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Tag: Chase for Sprint Cup

  • Vickers Wins a Wild Qualifying Session at Talladega

    Vickers Wins a Wild Qualifying Session at Talladega

    Brian Vickers took the Coors Light Pole Award for Sunday’s Geico 500 at the Talladega Superspeedway in what could be described as one of the weirdest qualifying sessions ever seen for a NASCAR Sprint Cup race. “It’s crazy,” Vickers said after the third and final segment was completed.

    “I thought that coming to three (laps) to go that we had literally no shot. We were way back — like a half a straightaway behind the whole field and they all checked up and gave me a chance and gave me a run. I really get no credit for it. I just tried not to wreck.”

    With the first session being split into two five minute sessions of 23 drivers, each driver waited until the last minutes to take to the track. No one really wanted to be the person leading the pack since they’re usually the slowest car on the track. Denny Hamlin was the first one to go out and no one followed.

    “It’s kind of a dumb format”, Hamlin said after qualifying 38th, “but what can you do? I guess it’s supposed to be entertaining, but I don’t know. We just wanted to get a lap in and the object of this is to make sure we start the race with the same car we practiced.”

    When the second group of 23 went out it seemed like they’d have one more lap of running at speed when they suddenly slowed down and many drivers in the Chase failed to get to the line before time expired, therefore their last lap did not count. Times for Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick , Jeff Gordon, Kyle Larson and others were not counted.

    Harvick, who already qualified for the next round of the Chase and qualified 39th said, “This qualifying is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. It just doesn’t work on the speedways. They all made a plan and told me to be the lead guy. I took off and no one took off with me. Then we all sat around and here we are.  You have to be at the back, but all in all they told me to be the point person and nobody followed me. So appreciate everybody’s help.”

    Jeff Gordon qualified 43rd and said, “I messed up ultimately. I just mistimed getting to the line. The whole group was going so slow I knew I had to have a gap and when I came across the line I thought I had enough to be able to complete that lap and get one more, which was the only way we were going to be able to make it. But we came up short. It’s a mess out there. It’s not easy.”

    Defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson who qualified second said, “Having to really come through and work out for you is just the toughest thing, because 20 some guys and a lady have an idea of what is going to work and timing that right and finding what works for you is impossible.  Not impossible, just the odds very low.  Hopefully it is entertaining.  You don’t really feel like you are doing your part as a race car driver in a qualifying session like this, but it is plate racing and if it’s entertaining I guess I’m okay with it.”

    A.J. Allmendinger, Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top five. There were some surprises in the top ten that saw Michael McDowell and Travis Kvapil lining up sixth and seventh. Chase contender Kasey Kahne was eighth. Terry Labonte and Michael Annett rounded out the top ten.

    Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Justin Allgair and Reed Sorenson were the cars that were initially listed as “Did Not Qualify” but Sorenson was reinstated when it was found that the No. 87 car had an improperly sealed oil tank and was disqualified.

    GEICO 500 Lineup

    1. (55) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 196.129.
    2. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 195.732.
    3. (47) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 195.496.
    4. (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 194.015.
    5. (2) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 194.007.
    6. (95) Michael McDowell, Ford, 193.693.
    7. (33) Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, 193.603.
    8. (5) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 193.498.
    9. (32) Terry Labonte, Ford, 193.431.
    10. (7) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, 193.162.
    11. (31) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 191.302.
    12. (78) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 190.981.
    13. (20) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 193.415.
    14. (23) Alex Bowman, Toyota, 193.376.
    15. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 193.291.
    16. (21) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 192.401.
    17. (43) Aric Almirola, Ford, 192.278.
    18. (41) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 192.096.
    19. (13) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 191.908.
    20. (27) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 191.773.
    21. (38) David Gilliland, Ford, 190.985.
    22. (26) Cole Whitt, Toyota, 190.97.
    23. (49) Mike Wallace, Toyota, 184.729.
    24. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 191.577.
    25. (34) David Ragan, Ford, 191.42.
    26. (9) Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 191.214.
    27. (10) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, 191.149.
    28. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 191.134.
    29. (40) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 191.13.
    30. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 191.027.
    31. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 190.818.
    32. (83) J.J. Yeley, Toyota, 190.689.
    33. (15) Clint Bowyer, Toyota, 190.681.
    34. (66) Michael Waltrip, Toyota, 190.586.
    35. (98) Josh Wise, Ford, 190.507.
    36. (36) Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, 189.305.
    37. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, Owner Points.
    38. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, Owner Points.
    39. (4) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, Owner Points.
    40. (22) Joey Logano, Ford, Owner Points.
    41. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, Owner Points.
    42. (42) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, Owner Points.
    43. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, Owner Points.

     

  • Two Drivers Looking for Victory at Watkins Glen to Make Chase

    Two Drivers Looking for Victory at Watkins Glen to Make Chase

    Marcos Ambrose and A.J. Allmendinger both know that the road course at Watkins Glen offers them one of their best chances at securing a spot in the 16 member Chase for the Sprint Cup. When asked questions about making the field both have differing thought processes. One will speak about their team in the field, the other says he doesn’t necessarily think about it because he’s not in it yet.

    On the same day that it was announced that Kimberly- Clarke was going to stay on board with Allmendinger and the No. 47 JTG-Daugherty for three more years,  Allmendinger let us know that the his car owners are still looking for sponsorships. “Tad (Geschickter),” Allmendinger said, “is out there continually trying to work on finding sponsorship and really help build the race team. It doesn’t hurt. The more money you find the more it’s going to help with resources at the race team. He is working hard on that. I know this whole week he has been out there trying to help sell and find more money for the race team. I think we just have to continually grow. Being a one car race team you are always going to be behind. I think it’s just as we add more resources and Tad continually goes out there and tries to find more money for us and Brad (Daugherty) does the same thing. That is going to help, but I think just trying to keep updating our cars.”

    Allmendinger was pretty honest with the gathered media saying that he doesn’t think that his team is necessarily up to the task of being a championship team. “When it comes to the Chase side of it,” he said, “It would be great to be in the Chase because it meant we won. That is the only way we are going to get in. When it comes to making the Chase to win a championship with our race team right now I am not sure that we are quite in that realm of saying if we make the Chase we can go win the championship. Anything can happen, but I think to come here and if we were to win to get into the Chase would just be great for all of our sponsors and this race team and to help keep building the race team and promoting it. That is the way I look at it. I don’t look to make the Chase to make the championship, but when it comes to this weekend I feel like after our test here a couple of weeks ago we had a really good test. I feel like if we do the right things we can be in contention to win the race. I don’t want to make it all or nothing. If we don’t win and we have a great top-five, top-three run, but we don’t win I don’t want that to be a disappointing weekend. But like I said, I think if we do the right things, kind of like at Sonoma we had a good shot to win that race, we will have good speed in the race car I believe. We will see what happens.”

    For Ambrose, it’s a bit different situation. He has won here at both the Nationwide and Cup level. He said, “I get talked about more and people want to know what I am doing (here). That is a good thing. I don’t have  a problem with that. When someone asked him that and started with, “If you made the Chase…” Ambrose was quick to respond, “I hate to be rude but I am not in the chase yet. I just haven’t thought about it. It is pretty straight forward. RPM would love to have both cars in the Chase and that is what we will try to do this weekend.”

    Ambrose admitted that the last couple years have been a struggle for him. His 2015 plans are announced and there’s rumors of him exiting NASCAR and heading back home to Australia. “It has been a struggle,” he said. Our first two years before this new body we had really good speed every week and it was a lot of fun. The last couple years have been a challenge. It’s been a grind, no doubt. We are looking for that next step for our team. It is a big step for us to make the Chase with Aric (Almirola). I am driving for the King and driving for Ford and it is great to be part of the series. Just because it is hard doesn’t mean it isn’t great.”

    Look for Watkins Glen’s race on both days to be some of the most entertaining to date. There are more than a handful of drivers who can win the race when they have nothing to lose (previous winners) and must win to make the chase. The weather is predicted to be beautiful all weekend, something that is relatively rare in upstate New York. Expect both Allmendinger and Ambrose to be a factor.

  • BREAKING NEWS : NASCAR : Kyle Busch Suspended for Remainder of Texas Race Weekend

    BREAKING NEWS : NASCAR : Kyle Busch Suspended for Remainder of Texas Race Weekend

    [media-credit name=”Brad Keppel” align=”alignright” width=”216″][/media-credit]After an incident that saw Kyle Busch deliberately wreck championship contender and series veteran Ron Hornaday under caution Friday night Kyle Busch has been parked for the remainder of the race weekend at the Texas Motor Speedway.  The  Winstar World Casino 350K NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race was only 14 laps in when the incident occurred.

    NASCAR officials met with Busch briefly after the incident and scheduled a meeting for early Saturday morning. After the wreck on Friday which sent Hornaday out of the race Hornaday said furiously, “He pulled my shoulder out. Luckily I had a chiropractor put it back in and I’ll be good. If NASCAR doesn’t do it, I’m going to buy Tommy Baldwin’s  ride and that guy will never finish another race. That’s a promise. … This was a yellow flag, turned when you’re not prepared and your heart is not pumping and all that stuff and then you get turned directly in the fence. So let’s have at it? I can go beat his ass? He lives too close to me. So we’ll see what NASCAR does. If they don’t handle it right, I’ll be at his house Monday morning.”

    After the meeting Busch left the NASCAR hauler and went directly to the driver’s motor coach lot with comment.

    Michael McDowell replaced Busch in his Sprint Cup car for practice this morning and reports in garage indicated that Denny Hamlin would replace him in the Nationwide Series race today.

    Helton said, “Boys Have It had clear line that could be crossed. We saw it last night.”

    “done under section 9.12 of the rulebook, that gives NASCAR the authority to react during a race weekend. And following the event and after a good deal of conversation and discussion, NASCAR has decided to maintain that parked position on the driver of the 18 truck for the balance of the weekend.” NASCAR president Mike Helton said.

    In a nutshell…… Busch will not race anymore this weekend at Texas.

    It not a first for NASCAR, but maybe an eye opener for Busch. Kevin Harvick (2002) and Robby Gordon (2008) have been suspended for Sprint Cup races for actions on the track.

  • Johnson wins at Kansas

    Johnson wins at Kansas

    Jimmie Johnson won one of the longest races of the year. The excitement level of this race was very similar to waiting in the waiting room at the dentist office. This race was a long drawn out ordeal. It was painful to watch. The most important thing to remember and the biggest area of concern is the fact that this is the 4th race of the Chase and not a single one of them has been a good race.

    [media-credit name=”Kyle Ocker” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]We need to remember that people paid for tickets to see these races. We are concerned about our ticket sales in the sport and races like this are very illustrative as to why. The long drawn out follow the leader racing does not make for good racing. It does not make for good entertainment. It’s simply in a word boring. The entire broadcast for TV centers much like a vulture circling the 12 chase contenders. Who will have a problem? Will they rebound? Are they out?

    The points changes are broadcast on every 30 minutes, even though the points do not change until the checkered flag waves. Three of the four races have had an exciting ending. But an exciting final 25 to 30 laps doesn’t make a good race it makes a good ending.

    A good race is constant racing throughout the distance. Nascar has yet to manage to produce that with the current car used in competition. Now we are looking at a new COT for 2013. As fans we have to be concerned about our dollars spent on tickets. As members of the media we have to be concerned about our futures in trying to paint a plain white wall with a decorative brush and make it exciting. Simply it’s going to be very difficult to continue to draw fans to the track or the TV with this kind of competition. But ratings are up. They are up because the new points system paints the chase as exciting and close competition. While the points are close the competition simply isn’t there.  Drivers struggle to give entertaining comments and gently avoid talking about the fact that is painfully obvious to even them, the event was boring.

    Jimmie Johnson lead the most laps and he lead the last lap. His domination was slowed only six times. Only three times  for other car incidents. The longer they ran the stronger he got and the further his lead became. At one point he led by 14 seconds. He showed without a shadow of a doubt why they have dominated the Chase for the last five years.

    With his victory Johnson moved to within four points of leader Carl Edwards. By history the points leader leaving Kansas has won the Championship since the Chase’s inception.

    Edwards who struggled all day to stay on the lead lap found himself finishing in the 5th position and taking over the points lead from Kevin Harvick. “What a fun race that was. There was certainly a lot of luck involved there. Man I wanted to win for these home fans at Kansas but this is like getting a win considering how it looked like it could have been. I have to thank my AFLAC team. They did a great job today, they never stopped and we were able to work out way back up there. We were just way off in the beginning but they worked hard all day and it paid off at the end.” Edwards said of his day.

    Second Place Kasey Kahne was a steady occupant in the top ten all day. Staying within striking distance and making the Red Bull Toyota better with ever stop.

    Brad Keselowski finished his Kansas weekend with a third place finish to follow up his win in the Nationwide Series on Saturday. “The Miller Dodge was good. I am proud of the effort. Kind of an up and down day. We got up to be a second or third place car mid part of the race, then kind of fell off a little bit, but came back. Third place day, that’s good. That’s what you’ve got to do. Really we want to win races like Jimmie, but we;re making the est we can out of it. If he stumbles, we’ll be there.”

    This win was the 199th victory for Hendrick Motorsports and clinched the manufacturers Championship for Chevrolet.

    “You know, when I look through all the pictures, since the beginning of Hendrick Motorsports, and I look at the wins, and I remember the celebrations, I can remember vividly that I didn’t know if I’d ever win one race. I know there were some years where I thought, ‘Are we going to win a race this year?’ When you say you’ve won a race in the Cup Series, you’ve accomplished something; but when you think about 200 wins – it’s unbelievable.” Hendrick said.

    “This sport is so tough, look at all the second places we have this year, we have been close but just have not got the job done. We were glad to get the win done today. Big win for Mr. Hendrick, 199 and also Chevrolet winning the Manufacturing Championship, couldn’t do without all them and all the great people at Lowes’, they have been behind us since day one. We did our job today and hopefully we can do it six or seven more times.” Johnson said.

     

    Unofficial Race Results
    Hollywood Casino 400, Kansas Speedway
    http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Cup/race.php?race=30
    =========================================
    Pos. St. No. Driver Make Points
    =========================================
    1 19 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet 48
    2 5 4 Kasey Kahne Toyota 42
    3 12 2 Brad Keselowski Dodge 42
    4 4 17 Matt Kenseth Ford 41
    5 2 99 Carl Edwards Ford 39
    6 14 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 38
    7 24 33 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet 37
    8 1 16 Greg Biffle Ford 37
    9 21 9 Marcos Ambrose Ford 35
    10 9 5 Mark Martin Chevrolet 34
    11 3 18 Kyle Busch Toyota 34
    12 6 27 Paul Menard Chevrolet 32
    13 17 22 Kurt Busch Dodge 32
    14 18 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet 30
    15 23 14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet 29
    16 7 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota 28
    17 41 51 Landon Cassill Chevrolet 0
    18 11 39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet 26
    19 15 83 Brian Vickers Toyota 25
    20 13 6 David Ragan Ford 24
    21 31 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet 23
    22 29 1 Jamie McMurray Chevrolet 22
    23 34 42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet 21
    24 16 78 Regan Smith Chevrolet 20
    25 22 43 A.J. Allmendinger Ford 19
    26 26 198 Austin Dillon Chevrolet 0
    27 36 38 Travis Kvapil Ford 0
    28 42 32 Mike Bliss Ford 0
    29 20 20 Joey Logano Toyota 15
    30 33 47 Bobby Labonte Toyota 14
    31 38 36 Dave Blaney Chevrolet 13
    32 30 34 David Gilliland Ford 12
    33 25 46 Scott Speed Ford 0
    34 10 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 11
    35 27 0 David Reutimann Toyota 9
    36 8 56 Martin Truex Jr. Toyota 8
    37 35 71 Andy Lally * Ford 7
    38 39 7 Reed Sorenson Dodge 0
    39 40 66 Michael McDowell Toyota 5
    40 32 30 David Stremme Chevrolet 4
    41 43 87 Joe Nemechek Toyota 0
    42 37 13 Casey Mears Toyota 2
    43 28 55 J.J. Yeley Ford 1