Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Category: Hot 20

Thornton’s Hot 20 in NASCAR

Hot 20 – Martinsville will boast superb on track talent, but can FOX attract the viewers at home?

The ratings are in. They continue to sink, with anything not being raced at Daytona all down. Daytona was great, the rest were okay. There used to be a time when okay was good enough. That was when, to answer Sheryl Crow’s question, we had it bad. Today, not so much. The passion is gone, at least from a ton of fans. Even the sponsors no longer have the passion, the desire to make those NASCAR-themed spots that were, well, spot on.

What to do, what to do? The stars have been, and remain, pretty accessible to the fans. Hell, even 79-year old Richard Petty remains a fan favorite and an easy target for an autograph. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones, Trevor Bayne, and Daniel Suarez leading the way for the 20-somethings. That might bode well for the future, but what about today? If you are a gear-head, the strategy, the setups is something of a draw, but for most folks, when their car is not running well it is simply broken.

Wasn’t the racing once a lot closer? I know in the old days it was not, not when the winner was a lap or more ahead of the next guy. So, what made NASCAR the “in thing” 20 years ago? They went from southern to national, where a guy like California’s Jeff Gordon would rival the likes of Dale Earnhardt from North Carolina. That created some sparks. They had open-wheel types like Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Juan Pablo Montoya take a turn at the wheel. That caused interest. Danica Patrick arrived and that was interesting, at least for a while. Pack racing might drive the drivers nuts, but it keeps us watching. Again, Daytona was watched, the rest…not so much.

I love the documentary-styled vignettes on the broadcasts. They always cause me to stop and watch. Is there anything else exciting, such as the broadcasters, the camera angles, the whole television experience to draw us in? Not really. Even the commercials are the same as when you watch NCIS. Seen it already with Gibbs and Ducky, so I’m good. What remains exciting is the talent. It just needs to be showcased a hell of a lot better.

Now, don’t get me started on XFINITY. Thankfully, Ryan Reed and Justin Allgaier at least won two of the five races. Seventeen of the 25 Top Five positions to date have gone to Cup drivers. Nineteen-year-old William Byron has four Top Tens, but I suspect few know that, or him. That is a problem. I do not know what their ratings are. To be honest, I do not really care.

Whatever you do, you cannot blame the guys among our Hot 20. Will Larson continue to dominate? Will Elliott get his first win and move to the front of the pack? What can Keselowski do with a car not beat to crap? Can Truex continue to perform well? Will Johnson and Earnhardt continue their climb back into contention? Those are some pretty good questions. I think most are still interested in the answers.

The trouble is getting them to commit to spending a Sunday afternoon watching it all unfold, rather than to spend just a few minutes in the evening to check the post-race reports. That is like reading the last page of the book to see how the story ends, rather than submerging one’s self into the experience. The Martinsville saga this weekend will be a good one, but the book needs to be spruced up a bit to keep us engaged.

1. KYLE LARSON – 1 WIN – 243 PTS
A win, most points, but Martinsville is a challenge he would love to overcome.

2. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN – 214 PTS
Have the living daylights beat out of your car by the fourth lap, and still finish second? Wow.

3. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN – 205 PTS
Tires. He don’t need no fresh stinking tires. On second thought…

4. RYAN NEWMAN – 1 WIN – 123 PTS
After ending a 127 race winless streak, the new one is now up to…well…one.

5. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN – 118 PTS
That Daytona win allows him to forget about the results of the past three events.

6. CHASE ELLIOTT – 214 PTS
The only thing separating him and the other top guys is the empty win column, and that’s it.

7. JOEY LOGANO – 174 PTS
Beat out Larson, Kyle Busch, and Erik Jones to win XFINITY. Again, what is that series for?

8. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 162 PTS
Three Top Tens in his last four races. Hey, he doesn’t want teammate Larson to feel alone.

9. RYAN BLANEY – 157 PTS
He can say whatever he wants about Junior. Mind you, guess who owns the land he lives on?

10. KEVIN HARVICK – 147 PTS
Harvick better win soon. Heck, Keelan is already wearing Larson gear.

11. CLINT BOWYER – 143 PTS
October 13, 2012. While he is happy for the moment, it has been awhile since that last win.

12. KYLE BUSCH – 136 PTS
Once upon a time, when you mentioned Kyle it meant a guy named Busch.

13. DENNY HAMLIN – 123 PTS
Virginia is for Virginians. That is the slogan going into this weekend for Hamlin.

14. KASEY KAHNE – 122 PTS
Remembering David Steele.

15. ERIK JONES – 116 PTS
Just a win away from a milkshake celebration. Hey, he still is only 20.

16. TREVOR BAYNE – 114 PTS
Anywhere in the Top 15 on Sunday would be moral victory.

17. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 109 PTS
No, Jimmie is not a god. Superman, yes. A god, no.

18. ARIC ALMIROLA – 108 PTS
Andrew Murstein has a drive to win. Richard Petty has 200 as a driver. No pressure, Aric.

19. DANIEL SUAREZ – 102 PTS
We now know why Carl Edwards retired. He just wanted to be a coach.

20. AUSTIN DILLON – 92 PTS
Where is Junior? He is the guy looming large in Dillon’s mirror.

March 29, 2017
Hot 20 – You know all the big names on this list heading to Fontana, and some not among them

Despite placing fourth on Sunday, no Ricky Stenhouse Jr. No Dale Earnhardt Jr. Neither Austin Dillon or Ty Dillon. No Danica Patrick. A.J. Allmendinger was third at Daytona, outside the Top Twenty ever since. One can have the name, the equipment, the marketing, but results are what matters and for some those results just have not been there just yet.

However, each and every one managing to crack our Hot 20 not only are known but they have done well enough. I mean, just by averaging 18 points per race, an average of 19th place per contest without stage bonuses, is all it takes to be in Cup racing’s top tier. Not a high fence to get over, you would think.

Just six points separate Stenhouse, Earnhardt, and the Dillons from leaping up, but it gets a little more serious for Patrick and Allmendinger. Patrick is 20 back, while Allmendinger is a head scratching 33 off the pace. If this was the NFL or MLB instead of NASCAR, somebody would start getting a little anxious. Maybe some are.

California would be the apropos place to have a eureka moment. For some, in the words of U-2, they still haven’t found what they are looking for.

1. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN – 178 PTS
After Daytona wreck, a win and a trio of Top Fives. He found it, and never had to look for it.

2. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN – 153 PTS
Six wins in three seasons. Barney Visser’s crew has come a long way since its 2005 debut.

3. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN – 105 PTS
Does Energizer have a car battery, one that keeps going and going and going?

4. RYAN NEWMAN – 1 WIN – 101 PTS
Joins previous Childress drivers who have won at Phoenix; Dale Earnhardt and Kevin Harvick.

5. KYLE LARSON – 184 PTS
Runner-up in four of the past five races. Striving for Miss Congeniality next?

6. CHASE ELLIOTT – 171 PTS
21-year-old’s worst finish in his last nine races is 14th. Hard to miss him week in and week out.

7. JOEY LOGANO – 135 PTS
No one can claim he wrecked on purpose to ruin Kyle’s day….not this time.

8. RYAN BLANEY – 127 PTS
With only three wins over the past 25 years, the Wood Brothers expect their fortunes to change.

9. KEVIN HARVICK – 123 PTS
Happy Hours begins next Tuesday from 7 to 9 pm ET, on SiriusXM, Channel 90.

10. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 119 PTS
Reserves his wins for Charlotte (2), Daytona (2), Talladega (2), and Indianapolis (1).

11. KASEY KAHNE – 105 PTS
Still holding the fort, along with Chase, as they wait for those other two guys to gain traction.

12. TREVOR BAYNE – 100 PTS
Last Wood Brothers winner (2011) wants to be the first for Roush since Carl Edwards (2014).

13T. KYLE BUSCH – 97 PTS
Dear Joey: I hate you. Most sincerely, Kyle.

13T. DENNY HAMLIN – 97 PTS
Screw the racing. Auctioneering is where his future lies – Sandy Wexler.

13T. CLINT BOWYER – 97 PTS
Other than for Daytona, the results have been fine. Not great, but certainly not bad.

16. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 93 PTS
California should be his to win…but wasn’t that what I said about Harvick at Phoenix?

17. ARIC ALMIROLA – 90 PTS
Another Daytona win for the boss’s 80th birthday would be a nice gift idea.

18. ERIK JONES – 82 PTS
What were you doing at 20 years of age?

19. PAUL MENARD – 78 PTS
There are 30 Menards locations near Fontana. Hey, if I can shill for Harvick, I can for Paul’s dad.

20T. MATT KENSETH – 72 PTS
It might have been only one point at Phoenix, but what a lovely point it was.

20T. DANIEL SUAREZ – 72 PTS
Might this rookie be finding his legs…or maybe just finding his wheels?

Update:

Penalties announced by NASCAR soon after this column was published have little effect on the standings. If not successfully appealed, the loss of 35 points by Keselowski only drops him to second, behind Truex, as wins trump points. Harvick’s loss of 10 points only finds him swapping places with McMurray.

Meanwhile, Allmendinger’s 35 point penalty at Atlanta was upheld on appeal. Still, even if it had not been, he would still have been sitting 20th, a couple of points ahead of Kenseth and Suarez. It is still early in the season, which only means this team has time to catch up…if they can catch up.

March 22, 2017
Hot 20 – Las Vegas featured Martin, Joey, and Kyle…but Phoenix could be all Harvick

Wins mean everything, but doing well in the stages and coming home close to the front seems pretty important also this season. Last week, Matt Kenseth finished ninth, yet lost ground by 30 points to race winner Martin Truex Jr. in Las Vegas alone.

The maximum number of points one can get, what Truex received last week, is 60, and that includes a win and pass to the Chase. By claiming both stages and finishing second a driver would up their count by 55, and that would be enough to move any driver from nothing to something in a hurry. This is especially true when you remember that sometimes a good driver could end up with just one single point on the day, but enough about Kevin Harvick.

Most of our leaders should enjoy their time in Phoenix if their histories can give us a clue. Do not expect much from Truex, Kasey Kahne, or Jamie McMurray. Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin, on the other hand, should move up and just maybe come next week Dale Earnhardt Jr. might be back on this list.

A win would do it, and Junior did win at Phoenix in 2015. Joey Logano won there last fall. As for Harvick, he is the man. Eight victories, six of the past nine on this track, on one he has at least one victory in each of the past four seasons. I think we just found our favorite for Sunday.

The points would be nice, but after giving it away in Atlanta, for Harvick, a win would mean everything.

1. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN – 132 PTS
Stay relevant, stay close, pass Truex…damn, damn, damn.

2. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN – 127 PTS
If you were wondering about that voodoo doll in the form of the No. 2…now you know.

3. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN – 93 PTS
No attempt to hit Joey, but managed to beat on the wall, and was left wanting to beat on his car.

4. KYLE LARSON – 131 PTS
Who does a guy have to fight in order to get some recognition by the mainstream?

5. CHASE ELLIOTT – 129 PTS
Fifth at Atlanta. Third at Las Vegas. The arithmetic sequence points to good things for Phoenix.

6. JOEY LOGANO – 119 PTS
“Give me a sign, hit me baby one more time.”

7. RYAN BLANEY – 106 PTS
It is early, but this car is again reminding us that this was the ride of Pearson and Bonnett.

8. KEVIN HARVICK – 92 PTS
There is video showing Harvick was indeed at Las Vegas…mostly playing the slots in the garage.

9. KASEY KAHNE – 88 PTS
Being surprisingly consistent, with three top dozens, is a real good thing for Kahne.

10. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 86 PTS
After the Daytona wreck, a pair of Top Tens gives Ganassi organization two high fliers.

11. TREVOR BAYNE – 82 PTS
After Edwards left, Roush needed a star in one of his seats. He just might have one.

12. CLINT BOWYER – 73 PTS
You will find Kurt, Kevin, and Clint on this chart. As for Danica, Ty Dillon is a better bet.

13. MATT KENSETH – 71 PTS
Finishes ninth and drops 30 points to Truex in Las Vegas. You just got to love the points system.

14. ARIC ALMIROLA – 70 PTS
Back to a single car operation after nearly 20 seasons with a duo. So far, so good…sort of.

15. DENNY HAMLIN – 68 PTS
A Top Ten at Las Vegas was a hell of a lot better result than his run at Atlanta.

16. PAUL MENARD – 62 PTS
Childress drivers have won five times at Phoenix. Neither of those boys drive for him today.

17. RYAN NEWMAN – 59 PTS
Swinging at Joey doesn’t work, berating him has limited effect, but as for a kiss…stay tuned.

18. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 55 PTS
Oh, there you are, Jimmie. 31 of those 55 points came to him last Sunday.

19. KYLE BUSCH – 50 PTS
“Oops, I did it again,”

20. ERIK JONES – 49 PTS
39th, 14th, 15th…it is a learning thing for the 20-year-old.

20. MICHAEL MCDOWELL – 49 PTS
Not exactly burning up the track, but he wasn’t even on this list last week.

March 15, 2017
Hot 20 – Some future Hall of Famers are far from hot as they head to Las Vegas

One thing that pops out at you are some of the unfamiliar names among our Hot 20 after a couple of races. Even more so, all the familiar names not there.

No Jimmie Johnson. No Kyle Busch. No Dale Earnhardt Jr. It is early, and a couple of stage wins at Las Vegas could move them up. A win certainly would, but for now, their usual places are being held by someone else.

One is a definite Hall of Famer. Hell, they all are, especially when you consider that every eligible driver with 25 wins or more is already there, with the exception of Jim Paschal. I would expect that 25 race winner to make it soon enough. Just not this year. This week, the nominees for the class of 2018 were announced.

I thought I knew who I would vote for. Then I saw all the names, and it got a bit complicated. For one, just where in hell is Smokey Yunick’s name? A legendary mechanic, builder, and crew chief who came up with innovations that prompted NASCAR’s rule book to come up with restrictions to counter them. You know all those templates the cars need to fit today? You can blame Smokey for that. To say that he was not a fan of the France family is a bit of an understatement. The fact Yunick remains off the ballot would seem to indicate the feeling was mutual…and still is. That is a damned shame.

Who would I put in? Broadcaster Ken Squier, without hesitation. NASCAR still awaits his successor, the voice that you can just lean back and ride along with on a summer afternoon as you tinker with your own wheels out on the driveway under a blue sky. As for the other nominees, as I said, it gets complicated. Is 25 wins a benchmark for drivers, or do other factors come into play, such as a championship or a tragic loss? How do we determine which owner, which crew chief, what engine builder is deserving? How much weight do you give to those in Cup, compared to other NASCAR series? A lot of deserving names, popular choices, but which five to be included in the Class of 2018? You could say that to try and forecast the outcome is going to be a bit of a crap shoot.

They are used to that, I guess, in Las Vegas, as the gambler’s paradise is going to get a second race next season. Okay, but where was it going to come from? It makes sense economically to put another event in a town that is just one great big attraction itself. Just as long as it did not take away from a track that features action most love to watch. Not Daytona, Not Talladega, Not Bristol. Instead, the Magic Mile of Loudon, New Hampshire loses its September date after a 21-year run. It was a transfer between two properties owned by Speedway Motorsports’ Bruton Smith, who himself is a Hall of Famer.

One good bet is that Smith will be joined in the Hall, some day, by the first three names you see among our Hot 20 heading into Las Vegas.

1. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN – 86 PTS
Forget yoga, as nothing relaxes a driver more than a Daytona 500 win and a pass to the Chase.

2. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN – 84 PTS
Dear Kevin: Many thanks. Love, Brad.

3. KEVIN HARVICK – 90 PTS
Dear Brad: Kiss my butt. Love, Kevin.

4. CHASE ELLIOTT – 82 PTS
Not a question of if, but when. He is the “next one.”

5. JOEY LOGANO – 80 PTS
When it comes to Las Vegas, Joey is great…but has yet to seal the deal.

6. KYLE LARSON – 79 PTS
Low, low, high, goodbye. Atlanta could have been different if only…

7. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 67 PTS
For him, Las Vegas is more like a Kansas song. You know, “Dust in the Wind.”

8. KASEY KAHNE – 63 PTS
According to this chart, the second best damn driver for Hendrick.

9. RYAN BLANEY – 63 PTS
Team was born in 1950. The Legend was born in 1953. The driver was born in 1993.

10. TREVOR BAYNE – 58 PTS
Performance Plus is the sponsor. Performance plus is what they are looking for on Sunday.

11. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 49 PTS
Once trailed Allmendinger until A.J.’s 35 point penalty for his lack of lug nuts at Atlanta.

12. ARIC ALMIROLA – 47 PTS
Some say not a good fantasy pick at the moment. To be honest, I’ve never fantasized about him.

13. CLINT BOWYER – 46 PTS
After the last couple of years, this is just freaking awesome!

14. PAUL MENARD – 44 PTS
Name his sponsor. Wrong. It is Valvoline…and Menards.

15. MATT KENSETH – 41 PTS
Along with Jimmie, Junior, Kasey, and Trevor, he likes to ride bicycles. Manly bicycles.

16. COLE WHITT – 38 PTS
Good start for TriStar Motorsports and its 25-year old wheel man. Can he keep the No. 72 up there?

17. RYAN NEWMAN – 37 PTS
17th trip to Las Vegas, but third is the best he has done (2015).

18. MATT DIBENEDETTO – 37 PTS
Ninth at Daytona. 28th at Atlanta. A betting man might not like his odds for Sunday.

19. DENNY HAMLIN – 37 PTS
A messed up rear end (on the car, not the driver) ruined his march down to Georgia.

20. LANDON CASSILL – 36 PTS
Thanks A.J.

March 8, 2017
Hot 20 – Kurt is King heading to Atlanta, but beware the Jungle Cat in the No. 1

It is expected. The standings look weird. With bonus points from the Duels and the demo derby that was the Daytona 500, some wound up with more points than anticipated, and some got far less. Even though the math was there to see, the winner of the season opener actually not on the top of the charts, things did not get that weird.

Our Hot 20 after Daytona…

1. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN – 56 PTS
Two years ago, he had the wrong girl and got banned. Today, he has the right one and a trophy.

2. RYAN BLANEY – 44 PTS
Iconic car, second generation Cup driver, a satisfying result.

3. JOEY LOGANO – 43 PTS
I am just one conversation over beers from being his greatest fan. Alas, it has not yet happened.

4. KEVIN HARVICK – 42 PTS
Move to Ford does not seem to have a negative effect on at least a couple SHR drivers.

5. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 39 PTS
Not fast, but third last Sunday. Docked points after the Duels, yet sits fifth in the standings.

6. ARIC ALMIROLA – 37 PTS
Seeking to rebound after a miserable 2016. So far, so good.

7. KYLE LARSON – 36 PTS
If Smokey Yunick was his crew chief, he would have won…before he got disqualified.

8. DENNY HAMLIN – 33 PTS
With young Taylor a big sister in training, all is good. Very, very good.

9. CHASE ELLIOTT – 33 PTS
Why we should all carry a jerry can of gas while on a long distance trip.

10. PAUL MENARD – 32 PTS
Easy to identify a driver when he has the family named splashed across the hood.

11. TREVOR BAYNE – 32 PTS
Anything in the Top 20 at Atlanta would mark an improvement.

12. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 31 PTS
Not a fan, but if he should crash my party, and brought beers, I think I would be. Brad?

13. KASEY KAHNE – 30 PTS
Winless in 84, fourth on the team popularity charts, yet had a better start than Junior and Jimmie.

14. MICHAEL WALTRIP – 29 PTS
One final bow after his curtain call.

15. MATT DIBENEDETTO – 28 PTS
Clint, Junior, Rowdy, and Jimmie were among those who stepped aside to make room.

16. AUSTIN DILLON – 28 PTS
Now he knows how Kurt feels. Darn younger brothers, anyway.

17. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 24 PTS
Did someone mention fuel?

18. RYAN NEWMAN – 22 PTS
When I read that Ryan Newman is rumored to be dating Steven Perry, I got confused.

19. MICHAEL MCDOWELL – 22 PTS
Have you noticed that in a fuel mileage race, it is always best to have enough fuel? Funny, eh?

20. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 22 PTS
Jamie the Jungle Cat attacked anything that moved. Might he be on the prowl again in Atlanta?

March 1, 2017
Hot 20 – The preliminaries are over and it is now time to get racing for real at Daytona

Sorry, but this column is arriving a day later than my usual Thursday date. Of course, it has something to do with the race that gives me the data to mess around with did not take place until Thursday. It is not my fault.

So, why do I feel so impelled to share my witticisms when I could have just taken the day off? Well, for the first time since 1982, I can discuss who the hottest drivers are leading into the Daytona 500. Prior to this, there were no points, no benchmarks as to who was hot and who was not, other than to discuss the Daytona weather. I can tell you, sometimes that is not hot at all. I froze my arse off watching Kevin Harvick win the damn thing 10 years ago.

No, this year we have drivers who have earned points that reflect in the standings, thanks to the awarding, for the first time ever, points for the Duels. Winning one of them has meant that a pair of drivers will enter the Daytona 500 as the co-points leader with the chap who won the other Duel. Only was 10th? You have a big point already in the bank account, along with that 10th place driver over in the other Duel.

Without any further adieu, here are our Hot 20 as determined yesterday on the track as they prepare for Sunday’s Daytona 500.

1. Chase Elliott – 10 pts
What was the name of that guy he replaced?

1. Denny Hamlin – 10 pts
Obviously, does not mind hurting the feelings of Junior’s fans.

3. Clint Bowyer – 9 pts
Good things happen when you have a good car to do them in.

3. Jamie McMurray – 9 pts
Is this the year for Dimples to shine?

5. Kurt Busch – 8 pts
Newly married and being sued. Being Kurt is not boring.

5. Kevin Harvick – 8 pts
His backup driver won’t be five until July.

7. AJ Allmendinger – 7 pts
Like a magician, he appeared out of nowhere.

7. Brad Keselowski – 7 pts
First career Cup win was at Talladega, so of course, he did well here.

9. Austin Dillon – 6 pts
Driving under the right number to do great things.

9. Matt Kenseth – 6 pts
Only member of that old Roush gang still competing.

11. Trevor Bayne – 5 pts
It has been six years since his lone Cup win at…where was that again?

11. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 5 pts
It has been awhile, but this guy seems rather familiar.

13. Danica Patrick – 4 pts
Between her and Ricky, 301 Cup starts, zero wins. The time is now.

13. Martin Truex Jr. – 4 pts
New season, new teammate, but 2016 results were not bad, either.

15. Ryan Newman – 3 pts
Good thing one wins by a fender, not by a neck.

15. Aric Almirola – 3 pts
Teammates…he don’t need no stinkin’ teammates.

17, Joey Logano – 2 pts
What is not to love about Joey…oh, let me count the ways.

17. Kyle Larson – 2 pts
If he keeps over the wall crew within acceptable numbers, he’ll be okay.

19. Cole Whitt – 1 pt
The lad is a ginger, and I’m not lion.

20. Ty Dillon – 1pt
First time ever on this chart. Take a bow, young man.

February 24, 2017
Hot 20 – If dreams do come true, why not a Dale Earnhardt 500 at Talladega?

With more than a month left in the old year, talk about the new is already starting to dominate. Tony Stewart is now retired, with Clint Bowyer no doubt thrilled at the chance to get back into quality equipment as his replacement. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is getting ready to return to racing, though that message from fiance Amy Reimann seems to indicate he never really left. Greg Biffle has left Jack Roush after all these years, with his old ride apparently being put on blocks for next season.

Dear NASCAR: Please start branding your races so they might one day become stand alone marquee events. Along with the Daytona 500, the Southern 500, and the Brickyard 400, change it back to the World 600 at Charlotte and summertime should mark the Firecracker 400 at Daytona. While we are at it, who would not want to win at Talladega, taking the Hellmann’s Dale Earnhardt 500, or STP’s Richard Petty 500 at Martinsville? A Ridgeway grandfather clock with the King’s face on the face. Hey, it is not our circus, but we have grown fond of some of the monkeys.

Jimmie Johnson has another trinket to keep polished. NASCAR, in its stupidity, has few iconic events, we know, but Johnson has won them all. Daytona 500? Twice. Southern 500? Twice. World 600? Four times. Brickyard 400? Four more. Ten-time winner at Dover. Nine at Martinsville. Did anyone mention seven Cup championships? Is it too early to wonder about an eighth? Jimmie Johnson is a living, breathing active iconic legend of the sport. Enjoy him while we can.

Most athletes are done by the time they hit 40. NASCAR is lucky in that way, but even at that age folks start asking the drivers “how much longer?” once they hit the milestone. Johnson, Junior, Biffle, Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick have already reached the peak of that mountain. The good news is that young gents such as Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Austin Dillon have already arrived, with Ty Dillon coming soon, along with the likes of Erik Jones and Darrell Wallace Jr. Those are just the ones with decent rides, either at this level or the one just below. Like XFINITY champ Daniel Suarez, for instance.

Elliott, Cup’s top rookie, turns 21 within the week. There are 50 drivers younger than him with some experience in the Cup, XFINITY, Camping World, or ARCA series. Harrison Burton finished 22nd in a truck race, third in an ARCA event. Jeff Burton’s boy turned 16 in October. Cole Custer does not turn 19 until January, yet was 10th best in the trucks this season, with a pair of XFINITY Top Tens to his credit in just five attempts. Tomorrow’s stars are coming.

Let us not rush things, though. 2016 gave us a nice mix of seasoned veterans and fuzzy-cheeked talent, as our Hot 20 bears out.

1. JIMMIE JOHNSON (5 WINS – 11 T5 – 16 T10) 5040 PTS
Gunning for eight in 2017. What, too soon?

2. JOEY LOGANO (3-16-26) 5037 PTS
I will never forget what he and Brittany did to honor the family of Jake Leatherman.

3. KYLE BUSCH (4-17-25) 5035 PTS
If NASCAR was Canadian, would Kyle be sponsored by Smarties?

4. CARL EDWARDS (3-9-18) 5007 PTS
Not at the front of the field in the end, but left as the class of the field.

5. MATT KENSETH (2-8-19) 2330 PTS
With the Biff leaving, that ole Roush gang have now all departed for greener pastures.

6. DENNY HAMLIN (3-12-22) 2320 PTS
Average finish over the final 21 races was 8.5. Thirtieth at Charlotte ruined everything.

7. KURT BUSCH (1-9-21) 2296 PTS
Was better in the first half than the second. The good news is that 2017 begins with the first half.

8. KEVIN HARVICK (4-17-27) 2289 PTS
Best damn driver in NASCAR this season is a champion…just not for this year.

9. KYLE LARSON (1-10-15) 2288 PTS
Second-best 20-something driver this season, and seems to have designs on #1 in the next.

10. CHASE ELLIOTT (0-10-17) 2285 PTS
Not all Rookies of the Year are stellar choices, but this one most definitely is.

11. MARTIN TRUEX JR. (4-8-17) 2271 PTS
Next year, Erik Jones becomes his new teammate. If the boy wins, soda pop for everyone.

12. BRAD KESELOWSKI (4-16-22) 2267 PTS
Brad does not think the format led to great racing last week. Brad did not have my television.

13. JAMIE MCMURRAY (0-2-12) 2231 PTS
Joined by Larson, McMurray gave boss Chip Ganassi a pair in the Top Five last Sunday.

14. AUSTIN DILLON (0-4-13) 2223 PTS
Some wags figure if Woody from Toy Story drove in NASCAR, he would look a lot like Austin.

15. TONY STEWART (1-5-8) 2211 PTS
As iconic as Johnson, Petty, Earnhardt, Gordon, L. Petty, Pearson, Yarborough and Waltrip

16. CHRIS BUESCHER (1-2-2) 2169 PTS
Proof that one race can make a season.

17. KASEY KAHNE (0-3-13) 898 PTS
2004’s top rookie teams with a seven-time champ, a 13-time most popular, and 2016’s top rookie.

18. RYAN NEWMAN (0-2-10) 895 PTS
If he had actually been driving a Caterpillar, the car would have looked better after last Sunday.

19. A.J. ALLMENDINGER (0-2-9) 830 PTS
If getting the wave around works good enough to claim eighth at Homestead, why not?

20. RYAN BLANEY (0-3-9) 812 PTS
Turns 23 on New Year’s Eve. Talk about welcoming in a new year twice at the same party.

November 23, 2016
Hot 20 – And now, the end is near, and so we face the final Homestead curtain

So it ends. Another NASCAR season. A Hall of Fame career for Tony Stewart. The reign of a title sponsor. The wait for another seven-time champion, or a repeat champion, or maybe the crowning of the newest member of NASCAR royalty.

Tony Stewart made his mark as an open wheel champion, and three times he proved to be the season best among those with fenders. One more race, one more chance to grab his 50th career win before he moves on to eventually join the Hall of Fame.

Winston Cup held the rights for more than thirty years. Nextel had it for four, then when they got rolled into Sprint, the Sprint Cup it became for the past nine seasons. That ends at Homestead. Could it be the Monster Energy Cup next season? That remains to be seen.

Will Jimmie Johnson join with two of the sport’s icons and become a seven-time champion? Can Kyle Busch repeat his championship run of last season and claim his second? Can Carl Edwards or Joey Logano finish the climb to the top of the mountain?

The answer comes our way on Sunday at Homestead.

The Hot 20, featuring wins, season-long points, and the official points tallies heading to Homestead.

1. JOEY LOGANO – 3 WINS – 1095 S/PTS – 5000 PTS
The best of the rest remaining in the hunt for the title.

2. KYLE BUSCH – 4 WINS – 1027 S/PTS – 5000 PTS
This seems like a good time to order up a double.

3. CARL EDWARDS – 3 WINS – 997 S/PTS – 5000 PTS
Always a bridesmaid, but will he get the ring this time?

4. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 4 WINS – 963 S/PTS – 5000 PTS
The King and the Intimidator await him as part of a very exclusive club.

5. MATT KENSETH – 2 WINS – 963 S/PTS – 2296 PTS
One mistake from above and his coach turned into scrambled pumpkin pie.

6. DENNY HAMLIN – 3 WINS – 1052 S/PTS – 2288 PTS
Was close when they started at Phoenix, just not close enough when they finished.

7. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN – 1027 S/PTS – 2268 PTS
A win to be in, but there was no room at the inn this time.

8. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 4 WINS – 986 S/PTS – 2266 PTS
Rarely do leaders get penalized for passing the pace car to enter the pits. Last week was different.

9. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 4 WINS – 1083 S/PTS – 2261 PTS
Thought Joey would be a good fit for Penske after leaving Gibbs. It appears he was right.

10. CHASE ELLIOTT – 0 WINS – 936 S/PTS – 2255 PTS
Took over from Jeff Gordon, and still got to race against Jeff Gordon. Sweet.

11. KEVIN HARVICK – 4 WINS – 1120 S/PTS – 2250 PTS
The best over the course of the season, but they do not have a trophy for that.

12. KYLE LARSON – 1 WIN – 890 S/PTS – 2247 PTS
Eneos. If you know who they are, it might be due to this guy.

13. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 0 WINS – S/871 PTS – 2195 PTS
Official points give him 13th. The season-long tally has him behind Kahne and Newman.

14. AUSTIN DILLON – 0 WINS – 873 S/PTS – 2194 PTS
Paint scheme needs to include a pair of Texas longhorns on the hood. Just a suggestion.

15. TONY STEWART – 1 WIN – 623 S/PTS – 2192 PTS
Future Hall of Famer would love to bow out with a 50th victory.

16. CHRIS BUESCHER – 1 WIN – 524 S/PTS – 2152 PTS
One win. The difference between a notable season and finishing 28th in points.

17. KASEY KAHNE – 0 WINS – 894 S/PTS – 894 PTS
On the bright side, his season was better than that of team-mate Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

18. RYAN NEWMAN – 0 WINS – 879 S/PTS – 879 PTS
Stewart will soon be going, just not to where Newman once suggested he go to.

19. RYAN BLANEY – 0 WINS – 797 S/PTS – 797 PTS
It comes down to this….Ryan or A.J. for 19th.

20. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 0 WINS – 797 S/PTS – 797 PTS
Might have a teammate, at least for a few races, next season.

November 16, 2016
Hot 20 – There are a lot of nice things to do in Phoenix, but winning Sunday would be the nicest

I like being nice. Sure, I can bitch with the best of them, but it is nice when one can say nice things about someone. For instance, I think NASCAR did the right thing by calling the race at Texas last week. Let me see, the race was already delayed by five hours and the skies really opened up with 40 to go. Damn right they should have wrapped things up when they did. The fans at the track no doubt had enough. Those watching on television had enough. We all knew it was going to get wet again, and Carl Edwards was leading when it came down. I see no controversy over the call. In fact, it was downright merciful.

I think it is nice when someone decides that family comes first, even if it is not what fans want to hear. Twenty-eight-year-old Brian Scott is stepping out of his ride with Richard Petty next season to spend more time with his family. He admits the Cup schedule “has taken its toll” and caused him “to re-evaluate what I want in life for myself and for my family.” You cannot blame a man for that. Some things are just more important.

Like honoring the life of a five-year-old boy. Jake Leatherman’s journey came to an end after a valiant battle against juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia. He had become a huge NASCAR fan, and when his mom asked if anyone in the NASCAR community could attend his services this past week in uniform, they did not let him and his family down. They represented such organizations as Penske, Stewart-Haas, Childress, Hendrick and Petty. Sometimes the youngest among us can inspire us to be our best.

It is sure nice to see that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has returned to racing. Well, not actually racing. Just driving fast. Faster than the law will allow. No pit road penalty, just a cop and a ticket book. Welcome back, Junior!

The boys and girl are welcomed back to Phoenix on Sunday. Jimmie Johnson and Edwards are locked into the Final Four. Joey Logano and Kyle Busch are in, but by just a point over Matt Kenseth and two ahead of Denny Hamlin. Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch either have to win or hope it is a bad day at Black Rock sort of situation for those other dudes.

1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – SEGMENT WIN (4074 Pts)
Just another nice Sunday drive chatting with Chad on his radio.

2. CARL EDWARDS – SEGMENT WIN (4049 Pts)
Was like Gene Kelly last week. You know, just singing in the rain.

3. JOEY LOGANO – 4074 PTS
After he and Brittany attended young Jake’s funeral this week, I have a whole new level of respect for this couple.

4. KYLE BUSCH – 4074 PTS
Good luck, Kyle. Go out there and break a leg. What? Too soon?

5. MATT KENSETH – 4073 PTS
Was having just a so-so season until Dover…then things just sort of perked right up.

6. DENNY HAMLIN – 4072 PTS
Two spots open, two points separating the top four contenders.

7. KEVIN HARVICK – 4056 PTS
Of course, if Harvick wins yet again at Phoenix, one of those spots would be spoken for.

8. KURT BUSCH – 4040 PTS
Eight remaining Chasers, five of ‘em former champions.

9. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2265 PTS
Driver most likely to be leading a race won’t win a title this year due to bad luck.

10. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2234 PTS
Four-time winner this season, he might not be done yet.

11. CHASE ELLIOTT – 2223 PTS
We know his dad is happy the way Tuesday turned out. You know, so am I.

12. KYLE LARSON – 2209 PTS
Inexperienced enough to continue driving XFINITY…good enough to win Texas event.

13. AUSTIN DILLON – 2192 PTS
After Texas, the “Silver Spoon Kid” might be gunning for the outlaw known as Happy.

14. TONY STEWART – 2166 PTS
1 IRL title, 3 Cup crowns, 2 Brickyard 400’s, 4 Firecracker 400’s, 8 road course wins.

15. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 2165 PTS
Wonders how you might be set in regards to ratcheting wrenches and hand tools.

16. CHRIS BUESCHER – 2143 PTS
I am sure he agrees with me that sometimes you just have to call a race early.

17. KASEY KAHNE – 866 PTS
Spending his summer driving in Australia. Summer there begins in December.

18. RYAN NEWMAN – 850 PTS
Was caught on a hot mic saying bad things at Texas. The President-Elect knows how that feels.

19. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 773 PTS
17th in Texas snapped a three-race streak of Top Tens.

20. RYAN BLANEY – 764 PTS
Considering who is not on this list, this has been a pretty decent season for the 22-year old.

November 10, 2016
Hot 20 – Texas is next, where men are men and women are damned happy about it

It would appear I got up on the wrong side of the bed again. Maybe I simply am becoming an old cantankerous SOB. Maybe I’m already there. If I were a muppet, I probably would have a seat in the balcony, if you know what I mean. Is it my fault things just seem to tick me off?

Oh, what if Jimmie Johnson wins a seventh championship? Some wonder if fans can stand to see him win again, and I wonder what kind of snowflake, safe space, pronoun changing, easily offended, easily bored band of twits have we become? If he wins, great. We are watching a living legend. If he does not, great again, as the dreams of someone else would have been fulfilled. I worry more about what kind of action is presented, if what I see and hear can keep me entertained long enough to wish to continue to watch. If they can manage that, I could not care less if Johnson wins seven or 10 bloody titles.

I learned something last week. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a future in the broadcast booth. It is not that he is super smooth or has those deep pipes, but rather it is the quality of what comes out of his mouth. I found myself listening to him. That is the trick, and not all have that mastered. From what I hear, few do.

NASCAR is in the advanced stage of talks to replace Sprint, who replaced Nextel, who replaced Winston as the Cup Series title sponsor. Please, Lord, let it be a corporate entity that does not embarrass us by their inclusion. I mean, we already have a majority of races with no lasting identity other than this year’s corporate clown 500 monikers. I am just saying that, please, let it not be the Anusol Cup in 2017.

Problem. Solution. Last week, the problem was that they ran off 30 laps under caution to figure out what the running order was. A solution would be to not allow more than 3 percent of the scheduled laps to be run off under any one caution before the red flag comes out. In Martinsville, that would have been 15. At Talladega, that would have been five. You are welcome.

Now on to Texas, where only one of our Hot 20 is safe, four others are close, and three have to make things happen if they want to be in contention later in the month.

1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – SEGMENT WIN (4044 Pts)
Was kind enough to leave three free passes at the door. Now we watch to see who claims them.

2. DENNY HAMLIN – 4039 PTS
Carl Edwards was about the only teammate not bitching about him come Monday.

3. MATT KENSETH – 4039 PTS
Thinks he could have done better if Hamlin had got the hell out of his way.

4. KYLE BUSCH – 4037 PTS
Thinks he could have done better if Kenseth had got the hell out of his way.

5. JOEY LOGANO – 4033 PTS
All Logano has to do is stay ahead of those Gibbs’ boys and he should be fine.

6. KEVIN HARVICK – 4021 PTS
A Yellow Rose is nice, but Harvick would prefer his first checkered flag of Texas on Sunday.

7. KURT BUSCH – 4019 PTS
At least his teammate did not stick his head into his car to say “howdy” last week.

8. CARL EDWARDS – 4005 PTS
Damn tires. Damn walls. Damn Martinsville.

9. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2226 PTS
At some time on Sunday, his will be the car in front.

10. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2207 PTS
Using a season-long format would be second by 19 points to Harvick in the championship fight.

11. AUSTIN DILLON – 2187 PTS
Cup driver on Sundays, a truck driver this Friday.

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 2185 PTS
No sports analyst has ever suggested a bounty on Chase Elliott. I can’t say the same for Ezekiel.

13. KYLE LARSON – 2183 PTS
NASCAR’s Kyle rule in XFINITY and the Trucks does not affect this Kyle just yet.

14. TONY STEWART – 2156 PTS
Just one win away from 50, as the clock continues to click down.

15. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 2143 PTS
GearWrench might not be Goodwrench, but it sounds close enough to me.

16. CHRIS BUESCHER – 2123 PTS
Could he be switching with Biffle for next season?

17. KASEY KAHNE – 883 PTS
Unless the news is good next season, Kahne could wind up leaving the same time as his sponsor.

18. RYAN NEWMAN – 819 PTS
Believes a new man should be in the White House come January. I wonder who he means?

19. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 749 PTS
Third straight Top Ten came last week, with designs to extend that to four on Sunday.

20. RYAN BLANEY – 735 PTS
With a Top 20 last week, and with Stenhouse last, look who rejoins out little band of brothers.

November 2, 2016