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NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Atlanta

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Kyle Busch: One day after winning the XFINITY Series race, Busch finished third in the Folds Of Honor 500. He now stands third in the points standings, eight behind Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin.

“I originally won the pole,” Busch said, “but my car failed inspection. That gave the pole to my brother Kurt. You could say Kurt backed into the pole. That ‘pole’ at Atlanta caused no damage to Kurt’s car, unlike that ‘wall’ at Dover last October, which damaged Kevin Harvick’s car not only beyond recognition but beyond inspection.”

2. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson short-pitted with about 40 laps to go in Atlanta, and held off the charging Kevin Harvick down the stretch to capture the Folds Of Honor 500. With the win, Johnson matched Dale Earnhardt with his 76th career win.

“That’s why I held three fingers out of the window,” Johnson said. “Not because I was three times as pissed off as Martin Truex Jr. was at Regan Smith, but because I wanted to honor Dale Earnhardt. Just call me the ‘InJimidator.’

“I have to give it up to Chad Knaus for making a bold strategy call. Chad firmly believes in staying one step ahead of the competition, and two steps ahead of the rule book.”

3. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex led 34 laps and finished seventh in Atlanta, and is now fourth in the Sprint Cup points standings.

“You may have seen me give Regan Smith the finger,” Truex said. “You may not know this, but the Sunday before ‘Leap Day’ is ‘Flip Day.’”

4. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin fell a lap down early at Atlanta and never recovered, finishing 16th, two laps down.

“I call it the ‘Daytona Hangover,’” Hamlin said. “The thrill of victory at Daytona is often determined by less than a tenth of a second. The agony of defeat is often marked by more than a fifth of liquor.”

5. Kevin Harvick: Harvick led a race-high 131 laps but was outsmarted in the pits by Jimmie Johnson, who short-pitted to build a big lead, then held on after a late caution.

“That race was mine to lose,” Harvick said. “But I’ll let my crew chief, Rodney Childers, take ownership of it, though, because he was outsmarted by Chad Knaus. It was a contest to see who was going to pit first. You could say it was a game of ‘cat and Knaus.’”

6. Matt Kenseth: Kenseth finished 19th at Atlanta after a mid-race penalty left him two laps down.

“That’s called an ‘improper fueling’ penalty,” Kenseth said. “Apparently, my gas man placed a wrench on the back of the car. That’s a no-no. But not as big a no-no as me placing my front bumper on the back of Joey Logano’s car.”

7. Carl Edwards: Edwards finished fifth in the Folds Of Honor 500 to score his second top-five result of the year.

“There were 327 laps of green flag racing,” Edwards said. “We haven’t seen this much green flag racing since 2015. Or, should I say, ‘We didn’t see this much green flag racing in 2015.’”

8. Kurt Busch: Busch started on the pole and took fourth at Atlanta, one spot behind younger brother Kyle. Kurt is seventh in the points standings, nine out of first.

“Did you hear?” Busch said. “Brian France endorsed Donald Trump for President. That’s interesting because, in July, NASCAR said it would not hold its Camping World and XFINITY banquets at Trump’s National Doral Resort after Trump made racist and disparaging remarks about immigrants. Apparently, France puts the ‘race’ in ‘racism.’ I can see Trump spin this to even greater advantage: he’ll say he was endorsed by France, and his supporters will believe it’s the country. Viva Le Trump!”

9. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski finished ninth at Atlanta, plagued by handling issues that likely prevented a top-5 result.

“In light of Brian France’s endorsement of Donald trump,” Keselowski said, “this is certainly not the first time someone has looked at France and said, ‘What is he doing?’

“But enough about a pudgy-faced clown who is clueless as to how to run a race, France needs to mind his own business. He can’t even handle the politics of his own sport, much less those of a nation.”

10. Austin Dillon: Dillon started eighth and finished 11th in the Folds Of Honor 500. He is ninth in the Sprint Cup points standings, 15 out of first.

“My younger brother Ty subbed for Tony Stewart in the No. 14 car,” Dillon said. “Tony is out for a few weeks, mostly to rehab a back injury, but also to work on his new cookbook, ’50 Shades Of Gravy.’

“While Tony is out, Stewart-Haas Racing wants someone in that car. They certainly don’t want that ride empty. Ty is more than happy to occupy that spot. So, with or without Tony, you know there will be an ass in the seat.”

March 1, 2016
Hot 20 – Some familiar names missing, but their replacements do not seem all that out of place

Interesting things can happen after the first race of the season. Some names usually near the front find themselves as also-rans as the schedule continues on to Atlanta. No Junior. No Biffle, No Bowyer. No Patrick. Okay, I’ve gone too far, I know.

Still, a lot of the boys who did, do not appear out of place. Regan Smith might have something to prove this year and the same with his owner Tommy Baldwin. Michael McDowell did well in a non-Charter ride and returns to his regular seat this Sunday. Ryan Blaney has no safety line, but the Wood Brothers just need to continue showing up and making races. Odds are the three past contenders should move ahead of this trio before long, but could one or two of them win somewhere along the way and steal a Chase spot from somebody? Why not.

Last Sunday, it was all about restrictor plate pack racing. Atlanta should be more about the car, the one they worked on, the one NASCAR claims again to be just what we need for more competitive, more exciting action.

I await the excitement promised for Sunday. Here are our hottest 20 performers coming to Atlanta.

1. Denny Hamlin – 1 Win – 45 Points
Toyota claims its first Daytona 500 in a game of inches.

2. Martin Truex, Jr. – 40 Points
If Charlton Heston was at the wheel, this car might have hit ramming speed.

3. Kyle Busch – 39 Points
39 points better than he was at this time last year. Walks better, too.

4. Kevin Harvick – 37 Points
Harvick had a plan last Sunday. Hamlin took that plan to Victory Lane.

5. Carl Edwards – 36 Points
A Top Five with a front fender made of peanut brittle.

6. Joey Logano – 35 Points
In the best darn Ford on the day. If you are seeking a Roush Ford…there is always next week.

7. Kyle Larson – 34 Points
This season, his Daytona 500 proved to be a much better experience than his Rolex 24.

8. Regan Smith – 33 Points
Some get a Charter handed to them, but maybe Tommy Baldwin wishes to show his was earned.

9. Austin Dillon – 33 Points
Only one man has ever taken the No. 3 to victory in the Daytona 500…and he did it once.

10. Kurt Busch – 31 Points
Has he driven a Ford lately?

11. Ryan Newman – 31 Points
If you can’t make tracks driving a Caterpillar, you can’t make tracks at all.

12. Aric Almirola – 29 Points
Petty people worked hard on their intermediate-track package. Sunday shall be a test of that.

13. Kasey Kahne – 28 Points
Who is the best damn driver at Hendrick? Kan’t guess?

14. Matt Kenseth – 28 Points
Only the inside lane was moving, until the outside lane did.

15. Michael McDowell – 26 Points
Loaned out his Charter ride and beat it as an outsider.

16. Jimmie Johnson – 26 Points
Not often Six Time is not visible. That probably won’t be the case in Atlanta.

17. Jamie McMurray – 24 Points
Bend ‘em like Beckham? Danica has to work to motor like McMurray.

18. Paul Menard – 23 Points
Childress entries were more successful last Sunday than Hendrick Chevys. Interesting.

19. Ryan Blaney – 22 Points
Charter? Who needs a stinkin’ Charter?

20. Brad Keselowski – 22 Points
According to Hamlin, the least athletic driver, “…with a sprint cup championship,” added Brad.

February 25, 2016
NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Daytona

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin powered his way past Matt Kenseth on the final lap, then edged Martin Truex Jr. at the line by .010 seconds, the closest finish in Daytona 500 history, to win his first 500.

“It was a bold move to leave the draft and go high,” Hamlin said. “Joe Gibbs’ drivers are known for getting ‘out of line,’ notably Matt Kenseth anytime Joey Logano’s in front of him, or Kyle Busch anytime he’s behind the wheel of a street car.

“I’m just glad I was able to end Joe Gibbs’ 23-year Daytona drought. Joe said this felt like winning the Super Bowl. Speaking of football, maybe NASCAR should follow the NFL’s lead and make it much easier to pass.”

2. Martin Truex, Jr.: Truex took the runner-up spot at Daytona, falling .010 seconds short to Denny Hamlin in the closest finish in Daytona 500 history.

“I’m disappointed,” Truex said, “but it was a great result for Furniture Row Racing. To celebrate, Furniture Row is throwing in a free ‘photo finish’ on all products purchased this week.

“I can’t be too unhappy about finishing second. I think I made a name for myself at Daytona. Unfortunately, that name is ‘Martin Truex II.’”

3. Kyle Busch: Busch started defense of his 2015 Sprint Cup championship with a strong third in the Daytona 500, as Joe Gibbs Racing placed three cars in the top 5.

“These Gibbs Toyotas were strong all day long,” Busch said. “We knew if we remained grouped together in the low line, we’d be there at the end. It may not have worked out so well for Tim Richmond, but running a train sure did for JGR.”

4. Matt Kenseth: Leading on the final lap, Kenseth was passed after a daring move to the high line by Denny Hamlin, who sailed past Kenseth’s failed attempt to block. Hamlin went on to edge Martin Truex Jr. as Kenseth slid back to 14th.

“Maybe I should have held my line,” Kenseth said. “But it’s hard to remain disciplined when you think you may get passed. Trust me, last year taught me how hard it was to ‘be disciplined.’

“But congratulations to Hamlin. He predicted his Daytona 500 win as a second-grader. Speaking of school, maybe I should have paid more attention in drafting class.”

5. Kevin Harvick: Harvick finished fourth, and generated the momentum that propelled Denny Hamlin past Matt Kenseth on the final turn to result in Hamlin’s win.

“That’s the second¬-most famous push in the back I’m known for,” Harvick said. “The first was in Texas in 2014 when I shoved Brad Keselowski. Hamlin’s post-race fist pump was the only punch thrown in either situation.”

6. Joey Logano: Logano, last year’s Daytona 500 winner, took sixth in this year’s race after starting fifth on the grid.

“I can’t be too sad for Matt Kenseth,” Logano said. “You could say he got what was coming to him.

“As for the race itself, it was a pretty boring affair save for the last lap. Maybe NASCAR needs to institute a ‘repetition’ caution before fans revolt in a ‘Mutiny On Monotony.’”

7. Kyle Larson: Larson finished seventh in the Daytona 500, his best result ever in the season’s inaugural race.

“How about Scottish actor Gerard Butler’s role as Grand Marshal?” Larson said. “Nothing says ‘The Great American Race’ like a Scottish accent.”

8. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson led 18 laps and was poised for a strong finish until a pit road penalty with 45 laps to go. Johnson was issued a drive-through penalty after NASCAR deemed his pit crew were over the wall too soon.

“Too many men over the wall?” Johnson said. “Who called this penalty, Donald Trump?

“Pole-sitter and Hendrick teammate Chase Elliott took a spin through the Daytona infield, as did Danica Patrick. For some drivers, like Chase, it’s a ‘spin in the grass;’ for others, like Ricky Stenhouse Jr., it’s a ‘roll in the hay.’”

9. Regan Smith: Smith, in the No. 7 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet, finished eighth in the Daytona 500.

“Hamlin wrote a letter in the second grade saying his dream was to win the Daytona 500,” Smith said. “Most NASCAR fans would respond to that by saying, ‘Dreams do come true.’ The remaining NASCAR fans would say, ‘Hamlin could write in the second grade?’”

10. Kurt Busch: Busch started eighth and finished tenth at Daytona.

“Brian France promised lots of changes for the 2016 NASCAR season,” Busch said. “I guess lead changes wasn’t one of them. There were only four lead changes that didn’t happen as a result of pit stops.

“But what would you expect from NASCAR’s CEO and Chairman? Maybe ‘CFO’ would be a better title because he’s a ‘Chubby-Faced Oaf.’ France wants to be omnipresent. He should start by just being present. Just to clarify, I took those words right out of Tony Stewart’s mouth. As long as it’s not food, Tony doesn’t mind.”

February 23, 2016
Hot 20 – The cream of the crop for the Daytona 500

There will be no Daytona 500 victory listed on Tony Stewart’s resume. His recent off-season back injury ensured that. Well, maybe. I cannot help but notice that Michael Waltrip already has a lock on his 29th place in the Great American Race. There is always the chance that, given an opportunity and still with the ability to squeeze into a firesuit, Smoke could be back, at some time.

The hottest 20 drivers heading into Sunday are all locked in. Thanks to some large wallets, even Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch are good to go for the rest of the season, buying up those Charters from Waltrip’s defunct operation.

As far as the debate over the Wood Brothers not getting a Charter, I agree that as they have been running part-time, they should not have received one. I do disagree that B.K. Racing got two, or that Go Fas Racing or Premium Motorsports received any. Instead of the only criteria to receive one being reduced to only those who attempted to quality for the past 108 straight races, maybe they should have taken performance into consideration. I mean, between them, those four operations failed to qualify for 29 events last season. Maybe those Charters should have been held for those who attempted the past 36, AND who were among the Top 36 in owner’s points. Good enough to earn a one-year Charter, something they could regain through a Top 36 finish in 2016.

Thirty-six entries, just like the 36 provisional spots once awarded in past years; awarded based on performance. Qualifying spots should have remained at 43, giving teams seven openings to make it and still be able to challenge for one of those 36 Charter positions. A Charter gives peace of mind, but seven open spots still allow those without a parachute an opportunity to challenge, to compete, to succeed. Just what in hell NASCAR and the members of the Race Team Alliance were thinking when they guaranteed places for at least the next three years while all but closing the door on challengers is beyond me.

At least, we still have the race, albeit minus three entries and the entire backstretch grandstands. I am sure nobody will notice, or ponder the reasons why. Here are our hot 20, based on their 2015 season long performance.

1. Joey Logano – 6 Wins – 1299 Points
Logano arrived in 2014, confirmed that in 2015, and as for 2016….

2. Jimmie Johnson – 5 Wins – 1155 Points
The official standings have him finishing 10th; a rather misleading statistic.

3. Matt Kenseth – 5 Wins – 1046 Points
When Matt says he is going to run a driver down, he just might mean it.

4. Kyle Busch – 5 Wins – 867 Points
His greatest year featured a championship, a busted leg, and a late May start to the season.

5. Kevin Harvick – 3 Wins – 1321 Points
Recorded an average of nearly 36.7 points per race in 2015.

6. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – 3 Wins – 1198 Points
After just two wins in seven seasons, he has seven wins in his last two.

7. Denny Hamlin – 2 Wins – 1117 Points
Finishing in the season’s Top Ten eight times in 10 tries, is this the year he takes all the marbles?

8. Carl Edwards – 2 Wins – 1108 Points
Wins two and still has to pay for a Charter spot, while BK Racing gets two, after four DNQ’s.

9. Kurt Busch – 2 Wins – 1108 Points
Kurt wins twice and gets nothing while the No. 62 DNQ’s 19 times last season and “earns” one.

10. Brad Keselowski – 1 Win – 1217 Points
Just a single win but a personal high of 25 Top Tens kept him close.

11. Martin Truex, Jr. – 1 Win – 1165 Points
A team that made it all the way to top tier status without the benefit of a Charter.

12. Ryan Newman – 1052 Points
I still think Tony let go the wrong driver.

13. Jamie McMurray – 1052 Points
He might not be great, but you might have to be in order to out-point him.

14. Paul Menard – 972 Points
You hear more about his driving ability and less about his daddy’s cash these days.

15. Aric Almirola – 940 Points
Last year, Petty trumped Roush.

16. Kasey Kahne – 939 Points
In fact, Hendrick’s weak sister would have led the way for Jack’s crew.

17. Clint Bowyer – 891 Points
Teammates once were Waltrip and Truex. Today, he is Michael Annett.

18. Kyle Larson – 872 Points
Maybe the best of the kiddie corps…but Chase probably will contest that thought.

19. Greg Biffle – 869 Points
Damn good driver with what has become a damn poor team.

20. Austin Dillon – 832 Points
Grandpa expects more this time out.

February 17, 2016
Logano Drafts to the Top of the Charts in Second Daytona 500 Practice

Joey Logano found his way to the top of the charts. The driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford was the fastest in the second practice session with a time of 45.934 and a speed of 195.933 mph. Brad Keselowski was second in his No. 2 Team Penske Ford with a time of 45.954 and a speed of 195.848 mph.

Brad Keselowski was second in his No. 2 Team Penske Ford with a time of 45.954 and a speed of 195.848 mph followed by Ryan Blaney who was third in his No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford with a time of 45.966 and a speed of 195.797 mph. Kurt Busch was fourth in his No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet with a time of 46.183 and a speed of 194.877 mph and Kyle Busch rounded out the top-five in his No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with a time of 46.226 and a speed of 194.696 mph.

Matt Kenseth finished sixth in his No. 20 JGR Toyota and Kevin Harvick finished seventh in his No. 4 SHR Chevrolet. Chase Elliott finished eighth in his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Carl Edwards finished ninth in his No. 19 JGR Toyota while Greg Biffle rounded out the top-10 in his No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford.

Blaney, Keselowski and Logano took to the track to form a three-car draft with less than 10 minutes remaining in the session.

Forty-two of the 44 cars took to the track to post a lap in this session.

The cars will be back on track tonight for the Sprint Unlimited.

February 13, 2016
The Final Word – 2016’s NASCAR Contenders, Pretenders, and Participants

Starting in ten days, just about every week the engines will roar to life and 43 cars will take the green flag. However, we all know that not all race drivers and teams are created equal. A half dozen will come from the part-time ranks, and only a couple of dozen will have any kind of hope of even challenging for a win. To put it in culinary terms, you have your steak, your hamburger and, to fill out the field, your hamburger helper. Here is a look at who is who on the menu, with the Daytona 500 less than two weeks away.

TIER I – THE CONTENDERS

Few can question that the 2016 champion could well come out of the top tier of drivers. In fact, half of them already know what it is like to claim the crown.

2 – Brad Keselowski
4 – Kevin Harvick
11 – Denny Hamlin
18 – Kyle Busch
19 – Carl Edwards
20 – Matt Kenseth
22 – Joey Logano
31 – Ryan Newman
41 – Kurt Busch
48 – Jimmie Johnson
78 – Martin Truex, Jr.
88 – Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

The odds might favor Kyle Busch repeating in what we hope, this time, will be a healthy full campaign though Harvick had the best season from start to finish. Well, almost to the finish. Johnson has already claimed the trophy six times, and seems to always be in contention even in those years he falls short. If one was going to pick a potential winner, race in and race out, chances are the favorites would come from this list.

TIER II – THE PRETENDERS

There are those you expect to have a good shot at being victorious every week, and then there are those who, if they did, probably would not come as all that much of a shock, either. In fact, I would expect at least four of these drivers to make it into the Chase, where a pretender could get hot and become a true contender themselves if things fall into place at the right time.

1 – Jamie McMurray
3 – Austin Dillon
5 – Kasey Kahne
6 – Trevor Bayne
13 – Casey Mears
15 – Clint Bowyer
16 – Greg Biffle
24 – Chase Elliott
27 – Paul Menard
42 – Kyle Larson
43 – Aric Almirola
47 – A.J. Allmendinger

In this case, a pretender is one with tons of talent, one with a good chance of claiming a Top Ten, but just not a driver you expect taking the checkered flag on a regular basis. I have always liked McMurray, but he just doesn’t seem to be able to clear that final hurdle. Biffle should be rated higher and in previous years he no doubt would have been, but Roush Fenway has not been an outfit on the rise. Kahne has the ability, but not the results in recent seasons. Dillon and Larson are touted as future stars, and just maybe this is the year they meet expectations. Elliott has things to prove, and a lot of eyes with be watching Jeff Gordon’s former ride to see if the rookie can break out in his rookie campaign.

TIER III – THE PARTICIPANTS

43 cars hit the track each event, with some having pretty good odds of finishing high in the running order when things are said and done. Some others are not as fortunate.

7 – Regan Smith
10 – Danica Patrick
14 – Tony Stewart
17 – Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
21 – Ryan Blaney
23 – David Ragan
32 – Jeffery Earnhardt
34 – Chris Buescher
38 – Landon Cassill
44 – Brian Scott
46 – Michael Annett
83 – Matt DiBenedetto
95 – Michael McDowell

Stewart is on the mend, again, and could be out for quite a spell at the beginning of his final season. Some tend to believe we won’t see him for months as he recovers from his recent back injury. If only Patrick could emerge as the next Jamie McMurray that would be something, but thus far cracking the Top Twenty has been a struggle every week. There is nothing I would like more than to see someone from this group emerge as a pleasant surprise, but they are going to have to prove it for me to believe it. Sure, Stewart could mend enough to rise by the end of the year and Patrick could finally cash in on all of those resources to take it to the next level, but my money would be on Blaney and the Wood Brothers as they return to running a full schedule.

February 8, 2016
The Final Word – Change is inevitable whether we like it or not

I hate change. I do not care for it. I like things just as they are or, probably more truthfully, as they were.

I remember coaching two little boys who are not so little anymore. Those were the days when I was Superman, not just the Old Man. I miss my mother and all the grandparents I was blessed with when I was born. I miss cousins who left us far too soon. I miss my youth. Damn it, I miss my hair.

I loved watching Cale Yarborough in the No. 11 and Richard Petty piloting the No. 43. How I miss seeing Dale Earnhardt in that black No. 3. I wish I could see Rusty Wallace again in that blue deuce though my reasoning is that him driving means there was no way in hell he would be announcing.

No Jeff Gordon this year, other than up in the booth. Tony Stewart is gone no matter what after this season. One day, sooner than later, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will hang up those skeleton gloves.

Sure, I guess there is room for some change. Did you notice the NHL All-Star game? It was its best presentation in 30 years, with a minor league enforcer named as its MVP to prove that Cinderella does indeed wear glass skates. Same day, the NFL had its Pro-Bowl, and it was about as riveting as watching soccer. Trust me, that is not a good thing. Change it or kill it would be my thought.

Cars are safer now. The tracks are moving that way. Daytona, Talladega, and Bristol pretty much guarantee something worth watching. Too bad we cannot be so sure about a few of the other venues. It would be nice if that could somehow change. They say the racing will be better after their latest tinkering with the cars, but we have heard that before. If those changes prove to be the real deal, that would be a change we could all live with.

This year, Bill’s son Chase Elliott goes full-time in Cup, joining other recent arrivals Kyle Larson and Austin Dillon. Still, they have fans to earn and accolades to accumulate. Once again, we will be cheering on our favorites. Kyle Busch returns as a champion to join brother Kurt as NASCAR royalty. Kevin Harvick looks to retake his trophy while Jimmie Johnson might be tired of loaning out what once was his and his alone. Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, and the insufferable Joey Logano remain among the top tier of stars in NASCAR’s constellation. You cannot go wrong rooting for the likes of a Matt Kenseth or a Greg Biffle, or admire the efforts put into the team led by Martin Truex Jr.

Unless you are a big fan of Johnson, a change in champion is acceptable, even though I do love dynasties. I like the cars to look like something I might drive, so we give thanks for the demise of the splitter. I once liked Michael Waltrip, but sometimes things change, and I think Clint Bowyer should be the beneficiary of that.

As much as I dislike change, it is inevitable. Drivers age, retire and are replaced by a new generation. Faces are now encased in helmets and races are won by a matter of seconds, not laps, these days. Since 2001, most weekends television delivers the races to homes in most places. Once we were asked, “How bad have you got it?” Wouldn’t it be nice if we were asked that once again?

It all returns in less than a couple of weeks, with the Sprint Unlimited featured on February 13, Duel Qualifiers on February 18 and the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 21. Boogity, boogity, boogity!

Okay, some things do need to change.

February 1, 2016
Dave and Ryan Blaney Taking Big Steps in the New Year

Both Dave Blaney and his son Ryan are taking big steps in the New Year, with Ryan stepping into a full-time Cup ride and Dave taking a bit of a different path, stepping more fully back into his dirt track racing roots.

“This is a big step for Ryan going full-time with the Wood Brothers 21 car and with Team Penske,” Dave Blaney said of his son’s recently announced opportunity. “But there have been lots of big steps along the way here for Ryan. The first big step was getting a great opportunity with Team Penske and Brad Keselowski’s truck team in 2012.”

“The next big step was to get into the XFINITY car and then came the huge step of moving to the Wood Brothers’ car last year.”

“And now another step is running full-time. It’s big steps all the way. It’s a big leap for any young driver to do all that.”

Although he refuses to take any credit for it, Blaney also acknowledged that his son’s calm demeanor has helped him take the steps in his career that have led to his Sprint Cup racing opportunity.

“Ryan does have a good head on his shoulders and a bit of a mild-mannered approach,” Blaney said. “He doesn’t run a million miles an hour until he hits something. He’s never been that way.”

“So, that’s helped him through this process because he doesn’t have big setbacks. He is consistent so he doesn’t lose confidence and his team doesn’t lose confidence in him. That part has served him pretty well and that will continue to be that way.”

While dad Blaney acknowledges that he has been there to guide his son during his rise in racing, he also credits others, such as the Team Penske drivers, as well as his new crew chief for what will be his next steps in the New Year.

“I think the main thing is Brad took a liking to him and put him on his team and took him under his wing,” Blaney said. “Hanging around with Brad, Joey (Logano), everybody at Team Penske, there are a lot of smart people over there. They have definitely molded him into the driver that he is becoming.”

“I also really like Jeremy (Bullins, crew chief),” Blaney said. “I’ve known him for a while. I think he’s got a lot of desire, just like Ryan. He is out there to prove himself as well.”

“Sometimes you wouldn’t think a pretty new crew chief and a pretty new driver is the way to go. But I think in this case it really is, especially since they have Team Penske to fall back on with their drivers and crew chiefs.”

“Jeremy and Ryan are two talented guys and together I think they will work well.”

While dad Blaney plans to be at as many of his son’s races as possible, he too is taking big steps in his racing. His big steps, however, are in a different direction than Ryan’s as he steps back to concentrate more fully on his dirt track racing career.

“I think I’m planning on being at about half of Ryan’s races this year,” Blaney said. “Part of that is that I’m going to race sprint cars myself on a part-time basis along with that.”

“I think I have a few years left in dirt racing so I don’t want to miss that. I’ve had my own team the last couple of years but I’ll be driving for Dan Motter this coming year. He’s got a national team, a top team, and he’s wanting to cut back to a part-time schedule. So, that works for both of us.”

One step that both father and son share is the desire to make it into Victory Lane and to celebrate that accomplishment together. Yet that is something that Dave Blaney is reluctant to even mention for fears of jinxing it.

“I don’t even want to say anything out loud,” Blaney said. “If I say what I think is going to happen, well I just can’t go there. I do have a feeling of what is going to happen. I think it’s going to be really good for Ryan.”

“And I am excited about having Chase Elliott in the 24 car and Ryan in the 21 car. I think that’s going to be a cool Rookie of the Year race. And then with Chris Buescher in Cup as well as a rookie, that is going to be something.”

Most of all, Blaney is humbled to even think about that next steps for his son and his own racing career.

“I sit with Ryan and think this is incredible that he is taking this next big step in his career,” Blaney said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

“He’s going to step up and have a really good year. And I’ll be there for it.”

January 2, 2016
The Final Word on 2015

The gifts are open, the tree is on borrowed time, and a New Year is almost upon us. Seems like a good time to reflect on the year that was, as we embark on the one that will be.

Once again, 2015 brought us a satisfying champion. He might not have been the one you were cheering for, Junior fans, but you cannot quibble about the great story that was Kyle Busch. Hurt in the opening junior series race, he missed the opening 11 of the Cup schedule. In the old days, he would have been an also-ran, but that was before a win and a Top 30 position in the standings forgave such things.

With just 15 races to accomplish what needed to be done, Busch won some. No surprise there. The fact he got into position to make those wins count was in doubt, at least, we thought so. We of little faith. It would appear that those who really have what it takes to challenge for the title need not bother to appear until May, which helps explain why NASCAR insists drivers run all the races rather than pick and choose.

Not only did Busch win the title, as he and Kurt join the Labonte brothers as champion siblings, but he also came up with a rule change that makes sense. If you lead the pack entering the Chase, you should get a free pass into the second round. Other sports give a bye or, at least, home field advantage to those with the best record entering the playoffs, why not NASCAR? Some might argue the front trio should have such an advantage, but I would settle for one. Like Kyle’s championship, that driver would have earned it.

Four-time king Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart have earned their eventual invitations to enter NASCAR’s Hall of Fame. Gordon left his famed No. 24 only after his 93rd career victory at Martinsville and finishing third in the battle for the championship. Stewart has one more round left in him, as he embarks on his farewell tour at Daytona. The three-time champion lost the magic suddenly in 2013 after a pair of sprint cup race mishaps, one that broke his leg, the other that took the life of another driver in 2014. May 2016 bring him some deserved satisfaction.

It was also a tough season, at least at the start, for Kurt Busch. A domestic violence accusation got him a three-race suspension to start the year. Matt Kenseth ended on a sour note, as he was gone for two after delivering some on-track justice that left Joey Logano’s title hopes about as shot as Kenseth’s own. Michael Waltrip Racing went the way of the dodo, as the outfit never recovered from Clint Bowyer’s 2013 spin that almost got Martin Truex Jr. a Chase place. Instead, after the controversy they lost the NAPA sponsorship and the Truex entry, and during this season, Waltrip’s financial backer backed out.

That means Bowyer moves to the seat of Harry Scott’s No. 51 for a season before taking over Stewart’s No. 14 in 2017. Brian Scott replaces Sam Hornish Jr. in the Petty No. 9 while Chase Elliott replaces Gordon in Hendrick’s No, 24. Jeffrey Earnhardt will drive most of the season in the GoFAS Racing No. 32, with the Front Row No. 34 taken over by Chris Buescher. Ryan Blaney returns with the Wood Brothers No. 21, which returns to running a full schedule in 2016.

2015 was when we had to say goodbye to broadcaster Steve Byrnes. We lost Buddy Baker over the past year. Red Farmer mourns his wife Joan, and Bobby Allison lost his wife Judy. My own mother, Mae, passed away this past August.

As for 2016, it will bring us a new rules package, supposedly making the cars slower, less comfortable to drive, and closer in some regards to the XFINITY model. It is hoped this will make the racing more exciting, which we have heard before, but could also see more Cup guys in the XFINITY series to tune up. If so, that would, in the parlance of my youth, blow chunks.

I am sure you would agree that would be something to avoid come New Year’s Eve as we have just seven weeks to go before they go again in Daytona.

December 29, 2015
NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Homestead

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Kyle Busch: Busch won the Ford EcoBoost 400, holding off Kevin Harvick to win his first Sprint Cup championship. Busch missed the first 11 races of the season after breaking his leg at a crash at Daytona in February.

“A pasty white guy from Las Vegas is the Sprint Cup champion,” Busch said. “Ironically, all other driver ‘pale’ in comparison to me.

“I’ve always dreamed of beating Jeff Gordon for the Sprint Cup championship. I guess dreams do come true. Apparently, when I was a kid, I had very vivid and colorful dreams. But those dreams were nothing like the ones I had on painkillers after surgery to repair my broken leg.”

2. Kevin Harvick: Harvick started 13th on the grid and finished second to Kyle Busch.

“’Second’ has been the story of my year,” Harvick said. “I can’t tell you how many times I finished second this year, but I can tell that I will be counting the seconds until the start of the 2016 season.”

3. Jeff Gordon: Gordon started fifth at Homestead and finished sixth, as Kyle Busch won the race to capture the Sprint Cup championship.

“I couldn’t believe the support I received,” Gordon said, “even in a losing effort. It reminded me of the applause that erupted when Matt Kenseth wrecked Joey Logano at Martinsville. Without that, I wouldn’t even be here.

4. Joey Logano: Logano started second at Homestead and finished fourth, posting his 22nd top-five result of the year.

“I dominated the circuit this season,” Logano said, “so you tell me who the rightful Sprint Cup champion should be. I had six wins and 22 top-10 finishes. You do the math. And speaking of math, if you subtracted Matt Kenseth from the equation, I would be Cup champion.”

5. Kurt Busch: Busch finished eighth at Homestead, posting his 21st top 10 of the year.

“Now there are two Sprint Cup championships in the family,” Busch said. “I guess I’ll have to call my brother ‘champ.’ He’s, of course, been called worse.”

6. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin started on the pole at Homestead, his fourth Coors Light pole of the season.

“I tore my knee up playing basketball earlier this year,” Hamlin said. “So, I’m going to have it surgically repaired. Hopefully, the doctors will use pins and screws because there’s a gas pedal that says my leg definitely needs to be heavier.”

7. Carl Edwards: Edwards led eight laps and finished 11th at Homestead.

“Congratulations to Kyle Busch,” Edwards said. “He’ll be a great champion. However, I’m not sure if his reign will do any favors for NASCAR’s Drive For Diversity program because Kyle will be the whitest champion ever.”

8. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex qualified 11th at Homestead and finished 12th, the lowest among championship-eligible drivers.

“This Chase For The Cup had it all,” Truex said. “Intentional wrecks, intentional wrecks made to look unintentional, intentional wrecks gone unpunished by NASCAR, and intentional wrecks punished by NASCAR. It was ‘quint-intentional.’”

9. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski took third in the Ford EcoBoost 400, recording his ninth top five of the year.

“Jeff Gordon was the sentimental favorite,” Keselowski said. “There were a lot of people pulling for him to win, almost as many as were pulling for Kevin Harvick not to win.”

10.Jimmie Johnson: Johnson finished 10th at Homestead, posting his 22nd top 10 of the year.

“I received an odd drive-through penalty,” Johnson said. “Apparently, a crew member put his hip into a big dent in the side of the No. 48 Chevy. That’s a no-no. NASCAR’s rule book states that it’s illegal for cars to be powered by ‘pelvic thrust.’”

November 24, 2015