Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Tag: Aric Almirola

  • Hot 20 – Kentucky, where the thoroughbreds will run unless Stenhouse is moving at ramming speed

    Hot 20 – Kentucky, where the thoroughbreds will run unless Stenhouse is moving at ramming speed

    Kentucky. Lord, please not Kentucky. It is a track I have no affinity for, but I will be watching on Saturday night. It is all due to NBC. If you watch the broadcast, and still can not stand NASCAR, it is just not for you. If you do watch it and have any love of the sport, you will stick around. The boys and girls make it damn hard to skip forward, no matter how much you try. You just do not want to miss what they will be saying, and that is everything in sports coverage.

    Ricky Stenhouse Jr. did not miss anything or anyone, it seemed, last week at Daytona. Now, I am no race car driver. When I drove the computer version, it was in indestructible mode. I missed nothing. If I was a lap or two down, it was because I was driving the wrong way looking to clear the track. I made Dale Earnhardt look like a powder puff competitor in comparison. Stenhouse was not that bad, but do not ask Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, or Kurt Busch, to name just a few. They might think, compared to him, I was the powder puff queen.

    Let us see how hot his pals get with him when they re-enter the fray in Kentucky.

    1. KYLE BUSCH – 5 WINS (749 Pts)
    Was running in the Top Two at Daytona, but failed to get by Stenhouse.

    2. KEVIN HARVICK – 5 WINS (692 Pts)
    Got taken out at Daytona, but it was not the fault of Stenhouse.

    3. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 3 WINS (629 Pts)
    Managed to stay the hell out of the way of Stenhouse.

    4. CLINT BOWYER – 2 WINS (594 Pts)
    Hooked by Bubba, and then ran into Harvick. Hey, Stenhouse could not do it all himself.

    5. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (618 Pts)
    If you can’t beat Joey at Daytona, beat him and beat him again until the car is toast. That works.

    6. ERIK JONES – 1 WIN (448 Pts)
    Won his first race, won it at Daytona, in a duel with the defending Cup champ. That works, too.

    7. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN (347 Pts)
    Dillon returned to Daytona. No one noticed this time.

    8. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 596 POINTS
    Also known as Stenhouse victim #1.

    9. KURT BUSCH – 566 POINTS
    Also known as Stenhouse victim #2.

    10. KYLE LARSON – 544 POINTS
    Lost a tire, and almost got Stenhouse out. Almost. Imagine the cheers from the garage if he had.

    11. DENNY HAMLIN – 538 POINTS
    Last week, he actually took natural disaster training before racing against Stenhouse.

    12. ARIC ALMIROLA – 503 POINTS
    A late crash left him 27th last week. His bouncing tire finished well ahead of him.

    13. RYAN BLANEY – 496 POINTS
    Tired of young drivers taking the blame for NASCAR’s diminishing popularity. They shouldn’t.

    14. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 461 POINTS
    Will be wearing the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope. It has nothing to do with Stenhouse.

    15. CHASE ELLIOTT – 444 POINTS
    Maybe he could use Stenhouse to clear the way, just like the Bandit did for the Snowman.

    16. ALEX BOWMAN – 426 POINTS
    Lost points to Daytona’s 17th place finisher who was #1 on the hits parade, and in points earned.

    17. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 407 POINTS
    As Frank might have sung, “Friends, he’s had a few, but then again, too few to mention.”

    18. PAUL MENARD – 371 POINTS
    Has joined the “have to win to be in” club.

    19. RYAN NEWMAN – 332 POINTS
    Will be racing on the dirt at Eldora later this month and the PVR is set and ready to record.

    20. DANIEL SUAREZ – 318 POINTS
    The only Mexican in favor of building a wall, just as long as Stenhouse is on the other side.

    21. WILLIAM BYRON – 318 POINTS
    When Kyle Busch failed to get by Stenhouse, that meant it was time for Byron to go, too.

  • The Final Word – Daytona and NBC delivered the goods, and the bads, on Saturday night

    The Final Word – Daytona and NBC delivered the goods, and the bads, on Saturday night

    Daytona delivered. The action and the broadcast were both superb. If you missed it, you really missed something.

    Unlike Ricky Stenhouse Jr. He missed nothing. On the good, he claimed the opening two stages. He also managed to punt a third-place car, driven by Kurt Busch, into oblivion when he sent Brad Keselowski up toward him, taking out a pretty fair chunk of the field. He was not done. Later, he got the two lead cars when he hooked Kyle Busch, who proceeded to remove William Byron from the point position. When you’ve taken out the top three cars in any race, including both Busch brothers, you have accomplished something.

    Later, when Kyle Larson cut a tire, he hit Stenhouse. Did that finally remove the favorite driver from among his peers? Nope. He managed to finish 17th and collect a total of 40 points for his efforts. Only the race winner matched him in that category. However, Ricky probably lost a hell of a lot of potential Christmas card senders. He should not expect any from a certain family hailing from Las Vegas.

    The herd had been severely culled as they neared the end, but when Kasey Kahne looked out his back window with a dozen laps left to run, there were Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. trying to chase him down. However, that did not last long, as Bubba Wallace hooked Clint Bowyer, who in turn took out Harvick.

    Of course, they could not finish this thing in a single overtime. By the time the second hit the green, it was Truex and Erik Jones coming to the line, with Kahne and Chris Buescher right behind them. Jones got the push, fought off the defending champion, and put himself in the list of Cup drivers with a career victory. A first win, and at Daytona no less.

    With so many sent to the garage, the rest of the Top Ten were not names we usually associate for such a position. For example…

    3. A.J. Allmendinger
    4. Kasey Kahne
    5. Chris Buescher
    6. Ty Dillon
    7. Matt DiBenedetto
    8. Ryan Newman

    Austin Dillon and Alex Bowman were next. Those two names almost sound like Petty and Earnhardt compared to those just ahead of them. Then there was the quartet that finished in the next five positions…

    11. Jeffrey Earnhardt
    12. Brendan Gaughan
    13. D.J. Kennington
    14. Bubba Wallace
    15. David Ragan

    At least one was an Earnhardt and one drove for Petty. For some brighter lights on the marquee, Daytona was a dark, dark Saturday night. Some managed to earn 10 points or less…

    10 – Aric Almirola
    9 – Paul Menard
    9 – Chase Elliott
    7 – Jamie McMurray
    6 – Kurt Busch
    4 – Brad Keselowski
    2 – Daniel Suarez
    1 – Ryan Blaney
    1 – Denny Hamlin
    1 – Joey Logano

    If you want to know what a pinata feels like, ask Logano. In the first big wreck of the night, that boy had his car hit on every corner and places in between. He described it as the crash that went on and on.

    So, with all the mishaps spoiling the betting line, did it shake up our Chase contenders any? Nope. The sixteen in remain the 16 in. Jones is much more secure in his place, while Bowman still holds on to the last rung, 19 points ahead of Stenhouse. I guess you could say Stenhouse hit the wrong guys.

    As for NBC, the second broadcast of the season was just as awesome as the Chicago effort. Next week is another Saturday night in Kentucky. If they can pull off another excellent, interesting, entertaining presentation from that venue, then there would be no doubt that they truly are for real.

    Daytona delivered. So did NBC. In the words of Warden Norton from Shawshank, “Lord! It’s a miracle!” Let us keep those miracles coming.

  • Hot 20 – It is a summer time Saturday night in Daytona

    Hot 20 – It is a summer time Saturday night in Daytona

    Daytona. Usually, I look forward to any race from that track. After Chicago’s race coverage on NBC, I am really looking forward to it. That was the best NASCAR television broadcast in years.

    I like to be informed and entertained, with an odd opportunity to laugh mixed in. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte showed their personal chemistry extends beyond the track and into the broadcast booth. They talked, they joked, they provided insight, and they were fun to listen to.

    Jeff Burton did what we expected the Mayor to do. He was obviously excited to share with us what he saw and what it meant, and that just ratcheted up our own excitement and understanding of what we were witnessing. Rick Allen kept it all nicely wrapped together with his call of the action.

    Add to that the descriptions from pit road, the camera work, and the direction that masterly mixed the audio and the video into a seamless professional package, and NASCAR fans finally got what they deserved. Great television, and from a track few expected to find it.

    It has been a very long time since I’ve been able to answer Sheryl Crow’s question from all those years ago in a positive fashion. I can now.

    Not a boogity, boogity, boogity to be found.

    1. KYLE BUSCH – 5 WINS (736 Pts)
    Some did not like the way he won at Chicago, but he is just fine with it…and he got the trophy.

    2. KEVIN HARVICK – 5 WINS (674 Pts)
    I am guessing he is not Happy to be referred to as the second-best driver in NASCAR.

    3. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 3 WINS (594 Pts)
    Plate racing is not Martin’s thing. Never has been. Might that change on Saturday night?

    4. CLINT BOWYER – 2 WINS (579 Pts)
    Some think Larson could be part of the Big Three. He needs to get by Bowyer and Logano first.

    5. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (617 Pts)
    Driving the right make and for the right owner to make waves near Daytona Beach.

    6. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN (314 Pts)
    Well, they are returning to Daytona. Some think ole Austin never left.

    7. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 592 POINTS
    Driving a Penske Ford has meant good results the past few years on the big tracks.

    8. KURT BUSCH – 560 POINTS
    Hates teammates who refuse to just hand over Stage Points. Tough.

    9. DENNY HAMLIN – 537 POINTS
    Tops list of active drivers with 407 Daytona laps led in 25 starts.

    10. KYLE LARSON – 524 POINTS
    Larson is a true racer, not a snowflake. Learn from him. Don’t be a snowflake.

    11. RYAN BLANEY – 495 POINTS
    Along with Larson, the best of the newest generation.

    12. ARIC ALMIROLA – 493 POINTS
    Damn loose wheels.

    13. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 442 POINTS
    75 points to the good makes things all good for the seven-time champion.

    14. CHASE ELLIOTT – 435 POINTS
    His dad took 116 races to win his first one. Chase is heading into #95.

    15. ERIK JONES – 408 POINTS
    The 22-year-old is good, good enough for this season, but not as good as he will be.

    16. ALEX BOWMAN – 390 POINTS
    Good enough as long as someone else behind him in points does not get a win.

    17. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 367 POINTS
    23 points can be made up, but his last top five was at Talladega.

    18. PAUL MENARD – 362 POINTS
    Four Top Tens, but five times outside the Top 25. Which Menard will show up at Daytona?

    19. DANIEL SUAREZ – 316 POINTS
    When it comes to the Chase, no win and he won’t be in. Just ask Dillon as to how that works.

    20. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 309 POINTS
    Jamie is back in as William Byron drops out.

  • The Final Word – NBC and race fans were the big winners in Chicago

    The Final Word – NBC and race fans were the big winners in Chicago

    I was wrong. That is something you do not hear me say very often. How about this, then? The broadcast from Chicago was the best I have seen in years. That is something I do not ever remember saying, writing, or thinking. I did not think Chicago would be much worth watching. Boy, was I wrong.

    Racing is exciting. The NBC crew of Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte sounded like they were excited by what they were watching. Pit reporters Marty Snider, Dave Burns, Kelli Stavast and Parker Kligerman sounded like they were involved in one hell of an event, one they believed we should want to follow closely. Because of them, I did. Even the camera shots, be it the focus on those in the pits, the in-car footage and how it was used, and even the lap by lap coverage of the action seemed to be a step above. Hard as I may, I could not skip ahead. I had to watch and listen. NBC did its job. It is about time someone in the sport finally did. Amen. Amen.

    Clint Bowyer looked heaven sent. Then things went to hell. After charging to the lead, his green flag stop resulted in a penalty for exiting the pits too quickly. When he came in to do his drive-through penance, be damned if the lad did not speed through that, too. Now, he needed to do a stop and go penalty, but he did not stop. Guess what? Yes, back he had to come in yet again. That is one way to turn one’s day into nothing but a pile of frozen horse pucks. In no time, he had gone from first to 35th and three laps down. Well, the car looked nice. So will the one he drives next week.

    It might be cooler in Florida. It was close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Chicago on Sunday. It was over 155 degrees in the cars, as we discovered through yet another in-car shot. I am sure Bowyer was hot enough due to how his day was going. Chances are, he was more like a dog on the grill, and we were still in the opening stage.

    No one got stage points due to someone else’s pit strategy. They earned them, with Aric Almirola taking the maximum 10. Among those in our top 10 in the standings, Kyle Busch, Bowyer, Austin Dillon, and Denny Hamlin came up empty, replaced by Almirola, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, and Erik Jones. Only 16 were on the lead lap come break time.

    Almirola remained the story, and with 10 left in the stanza, he recorded his best lap only to pull into the pits. He was sure he had a loose wheel. The team was not sure he did. It was. A smart call by the driver, though he dropped just off the lead lap to 26th. That left it to his teammates, Kurt Busch and Kevin Harvick to decide the stage. It literally came down to the final yards heading to the line, with Harvick taking it by .28 of a second. Pretty exciting stuff, and we still had over a hundred laps to go.

    Once again, no one not already in a Chase place picked up any bonus points. Almirola and Jones dropped out this time around, with Hamlin and Bowyer joining the party. A combination of driving like a bat out of hell, strategy, and good fortune delivered through a debris caution that allowed Clint to get back on the lead lap, and he took advantage of it to sit eighth at this point. Blaney took only two fresh tires under the same caution, and that move gained him five spots, to fifth, as they set their sights on the checkered flag run.

    They also had their sights set on the radar. Wet weather was coming in front the west. Hamlin went for a skid, that brought out a caution. That allowed Kyle Busch to finally put his previously ailing beast in the lead coming out of the pits. As he had been with Bowyer, Almirola, and Rowdy’s brother, Harvick was again the hunter.

    Then he became the hunted. Kyle Larson was strong all day, finishing among the top three in the opening two stages. He was stout late and got around Harvick for second. Once again, it was the two Kyles. NBC brought it home with commentary that matched the excitement on the screen as they described the duel to the finish. There was contact as Larson went to the front. Behind him, Busch put on the blade and started up the bulldozer. That contact sent Larson for a skid, yet he finished second. Busch, with his right front flat and about to depart the auto, went to the line for his 48th career victory, his fifth of the season.

    There were boos from the stands. They better have been disappointed Larson fans, as Busch did what the greats have done for decades. Larson, by his own admission, began the car-to-car contact. All Busch did was finish it.

    One Kyle may have won the race, but the other topped the day’s points with 52. Harvick’s 50 came next, followed by the 48 claimed by Martin Truex Jr., who always was among the top five it seemed, as those two finished third and fourth respectively. As for Bowyer, he showed that with a fast car and a p***** off attitude, a man can do amazing things, like finishing fifth.

    I thought Chicago was going to be a dud. I was wrong. The best race of the season, bar none. The chemistry of this broadcast team; the excitement, the information they provided, and the humor is the best we have been blessed with for many, many years. If this is what NBC can deliver from Chicago, just imagine how freaking awesome Daytona is going to be next week.

    Thanks to NBC, NASCAR is back. It is about time.

  • Hot 20 – Chicago presents a Sunday in the park, three days shy of the 4th of July

    Hot 20 – Chicago presents a Sunday in the park, three days shy of the 4th of July

    Last week it was Sonoma, a road course set in a beautiful background with curves and hills and places one could speed up and those where one had to slow down. This week it is Chicago. It is round.

    Okay, so I am not excited by the wonder that is Chicagoland. The name of the 2.5-mile tri-oval gives one the impression of excitement, like an amusement park. If only that were true. Personally, I find the name a little hokey, and the action less than advertised.

    Not so for Kevin Harvick, who won the first two races held there in 2001-02. Martin Truex Jr. has the last two. That comes as bad news for those still seeking that first win of the season. Still, others seeking another victory on this particular track will include Ryan Newman (2003), Kyle Busch (2008), Brad Keselowski (2012, 2014), and Denny Hamlin (2015). Newman needs it the most, but his odds are the longest.

    What we won’t see this Sunday is drivers abandoning bonus points to have a shot at the win. That only paid off at Sonoma for Truex, who won the race. His 40 points matched the total of Keselowski (13th place), was two back of Jimmie Johnson (11th), and nine behind the haul of Chase Elliott (fourth). Bonus points do matter, but not so much if, like Truex, Harvick (second), or Clint Bowyer (third), you already have your golden ticket to the Chase.

    The newly minted Overton’s (formerly the Tropicana, USG Sheetrock, LifeLock.com, GEICO, MyAFib, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tales of the Turtles) 400 is coming our way on Sunday. The Overton’s Windy City 400 would have been nice. Instead of an attempt to brand the event, next year it could well be the Viagra 400. Well, that is one way to get fans up for a race. Let the excitement begin.

    As for our Hot 20…

    1. KYLE BUSCH – 4 WINS – 695 Pts
    The betting could come down to just three choices: Rowdy, Happy, or anyone else.

    2. KEVIN HARVICK – 4 WINS – 1 E.W. – 624 PTS
    His team learned that you do not play poker with Cole Pearn.

    3. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 3 WINS – 546 Pts
    Hey, a crew chief can change his mind, and Truex doesn’t mind at all.

    4. CLINT BOWYER – 2 WINS – 544 Pts
    Sometimes a driver is the hero. Sometimes it is a man named Thomas Selbe.

    5. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN – 584 Pts
    Won his race at Talladega and sits third best in overall points…

    6. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN – 313 Pts
    …while Austin won his race at Daytona and sits 18th in overall points.

    7. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 554 POINTS
    Still a bridesmaid, but with two previous Chicago wins, might this be his time?

    8. KURT BUSCH – 524 POINTS
    His Cubs have a World Series, Kurt has a Cup title, but he is still seeking a win at Chicagoland.

    9. DENNY HAMLIN – 505 POINTS
    Only Texas and Pocono were true duds this season, as the rest has been pretty stout.

    10. KYLE LARSON – 472 POINTS
    Won the pole, and sure looked good for about four laps out in California.

    11. ARIC ALMIROLA – 471 POINTS
    Except for Texas and Richmond, all have been Top 15 results. Danica who?

    12. RYAN BLANEY – 466 POINTS
    Ryan probably did not need to do any arm strengthening exercises this week…or next.

    13. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 419 POINTS
    No wins yet, but until two or three behind him get their own wins, he is sitting just fine.

    14. CHASE ELLIOTT – 411 POINTS
    Finished fourth last week, yet claimed the most points.

    15. ERIK JONES – 376 POINTS
    Like man-made climate change, the predictions as to young gun triumphs have been a bit off.

    16. ALEX BOWMAN – 363 POINTS
    …that is not to say a good number won’t make the Chase…but they might not shake many suds.

    17. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 346 POINTS
    I hope he enjoyed the view at Sonoma, as the race sure sucked for him.

    18. PAUL MENARD – 338 POINTS
    Unless that second career win is coming soon, he can not afford to lose any more ground.

    19. DANIEL SUAREZ – 290 POINTS
    On our charts, but only a win can give him a shot at the title this season.

    20. WILLIAM BYRON – 289 POINTS
    To mingle with the Universe, and feel, What I can ne’er express, yet cannot all conceal.*

    * From “There Is Pleasure In The Pathless Woods” – A poem by Lord Byron

  • Will Rodgers Claims the Victory in a Thrilling Carneros 200 at Sonoma

    Will Rodgers Claims the Victory in a Thrilling Carneros 200 at Sonoma

    Will Rodgers holds off five Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers and earns his first career win at Sonoma Raceway in the Carneros 200 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.

    Rodgers led 35 laps, set the fastest lap of the race and finished ahead of Aric Almirola in dominating fashion with a margin of 4.420 seconds. Last year, Rodgers finished under a second behind teammate and Cup champion, Kevin Harvick. One year later, he masters the track and dominates the field, besting five Cup drivers including teammate William Byron who finished third. He credits much of his success in today’s race from his learning experiences last year with Harvick.

    “It was very positive for me to have that experience last year,” Rodgers said about having Harvick as a teammate throughout the weekend in 2017. “Being beat every lap out of Turn 11 and on restarts, those are the two things I went back and really looked at and prepared myself to do today. So by having that experience, it definitely helped get us to victory lane. Obviously, everything that Kevin’s [Harvick] helped us with so far has been phenomenal, and I’m very appreciative of that.

    “I can tell you we wouldn’t be racing here this weekend if it wasn’t for Kevin, so I’m really, really happy I had that experience last year and was able to seal the deal this year.”

    After the opening laps, the No. 10 car of Matt Levin crashed in Turn 10 to bring out the first caution. Hailie Deegan battled a loose racecar and lost some spots after the first restart. Alex Bowman lost his motor after 10 laps of competition. No caution was waved for this incident.

    With 18 laps in the books, Hollis Thackeray in the No. 38 Butte Auto Parts Chevrolet stalled at the top of Turn 2. This caution was determined by officials to be the first break of the day. Will Rodgers, who had led every lap thus far, came into pit road for service. Aric Almirola was the first car to elect to stay out on the track and inherited the race lead.

    Later in the run, the No. 51 Ford of Carlos Vieira spun on the exit of Turn 10 to bring out the third caution flag of the race. At this point, Daniel Suarez battled his way to the second position with Rodgers and Byron fighting their way up through the field as well.

    The caution again came out for the fourth time of the day the No. 08 Chevrolet of Travis Milburn stalled on the exit of Turn 7 on lap 46. Towards the end of the race, Todd Souza in the No. 13 Central Coast Cabinets Toyota lost his motor with 18 laps to go.

    With 14 laps to go, Will Rodgers battled his way through the field and passed Aric Almirola for the lead a lap after the final restart. He held the lead and kept it for the remainder of the event. Daniel Suarez and Ryan Partridge rounded out the top five. Hailie Deegan continues her streak of top-10 finishes with a seventh-place result and earns Rookie of the Race honors. This was Rodgers’ first career win in the K&N Pro Series West. He also holds three career wins in the East Series in the middle of his third season of racing. The K&N Pro Series West races next weekend in Oregon at Douglas County Speedway.

  • Hot 20 – A Sonoma Sunday as the boys are back after their Father’s Day break

    Hot 20 – A Sonoma Sunday as the boys are back after their Father’s Day break

    Father’s Day, or was it Father’s Week? With time off, the boys took a little time for some R&R as they get set for the road course at Sonoma on Sunday. While all had some time with the family, some mixed in some other activities, while others dwelt on the race to come. Among the seven active drivers with a career win there, four have already won multiple times this season. Only Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, and Kasey Kahne have yet to get one in 2018, but most should be relaxed and ready to go this weekend.

    This weekend, our Hot 20 will be turning left…and right…and left…and…

    1. KYLE BUSCH – 4 WINS – 664 Pts
    Spent his time off on a family vacation on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

    2. KEVIN HARVICK – 4 WINS (1 E.W.) – 589 Pts
    Keelan had to share dad with his sister Piper this year.

    3. CLINT BOWYER – 2 WINS – 510 Pts
    Near the top of the standings meant it was time for Cash and Clint to go fishing.

    4. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2 WINS – 506 Pts
    Martin, Senior paved the way for Martin, Junior…and that road seems pretty straight right now.

    5. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN – 566 Pts
    Thanks to Hudson, Joey joined the club in 2018.

    6. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN – 292 Pts
    Back in February, his butt gave birth to a tattoo to celebrate his Daytona 500 victory.

    7. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 514 POINTS
    Scarlett’s dad thinks NASCAR should embrace hybrid technology…as long as the car still roars.

    8. KURT BUSCH – 493 POINTS
    Test drove on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya during the Catalan GP. He still lives!

    9. DENNY HAMLIN – 468 POINTS
    Went golfing in his league of duffers. Bubba Wallace is still not invited back.

    10. RYAN BLANEY – 457 POINTS
    Faith and Begorrah, now where would ye think a nice Irish lad would spend his time off?

    11. KYLE LARSON – 443 POINTS
    Threw out the ceremonial first pitch last week, as the hometown White Sox beat the Indians.

    12. ARIC ALMIROLA – 433 POINTS
    Aric has Alex and Abby. Anyone else notice a trend?

    13. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 377 POINTS
    May have worked on his Swiss yodeling since we last saw him.

    14. CHASE ELLIOTT – 362 POINTS
    Went along to make sure Blaney made it back.

    15. ERIK JONES – 346 POINTS
    A crew chief can be just like your daddy, and Erik, Rowdy, and Denny will go without this week.

    16. ALEX BOWMAN – 331 POINTS
    Arizona boy has been able to share some big moments with his dad, Sean. Next…that first win.

    17. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 327 POINTS
    As long as he does not upset Hamlin on the track, he gets to join him on the links.

    18. PAUL MENARD – 327 POINTS
    Considering how he got his start, he damn well better have given John at least a phone call.

    19. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 283 POINTS
    It might have been the day for fathers, but probably it was more about Carter and Hazel.

    20. WILLIAM BYRON – 277 POINTS
    The 20 year old’s Cup career is just 15 races old. Just being a single dude is sweet.

  • Five Cup Drivers to Make K&N West Start at Sonoma

    Five Cup Drivers to Make K&N West Start at Sonoma

    Last year, Kevin Harvick made a substantial impact for many young drivers, including NASCAR Next driver Will Rodgers. This year, five NASCAR Monster Energy Cup series drivers will start in the NASCAR K&N Pro West race in Sonoma on Saturday, June 23.

    Alex Bowman, William Byron, Daniel Suarez, Eric Jones and Aric Almirola will join the 31-car entry list for Saturday’s Carneros 200.

    Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez will compete in the No. 20 and No. 54 Toyota cars owned by David Gilliland

    Alex Bowman will drive the No. 24 Chevrolet owned by Bill McAnally, and run as a teammate for Hailie Deegan. William Byron will be in the No. 27 Jerry Pitts Chevrolet, that won last year’s event with Kevin Harvick behind the wheel.

    “It kept me from sitting around and trying to find something to do on Saturday,” said Harvick about last year’s race. “I’m sitting around and there’s guys out there making laps and learning things, and I think that’s the most important thing is to never take for granted that you have to try to expand your knowledge and keep an open mind to making things better.”

    Aric Almirola, who missed last year’s Cup race due to his back injury from his crash at Kentucky Speedway, will pilot the Tony Stewart owned No. 41 Ford.

    Three drivers in the current NASCAR Next class are also scheduled in the entry list for the first K&N West road course race of the season. Among those is Will Rodgers, pole winner of last year’s race, who had a second place finish to Kevin Harvick. Derek Kraus, who won the season opener at Bakersfield, has already claimed three poles so far this year and currently sits third in the points standings. Hailie Deegan, daughter of the freestyle motocross stunt rider Brian Deegan, has finished no worse than eighth in all five K&N West races this season.

    “I think it’s going to be fun! The track is hard, though. If you make a mistake, you’re definitely going to pay,” said Deegan, who will race in the No. 19 Mobil 1/NAPA Power Premium Plus Toyota for Bill McAnally Racing and have Alex Bowman as a teammate. “It’s cool they throw a couple of road course races into the NASCAR circuit. It’s just something cool and different than not everyone gets to experience.”

    The Carneros 200 will kick off the weekend with a practice session on Friday and qualifying on Saturday morning. The green flag is scheduled to wave for the 64-lap feature at 1:30 p.m. local time.

  • Hot 20 – 50 years of NASCAR at Michigan

    Hot 20 – 50 years of NASCAR at Michigan

    Another weekend. Another race. Another track that does not excite me. Welcome to NASCAR.

    Michigan International Speedway, located in the lush, rolling Irish Hills, is about 40 miles southwest of Ann Arbor. The fact it is considered a sister track of Texas, and the basis of the facility in Fontana does not exactly thrill anyone, but they do go fast there. Speeds of over 215 mph can be expected. Will it cause a newbie to tune in for all of the excitement? Nope. However, there are questions those of us who follow the sport will watch in order to uncover some answers.

    Will the race change who is in a Chase place and who is not? Erik Jones and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are less than 20 points to the good, leaving them vulnerable to be caught by Alex Bowman. That could happen. A win by Paul Menard, Daniel Suarez, Jamie McMurray, William Byron, Ryan Newman, or Bubba Wallace would tumble at least one of them out. Are the odds good that this will happen? Nope.

    As they are working on their 14th name sponsor since 1969, this track does not have a brand name that much resonates. That is unless you happen to have been a big fan of the FireKeepers Casino Hotel over the past couple of years. Newman has won there twice, in 2003 and 2004, so that should still your beating heart. Kurt Busch, Kyle Larson, and Matt Kenseth each have three to their credit over the years.

    If you want tradition, there was nine-time track winner David Pearson. Cale Yarborough had eight. Bill Elliott shook the suds seven times. Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace both won at Michigan five times. Four-time victors there include Dale Jarrett, Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, and Greg Biffle.

    This is not to say there have not been exciting finishes. Jarrett won his first in Cup with a razor-thin margin over Davey Allison in 1991. Ernie Irvan took one in 1997, three years after nearly losing his life at the same track. Jeff Gordon claimed a tight contest with Ricky Rudd in 2001. 2009 was the year Martin won when both Jimmie Johnson and then Biffle ran out of fuel on the final lap. Of course, there was 2012 when Dale Earnhardt Jr. finally snapped a 143-race winless streak. Great finishes. Great races? Don’t ask and I won’t tell.

    The last four who won this particular event include Johnson, the elder Busch, Logano, and Larson. If it is not Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, or Martin Truex Jr., the smart money is on either Logano or Larson. Anything else would be something of a shock.

    Here is a look at our Hot 20 going in.

    1. KYLE BUSCH – 4 WINS – 624 Pts
    Has won here, but that was August 21, 2011.

    2. KEVIN HARVICK – 4 WINS (1 E.W.) – 537 Pts
    One pit stop at Pocono made all the difference.

    3. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2 WINS – 487 Pts
    After last weekend, he is back among the Big Three where he belongs.

    4. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN – 524 Pts
    One more win, and we will be talking about a Big Four, and all would belong on that pedestal.

    5. CLINT BOWYER – 1 WIN – 453 Pts
    I just saw a photo of Carly Bowyer. She looks nothing like Clint. Hey, just sayin’.

    6. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN – 269 Pts
    It is a very good thing a win is a golden ticket, as he has done nothing since Daytona.

    7. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 474 POINTS
    Just a 90 mile drive from his Michigan hometown to the track.

    8. KURT BUSCH – 447 POINTS
    Has won there with Roush Fenway, Penske, and Stewart-Haas. Maybe it was the driver.

    9. DENNY HAMLIN – 437 POINTS
    With less than 15 laps to go last week, turned a shot at a Top Ten into 35th.

    10. KYLE LARSON- 425 POINTS
    Has won three of the last four Michigan races, including a spring-summer sweep last year.

    11. RYAN BLANEY – 413 POINTS
    Took the pole last week, but only dogs truly appreciate a pole.

    12. ARIC ALMIROLA – 406 POINTS
    He is about as safe as one can be without a win.

    13. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 360 POINTS
    Five Top Tens in his last seven events. I do believe Mr. Johnson has returned.

    14. CHASE ELLIOTT – 334 POINTS
    Finished in the top dozen the last half dozen races. The boy is movin’ on up.

    15. ERIK JONES – 322 POINTS
    The pride and joy of Byron, Michigan has finishes of 13th and third in his two starts near home.

    16. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 319 POINTS
    Have You Driven a Ford Lately? This would be a good time to drive the hell out of this one.

    17. ALEX BOWMAN – 310 POINTS
    Last week’s meeting with Hamlin tumbled Alex out of his Chase place.

    18. PAUL MENARD – 289 POINTS
    Unless he has a win up his sleeve, he can not afford to let the points gap grow any wider.

    19. DANIEL SUAREZ – 258 POINTS
    The best Monterrey, Mexico born driver in NASCAR.

    20. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 253 POINTS
    The best Joplin, Missouri born driver in NASCAR. Carl Edwards was born in Columbia.

  • Hot 20 – If only the action at Pocono could be as cool as its name

    Hot 20 – If only the action at Pocono could be as cool as its name

    Some things matter. Some do not. Every weekend, no more than 30 entries matter to some degree. The rest do not.

    Most weekends NASCAR features a race and while some matter to race fans, most do not. Bristol, Charlotte, Darlington, Daytona, Sonoma, and Talladega races matter due to what they deliver and a long history of tradition.

    Some are loyal to the short tracks at Martinsville and Richmond. Indianapolis is an over-hyped crown jewel, great history but not much gripping action delivered. Homestead gets the nod as long as it hosts the final race of the season. Those tracks present 16 of the 36 points events each season.

    Pocono gives us two. It is a track ranked by some down amongst such venues as Chicago, Fontana, Kansas, and Kentucky. Cool name. Interesting layout. Lovely trees in the background. Like Indianapolis, it might be more entertaining for open-wheel racing than for the fender folk. Still, twice a year they return there, and twice a year I forget about the last one and actually look forward to the tri-oval. Each year I hope that it will all come together for a terrific contest.

    Maybe this year. Maybe this will be the one. It is a track that boasts of the performances put in by the likes of Jeff Gordon, Emerson Fittipaldi, Danny Sullivan, Juan Pablo Montoya, and A. J. Foyt.  Kyle Busch won there last July. Ryan Blaney is the defending June race champion. Chris Buescher won there for Bob Jenkins in 2016. Denny Hamlin has four Pocono wins. Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch each have claimed three.

    Yes, the highlight packages of the past from Pocono look truly awesome. The highlights. The actual action come race day….well, maybe this will be the year. I sure hope so. Such things matter.

    1. KYLE BUSCH – 4 WINS – 573 Pts
    If he runs at Pocono like he did at Charlotte, he might be the only one who matters.

    2. KEVIN HARVICK – 4 WINS – 1 E.W. – 485 Pts
    Today, that encumbered win comes in to play.

    3. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN – 506 Pts
    Picks up an average of 39 points per race. You do not have to be loved to be awesome.

    4. MARTIN TRUEX, JR. – 1 WIN – 430 Pts
    If he only had some Kryptonite to toss as Superman on Sunday, he could have won it.

    5. CLINT BOWYER – 1 WIN – 421 Pts
    Crew chief Mike (Buga) Bugarewicz would love a happy homecoming.

    6. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN – 244 Pts
    If he had finished second at Daytona, he would be less successful than Suarez.

    7. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 437 POINTS
    Won Saturday’s Xfinity race. Please raise your hand if you give a damn.

    8. KURT BUSCH – 429 POINTS
    The only driver in NASCAR to have seen Kyle Busch wearing a diaper. I hope that is true.

    9. DENNY HAMLIN – 429 POINTS
    “We’re either really good or we’re average at best.” Finishing third is average?

    10. KYLE LARSON – 382 POINTS
    Raced Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina. Raced Wednesday as an outlaw in Fairbury, Illinois.

    11. ARIC ALMIROLA – 376 POINTS
    The decision to move over from the King to join Smoke has proven to be a good one.

    12. RYAN BLANEY – 375 POINTS
    A cylinder let go around lap 150 and they tried to limp it home. Instead, they started a barbecue.

    13. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 327 POINTS
    Imagine. Almost an entire year with a single win. I bet Michael McDowell can.

    14. ERIK JONES – 314 POINTS
    Three bad luck pit road moments buried any hope of shining last Sunday.

    15. ALEX BOWMAN – 299 POINTS
    One of the greatest coaches in NHL history. What? Sorry, wrong Bowman.

    16. CHASE ELLIOTT – 296 POINTS
    According to TMZ, he believes “Judging Hooters Competition Harder Than Racing Cars”

    17. RICKY STENHOUSE, JR. – 296 POINTS
    His Charlotte experience was better than someone else’s Indianapolis adventure.

    18. PAUL MENARD – 263 POINTS
    Another Cup guy racing Xfinity on Saturday. One more young driver fails to get a ride.

    19. DANIEL SUAREZ – 245 POINTS
    More than 50 points out of the Chase…unless he wins. Winning is always good.

    20. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 231 POINTS
    One ahead of Newman and Byron, two up on Wallace.