crew chief. It appears that is how NASCAR rolls.

7. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (627 Pts)
Shares record for running every lap for opening 20 races of a season. Pocono would be 21.

8. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (606 Pts)
Some say maturity is the biggest reason Kyle is where he is today. There may be hope for Joey.

9. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN (573 Pts)
The last three winners at Pocono are Kurt, Matt, and this guy.

10. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN (542 Pts)
Lending his support to West Virginia, the land of coal and way too much water.

11. TONY STEWART – 1 WIN (317 Pts)
Will he and Jeff Gordon take another final lap around Pocono, too?

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 525 PTS
Some claim he is experiencing rookie growing pains. If he is, I think he can tough it out.

13. AUSTIN DILLON – 520 PTS
If GM Goodwrench would only come back, my NASCAR jacket would again be contemporary.

14. RYAN NEWMAN – 507 PTS
Secret to success at Pocono? Stay the hell away from Edwards.

15. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 496 PTS
I have been blamed for driving at Indianapolis. No, that was Jamie in the No. 1 in overtime.

16. KYLE LARSON – 472 PTS
Target leaving IndyCar, though Larson’s sponsorship good through 2017.

17. KASEY KAHNE – 462 PTS
38 major brands backed NASCAR drivers at Indianapolis…but All-State is not among them.

18. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 461 PTS
It is going to take time to return, it is going to take a win to make the Chase…if there is time.

19. TREVOR BAYNE – 458 PTS
No more room for error or misadventure. The time is now.

20. RYAN BLANEY – 450 PTS
Also said to be experiencing rookie growing pains. Okay, he might need some relief.

July 27, 2016
Hot 20 – Earnhardt out, Gordon in as an old dog tries to perform some old tricks for a sixth time

Heading into Indianapolis, there was just one story of note. Sure, Matt Kenseth’s winning car at Loudon was tagged at inspection, but nothing meaningful took place. He lost 15 points and drops behind Jimmie Johnson in the standings. In short, nothing of consequence. Kevin Harvick remains upset with his pit crew, but they still have seven races before the Chase to figure that out. The only story of note involves the No. 88 and who will be behind the wheel.

That would be Jeff Gordon, who comes out of retirement to run Indianapolis and Watkins Glen while Dale Earnhardt Jr. recovers from the effects of his latest concussion. Shaky balance and some nausea are what he needs to overcome, but while that is happening Gordon will run his 798th and 799th career races. The former four-time champ has five wins at the Brickyard, with the last coming just two years ago, while the last of his four Glen victories came back in 2001.

I guess if you have to plop a bottom into the seat, this is not a bad selection. Gordon, obviously, is not among our Hot 20…but he should be the focal point of most of the fans on Sunday.

1. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 4 WINS (622 Pts)
One of only a handful of drivers averaging 30 points or more per race. That works.

2. KYLE BUSCH – 3 WINS (556 Pts)
Rowdy is to XFINITY what I am to a three-legged race involving 3-year-olds. The favorite!

3. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS (587 Pts)
He has had the best of times, but last week was not one of them.

4. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS (514 Pts)
Figures his new teammate could very well make it six Brickyard wins on Sunday.

5. MATT KENSETH – 2 WINS (506 Pts)
Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do…? Not a hell of a lot that matters, it seems.

6. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN (636 Pts)
It sounds as if his crew are to pit stops what I am to ballet, sprinting, basketball, hair styling…

7. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (602 Pts)
Wheels on the car do not go round and round when they are no longer round.

8. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (571 Pts)
Going from mediocre to third turned New Hampshire into a pretty nice day…in the end.

9. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN (540 Pts)
You cannot stick it to the man without a stick shift to do it with.

10. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN (505 Pts)
Half of his ten Indianapolis attempts resulted in Top Tens, but third has been his best finish.

11. TONY STEWART – 1 WIN (287 Pts)
All of a sudden, ole Smoke looks pretty comfortable in the standings.

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 499 PTS
If William Clyde’s nickname was “Champ”, we could engrave the trophy and be done with it.

13. RYAN NEWMAN – 497 PTS
Newman figures Gordon still knows how to put on his underwear…or he said something like that.

14. AUSTIN DILLON – 488 PTS
That 2015 Daytona 400 crash now the cause of a lawsuit against NASCAR and the track.

15. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 474 PTS
Sixth place finish last weekend gives Dimples some breathing room going into Sunday.

16. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 461 PTS
Staying out of the car this week and at the Glen, allowing some pretty boy his seat time.

17. TREVOR BAYNE – 447 PTS
A Top 20 finish would be very, very helpful this weekend.

18. RYAN BLANEY – 445 PTS
Ditto.

19. KASEY KAHNE – 439 PTS
Ditto again.

20. KYLE LARSON – 436 PTS
Read above.

July 20, 2016
Hot 20 – New Hampshire won’t be raced under the stars, but one will definitely win it

The rich get richer. That will be the story this weekend, as only those with a pedigree seem to have a chance at success in this weekend’s New Hampshire 301.

If Clint Bowyer wants a third win at Loudon, he might need to find a different car. In his wait in the wilderness before he takes over Tony Stewart’s ride next year, he has been driving autos that look pretty…they just do not perform that way. Kasey Kahne has a win there, too. He could do it. All he needs to do is perform better than he has been to date.

As for the other 11 active drivers coming in with a win at Loudon since 2002, every single one of them currently sits in a Chase place. Something tells me that we might not be terribly shocked as to the outcome of events come Sunday. In just the past two seasons, the winners have been Brad Keselowski, already with back-to-back wins this month, along with Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, and Matt Kenseth. I really would not be expecting someone not listed below to be shaking up the suds this weekend.

Yet, the question remains, which one from our Hot 20 will be the man of the hour?

1. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 4 WINS (595 Pts)
If I had to pick just one…

2. KYLE BUSCH – 3 WINS (521 Pts)
Winning driver and truck owner is an outstanding mentor to the next generation of stars.

3. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS (566 Pts)
Thought he had a chance for a win at Kentucky, but Keselowski made that no chance at all.

4. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS (484 Pts)
Might not have the best 36-race record, but he is the undisputed king of the playoff era.

5. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN (599 Pts)
If he was King of NASCAR, he would keep all the races but tighten the schedule up by 6 weeks.

6. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (583 Pts)
No more tracks left to claim a Top Five. Kentucky was the last one to be checked off the list.

7. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (533 Pts)
Hosting the Driving Hope Home Golf Tournament today (Thursday) in Plantsville, Connecticut.

8. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN (514 Pts)
Pass to the right in the pits…avoid cars pulling in…pass to the right in the pits…

9. MATT KENSETH – 1 WIN (477 Pts)
Last July it was Kyle, last September it was Matt at Kentucky. Take that, Keselowski.

10. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN (472 Pts)
50-50 Sunday will result in a Top Ten…and for Loudon those are decent odds.

11. TONY STEWART – 1 WIN (248 Pts)
Donating his Kentucky tires to the NHL for use as massive hockey pucks.

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 492 PTS
Once upon a time we had kids like Petty, Earnhardt, Gordon…and wasn’t there an Elliott?

13. RYAN NEWMAN – 463 PTS
Finally a Top Three finish…and yet he still sits in a Chase place.

14. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 461 PTS
It appears that just a little bit of success might be enough.

15. AUSTIN DILLON – 460 PTS
Average 25 points per race and you got yourself a spot to the party.

16. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 439 PTS
Less than that and things start to get a bit heated…as Jamie has discovered.

17. TREVOR BAYNE – 429 PTS
Average 23.8 points per race and you are looking up McMurray’s tailpipe. That can’t be pretty.

18. KASEY KAHNE – 423 PTS
Danica says she could take Kahne in a fight. Imagine. A bout between our two prettiest drivers.

19. RYAN BLANEY – 415 PTS
Ryan and Chase and 18-year old William Byron in the trucks. It is the dawn of a new era.

20. KYLE LARSON – 412 PTS
At 23, young Mr. Larson is not exactly ready to join any old boys club just yet, either.

July 13, 2016
Hot 20 – We realize NASCAR is a commercial enterprise…but enough is enough

Sponsors pay for stuff. They pay enough cash that NASCAR and its track owners have sold their collective souls and it explains why they no longer promote a Firecracker 400, or a World 600, and why they actually dumped, for a time, the Southern 500. Money talks, tradition walks. It is an old story and as long as there is a can of soda to be sold, some tools to be used, a grocery chain with vittles on offer, a casino seeking guests, insurance to be flogged, tents up for grabs, or a car model to be promoted, it appears that will remain the case. Do the folks doing the advertising get their money’s worth? Who cares; that is their worry, not mine.

What an event is called matters little in the grand scheme of things, I guess. A race is a race, and if prestige is swapped for big bucks, I guess that is the price one is willing to pay. To watch the races on television, the price viewers pay is a slew of interruptions in order to make room for a word from a sponsor who is paying too much for a message most of us ignore.

That was not always the case. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip were one hell of a team selling everything from pizza to car parts to beer. The boys from a day not so long ago sold razors, hardware, gum, insurance, cars, and who can forget about that Big Brown Truck? Hell, we watched those commercials and they were classic enough to be watched over and over without complaint. Today, it is a different story. They seem to think they can get away with little creativity, provide little entertainment value, yet apparently not bright enough to realize that a lot of us do not even watch the damn things long enough to even know what they are about.

Last Saturday night, 124 commercials got in the way. That is 28 more than what ran a year before. As it is, nearly 20 percent of the airtime over the course of this season has been devoted to commercials but they upped that for Daytona. It reached up to nearly a quarter of what you watched had nothing to do with the race. Then the idiots actually scratch their heads and wonder why the television numbers are down. Duh!

The current model is not working. While we realize everything comes with a cost, that somebody has to pay in order for us to watch the action, they should realize that either we pre-record the action to avoid the commercials, or we hit the head or the galley during such interruptions, or we wander off to do other things instead. Last week, we might have hung around just because of the action promised at Daytona. The sixth running of the Quaker State 400 from Sparta, Kentucky does not have the same pedigree. It is just another race.

You and I know why we watch. Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch have combined to win four of the first five run there at Kentucky. Will one of them take his fourth victory of the season on Saturday? We watch to see if Ryan Blaney can hold down that final Chase place, despite challenges from Jamie McMurray, Trevor Bayne, and Kasey Kahne. We watch to see if Tony Stewart can stay ahead of the two boys close behind in the battle for 30th in points. We watch because we like the sport, the action, and its athletes. We do not watch for the commercials.

The Hot 20 heading into Kentucky include…

1. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 3 WINS (551 Pts)
Winner last week, and he is two for five at Kentucky. Maybe more bubbly is in his future.

2. KYLE BUSCH – 3 WINS (492 Pts)
Won the first race at Kentucky, and won the last race there.

3. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS (527 Pts)
If being at the wrong place at the wrong time was a goal, Edwards attained it at Daytona.

4. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS (475 Pts)
Thirty wins since 2010, but none at Kentucky though five for five in Top Tens is pretty good.

5. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN (565 Pts)
If points still told the tale, he would be at the top, and still might when they finish in November.

6. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (545 Pts)
It seemed that Kurt was very understanding of Logano after Daytona. We shall see, we shall see.

7. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (531 Pts)
Too bad this jerk is on this list. Too bad this jerk is also one hell of a driver.

8. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN (482 Pts)
He probably did not appreciate the 30 lap rest in the middle of last week’s race.

9. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN (446 Pts)
We heard Denny was hungry for a Daytona sweep. I guess the boy must be starving today.

10. MATT KENSETH – 1 WIN (443 Pts)
Only three drivers have won the five races held thus far at Kentucky. Matt is one of them.

11. TONY STEWART – 1 WIN (212 Pts)
He is ba-ack…but can he stay here?

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 482 PTS
The only winless Chaser who heads to Kentucky fairly relaxed. The rest hear footsteps.

13. AUSTIN DILLON – 434 PTS
A 29 point pad is good unless an engine goes south or he gets caught up in someone else’s mess.

14. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 433 PTS
Biggest free agents in sports history include the names of Bobby, Reggie, Payton, LeBron, and Junior.

15. RYAN NEWMAN – 425 PTS
His Kentucky goal is to keep the likes of Blaney, McMurray, Bayne, and Kahne in the rear view.

16. RYAN BLANEY – 409 PTS
A Chase place would be a wonderful story, but not everyone likes wonderful stories.

17. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 405 PTS
Got a little loose, got a lot wrecked. Now his goal has to be to break a kid’s heart.

18. TREVOR BAYNE – 399 PTS
See a Blaney, catch a Blaney.

19. KASEY KAHNE – 396 PTS
Things were getting better, then Daytona happened.

20. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 393 PTS
The Glen is coming up August 7th.

31. BRIAN SCOTT – 209 PTS
Stewart sits 30th in points, just three ahead of Scott. Talk about incentive.

32. REGAN SMITH – 203 PTS
If Scott falters, there is still another shark in the water close behind.

July 6, 2016
Hot 20 – Would reducing the dangers of Daytona also reduce its thrills?

We want drivers and fans to be safe. We want action that is anything but safe. It might sound hypocritical, but deep in our hearts, we know it to be true.

Talladega concerned some drivers. Kyle Busch says it was “pretty dangerous for all us drivers.” That may have been true. He also said it “wasn’t very exciting.” That is false. For fans, watching drivers inches apart at up to 200 mph, where disaster is only a sneeze away, is pretty damned exciting.

Personally, it is the threat of a wreck that is more exciting than the actual carnage. The boys and girl are doing something I do not have the ability to perform nor, to be honest, the courage to attempt. It appears to be dangerous and, according to Kyle, that is because it is.

We want the danger. Yet, we also want to see Kyle climb out of his Xfinity car unscathed at Daytona. We wanted to see Dale Earnhardt, Adam Petty, and Kenny Irwin Jr. step out of their wrecks. We want to see the crushing hits in the NFL, but it appears their helmets cannot prevent the devastation of long-term brain injuries. We want the fights and the hard hits of the NHL, yet the mounting evidence of long-term head trauma has brought rule changes to make the sport safer.

Does reducing the danger also reduce the excitement for the fans? It has to. Hall of Famers Sprague Cleghorn, Eddie Shore, Rocket Richard, and Gordie Howe would have had to play differently to avoid lifetime suspensions in today’s NHL. Some used their sticks, some their elbows, and some just beat the crap out of their opponents. Seeing a receiver take the hit just as he receives the ball, slamming straight to the ground or doing mid-air flips upon impact, is a great visual, but it has to take a toll on the human being involved. Does anyone remember Lawrence Taylor’s sack of Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann that broke the pivot’s leg in two places? Pretty amazing. Pretty devastating. For safety sake, change is required, change is happening, and more change is coming.

Deaths have happened in most sports, but very few at the highest level. Ray Chapman of the Cleveland Indians died in 1920 after being struck in the head by a pitched ball. Bill Masterton of the Minnesota North Stars struck his head on the ice and died in 1968. In football, AFL players Howard Glenn and Stone Johnson died in the 1960’s due to neck injuries. Chuck Hughes of the Detroit Lions suffered a fatal heart attack in a game in 1971. Then there is professional boxing. Then there is motorsports.

Joe Weatherly, Fireball Roberts, Tiny Lund, J.D. McDuffie, Neil Bonnett, John Nemechek, and Carlos Pardo remind us that we cannot build more durable humans, nor dismiss the heartbreak of their loss. Pit road is safer, yet only after the Southern 500 in 1960 cost the lives of mechanics Paul McDuffie, Charles Sweatlund, and official Joe Taylor. We lost crewman Randy Owens at Talladega in 1975. Yet, we liked the excitement of those old cars, the open faced helmets, and the speeding down pit road. We still do, but not at that price.

If NASCAR gets too safe, might it cause fans to wander off seeking new distractions, new outlets for their thrills and emotions? It could. It may have already taken place to some degree. I love watching the action at Daytona and Talladega, watching those who can do what I cannot, or will not, even attempt. I watch what I enjoy, and often we can not say exactly what it is that caused us to lose interest. I loved hockey, the hard-nosed 1960’s, the violent 1970’s, and the grace and majesty of the 1980’s, but it is rare to find me sitting through an NHL game today. Many once loved NASCAR; they had it bad and could not get enough of it. Today, the tracks no longer even release attendance figures and grandstands are being torn down. Sports of all kinds are trying to increase the “fan experience,” all but admitting the action on the field is no longer enough.

Saturday night should be enough. It is Daytona, the Firecracker 400 as it was known until 1989. A race that has meaning, a race that has tradition, a race that has high speeds and, yes, a race that has a measure of danger.

May our Hot 20 and the rest provide us with excitement and, despite our barbaric nature, a safe event.

1. KYLE BUSCH – 3 WINS (452 Pts)
No new rules to slow down the cars at Daytona, and Kyle isn’t happy about that.

2. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS (510 Pts)
Has run good at Daytona, has run bad, but has never won there.

3. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS (506 Pts)
Tried out an IndyCar at Road America, and plans to run Indianapolis…some day.

4. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS (469 Pts)
Daughters cannot listen to team radio…because sometimes daddy says bad words.

5. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN (562 Pts)
Sixteen races, 13 Top Tens. Some have more wins, no one has more points.

6. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (527 Pts)
Formula 3000 is just one step below F-1…and could be in Kurt’s future come December.

7. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (493 Pts)
If Tony and Denny had crashed on last Sunday’s final lap, guess who would have won.

8. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN (469 Pts)
Tony, Tony, Tony…but did anyone notice Martin finished fifth? Did not think so.

9. MATT KENSETH – 1 WIN (430 Pts)
He did not have Chris Osborne as his eyes in the sky in February. He will on Saturday night.

10. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN (421 Pts)
With Tony Stewart behind him at Sonoma, Denny thought for a second he was Ron Thornton.

11. CHASE ELLIOTT – 473 PTS
Good talent, good car, equals good results.

12. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 413 PTS
Newman, McMurray, and Junior battled on the track, only to face de-feet in the sky.

13. RYAN NEWMAN – 402 PTS
The winner.

14. AUSTIN DILLON – 400 PTS
I am trying to remember how his Daytona race finished last year. So is he.

15. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 398 PTS
If a pissed off Stewart is a motivated Stewart, does that make Jamie his personal Tony Robbins?

16. KASEY KAHNE – 385 PTS
If you think Kasey’s season sucks, please consider Clint’s situation.

17. RYAN BLANEY – 382 PTS
New rule change locks even unchartered teams into Chase races…but they have to be Chasers.

18. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 365 PTS
Damn rolling tire.

19. TREVOR BAYNE – 361 PTS
You might remember that he has won at Daytona before.

20. KYLE LARSON – 355 PTS
Do you remember when everyone was gushing over Kyle and Trevor?

30. BRIAN SCOTT – 205 PTS
Sometimes holding down 30th gets you recognition…at least for this week.

32. TONY STEWART – 196 PTS (1 win)
As Kyle did before him. Now cue the Jaws theme.

June 29, 2016
Hot 20 – Like life, Sonoma is a series of challenging twists and turns

It is not always just about NASCAR, as most of us got a chance to check out other things since the boys and girl last ran at Michigan. There was a basketball game in Cleveland I understand of some note. The NHL has an amateur draft this week and it seems you will have yet another reason to go to Las Vegas in the winter soon enough. One of the sport’s greatest icons, Gordie Howe, passed away. Wayne Gretzky’s future son-in-law won a golf tournament, France continues to host a big soccer event, Ichiro Suzuki gets closer to 3000 MLB hits, and the Chicago Cubs are #1. Hell, I am even reading a book.

Sadly, damned idiots are everywhere, as Mike Wallace and his family discovered. Leaving a concert, the former driver was attacked and knocked unconscious and even his daughter was injured as she tried to protect her dad. They will be alright, though Mike requires some dental work. Three thugs have been arrested, and here is hoping real justice prevails. I do not give a damn what their problems are or how pathetic their lives have been. They did wrong and should pay for it.

Meanwhile, some think Jeff Gordon could be the new Regis or Michael Strahan on set with Kelly Ripa. His first season as a FOX announcer is about to come to an end after this month, and we will have to wait until the fall to find out where his future lies. Life sure has a lot of twists and turns. So does Sonoma, the next stop on the NASCAR Cup tour on Sunday.

Here are our Hot 20 heading to California.

1. KYLE BUSCH – 3 WINS (417 Pts)
Just can’t wait to get on the road again, maybe win that Sonoma race again.

2. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS (480 Pts)
Failed to win in Iowa last week. Bet he feels like a total schmuck.

3. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS (472 Pts)
On his off days, this is one pilot who purposely takes his vehicle off the ground.

4. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS (441 Pts)
Along with Junior, listed by Forbes as among the world’s highest-paid athletes.

5. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN (526 Pts)
Fifth in the standings but first in points. By far. Maybe it is time to end his Sonoma jinx.

6. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (496 Pts)
Visited the Middle East to test a Formula One car. That is one way to keep busy on a week off.

7. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (455 Pts)
Might be a ways away from taking the Most Popular Driver award, but a Chase place is his.

8. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN (433 Pts)
He has a lot of teammates…though he is the only one who gets to drive the car.

9. MATT KENSETH – 1 WIN (409 Pts)
Stats show that Sonoma is his worse track. Imagine how much fun Monaco would be for him.

10. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN (380 Pts)
2 wins, 20 Top Tens. That is the standard for rookies Hamlin set a decade ago.

11. CHASE ELLIOTT – 453 PTS
Still looking for his first victory, but his points collection is rather impressive.

12. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 383 PTS
I was hoping for a 2004 Intimidator SS Monte Carlo for Father’s Day. Maybe for Christmas.

13. AUSTIN DILLON – 381 PTS
Maybe Junior or this guy could help me out in my quest. They know people.

14. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 374 PTS
Not known as a guy who does well on the pretzel tracks, but maybe he should be.

15. RYAN NEWMAN – 369 PTS
Looked great in the Spring 2016 issue of LVLten magazine. Doh! Wrong Ryan Newman.

16. RYAN BLANEY – 364 PTS
Plays something called food roulette with his buddy Darrell Wallace Jr. Training for Survivor?

17. KASEY KAHNE – 353 PTS
For someone supposedly having such a bad season, even a win might not be necessary to turn it all around.

18. TREVOR BAYNE – 345 PTS
A storied yet still single car team making a resurgence this season, and still better than most.

19. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 337 PTS
Win at the Glen put him in the 2014 Chase. Why not another road win in wine country?

20. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 337 PTS
Not the best place to be, but Kyle, Paul, Greg, Clint, Danica, and Aric would swap in a second.

June 22, 2016
Hot 20 – Michigan will be great, because Stone Cold Keselowski said so

A new aero package combined with reduced down and side force should mean more passing at Michigan this weekend, as well as at Kentucky later in the year. Wonderful, just wonderful. Now all that needs to happen is that it actually happens.

Four drivers did the testing, four drivers are apparently all giddy about it. Brad Keselowski is all excited about it. Then again, ole Brad was all tingly about that All-Star format he is said to have come up with, and we know how that turned out. We shall see, we shall see.

Greg Biffle is nowhere to be found amongst our Hot 20, but he does have four wins at Michigan. This week, he said he believes fans are just as passionate as they always were, but there are just so many ways to follow the sport than just showing up at the track or watching the action on television. I think the Biff is wrong. Where are all those celebrities who once asked us, “How bad have you got it?” The few who show up today do so only to promote a movie that often sucks, to be honest with you. There is no buzz anymore.

The only near guarantee of great action can be found at venues such as Daytona, Talladega, and Bristol. We tune in such milestone events as the Southern 500, the World 600, and the Brickyard 400, along with the novelty presented by the road courses. That constitutes just 11 of the 36 races on the calendar. The rest are generic goofy sponsor named events with little drawing power against baseball, football, hockey, basketball or just a damn nice day outside with the family. If Biffle figures the passion remains even though the fans do not, he is sadly mistaken.

So, why bother? Well, I am a NASCAR fan. I want to see if the brainiacs have actually stumbled upon something to make Michigan a race to watch. I want to see how the big dogs perform, even that damned irritating Keselowski and the equally delightful Joey Logano. I want to see Tony Stewart do something positive before he makes his career exit. I want to see if Dale Earnhardt Jr. might win. Who doesn’t? In fact, I want to see how each of the below listed 20 drivers perform and to see if someone outside can shake things up with a win. I would be thrilled if Danica Patrick could be that person. I would be shocked if it came to pass.

That is why I will be watching the Hot 20 and the rest this Sunday at Michigan.

1. KYLE BUSCH – 3 WINS (416 PTS)
Well, that is one way to keep Rowdy out of Victory Lane.

2. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS (442 PTS)
I think if Brad were a political candidate, I might have to vote for the other guy…just because.

3. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS (437 PTS)
Visited Loudon this week. He wants to win. He wants to eat the lobster. Let the protests begin.

4. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS (415 PTS)
This NASCAR Johnson likes his drinks from a can. The other Johnson liked his from a jar.

5. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN (490 PTS)
Happy might not win on Sunday, but his odds of finishing second are pretty good.

6. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (465 PTS)
If he missed his crew chief last week, he did a poor job of showing it.

7. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN (403 PTS)
Girlfriend Sherry is from Michigan and a fan of the Wings. Hence, this is now Truex country.

8. MATT KENSETH – 1 WIN (382 PTS)\
A restart on your computer should end your problems. On the track, they just began for Matt.

9. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN (372 PTS)
Won the Daytona 500. What more do you want?

10. CHASE ELLIOTT – 413 PTS
Few would be surprised if his first win comes very, very soon.

11. JOEY LOGANO – 410 PTS
The new “old” Kurt Busch? I wonder what Jimmy Spencer is up to these days?

12. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 381 PTS
What is worse than being a bridesmaid again? That damn unusable ugly dress.

13. AUSTIN DILLON – 348 PTS
Very proud of his grandfather and boss, one of NASCAR’s latest Hall of Famers.

14. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 342 PTS
An average finish of 16.6 might not sound great, but a 14.0 or better gets you in the Top Ten.

15. RYAN BLANEY – 340 PTS
You know, the “other” rookie is not doing too bad himself.

16. RYAN NEWMAN – 338 PTS
I wonder if Newman got Logano’s attention at Pocono?

17. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 334 PTS
Ernie Cope was on the box at Pocono, cousin Derrike was on David Letterman in 1990.

18. KASEY KAHNE – 325 PTS
Dover penalty is the difference between 18th and a place in the Chase.

19. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 325 PTS
Escorted Danica Patrick to Nashville last night for the CMT’s.

20. TREVOR BAYNE – 319 PTS
Got to see Danica present an award with Kelly Pickler, watching television like the rest of us.

June 8, 2016
Hot 20 – Keeping most NASCAR fans interested most of the time will take some work

I have an admission to make. I am not all that excited about Pocono this weekend. I thought maybe it had something to do with just getting out of the wrong side of the bed, or that my transformation into a cantankerous old fart had finally reached its conclusion. Sadly, maybe it had something to do with the World 600, a marquee event that was so dominated by one car that it became the Monaco Grand Prix but without all the cool scenery.

Martin Truex, Jr. won that race by leading 392 of 400 laps, with nary an on-track pass for the lead from start to finish. Great for Truex, horrid for NASCAR. To be honest, the action behind him was not exactly nail biting, either. Even NASCAR sees it, and they are not terribly thrilled, either.

The wave of a magic wand to fix it would be nice, but there are a number of factors they have to consider to keep us from wandering off to find excitement elsewhere. Configuring the rear chassis set-up takes away downforce and side force, which seemed to work for All-Star weekend. Then there is tire wear, how different it is between afternoon and evening races. In order to keep you and me interested, it seems there is more to ponder than just who has the best driver, the best car, and the best team on any given day.

Truex’s team hit on the setup and ran away with things last week. That happens. However, not much was happening behind him to generate much heat either, and that should not happen. At least, that is not what a majority of today’s fans want, not what they will long put up with. There is a problem when NASCAR tracks are pulling down grandstands, refusing to release attendance figures, and seeing television ratings plummet. Since 2007, the combined capacity of Charlotte, Daytona, and Talladega has been reduced by 43 percent, by an astounding 205,000 seats.

So, you would think the problem might lie with the fact that NASCAR just is not presenting an exciting product any longer. Maybe the problem is that, in this day and age, what worked yesterday just does not cut it in today’s instant gratification world. I mean, the Indianapolis 500 drew a live crowd of 350,000, had huge local ratings after it was broadcast in Indianapolis for the first time in 66 years, and still the national ratings slipped even further south. This is despite seeing in 2015, for the first time in a decade, the Indianapolis event drawing a bigger television audience than the one in Charlotte.

Is it the racing, or is it us? I mean, not every contest in ever sport is a work of art, so maybe our demands are too high. Sure, 94 percent of NASCAR’s fans are considered white compared to less than 2 percent black, and while half of the fans are 55 years of age and over, less than 9 percent are under the age of 34. Those are demographics that should have them concerned. That said, what is it that draws some to the sport and not others? What keeps them interested and what drives them off? Having an attention span greater than that of a gnat would help.

We want to be entertained and are less likely to sit through what does not. We no longer have to watch anything live so we do not have the patience we once had. We can always seek out more entertainment via a 30 second jump ahead by using the PVR button, the click of the channel to watch something else, the taking of a phone call, a check of text messages, a visit to Twitter, a video game, and you can always discover how things are going in the contest just about any time you want if you are interested enough. That is what NASCAR, auto sports, and just about anything else seeking an audience must face. Keep us interested, or we have something at our fingertips that might.

This cantankerous old fart is about as guilty as the next guy. We have become very much like a seven-year-old playing any sport, all set on chasing that ball until a butterfly comes around and grabs our attention. NASCAR’s task is to present a four-hour escape that we look forward to experiencing each and every week. To date, they appear to be falling short. They simply cannot afford to just mail it in and expect that we will be there. Here are our Hot 20 heading to Pocono Sunday afternoon…

1. KYLE BUSCH – 3 WINS – 405 PTS
If all drivers were like Rowdy, things would be more interesting.

2. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS – 409 PTS
We are living in the era of a 6-time champion. If that does not excite you, have you tried soccer?

3. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS – 404 PTS
Had a need for speed last week, but doing so twice on pit road ruined his day.

4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS – 404 PTS
Next Thursday, Jackson, Michigan is the place to share a cool one with Brad at the Chase.

5. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN – 457 PTS
Others may have more wins, but averaging more than 35 points per race gets the job done.

6. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN – 381 PTS
If only it was always as easy as it was last week.

7. MATT KENSETH – 1 WIN – 347 PTS
Won the last time he visited Pennsylvania.

8. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN – 345 PTS
There is a reason Lewis Hamilton no longer runs Formula 3 races.

9. KURT BUSCH – 421 PTS
No wins but sits second only to Harvick in points.

10. CHASE ELLIOTT – 374 PTS
Elected to the All-Star event, and continues to show why he was a worthy selection.

11. JOEY LOGANO – 373 PTS
All-Star package was good for Joey…the World 600 version was good only for Truex.

12. AUSTIN DILLON – 344 PTS
Special number, special driver.

13. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 341 PTS
Even he would agree.

14. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 318 PTS
Without a win, every race is meaningful.

15. RYAN BLANEY – 309 PTS
Ditto.

16. RYAN NEWMAN – 309 PTS
Could his paint scheme be termed as Kalahari Resorts blue?

17. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 308 PTS
Just to point out, his Pocono adventure might be worth watching out for.

18. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 299 PTS
Sponsor Fastenal likes what they see, extending their deal.

19. TREVOR BAYNE – 291 PTS
Meanwhile, AdvoCare is not just a sponsor as Bayne was already a client.

20. KASEY KAHNE – 290 PTS
Harvick was not after his job, after all, but he will need to dig deeper to retain it.

June 1, 2016