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Tag: Daniel Suarez

Hot 20 – Pocono is another non-restrictor plate race, so which one of just four drivers will win it?

Another race, another win for one of the Big Three. Twenty races down and just seven individual drivers with a tick in the win column. That means, at most, 13 drivers could have a victory by the time they decide who makes the Chase. Something tells me we will not reach anywhere close to that number of winners.

Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson might win, looking at the upcoming half dozen events. Then again, it is just as likely Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, or Martin Truex Jr. will add at least another to their personal collections. Pocono is next, and that is where Truex won last month. Busch won it last July. Still, 2016 was split between Kurt Busch and Chris Buescher, so there is hope. Hope is a good thing.

So are good dads. Now, this amused me. A new Xfinity team was formed, and in the announcement for Tullman-Walker Racing it mentioned that among the owners we have Steve Tullman, a successful entrepreneur (in the medicine making business). By some miracle, they were able to secure the services of a 20-year old ARCA driver named…Max Tullman.

What was so amusing was their determination to avoid stating the obvious, which is a dad with means has bought an opportunity for his talented and dedicated son to advance his dreams. Nothing wrong with that, but not a word about the relationship between the co-owner and the driver. The group is serious, though, even bringing former Dale Earnhardt crew chief Doug Richert along to continue to guide the young driver when they hit the track at Iowa (July 28), Las Vegas (September 15), and Kansas (October 20). Thus far in 2018, the young Tullman has three Top Tens in eight ARCA starts. We will be watching.

We will also be watching this Sunday to see if any numbers other than No. 4, No. 14, No. 18, or No. 78 will mean a damn thing. Other than for the three restrictor-plate races, every one of the other 17 events has been won by a driver with one of those car numbers. Good news for those pulling for a new face in front. Clint Bowyer has never won at Pocono. Neither has Harvick, but he was finished second in four of the last eight there, including both in 2017. It does not look good for the rest of the field, now does it?

Hold on. A car with either a “4” or an “8” might win? Maybe there is hope for Jimmie Johnson after all, if you go by the numbers.

1. KYLE BUSCH – 5 WINS (844 Pts)
The only thing encumbered about his Loudon experience was Harvick riding behind him.

2. KEVIN HARVICK – 5 WINS – 1 E.W. (791 Pts)
Yes, he has six wins, but one does not count when deciding this duel with Rowdy.

3. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 4 WINS (740 Pts)
Pocono in June. Why not Pocono in July?

4. CLINT BOWYER – 2 WINS (638 Pts)
On non-restrictor race tracks, the Big Three lead Bowyer 15-2. The rest have been shut-out.

5. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (679 Pts)
I wonder if he now knows how fortunate he was to win at Talladega?

6. ERIK JONES – 1 WIN (501 Pts)
On the restrictor plate tracks, Jones, Logano, and Dillon lead the Big Three 3-0.

7. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN (378 Pts)
Daytona is the only reason he is not sitting 19th today.

8. KURT BUSCH – 646 POINTS
No, you go forward, Mr. Blaney. No, no, I insist.

9. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 635 POINTS
In the words of Yosemite Sam, “Whoa camel, whoa, when I say whoa, I mean WHOA.”

10. KYLE LARSON – 606 POINTS
Did the broadcast at Eldora, but does not think Cup cars need to trade pavement for dirt.

11. RYAN BLANEY – 584 POINTS
No, after you, Mr. Busch. Please proceed. By the way, nice paint scheme.

12. DENNY HAMLIN – 583 POINTS
Loudon was his kind of track, but he did not have his kind of day.

13. ARIC ALMIROLA – 575 POINTS
Taking the former Danicamobile to places it has never gone before.

14. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 522 POINTS
If you can’t win, collect points, and that will work at least for a few more weeks.

15. CHASE ELLIOTT – 520 POINTS
No wins, yet during his career 27 percent of the time finds him finishing in the Top Five.

16. ALEX BOWMAN – 453 POINTS
Finishing 11th at New Hampshire helped him widen the gap.

17. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 425 POINTS
28 points is a big hill to climb unless Alex puts himself in a ditch.

18. PAUL MENARD – 424 POINTS
If he finishes seventh and Bowman is 37th or worse, then the math works out.

19. RYAN NEWMAN – 379 POINTS
A Top Six was good last week, but he needs a Top One.

20. DANIEL SUAREZ – 359 POINTS
Byron is a point behind, with McMurray just four away.

July 25, 2018
Hot 20 – Getting down and dirty, be it at New Hampshire or Eldora

On Wednesday, the pick-up trucks race on dirt at Eldora. Some figure we need some dirt track racing in NASCAR. The fact is that in these times such a race would be a novelty, just as Eldora is, but does it need to be a feature in Cup?

Why not? The fact that NBC has finally returned television coverage that actually keeps one glued to the action, entertained and informed with real insight, allows me to watch Loudon without any complaint or the use of the fast-forward feature on my PVR. Finally, I am content with what I watch on the pavement. Being different, though, is not a bad thing.

Bristol is different. Daytona and Talladega are different. Sonoma and Watkins Glen are different. So will be the road-course feature coming up at Charlotte. Why not a little dirt? Just no gimmicks. We do not need any more gophers. I have had it up to here with “boogity, boogity, boogity.” No more draft tracks. You can even toss out the wild sound laps, where we get to hear the roar of the engines as the announcers take a time-out. It comes nowhere close to being at the live event.

No more gimmicks. Just tracks that are different. Dirt is good. I have high hopes the New Hampshire experience on Sunday will be as well.

1. KYLE BUSCH – 5 WINS (799 Pts)
To be the man, you have to beat the man…more times than he has beaten you.

2. KEVIN HARVICK – 5 WINS (740 Pts)
This fall, the Magic Mile will magically look a lot like Las Vegas. Hey, it’s magic.

3. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 4 WINS (689 Pts)
Has never won at Loudon…yet.

4. CLINT BOWYER – 2 WINS (629 Pts)
Like Harvick, the pit road experience at Kentucky fell short of the standard set on the track.

5. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (648 Pts)
A single win locks one into the Chase this season.

6. ERIK JONES – 1 WIN (480 Pts)
Earned his golden ticket, so when does he get to visit the Chocolate Factory?

7. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN (362 Pts)
After Daytona, he went into Witness Protection and has not been seen since.

8. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 630 POINTS
“We’ve been good, not great this year, and this is a sport of great.”

9. KURT BUSCH – 601 POINTS
Three career wins at Loudon ties him with his brother, Jimmie, Ryan, Denny, and Matt.

10. KYLE LARSON – 581 POINTS
On Tuesday was at the Lernerville Speedway winning a World of Outlaws event.

11. DENNY HAMLIN – 559 POINTS
The defending race champion returns, but will the checkered flag?

12. RYAN BLANEY – 546 POINTS
Might find Loudon too easy after testing this week at Charlotte.

13. ARIC ALMIROLA – 534 POINTS
Did the former driver of this car ever threaten to make the Chase? Ever?

14. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 484 POINTS
Only a true disaster will keep even a winless Johnson out of the Chase.

15. CHASE ELLIOTT – 469 POINTS
William Clyde’s nickname features his season goal. Next year, he wants to be known as Champ.

16. ALEX BOWMAN – 427 POINTS
Spent his Tuesday spinning in Turns 3 and 4 of the Charlotte infield road course. It is sketchy.

17. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 418 POINTS
He has a standing offer to Kyle Busch to help him stop running his mouth. Jimmy Spencer, Jr.?

18. PAUL MENARD – 404 POINTS
23 points between him and a playoff spot, but he averages a 23rd place finish at Loudon.

19. RYAN NEWMAN – 348 POINTS
Pick-up racing is cute. Now, European Truck Racing is for the big boys with the big toys.

20. DANIEL SUAREZ – 344 POINTS
Two Loudon starts, two Top Tens. Unfortunately, only a win gets him to where he wants to be.

July 18, 2018
Can Suárez Secure a Playoff Spot at Loudon?

Daniel Suarez is one of those drivers outside of the bubble looking for a win to make the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. With only seven races remaining, he is slowly running out of time.

Going into Loudon, Suarez is 108 points behind with no Playoff points. It is looking more impossible by the week for him to make it in on points. Another tough part about getting in on points is the number of drivers that he has to leap over including Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Paul Menard, and Ryan Newman.

Suarez’s sophomore season hasn’t been exactly how he has wanted it to be. With an average finish of 19.1, he is on track to have a worse season than last year. It is easy to say that the sophomore slump is hitting. Improving the season for Suárez would require him to capture more top 10s and strive for a better qualifying position. Loudon could be his chance to shine and surprise many people.

The driver from Monterrey, Mexico has only run two Cup races at Loudon and qualified 14th and 25th but his development in the races has been promising. With finishes of sixth and eighth last year, he has shown that he has gotten comfortable with the track during the race. A good starting position will help him keep the car up front and fight for a much-needed win.

The competition is arguably tougher this year that it was last year. Being able to get by the “Big 3” (Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch) would be a major statement for the sophomore driver.

Going into Loudon, Suarez is probably not even in the talk of being a favorite to take the checkered flag. He is truly the dark horse going into the race weekend but this could be the moment when Suárez becomes a legitimate contender for the playoffs.

Follow on Twitter for updates: @BryanR_305

July 17, 2018
Hot 20 – Kentucky, where the thoroughbreds will run unless Stenhouse is moving at ramming speed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 11, 2018
The Final Word – Daytona and NBC delivered the goods, and the bads, on Saturday night

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 10, 2018
Hot 20 – It is a summer time Saturday night in Daytona

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

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

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

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

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

Not a boogity, boogity, boogity to be found.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. ARIC ALMIROLA – 493 POINTS
Damn loose wheels.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 4, 2018
Hot 20 – Chicago presents a Sunday in the park, three days shy of the 4th of July

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

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

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

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

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

As for our Hot 20…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

June 27, 2018
Will Rodgers Claims the Victory in a Thrilling Carneros 200 at Sonoma

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

June 23, 2018
Hot 20 – 50 years of NASCAR at Michigan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here is a look at our Hot 20 going in.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

June 6, 2018
Hot 20 – If only the action at Pocono could be as cool as its name

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 30, 2018