Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Tag: joey logano

Hot 20 – Talladega is not for wimps or the faint of heart

If there was one NASCAR race I was going to watch this autumn, it would be the action coming up this Sunday at Talladega, Alabama. If the only thing you know about the sport is that usually there is some guy named Junior in the field, this is the one to tune in. If you do not care about points, the Chase or what that even is, could not care less as to who is in what car, but you just want to see something on the television that makes you go “holy crap!”, this is the one race for you.

Nose to tail, side by side, just inches apart, ripping around a 2.66-mile tri-oval that is 48 feet wide with 33-degree banking in the corners at speeds of over 190 miles per hour. It is obvious to anyone watching what could happen. It is amazing when it does not. When it does, and the Big One almost always takes place and all hell breaks loose, you will wonder about these crazy people who do what they do to provide this kind of entertainment on a Sunday afternoon.

If all NASCAR races could deliver on the promise of a high-octane thrilling competition every time out, you would already know all this. Instead, we hear about television ratings plummeting along with track attendance, empty grandstands being torn down, sponsors pulling out and a driver’s ability to attract the cash at least as important as what they can do in a race car.

We have a couple of former champions, one still in the running for this season’s crown, out of their rides for next season. At least one team running in the top twenty this season is folding its tents. As for star power, it does not matter to many fans how they did, but who they are. In that case, the retirements of the likes of Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, and Carl Edwards, combined with the upcoming departure of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the possible exodus of Danica Patrick leaves a lot of merchandise sitting on the shelves.

Yet, none of that should matter this Sunday afternoon. Talladega is the one to watch, no matter who is driving or what they are driving for. Just grab your favorite beverage, have your favorite snack handy, ensure that there is a pathway between your seat and the bathroom, and park yourself in your favorite chair for what should be a damned entertaining experience.

Sunday is Talladega.

1. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – SEGMENT WIN – 3106 Pts – 6 Wins
The one guy who comes to Talladega very, very relaxed and without a care in the world.

2. KYLE LARSON – 3072 POINTS – 4 Wins
Without a Chase, he would trail Truex by 11 points. No one else is close, hence…the Chase.

3. KEVIN HARVICK – 3069 POINTS – 1 Win
Looks to be in good position, but let us not take any chances this weekend.

4. CHASE ELLIOTT – 3059 POINTS
Might be saving up his wins for the No. 9 but, if so, he might want to reconsider.

5. DENNY HAMLIN – 3056 POINTS – 2 Wins
Instead of NFL kind of money, with dropping support drivers are lucky to make lunch money.

6. KYLE BUSCH – 3055 POINTS – 4 Wins
One bushed Busch by the time they were done at Charlotte.

7. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 3051 POINTS – 3 Wins
If a tire goes flat, can the team deliver the new rubber out onto the track as it is a safety issue?

8. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 3044 POINTS
McMurray’s last win was this race, four years ago.

9. MATT KENSETH – 3043 POINTS
List of open seats for next season is dwindling. It is time to make a statement.

10. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 3042 POINTS – 2 Wins
A paint scheme to honor Junior would look even better in Victory Lane.

11. RYAN BLANEY – 3039 POINTS – 1 Win
Talladega, where “there’s confidence but not a lot of comfort.” Sounds like my wedding day.

12. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 3034 POINTS – 2 Wins
Won the last time they were at Talladega. He sure could use another one on Sunday.

13. AUSTIN DILLON – 2086 POINTS – 1 Win
Has the right car number to do great things at this track.

14. KASEY KAHNE – 2074 POINTS – 1 Win
Among those leaving their seats, at least Kahne has found a new home for next season.

15. KURT BUSCH – 2068 POINTS – 1 Win
Still looking.

16. RYAN NEWMAN – 2068 POINTS – 1 Win
NASCAR driver. Rescue rancher.

17. CLINT BOWYER – 760 POINTS
I guess you could say he is the best of the rest.

18. JOEY LOGANO – 752 POINTS – 1 Win
On the positive side, he has run well in Chase events. On the downside, it does not matter

19. ERIK JONES – 748 POINTS
Such a fitness freak, he actually runs the stairs with his car while doing a television segment.

20. DANIEL SUAREZ – 686 POINTS
If you bet that Suarez was going to finish 20th in points this season, it would appear that you won.

October 11, 2017
Hot 20 – The Yates legacy will come to life under the hood of a third of the Charlotte field

When one of the legends in the sport leaves us, we remember. If a man is known simply by the company he keeps, Robert Yates did very well.

As a team owner, he was the boss to such NASCAR luminaries as Davey Allison, Larry McReynolds, Ernie Irvan, Dale Jarrett, and Ricky Rudd. His boys led him to 57 Cup wins over parts of nearly 20 campaigns. Jarrett and Allison allowed him to celebrate three Daytona 500 wins and a pair of July races. They each brought him a World 600 victory. He was a five-time winning owner at Talladega. Thanks to Jarrett, he got to kiss the bricks twice at Indianapolis. The boys helped him to a pair of Bristol wins. Six Richmond triumphs, two each delivered by Irvan and Jarrett, with Allison and Rudd chipping in the other two. In 1999, Jarrett delivered a Cup championship. Yes, Yates knew talent, and they produced for him.

Robert Yates also knew engines. Not only was there a Yates engine powering Jarrett, they also sent Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip to the top of the mountain. Yates Engines provided the gusto that provided 77 Cup wins, and continue to do so under the guiding hand of his son, Doug.

NASCAR owner, engine maker, and Hall of Fame inductee in the class of 2018, Robert Yates leaves us at 74 years of age.

When the engines come to life this Sunday afternoon in Charlotte, a third of the field will have Roush-Yates power plants under the hood.

1. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 3059 POINTS – 5 Wins
Could sit Saturday night and still rank among the top dozen.

2. KYLE BUSCH – 3041 POINTS – 4 Wins
Elliott did not try to block him or send Kyle into the fence and lost. Chase needs a new plan.

3. KYLE LARSON – 3034 POINTS – 4 Wins
Ganassi has won 16 titles – 7 IndyCar crowns, 5 Grand-Am, 4 Champ Car. One appears missing.

4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 3020 POINTS – 2 Wins
Not sure if he be a Hatfield or McCoy, but Rowdy wants to womp him low and womp him high.

5. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 3017 POINTS – 3 Wins
Not only is he NASCAR’s most decorated active driver, but also its highest paid. Sorry Junior.

6. KEVIN HARVICK – 3015 POINTS – 1 Win
Wants the future of the sport, Mr. Elliott, to win soon. As for what Mr. Busch thinks…

7. DENNY HAMLIN – 3013 POINTS – 2 Wins
“NASCAR drivers should be making NBA, NFL money.” I wonder if track owners will pony up?

8. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 3010 POINTS – 2 Wins
Sometimes a gamble earns you seven points and advancement in the Chase.

9. RYAN BLANEY – 3008 POINTS – 1 Win
Give a kid a checkered flag, and that Kyle Larson cap he was sporting comes right off.

10. CHASE ELLIOTT – 3006 POINTS
The day he decides to be a selfish jerk on the track is the day he will head to Victory Lane.

11. MATT KENSETH – 3005 POINTS
Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the next WWE heavyweight champion.

12. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 3003 POINTS
Ganassi came close in 2005 to a title, but Stirling Marlin broke his leg. This was his replacement.

13. RYAN NEWMAN – 2067 POINTS – 1 Win
No doubt he loves his crew chief, but probably loves Stenhouse’s just a bit more.

14. AUSTIN DILLON – 2065 POINTS – 1 Win
Won the last time he was at Charlotte. Another would be a lovely consolation prize.

15. KASEY KAHNE – 2046 POINTS – 1 Win
Can he do for Leavine Family Racing what Kurt did for Furniture Row?

16. KURT BUSCH – 2044 POINTS – 1 Win
19th was his best first-round finish, and that is just not good enough. It really is not good at all.

17. CLINT BOWYER – 750 POINTS
Sixth place finish at Dover was good. His crew chief’s $10,000 fine…not so much.

18. JOEY LOGANO – 741 POINTS – 1 Win
If Kim Jong-un had launched those bad boys on Wednesday, Joey would have been safe.

19. ERIK JONES – 728 POINTS
If Hamlin is right, we might need a bottle drive to help top up Erik’s salary for next season.

20. DANIEL SUAREZ – 653 POINTS
Suarez could take the next three races off, and still would easily claim a spot in our Hot 20.

October 4, 2017
Hot 20 – You will not see any old men taking a knee during the national anthem at Dover

When they play the national anthem in Dover, you will not see a single old man get down on his knees. First of all, it is too damn hard to get back up. Secondly, and most importantly, for some inexplicable reason, an old guy’s knees become as tender as their testicles. That is just an uncomfortable fact of life.

I agree with peaceful protest and free speech. Take that away, and one alternative is to shut up and just go along in order to get along. That is not my way and never has been. However, when all such forms of peaceful protest and opposition against anything are banned, all you are left with is raising absolute hell to gain attention and then you face the risk getting your ass kicked. I do not believe we are anywhere near that.

When your form of peaceful protest is deemed to be disrespectful to your nation, when the paying customer is offended and decides to take their business elsewhere, maybe one needs to reconsider a more effective form of protest. No matter the cause, you want the people with you, to support you bringing attention to it, to even cause them to rally to deal with the issue. To do otherwise renders the action as ineffective and nothing more than a divisive self-indulgement. Lord knows, we have seen far too much of that lately.

If you want to show that you stand for inclusiveness, why not have both teams standing shoulder to shoulder together in visual solidarity for their cause, any cause, while still honoring the nation that has given them so much? With league support, players can wear respectful logos, there could be supportive banners, they could honor those who support their cause, have them on the field for the national anthem, have them sing it, or be part of a respectful yet stirring half-time presentation. These are just some of the things they can do if they truly desire to bring attention to their cause, to seek a solution to the wrongs they wish addressed, rather than just playing at being social warriors. That goes for anyone, even Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Just do not disrespect your nation. At least NASCAR gets it. So did Martin Luther King, Jr.

Now, allow me to climb down from my pedestal and return to writing about sports, where our contenders for the championship will be reduced by four when they complete the Monster Mile in Dover. For an old guy, climbing down from a pedestal is about as painful as taking a knee.

1. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – SEGMENT WIN – 2149 Pts – 5 Wins
Looked like he had something for Kyle last week until fate decided it had something for him.

2. KYLE BUSCH – SEGMENT WIN – 2119 Pts – 3 Wins
At this moment in time, the two best are leading the way.

3. KYLE LARSON – 2125 POINTS – 4 Wins
Locked into the next round, but still searching for a main sponsor for next year.

4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2106 POINTS – 2 Wins
Was fourth in his final fall race at New Hampshire. Next year, they will be in Las Vegas.

5. DENNY HAMLIN – 2088 POINTS – 2 Wins
“I’d rather run good and finish bad then run bad and finish a little better, honestly.”

6. MATT KENSETH – 2087 POINTS
No wins but could finish last on Sunday and he still is locked into the next round.

7. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2076 POINTS – 3 Wins
Get knocked out early at Dover, and the season can take a very bad turn.

8. RYAN BLANEY – 2070 POINTS – 1 Win
Moving from a single car operation to one with cars and drivers in stock and open wheel.

9. CHASE ELLIOTT – 2070 POINTS
So damned popular they named the playoffs after him.

10. KEVIN HARVICK – 2069 POINTS – 1 Win
Don’t you just love it when teammates come together?

11. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 2053 POINTS
Nice and steady could work for this round, but probably not so much in the next.

12. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 2044 POINTS – 2 Wins
I am guessing the odds of winning the title start getting pretty long about here

13. AUSTIN DILLON – 2044 POINTS – 1 Win
He better not take the knee on Sunday, or Grandpa might have to fire his ass.

14. RYAN NEWMAN – 2043 POINTS – 1 Win
Not exactly setting the track on fire, yet all he needs is to smolder a bit hotter than some others.

15. KURT BUSCH – 2027 POINTS – 1 Win
Has not won since the Daytona 500. Has to win this Sunday.

16. KASEY KAHNE – 2023 POINTS – 1 Win
What odds must one give in order to have someone bet on him this week?

17. JOEY LOGANO – 719 POINTS – 1 Win
The last time Joey experienced the kind of time-out he received last week, he was 3 years old.

18. CLINT BOWYER – 718 POINTS
Last June at Dover, he had to stop for a leak.

19. ERIK JONES – 703 POINTS
The final eight races are just a dry run for what we might expect to come next season.

20. DANIEL SUAREZ – 624 POINTS
An average finish of 15.6 is much better than, say, Junior’s 21.6 over the season.

September 27, 2017
NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Loudon

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex won Stage 1 at Loudon and finished fifth in the ISM Connect 300.

“I barely made it through Kevin Harvick’s smoky wreck,” Truex said. “Normally, you don’t see a smokescreen like that unless it’s NASCAR throwing a bogus late caution flag to cause a restart and prevent a certain driver from winning by a large margin.”

2. Kyle Busch: Busch won the pole at New Hampshire and took Stage 2 on his way to the win at New Hampshire.

“I punched my ticket to the next round of the Chase,” Busch said, “which may be the only thing I’ve actually ever punched in my life.”

3. Kyle Larson: Larson started on the front row at Loudon and finished second behind Kyle Busch.

“It was a warm day in New Hampshire,” Larson said. “But that wasn’t the reason a lot of drivers were perspiring. After the race at Dover next week, four drivers will be eliminated, and the field will be narrowed from 16 to 12. So, for the four at the bottom, it’s gonna be all she wrote. We call those drivers the ‘Rear Enders.’”

4. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski finished fourth at New Hampshire, posting his 12th top five of the year.

“Joey Logano failed inspection four times before qualifying on Friday,” Keselowski said. “So NASCAR made him drive to pit road and sit in his car. Joey called it a ‘joke;’ he started 39th, so I guess NASCAR had the ‘last’ laugh.”

5. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin finished a solid 12th at Loudon as Joe Gibbs Racing cars took three of the top six spots.

“I have an unreasonable fear of lobster,” Hamlin said. “That makes me chicken.”

6. Matt Kenseth: Kenseth finished third at New Hampshire, posting his eighth top-five of the year.

“Poor Joey Logano,” Kenseth said. “He had to sit in his car while qualifying was taking place. It must have been a helpless feeling. Trust me, I know the feeling. It’s the one I gave Logano two years ago at Martinsville.”

7. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson finished 14th in the ISM Connect 300.

“There’s a lot of talk about the national anthem in sports today,” Johnson said. “Richard Childress and Richard Petty were quite adamant about their feelings, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. tweeted his feelings supporting the right to peacefully protest. That must have put the people of Junior Nation in quite a dilemma, because for them if it’s a matter of sitting or standing, it often involves a visit to the Port-A-Potty.”

8. Kevin Harvick: Harvick spun with a lap to go in Stage 2 after contact with Austin Dillon. The wreck created a huge plume of smoke, and Kurt Busch rammed Harvick’s No. 4, ending the day for both cars.

“I’ve had issues with Dillon before,” Harvick said. “He’s the grandson of Richard Childress; I’ve mentioned before that Austin was raised with a silver spoon in his mouth. I’m so angry with him, I’d like to fork him up.”

9. Jamie McMurray: McMurray finished 16th at New Hampshire.

“NASCAR car owners have made it clear they won’t tolerate a driver who won’t rise for the national anthem,” McMurray said. “In other words, they won’t stand for it.”

10. Chase Elliott: Elliott finished 11th at Loudon and now stands eighth in the Monster Energy Cup points standings.

“I was penalized for ‘illegal modifications at Chicagoland,” Elliott said. “We got caught removing tape from the spoiler, but only because some fans saw us doing it. I think the lesson learned is we should ‘stick’ to the rules.”

September 25, 2017
New Hampshire Motor Speedway–Did You Know? Playoff Edition

This weekend the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the second playoff race in the Round of 16. Martin Truex Jr. secured his spot in the next round with his win at Chicagoland while Kurt Busch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman are below the cutoff for transfer into the Round of 12.

But, did you know that Busch and Newman are tied with Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson with the series-most wins among active drivers with three victories each? Kahne has one win at Loudon, three top fives and 10 top 10s. Of the bottom four playoff contenders, Stenhouse Jr. may face the biggest challenge. He has never won at the track and has only two top 10 finishes.

The top competitors for this weekend’s race also include defending race winner, Kevin Harvick, with the fifth-best driver rating plus 10 top fives, 18 top 10s and one pole. Hamlin, who enters the event with the best driver rating of 104.0, nine top fives and 14 top 10s to go along with his three checkered flags, will be on the hunt for his third victory of the season.

Three-time Loudon winner, Johnson, hasn’t scored a top-five finish since his win at Dover in June but expect him to shift into high gear as the playoffs continue. He has the second-best driver rating (100.8) at New Hampshire, 10 top fives, 21 top 10s and one pole. Kyle Busch has two wins, nine top fives, 13 top 10s and two poles and the third-best driver rating of 98.8. Brad Keselowski rounds out the top five drivers at the 1.058-mile track. He has the fourth-best driver rating, one win, three poles, six top fives and 10 top 10s.

But, did you know that the New Hampshire playoff race has never been won by a non-playoff driver? However, five Cup Series drivers have captured their first victory at New Hampshire – Newman (2002), Clint Bowyer (2007), Joey Logano (2009), Robby Gordon (2001) and Joe Nemechek in 1999. This could be good news for driver Chase Elliott who is seeking his first series win.

While this is only the second race of the playoffs, did you know that two drivers who have won the Loudon playoff race have gone on to win the championship the same year? From 2004-2010, New Hampshire hosted the first playoff race. Kurt Busch drove to victory lane in the opening event and continued on to win the 2004 series title. The track has hosted the second race of the playoffs beginning with the 2011 season. Tony Stewart won a series-record five playoff races in 2011 that included the first two, at Chicagoland and New Hampshire, culminating in his third championship.

Tune in this weekend as the action heats up and drivers scramble to secure their spot in the next round of the playoffs. The ISM Connect 300 airs on September 24 at 2 p.m. ET on NBCSN with radio coverage on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

In the meantime, check out the video below as NASCAR icon Tony Stewart wins at New Hampshire on the way to his third championship title in 2011.

Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

September 21, 2017
Hot 20 – They are getting suspended, hired, fired, and fired up heading to New Hampshire

Everyone is super excited about going to Loudon, New Hampshire for the big event on Sunday. Okay, Alan Gustafson is not. Is not going, that is. Chase Elliott was second in Chicago, leaving him sixth in points. That was then. Now, he is eighth in points. If your car fails post-race inspection, sometimes they take away 15 points, along with your crew chief for a week. Sometimes NASCAR catches you. Sometimes a fan sees on TV tape being removed where tape should not be. Busted. Elliott remains 18 points above the cut-off for the next round, so he is good as long as he remains good in New Hampshire. However, we do thank Alan for his efforts and wish him well…well, until he returns in time for Dover.

Kasey Kahne is good to go for 2018. No doubt Rick Hendrick thanks him for his efforts and wished him well in his future endeavors. Those efforts will take place with the Leavine Family Racing team. That means that after about a hundred events, Michael McDowell departs the No. 95 to be thanked for his efforts and wished well in his future endeavors.

Sometimes when a person gets fired, they say nice things. Sometimes they might even give you a two-year Day-Timer as a parting gift. In my case, I was amused at their choice, being unemployed and all, but as my old one was going to be defunct within three months, I could always use that new one come January. Sadly, come January, my new two-year Day-Timer also required replacement. Something tells me they got my gift from a bargain bin, for things that are almost expired. I never did use the damn thing. Sometimes, they say things like how a person is so versatile and talented, and still, they fire her ass, while thanking her for all she has done and wishing her the best in her future endeavors.

While Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick prepare for their respective futures, XFINITY is looking at their own. We are all excited that they unveiled the branding for 2018 of the NASCAR XFINITY Series this week. Considering what the crowds look like and how few races the actual championship contenders win against the Cup guys dropping down to grab the trophies, I thank them for all they have done and wish the series well in all their future endeavors.

In the meantime, Martin Truex Jr. was the best throughout the season and the best in Chicago. Did you notice that the Top 15 last week were equally represented by the manufacturers? Five Toyotas, five Fords, and five Chevy’s. Now, that is parity. I wish them all well this weekend in their endeavors.

1. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 SEGMENT WIN – 2102 Pts – 5 Wins
The favorite to win the title. After Chicago, does anyone have any questions?

2. KYLE LARSON – 2075 POINTS – 4 Wins
Best damn Chevy at Chicago that was not penalized after the race.

3. KEVIN HARVICK – 2067 POINTS – 1 Win
Harvick keeps his sponsors by investing in them and believing in them. They return the favor.

4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2061 POINTS – 2 Wins
Thinks Toyota has an unfair advantage. He is right. They call him Mr. Truex.

5. KYLE BUSCH – 2061 POINTS – 2 Wins
Just wants Brad to know that he also drives a Toyota.

6. DENNY HAMLIN – 2058 POINTS – 2 Wins
Him, too.

7. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2056 POINTS – 3 Wins
When morale takes a hit when a hurricane hits your town, Jimmie is on call.

8. CHASE ELLIOTT – 2044 POINTS
An “aerodynamic modification” found in post-race inspection costs 15 points and his crew chief.

9. MATT KENSETH – 2039 POINTS
Audition for 2018 had a good start, placing ninth last week.

10. RYAN BLANEY – 2034 POINTS – 1 Win
When I originally read he was visiting the Magic Mile Club, I thought it too much information.

11. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 2031 POINTS
Took his car out for a spin in Chicago last week, and still finished in the Top Ten.

12. AUSTIN DILLON – 2026 POINTS – 1 Win
Sure, the track is like driving on the highway, but pit lane is more like a school zone.

13. KURT BUSCH – 2026 POINTS – 1 Win
Not all vibrations are good, and speeding on pit road always ends badly.

14. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 2022 POINTS – 2 Wins
Touch fence. Check. Violate commitment line. Check. Speed down pit lane. Check.

15. KASEY KAHNE – 2021 POINTS – 1 Win
Kurt said no, but Kasey thought it divine to be with Leavine Family Racing in 2018.

16. RYAN NEWMAN – 2019 POINTS – 1 Win
23rd and pretty much unseen throughout the day. Made the Chase, but isn’t making the grade.

17. JOEY LOGANO – 692 POINTS – 1 Win
16 guys still have a shot at the championship. Joey is not among them.

18. CLINT BOWYER – 688 POINTS
16 guys still have a shot…well…you know the rest.

19. ERIK JONES – 658 POINTS
String of six straight Top Tens hits the ditch big time in Chicago.

20. DANIEL SUAREZ – 595 POINTS
96 points ahead of Trevor Bayne. 116 points up on Junior.

September 20, 2017
The Final Word – After Chicago, not a whole lot has changed moving forward

So it begins. Chicago, where the Chase began. Chicago, where winning was a big thing, but not the only thing. Win and you advance. Drop out or too near the rear of the pack and all you have is New Hampshire and Charlotte to get it right, to fix the problem, to save your season. Three races, 16 drivers, and just a dozen spots available in order to continue the quest.

Kyle Busch had won two of the previous six events, and his opening segment could not have gone sweeter. He was long gone after the opening lap. Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott, and Denny Hamlin were at least in the next time zone to be among the top four.

Others had their work cut out for them. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. rubbed the wall, skinned up his right side rubber, but he also ran over the commitment line when he hit the pits. Next thing he knew he was running dead last and was still outside the Top 30 when the segment ended. Too fast under green backed up Martin Truex Jr., who added to his hurt when they needed to return to tighten up some lugnuts between segments. At least he was still 13th when they again waved the green, while Austin Dillon was 22nd. Again, too fast in the pits midway through the opening run earned him a penalty and a hole to dig out of.

Busch opened the middle frame up front. That did not last long. First, Harvick went by him within a few laps, then Rowdy was in the pits with a loose wheel. He had swapped crews with teammate Daniel Suarez in the hopes it would be a help, not a hindrance. Not sure what they thought after being penalized for a man going over the wall too soon, but it could not have been good. That left the driver two laps down in 30th, and probably a tiny bit heated.

Up front, Harvick surrendered the lead to Elliott after the green flag fuel stoppages. By this time, it was all green, leaving just 13 entries on the lead lap, including 10 title contenders. When they crossed the line at the end of the segment, Elliott led Harvick, with Truex fighting his way back up to third. Only Joey Logano was a non-Chaser among the Top Ten when they handed out the bonus points.

Jamie McMurray was one of the dogs in the hunt, until a couple of laps into the final tour. He went for a spin after contact with Ryan Newman. That brought out a caution, but when they returned to full speed McMurray remained on the lead lap within our Top 20. That is more than we could say for Newman, Stenhouse, and Kasey Kahne. That trio sat a couple of laps down.

Down to the final 65 laps, Truex continued the resurrection of his day, getting by Harvick, followed by Elliott to take over as runner-up. As for Kurt Busch, a vibration sent him to the pits early to drop him off the lead lap to join his brother and Dillon. At least until he picked up a speeding penalty. Then he dropped to 20th, a pair of laps down like three other fellows we know and love.

As for Stenhouse, he picked up another speeding penalty. He had 10 bonus points going into the Chase. He used up all the good they gave him in this one event.

On the other end of the scale was Truex. Coming back from his earlier penalty, he walked off with this one as the best driver thus far on the season and won his fifth of the campaign to lock himself into the next round. Elliott and Harvick were the best of the rest, with Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, and Hamlin all recording stout efforts in Chicago.

Kahne, Newman, and Stenhouse finished outside the Top 20, and when we check the standings heading to Loudon, we have seven drivers within 10 points of the 12th place cut off, some ahead, some behind. Ryan Blaney and McMurray are to the good. Dillon and Kurt Busch are tied for that final entry. Stenhouse, Kahne, and Newman are between four and seven points out.

A week ago, we had Truex dominating things while 11 drivers were within 10 points, one way or the other, from the cutoff. Heading to Loudon, not much has changed.

September 18, 2017
Chicagoland Speedway – Did You Know?

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to Chicagoland Speedway this weekend for the first race of the 2017 Playoffs. Sixteen drivers will compete for the title and it all begins in Chicago.

Win and automatically advance to the next round. There are four rounds, each consisting of three races. Four drivers will be eliminated at the end of each round leaving four contenders to battle for the championship crown at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November.

The first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event at Chicagoland Speedway was held on July 15, 2001, and was won by Kevin Harvick. There have been 16 Cup races at the 1.5-miles track with 12 different winners. Stewart leads the series with three victories at Chicago. Harvick and Keselowski lead all active drivers with two wins each. But did you know that Stewart, Harvick and Keselowski are the only drivers with multiple wins at Chicago?

Chicagoland Speedway has hosted the opening race of the Playoffs since 2011. From 2004-2010 the first race of the Playoffs was held at New Hampshire. Five different drivers have won the Chicago Playoff race including Martin Truex Jr. (2016), Denny Hamlin (2015), Brad Keselowski 2014, 2012), Matt Kenseth (2013) and Tony Stewart (2011).

But, did you know that three drivers who have won the opening playoff race have gone on to win the championship? In 2004 Kurt Busch won the opener at New Hampshire in the inaugural “Chase for the Championship” and also won the year-end title. Keselowski won the playoff race at Chicago in 2012 and continued on to win the championship crown.

In 2011 Stewart won his first race of the season at the opening playoff race in Chicago and captured four more victories that year, setting the record for the most wins (five) in the postseason playoffs. Stewart capped off the season with his third championship title. But did you know that the opening race of the Cup Series Playoffs has never been won by a non-playoff driver?

Truex, the regular season champion, is the defending race winner while Chase Elliott, who is searching for his first Cup Series victory, has the series-best driver rating of 129.1.

When asked about the importance of winning during the playoffs, Elliott said, “I’d love to advance as far as we can, but I’d love a win. That’s what we’re here to do. We’ve had a year and a half to do it, and haven’t. I take a lot of pride in wanting to win. I also have these last 10 races still driving the 24 car, which it’s been a cool honor to have that. It would mean a lot to me to add to the win list that Jeff has created with that car over the years while I still have the chance. I think that’s an obligation of mine, to try to achieve that. That’s on my priority list. I’d love to win, but I’d love to advance through the Playoffs. I think if you do one, you’re going to have a shot to do the other.”

Jimmie Johnson has the second-best rating (114.7) followed by Kyle Busch (106.0), Kenseth (102.3) and Keselowski (99.7), to round out the top-five.

But did you know that out of the top-10 competitors at this track, Joey Logano is the only non-playoff driver? Logano’s win at Richmond Raceway on April 30 was deemed encumbered due to an issue with the rear suspension, costing him a spot in the playoffs. His last chance for another victory was, ironically, at Richmond Sept. 9, where he finished second.

After the race, Logano said, “This is the test of our character, not only as a driver but as a team and the way we handle these next 10 races. We don’t want to roll over. We want to help our teammates try to win a championship, and ultimately we want to win 10 races. That’s what the goal is at this point. It may be the end of our championship run this year, but it’s not the end of our season.”

As the Playoffs kick off this weekend, expect the intensity to build as the top 16 vie for a victory to propel them into the next round while non-playoff drivers like Logano, attempt to steal a victory.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series on-track action begins Friday with the first practice at 12:30 p.m. ET and qualifying at 6:45 p.m. ET. The Tales of the Turtles 400 closes out the weekend Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

September 13, 2017
Hot 20 – As our attention shifts to the Windy City, the winds of change keep on a blowin’

Change can be a good thing. Sometimes it is, but other times it is a simple reminder that we are getting older and, like disco, what was popular yesterday might not be tomorrow.

This week, official confirmation arrived that Danica Patrick was leaving the Stewart-Haas No. 10. Coming in with the 2008 Indy Japan 300 to her credit, her model looks, that firecracker personality, she did have her detractors. Was she good enough, was she strong enough? Still, she had great support from fans and sponsors alike.

Patrick already had set some standards for her gender. She was the first woman to lead the Indianapolis 500 and win an IndyCar race. She was that circuit’s Most Popular Driver for six year’s running. Then she moved over to the stock cars, moving full-time to Cup in 2013 where she immediately won a Daytona 500 pole, led the race, and finished 8th. It was her 11th career Cup start. Sadly, in the 169 races since there have been no more poles and just six more Top Tens. The results and then the sponsorship were no longer there to extend her contract with Stewart-Haas past this season.

I will still wear my No. 88 cap, don my battered No. 8 T-shirt, even though Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not be in contention for a title as he retires after this campaign. Be it this year, or next, someone else will be their Most Popular Diver other than the guy who has claimed the honor since 2003. From the time of his first Top Ten at Richmond 18 years ago, the loss of his father, his wins at Daytona and Talladega since, whether he wanted to be or not, Junior became the face of NASCAR. He was absolute magic through 2004, then gave us a resurgence in 2014 and 2015 when he chalked up his final seven victories. With a career total of 26 and his army of fans, he should eventually find his way to the Hall of Fame.

Unlike Junior, Matt Kenseth won a championship, earned a spot in the Chase, but did not get the choice of whether to stay or not. With William Byron waiting in the wings, that decision was made for him. Kasey Kahne did not win a title, yet he is another man in the Chase with no ride set for 2018. Erik Jones comes into Rick Hendrick’s stable next year to move into the No. 4 as Chase Elliott gets the No. 9 and Kahne’s No. 5 gets moth balled.

Kurt Busch has a title, a place in the Chase, but does he have a ride for next season? At the end of his contract with Stewart-Haas, he is still officially negotiating a new deal. If Monster Energy does not return as his sponsor, my guess is that he won’t return to that car. Having a sponsor trumps talent. Just ask Paul Menard.

Then there is Richard Petty’s iconic No. 43. Smithfield Foods has moved its sponsorship to Stewart-Haas and the odds seem to be in favor of them taking Aric Almirola with them to sit behind the wheel. That leaves Petty Motorsports without a sponsor, a driver, and questions are arising as to whether it might be the end of an era.

Carl Edwards might be back. He might not. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart closed the book on their careers last year. That is a lot of top tier names gone or in limbo, representing a very sizeable number of fans who tuned in every week to cheer them on.

In the immortal words of disco, their supporters are left pleading “Don’t Leave Me This Way” while NASCAR proclaims “I Will Survive” and the rest of us are left wondering “Where Do We Go From Here.”

The answer to the last is…Chicago.

1. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2053 PTS (4 Wins)
Should Cope, Larson, and Hamlin decide you don’t get another win, you don’t.

2. KYLE LARSON – 2033 PTS (4 Wins)
Derrike Cope was a two-time winner in 1990 and helped make Larson a four-time winner this year.

3. KYLE BUSCH – 2029 PTS (2 Wins)
Visited Furniture Row in Denver. No doubt, Kyle is working for the Russians.

4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2019 PTS (2 Wins)
XFINITY series is not dead yet, as I hear Brad beat Kyle at Richmond. How bad have you got it?

5. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2017 PTS (3 Wins)
Time to carry the freight in his bid for number eight.

6. KEVIN HARVICK – 2015 PTS (1 Win)
“Whether it’s Dale Jr., Danica, myself…people come and go.” I am afraid Harvick is right.

7. DENNY HAMLIN – 2013 PTS (2 Wins)
Now, that is how you perform a P.I.T. maneuver.

8. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 2010 PTS (2 Wins)
Picked the right time to have a breakout season.

9. RYAN BLANEY – 2008 PTS (1 Win)
Ten more races with the Wood Brothers before moving on over to the Penske people.

10. CHASE ELLIOTT – 2006 PTS
Maybe now is the time to consider getting that first career victory.

11. RYAN NEWMAN – 2005 PTS (1 Win)
Not exactly a stellar season but points wise he deserves to be in the running.

12. KURT BUSCH – 2005 PTS (1 Win)
After the Daytona 500 he has been on cruise control, then they told him he could lose his lease.

13. KASEY KAHNE – 2005 PTS (1 Win)
Like Kurt and Matt, it is more than just the Chase…but more like an audition for next season.

14. AUSTIN DILLON – 2005 PTS (1 Win)
His team owner has told him that he was loved and has a job for next year.

15. MATT KENSETH – 2005 PTS
Where is an ambulance when you do not need one?

16. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 2003 PTS
No wins, but he has run a hell of a lot better than his place in these standings would indicate.

17. CLINT BOWYER – 664 PTS
Two pit penalties and some repair work in a race he had to win to be in.

18. ERIK JONES – 654 PTS
With six straight Top Tens, Jones has just given us notice for 2018.

19. JOEY LOGANO – 652 PTS (1 Win)
Earned more points than four who made the Chase, but all he got from his win was a trophy.

20. DANIEL SUAREZ – 568 PTS
Behind him, you will find such names as Bayne, Earnhardt, Menard, Allmendinger, and Patrick.

September 13, 2017
The Final Word – Richmond was all about winning and a parked ambulance

Who won?

That was the one and only question the 60th annual summer event at Richmond had to answer. Who would win it? Three drivers entered had won it twice before, one already had the hat-trick. All 13 with multiple wins there during their career are in or will be in conversations regarding the Hall of Fame.

Thirteen drivers entered the contest locked into the Chase. Three more were trying to secure their positions, racing to be ahead of the other two just in case. Fourteen others had a chance to steal it away from one of them. All they had to do was win.

Kyle Busch came away with the bonus points after the opening stage. Good for him in narrowing the gap with Martin Truex Jr. going into Chicago, but no impact on the Chase race. At this point, with the awarded stage markers, Jamie McMurray entered stage two five points behind Chase Elliott and eight back of Matt Kenseth. Unless a first-time winner emerged at the end of the night, that fact was pretty much meaningless. Clint Bowyer, Joey Logano, and Erik Jones sat among our Top Ten at this point, though an over anxious crew man sent Bowyer back to 34th after being penalized with 295 laps to go.

What Truex giveth, Truex can taketh away as he claimed the second stage to match Rowdy’s earlier performance. Kenseth was second to pull him even further ahead of Elliott and McMurray. Jones and Logano were joined by Dale Earnhardt Jr. among the Top Ten with half the race left to be run. Bowyer sat 15th.

Then came one of those weird moments with just over 140 to go. Danica Patrick was 18th when she spun, with some assistance from Austin Dillon. Under caution, an ambulance rolled, then stopped near the entrance way to pit road. That bottle necked traffic, leading to Kenseth striking Bowyer in the rear. When they went green, Bowyer was 22nd, Patrick a lap down in 24th, and Kenseth 37th was off the track. I am not sure where the ambulance went, or even where in hell it was going, but I am sure some drivers had some ideas as to where someone could shove it.

That left Kenseth dead in the water, parked in the garage, sitting on the bubble, and hoping that no one behind him in the standings won this thing. It did not appear Bowyer was going to. He got penalized earlier due to a pit miscue, had to get the damage repaired after the collision with Kenseth, and then the crew let a tire get away from them in the pits later on.

Still, there were only three ways of stopping Truex from winning this thing. One, have a wreck to bring out a caution to force overtime. Second, have Kyle Larson slip ahead of him on the restart. Third, see Denny Hamlin hook him and send him flying into the wall on the final lap. Put them all together, and you put Larson in Victory Lane for a fourth time this season. Sixteen were in a Chase place going in, those same 16 open their challenge for the title next Sunday in Chicago.

September 11, 2017