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Tag: Brad Keselowski

Hot 20 – NASCAR’s Cup Drivers Runneth over to Swamp the XFINITY and Camping World Series

Bless NASCAR’s pea-pickin’ hearts. You have to admit that they keep on trying. With both the junior and truck circuits pretty much irrelevant these days due to the inclusion and the total domination of Cup drivers, NASCAR once again is trying to do the right thing.

Cup drivers are already banned from the season finales in both minor leagues. Now those with five years Cup experience, not registered to drive for points, can not race in any of those other versions of the Chase, their regular season finales, or the XFINITY “Dash 4 Cash” events. Still, that leaves Cup drivers eligible to race in 10 of the remaining 21 junior races, along with seven of the remaining 15 truck races.

That means that instead of racing 16 junior contests and winning nine, defending Cup champion Kyle Busch gets to start only 10 times next year. Then he could turn the seat over to, say, Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin to fill in for the other 11 rides available. Cup drivers could still dominate for much of the season, though next year they would have to share those opportunities. It is a step forward, but we will have to see if it will be enough to return the spotlight on those who should be showcased in those divisions.

In 29 events, regular XFINITY drivers claimed 11 of them. Erik Jones took four, Elliott Sadler three, Daniel Suarez a couple, with the others going to Justin Marks and Sam Hornish Jr. Eighteen went to Cup drivers, with half of that total taken by Busch, including their Chase race at Kansas. Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson have also won and, with less than five years Cup experience, the restrictions would not apply to either of them. Still, it beats doing nothing but will it be enough to stop the major leaguers from moonlighting to kick some minor league butt most weeks?

This Sunday, the contenders and pretenders of the Cup circuit head to Martinsville, Virginia. A win earns a free pass to race for the title in Homestead next month. A wreck, and then Texas and Phoenix get a lot more stressful. Eight contenders, but only four will be in the running when it counts.

Among our Hot 20, Kevin Harvick has been best over the course of the season. That means nothing come Sunday.

1. KEVIN HARVICK – 4000 PTS
Would have a 37 point lead if season-long points were still the determining factor…over Keselowski.

2. DENNY HAMLIN – 4000 PTS
If you see him in a photo with good friend Michael Jordan, Denny is the short one.

3. JOEY LOGANO – 4000 PTS
Last year, he was the guy to beat coming out of Talladega…and so they did.

4. KYLE BUSCH – 4000 PTS
Four Cup wins, nine XFINITY triumphs, and a pair of truck flags…he will beat up on anybody.

5. KURT BUSCH – 4000 PTS
Harvick was just trying to help me with my contact lenses in pit road. What a pal!

6. CARL EDWARDS – 4000 PTS
Some days you race, and some days you ride. Guess what kind of day he had at Talladega.

7. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 4000 PTS
Eight-time Martinsville winner will duel one more time with 9-time…Jeff Gordon.

8. MATT KENSETH – 4000 PTS
Spent a lovely Sunday with Kyle and Carl, but he probably will need to race at Martinsville.

9. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2191
Driving a magic dragon last week. Its name was Puff.

10. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2168 PTS
Next year, Kansas replaces Talladega as the elimination race. Good for him, but boring for us.

11. AUSTIN DILLON – 2163 PTS
His last win was back in August in Bristol’s Xfinity race.

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 2156 PTS
His last win was back in February in Daytona’s Xfinity race.

13. KYLE LARSON – 2155 PTS
Sure, he won back in June in Pocono’s Xfinity race, but don’t forget that Cup win at Michigan.

14. TONY STEWART – 2141 PTS
Down to his final four.

15. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 2110 PTS
23rd in the spring, but second last fall. Time to turn that frown upside down?

16. CHRIS BUESCHER – 2109 PTS
A single win leaves Blaney, Bayne, Patrick, Menard, Biffle, Almirola, and Bowyer far behind him.

17. KASEY KAHNE – 803 PTS
Hendrick drivers have won the past four Martinsville Chase races. Why not another?

18. RYAN NEWMAN – 794 PTS
#noneckguysmatter

19. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 717 PTS
Back among the cool kids after a good run at Talladega.

20. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 717 PTS
Second at Martinsville this spring gives hope for this fall run.

October 26, 2016
The Final Word – Talladega. Need I say more?

Talladega had everything on Sunday a race fan or adrenalin junky could desire. It provided incredible action, with leaders driving looking at their mirrors rather than out the windshield, running at close to 200 miles per hour just inches apart. We watched in awe as they managed to avoid disaster lap after lap, at least until disaster struck. Even at the end, Kevin Harvick channelled his inner Negan when confronting teammate Kurt Busch on pit road after the event. It had everything.

It was a countdown to heartbreak, but whose? Just over a hundred miles in, we thought we had the answer. Joey Logano left the pits under green dragging his jack underneath the car for a full circuit before coming back to pay the penalty and remove the piece of equipment. At the same time, Denny Hamlin got tagged for speeding. It could have meant the end of their title hopes, but it was not.

Three laps later, Martin Truex Jr.’s auto went up in a beautiful white plume of smoke to bring out the caution. No engine, no chance, with his only hope being for Logano to somehow wind up no better than 27th on the day. That did not work out so well for him.

Anyone else visiting the Heartbreak Hotel? Why, yes, there was one more. Brad Keselowski was the guy to beat, but he spent so much time in front he collected a bit of trash that would not go away. Finally, he let Ryan Blaney slip by him so he could tuck up behind to have the air turbulence clean off his grill. It worked like a charm, but it proved too late. The engine was cooked, and Keselowski’s day and his championship dreams went up in a Truex-like puff of smoke.

That left Logano to take the win, as Brian Scott came home right behind him for a season-best finish. Hamlin, Busch the elder, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. rounded out the Top Five. Along with Keselowski and Truex, the Chase ended for Austin Dillon and Chase Elliott as they all regroup for this weekend in Martinsville.

Before that, maybe there needs to be a peace summit at Stewart-Haas after Busch ran into the side of Harvick’s car on the cool down lap. If Busch could let out his inner Rick Grimes, I guess Harvick could release his inner Negan, a reference you might understand if you watch a certain AMC program. Harvick leaned into his teammate’s car on pit road and seemed to initiate some kind of physical interaction.

“He’ll understand it and I’m sure he’ll clear it up in his interview,” Busch said in his, though Harvick did not clear up much of anything. “We’re great teammates, we’re going good together,” Busch continued, and he was right. They had got together, in a bit of a bad way, which was the root of their problems. Now they have to talk. Just hope nobody brings Lucille.

His forced exile from the cockpit did not prevent Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is ranked third in restrictor plate victories all-time, behind Jeff Gordon and his father, from showing up as a guest commentator. In the booth wearing his glasses, I could not help but wonder exactly when Junior developed an inner accountant. There was no question about his knowledge of the track and that kind of racing. No question either as to where he would prefer to be sitting and it was not high in the sky.

That was Talladega, but can anyone tell me the official name of the race? Who cares, it was at Talladega. That track creates its own traditions, no matter what they call the event. On Sunday, the first of three semi-final races takes place at Martinsville. Once again, I am reminded how NASCAR has tossed aside traditional branding to make a buck. I mean, which sounds better to you, the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 or the Old Dominion 500?

Let me conclude by presenting, if I had my way, what the NASCAR schedule would look like. Sadly, 10 events have always had changing sponsored names, with no opportunity to establish some kind of identity. One day…one day. Tell me what you think.

Daytona 500 – Daytona, FL
Dixie 500 – Atlanta, GA
Las Vegas 400 – Las Vegas, NV
Phoenix, AZ
California 400 – Fontana, CA
Virginia 500 – Martinsville, VA
Texas 500 – Fort Worth, TX
Southeastern 500 – Bristol, TN
Richmond 400 – Richmond, VA
Alabama 500 – Talladega, AL
Kansas City, Kansas
Mason-Dixon 400 – Dover, DE
World 600 – Charlotte, NC
Pocono 400 – Pocono, PA
Motor State 400 – Brooklyn, MI
Sonoma, CA
Firecracker 400 – Daytona, FL
Sparta, KY
New Hampshire 301 – Loudon, NH
Brickyard 400 – Indianapolis, IN
Pennsylvania 400 – Pocono, PA
355 at the Glen – Watkins Glen, NY
Volunteer 500 – Bristol, TN
Yankee 400 – Brooklyn, MI
Southern 500 – Darlington, SC
Capitol City 400 – Richmond, Tn
Chicago, IL
Loudon, NH
Delaware 400 – Dover, DE
National 500 – Charlotte, NC
Kansas City, KS
Talladega 500 – Talladega, AL
Old Dominion 500 – Martinsville, VA
Fort Worth, TX
Phoenix, AZ
Homestead, FL

October 24, 2016
NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Talladega

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson finished 23rd in the Hellman’s 500 and will head to Martinsville as the favorite to win the first race of the next round of the Chase.

“Martinsville is one of my favorite tracks,” Johnson said. “I’ve got eight wins there, which means I’ve got eight grandfather clock trophies. Winning there to start the third round of the Chase would certainly be a ‘timely’ victory.”

2. Kevin Harvick: Harvick finished seventh in the Hellman’s 500 at Talladega and is one of seven drivers moving on to the next round of the Chase.

“You may have seen me take a swing inside Kurt Busch’s car after the race,” Harvick said. “That’s three years in a row in which I’ve been involved in some sort of controversy midway through the Chase. I guess it’s just that time of the month.”

3. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin finished third in the Hellman’s 500 at Talladega and just edged out Austin Dillon for the eighth and final spot in the third round of the Chase.

“I beat Kurt Busch for third by a matter of feet,” Hamlin said. “To put it into words that I know Busch can understand, I ‘beat’ him by the length of Kevin Harvick’s arm.”

4. Matt Kenseth: Kenseth came home 28th at Talladega and will join his three Joe Gibbs Racing teammates in Round 3 of the Chase.

“I’ve got to hand it to Joey Logano,” Kenseth said. “He really came through with the pressure on. I guess everything in his car was working to perfection, especially the ‘clutch.’”

5. Kyle Busch: Busch finished 30th at Talladega and safely advanced to the next round of the Chase.

“Our goal was simply to avoid disaster,” Busch said. “Going forward, ‘avoiding disaster’ may entail steering clear of any Stewart-Haas Racing driver. Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, and Kurt Busch all have anger issues. Their teammate Danica Patrick stays mentally grounded by doing yoga. That might help her teammates. But can you see Stewart, Harvick, and Busch doing yoga? That would be a stretch.”

6. Joey Logano: Logano survived a couple of late restarts to win the Hellman’s 500 at Talladega and clinch his spot in the Round of 8 in the Chase.

“With the race being the Hellman’s 500,” Logano said, “there was no champagne in victory circle, just mayonnaise. So, to celebrate, ‘Sliced Bread’ was covered by mayonnaise.”

7. Kurt Busch: Busch finished fourth in the Hellman’s 500, then had a controversial run-in with Stewart-Haas teammate Kevin Harvick, who took a swing at Busch while he sat in his No. 41 car after the race.

“Much like a female government assassin,” Busch said, “Harvick ‘hits’ like a girl.”

8. Carl Edwards: Edwards finished 29th at Talladega and qualified for the next round of the Chase on the virtue of points.

“While we were racing at Talladega,” Edwards said, “the United States Grand Prix was taking place in Austin, Texas. There’s was a joke making the rounds in the Talladega infield. It goes like this: What do you call a thousand snooty Formula 1 fans? A ‘grand pricks.’”

9. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski blew an engine on lap 144 at Talladega and failed to advance to the next round of the Chase. He finished 38th, 48 laps off the pace.

“The grill of the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford was covered in trash,” Keselowski said. “I’m not sure if it was a hot dog wrapper, a paper towel, a napkin, or a tissue. But with this being Talladega, I can only tell you for sure that it was ‘white trash.’”

10. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex started on the pole at Talladega but blew his engine on lap 41, ruining his chance of advancing in the Chase For The Cup. He finished dead last in 40th.

“We had a storybook season,” Truex said. “We just need to work on the ‘ending.’”

October 24, 2016
Chase hopes for Keselowski and Truex Go up in Smoke

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Two of the heavy favorites to win the championship going into the Chase won’t continue on in the pursuit of a championship in 2016 following mechanical failure in Alabama.

Martin Truex Jr. – who entered the race in seventh, 13 points above the cutoff – started the race on pole position and had a strong car in the first quarter of the Hellmann’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, leading two laps while staying near the front.

Rounding turn 2, however, his Chase hopes went up in smoke when his engine blew up, his first since the 2014 Daytona 500.

“Just developed a vibration and started to lose a little bit of power,” Truex said of what happened to take him out. “Originally I thought it could have been a tire because it was shaking worse and worse and worse until it was time to pit. I slowed down to hit pit road and felt the vibration still there and knew it was the engine. Definitely not the way we wanted today to go – it’s a tough way to go out, but proud of the effort and proud of all the guys.”

This relegated him to a 40th place finish, his fifth in 401 Sprint Cup Series starts and first since the 2014 Daytona 500.

He’s also the first pole sitter to finish last in a race at Talladega since Stacey Compton in April of 2001 and the first driver to finish last after having led a lap since Michael McDowell at Texas in November of 2013 (LASTCAR.info).

He leaves Talladega ninth in points.

Brad Keselowski takes his car to the garage following his engine expiring late in the Hellmann’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Photo: Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

Truex wasn’t alone in the engine failure department.

Brad Keselowski, entering Talladega 11th in a seven-point hole, worked his way to the lead on the first lap and led 90 laps on nine different occasions.

In the final quarter of the race, Keselowski allowed Ryan Blaney to take the lead so he could get behind him and clear off trash that was stuck on the grille of his car. The debris flew off, but a lap later, his engine blew up, eliminating him from Chase contention.

“It looks like we lost an engine,” Keselowski said when asked what happened. “I’m pretty confident I lost a rod or something in the lower end. That’s just the way it goes.”

He said he didn’t know if the engine got too hot from the debris on his grille.

“I’m not an engine guy, but the car was really strong and we definitely kept finding debris,” he added. “I thought I got it cooled off and only got it slightly over, but I don’t know.”

Keselowski finished 38th and leaves Talladega 10th in the standings.

October 24, 2016
Hot 20 – Sunday at Talladega, one of NASCAR’s few must see events

On Sunday, we will have one of those races, on one of those tracks, that provides must-see action. While we have no announcers covering NASCAR today who you might tune in just to hear their description of the action, to hear them enhance the excitement, even those we got can not detract from the spectacle we shall witness on Sunday.

Only former champions Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick come to Talladega feeling rather relaxed. Both have already advanced to the next round of the Chase, while Chase Elliott needs a win himself on Sunday to move forward. As for the nine others still in the mix, they need to either do well or avoid a disaster, and Talladega tends to foster concern for the latter. Good for the fans, but real worrisome for the competitors.

NASCAR should be worried. My SpeedwayMedia.com colleague John Harlow made some interesting points in his recent column. He reminded us that NASCAR is still without a title sponsor for the Cup series next season, with Sprint hanging up the phone. They were hoping someone would bite for 10-years and a cool billion dollars. I once hoped Santa was real. Life can be so disappointing. John mentioned how the old guard of team owners is, well, getting old. It happens, but usually, new blood is seen rising up through the mist. Does anyone see the next Rick Hendrick, Roger Penske, Joe Gibbs, Jack Roush, or Richard Petty on the horizon? Me neither.

When NASCAR decided to go Hollywood, to add some glitz and glamour, they did it at the expense of their blue collar, regular folk supporters. It would appear selling one’s soul for a big dollar while parking common sense is not a blueprint to long-term success. Maybe there is a glimmer of hope we might see some of the latter. There could be an announcement soon regarding the restriction of how many junior and truck circuit races Cup guys might be allowed to run. It is about damn time. It has been bad enough in the past, where elite drivers have been taking wins and attention away from the regulars racing off-Broadway. It is worse now that those wins and attention are coming in the midst of the Chase, which has been instituted for the first time in those divisions. A little common sense in dealing with the issue would be like a breath of fresh air. For some reason, I am not yet holding my breath waiting for it to actually happen.

I am looking forward to Sunday. There are few races I really get excited about. There are the two at Talladega, the pair at Daytona, the two at Bristol, the Southern 500, the Brickyard 400, the World 600, the season conclusion at Homestead, and the two road courses. Those are races that promise to provide either magnificent action or at least they continue building on the sport’s rich heritage. Talladega, for me at least, provides both.

Talladega can be a minefield. We watch to see who among our Hot 20 can navigate through its perils and emerge relatively unscathed on the other side.

1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – SEGMENT WIN (3082 Pts)
Have a fun day at Talladega…

2. KEVIN HARVICK – SEGMENT WIN (3048 Pts)
…then back to work in Martinsville.

3. MATT KENSETH – 3074 PTS
A 29 point pad would usually relax a guy…but not here.

4. KYLE BUSCH – 3072 PTS
Rarely a bride on the restrictor plate speedways, but usually in the wedding party.

5. CARL EDWARDS – 3069 PTS
23rd or better, and he is locked in. Now, if he can avoid an early “Big One” all could be good.

6. KURT BUSCH – 3062 PTS
Race plans come down to one thing, and that is to not “run into anything too hard.”

7. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 3058 PTS
A gent with a small bladder has to go pee, the same problem with his car could leave him dry.

8. JOEY LOGANO – 3045 PTS
All he needs to do is keep Austin, Denny, Brad, and Chase behind him.

9. AUSTIN DILLON – 3045 PTS
All he needs to do is keep Joey, Denny, Brad, and Chase behind him.

10. DENNY HAMLIN – 3039 PTS
Poor ole Brad wiggled in front of him, and then he wasn’t there anymore.

11. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 3038 PTS
Just what in hell do they make the grass out of in Kansas City?

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 3020 PTS
Time to get his Ricky Bobby on.

13. TONY STEWART – 2131 PTS
It will be his 35th and final Talladega appearance.

14. KYLE LARSON – 2120 PTS
Finished fifth in Kansas XFINITY race…with Logano fourth…and Kyle Busch the winner. I am so proud.

15. CHRIS BUESCHER – 2090 PTS
Just last year he was rollin’, rollin’, rollin’, at Talladega he got goin’.

16. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 2088 PTS
Trails Larson in the battle for Ganassi bragging rights…which is all they have left.

17. KASEY KAHNE – 797 PTS
Figuring out how he will help Elliott this week. Watching Talladega Nights for ideas.

18. RYAN NEWMAN – 767 PTS
Figuring out how he will help Dillon this week. Watching Death Race for ideas.

19. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 686 PTS
Staying the hell out of the way of both Kahne and Newman.

20. RYAN BLANEY – 682 PTS
Ricky and Trevor are both within seven points, just in case you were interested.

October 19, 2016
The Final Word – Harvick locks in at Kansas with Talladega looming in the distance

The Chase continued on Sunday, at the iconic Kansas Speedway for the legendary Hollywood Casino 400. The race formerly and memorably known as the Protection One 400, the Banquet 400 Presented by ConAgra Foods, the LifeLock 400, the Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman, and the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods has been making memories since 2001. No doubt, its status as one of NASCAR’s marquee venues was cemented with Jeff Gordon winning the first two, or maybe it was with Joey Logano taking the last couple. It is hard to determine through all of the excitement. Paraphrasing the words of Wilbert Harrison, we were goin’ to Kansas City, Kansas City here we come.

All sarcasm aside, and you might have noticed some, only Jimmie Johnson was locked in, with 11 others still with a good to fair shot at advancing to the next round. The trouble is, there was a sizable gap between seventh and eighth coming in, with Denny Hamlin sitting on the bubble and four guys right behind him seeking to burst it.

If not for Hamlin’s blown engine late at Charlotte, the four outsiders would have had major hills to climb to get back in the running. Just 50 miles after the start at Kansas, Hamlin again had issues with the splitter causing his car to get way too tight. After a fortunate caution, Hamlin’s crew went to work, but that left him outside the Top 30 at the time. Bad for him, but very generous to his competitors. Well, at least that seemed to be the case for a few miles.

Then it appeared that Martin Truex Jr. would be the story of the day. At the 150 mile marker, a fuel stop left him 10 gallons short. It happened again later, and even after that due to some in-take issues with the car. Instead of feeding from the bottle, it kept burping up. Still, they managed, and 11th does not a story make as we were still without a headline.

Our search for heartbreak finally paid dividends by the three-quarter pole. Hamlin came from up top in the corner, while Brad Keselowski came up from the bottom, then wiggled. With his momentum, Hamlin punted ole Brad to be torn to bits in the infield grass in a Sea of Heartbreak and ripped up sheet metal.

After that, Hamlin started to drift back. A late pit penalty did not help his cause. He finished 15th, dropping him six points out of a desired place in the Chase, a point ahead of Keselowski. Ahead of them both, is Logano, who finished third to hold down the final berth in a tie-breaker ahead of Austin Dillon. Joey now knows who he needs to keep in his mirror next week.

The other two who were outside looking in when the race started went in opposite directions. Chase Elliott was a contender, he was among the Top Three on Sunday, but a tire rub brought him in early for new treads. Back in the pack, he brushed the wall twice, and later on, that same tire gave out again. That left Elliott 31st on the day, and 25 points in the weeds. Along with Hamlin and Keselowski, the rookie became our third story of the day. It would be advantageous for him if that first win would come in Alabama.

The fourth headliner had a totally different outcome. After the bad tidings at Charlotte, Kevin Harvick was up front most of the day in Kansas City, and while Carl Edwards, Logano, Johnson, and Kyle Busch were nice enough to give him some company, it was Harvick punching his ticket to the next round with his 35th career victory.

Johnson and Harvick are in, but Talladega looms for this Sunday’s date. The implications for 10 drivers are huge, and the racing is expected to once again keep fans on their edge of their seats. Invite your friends over. Tell them this is what NASCAR presents each and every week. They probably won’t even note your sarcasm.

October 17, 2016
NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Kansas

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson finished fourth at Kansas, posting his eighth top five of the year. Johnson leads the Sprint Cup points standings and has already clinched his spot in Round 3 of the Chase.

“I’m looking forward to Talladega,” Johnson said. “Who doesn’t enjoy a nice, relaxing Sunday drive? Well, besides everyone but Kevin Harvick and I?”

2. Kevin Harvick: Harvick held off Carl Edwards over the final 30 laps at Kansas and went on to win the Hollywood Casino 400. Harvick advanced to Round 3 of the Chase For The Cup.

“We’re standing behind the 8-ball,” Harvick said. “Then, as you would expect from the guy they call ‘The Closer,’ I won the race right on ‘cue.’”

3. Matt Kenseth: Kenseth started on the pole at Kansas as Joe Gibbs Racing swept the top three spots in qualifying. Kenseth led 116 laps and finished ninth.

“That’s 10 poles for Joe Gibbs Racing this season,” Kenseth said. “We’ve yet to win a Chase race so far. So that just goes to show, you can lead a horse to water, and JGR can lead a field to green, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can lead a field to checkered.”

4. Kyle Busch: Busch powered to a fifth-place finish in the Hollywood Casino 400, recording his 14th top five of the year.

“I love casinos,” Busch said. “And I love gambling anywhere except Talladega, where it doesn’t matter how many chips you have because the chips are going to fall where they may anyway.”

5. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex finished 11th at Kansas and is now sixth in the points standings.

“After five straight top sevens ,” Truex said, “I’ve had two finishes outside the top 10. I don’t think there’s really an explanation for it. I often lay in bed at night and try to determine the reasons behind what happens. But I often find myself asleep soon after. In an algebraic sense, it’s a matter of ‘Truex + y=z.’”

6. Kurt Busch: Busch came home 13th in the Hollywood Casino 400 and is well-positioned at fifth in the Sprint Cup points standings.

“I had to go to a backup car after spinning through the grass in practice,” Busch said. “So we started at the back of the field. I commend my crew for getting the backup car ready. They worked with the precision, diligence, and steely nerves you’d expect from a dedicated crew or a government assassin.”

7. Carl Edwards: Edwards took second to Kevin Harvick in the Hollywood Casino 400.

“Harvick got past me on the final restart,” Edwards said. “I thought I had a clear stranglehold on the lead, but Harvick had the grip, and much like the time I wrapped my hands around his neck in 2008, I did the ‘choking.’”

8. Joey Logano: Logano finished third at Kansas and is now eighth in the points standings, tied with Austin Dillon.

“Kevin Harvick always seems to thrive in these must-win situations,” Logano said. “I don’t know how he does it, but he always seems to find more speed. I’m ‘Sliced Bread;’ he must be ‘Yeast Bread,’ because he rises to the occasion.”

9. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski got loose on lap 190 and slid up the track, where he was bumped by Denny Hamlin. Keselowski’s No. 2 Chevy slid through the infield grass, which heavily damaged the front of his car.

“I believe we left a divot in the infield,” Keselowski said. “And keeping with the golf theme, I believe we’re out of mulligans.”

10. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin suffered several bad breaks at Kansas, including a broken splitter, a penalty in the pits for a loose tire, and a crash initiated by the loose car of Brad Keselowski. Hamlin still finished 15th and will likely need a win at Talladega to advance in the Chase.

“We were tripped up,” Hamlin said, “by a string of bad luck.”

October 17, 2016
NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Charlotte

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson outdueled Matt Kenseth for the lead on a restart with 18 laps to go and went on to win the Bank Of America 500. Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet was the class of the field at Charlotte, leading 155 laps.

“I want so bad to win my seventh Cup championship,” Johnson said. “I can assure everyone, fan and drivers alike, that I’m going to put all of my ability and energy into trying to make that happen. That makes me the greatest ‘try-athlete’ in the world.”

2. Matt Kenseth: Kenseth delivered a strong start to Round 2 of the Chase with a runner-up finish at Charlotte.

“Hurricane Matthew wreaked havoc with the NASCAR schedule at Charlotte,” Kenseth said. “And it was certainly gusty during the race. I haven’t felt that much residual wind since I hung out in A.J. Allmendinger’s No. 47 Bush’s Beans hauler. In any case, ‘Hurricane Jimmie’ ‘blew’ right past me on the final restart.”

3. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski finished seventh at Charlotte, posting his 21st top 10 of the season.

“There was no controversy at Charlotte this time,” Keselowski said. “The only person that got ‘jumped’ at Charlotte was Martin Truex Jr. when he stalled his engine.”

4. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex started seventh and finished 13th at Charlotte.

“Our day could have been better,” Truex said, “but I stalled my engine during a late pit stop and lost track position. Well, so much for the proposed ‘Sitting Pretty’ line of recliners at Furniture Row.”

5. Kyle Busch: Busch finished sixth in the Bank Of America 500, joining Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Matt Kenseth, who finished second, in the top 10.

“Denny Hamlin’s blown engine on lap 309 was a nightmare for him,” Busch said, “but a dream come true for some drivers, like Kevin Harvick, who finished 38th. Could Harvick have had something to do with Hamlin’s engine failure? Who knows? All I know is this: if Harvick needs a wreck to advance and he’s on the track, you should look out for Harvick. Heck, and even if Harvick’s not on the track and he needs a miracle, someone’s ‘looking out’ for Harvick.”

6. Kurt Busch: Busch finished eighth in the Bank Of America 500, posting his 19th top 10 of the year.

“We’re off to Kansas Motor Speedway for the next race in the Chase,” Busch said. “The pressure is on everyone to advance, and that pressure can play with your emotions. So, while we’ll be in the physical ‘state’ of Kansas, I have no idea what my mental ‘state’ will be.”

7. Kevin Harvick: Harvick started on the pole at Charlotte but experienced electrical issues that ended his day early. He finished 38th.

“Frankly,” Harvick said, “I’m shocked that we had electrical issues. But I think it’s way too early to pull the plug on our championship hopes.”

8. Carl Edwards: Edwards finished 12th at Charlotte on a day when several Chasers struggled.

“A lot of drivers dug themselves holes,” Edwards said. “Such as Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, and Denny Hamlin. There are by no means out of the running to advance to the next round, so I can only advise them to give it their all and continue to grind away. In other words, I hope those guys ‘keep digging.’”

9. Joey Logano: Tire issues ruined Logano’s day at Charlotte after blown tires sent him into the wall on two occasions. He limped to a 36th-place finish.

“We were doing so well in the Chase with three top-10 finishes,” Logano said. “Things were going right, but sometimes, things can go too right, like your steering wheel.”

10. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin lost his engine on lap 309 while running second. Hamlin finished 30th, 26 laps down.

“Something broke,” Hamlin said. “It was most likely my spirit.”

October 10, 2016
Hot 20 – Thank God for the Chase, as a dozen contenders and the also-rans return to Charlotte

Heading back to Charlotte, when you look at the Chase and compare it to the situation if they used the season-long standings to determine a champion, it is easy to see why we have a playoff format. It has all to do with generating interest. We want to know who is the best, but today we want the journey to at least be entertaining. Originally, the World Series was established to bring the two top teams from each league together, teams that had never played an inning against one another, to determine which was best. It was the only way to properly determine bragging rights.

At least it provided some uncertainty as to which team ruled supreme, something to provide a little excitement for the fans at the end of the season. Imagine, a year before the modern World Series came into being. Imagine watching the National League pennant race of 1902 as Pittsburgh claimed the crown by 27.5 games over Brooklyn. They held a 4.5-game lead on May 9th, and never looked back. It was no doubt one hell of an exciting season if one happened to be a fan of the Pirates. It must have been a lot like watching Richard Petty in 1967 when he won 27 races and the rest were content with smelling his exhaust. Instead of drama, it was more a comedy for those who had to share the same tracks as the King that season.

As for the Pirates, they won again in 1903, albeit by just 6.5 games over the New York Giants. This time the American League champion Boston Americans, the future Red Sox, challenged them and won. That upset some sensibilities, enough so that the Giants, who won the NL in 1904, refused to play the repeating AL champion Americans. That was then. Now we have 10 out of 30 teams playing extra games to challenge for the title in the fall. If there was more weight placed on determining which team was best, and less on the drama, no more than four would be playing at this time of year. Such is not the case.

Sixteen started the Chase with some hope. That is now down to 12 as they pull into Charlotte. If we relied strictly on the season tally to award the trophy, it would already be down to Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick. Just two points would be separating them. Both could have sat out Saturday night’s race and still have been one-two in the standings come Monday. Hence, the Chase.

Just ask Martin Truex Jr. if he likes this format. Ask six-time champ Jimmie Johnson. If it is of any consolation, the 12 best on the season remain in the Chase.

1. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 3000 PTS (947 Season Pts)
Official standings are set by the best first round finish, and Brad’s best was fourth…twice.

2. KEVIN HARVICK – 3000 PTS (945)
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, so I’m guessing that tire did not get any stronger.

3. JOEY LOGANO – 3000 PTS (888)
If you upset someone, phone and talk about it. Maybe 2015 would have turned out differently.

4. KYLE BUSCH – 3000 PTS (872)
Recently was seen in the White House. Hell, I didn’t even realize he was running.

5. DENNY HAMLIN – 3000 PTS (867)
Kicking ass in the final year of a contract is always a great idea.

6. KURT BUSCH – 3000 PTS (852)
Big Cubs fan hoping his dreams and those of his favorite club both come together this year.

7. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 3000 PTS (851)
If not for the Chase, his hot streak would be meaningless in terms of the championship.

8. CARL EDWARDS – 3000 PTS (844)
Carl Edwards Jr. is a Cub reliever. No relation.

9. CHASE ELLIOTT – 3000 PTS (787)
New driver in that ole car and yet the same kind of results. That is how you follow a legend.

10. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 3000 PT (785)
This time, it was a pit crew member who got caught speeding.

11. MATT KENSETH – 3000 PTS (781)
Three Top Tens, along with a pair of Top Fives, worked well in the opening round.

12. AUSTIN DILLON – 3000 PTS (764)
Ganassi misfortune worked to the advantage of the Childress grandson.

13. TONY STEWART – 2074 PTS
Cars too technical, sponsors so demanding, emotions too P.C…time to be just an owner.

14. KYLE LARSON – 2073 PTS
Chip Ganassi had two cars in the Chase.

15. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 2053 PTS
Today, Ganassi has the same number in the Chase as Jack Roush.

16. CHRIS BUESCHER – 2045 PTS
It was fun while it lasted.

17. KASEY KAHNE – 728 PTS
If Best of the Rest was a thing, it would belong to Kasey. Not much consolation, I know.

18. RYAN NEWMAN – 700 PTS
Took batting practice with the Kansas City Royals, and looked like he belonged…in a race car.

19. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 649 PTS
Best damn name in sports.

20. RYAN BLANEY – 645 PTS
Learning, gaining experience, but really did not need that blow-out to teach him anything new.

October 5, 2016
NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Dover

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex dominated at Dover, leading 187 laps on his way to the win in the Citizen Soldiers 400. Truex has two wins in three Chase races and has emerged as a clear Cup favorite.

“I talked with New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi earlier in the week,” Truex said. “We could have talked forever, but due to both our busy schedules, we had to cut it short. You could say we made it to ‘third base.’”

2. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski started on the pole and finished fourth, leading seven laps.

“Sadly,” Keselowski said, “Tony Stewart has been eliminated from the Chase. Tony finished 13th, but he needed some other drivers to have bad results. Unfortunately, and Ryan Newman can vouch for this, Tony didn’t get the help he needed.”

3. Kevin Harvick: Harvick finished 37th at Dover, his worst finish of the season after a broken track bar suffered early in the race sent him to the garage for repairs.

“Luckily,” Harvick said, “I won at New Hampshire, so my spot in the next round of the Chase was secure. So, I didn’t have to cause a wreck to make it to the next round. A lot of drivers said I did that on purpose. Maybe I did. But I’m here to say I’m a changed man. My only ‘intent’ now is to win the Sprint Cup championship.”

4. Joey Logano: Logano finished sixth at Dover, posting his 20th top 10 of the year.

“Next up is Charlotte Motor Speedway,” Logano said. “Traditionally, we’ve seen a lot of mechanical failures at CMS. Not with the cars, mind you, but when we race there, all hell ‘breaks’ loose.”

5. Kyle Busch: Busch finished second at Dover and advanced to the next round of the Chase For The Cup.

“I visited the White House on Wednesday,” Busch said. “I was honored as the 2015 Sprint Cup champion. You know, I have a lot in common with President Obama. We’re both brothers, and we both take care of business in our own respective ‘Oval Office.’”

6. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin started seventh and finished ninth in the Citizen Soldier 400.

“Martin Truex’s second win of the Chase solidified the notion that Toyota engines are the class of the field,” Hamlin said. “Can Toyota pull off another win when the Chase hits Charlotte? Without a doubt. If that happens, it would an instance of ‘easy, three-sy, Japanese-y.’”

7. Matt Kenseth: Kenseth came home fifth at Dover as all four Joe Gibbs Racing drivers advanced to the next round of the Chase.

“Now we’re on to Charlotte,” Kenseth said. “Two years ago there, I attacked Brad Keselowski after we tangled during the race. That’s what happens when the tension of the Chase builds: drivers butt heads. In most cases, drivers are butt heads.”

8. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson finished seventh at Dover on a day when he had a car good enough to win. But a drive-through penalty accessed when his jackman jumped the wall too early cost him.

“I think we were well on our way to a victory,” Johnson said, “but then my jackman ‘jumped to a conclusion.’”

9. Kurt Busch: Busch finished 15th at Dover, two laps down, and punched his ticket to the next round of the Chase.

“The XFINITY Series race was called the ‘Drive Sober 200,’” Busch said. “I think it’s great that NASCAR is encouraging people to drive sober. But this is NASCAR. I don’t think you’ll ever see the ‘Bring Your Cooler To The Race But Drive Sober 200.’”

10. (tie) Carl Edwards: Edwards finished 14th, one lap down, in the Citizens Soldier 400 at Dover.

“That was not my best performance,” Edwards said. “Dover’s ‘Monster Mile’ rendered me a ‘Monster Mild,’ which is also how most drivers, who dislike me but don’t hate me, would describe me.”

10. (tie) Chase Elliott: Elliott posted his ninth top-five finish of the year with a third at Dover and advanced to Round 2 of the Chase For The Cup.

“I’m the only rookie left in the Chase,” Elliott said. “And I’m devoted to becoming the first rookie to win the Cup. My slogan from here on is ‘Chase For The Cup,’ assuming it’s not already copyrighted.”

October 4, 2016