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Hot 20 of the NASCAR season that was

Another season has come and gone, along with a few more drivers and fans, to be honest. However, there are some things I have noticed that are on the positive side, though not all would agree.

I like stage racing. I was not sure to start with, but I like it now. It helps chronicle who mattered early and it informs us as to who mattered throughout. It even tells us who won, and it rewards that winner is a meaningful way.

As a traditionalist, I was dead set against the playoffs. I have changed my mind. Logically, it makes no sense to have the pretenders still on the same competitive field as the contenders. Yet, it has not much affected the action, other than for one understandably upset Matt Kenseth. In this snowflake influenced world of ours, sometimes vengeance can still be had.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was not missed on the track due to his excellence in the NBC broadcast booth alongside Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte, Rick Allen and a very stout track-side team. They were entertaining, informative, and sounded like they were excited being there. That is all it takes, but it took a long, long time for some to figure that out. I am not sure FOX has yet.

NASCAR boss man Brian France left the scene in August after being tagged with charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Replaced by his uncle, I think most think that was a positive step. At least Jim France bothers to show up at the track every week.

The France family is looking to fold its 13 track International Speedway Corp., which includes Darlington, Daytona, Martinsville and Talladega, into a merger with NASCAR itself. One can speculate as to the reasons, be it to lay out “a more unified strategic approach”, as Jim France says, or to package it all up for sale. Time will tell.

Sometime over the past decade, the “How bad have you got it” mantra went out the window, along with the fans they were asking. Most of the races this season had a dip in ratings, with at least 26 being seen as having their worst of the past decade, if not of all time. Most of the celebrities are gone, we produce fewer gear heads these days, and the good ole boys and girls like Bo, Luke, and Daisy have been replaced in society by those who know more about tissues than issues.

It appears Jamie McMurray is leaving the driver’s seat, at least on a full-time basis. Kurt Busch could be his replacement with Chip Ganassi. Kenseth is set to step back from even doing that after spelling off Trevor Bayne. Ryan Newman will take their place at Roush-Fenway, with newcomer Daniel Hemric taking his former ride with Richard Childress. Furniture Row is now gone, as Martin Truex Jr. heads over to Joe Gibbs, bumping Daniel Suarez possibly over to replace the elder Busch at Stewart-Haas. A.J. Allmendinger will be without a ride, giving up his seat to rookie Ryan Preece. Kasey Kahne has called it a career, and the 17-year combination of Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus comes to an end.

Changes. Some we like, some we will not, at least to start with. Will fans come back in droves? Nope. Why should they? Give them a reason, give them entertainment, give them a reason to care.

All they have to do is figure out what that is. Over the course of the past decade, they have not.

1. JOEY LOGANO – 5040 POINTS (3 Wins)
This is not “fake news.” Logano is a deserving, even if not an overly popular, champion.

2. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 5035 POINTS (4 Wins)
If we could ignore the facts for our own biases…but we can not. Now he is off to join the Coach.

3. KEVIN HARVICK – 5034 POINTS (8 Wins)
If he could win all those he dominated for a period of time, he would have gone double figures.

4. KYLE BUSCH – 5033 POINTS (8 Wins)
Great seasons can be spoiled by the uncertainty of a playoff. Case in point…

5. ARIC ALMIROLA – 2354 POINTS (1 Win)
Not everyone is moving on. Then again, he was one of those movers not so long ago.

6. CHASE ELLIOTT – 2350 POINTS (3 Wins)
The future of Hendrick has already arrived.

7. KURT BUSCH – 2350 POINTS (1 Win)
If he wants to race Indy, his rumored new boss might have a few options open to him.

8. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2343 POINTS (3 Wins)
“I’m going to say it again. I did not intentionally spin out that driver, Mr. Suarez.”

9. KYLE LARSON – 2299 POINTS
If your business is named “Hi-Line”, I have a marketing opportunity for you.

10. RYAN BLANEY – 2298 POINTS (1 Win)
Like Chase, he is one of the positives NASCAR can showcase for the future.

11. DENNY HAMLIN – 2285 POINTS
As with Johnson, a years-long streak of wins in a season comes to an end.

12. CLINT BOWYER – 2272 POINTS (2 Wins)
Light-hearted and funny. Plus, if you ever find yourself in a ditch, he has connections.

13. AUSTIN DILLON – 2245 POINTS (1 Win)
That win was nice, but the iconic number was not so iconic after Daytona.

14. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2242 POINTS
The marriage with Chad lasted longer than a vast majority of Hollywood relationships.

15. ERIK JONES – 2220 POINTS (1 Win)
At 22, That Jones Boy is making Joe Gibbs feel pretty good about the future.

16. ALEX BOWMAN – 2204 POINTS
Driving a car once driven by an Earnhardt is not an easy act to follow.

17. RYAN NEWMAN – 769 POINTS
Off to become one of the guys over at the House that Jack built. Maybe even his bodyguard.

18. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 701 POINTS
After five years, the storyline changed in 2018, along with a downturn in performance

19. PAUL MENARD – 692 POINTS
Will be around as long as a certain home improvement company markets its wares on a stock car.

20. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 683 POINTS
If this marks the end of the line, he finishes it up among those who mattered.

November 21, 2018
Owner’s Perspective of Championship 4 at Homestead

HOMESTEAD, FL – All the talk during the weekend is on how the Championship 4 drivers feel about their chances of winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship. But Friday morning NASCAR held a press conference to share a different perspective from the owners and top executives on their championship journey.

It was an odd moment for Furniture Row Racing president Joe Garone as he was in the press conference as a finalist for the Cup championship and also to speak about the last race for the entire race team. Sunday will be the final race for Furniture Row Racing after announcing earlier this year that they will cease operations at the end of the 2018 season.

It has been a tough ending for the team even with the opportunity to take home a championship on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s been brutal at the end here. But in the beginning, it was just so much fun – every weekend – for Furniture Row, it was such a linear uphill climb starting from scratch,” Garone said.

The end is near for the team based in Denver, Colorado but there is some positivity to look forward to during Championship Weekend.

For the other three teams, their operations will continue as normal going into next season. They all want to take home the Cup championship trophy but only one will.

Tony Stewart who co-owns Stewart-Haas Racing is looking at a different scenario. As a former driver and champion, he knows what it feels like behind the wheel. As an owner, it’s been a long ride for him, going from a two-car team to a four-car team.

“Technology is so great and changes so fast in our sport, you can never predict where everything is going to end up. You have to do the work. You have to have the right people in place, and the rest of it has to work itself out,” Stewart said.

Each team has taken a unique path to arrive where they are today. Sponsorship remains one of the key factors.

Walter Czarnecki, the executive vice president of Penske Racing, sees sponsorship as a major part of the sport, saying, “We have 40 different companies that work with us as sponsor partners, business partners, strategic partners on many different levels. I think it’s indicative of the strength of the sport.”

Joe Gibbs who owns Joe Gibbs Racing also feels that sponsors have brought his program a long way.

“We’re racing 11 cars in four different series, and the Lord has blessed us. We’ve got some of the biggest and best partners, and in the last year and a half, we’ve added nine new partner situations for us,” Gibbs said.

The business side of the sport is one that some fans never see. NASCAR having this press conference gave everyone a unique look at what executives can expect from their teams and performances. The Championship 4 executives have their hands full just like the drivers but arguably in a more complicated way.

November 16, 2018
Hot 20 – Michigan is the focus of this weekend but, apparently, so is France

Bill France. Bill France, Jr. These men were NASCAR.

Smokey Yunick. Maurice Petty. Glen Wood, Leonard Wood. Ray Evernham. These men were NASCAR.

Lee Petty. Richard Petty. Fireball Roberts. Joe Weatherly, Junior Johnson. Bobby Allison. Dale Earnhardt. Cale Yarborough. Darrell Waltrip. Bill Elliott. These men were NASCAR.

Ned Jarrett. Ken Squier. These men were NASCAR.

Tony Stewart. Jeff Gordon. Mark Martin. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Carl Edwards. These men were NASCAR.

Rick Hendrick. Joe Gibbs. Roger Penske. Jack Roush. Richard Childress. These men are NASCAR.

Jimmie Johnson. Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch. Kevin Harvick. Martin Truex, Jr. Denny Hamlin. Brad Keselowski. Kyle Larson. Chase Elliott. These men are NASCAR.

These men, a few women, and so many others made the sport. Were the sport. Are the sport.

Brian France is not NASCAR. There is a reason 97 percent of all family businesses do not survive as such into the fourth generation.

At Michigan on Sunday, NBC’s stellar broadcast crew will once again deliver to our living rooms the people who are NASCAR. Those who matter. The reasons we watch.

Especially our Hot 20. Only 16 spots are open to qualify for a championship run, but a win gets one in and there are only four opportunities left to do just that. Right now, that is the only driving news that matters when it comes to NASCAR.

1. KYLE BUSCH – 6 WINS (934 Pts)
Smokey Yunick would not have let a fueling malfunction stop one of his cars from winning.

2. KEVIN HARVICK – 6 WINS (864 Pts)
Such a terrible day it was at Watkins Glen. He only finished 10th. Only.

3. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 4 WINS (813 Pts)
Everyone was just thrilled Chase won last week…except for this one.

4. CLINT BOWYER – 2 WINS (703 Pts)
June was a good month to visit Michigan. Hoping August will be just as rewarding.

5. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (691 Pts)
Nice day at the beach at Watkins Glen, though the only water was pouring from his radiator.

6. CHASE ELLIOTT – 1 WIN (619 Pts)
Five Michigan career starts, finishing 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 8th, and 9th. The boy wants another, it seems.

7. ERIK JONES – 1 WIN (572 Pts)
No longer the best 22-year-old driver this season.

8. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN (412 Pts)
A win and you are in. I like that rule, but…

9. KURT BUSCH – 705 POINTS
No charges were issued, yet Brian France once suspended him. Just thought I would mention it.

10. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 670 POINTS
Winning his first of the season in his home state would be sweet.

11. KYLE LARSON – 660 POINTS
Has won three of the last four at Michigan, a string only interrupted by Bowyer two months ago.

12. DENNY HAMLIN – 650 POINTS
New Redskins’ Super Bowl XXVI cap comes 26 years after the original flew out the bus window.

13. RYAN BLANEY – 639 POINTS
As long as he does not drive like Brian France, he will be in the mix after Indianapolis.

14. ARIC ALMIROLA – 602 POINTS
Unlike Canada and Saudi Arabia, Almirola and DiBenedetto have renewed diplomatic relations.

15. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 563 POINTS
I bet you thought Bowyer was the NASCAR guy with the road service ties.

16. ALEX BOWMAN – 523 POINTS
Unless he gives up 18 points per race between now and after Indianapolis, he is in, unless…

17. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 461 POINTS
…Ricky or anyone from him down to Matt DiBenedetto can win one of the next four.

18. PAUL MENARD – 451 POINTS
The Wood Brothers auto should be strong at Michigan, but it needs to be the strongest.

19. DANIEL SUAREZ – 434 POINTS
Some actually believe Suarez has a shot this weekend to win. Maybe a small wager is in order.

20. RYAN NEWMAN – 431 POINTS
Won at Michigan once in 2003 and once in 2004. He sure could use another one now.

August 8, 2018
The Final Word – Kyle Busch had the whole wide World 600 in his hands

Australia. If there was any road to success on Sunday, it was to be a native of Australia. Perth-born Daniel Ricciardo led from start to finish to claim the Monaco Grand Prix. At Indianapolis, Toowoomba’s own Will Power kissed the bricks and drank the milk.

Unfortunately, the last Aussie to drive a Cup car was Tasmanian Marcus Ambrose four years ago. The closest we have now, according to my calculations, would be the boys from California. Going in, I guess that would have meant Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, or A.J. Allmendinger among our favorite mates to take hold of the tiller of their Yank Tank left hookers to burn off some motion lotion to finish the day doing some circle work.

Then again, betting on a Roger Penske driver might have been a good one. After taking his 17th Indianapolis 500 as a car owner, his boy Joey Logano led the opening lap at Charlotte. Maybe Joe Gibbs had the answer, as it did not take long before Logano was replaced up front by the trio of Kyle Busch, Erik Jones, and Denny Hamlin.

Tires became the early story. We soon discovered Austin Dillon was not going to win it. Since his Daytona 500 win, the lad’s performance has gone down under. He lost a tire, scraped the wall, and his hopes of even a Top 20 took a big hit. As to what I said about Harvick earlier, forget it. No Aussie luck came his way when he blew a front tread and pounded the wall late in the opening stage to end his day. They all came in, but Brad Keselowski missed his pit box. The good news was, he gained a dozen spots. The bad news is that without new rubber he fell like a stone on the re-start.

Rowdy claimed the opening stage. The wall claimed William Byron early in the sophomore stanza when he got loose and tore up the rear end of his auto. That provided the fans with a bit of excitement. Hamlin added some more when he and Johnson touched going into the corner, sending Johnson sideways in front of the pack. He managed to get Logano to skid, but everyone managed to avoid disaster. Still, you could not say things were boring.

For fans of Kyle Busch, the opening pair of frames was exciting, as their icon was the first in both. However, it was NASCAR’s longest night. A Kyle had an issue in the segment, but it was Kyle Larson who went for a slide all on his lonesome. Lots of smoke and fury, but no contact. Lots of smoke and fire a few laps later, as Ryan Blaney’s ride finally blew up as they earlier predicted and it went up like a Viking funeral pyre.

300 laps down and Kid Busch was still laying them down. It was as if he was the only one who mattered. Of course, the story of this one was going to be that he won, or why he did not. At least a dozen others still running had picked up some stage points, so there was no shortage of those who would be been more than happy to step into his tracks.

Jones had come to the pit second, he left 19th. Kasey Kahne cut into his pit box, caught the air hose of Jones’ tire changer and whipped it and the air gun away. Slick trick, though I doubt the victims of the deed fully appreciated the skill involved as much as others might have. You had to appreciate Ryan Newman’s quest to stay among the Top 20 in the standings for much of the race, but early in that final run, a wheel bearing issue sent him to the garage.

They all helped add some seasoning to the night, but they were all hamburger compared to the Busch steak. A perfect 70 point night, his 47th career victory, the fourth of the season. It was his first points race victory at Charlotte as he now has won at every active Cup series venue.

I know that Las Vegas has its own Eiffel Tower, but I guess there is a Sydney Opera House hidden around there somewhere. Good on ya, Mate.

May 28, 2018
Hot 20 – Barring the unexpected, the Pure Michigan 400 could be just another race

Now we know why they call it Silly Season. 16 drivers will make the Chase, and we already know that three who have done well enough thus far this season may not have done well enough to save their rides for next.

Kurt Busch won the Daytona 500, but Stewart-Haas has not yet picked up his option for next season. Even he does not know if they will or won’t. Kasey Kahne claimed Indianapolis, but Rick Hendrick will be replacing him with young William Byron next year. Matt Kenseth holds down the final place for the moment, but Joe Gibbs is bringing Erik Jones back to the mother ship to take that ride.

Usually we are interested in the winners. This week, other than for Joey Logano, past winners mean nothing. A new winner, or Logano, could really have an impact on who makes it and who might not. Wins have all but locked up 13 positions. Chase Elliott, Jamie McMurray, and Kenseth hold down the next three, separated by just 11 points. Three positions, three drivers. Good for them, unless someone behind them in the standings wins and turns this into a game of musical chairs, with one of those chairs removed.

Anyone within the top 33 in the rankings still has a mathematical shot. Even Aric Almirola, who missed seven races due to injury but remains within the Top 30 and thus eligible for the free pass a non-encumbered win would give him. Matt DiBenedetto, Cole Whitt, and Landon Cassill are close enough that an unlikely win could spring them into eligibility.

Michigan might not be the most exciting venue to watch a race, but the result could be very interesting.

1. MARTIN TRUEX, JR – 4 WINS (881 Pts)
Truex and girlfriend Sherry Pollex have given us the season’s most compelling story.

2. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 3 WINS (574 Pts)
The King, the Intimidator, and Jimmie…all seven time champions.

3. KYLE LARSON – 2 WINS (759 Pts)
After back-to-back runner up finishes, has been outside the Top 20 in his last three attempts.

4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS (681 Pts)
Left a nice note to Truex for the win. Not sure if he left a nice note to Rowdy after the bus stop.

5. RICKY STENHOUSE, JR. – 2 WINS (486 Pts)
Nobody is talking about his sponsorship disappearing and, this season, that is saying something.

6. KYLE BUSCH – 1 WIN (765 Pts)
M&M’s are good. Any sponsor sticking around is very, very good.

7. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN (746 Pts)
Figures some of NASCAR’s problems stem from its most popular not being its most successful.

8. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN (687 Pts)
As of mid-Wednesday afternoon, we were still waiting.

9. RYAN BLANEY – 1 WIN (565 Pts)
Moving from Wood Brothers to Penske, and the world is his oyster.

10. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (528 Pts)
Not everyone has such a smooth transition going from this year to next.

11. RYAN NEWMAN – 1 WIN (503 Pts)
Ryan should know what that is like.

12. KASEY KAHNE – 1 WIN (437 Pts)
Despite Indianapolis, his future in the Cup series could depend on what he does to November.

13. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN (406 Pts)
Meanwhile, some others have job security.

14. CHASE ELLIOTT – 648 POINTS
With the exception of a seven-time champion, Hendrick turns it all over to the kids in 2018.

15. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 643 POINTS
Has finished in the Top Twenty is all but three. In this race, Jamie has become the turtle.

16. MATT KENSETH – 637 POINTS
If he gets the results, others do not get the wins, all he would need is a damn ride for next season.

17. CLINT BOWYER – 609 POINTS
Clint is not wishing Chase, Jamie, or Matt any ill fortune…but if it happens…

18. JOEY LOGANO – 542 POINTS (1 Win)
You could say that encumbered win is something of an encumberment.

19. DANIEL SUAREZ – 508 POINTS
Third last week means nothing, but could it be a harbinger of what is to come?

20. ERIK JONES – 477 POINTS
Crew Chief Chris Gale gets two race vacation, but $50,000 fine might keep him close to home.

Then we have the Not So Hot, all who can be in with a win…

21. TREVOR BAYNE – 408 POINTS
22. PAUL MENARD – 383 POINTS
23. DALE EARNHARDT, JR. – 379 POINTS
24. TY DILLON – 378 POINTS
25. MICHAEL MCDOWELL – 351 POINTS
26. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 349 POINTS
27. CHRIS BUESCHER – 346 POINTS
28. DANICA PATRICK – 325 POINTS
29. DAVID RAGAN – 276 POINTS
30. ARIC ALMIROLA – 242 POINTS
31. MATT DIBENEDETTO – 242 POINTS
32. COLE WHITT – 229 POINTS
33. LANDON CASSILL – 227 POINTS

August 9, 2017
Finley Factor: 2018 NASCAR Hall Of Fame Ballot – Part One

This year’s NASCAR Hall of Fame class might just be the toughest to choose yet. This is the first list of nominees where nobody really jumps out as a slam dunk candidate; compare that to last season which had Mark Martin, Terry Labonte, and especially Benny Parsons, all kind of above the rest of the field.

The Hall of Fame really needs to make some changes to its induction process very soon. It’s not going to be long until the Hall runs out of nominees that probably should be Hall of Famers to nominees that are a lot more questionable. Harry Gant was a great driver in his day, but with five inductees a year, he’ll basically be a lock to go in at some point instead of facing an actual debate. Greg Biffle could be an interesting discussion as he’d be going in due to his Truck and XFINITY Series championships, even though he only had one championship caliber Cup season and was generally good-to-mediocre. But again, any arguments will be irrelevant until the inductee number is lowered.

Personally, I’d prefer rules somewhat similar to the Baseball Hall of Fame rules. Twenty nominees a season with non-nominated voters strictly ranging from veteran National Motorsport Press Association members, living Hall of Fame members, team owners who currently hold at least one Cup Series charter, the defending Cup Series champion, track owners and operators, and the fan vote. Ballots would only be cast with a maximum of five nominees, with any nominee appearing on sixty percent of the ballots being elected.

If no nominees receive sixty percent of the votes, the nominee with the highest number of votes would be the lone inductee. Finally, if a nominee either appears on less than 10 percent of the ballots or has been a nominee for 10 years and the nominee committee rules that there is an eligible nominee more qualified than they are, they would be dropped. There would be some system where members could be reconsidered for entry at some point after being dropped, but that would be the general gist of the system.

As always, NASCAR allows for online voting to help determine the fan vote. It can be found by clicking here. I do not personally have an actual ballot for the Hall, but have instead submitted it to that site.

Joe Gibbs

This selection was basically between Jack Roush, Roger Penske, Gibbs, and Ray Evernham to me. Evernham was a gifted crew chief but never really rose quite to that level as a team owner. In seven seasons, Evernham only won 13 races and had a best finish of eighth in the point standings. Good numbers, but not Hall of Fame worthy numbers. His crew chief career was much better but was also cut short due to starting his own team. I just don’t think Evernham had more of an impact on the sport or the amount of success the other three have had.

Roger Penske makes an interesting case, but he has two major problems going against his nomination. First, he only has one Cup Series championship compared to Roush and Gibbs. He never did win a championship with Rusty Wallace, in spite of a very successful run. Second, there have been very noticeable times where Penske lost focus on NASCAR; he had a part-time team in the 70s that he seemingly used at times only to try and entice top NASCAR drivers to Indy, and in the mid-to-late 2000s where the team was just a step behind for multiple years. The thing that really gets Penske not getting the nod here; his stats just aren’t as good as both Joe Gibbs and Jack Roush.

Finally, Gibbs gets the nod over Roush due to having more championships in the Cup Series. Roush has more XFINITY Series and Truck Series championships, but Gibbs has just been more dominant than Roush for the last several seasons in both Cup and especially XFINITY. When was the last time a Roush driver in the XFINITY Series was the favorite in any race? Every week, everybody has their eyes on the Gibbs cars even without Kyle Busch. With Kyle Busch, it’s more shocking if they don’t win in XFINITY.

Gibbs, if voted in, will become the only person ever voted into both the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Professional Football Hall of Fame. Gibbs’ most remarkable accomplishment in football was winning three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks in an era dominated by Bill Parcell’s Giants and Jimmy Johnson’s Cowboys. Gibbs has continued the trend in NASCAR in decades dominated by Hendrick Motorsports; three drivers have won championships in Gibbs cars, tied for the most of any team in history with Hendrick.

Tony Stewart will go down as probably Gibbs’ most iconic driver, but the most impressive driver Gibbs has had may just be Kyle Busch. Before joining Gibbs, Kyle Busch was a good young talent who had been lost in a Hendrick organization dominated by Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Although Busch will never admit it, it had to be a tough day when it was announced Dale Earnhardt Jr. was effectively replacing him. So Busch went to Gibbs, became the de-facto leader of the organization when Stewart left and hasn’t looked back since. Gibbs knew exactly what to do with Busch and how to harness his raw driving ability to numerous wins and the 2015 Cup Series championship. It may just be the single greatest free agent signing in the history of NASCAR.

Robert Yates

What people don’t know about Robert Yates is just how long of a career he had in NASCAR. He was the head engine builder at Holman-Moody way back in 1968, one of the men behind David Pearson’s second and third championships. He was basically the person to go to for Ford engines, building them for owners such as Bud Moore and Harry Rainer.

When Rainer sold his team to Yates in the late 80s and Yates added Larry McReynolds as crew chief in 1991, the team had everything to dominate and win championships for years. They had one of the brightest drivers under 30 in the garage, Davey Allison. McReynolds brought to the team a competitive fire that would stay lit after he eventually left. And Yates still knew how to make rockets disguised as engines.

But the team just kept running into problems. In 1992, Allison had just about everything happen to him, between wrecks that injured him greatly to the death of his younger brother Clifford to a miserable fall that allowed Alan Kulwicki to steal the championship from him. Then, in 1993, Allison himself passed away in a helicopter accident.

The next season, Ernie Irvan was well on his way to winning a championship when he had an absolutely devastating wreck at the Michigan International Speedway that gave him a 10 percent chance to live. Although Irvan was able to recover and even won at Michigan a few years later, Yates ran into a Hendrick Motorsports wall of four straight championships until finally winning a championship in 1999 with Dale Jarrett. Jeff Gordon was just head and shoulders ahead of the field at this point, and even Terry Labonte won a championship in this time frame for Hendrick.

After 2002, the team just wasn’t competing for championships anymore. They were usurped completely by Roush when it came to the top Ford team and, save for a fluke win in 2004 by Elliott Sadler, the team never had a car finish in the top 10 in points ever again. In 2003, Mars Chocolate had stepped up to sponsor both Ricky Rudd and David Gilliland for the team, but in October 2007 they left to sponsor Kyle Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing. Robert Yates also retired during the 2007 offseason, leaving the burden of two unsponsored cars to son Doug Yates. In spite of a valiant effort by Gilliland and Travis Kvapil, the team ended up downsizing to one car for 2009, run by Paul Menard. Menard finished 31st in points and the team, in turn, merged with Richard Petty Motorsports, effectively shutting down amid a poor economic climate.

Robert Yates is still involved with making great Ford engines through his company Roush-Yates Engines, but it hasn’t been easy. In 2016, Yates was diagnosed with liver cancer and has been fighting it in the months since. Roush-Yates Engines, even with this situation looming over the company, hasn’t missed a step; Fords powered by RYE have already won five races this season, including the 2017 Daytona 500 with Kurt Busch.

May 15, 2017
Hot 20 – Sunday at Talladega, one of NASCAR’s few must see events

On Sunday, we will have one of those races, on one of those tracks, that provides must-see action. While we have no announcers covering NASCAR today who you might tune in just to hear their description of the action, to hear them enhance the excitement, even those we got can not detract from the spectacle we shall witness on Sunday.

Only former champions Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick come to Talladega feeling rather relaxed. Both have already advanced to the next round of the Chase, while Chase Elliott needs a win himself on Sunday to move forward. As for the nine others still in the mix, they need to either do well or avoid a disaster, and Talladega tends to foster concern for the latter. Good for the fans, but real worrisome for the competitors.

NASCAR should be worried. My SpeedwayMedia.com colleague John Harlow made some interesting points in his recent column. He reminded us that NASCAR is still without a title sponsor for the Cup series next season, with Sprint hanging up the phone. They were hoping someone would bite for 10-years and a cool billion dollars. I once hoped Santa was real. Life can be so disappointing. John mentioned how the old guard of team owners is, well, getting old. It happens, but usually, new blood is seen rising up through the mist. Does anyone see the next Rick Hendrick, Roger Penske, Joe Gibbs, Jack Roush, or Richard Petty on the horizon? Me neither.

When NASCAR decided to go Hollywood, to add some glitz and glamour, they did it at the expense of their blue collar, regular folk supporters. It would appear selling one’s soul for a big dollar while parking common sense is not a blueprint to long-term success. Maybe there is a glimmer of hope we might see some of the latter. There could be an announcement soon regarding the restriction of how many junior and truck circuit races Cup guys might be allowed to run. It is about damn time. It has been bad enough in the past, where elite drivers have been taking wins and attention away from the regulars racing off-Broadway. It is worse now that those wins and attention are coming in the midst of the Chase, which has been instituted for the first time in those divisions. A little common sense in dealing with the issue would be like a breath of fresh air. For some reason, I am not yet holding my breath waiting for it to actually happen.

I am looking forward to Sunday. There are few races I really get excited about. There are the two at Talladega, the pair at Daytona, the two at Bristol, the Southern 500, the Brickyard 400, the World 600, the season conclusion at Homestead, and the two road courses. Those are races that promise to provide either magnificent action or at least they continue building on the sport’s rich heritage. Talladega, for me at least, provides both.

Talladega can be a minefield. We watch to see who among our Hot 20 can navigate through its perils and emerge relatively unscathed on the other side.

1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – SEGMENT WIN (3082 Pts)
Have a fun day at Talladega…

2. KEVIN HARVICK – SEGMENT WIN (3048 Pts)
…then back to work in Martinsville.

3. MATT KENSETH – 3074 PTS
A 29 point pad would usually relax a guy…but not here.

4. KYLE BUSCH – 3072 PTS
Rarely a bride on the restrictor plate speedways, but usually in the wedding party.

5. CARL EDWARDS – 3069 PTS
23rd or better, and he is locked in. Now, if he can avoid an early “Big One” all could be good.

6. KURT BUSCH – 3062 PTS
Race plans come down to one thing, and that is to not “run into anything too hard.”

7. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 3058 PTS
A gent with a small bladder has to go pee, the same problem with his car could leave him dry.

8. JOEY LOGANO – 3045 PTS
All he needs to do is keep Austin, Denny, Brad, and Chase behind him.

9. AUSTIN DILLON – 3045 PTS
All he needs to do is keep Joey, Denny, Brad, and Chase behind him.

10. DENNY HAMLIN – 3039 PTS
Poor ole Brad wiggled in front of him, and then he wasn’t there anymore.

11. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 3038 PTS
Just what in hell do they make the grass out of in Kansas City?

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 3020 PTS
Time to get his Ricky Bobby on.

13. TONY STEWART – 2131 PTS
It will be his 35th and final Talladega appearance.

14. KYLE LARSON – 2120 PTS
Finished fifth in Kansas XFINITY race…with Logano fourth…and Kyle Busch the winner. I am so proud.

15. CHRIS BUESCHER – 2090 PTS
Just last year he was rollin’, rollin’, rollin’, at Talladega he got goin’.

16. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 2088 PTS
Trails Larson in the battle for Ganassi bragging rights…which is all they have left.

17. KASEY KAHNE – 797 PTS
Figuring out how he will help Elliott this week. Watching Talladega Nights for ideas.

18. RYAN NEWMAN – 767 PTS
Figuring out how he will help Dillon this week. Watching Death Race for ideas.

19. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 686 PTS
Staying the hell out of the way of both Kahne and Newman.

20. RYAN BLANEY – 682 PTS
Ricky and Trevor are both within seven points, just in case you were interested.

October 19, 2016
The View from my Recliner — NASCAR is in Trouble

The headline says what I am thinking. NASCAR is in trouble and here are five reasons why.

Title Sponsor issues: Brant James’ story in USA Today paints a bleak picture about the new title sponsor of NASCAR’s top series. When Sprint announced that they were leaving the sport, NASCAR was hoping to get a 10 year, $1 billion deal from a new title sponsor. According to James’ story, it looks like NASCAR will get less than what Sprint is paying in 2016 which is $60 million. When you think about it, if they get $40 million to be the title sponsor and Hendrick Motorsports is getting $30 million to be the sponsor of Dale Earnhardt Jr. what does that say about the future of the series?

Age of Ownership: The big name owners in the Sprint Cup series are getting up in age. Roger Penske, Richard Petty, Joe Gibbs and Jack Roush are in their 70s, Richard Childress, Gene Haas and Rick Hendrick are in their 60s and Chip Ganassi is 58. They are racers who have become successful owners. Sooner or later, these owners are going to want to get out of the business and who is there to replace them? There have been investors who have come in to “save the day” for struggling teams. George Gillette came in to save Evernham Motorsports and Rob Kauffman bailed out Michael Waltrip Racing. Neither team exists today because Gillette ran out of money and Kauffman got tired of throwing good money into bad. NASCAR isn’t growing its bench in the XFINITY series because the owners of the top teams are Cup owners. Who will be the next group of car owners?

Empty seats: When I was at the New Hampshire race, it was a beautiful sunny day in the 60s. The Patriots and Red Sox were out of town. Perfect conditions for a sellout. The grandstands were half empty. It has been the same throughout most of the season. Richmond, Charlotte, Daytona and Dover have all taken out seats and they still are empty. Unless the fans start filling the seats again, there is trouble on the horizon.

TV Contract: The money that came from the latest TV deal with Fox and NBC brings $1 billion into the NASCAR bank account, but where they are placing the races is hurting. Fox Sports 1 and NBC Sports Network are fledgling networks and are using NASCAR to attempt to build a fan base. NASCAR fans are a creature of habit. When you have to hunt for where the races are being televised it’s not a good thing. The TV ratings continue to fall off and it is hurting the growth of the sport.

Who will speak the truth: These are my observations. The question is when or will you ever hear anyone in NASCAR talk about these observations? When you hear anyone from NASCAR talk, all is good, nothing to see here. When you hear the talk show hosts on SiriusXM radio speak, all is fine and I wonder if they really think that way. Or, is it because they receive paychecks from Motor Racing Network, owned by International Speedway Corporation that they hold back their opinion? Who in the garage will speak the truth now that Tony Stewart is retiring? The owners created the Race Team Alliance and worked with NASCAR for the Charter system, but is it just putting a band-aid on a wound that is gushing blood?

NASCAR is in trouble. I hope that someone in the offices in Daytona Beach and Charlotte is working to fix these problems for the future of the sport we love.

As we head to Talladega, Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson are safely in the Round of 8 and the other 10 Chase drivers will hope to survive. I hate having Talladega in the Chase. There will be a driver or two eliminated Sunday afternoon because of someone else making a mistake. Ten drivers are losing sleep all week knowing that their chance at a championship could end because a non-chaser makes a mistake in the pack. It cheapens the Chase.

That is the View From My Recliner. I would like to hear what you think.

October 18, 2016
Hot 20 – Mr. Hamlin, what races do you suggest we remove, reduce, or reschedule?

As NASCAR swings into Chicago and begins the Chase, I can not help but notice that Denny Hamlin, and now Danica Patrick, have made mention that the season is too long. Reduce some races in length, reduce some altogether, run some mid-week are among their suggestions. I am cool with that, but in my mind there are a dozen races on eight tracks that cannot be touched. Ever.

Daytona, Talladega, Bristol, and Charlotte continue with their two each with no changes to race length. If 600 miles to too long at Charlotte, stay home. You can not tinker with the two road courses at Sonoma or Watkins Glen. The Southern 500 should never again be violated at Darlington. Same goes for the Brickyard at Indianapolis. The racing there might be questionable at Indy, but it has become a crown jewel event. Touch any of them, and more than a few of us fans will be gone. NASCAR simply can not afford to see too many more of us on our way out.

As for the other 24 contests on the other 15 tracks, go for it. However, you risk some upset folks at Martinsville, Richmond, and Atlanta where tradition means something to some people. Remove those tracks, and you remove fans. Texas, Michigan, Las Vegas, Fontana, and Chicago are not going anywhere. The trio of northeast venues, Pocono, Dover, and Loudon, would be tough for NASCAR to abandon. I could not care any less for Kansas or Kentucky, but I am sure there are others who do not share my sentiment.

As long as NASCAR refuses to brand each of its events so they might each become something special, traditional, and untouchable instead of nothing more than a spot to park a sponsor’s name for yet another generic race, a lot of them can disappear, be moved, or reduced in length without much fanfare. I mean, this weekend in Chicago we have the legendary and prestigious Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400. Good bloody grief! What these two drivers are proposing works in theory. However, the devil is in the details, and we should leave it to Mr. Hamlin and Ms. Patrick to toss out a few specifics until we go ballistic. You know we would, no matter what they come up with.

As for the Chase, eight organizations are represented by the 16. Joe Gibbs has all four of his outfits in the running. Stewart-Haas goes with three, missing only Patrick. Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi both came through fully loaded with their two car teams. Barney Visser was also perfect, going one for one with Martin Truex, Jr. We have a pair from Rick Hendrick’s stable, Richard Childress has his grandson, and Bob Jenkins has his surprise entry. Some did not make it, even those with past success. Jack Roush came up empty, despite three entries. Neither of Richard Petty’s cars made the grade.

A dozen veteran Chasers joined by a quartet of first-timers. Austin Dillon and Kyle Larson are joined by rookies Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher. How might they do? As 2014 champion Kevin Harvick lays it down, “Are you happy to be there or do you want to win?” If they want to win, they could do fine. Like the seven former champions back for another drink from the well.

Heading into the Chase, NASCAR has decided to be kinder, gentler to those crew chiefs who break the rules. One loose lug nut does not a suspension make. Now it will take three, and then he is gone along with 35 points. So much for kinder and gentler, and this is a new rule change that goes beyond the Chase and into next season.

Failure to get the winning car successfully through the Laser Inspection Station by a significant amount, and you keep the win, but it won’t mean much. Up to 35 points gone and during the Chase that win might not count toward a free pass into the next round. With the points penalty, that just could kill the season. It is the kind of penalty that cost Ryan Newman 15 markers heading into Richmond.

Newman might not be in the Chase, but after what happened last week, he could wind up being a factor. We will have to wait to see how hot he might be at one member of our Hot 20 heading to Chicago.

1. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2012 PTS
Tied for wins with Kyle, second only to Harvick in points. Brad might be thirsty again.

1. KYLE BUSCH – 2012 PTS
Imagine having to race all 36 races to win the title. Last season seemed so much shorter.

3. DENNY HAMLIN – 2009 PTS
You can shorten the World 600 in Charlotte…or you could to go-cart racing as an alternative.

4. KEVIN HARVICK – 2006 PTS
His Chase attitude is to “worry about the consequences when all the dust settles.” Game on.

4. CARL EDWARDS – 2006 PTS
Is this the year he can finally put that brides-maid dress away?

4. MARTIN TRUEX, JR. – 2006 PTS
Has led the pack this season for 1,664 miles. If you are going on a trip, here is your driver.

4. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2006 PTS
Seeking a new nickname. Maybe something that rhymes with “Seven Time.”

4. MATT KENSETH – 2006 PTS
There is nice Matt and there is Chase Matt. You don’t want to make Chase Matt angry.

9. JOEY LOGANO – 2003 PTS
Last year, guess who upset Chase Matt.

9. KURT BUSCH – 2003 PTS
He has a title. Younger brother has a title. All older siblings know that just does not cut it.

9. KYLE LARSON – 2003 PTS
Over his last three races, has finished first, third, and second. That is called momentum.

9. CHRIS BUESCHER – 2003 PTS
Not everyone gets to live in the penthouse. even for what most predict will be a short stay.

9. TONY STEWART – 2003 PTS
Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? Newman knows!

14. AUSTIN DILLON – 2000 PTS
A truck title. A XFINITY crown. There is room on the shelf for one more.

14. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 2000 PTS
Could former winner of Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 win the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400?

14. CHASE ELLIOTT – 2000 PTS
Again, the nickname says it all. Would like to change that to “Champ” if he can.

17. RYAN NEWMAN – 633 PTS
Who is considered Public Enemy No. 1 in Chicago? Ask Newman; he might have an answer.

18. KASEY KAHNE – 633 PTS
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again next season.

19. TREVOR BAYNE – 586 PTS
Unlike some, Bayne is determined to leave any at-track tantrums to his toddler.

20. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 583 PTS
Racing in Chicago, but might have more interest in how the Bears do Monday against the Eagles.

September 14, 2016
Kahne, Hendrick Motorsports’ Struggles Continue

It’s no secret that Kasey Kahne has struggled to contend for wins in the past three seasons. In his last 84 starts, Kahne has just one win, eight top five finishes and an average finish of 17.3. Those certainly doesn’t sound like the numbers of a Hendrick Motorsports driver.

Beyond Kahne’s struggles, it seems as though HMS, in general, is down this season,thanks mainly to Joe Gibbs Racing. The only driver that is a true threat this season at the organization, is, of course, Jimmie Johnson; he’s the only Hendrick driver to win in 2016.

There’s no question that Chase Elliott has turned some heads, he’s been consistent each week, but he hasn’t truly battled for a win yet this season though he’s been knocking on the door.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. remains winless this season, averaging a 15th place finish. He’s had three runner-up finishes, those coming at Atlanta, Texas and Bristol. His runner-up finishes though have been overshadowed by the seven races he’s finished outside of the top 10.

Don’t get me wrong, Hendrick Motorsports is still a threat to win each weekend, but the new dynasty in NASCAR in recent years is Joe Gibbs Racing. Including the races that have taken place this season and last, Joe Gibbs Racing has combined for an impressive 21 wins in 48 races; that’s almost half of the races. HMS has just 11 wins in those same 48 races, still not bad, but not even close to the new powerhouse in NASCAR.

That aside, back to Kahne.

Since Stewart-Hass Racing announced their move to Ford in 2017, there has been a lot of speculation that Kevin Harvick might jump ship to HMS next season to stick with Chevy, presumably taking over for Kahne. Harvick quickly put those rumors to bed on Twitter denying any truth to them.

Since those rumors have been squashed for the time being, another question remains. Is Kahne safe at Hendrick? Even with their struggles to find speed this season, Kahne is still the odd man out at HMS. In my opinion, Kahne hasn’t proven much while being at Hendrick Motorsports since joining in 2012. The only thing he’s proven is that he is not a real threat during the season or in the Chase.

Although Harvick has denied a move to Hendrick, sometimes there is truth to rumors. I’m not saying Harvick is moving to HMS, however, you have to wonder if Kahne’s years at Hendrick are numbered and if a possible buyout is on the horizon. If Kahne doesn’t turn it around, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a new face behind the wheel of the No. 5 car in the near future.

May 18, 2016