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Hot 20 – A Senior Driver Leads the Pack into Dover as Others Prepare to Ride into the Sunset

Time can bring us many wonderful memories, but it comes with change. Most of us are not all that fond of change. Once we watched the likes of Richard Petty, David Pearson, Dale Earnhardt and the Alabama Gang take to the track, to thrill us with their exploits. That was then. Time changed that.

Jeff Gordon prepares to enter his 790th consecutive Cup race, but time is ticking down on his great Hall of Fame career. Tony Stewart has one more season left in him, then he goes to the sidelines. NASCAR gives us a little more time for most of our favorites than other sports, where our heroes are usually finished by the time they hit 40. Still, even in NASCAR, it is an age when the countdown seems to begin, whether we like it or not.

We have Greg Biffle, 45, and Matt Kenseth, 43, getting up there. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson both are now 40. Next season, so will Kevin Harvick. Sure, there is always a Chase Elliott working his way up, or an Erik Jones, but we treasure those who we cheered for in our youth, then for those our own age who claimed our support, then we watch those even younger than ourselves hanging them up. Damned time.

Nothing makes a person feel older than when one of the kids decides to retire. We might find some solace in that one of those seniors is leading the pack heading into Dover this weekend. A senior. I was already driving when that old fossil was born. At least I can still do the same number of backflips that I could do forty years ago.

I wonder what it is like to do a backflip?

Here are our Hot 20 heading to their date with the Monster Mile.

1. MATT KENSETH – CHASE WIN
You do not have to be the most dominant as long as you finish first.

2. DENNY HAMLIN – CHASE WIN
First at Chicago, second at Loudon. Is Hamlin trying to tell us something?

3. CARL EDWARDS – 2089 POINTS
A Top 30 finish is all he needs to move on.

4. JOEY LOGANO – 2089
As long as it isn’t in a first lap wreck, staying up with Edwards should do the trick.

5. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2083
A visit to Dover and an 11th win on the Monster Mile would be lovely at this time of year.

6. RYAN NEWMAN – 2074
How did he end up way up here?

7. KURT BUSCH – 2073
Minimal success, with minimal problems, just might work in the Challenger round.

8. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2072
Jumped a re-start, was running second at the first turn, then 24th after the penalty.

9. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2071
I’m thinking a move to Toyota sure beats a move to Volkswagen about now. Just sayin’.

10. JEFF GORDON – 2068
The length of Gordon’s Cup career is about to turn 790 races long, with no interruptions.

11. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 2058
It is time for McMurray to McDrive his arse off.

12. DALE EARNHARDT, JR. – 2057
Driving with an empty bladder is a joy for us, not so much late in the race in NASCAR.

13. PAUL MENARD – 2056
Can a driver with a single career Cup win really be a serious candidate for the championship?

14. KYLE BUSCH – 2056
Damn tire. Damn wall.

15. KEVIN HARVICK – 2034
Dear Kyle: It could be worse.

16. CLINT BOWYER – 2018
Tony promises to never goad me into spinning out on purpose, so I will never have to fib again.

17. KASEY KAHNE – 732
2016 came a lot earlier than Kasey had hoped.

18. ARIC ALMIROLA – 728
Came close to making the Chase, but even closer to the wall at New Hampshire.

19. KYLE LARSON – 683
Stewart wanted the 23-year-old Larson, settled for the 36-year old Bowyer in 2017.

20. GREG BIFFLE – 675
Finishing fourth at Loudon means we might not see Austin Dillon make this list again in 2015.

September 30, 2015
Hot 20 – Harvick feels bad heading to New Hampshire, but I bet Bowyer feels even worse

There is hot, and there is hot. Hot could be winning the opening race of the Chase, securing a berth in the next round, and allowing two races to tinker and prepare for Charlotte. However, after a spin on just the second lap in Chicago, the result was as much a credit to the performance of crew chief Dave Rogers as it was to the driver, Denny Hamlin.

Hot could be showcasing a dominant performance. Kyle Busch led much of the race, only to melt like an M&M Crispy sitting in the back window over the summer, to come home in ninth. Not good enough to win, but surely good enough to garner some notice that the best for him might be yet to come.

Hot could be sitting behind the wheel of a good car, one that was near the front. At least, it was until Jimmie Johnson tried to force his way up off the apron after Joey Logano had put him there, only to find an unyielding Kevin Harvick. What did yield was Harvick’s rear tire after the two entries came in contact, sending the defending champ into the wall. Hot was what Harvick was when Johnson tried to explain what happened after the race. A win this week or next might now be Harvick’s best bet to advance.

Hot could be being part of a team that had controversy leading up to its first ever race, having your own reputation smeared along the way, and then we had last Sunday. Clint Bowyer’s hopes of bringing a title to MWR in its final go round dipped deeper than Harvick’s mood when he got stripped of all 25 points he gained last week. This latest drama began when it was discovered prior to the race that some parts were not properly installed on his car. Crew chief Billy Scott’s wallet is $75,000 lighter and he is gone for the next three races. Time to find some new friends, Mr. Bowyer.

For those still allowed to show up at the track, Loudon, New Hampshire is next on the dance card. Harvick won there once, back in 2006. Half the time he finishes in the Top Ten. That might not be good enough to get out of the hole he finds himself in. As far as Bowyer goes, I think it is time to break out the shovels.

The last four to win there have all been Chasers; Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Logano, and Rowdy. It is a good bet one of them could do it again this Sunday. The Hot 20 heading to New Hampshire includes…

1. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 CHASE WIN
An early spin, a lap down, but Mr. Roger’s got this trolley back on the rails.

2. MATT KENSETH – 2052 POINTS
Needs a win. If he wins the title on points alone again, oh what would people say?

3. KYLE BUSCH – 2049 POINTS (4 Season Wins)
Chicago was M&M’s biggest heart break since E.T. made Reece’s Pieces his favorite.

4. CARL EDWARDS – 2049 POINTS (2 Season Wins)
Track position trumped fresh rubber last week…but not by much.

5. JOEY LOGANO – 2048 POINTS (3 Season Wins)
Bump drafting on the re-start sure worked well…for him.

6. KURT BUSCH – 2048 POINTS (2 Season Wins)
Pit boss Tony Gibson plans to be in Loudon but is leaving his appendix behind him.

7. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2045 POINTS
Got an unwanted push from Logano during the race, got another from Harvick after it.

8. RYAN NEWMAN – 2040 POINTS
July 28, 2013. His win column definitely needs a re-boot.

9. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2039 POINTS
Oh, just win the damn race on Sunday and get it over with.

10. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 2038 POINTS
To be part of next season’s XFINITY tour in the only place a Cup guy should be…in the booth.

11. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2035 POINTS
Lost his sponsor and his job through no fault of his own in 2013. There is life after MWR.

12. JEFF GORDON – 2031 POINTS
Last Loudon win came in the previous century.

13. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 2028 POINTS
With a heat seeking sponsor, he will be seeking out some heat of his own.

14. PAUL MENARD – 2027 POINTS
At a track that does him no favors, Sunday could be more about surviving than thriving.

15. KEVIN HARVICK – 2009 POINTS
At least all his car parts were attached properly until Jimmie tried to remove them.

16. CLINT BOWYER – 2000 POINTS
Un-freakin’-believable.

17. ARIC ALMIROLA – 727 POINTS
There is speculation that he could be getting a new teammate next year. Might it be Clint?

18. KASEY KAHNE – 697 POINTS
Two Top Tens is not exactly what he was signed up for.

19. KYLE LARSON – 656 POINTS
Twenty-three years old and stuck at the kiddie’s table. It could be worse. Just ask Austin, Danica, Tony…

20. GREG BIFFLE – 634 POINTS
Dear Jack Roush: WTF????

September 23, 2015
Hot 20 – The Chase for the Championship Commences in Chicago

So it begins. Sixteen drivers, each trying to avoid being one of the four eliminated from contention for the championship after each round of three races.

The first round, Chicago, New Hampshire, and Dover, will see each running for the best finish amongst those qualified. A win in any of the three would guarantee them a spot in the next round of three events no matter how they might fair in the other two contests. History tells us that Jamie McMurray and Paul Menard will not do well this weekend.

For them, this would be a good time to rewrite history. For those outside the Top Sixteen, no time like the present to break a few hearts. A win now robs a contender of a free pass and could go a long way in getting sponsors thinking more of what is to come than what could have been.

That would be the goal of the bottom four amongst our hot 20 heading into Chicago this Sunday.

1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2012 POINTS (4 Wins)
The firm of Petty and Earnhardt still has room for another name partner.

2. KYLE BUSCH – 2012 (4)
Having a leg up on the opposition was not a good thing in his case, but it matters not now.

3. MATT KENSETH – 2012 (4)
If his 2003 title started this Chase business, now he can start eliminating his critics four at a time.

4. JOEY LOGANO – 2009 (3)
Had the pole at Richmond, but Kenseth only allowed him to lead 25 of the 400 laps.

5. KEVIN HARVICK – 2006 (2)
His points standing just went from a 30 point lead to a six-point deficit.

6. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 2006 (2)
He and his buddy Greg Ives come in with four straight Top Tens. Three more would be nice.

7. KURT BUSCH – 2006 (2)
First Chase champion would like to be the next one, too.

8. CARL EDWARDS – 2006 (2)
I am not sure if he misses Jack Roush at all, considering how his season with Joe Gibbs has gone.

9. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2003 (1)
One of six in the Chase who already knows how it feels to be crowned a champion.

10. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2003 (1)
Team-mates? We ain’t got no teammates. We don’t need no team-mates.

11. DENNY HAMLIN – 2003 (1)
Adversity is racing with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his throttle leg’s knee.

12. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 2000
So…this is the Chase, eh?

13. JEFF GORDON – 2000
What better way to ride off into the sunset than with a fifth title?

14. RYAN NEWMAN – 2000
Winless in 2015. Runner-up to Harvick in 2014.

15. PAUL MENARD – 2000
Chicago has not been his kind of town.

16. CLINT BOWYER – 2000
Like his team owner, he is out of a job after this season. Both could use a little good news.

17. ARIC ALMIROLA – 693
Fourth at Richmond was like being a groomsman at your sweetheart’s wedding.

18. KASEY KAHNE – 677
Only Hendrick driver to miss the party this year, needs some positive results heading into 2016.

19. KYLE LARSON – 618
Sophomore jinx bit him hard this season.

20. GREG BIFFLE – 611
Limping along in his worst season ever, as Jack Roush has his worst as an owner.

September 16, 2015
Surprising and Not Surprising: Richmond Federated Auto Parts 400

In the last race of the regular season and the one to set the Chase contenders here is what was surprising and not surprising from the 48th annual Federated Auto Parts 500 at Richmond International Raceway.

Surprising: One would think that a team owner standing in Victory Lane and one whose four drivers had qualified for the Chase would be a most happy camper.

Indeed, Coach Joe Gibbs was pretty happy, but he also alluded to the anxiety that he will feel in the three weeks ahead as the first elimination round plays out.

“Now the problem is, I think for the next three weeks I’ll be ready to throw up at any minute,” Gibbs said after the race. “That’s the bottom line.”

Not Surprising: While two teams, Richard Petty Motorsports and Roush Fenway Racing, were shut out of NASCAR’s playoffs, the way their eliminations took place was not surprising.

Having not shown much life all season, Roush Fenway drivers Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Trevor Bayne not only finished well out of Chase contention but they also completed the regular season in disappointment.

Biffle had the worst of the team’s days finishing 31st. Stenhouse and Bayne finished 16th and 23rd respectively.

This was the first time in RFR’s history that one of their drivers failed to make the Chase since its inception.

In contrast, Aric Almirola, who made the Chase last year with Richard Petty Motorsports, delivered one of the gutsiest performances, finishing fourth. And even with that, the driver of the famed No. 43 Smithfield Foods/Waffle House Ford still came up 17 points short, edged out of Chase contention by Clint Bowyer.

“Disappointed for sure,” Almirola said. “I drove my heart out tonight. All year long, really.”

“I feel like we’ve certainly overachieved this year. Our cars just haven’t had the speed, and we’ve managed a way to get good results, and really proud of this race team.”

“Everybody has done so much to support us, and to come up short, it hurts. We were in it last year and we got a taste of what it was like to be in the Chase. This race team is a great race team and we wanted another shot at it, and we just came up short. Just wasn’t meant to be.”

Surprising: Forget about making the Chase, Jeff Gordon was just excited about finally having a top-10 car. The driver of the No. 24 3M Chevrolet was also excited about being able to work with his team to finally make good enough adjustments to end up with a seventh place finish.

“Excited we finally had a solid night on pit road, on the racetrack, in the race car, communication,” Gordon said. “Everything was just really solid. That certainly gives us something to be excited about these next ten races.”

“It’s nice to be in the Chase and take that relief and take that breath and now go reset and see what we can do over the next 10.”

Not Surprising: Kasey Kahne got himself turned around and ended up the odd man out in the Hendrick Motorsports Chase contingent. His HMS teammates, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, instead are all heading on to compete for the Cup without him.

“I think the main thing for me is just figuring out how to get a car to turn again,” Kahne said. “I’ve struggled all year to have front turn, and if I don’t have that, I can’t race. That’s how I’ve been my whole life.”

“We’ll just work on trying to get the cars the way I need them to, and if we can’t, we’ll keep running about 15th.”

Surprising: While two of his drivers, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch, head to Chase competition, Tony Stewart achieved a milestone that he would no doubt like to forget. The driver of the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet finished 29th, four laps down.

Stewart’s 29th place finish was only his fifth outside of the top-25 in 33 career Cup starts at Richmond International Raceway.

Not Surprising: Although one’s injuries were much fresher than the other, two drivers with physical challenges managed to not only finish the Richmond race well but also find their spots in the Chase.

Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M’s Crispy/American Heritage Chocolate Toyota, continued his miraculous comeback with a runner-up position at Richmond. Busch is also seeded in the second place in the Chase, even after missing 11 races due to injuries sustained in the Daytona XFINITY Series race at the beginning of the season.

Just after tearing another ACL, Denny Hamlin also struggled through his injury to get into the Chase, seeded in the 11th position. The driver of the No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota finished sixth in the Richmond race.

“Well, I think it’ll be a lot better next week,” Hamlin said. “Just three days out, really, four nights out, from when it happened, and anybody that’s had it happen before knows that the first week is pretty tough.”

“I think I’ll start to rehab and everything this week and try to get it stronger and make sure we’re ready to make a Chase run.”

Surprising: Paul Menard summed up the sentiments of several of the drivers who made the Chase but had a bad race at Richmond. The driver of the No. 27 Libman/Menards Chevrolet finished 26th in the race and is seeded 15th in the Chase.

“We don’t know whether to be happy or sad, it was such a bad race for us,” Menard said. “Obviously very excited to be in the Chase. It was a goal that we set at the beginning of the year. Everybody at RCR and the 27 guys and ECR, they work hard. We’ve had a lot of good runs this year. Tonight just wasn’t one of them, but we did what we had to do.”

Kevin Harvick, another driver who made the Chase but struggled at Richmond, finished an uncharacteristic 14th. And Martin Truex Jr. finished 32nd after hitting oil from another driver’s car on Lap 39.

Harvick is seeded fifth in the Chase, with Truex Jr. following in the 10th spot.

Not Surprising: With his usual enthusiasm, Clint Bowyer bounded into this year’s Chase, saving the day at least for now, for Michael Waltrip Racing, which will fold at the end of 2015.

“Well, I mean, just to go through the year we’ve had, I mean, a lot of ups and downs here, a lot of downs,” Bowyer said. “We did this, now we’re in the Chase! Pressure is off, go cat go! Let’s go out and have some fun.”

Surprising: Michael McDowell went from sharing the invocation before the start of the race to being called to the NASCAR hauler after hitting the safety vehicle during a caution on Lap 288.

McDowell made heavy contact with the right rear of his No. 95 Leavine Family Racing Ford. McDowell was unhurt, as were the safety workers in the truck.

“I’m not really sure what happened,” McDowell said. “I’m embarrassed for my team. My mistake. Luckily no one was hurt.”

Not Surprising: Kim Lopez, the first woman and Latina to flag races at the highest level, got a tip of the cap as she threw her final checkered flag. Lopez is headed for a new role and challenge in the NASCAR R&D Center.

September 13, 2015
Hot 20 – The final hurdle for Bowyer and the rest comes this Saturday night in Richmond

If history repeats itself, there will be no surprise winner at Richmond on Saturday night. Going back over the past 10 years, every single driver who has won there is currently locked into the Chase for this year. Except for one.

Clint Bowyer has a pair of victories on the 3/4-mile track, but none anywhere to his credit this season. To make it worse, even if a first-time driver does not emerge this weekend to steal his thunder, he still sits just 29 points up on Aric Almirola for the final Chase position, with Kasey Kahne just a couple of points further back. A sour engine, a meeting with a wall or a competitor, a bad tire or messed up pit stop at the wrong time, and Bowyer’s season turns south faster than one’s job security at Michael Waltrip Racing. To make sure he is in, Bowyer needs to finish in the Top 25 on Saturday night. That and hope history does indeed repeat itself.

The odds are almost prohibitive that the winner this weekend at Richmond will be from amongst our Hot 20…

1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 4 WINS
Expect the team of Jimmie, Chad, and Lowe’s to be around for some time yet.

2. KYLE BUSCH – 4 WINS
The story of the year to this point.

3. JOEY LOGANO – 3 WINS
Liked Johnson’s car so much he almost took it out with a spin last week.

4. MATT KENSETH – 3 WINS
Progress last week was thwarted by an early Darlington stripe…okay, more like a sledge hammer.

5. KEVIN HARVICK – 2 WINS
A late trip to the pits in Darlington was the pits for Harvick.

6. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 2 WINS
Getting some real cool throwback gifts from fans lately, including on his last trip to Walmart.

7. KURT BUSCH – 2 WINS
Went digital with his Darlington dashboard.

8. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS
After three Bristol wins, he has added a World 600 and a Southern 500 to the collection in 2015.

9. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN
Led the most laps, but Edwards got to walk down the aisle, leaving him a bridesmaid.

10. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN
A Darlington Top Ten, and he wasn’t happy. Has three Top Tens in last four at Richmond.

11. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN
On Saturday night, he denied Daniel Suarez his first career XFINITY victory. My hero.

12. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 726 POINTS
To make the Chase, he just needs to start on Saturday night. If he gets the flu, it could get messy.

13. RYAN NEWMAN – 714 POINTS
If his finishing position matches his car number, or better, he rockets in as well.

14. JEFF GORDON – 700 POINTS
17th will do no matter what anyone else does…and he needs that only if there is not a repeat winner.

15. PAUL MENARD – 692 POINTS
Ninth if there is a first time winner…38th if there is not.

16. CLINT BOWYER – 682 POINTS
25th gets him in if history repeats itself, or a move ahead of Ryan, Jeff, or Paul if it does not.

17. ARIC ALMIROLA – 653 POINTS
Has the King’s car and last week stole his old mustache.

18. KASEY KAHNE – 651 POINTS
Can’t grow a mustache. Okay, I am just guessing here.

19. GREG BIFFLE – 598 POINTS
I could get Biffle into the Chase…but it has to be in EA Sports’ indestructible mode.

20. AUSTIN DILLON – 586 POINTS
One of three Cup guys in the XFINITY race. Go Austin! Go Rowdy! Go Joey! Just be gone!

20. KYLE LARSON – 586 POINTS
Last week, they called him Mello Yello, but is he truly just mad about Saffron?

September 9, 2015
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?

September 2, 2015
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.

August 24, 2015
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.

August 19, 2015
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.

August 13, 2015
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.

August 5, 2015