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  • MWR Controversy: Did The Penalties Fit The Crime?

    MWR Controversy: Did The Penalties Fit The Crime?

    NASCAR was faced with a very tough decision this past weekend…how to deal with a team that deliberately manipulated the chase outcome to benefit themselves? Four days later and race fans are still in an uproar over the biggest controversy to rock the motorsports world since the infamous “Crashgate” incident during the 2008 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. With the overwhelming evidence, all the publicity and the outrage from millions of disappointed fans; NASCAR had to act and act they did…with unprecedented penalties.

    The Punishment

    Before you continue reading, if you have yet to learn about all the evidence presented to NASCAR from the in-car video, (#15 & #55) radio communications and the suspicious post-race comments…please direct your attention here so that you may be enlightened: http://www.speedwaymedia.com/?p=67736 Now onto the record breaking penalties levied by NASCAR & the interesting reasoning behind why they did what they did…

    -MWR was found to have violated Section 12-4 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing). As a result, MWR’s three teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (No. 15, 55, 56) have been penalized with the loss of 50 championship driver and 50 championship owner points, respectively.

    -These point penalties are assessed following the season’s 26th regular season race and not after the seeding for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Therefore, the point total for the No. 56 car driven by Martin Truex Jr. is reduced to 691, putting him in 17th position and eliminating him from the second Wild Card berth for the Chase field. Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 car, now moves up into the Chase as the second Wild Card participant.

     -NASCAR has also fined the MWR organization $300,000 and indefinitely suspended Ty Norris, MWR Executive Vice President/General Manager and spotter for the No. 55 car, for violating Section 12-4. The three crew chiefs – Brian Pattie (No. 15), Scott Miller (No. 55) and Chad Johnston (No. 56) – have all been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

     -“Based upon our review of Saturday night’s race at Richmond, it is our determination that the MWR organization attempted to manipulate the outcome of the race,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “As the sport’s sanctioning body, it is our responsibility to ensure there is a fair and level playing field for all of our competitors and this action today reflects our commitment to that.”

    I want to make it clear that NASCAR didn’t just hand Newman the Wild Card that would otherwise belong to Martin Truex Jr. He got it as a result of the 50pt penalty issued to the No.56 team. The point penalties were assessed before the re-seed so that’s why Ryan was able to overtake Martin in points. That is also the reason why Clint Bowyer starts the chase off as if nothing happened to him….I don’t like that part. The 50pt penalty issued to the No.15 was before NASCAR re-racked the standings so he goes to Chicagoland 15pts behind Matt Kenseth. Not 50 or 65 behind like some have mistakenly thought.

    NASCAR did not help Jeff Gordon though who was on his way to a chase berth before Bowyer’s spin. Their reasoning behind that? NASCAR felt that they couldn’t help those affected by the “ripple effect” of the Bowyer spin. They don’t know what would have unfolded in the final laps if that spin never happened and they weren’t about to make a chase altering decision based on assumption. If the spin never happened, Jeff might have fallen out on his own for all we know. That is why they couldn’t just give the Wild Card to Newman either…there’s no way of knowing with 110% certainty that he would have went on and won the race; way too many unknown variables for them to be able to make a fair decision.

    Morally…we all believe Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman both deserve a chase spot but factually, you just can’t say they would have held on in those final seven laps as much as we’d like to believe they would have. Ty Norris (MWR GM & Spotter For No.55 at Richmond) was the only one suspended and that is because he is the only person they have conclusive evidence against. (Instructed Vickers On Radio To Pit Because They Needed That 1pt) How we feel about all the other shenanigans that went on are just educated opinions based on observations and personal interpretation. Without admission, there’s no way of knowing for sure.

    NASCAR said they didn’t target Truex exclusively but that losing his chase spot was simply the byproduct of them penalizing MWR as a whole. That would also explain why they didn’t go and punish Bowyer enough to make sure he relinquished a top 10 spot to Jeff Gordon like so many fans wanted. As for Truex, I think Bob Pockrass put it well when he said it’s like a friend giving you a TV that they stole…you’re going to have to give it back even if you had no part in it. NASCAR actually handled this quite professionally and with leveled heads in my opinion. Doesn’t mean I completely agree with it but I’ll get to that later…now for some statements and Twitter reactions!

    Michael Waltrip 

    “What occurred on the No.55 radio at the end of Saturday night’s race in Richmond was a split-second decision made by team spotter Ty Norris to bring the No.55 to pit lane and help a teammate earn a place in the Chase. We apologize to NASCAR, our fellow competitors, partners and fans who were disappointed in our actions. We will learn from this & move on.” 

    Interview With Fox Sports 1’s Bob Dillner: http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/shakeandbake/race-hub-exclusive-video-waltrip-speaks-vickers-in-car-audio-091013

    Ty Norris

    “In the final laps I made a call to pit the 55 to benefit a teammate. It was a split second decision made in the middle of a chaotic finish bad on the circumstances. There was no time to think just act. Though it was to benefit MWR it is now clear it was to the detriment of the sport I love and have called home for the past 24 years.I apologize to all who were affected by that decision in the greatest race for the chase in its 10 yr history. I have dedicated my life to this industry and value its integrity and understand the decision.”

    “I am suspended for being a spotter, not a GM, for making a call to bring teammate to pit road. NO other reason. NO other incident.”

    Clint Bowyer

    Tweets: “No rearview mirrors in life, just windshield ahead. It’s been a great year and is going to be a great chase. Time to move on!!!” & “I sure hope you guys are as tired of hearing about me as I am talking about me!!! #uncleJackhereicome“

    ESPN Interview – Drilled by Ricky Craven: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9658424

    Marty & McGee Interview: http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=9658768

    Brian Pattie (#15 Crew Chief)

    SiriusXM NASCAR interview: https://soundcloud.com/siriusxmsports/brian-pattie-reacts-to-nascar

    Brett Griffin (#15 Spotter)

    “We all know the score. Its time to go do our jobs. Ill do it the same as I did last week. Love my team”

    “Team orders? Really. I swear on my kids lives no one gave me team orders.”

    NAPA

    “The actions taken by Michael Waltrip’s Racing team this past weekend leading to the penalties assessed by NASCAR, are very concerning. We are disappointed that a partner associated with our organization would make such a significant error in judgment. In addition, we have launched our own review to determine the future of our partnership with Michael Waltrip’s Racing team. The NAPA AUTO PARTS organization is proud of its long-standing NASCAR relationship. We share a passion with our customers for high quality racing and seek to determine the best course of action for our customers, NASCAR fans, and the NAPA organization.”

    5-Hour Energy

    “We respect NASCAR’s penalties against MWR & are addressing our sponsorship relations internally. We appreciate your understanding & patience”

    Martin Truex Jr.

    “I just want to take a min to thank my fans, NAPA AUTO PARTS, Toyota, NASCAR, my fellow competitors, & MWR for their support. I was very excited for my team when I learned that we clinched a wild card spot Sat night in Richmond. I drove the hardest race of my life that night & was unaware of any other circumstances other than needing to finish as high as I could to have a chance. This has been a very difficult situation for everyone involved. I hope we can all move on. I’m looking forward to Chicago, seeing all my fans & getting back in.My #56 NAPA Toyota. Thank you for all the messages. They are much appreciated.”

    Tony Stewart

    “Obviously, we’re very pleased with NASCAR’s decision to provide Ryan Newman’s rightful place in this year’s Chase. NASCAR was put in a very difficult position Saturday night at Richmond and we commend the sanctioning body for taking the time to do the necessary due diligence to ensure that the right call was made.”

    Ryan Newman

    “I am proud that NASCAR took a stand with respect to what went on Saturday night at Richmond. I know it was a tough decision to make. With that being said, myself, Matt Borland (crew chief) and this entire No. 39 team are looking forward to competing for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.”

    Jeff Gordon

    “Feel bad for Truex. He got in under controversy now out due to it. But the guy who started all of this not effected at all??? Don’t agree!” 

    “Take me out of this completely. At this point all that matters to me is if @NASCAR decides to fix this then fix it completely!”

    “Phone bat going to die. Prob a good thing b4 I say something that gets me in trouble. Lastly, someone explain the “ripple effect” to me?”

    His wife Ingrid replied, “@JeffGordonWeb Ripple effect is when first guy causes something and gets no penalty. Every driver effected by that first move gets Screwed!”

    Ryan Truex (Martin’s Younger Brother)

    “Like my dad tells me, all you can do is go out every weekend and drive the car as hard as you can. Everything else is out of your control.”

    Sherry Pollex (Martin Truex Jr.’s Girlfriend)

    “Our family is healthy & well. We have a warm bed to sleep in at night, many don’t. We are so blessed and have so much to be thankful for. I will stand by my man until the day I die. He is a steady rock in my life. The most honest, loyal and dedicated guy I know. We’ll be fine Thank you for all the messages, they mean a lot. Now 10 more races to go & try to win for this @napaknowhow team! Broken wrist and all!”

    Larry McReynolds

    “I close my night out by saying I applaud NASCAR for their decision tonight! I know many are happy and many disagree, but this type of thing that happened hurts the sport and integrity of our racing! I still feel bad for J. Gordon, but we all move on. We move onto Chicago to start our Chase and to possibly one of the most exciting Chase races in 10 year history!”

    Brad Keselowski

    “Don’t know how to say what I really think about Mwr penalty with out getting in a lot of trouble. Better stay off twitter for awhile…”

    Do we know for sure that Pattie, Waltrip and Bowyer are lying about the spin? As much as we’d like to think so, we do not truly no for certain and that’s why NASCAR called the video and audio from Bowyer concerning but inconclusive. That statement from an upset NAPA should be a real eye opener of how serious this is. They have had a relationship with Waltrip that goes back to 2001 and for them to say all that demonstrates just how many people this has angered. There are always morality clauses in contracts with sports teams/players and should they want to; NAPA could very well end their affiliation with the team after these transgressions.

    For reasons that we cannot ascertain with 100% certainty, Clint Bowyer spun out and completely changed the outcome of the race to make the chase. We all surely have our opinions on it and most, including myself, feel it was intentional although in my heart, I’d truly like to believe Clint…but I can’t. That spin seemed awkward and controlled to me; not the end result of a NASCAR superstar losing control while racing on the ragged edge.

    Michael Waltrip Racing claims the spin was accidental but is taking responsibility for the No.55 radio communication. They say it was a split second and on the spot decision by Ty though; not a well thought out plan that was waiting in the wings ready to be implemented at any moment if necessary. Personally, a teammate giving a fellow teammate a point happens all the time and isn’t that big of a deal to me but purposely causing a caution that changes almost every position on the race track does bother me. To NASCAR, the Vickers radio was the smoking gun needed to convict MWR. That alone wouldn’t have barred this massive penalty though.

    Seeing a lot of veterans of NASCAR say the spin was intentional is enough for me to stand by what I believe, despite MWR’s claims. NASCAR couldn’t entirely fix what MWR broke but they repaired it to the best of their ability in my eyes. If they started looking into what could have been, then we’d be opening Pandora’s Box. I feel they should have included a point penalty for Clint that would impede his chase hopes though; not take him completely out of the running but at least put him in a hole to start the 10 race stretch.

    This penalty assessed to MWR will certainly be a deterrent to any teams who are tempted by circumstance to determine their own fate in the future but it’s definitely not going to eradicate team orders by any stretch of the imagination. Teams will be hesitant to go as far as MWR did but there will always be that guy who “gets loose” in turn one while his teammate passes him or that one that “can’t get the throttle down off the corner” well enough to beat his teammate to the line for that bonus point. In the end, Truex Jr. didn’t get the Wild Card so I am content with the ruling for the most part. MWR’s efforts to get both cars in the chase were effectively thwarted in the end but now they must deal with the unanticipated repercussions of their imprudent actions.

    Racing has an uncanny way of policing itself when someone does wrong. Clint and his teammates will go to court when they take the green flag Sunday and it’s up to their fellow racers to determine their fate. Clint may get blatantly wrecked by someone and if so; it would most likely be by the hand of a disgruntled Jeff Gordon. Jeff says the anger and disappointment from all this is unlike any he’s ever felt before. The punishment may be much more subtle though. Holding him up on the track or blocking him in on pit road are two very effective ways of getting back at a fellow racer. Then there’s the old Alllison/Yarborough way where you break out the right hook and let the impact do the talking…I doubt it comes to that but you never know!

    I hate dwelling on such an unfortunate and uncalled for situation but you can’t ignore a story that has gained so much national attention. The guys over at MWR are not bad people…they are humans and humans screw up. There is no excuse for it but I don’t wish for their lives to be ruined because of it. The damage is done, the humiliation is ongoing and the black eye that has been cast over that organization won’t rescind anytime soon. NASCAR has made their point and this team must now deal with the consequences…now we wait to see how NASCAR handles the Logano/Gilliland controversy.

     

  • Controversy In Richmond: Did MWR Deliberately Manipulate Chase Outcome?

    Controversy In Richmond: Did MWR Deliberately Manipulate Chase Outcome?

    There was a lot on the line at Richmond Saturday night but was it so much so that it would actually push a team to deliberately alter the outcome in order to benefit themselves? When you’re talking about a shot at the Sprint Cup championship; I’d say so. The awkward spin by Clint Bowyer and the suspicious Brian Vickers radio communication in the closing laps raised a lot of eyebrows and accusations started flying before the checkered flag even flew.

    Team orders. It’s a phrase that makes all race fans cringe and a policy that has been unfortunately showcased at one point or another in every major motorsport and has most recently found its way into the world of NASCAR. Team orders drastically affected the outcome of the race to make the chase Saturday night leaving millions of fans outraged. The evidence against culprits aka Michael Waltrip Racing…well, it’s substantial. The orchestration of this shady move to get Truex Jr. into the chase looked pretty blatant and has NASCAR nation infuriated. Before we dive any deeper into this volatile controversy; here is the overwhelming evidence against Michael Waltrip Racing…

    In-Car Camera & Audio of Clint Bowyer Leading Up To & During Spin

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brrgyDs3CfE&feature=youtu.be

    Very odd and conspicuous dialogue there….did you notice how awkward and controlled that spin looked? It did not appear to be an expert racecar driver getting loose while driving on the ragged edge. This caution gave Martin Truex Jr. another shot at making the chase with a late restart and he did just that. Newman went from on his way to victory and ensuring a chase berth to enduring the bitter feeling of defeat when he lost the WC in a tie with Truex. Ryan came within a few feet of making the chase One more corner and he would have taken 2nd position from Kurt Busch which would have given him the edge over Martin for the final Wild Card. Defending champion Brad Keselowski’s thoughts on the Clint’s spin…“Quite honestly, I don’t know what to think…” Race winner Carl Edwards saw this Bowyer clip in the media center and simply said, “that’s going to be a popular video.”

    Brian Vickers Radio Communication With Five Laps Remaining

    Team “We’re probably going to pit here on green” Brian: “Are you talking to me?” Team: “Yeah, we’re going to pit.” Brian: “What? I’ve got to pit? I don’t understand. Pit right now?” Team: “You’ve got to pit this time by. We need that 1 point.” Brian: “10-4. Do I got a tire going down?” Team: “Yeah”

    I was giving MWR the benefit of the doubt until I heard this exchange. The “point” the team was referring to was for Joey Logano; not Martin Truex Jr…let me explain. Vickers was a full lap ahead of Joey before the green flag pit stop but finished a lap down and behind the No.22. There were no issues with the car that would explain the lost lap but this radio communication gives us the reason we feared. They wanted Joey to get that point because it would help him stay inside the top 10 in points. Why is that important? Because if Joey was outside the top 10 in points when the race ended; he would need to take Wild Card in order to make the chase…the Wild Card that would otherwise belong to Martin Truex Jr.

    Michael Waltrip

    NASCAR.com’s Alan Cavanna tweeted that Michael Waltrip walked up to Truex on pit road following the race and said, “You’ve got awesome teammates.” In a post-race interview, Michael had this to say…

    “I don’t know…I didn’t hear any…I was busy monitoring who was doing what. I mean, I don’t think Bowyer spun on purpose. But I don’t know.” (He was then asked if it would be okay if Bowyer’s spin was intentional) “I don’t like to do what ifs. We’re just really grateful that we got two of our cars in the Chase. It would be a real bummer if our young organization only got one in and not the other.”

    His older brother and 3-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Darrell Waltrip tweeted, “Watched on TV just like most of you, looked like typical #Nascar race at #Richmond, cars spinning, tires blowing, cautions, restarts, etc.” DW later tweeted, “Wasn’t at the race. I don’t have a radio so I don’t know what was said. If something inappropriate happened, I trust #NASCAR to handle it.”

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Was In Proximity Of Bowyer During Spin)

    “He just spun right out. That’s the craziest thing I ever saw. He just came right around. He got…we were going into, through 3 and 4, and I don’t know if they can put up his brakes and his gas. We got all the technology. But he was hemming around on the brakes and jerking the car around, and then the thing just spun out. It was crazy. I don’t know what was going on. It was right there, I almost run into it, so I’m glad we were able to get out of there without any trouble.”

    Clint Bowyer

    “My car was tight as hell. (Jimmie Johnson) blew a tire and hit the wall. I’m telling you, I was the next one. That thing slid, what, maybe less than 10 feet and blew out, you know what I mean? Something was going on there. I’ve been doing this a long time. It is what it is. It’s unfortunate. I know it’s a lot of fun for you guys to write a lot of whacky things. Go ahead if you want to, get creative. But don’t look too much into it.”

    Others React

    In the media center, Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon refused to speculate but Ryan angrily acknowledged that an intentional spin would obviously upset him. Jeff tweeted Sunday morning saying, “Was feeling pretty bad about missing the #Chase but after seeing all the details coming out now I feel even worse for @RyanNewman39.” Country music superstar Blake Shelton who is a friend of Clint tweeted, “Y’all should follow @ClintBowyer!!! The definition of team player!!! “ I interpreted that as him implying Clint’s spin was intentional in his eyes. A less than thrilled Tony Stewart was asked if he believes someone would spin out in order to help a teammate and he immediately said. “Yep. There’s a lotta money involved in making the Chase.” The feeling about the spin was unanimous among the ESPN commentators who cried foul and called out Clint which only fueled the fire as fans took to social media to voice their displeasure and argue their points. NASCAR was a trending topic on Twitter for nearly three hours following the race.

    My Take

    After seeing, hearing and reading all this; there is little doubt that Michael Waltrip Racing played the system in a blatant attempt to help Martin Truex Jr. procure a chase spot. There is conclusive audio evidence and numbers that prove MWR’s chicanery. Brian Vickers ran 40mph off the pace on the final lap for a reason we have yet to ascertain while Clint Bowyer was able to lose two laps as he appeared to dawdle in the pits after receiving very little damage in the now infamous spin.

    Photo Credit: Getty Images
    Photo Credit: Getty Images

    MWR successfully coordinated their cars in what looked to be a well thought out and masterful plan to ensure a chase berth for Martin with the only flaw being that they failed miserably at making it look  inconspicuous. But If NASCAR is going to let something like this slide with such overwhelming evidence out there, then why not take what you can and not care who sees? With everything at stake, if you leave the teams any wiggle room whatsoever; they will most certainly take it. That’s why it is crucial that NASCAR react and drop the hammer on this team. It’s not like MWR would be the only team to stoop to this level if necessary; they just happened to be the ones tempted by circumstance to take fate into their own hands. If NASCAR turns a blind eye to it, they definitely won’t be the last to give into that temptation.

    NASCAR did say Sunday afternoon that they are taking some time to review the audio and video while they look for evidence of wrongdoing. It is standard protocol for NASCAR to review all races before they make them official but they will certainly pay extra attention to the area in question. Regardless of their decision; the damage has already been done.  Should they do nothing though; they will basically be tacitly approving of teams making a mockery of the system. All drivers were warned in the drivers meeting to keep it “fair and square” but that apparently fell on deaf ears in the MWR camp. I will say this though…don’t attack Clint Bowyer and Brian Vickers for simply doing what they’re told. The team should have never handed down these orders in the first place but if you know NASCAR won’t punish you for it; then why not? It’s like saying that if you rob a bank, it’s illegal but we won’t punish you for it.

    In the end, it’s a shame that such a spectacular night of racing action was overshadowed by this unfortunate situation and no matter what NASCAR does; the bitter taste left in the mouths of fans, drivers and teams won’t rescind anytime soon. Oh…and the sponsors are fired up too. Quicken Loans (Newman sponsor) posted this on their Facebook page; “We were so close last night and that last caution hurt us. Something didn’t look right about it but you be the judge.” Then PEAK (Bowyer sponsor) posted on their Facebook these two words that shows their feelings about the whole deal pretty plainly; “Phoenix. 2012.”

    The integrity of NASCAR is at stake here in the midst of one of the most profound controversies in recent memory and it occurred on one of the biggest nights on the schedule. You know that infamous part of the rule book so commonly quoted by NASCAR – “Actions Detrimental To Stock Car Racing?” That’s basically what Michael Waltrip Racing is guilty of. Something needs to be done about this because nothing will drive fans away quicker than team orders being tolerated. I’ve always been one to say that controversy and the free publicity that comes out of it is never a bad thing but this is one of those rare circumstances when I feel the complete opposite…it’s borderline embarrassing for the NASCAR community.

    Disdain for Michael Waltrip Racing won’t cease anytime soon for thousands of incensed and unforgiving NASCAR fans and I’m sure a seething Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman won’t soon forget this either. I like Clint Bowyer, I like Brian Vickers and I like Michael Waltrip but what they did at Richmond is incredibly unsportsmanlike. I hate writing negative stories but this is one issue that just can’t be ignored. We now head to the first race of the chase on the heels of a huge controversy that is far from over. I wouldn’t be surprised if lingering anger and frustration from the drivers done wrong may lead to some on track retaliation as they seek racing justice the old fashioned way.

  • Edwards wins Federated Auto Parts 400, Kurt Busch makes the Chase

    Edwards wins Federated Auto Parts 400, Kurt Busch makes the Chase

    Carl Edwards picks up his second win of the season in the Federated Auto Part 400 at Richmond International Raceway. He credited the win to his pit crew saying, “That’s my pit crew that won this race for us, just an awesome job by them.” The No. 99 team took four tires and still managed to get off pit road second to Paul Menard who took two in an effort to get track position.

    The race was not without controversy, however, including the final restart with Edwards. As the green flew, Edwards clearly beat leader Paul Menard to the line. There was no call, however, and Edwards easily drove to the win. Edwards talked about the restart in the media center after the race saying, “What happened on the restart is Paul had two tires. I knew he was going to be at a big advantage with grip –big disadvantage with grip. He took off. I waited until he went to go. As we were going, his car actually touched my door. I think it surprised him a little bit or something. He turned a little bit. I heard his engine speed up. He spun the tires.”

    Ryan Newman missed the Chase, losing a wildcard spot to Martin Truex Jr. on a tie breaker. Newman, who had taken the lead from Edwards before the last caution, looked to be on his way to a win and would have easily clinched the final wildcard spot. It was not to be however. The caution flew for a spin that involved Truex’s teammate, Clint Bowyer.

    Many instantly believed that Bowyer spun on purpose to bring out the yellow to give his teammate an opportunity to beat make the Chase. According to ESPN reporter, Marty Smith, Dale Earnhardt Jr. said, “(15) was on the brakes in the middle of the corner, trying to slow it down so he could spin out without really getting into trouble.”

    When asked about the controversy, Truex responded, “You know, I don’t know. I don’t have any thoughts on it honestly. I didn’t even know it happened until after the race. Marty (Smith) asked me that question. I was like, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

    Newman was asked about the possibility of Bowyer spinning on purpose to help his teammate, he responded, “They are teammates. I don’t know if he looked at the scoring pylon, knew I was leading, it doesn’t matter. If that was the case, I’ll find out one way or the other.” He continued, “At the same time we still had the opportunity and win it on pit road, and we didn’t.”  Newman also stated on a television interview that to be a championship team, they needed a championship pit crew and they did not have that tonight.

    Perhaps one of the biggest stories of the night was Kurt Busch who became the first driver to make the Chase with a single car operation. Busch has been up and down all season, but has been running strong in recent weeks. Busch came into the night with only a six point cushion over Jeff Gordon. Busch led 73 laps en route to a second place finish.

    Gordon, who started from the pole, looked strong early leading the first 49 laps, but handling problems dropped him out of the top ten. He did have a chance late in the race thanks to a few lucky cautions that came out at just the right time. The last caution, however, allowed Joey Logano to take the wave around and pick up enough spots to knock Gordon out of the top ten.

    The points have now been reset. Matt Kenseth with five wins is now the leader, followed by Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards.

    When it was all said and done we had everything we could ask for – drama, controversy, success stories and heartbreaks. It was another exciting finish to the regular season. The Chase begins next week in the Geico 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.

  • Can Dale Jr. step up performance in the Chase?

    Can Dale Jr. step up performance in the Chase?

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. is in what is arguably his best season in several years. Currently seventh in points and is all but locked in to the Chase. He has 14 top-10’s and five top-5’s. The question is -Is it good enough?

    When Earnhardt made the move to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, his massive legion of fans were very excited. The general consensus was that he would now be in the best equipment and will now have the opportunity to showcase his talents.

    The excitement was further backed up by his win that season in the qualifying race at Daytona. Jr. Nation was buzzing! It was short lived however. He did manage a win that season and made the Chase. The team struggled in the Chase, however, finishing 12th, last amongst Chase contenders.

    The following season results were dismal.  So bad that, after just 12 races, crew chief and cousin Tony Eury Jr, was replaced. Brian Whitesell sat atop the pitbox for one race, but the team settled on Lance McGrew to take over the crew chief duties. There was no real improvement. With no wins, only two top-5’s and five top-10’s. Earnhardt finished 25th in the final standings.  Jr. Nation was not happy.

    The woes continued in 2010. Results were again dismal. Three top-5’s and eight top-10’s were not the stats the team needed. After finishing 21st in the points, again a change was needed. Enter Steve Letarte.

    2011 brought renewed vigor into the team and the Jr. fans. Starting from the pole in the season opening Daytona 500, the fans had something to cheer about. Though the team did not manage to find victory lane, they were able to score 12 top-10 finishes, make the Chase and ended up seventh in the final standings.

    2012 brought more success. Earnhardt scored the much needed win at Michigan. He also stayed in the top five in points for most of the season, made the Chase, but tragedy struck at Talladega. A huge crash near the end of the race ended the season early for Earnhardt due to a concussion. A win and 20 top ten finishes were definitely an improvement.

    This season Earnhardt has been one of the most consistent drivers, at least early in the season. He was in the top five in standings until Charlotte, where he finished 39th with an engine failure. Through the middle of the season, results have still been solid, but he has been slowly sliding back. Though, he has 14 top-10’s, he has not led a lot of laps and still is yet to find victory lane. Finishes of tenth to fifteenth will keep a driver close in the standings, but it will not win championships.

    Earnhardt is probably under more pressure to perform than any other driver in the garage area. Fans and some media are constantly comparing him to his father. His stats pale in comparison to dad, but so do many others.

    The reality of the situation is that the entire team has to step up and perform better once the Chase starts. When competing against teams who have four and five wins, tenth place is not good enough. Letarte has without a doubt been a good change for Earnhardt. Additionally, Earnhardt has become more involved with the team from a technical standpoint. He is giving much better feedback now than he did in previous seasons. The pieces are definitely coming together.

    To do well in the Chase, the team will have to take more risks and quit playing it safe. In the last several races the performance has been off a little compared to earlier this season and the team has been playing defense trying to stay in the top ten.

    Earnhardt continues to sound confident and was quoted earlier this week saying, “I feel like we belong in the Chase, feel like if we can put ten races together – I think we can do it as good as anybody when it comes down to it.” Once they are locked in, it is time to take a chance, try different strategies, and hope that rolling the dice will put them in victory lane. There is no way to beat Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, and Matt Kenseth without winning.

    The bar is set high, but that is to be expected. After-all, this is the premier racing division in the country – just average is just not good enough.

  • Five Spots + Ten Drivers = Excitement At Richmond

    Five Spots + Ten Drivers = Excitement At Richmond

    Since the first season of NASCAR’s Chase format, the last race of the “regular season” has been and at the three-quarter mile short track at Richmond International Raceway. Richmond has provided several fantastic finishes that made some drivers’ seasons a success and left others licking their wounds as they came to the realization that they were not eligible for a series championship.

    In the first Chase season Jeremy Mayfield was faced with the ultimate challenge – win to get in. The entire race was drama filled as lap after lap the topic of conversation was Mayfield and his quest to stay in contention.

    Last season it was four time series champion, Jeff Gordon. Gordon came into the event 13th in the standings, battling Kyle Busch for a Chase spot. Coming fresh off a second place finish at Atlanta, Gordon seemed to have momentum in his corner. Handling problems, however, plagued the No. 24 team in the first half of the race.

    The handling issues were so bad, the car would not respond to normal adjustments, leading crew chief, Alan Gustafson to throw a hail-mary in a last ditch effort to stay in contention for the title.  Gustafson disconnected the rear sway bar and the car came alive! Gordon drove to a second place finish, with Busch only managing a 16th place finish, one lap off the pace. When the dust cleared, Gordon beat Busch by a mere three points.

    The scenario this season may lead to the most exciting regular season final ever. Ten drivers are going for five spots. The number of variables that could change the outcome would rival any NFL playoff race. A fact that NASCAR, I’m sure, had in mind when the concept of the Chase was designed.

    Entering the this weekend, six drivers are locked in – Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, and Kasey Kahne. Kahne is locked based on wins and a wild card spot. He is, however, only ten points out of tenth spot. Kahne will be a major player in several other driver’s Chase hopes. If he moves into the top ten, it completely changes the wildcard picture.

    Kahne will be chasing Kurt Busch, who is currently in tenth. Busch does not have a win this season, so it is crucial for him to stay inside the top ten. Busch’s fate is in his own hands. If he wins, he is in. A feat the No.78 Furniture Row team has been very close to achieving several times this season. This weekend would be the perfect time for them to find victory lane. Making the Chase not only would solidify the Denver based team as a major contender, it would also signify Busch’s return to the top after his fall from grace and his release from Penske racing. Busch talked about his position on Thursday, “You know, a few months ago we needed to put ourselves in position to control our own destiny. We’ve accomplished that. Is it the cushion we wanted? No. We only have a six point cushion. At the same time we can look forward and see Biffle is ninth in points, and he’s only eight points ahead of us.”

    Breathing down the neck of Kurt Busch, is Richmond miracle worker, Jeff Gordon. Gordon sits in 11th place in the standings, just six points behind Busch. One thing Gordon has in his favor is the fact that Kahne is his teammate. Kahne being locked in as wildcard could permit him to layback and to give Gordon every opportunity to lock into the top ten. Gordon could then focus on beating Busch. Gordon was asked about his scenario at Richmond, “I’ll be honest, I think we were in a tougher spot last year than this year. I think the way it prepared us was knowing no matter what happens, you can never give up.”

    The series’ most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., though not locked in, is pretty safe. Earnhardt currently sits seventh in the standings, 31 points ahead of tenth. He will lock himself in with a 32nd place finish. Earnhardt has a strong record at the speedway with three wins and 12 top-10’s. Earnhardt was asked about the possibility of team orders this weekend to help teammates. Earnhardt responded, “We haven’t really talked about that. I know from my point of view it would be hard to understand exactly what I could do to help one of my teammates. The crew chiefs can see the picture a lot clearer than the driver can. I want to help my teammates. I want my teammates to be in the Chase. I want Rick (Hendrick) to have as much opportunity to have a chance to win a championship as he can as an owner.”

    Joey Logano, in his first season with Penske Racing, is also in fairly comfortable shape. Logano currently sits eighth in points, ten points ahead of tenth place. He also has one win this season. Logano commented on Thursday about his Chase hopes, “We had a really good test here. I feel like our car is going to be pretty fast. We finished third here in the spring. Really, I mean, the only thing you can do is go out there and keep doing what you’ve been doing.”

    In addition to Kahne, Martin Truex Jr. also hold a wildcard spot. He will be battling with Ryan Newman for that spot, assuming Logano and Biffle stay inside the top ten. Of course, as stated before, the major domino, Kasey Kahne, could completely change everything if he moves into the top ten. Also, if Gordon, McMurray, or Keselowski win and end up with a higher point total, that will change the scenario for Newman and Truex.

    A major story this weekend is defending champion Brad Keselowski. He has a huge hurdle to overcome to make it into the Chase. He currently sits 15th in the standings, 28 points outside the top ten, without a win. Keselowski needs to win and beat out Truex and Newman by significant amounts to clinch a wildcard spot. Keselowski commented Thursday night, “I feel like we’re a great race team. I feel like in the sports world, especially racing, you can only really control how fast you are and how well you execute. You can’t control the luck side. We’ve had a lot of bad luck. There’s been some times when we haven’t executed.”

    All in all, it should be another great show at a great racetrack. NASCAR should be commended for their decision to put the final race of the regular season at Richmond. The speedway always provides drama and amazing battles. It will be one for the memory banks.

    The green flag for the Federated Auto Parts 400 will fall at 7:30 pm local time.

  • The Countdown Hits Three: Who Will Make the 2013 Chase?

    The Countdown Hits Three: Who Will Make the 2013 Chase?

    Three night races are all that remain before the 2013 chase field is set. The sand in the hour glass is running out and the time to make something happen is now. The tension in the garage is palpable and the intense feeling of trepidation among the teams in the danger zone is growing with every passing race. Procuring a chase berth means you have a shot to become the next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) titlist. Glory, money and a place among NASCAR’s immortals; that is what they are all fighting for. They are fighting to ensure the longevity of their titles hopes…it’s an obvious fact that you can”t win the championship if you don’t secure a spot in the chase first

    Multi-million dollar sponsors pay to see you put their car in the elite twelve. Millions of loyal fans cheer you on until their voices become raspy because they want to see you make postseason headlines. The pressure to succeed is always there but it isn’t truly felt until this time of the year rolls around. The stakes are high and failure isn’t an option for chase hopefuls although failure will be the inevitable result of the futile efforts by some. A position suddenly means so much more now and you will see drivers throw a whole race away as they try desperately to gain just one more point; the point that could make their season or break it. The innocuous driving that we’ve watched all year will rescind as we get closer and closer to Richmond. This is a race within a race; one none of these men are willing to lose.

    Photo Credit: LAT Photographic
    Photo Credit: LAT Photographic

    To earn your place in the 2013 chase, you must first conquer the treacherous Bristol Motor Speedway. When you go to Bristol, you leave your manners at the entrance gate. The racing will be rough, tempers will flare, sparks will fly under the lights and sheet metal will most certainly be twisted into 3,000lb piles of smoldering wreckage. To survive Bristol, a driver must take what they can and give nothing back. They must race every lap like it’s the last because if they don’t, the race leader will be knocking on their rear bumper shortly as he proceeds to lap the field. A driver can be their own worst enemy at this concrete Colosseum and out of control emotions have ruined the races of even the greatest racers in the past. This track will bring you to your knees and is notorious for destroying the dreams of many chase hopefuls in a heartbeat.

    Atlanta Motor Speedway is no Bristol but it’s no walk in the park either. At speeds that will break the 200mph barrier and restarts that will see the pack fanning out three and four wide; a steady hand on the wheel and nerves of steel are a necessity at this historic venue. This is the penultimate race before the chase commences so a bad run here will most likely doom the chase hopes for that individual. The last ten winners at Atlanta all went on to make the chase; 2006 was the last time that didn’t happen. This race is notorious for being hard on engines making patience a virtue and drivers must walk the thin line of aggression and over driving as they try to get all they can without making any imprudent decisions. That’s why drivers such as Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards have all excelled here.

    Lastly, we have Richmond. Richmond will be all or nothing for a lot of people while others will do their best to survive the inevitable short track carnage that will ensue and bring home a solid finish…easier said than done. Being a short track and the final race to make something happen; Richmond will definitely put on one hell of a show. Desperate drivers will do desperate things in order to get their team in the chase and then there are always the ones that are already locked in but want some more of those precious bonus points. Carl Edwards knows all to well how important those bonus points can be. It will be a wild night under the lights at Richmond; you can be sure of that. The race will feature some of the most aggressive driving of the year and with everything that’s on the line; there’s sure to be some incensed drivers when the dust settles.

    With all this being said, one looming question remains…who will make the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup chase?

    The Solid Six – “The solid 6″ is what I’m calling the top six in points right now. They are Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards. Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth. Four of them have won multiple races, everyone in the top five is a full race ahead of 11th and all of them have shown a lot of muscle this year either by winning or with consistency. They will all surely make the chase unless something catastrophic or unforeseen happens like the unfortunate situation with Tony Stewart.

    Photo Credit: USA Today
    Photo Credit: USA Today

    The Danger Zone –This label is applied to the drivers just barely within or just outside the top 10 and are currently winless in 2013. Those drivers are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski, Kurt Busch, and Jeff Gordon. We have quite an impressive group of drivers in this category but despite how good of a driver they all are; some will miss out on a chance at the 2013 championship. Dale Jr. has only recently had his name added to this anxious and nervous list after a few poor finishes have all but caused his cushion over 11th to vanish. Jr. is is not known to win many races so that might make his fans a little nervous with him so close to the cutoff. I have some good news though…the next three tracks are all ones Earnhardt has been fast at in the past so you shouldn’t be too concerned about him unless the bad luck that has hindered him lately continues.

    Here’s something no one saw coming…defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski has yet to win this year and is right on the edge of falling out of the top 10. Last month, I would have told you that he’s done but my opinion has been altered after his last three performances. The No.2 team seems to have finally found their niche again and are back to clicking away great runs on a weekly basis. Bristol is one of Brad’s best tracks and I firmly believe that the reigning champ will have a presence in the chase this year.

    Speaking of champs…how about Jeff Gordon? He finds himself in the middle of the danger zone and he’s beginning to make that a habit lately to the displeasure of his many fans but 4-time seems to always get the job done in the end. I’m sorry but the feel good story of Richmond last year won’t do it again in 2013 and that’s not a knock on Jeff. His team hasn’t shown much strength this year and look no further than the Pure Michigan 400 for proof of that. I don’t see them pointing this sinking ship in the right direction in time to make the chase but they will hopefully turn it around in 2014.

    Kurt Busch is another former champion that’s trying to hold his ground in the top 10 with no wins. He has turned a lot of heads this year driving for Furniture Row Racing. He’s made that team a contender on a weekly basis and if fate was kinder (and his pit crew was faster/made less mistakes), he’d have multiple wins already. Based on the way they are performing at every kind of track this year, I see the flat black No.78 in the chase this year. He he will most certainly win a race in 2013 but maybe not before Richmond so I count on him holding his own inside the top 10.

    Wild Card Race – This category is fairly self-explanatory. It’s the guys that have wins but find themselves in the danger zone. They are Greg Biffle, Kasey Kahne, Martin Truex Jr, Joey Logano and Ryan Newman. Kasey Kahne is the only driver in this group that has multiple wins in 2013 and he will definitely make the chase in my opinion either via a wild card or by positioning himself inside the top 10. He’s shown a lot of muscle this year and I’m sticking to my prediction that I made back in March; he will be a threat for the championship regardless of his recent travails.

    I believe that Greg Biffle and Martin Truex Jr will both put up a valiant effort but in the end, it will be to no avail. I see “lame duck” Ryan Newman taking the wild card while these two endure a very poignant moment as they realize that a chase berth has slipped through their fingers. Newman is motivated and has something to fight for besides just a spot in the chase which makes him a much more volatile opponent. He’s also Stewart-Haas’ only hope to win the title now and it would be foolish to underestimate the tenacity and determination of the “Rocket Man.” I predict that he will make his way into the chase at the expense of Truex Jr. and Biffle.

    Photo Credit: Simon Scoggins
    Photo Credit: Simon Scoggins

    The proverbial wild card in this wild card race has to be Joey Logano. His win in the “Motor City” gained him credence as a threat for the wild card but my feelings regarding Joey’s chase chances are still ambivalent. A driver becomes unpredictable after tasting victory lane for the first time this far into a season. They may suddenly go on a tear and catapult themselves into chase contention or they may just quietly miss out on all the postseason fun.

    Just look at Ryan Newman for proof of what I’m talking about. He has spent a lot more time up front since his surprise win in the Brickyard 400. I’ve always said that motivation and confidence has an uncanny way of giving a driver a few extra horses under the hood. Joey had a great run at Bristol in March before Denny Hamlin found his rear bumper so don’t count this guy out but only time will tell if he is truly a contender or just a pretender.

    All Or Nothing – The “all or nothing” guys is a very dangerous contingent of drivers due to the obvious fact that they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. The only way to keep their chase hopes alive is if they win. They are the drivers in the teens that have no wins and haven’t shown that they have the ability to make a run for the top 10. Said drivers are Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard and Aric Almirola. All three of them are stretches to make the chase and would most likely need two wins to make it. I highly doubt that any of them will get even one win before the chase but the chance is still there so keep an eye on them if any of the three should end up winning Bristol or Atlanta.

    It will be very interesting as we watch the best NASCAR has to offer battle tooth and nail to procure a cede in the 2013 chase in these final three races. Now I’d like to hear your thoughts…feel free to post your theories on who makes the chase below and I’d love to debate it with you!

  • Chase hopefuls on the outside looking in

    Chase hopefuls on the outside looking in

    There are just ten races remaining before NASCAR enters it’s “playoff” season – the Chase for the Championship. After race No. 26, drivers that are in the top-10 in points are locked in and they are the drivers that are eligible to win the championship. There are also two wildcard spots available. Drivers who are in positions 11-20 are eligible for a wildcard. The criteria to earn a wildcard is based on wins. The two drivers with the most wins get the two spots, with their points being the tie-breaker.

    This season has seen a very tight points battle between just inside the top-10 to 15th. These drivers are fighting hard to get inside or stay inside the top-10. They also need to score as many victories as possible to lock in a wildcard in case they miss the top-10.

    There is also a fierce battle for drivers trying get into or stay inside the top-20. These drivers have two concerns. First, they must get inside the top-20, second they must have more wins than the drivers ahead of them in points.

    Currently there are several drivers on the outside looking in, or just barely inside trying to stay in and secure a coveted spot in the Chase for the Championship.

    Kyle Busch – Currently 8th in points, but only 16 points ahead of Kasey Kahne in 11th.

    Plus – Kyle does have two wins which gives him some security.

    Minus – Toyota has struggled with engine problems this season. They have sacrificed some       horsepower for durability.

    Brad Keselowski – Currently 9th in points, just nine points ahead of 11th place.

    Plus – Brad has ran well at times and as defending series champion, has experienced team.

    Minus – The team changed to Ford this season and Ford’s, as a whole, have been a little lackluster. The team has also seemed to struggle to catch up after they were penalized for illegal rear end housings setups.

    Martin Truex Jr. – Currently 10th in points, only 8 points ahead of 11th.

    Plus – Martin is the series’ most recent winner and has confidence and momentum heading into crucial time of the season.

    Minus – Team has struggled to “close the deal”.

    Kasey Kahne – Currently 8 points outside the top-10 in 11th

    Plus – Kahne has ran strong this season, has one win. Solid performer all season.

    Minus – Has had some bad luck, recently blew tire while leading at Michigan. Needs to stay consistent

    Paul Menard – Currently 12th in points, tied with 11th

    Plus – Paul has shown promise. In midst of best season of career. Team confidence is high

    Minus – Team has started strong in past, but faded during middle of season

    Jeff Gordon – Currently 13th in points, 12 points out of 10th

    Plus – Jeff has performed well at times

    Minus – Does not have a win, and has been very inconsistent. Must find victory lane, must find confidence

    Joey Logano – Currently 14th in points, 14 points out of 10th

    Plus – Joey has ran stronger this season than any time in his career. Fitting in nicely at Penske Racing

    Minus – Same as teammate – The team changed to Ford this season and Ford’s, as a whole, have been a little lackluster. The team has also seemed to struggle to catch up after they were penalized for illegal rear end housings setups.

    Tony Stewart – Currently 15th points, 20 points out of 10th

    Plus – Team has one win. Tony very experienced in championship battles. Gets support and equipment from Hendrick Motorsports. Has seemed to improve lately. Tony runs well at this time of season

    Minus – Team has been wildly inconsistent. Struggled in many races

    Kurt Busch – Currently 17th in points, 28 points out of 10th

    Plus – Team has ran extremely well. Receives support and engines from Richard Childress Racing

    Minus – Team seems to beat themselves. Constant battle to overcome small problems of their own creation.

     

    Jamie McMurray – Currently 21st in points, 8 pints out of top-20

    Plus – Team has improved recently and had strong runs.

    Minus – Very inconsistent, needs wins badly, does not seem to be able to close the deal

    Marcos Ambrose – Currently 22nd in points, 23 points out of top-20

    Plus – Team seems to be showing improvement recently

    Minus – Lack consistently. Missed best opportunity for a win at Sonoma. Must win to get in

    The next ten races for each of these teams are crucial. They must find their problems, fix them and acquire all the pints they possibly can. We are in the closing moments and now is no time to fumble the ball and beat yourself. Discipline and performance will make or break their season. This is the time when true champions shine, and the cream rises to the top.

    NASCAR has achieved the goals they desired when they created the Chase format and then enhanced it with the wildcard spots. There are many exciting points battles throughout the standings. At any time during a race there are several races within the race. Many times we come down to the last race of the regular season before we know who is in and who is out.

  • Admiring Junior’s Decision While Pondering the State of the Sport

    Admiring Junior’s Decision While Pondering the State of the Sport

    [media-credit name=”Brad Keppel” align=”alignright” width=”227″][/media-credit]One has to admire Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Even though medical test couldn’t show that he had a concussion, he knew something was wrong and the symptoms indicated that he shouldn’t drive a stock car. How many drivers would have come to the same conclusion? If the comments of Jeff Gordon are any indication, not very many would have. The old adage about a good athlete playing through pain does not equate to traveling at high speeds in a Sprint Cup car. I am reminded of a recent conversation with former All-American quarterback Pat White, who suffered a concussion while playing for the Miami Dolphins. When asked if he might suit up again, he commented, “Life’s too precious.” And it is.

    The fear is now that Earnhardt will come back too early, and the pressure is on for him to return in two weeks. That shouldn’t even be a concern to Earnhardt. Despite reports that people were leaving the campgrounds upon learning of Earnhardt’s absence from Charlotte Motor Speedway (by the way, I saw no such exodus from the Hellmann’s campground on Thursday. The place was empty anyway), Junior’s health is more important and he is to be commended for visiting Dr. Petty and getting treatment.

    The issue of attendance is in play because lately NASCAR’s top series has been playing to less than good crowds. This weekend, the “official” attendance figures were a joke. The Nationwide Series race on Friday night was poorly attended and the 100,000 estimate for Saturday night’s Sprint Cup race was laughable. The campground that I have parked in for several years was nearly empty before the Earnhardt announcement. Once upon a time, you had to squeeze into your camping space, but no more. There was a hundred yards between our camper and the next attendant. It was the same all over the speedway property campgrounds. Traffic was so sparse that for the first time, a quick trip to the grocery could be taken a couple of hours before the race without problems. The reasons are many and have little to do with the absence of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. So what is it?

    The NASCAR line is it’s the economy, as we’ve mentioned before in these pages, but it’s a lot more than that. Take this weekend as an example. With temperatures in the low fifties by the time the Friday night race started, many people just decided to skip the event, which was a shame. It was action packed from start to finish. Saturday night was somewhat different. With tickets costing upwards of $100, more people attended. It’s obvious to everyone but those in charge that a night race in October is not the best idea. I doubt that will change anything, but it is a reason.

    Secondly, unlike the Nationwide race on Friday, the Cup race was less than exciting. With Chase points so precious, as well as fuel mileage rearing its ugly head, drivers were cautious and not very racy. The race started with a wonderful side-by-side battle between Greg Biffle and Mark Martin and morphed into several runaway leads. The only excitement was who would run out of fuel and who wouldn’t coupled with a final push by Denny Hamlin that fell way short. The Chase has become so important that taking chances and actually winning races is secondary to how many points might be gained on any given night. Headlines from scribes much more talented than me were dominated on how many points Brad Keselowski lost to Jimmie Johnson and how far behind Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth were in the “big picture.” No matter that Kenseth had just won Talladega. He and Biffle are non-factors. Clint Bowyer’s win was only significant because he narrowed the gap in the almighty Chase. Madness.

    Attendance at races, contrary to popular belief, has more to do with a championship or a single driver. Each event should stand on its own with every driver not seeking points, but victories. That’s the way it used to be. The winner each week was the champion and got the spoils of victory for the week. Maybe it’s the fact that so many don’t have a realistic chance at victory these days. It wasn’t whether you drove for a certain team or manufacturer. It was desire and ingenuity. And the race was the ultimate in any given week. Those days are gone with playoffs and wild cards, more suited to stick and ball sports than racing ruling the roost. I hope Junior uses his head and makes sure he is ready to race again and does not succumb to pressure. As Pat White would say, “life’s too precious,” and points are only points.

  • Talladega Tidbits – NASCAR’s “wildcard” race

    Talladega Tidbits – NASCAR’s “wildcard” race

    [media-credit name=”Credit: Chris Trotman/Getty Images for NASCAR” align=”alignright” width=”237″][/media-credit]As we enter race No.4 of the 2012 Chase, a definite separation in the points standings has become apparent. The front-runners, Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson, and Denny Hamlin are hoping to make it through NASCAR’s “wildcard” race unscathed. If things go well, they could solidify their lead and put themselves in a great position for the final six races. Though anything can happen at any race, Talladega has a statistical higher probability of being the fly in the ointment. If a team makes it through without losing anything, it takes away a little stress and quiets that small, annoying voice in the back of their mind. If disaster strikes, it can create much more pressure going forward.

    The irony is that the top three drivers didn’t qualify well. Johnson will start 17th, with Keselowski and Hamlin taking the green in 22nd and 23rd respectively. This puts them in the middle of the pack at the start on a track that received some rain last night making it more unpredictable than usual. These teams will be on edge until the pack settles down.

    Clint Bowyer who is 25 points behind the leader, is in the mid-pack position. He is not tight with the leaders, but within a moderately easy striking distance. Fortunately for Bowyer, he had a solid qualifying effort on Saturday and will start third. This will permit him to hopefully be in front of any early race altercations. Bowyer’s spirit were high in the garage area Saturday and his relaxed mood a key ingredient for a successful race at NASCAR’s largest oval.

    Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne are on top of the second group of drivers.  Stewart and Kahne are 32 points back. Kahne put his Hendrickcars.com Chevy on the pole and Stewart will roll off fourth. More importantly, Stewart will lineup behind his teammate Ryan Newman who qualified second.

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. is 39 points back, but has a very successful record at Talladega. “I feel pretty good, because I have nothing to lose.” Earnhardt said yesterday. This attitude could be the formula he needs to have a solid day on Sunday.

    Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick and Roush-Fenway drivers Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth haven’t been very strong since the Chase started. They cannot afford to have anything go wrong and need the leaders to stumble or today’s race could be the end of their championship hopes. Biffle’s No.16 team has already changed their goal from championship to just trying to make it to the top five.

    Jeff Gordon is tenth in the points, 48 points back, however, Gordon’s performance has been solid. After getting caught up in a crash at Chicagoland, race 1 of the Chase, and finishing 35th, Gordon followed it up with second and third. The No.24 team were very happy with their car on Saturday and are very confident about Sunday’s race. Gordon will start sixth in the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500.

    The feeling in the garage area is that there will be a shake-up in the points and that we will have a lot to talk about on Monday.  Roush-Fenway must step up their performance and RCR needs to find what they are missing to have any chance at moving up in the standings.

  • After a solid regular season, Biffle just hoping for top 5

    After a solid regular season, Biffle just hoping for top 5

    [media-credit name=”Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]No DNF’s, 99.9% laps completed (only missed five laps of 8,231), 2 wins, 10 top fives, 15 top tens, 14 weeks atop the points standings. These numbers indicate a spectacular season, and one that many Sprint Cup drivers would love to have. However, even with all this success, Greg Biffle, who has struggled in the Chase, with finishes of 13th, 18th, 16th, is now focusing on trying finish in the top 5 in the season standings.

    “I feel we’re racing for a top-five finish in the points. We really want to get in the top five in points.” Biffle said.

    Biffle, who is known for being a hard charging driver, recently had his radio communications with his team become news when he expressed displeasure with his crew after they left a wheel loose last week at Dover. Many are saying this could be the result of pressure to perform.

    In fairness to Biffle, his Roush-Fenway teammates aren’t performing very well either. Only he and teammate Matt Kenseth made in into the Chase, and Kenseth is the only driver behind Biffle in the standings. Biffle’s intense personality and seeing what appeared to be “his year” slipping away, may be the undoing of the No.16 team’s season. If he and the team can stay focused, their goal of a top five points finish may be attainable.  But as Biffle says, “We’ve got a big hill to climb”

    “Can we win the title? Sure. I mean, obviously we can, but the deck is kind of stacked against us. We’ve got a big hill to climb, but nobody here is saying that we’re not gonna try or we’re not gonna do it. We’re gonna have to try all we can to get in the top five. Look at the guys from 13th and back that aren’t in the Chase, they’re trying to win too.” Biffle said.

    In the final two practices on Friday at Talladega, Biffle wound up 14th and 15th respectively, but with only four top tens in his career at Talladega, Biffle may have to hope to play a “wildcard” at NASCAR’s “wildcard” race.