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Tag: Clint Bowyer

  • The Final Word – A Southern 500 that took us on a nice ride back to the future

    The Final Word – A Southern 500 that took us on a nice ride back to the future

    Tradition. On Sunday, we learned that tradition means something. We learned it is actually worth waiting for its return, though why it took NASCAR a decade to solve the hot, muggy conditions of a day race in early September by simply moving it to the evening still boggles the mind. The Southern 500 was back, back to where and when it belonged, along with throwback paint schemes and other nods to the past. Tradition.

    We learned that Ken Squier should be cloned. He is to auto racing what Vin Scully is to baseball, a poet with a microphone who has the gift to paint vivid pictures through prose, to enhance the action we see with our own eyes, to allow us to commune with the best of the sport’s past even as we watch its future unfold before us. One is an 80-year-old legend who we got to hear from again on Sunday night, the other is an 87-year old Dodger icon. We learned that sometimes the best of what is has been with us all along. Tradition.

    Jeff Gordon, for one. Seven times he managed to not just survive but to thrive on the track too tough to tame over the course of his career. He finished 16th on Sunday in his event curtain call. Jimmie Johnson, a six-time Cup king and three-time Darlington winner, was 19th. These two eventual Hall of Famers were seen last weekend in the company as such past stars as Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, and Bill Elliott. Terry Labonte was the Grand Marshal. Ned Jarrett was put to work in the broadcast booth, alongside his son Dale. Tradition.

    We learned that even though it is possible for 26 drivers to win a race from Daytona in February to Richmond later this month, it seems improbable. Only 11 different pilots have shaken the suds in Victory Lane this season, with the last first-time victor coming in the form of Martin Truex Jr. three months ago. For the second time this season it was Carl Edwards doing the backflip at the finish line, his first at Darlington’s Lady in Black. Once again, the same 16 drivers sitting in a Chase place coming in will be the same when they hit the line at Richmond next Saturday night.

    Racing began in Darlington in 1950. Three years later, the Richmond tradition got its start. Potential winless Chasers have won there, including Gordon, Ryan Newman and Clint Bowyer. Drivers such as Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne have claimed the prize before, and their only route to the Chase is to do it again this Saturday night. Of the quintet, though, only Bowyer has done so in the past decade. In fact, 19 of the other past 20 Richmond winners have already punched their tickets for this season’s Chase. Unless there is a break in tradition, the 20th should as well.

    The 20 Richmond race winners over the past ten years include…

    Kyle Busch (4)
    Jimmie Johnson (3)
    Kevin Harvick (3)
    Denny Hamlin (2)
    Kurt Busch (2)
    Clint Bowyer (2)
    Brad Keselowski
    Carl Edwards
    Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    Joey Logano

  • Hot 20 – The Southern 500…a tradition truly reborn this Labor Day weekend!

    Hot 20 – The Southern 500…a tradition truly reborn this Labor Day weekend!

    It is the Southern 500 coming our way from Darlington on Sunday night. Interestingly, I do not view it as one of the circuit’s marquee tracks, where you do not dare touch the fast-forward button. However, like Indianapolis, it is one of the Cup Series marquee events where a win gets you remembered.

    After a few years of tinkering around with tradition, something NASCAR seems more than eager to do until the manure hits the ventilation system, the Southern 500 is back for the Labor Day weekend. It worked from 1950 until someone had a bright idea in time for the 2004 event. They pushed the legendary race back to November so that fans would no longer have to face the heat of day in September. That, and they thought it also a brilliant move to give the 500’s date to California after it had taken Rockingham’s spot on the calendar. I wonder how that worked out for them?

    Somebody sued so that Texas could have a second race, and they got it when the Lady in Black’s spring date was spirited away. Then to prove their astute understanding of its fan base, they moved the race to Mother’s Day before dropping the iconic “Southern 500″ moniker entirely for four seasons, starting in 2005. Then they did not have a title sponsor in 2009, at least before Go Daddy came on board, so the Southern 500, now presented by Go Daddy.com, was back.

    The tinkering did not end there, of course. Sponsors come and go, but traditions remain…except in NASCAR. In 2014, the race date was shipped to April before someone came up with a bright idea. No, really. They moved the Southern 500 back to the Labor Day weekend, but as had been the case since its rebirth, they scheduled it for Sunday night to avoid the heat that started all the nonsense a decade before.

    The fact they installed lights in 2004, just before they moved the date to avoid the heat, doesn’t make much sense, either, come to think of it. However, let us just be glad the Southern 500 is truly back with cars with paint schemes from Darlington’s glory years.

    The Hot 20 as they challenge “The Track Too Tough to Tame” include…

    1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 4 WINS
    Christopher Walken’s favorite driver. More cowbell!

    2. KYLE BUSCH – 4 WINS
    Looking to finish two spots up on Cole Whitt to claim his Chase place. Let the battle begin.

    3. JOEY LOGANO – 3 WINS
    The Shell logo on his car is one I remember…from way back…when I had hair…and youth.

    4. MATT KENSETH – 3 WINS
    After running less than 60 miles at Bristol, he should be well rested for Darlington

    5. KEVIN HARVICK – 2 WINS
    I keep underwear longer than he keeps a house.

    6. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 2 WINS
    Is Junior interested in driving IndyCar? Apparently, the answer is “no, no, no, no.”

    7. KURT BUSCH – 2 WINS
    Kurt is engaged. It would be easy to come up with a punchline, but I truly wish him happiness.

    8. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN
    Frank Kimmel, 10 time ARCA champ and Brad’s matchmaker.

    9. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN
    Furniture Row might not be big, but you cannot say they have not been successful.

    10. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN
    Only problem with a throwback weekend is do you go with a Ned, Cale, or Jaws scheme?

    11. CARL EDWARDS – 1 WIN
    Worst driver at Gibbs Racing? Honestly, I do not believe there is such a thing.

    12. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 696 POINTS
    After claiming a Brickyard 400 and a Daytona 500, he needs a little trinket from Darlington.

    13. RYAN NEWMAN – 683 POINTS
    Riding along the walls at Darlington, it might be best to be driving a Caterpillar.

    14. PAUL MENARD – 674 POINTS
    Paul won the XFINITY race last week. I used to outrun my baby sister.

    15. JEFF GORDON – 672 POINTS
    Only driver whose throwback paint scheme could be one of his own.

    16. CLINT BOWYER – 655 POINTS
    Sitting pretty, unless the wrong guy wins on Sunday. Then it could get ugly.

    17. ARIC ALMIROLA – 620 POINTS
    The King won 200 times. Aric needs just one.

    18. KASEY KAHNE – 618 POINTS
    Will be channeling his inner Geoff Bodine this weekend.

    19. GREG BIFFLE – 572 POINTS
    Roll them dice. Daddy needs a win.

    20. AUSTIN DILLON – 564 POINTS
    Race car driver, former Little League World Series player, now basketball star?

  • NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Bristol

    NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Bristol

    Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

    1. Kyle Busch: Busch suffered from a loose wheel early in the race before picking his way back into the top 5 at Bristol. But a late pit road speeding penalty cost him a chance at the win, finishing eighth.

    “It was still a strong day for Joe Gibbs Racing,” Busch said. “JGR went 1-2-3-4 in qualifying and place three cars in the top 10. That’s quite a stable Joe’s got right now. Take my brother Kyle and myself at our worse, and you’ve got yourself an ‘unstable.’”

    2. Kevin Harvick: Harvick chased Joey Logano over the final laps at Bristol, but Logano’s No. 22 Penske machine was just too strong. Harvick settled for second, his second-consecutive runner-up finish and 11th of the season.

    “We certainly weren’t helped by two pit road speeding penalties,” Harvick said. “At 30 miles per hour, a drive-through penalty is brutal. At that speed, Bristol’s pit road is much like Kyle Petty’s ponytail—long and grey.”

    3. Joey Logano: Logano won his second straight Bristol night race, holding off Kevin Harvick over the final laps to win the Irwin Tools Night Race.

    “I knew I couldn’t make a mistake with Harvick behind me,” Logano said. “Obviously, this Penske driver reacts a little better from a push from Harvick.”

    4. Matt Kenseth: Kenseth blew an engine early at Bristol, spoiling an otherwise solid day for Joe Gibbs Racing.

    “Did this Toyota engine come from Michael Waltrip Racing?” Kenseth said, “because it just quit on me.”

    5. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson was solid at Bristol, finishing fourth for his first top-five result since a second at Daytona in July.

    “With six Sprint Cup championships,” Johnson said, “I obviously have the look of a champion. Now, with the new fragrance ‘Burnt Rubber,’ anyone can smell like a champion. And if you have the nerve to go to the fragrance counter and ask for Burnt Rubber, then you certainly won’t be phased by extreme speeds. Just make sure you ask for ‘Burnt Rubber’ by name, lest you may end up with the Jeremy Mayfield knockoff brand, ‘Speed In A Bottle.’”

    6. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Earnhardt took advantage of two “Lucky Dog” free passes and recorded a ninth-place finish at Bristol. He is third in the Sprint Cup points standings, 89 out of first.

    “Danica Patrick has a new sponsor in Nature’s Bakery,’” Earnhardt said. “Now people can finally say she’s got ‘natural’ talent and actually believe it.”

    7. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski led four laps and finished sixth in the Irwin Tools Night Race as Penske Racing teammate Joey Logano captured the win.

    “Logano showed a load of maturity holding off Harvick,” Keselowski said. “That gives Joey three wins this season. I have only one. I guess we know who wears the firesuit on this team.”

    8. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex suffered from a collection of misfortune at Bristol and finished 28th at Bristol, five laps down.

    “They call Bristol Motor Speedway ‘The Last Great Colosseum,’” Truex said. “I guess that means the drivers are gladiators. Instead of fighting to the death, fans in the stands are bored to death.”

    9. Carl Edwards: Edwards led 74 laps at Bristol and was out front on lap 355 when he suffered a flat tire. He still managed a seventh-place finish, joining Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch in the top 10.

    “A flat tire while leading is the very definition of ‘untimely,’” Edwards said. “What is the very definition of ‘timely?’ Leaving Roush Fenway Racing when I did. Jack Roush may be the ‘Cat In The Hat,’ and chances are he owns the ‘Car In The Rear.’”

    10. Kurt Busch: Busch finished 14th, one lap down, at Bristol, after damaging his car in an incident with David Ragan.

    “What do you expect from a Michael Waltrip Racing driver?” Busch said. “Ragan was driving like there was no tomorrow.

    “I guess you’ve heard that MWR released Clint Bowyer from his contract. And I think I’m qualified to announce that Bowyer is not a secret agent, but a free agent.”

  • The Final Word – Bristol Delivers Great Action but Few Surprises

    The Final Word – Bristol Delivers Great Action but Few Surprises

    Saturday night at Bristol is behind us, so what have we learned? First, I was reminded how much I love the action broadcast from that track. Second, I like pack racing. I do not need 20 or 30 cars all bunched together, but seeing four or five on the screen battling for position is pretty cool. Hell, it is downright exciting.

    We learned that, in the end, it came down to Joey Logano holding off Kevin Harvick. Harvick got close, but Logano was the closer on Saturday. A third win on the season, the 25-year-old has 11 over his career in chalking up his 100th Top Ten. For the runner-up, he has recorded 17 Top Fives, 21 Top Tens, in 24 events. If Harvick wants more than his two victories, no better time than in the fall.

    We learned that a pit penalty or a flat tire or a spin does not necessarily mean the day is done, even on a half mile track. Kyle Busch gets a late pit penalty. Finished eighth. Clint Bowyer spun out. Finished fifth. Carl Edwards lost the lead with a flat and went two laps down. Finished seventh. Not a win, but not a disaster, either.

    We learned that Kyle Larson’s much-needed win would not come on that day. Lost a tire, found the wall, became a pinata, finished 41st. It no longer mattered, as a win and only a win will get him into the Chase. Matt Kenseth has a couple of wins, so when his engine blew up early it did not matter that he finished 42nd.

    We learned that everybody in a Chase place coming in stayed in one when they left. We also learned that nobody without a win is guaranteed the same when they leave Darlington. It might be a tad of a stretch, but even Jamie McMurray is vulnerable. Okay, it would take an Aric Almirola win, a Bowyer runner-up finish, and McMurray finishing dead last…but it could happen.

    We learned, or were reminded, that like Daytona, Talladega, and the road courses, Bristol could be a stand alone event. No need to be bothered by who is where in the standings or give a second thought as to the Chase or anything else other than the race itself.

    That is a good thing, as we hope the Southern 500 in Darlington brings us more of the same. Greg Biffle hopes for more of the same he enjoyed in 2005 and 2006. He is the lone active driver not currently in the Chase who has won there, and he will need to do it again to ensure his own invite to the party.

    On a personal note, this past week has been a time for celebration and contemplation in my family. Last Thursday, my mother Mae passed away after a lengthy illness. Since then, the 22 people who make up our immediate family; my father, my wife and sons, my brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews; have gathered together remembering Mom. For such a somber occasion, there has been a whole lot of laughter, which has always been our way. That was always Mom’s gift to us, and she would have loved it.

  • Surprising and Not Surprising: Bristol Irwin Tools Night Race

    Surprising and Not Surprising: Bristol Irwin Tools Night Race

    With lots of discussion and questions about restarts in the drivers’ meeting prior to the race, here is what was surprising and not surprising after the checkered flag flew on the 55Th Annual Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

    Surprising:  Joey Logano took a page from ‘Through the Looking Glass’ as he battled against Kevin Harvick and the rest of the field to take the checkered flag at Bristol Motor Speedway. This was the third win of the season for the driver of the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford for Team Penske.

    “It was kind of interesting to watch it in the mirror,” Logano said. “I was watching him (Harvick) drive in and I was like, ‘He’s going to get me eventually,’ so I just wanted to make sure I stayed at least three or four car lengths up on him so he didn’t get to me.

    “There’s not much time to look in the rearview mirror, but I realized how different his line was than mine.  He’d drive in so hard and almost get to my back bumper and then I’d drive off really good.  It’s kind of interesting to watch a race like that when two cars are a similar speed but in two complete different ways.  That’s what’s so fun about Bristol is you can drive the car about five or six different ways and make it fast, so it’s fun to race here.

    “That’s what we did and that’s what we do every week.  We just try to keep our heads calm and cool and just run our race.

    “I feel like we’re right where we need to be, just like we were last year at this point.  I can’t wait for the Chase to start.”

    Not Surprising:  It was a twofer for the No. 4 car, who turned two pit road penalties into another second place finish.

    “Yeah, we had an interesting night,” Kevin Harvick said after finishing second for the 10th time this season. “We went to the back twice and passed a bunch of cars.

    “I think, all in all, it’s just a huge credit to the team. They just keep bringing fast cars to the race track and we’re able to overcome a lot of things.

    “So, it’s just great to be a part of a team like this and just really excited to be able to run like this at Bristol.”

    Surprising:  It was a blowout of the unwanted kind for Kyle Larson, who had such high hopes coming into the Bristol night race. The driver of the No. 42 Target Chevrolet had a tire blow out when he stayed out after taking just two tires, finishing 41st.

    “The first time we blew our left front we stayed out on two tires and we had a lot of laps on our lefts,” Larson said. “And we blew that one out. Later on we had a lot of damage and got really tight and blew the right front.

    “I guess on our left front the side wall got cut out. I don’t know if that was a wear issue or not. Then we got into the wall and we were pretty tight after that with lots of damage on the right side. So, probably just used up our right front tire because I couldn’t turn. I just hate it we hit the wall with a blown right front and ended our night.”

    Not Surprising:  By no means out but……could best describe Paul Menard, who finished 24th at Bristol and is hanging on to 12th in the point standings and 14th in the Chase grid at present.

    “This was not the finish we wanted when the weekend started at Bristol,” the driver of the No. 27 Knauf/Menards Chevrolet said. “We got behind early in the race and then were never able to make the improvements work to our advantage during the night. Then we ended up getting some damage there near the end and that didn’t help us any.

    “But, the good news is we fought through all that and finished the race. We are by no means out of the Chase for the Championship and look forward to being there after Richmond.”

    Surprising:  Ryan Newman apparently was doing his best imitation of David Copperfield, working some magic on his. No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet.

    “We took a 20th place car from Friday and turned it into a top 10 on Saturday,” Newman said. “Not the end result that we wanted, but a good points day for us. That is part of what we are racing for right now.”

    This was Newman’s second straight top-10 finish at Bristol and his 10th place finish advance him up to the 11th place in the championship point standings and 13th in the Chase Grid.

    Not Surprising:  After the devastating news of the demise of Michael Waltrip Racing for the 2016 season, Clint Bowyer fought the hard fight for his team, finishing fifth in his No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota.

    “MWR (Michael Waltrip Racing) really needed that run,” Bowyer said. “With that being said we desperately needed a solid run right there. I mean obviously you’re hungry for a win with this organization given everything it had and I drove my ass off, we just come up short.

    “I’m really proud of all of these guys on the 5-hour ENERGY Toyota. They’re digging man. It’s fun to be a part of this. It’s fun to be a part of a group that can answer the call when you gotta dig down and reach down a little bit more to get in that Chase and be a part of that elite group.

    “These guys are up for the challenge.”

    Surprising:  One young driver surprisingly logged an incredible number of laps at Bristol Motor Speedway, in fact, one thousand to be exact.

    “I could do it again,” Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 21 SKF Ford in the Cup race and driver in the Truck and Xfinity races as well. “It’s just nice to get all those laps under your belt and know the race track, what it does and learn for next time.”

    In the Cup race and after completing his one thousand Thunder Valley laps, Blaney finished 22nd.

    “It’s not the night we wanted, but we gained some good experience and hopefully we come back better.”

    Not Surprising:  As they have done for much of the season, Hendrick Motorsports shop mates Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. fared fairly well at Bristol where shop mates Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne continued to struggle.

    Johnson finished best in fourth in his No. 48 Lowe’s Pro Services Chevrolet, and Earnhardt Jr. popped off another top-10 finish in his No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet.  Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon, however, finished 16th and 20th respectively.

    Jeff Gordon, in his final year of Cup competition, currently sits 15th in the Chase grid after the Bristol race.

    Surprising:  Martin Truex Jr., who has been so consistently running for much of the season to date, took the biggest tumble in the point standings, falling two spots to the sixth spot. Truex had to go to a backup car, then had a lug nut issues, which put him back in the field, and finally was collected in an accident.

    “I felt we had a top-three car tonight, but the loose wheel really hurt our chances,” Cole Pearn, crew chief, said after the race.

    Not Surprising: As usual, given his dry wit, Matt Kenseth had the quote of the race after finishing 42nd due to engine failure, wishing for at least a text before going up in smoke.

    “It broke in the middle of the straightaway – it had that hop and that noise that it makes when you know you dropped a valve,” the driver of the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry said. “Something in the valve train, we dropped a valve or something it felt like and sounded like. Things like that happen.

    “They never warn you, it would be cool if they would send you a text or something. Just the middle of the straightaway it made that pop where you knew that was it.”

    As the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series prepares to head into the Chase, the racers get a needed weekend off next weekend.  On Sunday, September 6, racing will resume at historic Darlington Raceway.

     

  • Hot 20 – Bowyer soon to become a free agent as MWR goes part-time in 2016

    Hot 20 – Bowyer soon to become a free agent as MWR goes part-time in 2016

    Hot news this week is headlined by the near-demise of Michael Waltrip Racing. The team has announced that it will not run full-time entries in 2016 and that Clint Bowyer will indeed be a free agent after this season. It has been a bit of a bumpy ride for the team that Mikey built, and Rob Kauffman paid for, and with the money man headed elsewhere, the writing was all over the wall. Kauffman is looking to buy into the Ganassi operation, but that deal is not done. Bowyer could wind up there, or wherever an opening appears between now and next season.

    Danica Patrick has a new sponsor. With Go Daddy about to be Gone Daddy, Nature’s Bakery has decided that sponsoring the only woman in Sprint Cup is a great $20 million sponsorship opportunity. With just a single IndyCar win back in 2008 to go with her Budweiser Duel victory in 2013, she is not a great driver, but still a competent one with tons of drawing power. Plus, did you see her latest yoga video? I mean, I am a straight male and I fear the day I find something similar posted by Tony Stewart.

    Stewart has had some tough times, with results no better than Patrick’s since he broke his leg driving on dirt in 2013. Then came the tragedy in upstate New York a year ago. The family of Kevin Ward Jr. filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Stewart on Friday. It alleges Stewart drove his car up the track, gunned his engine, causing the vehicle to slide and strike Ward with the rear-right tire. As a father of a couple of lads about Kevin’s age, I understand the family’s course of action. It was either Stewart’s fault or, as what came out of the criminal investigation, their son had enough marijuana in his system to impair his judgement and that in an act of bravado he approached Stewart’s car on foot and simply got too close and was struck. As a parent, what would you want to believe?

    The action will be hot on Saturday night at Bristol, one of NASCAR’s fan favorite venues. There should be enough action to satisfy a television viewer who simply finds their way to the telecast, along with those who know what it all means for Kyle Busch, Bowyer, Aric Almirola, Kasey Kahne, and those behind them in the standings.

    Our Hot 20 heading into Bristol include…

    1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 4 WINS
    You know your focus is off when you can’t even remember where your pit stall is.

    2. KYLE BUSCH – 4 WINS
    Second in the standings, yet battling Cole Whitt for his playoff position.

    3. MATT KENSETH – 3 WINS
    Owned Michigan, has a down payment on Bristol.

    4. KEVIN HARVICK – 2 WINS
    Only three times he has missed finishing in the Top Ten…including Bristol in the springtime.

    5. JOEY LOGANO – 2 WINS
    Winner at the Brickyard and the Glen…you know, races one might actually remember.

    6. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 2 WINS
    Man, he feels like a woman. Really. I heard him say so. You can’t make something like this up.

    7. KURT BUSCH – 2 WINS
    Sure, his brother has more wins, but when it comes to points, baby, Kurt rules!

    8. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN
    Finished third and is still frustrated. I wonder if he has ever met Timmy Hill?

    9. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN
    He and Joey no doubt would like their splitters back, splitters back.

    10. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN
    Kyle and Matt and…what are the names of their two teammates again?

    11. CARL EDWARDS – 1 WIN
    Figures he has the car to beat at Bristol. Forty-two other drivers will attempt to prove him right.

    12. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 663 POINTS
    70 points up on Almirola, 47 ahead of Bowyer. McMurray remains good to go this Saturday.

    13. PAUL MENARD – 654 POINTS
    Along with Junior, loses 15 minutes of practice time this weekend due to inspection issues.

    14. RYAN NEWMAN – 649 POINTS
    Having an actress of the same name is confusing. I do not believe he is dating Jack Griffo.

    15. JEFF GORDON – 648 POINTS
    When they say “pull those belts tight, boys”, his boys tend to argue for a bit of slack.

    16. CLINT BOWYER – 616 POINTS
    NASCAR’s own bubble boy.

    17. ARIC ALMIROLA – 593 POINTS
    It would be a real shame if Clint has another bad day. Yes, it sure would be. Just ask Aric.

    18. KASEY KAHNE – 590 POINTS
    Now, if both Clint and Aric had bad days this Saturday night…

    19. GREG BIFFLE – 553 POINTS
    Three races in just over two weeks and he has to win one of them.

    20. KYLE LARSON – 548 POINTS
    Has done well in the few he has raced at Bristol. Now he needs to be great.

  • The Final Word – Michigan was Matt’s world and everyone else just happened to be in it

    The Final Word – Michigan was Matt’s world and everyone else just happened to be in it

    Matt Kenseth, this is your life. Well, at least Michigan was his race, his and his alone. Of the 200 laps run, Kenseth led 143 of them to claim his third of the season, and 34th of his career.

    It was a Joe Gibbs sort of day. His drivers finished first, fifth (Denny Hamlin), sixth (Carl Edwards), and 11th (Kyle Busch). In 23 events, his boys have laid claim to nine of them, and exactly half of the past 18.

    The only Gibbs owned outfit not yet secured in the Chase is that of Kyle Busch, he of four victories in just a dozen attempts. All he needs to do is stay among the Top 30 in points to make those wins count, and currently he sits 29th and 23 points to the good. Barring terrible misfortune, he should be able to build on that.

    Anyone in a Chase place a week ago remains in one today. Even Clint Bowyer, who tore up his car, tossed a bunch of points in the air, yet remains in by 23 points over Aric Almirola. That should pose no problems for him, unless he does it again or someone below him in the standings wins between now and when they wrap things up in Richmond.

    With Bristol next, a look at past active winners there indicates that all sit above him in the rankings…except one. That is where Kasey Kahne won in the spring of 2013. It is, in my opinion, one of NASCAR’s marquee venues. While it does not provide the surprise winners that Daytona and Talladega sometimes do, bad things often happen to good cars within that coliseum. Ben Hur would be at home on that track.

    Along with the usual great reasons to tune in a Bristol race, we will watch this one to see if Rowdy can build on his lead over Cole Whitt, who sits 31st in the standings. We will watch to see if Bowyer can rebuild his advantage over Almirola and Kahne. We will watch to see if what we saw last week from Austin Dillon, placing fourth and a challenger all day, might equate into a surprise win at a track he has thus far shown some strength at.

    I mean, at one time Jeff Gordon or neither Busch brother had won there, and they each now have five. No time like the present for Mr. Dillon to thrill Festus, Chester, Miss Kitty and Doc by laying claim to a Bristol checkered flag, taking a Chase place, and making life difficult for a few of his peers.

    Then again, Kenseth probably has desires of joining the five win club himself. The way the four-time Bristol victor is running right now, including his win there last April, next Sunday could turn out to be his race as well. Maybe this really is Matt’s world, and we just happen to be in it.

  • Hot 20 – Unless Kyle sputters or someone new wins, not much drama to be expected at Michigan

    Hot 20 – Unless Kyle sputters or someone new wins, not much drama to be expected at Michigan

    There are only two things to watch for in Michigan on Sunday. One is the ride of Kyle Busch and the other is the car that crosses the line first.

    If Kyle does well and at least stays in the Top Thirty in points, nothing changes. Aric Almirola and Kasey Kahne would not mind if we have such a change, as it would put them back in the mix on points. However, the way Mr. Busch has been running, I would not hold my breath, if I were them. If no one currently outside the Chase wins, then nothing changes. It will be up to those pretenders to become contenders at Michigan, Bristol, Darlington, or Richmond.

    Meanwhile, this week we said goodbye to Buddy Baker. The 74-year old legend, a winner of the Daytona 500, the Southern 500, and the World 600 twice, passed away on Monday.

    This week also marked the 60th anniversary of my parents, Ron and Mae Thornton. Wednesday was a day of love, laughter, and family memories…just as it should be.

    Cancer is what took Buddy Baker from us. That same disease will take my mother, sooner than later. As a fan of NASCAR history and as a son, love, laughter, and memories are becoming more cherished than ever before.

    Here is a look at the Hot 20 as they run this Sunday at Michigan.

    1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 4 WINS (747 Points)
    Denny said he was sorry. Jimmie replied with something possibly describing an unnatural act.

    2. KYLE BUSCH – 4 WINS (361 Points)
    Back where he belongs.

    3. KEVIN HARVICK – 2 WINS (823 Points)
    Turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, damn…damn.

    4. JOEY LOGANO – 2 WINS (781 Points)
    Fresh tires and some fuel made all the difference last week.

    5. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 2 WINS (750 Points)
    Like most others at the Glen, they were left wondering, “Where in hell was that last caution?”

    6. MATT KENSETH – 2 WINS (703 Points)
    Five straight Top Tens makes Kenseth more than just a pretty face.

    7. KURT BUSCH – 2 WINS (659 Points)
    You can never have too much help…except in the pits…or so says NASCAR.

    8. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN (719 Points)
    Figures if you liked the Brickyard, you might love Michigan. Sadly, few did and few will.

    9. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN (714 Points)
    On a Rocky Mountain high after locking in his berth into the Chase.

    10. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN (631 Points)
    Last week, he drove with the hood up. This week he will try to drive blindfolded.

    11. CARL EDWARDS – 1 WIN (589 Points)
    Under former rules, he would be just a pretender…but not under these rules.

    12. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 635 POINTS
    No wins…and in the end last week…no fluids.

    13. PAUL MENARD – 622 POINTS
    Ten up on Bowyer, 60 ahead of Almirola, vulnerable as hell if the wrong driver wins Sunday.

    14. JEFF GORDON – 620 POINTS
    Ditto.

    15. RYAN NEWMAN – 613 POINTS
    Did you read the comments for Menard and Gordon?

    16. CLINT BOWYER – 612 POINTS
    Sitting pretty, as long as no one beyond this point comes up with a win.

    17. ARIC ALMIROLA – 562 POINTS
    Watkins Glen hurt, but it meant only the difference between 50 or “just” 40 points out.

    18. KASEY KAHNE – 561 POINTS
    One of two active drivers not currently in the Chase who has won at Michigan. That was in 2006.

    19. GREG BIFFLE – 532 POINTS
    The other driver is this guy, a Michigan winner in 2004-05 and in 2012-13 (summer/spring).

    20. KYLE LARSON – 517 POINTS
    To do list: Win one of the next four races.

  • The Final Word – Watkins Glen was a Seinfeld event…a race all about nothing

    The Final Word – Watkins Glen was a Seinfeld event…a race all about nothing

    It was, for the most part, a race about nothing. This is not to say that Watkins Glen was boring, for it was actually one of those pleasant occurrences where we had an event that actually was entertaining enough to keep us watching. The damndest things can happen on a road course, and they did.

    Nothing but wins mean much of anything to Tony Stewart. He ran well for a time, but in the end something in the driveline broke and he wound up with nothing. A.J. Allmendinger had the pole, sought to repeat his win of a year ago, but as strong as he once was, things slowly turned sour and his hopes for a win turned the same way.

    Gas, or more specifically the lack of it, bit most of them. We knew for some time that without a late caution, none of the leaders would make it. Kevin Harvick came close, but he hit fumes with two corners to go. That allowed Joey Logano and Kyle Busch to sail by to complete the course one-two. For Logano, it marked his second win of the campaign and 10th of his career. For Busch, he moved into 30th place in points and, with his four wins now counting, he sits second in the standings. I guess that was not nothing, just expected.

    No matter what happened to those who already had a win coming in, the race meant nothing. No matter what hardships they might have endured, the race meant nothing even for the winless Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard, and Jeff Gordon. Nothing to sweat about for Ryan Newman or Clint Bowyer, for that matter. The gap between being a Chaser and being on the outside is a good 50 points or more. At least it is, for the moment.

    Nothing was what some got, but it meant something. Aric Almirola got his car roughed up early as he dived to 17th on the season, more than a race full of points out of it. Kasey Kahne is a point behind him after he got crunched during a re-start. Like everyone else outside the Top Sixteen, no win, no Chase.

    However, things could start to mean something as they move on to Michigan, Bristol, Darlington, and Richmond. Should an outsider win, that 50 point cushion disappears and the gap that currently separates those currently between 12th and 16th is only 23 points.

    In short, the next four races could prove meaningless as far as the Chase goes, other than to pick up bonus points through victories. That could change if Kyle Busch falters out of the Top 30, or somebody outside the Top Sixteen claims a checkered flag. If either happens, things would get meaningful in a hurry.

  • Hot 20 – Rain, rain that went away, the Glen invites you back Sunday

    Hot 20 – Rain, rain that went away, the Glen invites you back Sunday

    Rain. Usually, that would mean a long delay before we see some action if we wind up seeing any at all, but not before we interview every driver at the track. Then, there are those who like to record the race on television, but fail to allow for an eight-hour delay.

    Still, rain at Watkins Glen means racing. Take off the slicks, replace them with rain tread, and off they go. There is a possibility of rain, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is among those who would not mind using the wipers. Of course, you just got to know that come Sunday the sun shall be shining.

    You also know that, barring a fuel mileage, heartbreaking finish, Kyle Busch will hit the Top 30, and the Top Two on this list on Sunday. Until then, here are our Hot 20 coming into Watkins Glen…

    1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 4 WINS (713 Points)
    To all the Johnson haters out there…Jimmie invites you to kiss his…

    2. KEVIN HARVICK – 2 WINS (780 Points)
    Engine department thought the 400 mile Pocono event was a 20 lap feature. They bad.

    3. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 2 WINS (717 Points)
    I wonder how much space the new NASCAR “at track” superstore has devoted to one guy?

    4. MATT KENSETH – 2 WINS (662 Points)
    It is amazing what one can accomplish when one has fuel…and others do not.

    5. KURT BUSCH – 2 WINS (620 Points)
    Another free agent at the end of the season, but don’t expect him to go anywhere.

    6. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (734 Points)
    I am not a fan of Joey Logano. He is not a fan of Ron Thornton, whoever he is.

    7. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN (694 Points)
    Could not save enough fuel to sweep Pocono, but should do well at the Glen.

    8. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN (681 Points)
    So THAT is the reason the crew chief stays up on the box.

    9. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN (614 Points)
    Erik Jones will arrive full-time in Cup in 2017. Who departs Gibbs’ operation to make room?

    10. CARL EDWARDS – 1 WIN (553 Points)
    A dirty low down bottle tossing varmint? Say is isn’t so.

    11. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 631 POINTS
    Winning is so over-rated, as he will prove again this Sunday.

    12. JEFF GORDON – 617 POINTS
    40+ points up on Bowyer, so why in hell are some saying this has been a disappointing season?

    13. PAUL MENARD – 591 POINTS
    His dad is the richest person in Wisconsin. I’m not even the richest person in my household.

    14. RYAN NEWMAN – 584 POINTS
    The last of his four Top Fives was back in April. That has to change.

    15. CLINT BOWYER – 574 POINTS
    Calls everyone Boss these days, as you never know who his Boss might be next season.

    16. KASEY KAHNE – 559 POINTS
    The only sponsor who should have a real problem with Donald Trump is Great Clips.

    17. ARIC ALMIROLA – 534 POINTS
    Almirola? Isn’t that a great ice cream flavor?

    18. GREG BIFFLE – 502 POINTS
    First four races at the Glen, he averaged a 35th place finish. Since then, 15th. He got better.

    19. KYLE LARSON – 485 POINTS
    Just turned 23, so not quite a grey beard yet. Come to think of it, not quite ready for a beard yet.

    20. AUSTIN DILLON – 484 POINTS
    He did not win, but having a Tennessee Titan cheerleader in your corner is not exactly a loss.