Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Tag: Ryan Blaney

Hot 20 of the 40 making their way to the truly traditional race at Martinsville

A full field. I may be a traditionalist in many ways, but a 40 car field seems about right to me now. It costs money to put a car on the track, to fit the templates, to run fast enough over a lap or two to qualify. That is even so when that auto is destined to simply start and park.

Three fewer starting spots means an entry that has no intention to try will soon enough whither and die. It becomes too much of a gamble, leaving it to teams like the Wood Brothers, Premium, and the Motorsports Group to fill up any void, to grow, to matter. The No. 55 Premium owned car of Reed Sorenson makes its season debut. The 39 others have all attempted every race, with the No. 30 of Josh Wise and the No. 98 of Cole Whitt only missing the start at Daytona.

If I were a strict traditionalist, I would love races decided by laps instead of inches, but I do not. A traditionalist would want a return to old stock cars, open masked helmets, a monkey in the cockpit or even concrete walls. I do not. What I want is to have Joe, Fireball, Tiny, Bobby, J.D., Clifford, John, Adam, Kenny, and Dale back.

A traditionalist would subscribe to the notion that a driver can drive where ever he damn well pleases. Still, I think Kyle Busch and other Cup drivers have made the XFINITY series irrelevant, which is a damn shame. It irks me how much it steals from the public spotlight that should belong to up and comers like Daniel Suarez, Erik Jones, Ty Dillon, and Darrell Wallace Jr. If NASCAR instituted a “powder puff” division for women, hell, Kyle would probably want to run there, too.

However, a traditionalist loves excellence. A traditionalist wants to see a king on top of the mountain and a field of challengers looking to knock him off the peak. There were some seasons it appeared that Richard Petty was competing against XFINITY drivers. Some might argue that, back in the day, he might have been. Some argue how bad it was for Jimmie Johnson to win five straight titles. I argue that it made it that much sweeter when someone came along good enough to take that title away.

Martinsville reminds me of that. The three hottest of our Hot 20 have, between them, claimed 14 victories at Martinsville. Kevin Harvick has one of them. Denny Hamlin has five. Johnson? He would be the guy with eight to his credit over the course of his career. As a traditionalist, I like that. It gives the rest of them something to go after, something that would be really meaningful if they can accomplish it. Still, Johnson needs another seven just to tie Petty’s career total on the circuit that has been hosting such events since 1948. A traditionalist would love to see him do it.

1 – JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS – 184 PTS
Most successful driver of the 21st century, the best active driver competing at Martinsville.

2 – KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN – 195 PTS
A former champion, the leader in points, and still feels he has something to prove on Sunday.

3 – DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN – 170 PTS
I bet his grandfather clock was too large for the shelf, so it stood the past year on the floor.

4 – BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN – 142 PTS
If the future President Keselowski has to wear a sponsor covered fire-suit, shouldn’t politicians?

5 – CARL EDWARDS – 171 PTS
Averaging a seventh place finish every week is not bad.

6T – KYLE BUSCH – 170 PTS
Ditto. Now with no XFINITY race to worry about this weekend, the trucks, the trucks are calling.

6T – JOEY LOGANO – 170 PTS
Ditto that ditto. Now, as long as Kenseth doesn’t get mad at him this weekend…

8 – KURT BUSCH – 148 PTS
Will not be in the Indianapolis 500 this year. So, I guess that also means Monaco is out.

9 – DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 145 PTS
Will donate his brain for concussion research…but they should expect a very long wait.

10 – AUSTIN DILLON – 139 PTS
How a guy looks in a cowboy hat may depend on his ability, and he is looking better all the time.

11 – MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 127 PTS
Just the latest member of the “Joey is a Jerk” club.

12 – JAMIE MCMURRAY – 125 PTS
No truth to the report that he has insured his dimples for a million dollars.

13 – ARIC ALMIROLA – 120 PTS
You would think the ole No. 43 would be a favorite to win the STP 500.

14 – RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 119 PTS
Not everyone gets to escape from all his racing peers on a holiday, or wants to.

15 – MATT KENSETH – 113 PTS
If having a horrid season still has one sitting in a Chase place, just how horrid can it be?

16T – RYAN BLANEY – 110 PTS
When your son surpasses you, that is when a father knows just how great a job he has done.

16T – CHASE ELLIOTT – 110 PTS
If he used his given name, we would have yet another “Junior” on our hands.

18 – KASEY KAHNE – 109 PTS
I am guessing Ricky and Danica did not invite him over for Easter.

19 – A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 108 PTS
Might consider a return to IndyCar…once they put a roof on the auto and not before.

20T – TREVOR BAYNE – 95 PTS
Almost easy to dismiss the once promising rising star driving for Roush…but he is only 25.

20T – RYAN NEWMAN – 95 PTS
Wants more barrier protection for his pit crew…and on some tracks that shortfall is evident.

March 30, 2016
Elliott and Blaney Dominate Rookie of the Year Battle

Five races into the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney have risen to the top of the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings leaving the rest of the contenders to play a game of “catch me if you can.”

Elliott is the current leader, by way of a tie-breaker, having three top-10 finishes, eighth at Atlanta and Phoenix and a sixth-place finish this past weekend at Fontana. Blaney has placed in the top 10 twice, scoring sixth at Las Vegas and 10th at Phoenix.

Although Elliott was the consensus to win Rookie of the Year honors preseason, Blaney has proven to be a tenacious competitor, leading the standings after three of five races.

The season began with Elliott becoming the youngest driver to win the pole in the history of the Daytona 500. The 20-year-old was elated, saying, “This is a very, very cool day.”

His excitement would be short-lived, however, when Elliott lost control of his car only 20 laps into the Sprint Cup race, sliding through the infield grass and sustaining heavy damage to his car. After repairs to his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Elliott was able to resume the race 40 laps down and finished a disappointing 37th.

By contrast, Blaney was the highest finishing rookie at Daytona, finishing in 19th place. He ran in the top 10 for the first 100 laps but handling issues saw him falling further back as the race continued. It wasn’t the result he wanted but it was enough to begin the year as the leading rookie.

“No one could go on the top all day,” Blaney said after climbing out of his No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford. “There was a while where people could go (on top) but then it’s nonexistent. I don’t know if it’s a lack of motor or what. We got behind and we couldn’t get back up there.”

Blaney was also the highest finishing rookie at Las Vegas while Elliott took the top spot at Atlanta, Phoenix and Fontana.

Since the first race, the trend has continued as the pair take turns occupying the number one position in the rookie standings. Brian Scott (-14), Chris Buescher (-16) and Jeffrey Earnhardt (-37) are third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Scott’s highest finish this year was 12th at Fontana, Buescher’s best was 26th place at Las Vegas while Earnhardt (who has only competed in three of five races) captured his best finish of 33rd at Las Vegas.

Although the season has barely begun, Blaney and Elliott have clearly established themselves as the frontrunners in the rookie competition. After a week off, the action will continue as NASCAR heads to Martinsville Speedway and the battle resumes.

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/angiecampbell_

March 21, 2016
Hot 20 – Johnson is again California dreaming while Harvick is staying with SHR…or is he?

Best damn finishes ever. Well, for two of the four events to date, that has been the headline for NASCAR in 2016. Daytona and Phoenix were decided by gaps measurable with a ruler, and that has to be a good thing. Hell, a great thing. That said, just how exciting has the visual been, what you and I see on the television prior to the final few laps? Pushing the fast forward button at Daytona was difficult, but it always is. As for the rest, the temptation has been there to quicken the action, if only for a few round and round laps.

Kevin Harvick won last week by a hair over Carl Edwards. That was a good story. Rumblings that Harvick might bolt Stewart-Haas Racing when it abandons Chevrolet for Ford might be a better one. Oh, no, it is not going to happen, if you listened to the driver at Daytona. Funny, that was the same line Tony Stewart gave before he dashed away from Joe Gibbs when they went with Toyota. Mind you, this is different. For example, we are not hearing anything about anyone about to place Harvick’s name on the wall as a name partner any time soon, but the point is that today’s promise could always wind up broken.

A piece by Beyond the Flag’s Christopher Olmstead does make one ponder, with sponsor deals with Busch Beer and Jimmy Johns coming to an end after this season and only an option of keeping Harvick for a season longer if push comes to shove. If he bails, some figure he could replace Kasey Kahne in the Rick Hendrick stable. Makes some sense. Still, there is a good chance that where there is Smoke there shall also be Harvick. Rumors can be fun, at least for the gossipers if not so much for the principles involved. Did we not once think a certain Hendrick driver would actually wind up driving for Richard Childress in a car his dad made famous? Nice story, different ending. It could be the same with this one.

Here is hoping the racing at Fontana proves entertaining from start to middle, as well as the finish. Even more entertaining than any rumors. No doubt, a few of the drivers among our Hot 20 will be front and center this weekend, as Jimmy Johns might be replaced by Jimmie Johnson as Sunday’s center of attention. Now, why am I yearning for a sandwich about now?

1. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN – 154 PTS
In the words of Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, he is once again back up where he belongs.

2. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 1 WIN – 140 PTS
Expect no less than a Top Ten, as long as he has something more than vice-grips to steer with.

3. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN – 131 PTS
Last week he did not have a great performance, yet finished third. Sometimes okay is enough.

4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN – 110 PTS
Needed a bus at Phoenix, as everyone knows its wheels go round and round, not kaboom!

5. KYLE BUSCH – 154 PTS
3rd, 3rd, 4th, 4th kind of works as he goes forth.

6. KURT BUSCH – 137 PTS
At least, we have one Busch who knows why Big Leaguers do not regularly play Little League.

7. CARL EDWARDS – 136 PTS
Carl mattered in Phoenix, he will matter at Fontana.

8. JOEY LOGANO – 127 PTS
Life lesson #22: Gas and go…but get all the gas you can before you go.

9. AUSTIN DILLON – 122 PTS
A new generation is making its presence felt…but where are Newman and Menard?

10. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 117 PTS
A new manufacturer, trouble in inspection, a race without his crew chief…and all is well?

11. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 115 PTS
Would be much, much higher if Daytona had not been so much a disappointment.

12. RYAN BLANEY – 104 PTS
Some fly charter, some fly coach, and for some, it just does not matter.

13. ARIC ALMIROLA – 100 PTS
No matter where he goes to bed at night he always remains Almirola by morning.

14. KASEY KAHNE – 96 PTS
Beaten up by a loose air cooling hose in the car, finally beaten by a tire issue outside it.

15. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 94 PTS
Has never enjoyed a Top Ten season. Even in 2010 (Daytona 500/Brickyard) he finished 14th.

16. MATT KENSETH – 90 PTS
Relevant in every race, but just has had trouble before the end of every race…except for last week.

17. KYLE LARSON – 85 PTS
Not yet a Top 15 driver. Not yet.

18. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 83 PTS
Even after the disaster that was Phoenix, he still is the best performer Roush-Fenway has.

19. GREG BIFFLE – 76 PTS
A mean handling car meant another long day for the Biff.

20. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 75 PTS
Average finish of 20th does not cut it, but it beats Trevor, Chase, Danica, Ryan, Paul, Clint…

March 16, 2016
Hot 20 – The heat is on at Phoenix after an endorsement, poor ratings, and some poorer finishes

It is a strange world we live in. Donald Trump appears on his way to the Republican nomination, but an endorsement from Brian France has folks in a tizzy. It could kill the diversity NASCAR is striving for, some claim. That is true. I doubt Trump would be a supporter of any team hiring an illegal alien to drive for them. Crazy, I know.

If that is not bad enough, the television ratings have gone from bad, to worse, to not nearly as awful as the first two races. In a sport that had something of a cult following a decade ago, NASCAR no longer releases attendance figures, prize payouts, and has torn down some grandstands. The antidote will be found on the track, in their marketing, and in the economy. As always, there remains stark room for improvement in all those areas.

A year ago, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won at Phoenix. Five of the six before that, Kevin Harvick claimed the prize. Now, if anyone could use a win this weekend, Danica Patrick, Chase Elliott, and Clint Bowyer would be among them. They sure are not among the Hot 20 going into Sunday’s action.

1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 1 WIN – 110 PTS
Drives like Superman. In California, he will even look a bit like him.

2. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN – 98 PTS
Flag on the ground, flag on the ground, felt like a fool with the flag on the ground.

3. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN – 93 PTS
Recently was asked if driver confrontations are staged. Sure, about as much as a Republican debate.

4. KYLE BUSCH – 116 PTS
Best in points, zip in wins. Close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and NASCAR

5. KEVIN HARVICK – 109 PTS
Has won five of past seven races at Phoenix. If I were a betting man…

6. JOEY LOGANO – 104 PTS
Truck decal: Things I hate: warm beer, cold women, Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski

7. KURT BUSCH – 102 PTS
A pit-road speed limiter button request was made by the speedster to f****** NASCAR.

8. CARL EDWARDS – 96 PTS
Twice failing template inspection last week earns the team a written note of bad tidings.

9T. AUSTIN DILLON – 90 PTS
It has been a while since the No. 3 sat in Victory Lane. It might not be long before it returns.

9T. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 90 PTS
Crew Chief is in the sin bin this week, but the driver has been a factor thus far.

11. RICKY STENHOUSE, JR. – 79 PTS
If Dillon’s performances surprise you, this must make your head spin.

12. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 78 PTS
California’s Caped Crusader hopes to repeat at Gotham…er…Phoenix.

13. KASEY KAHNE – 77 PTS
Bouncing back, or just bouncing. The jury remains out.

14. RYAN BLANEY – 73 PTS
While Mr. Elliott gets the headlines, fellow rookie Blaney thrives in un-Chartered territory.

15. ARIC ALMIROLA – 72 PTS
Living the all-American dream in the all-American car, employed by an all-American icon.

16. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 69 PTS
Some consider this to be a slow start, but it is way too early to get terribly excited just yet.

17. RYAN NEWMAN – 66 PTS
Led just one lap this season. Maybe he is going for quality rather than quantity.

18. PAUL MENARD – 62 PTS
Getting out of a hole at this time of year is a whole lot easier than trying to do it later.

19. REGAN SMITH – 57 PTS
Good start by Tommy Baldwin entry, but last two results have been far from impressive.

20T. TREVOR BAYNE – 56 PTS
Finally had a Top 20 finish last week. Well, at least, that is something.

20T. KYLE LARSON – 56 PTS
Was looking pretty good, then came Las Vegas.

20T. MATT KENSETH – 56 PTS
If NASCAR had a bumper car division, he would be running away with it this season.

20T. GREG BIFFLE – 56 PTS
Tied with his former team-mate and ahead of Danica. That might not make him feel any better.

March 9, 2016
Blaney Rebounds with Sixth Place Finish at Las Vegas

Ryan Blaney drove his No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford to a sixth-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, capturing his first top-10 of the season. It was especially gratifying after a last-lap crash at Atlanta the previous week relegated him to a discouraging 25th place result.

The 22-year-old was also the highest finishing Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender and moved up seven spots to 14th in the series standings.

“It was good to get a good finish after last week’s disappointment,” he said.

Blaney began the Sprint Cup Series race in 14th but by lap 36, made his way into the top 10, running as high as fourth on lap 150. It was no easy task considering the high winds and rain that delayed the start of the Kobalt 400.

“If a gust hit you wrong it was ‘hang on tight’ between (turns) three and four,” he explained. “I actually almost caused a big one on a re-start because a huge gust of wind hit us. It was really unpredictable but the spotter does a great job of telling you what’s going on.”

Blaney described the incident in more detail in the media center following the race, saying, “I got blown into (turn) three pretty hard one time and almost took the 88 (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) out and that would have been terrible.”

Joey Logano, who finished second in the race, quipped, “You would have been hated as much as me, maybe more.”

Amid laughter, Blaney answered, “That was in my mind actually as I was sliding to him.”

The finish was not only a morale boost for the team but inspires confidence as they head to next week’s event at Phoenix. Blaney spoke about the impact moving forward.

“(It was) very significant,” he said. “Especially after Atlanta, last week, getting spun out on the last lap, kind of got us down a lot. To come here and have a solid run all day really ups the spirits. This team is working very well together. We kind of had a trial run last year running part-time. Now we brought in some new personnel this year. They’ve done a great job since Daytona.

“It’s a big, big accomplishment for the Wood Brothers team today,” Blaney continued, “and hopefully gives us some good momentum for Phoenix.

“We were good all day,” he emphasized after the race. “We were able to drive up through the field early and we made the car better throughout the day. It’s a great day. It’s a good way to get our season back on track after Atlanta. We had a good run and it always makes you feel good going into next week.”

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Phoenix International Raceway next weekend as Blaney and the No. 21 team hope to capitalize on their success as the season progresses.

March 6, 2016
Hot 20 – If rules are meant to be broken, somebody forgot to tell NASCAR

Rules be rules, and the book was tossed at a number of folks after Atlanta. The biggest hit was taken by Martin Truex Jr. after a roof flap issue meant the loss of 15 points. Thanks to the appeal process, he keeps crew chief Cole Pearn for this weekend otherwise, he would be gone for a race and tagged with a $50,000 fine. Considering it is the second straight race the issue has come up, NASCAR got rather ornery.

The honchos were not happy. A.J. Allmendinger lost 10 points for issues regarding his rear wheel crush panels. Austin Dillon, Paul Menard, Ryan Newman and Michael McDowell lost 10 each for components of the car not being kosher. Each crew chief also got to donate $15,000 to the cause.

The poobahs were not done. For failing to pass the pre-qualifying inspection after three attempts, they sent nasty notes to Jeffery Earnhardt’s people, along with the loss of 15 minutes of practice time. Uncle Dale Earnhardt Jr., along with Matt DiBenedetto, and Cole Whitt, were written up after each failed twice.

The lords of all racing even managed to hand out a $5000 penalty to an XFINITY crew chief, wrote up six others for pre-racing inspection issues, and even tagged a Camping World team for failing post-race inspection.

Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do?

In the meantime, NASCAR boss Brian France came out and endorsed Donald Trump for President. To each his own, but I cannot help thinking that while the Donald might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the character and morality flaws of some of the others leave him looking like Gandhi. Yes, it is a strange, strange world we live in, Master Jack.

Off to Las Vegas, our Hot 20 performers include…

1. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN – 70 PTS
Still has Atlanta car, but his Daytona car is missing. It happens every darn year to somebody.

2. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 1 WIN – 70 PTS
Win a race, tie Dale Earnhardt, pretty much lock in a spot in the Chase. Check, check, and check.

3. KYLE BUSCH – 78 PTS
Won Atlanta’s XFINITY race and outran my five-month-old nephew Oscar. What a guy.

4. KEVIN HARVICK – 74 PTS
If he hopes to repeat in 2016, does that mean Harvick “peated” at Las Vegas last year?

5. CARL EDWARDS – 73 PTS
No one mentions his former friend 12919-028 anymore.

6. KURT BUSCH – 69 PTS
Will the hometown look the same as he steps down from the plane?

7. JOEY LOGANO – 64 PTS
A recent story was entitled, “Logano tries to adjust to new package.” I giggled. I am so immature.

8. MARTIN TRUEX, JR. – 60 PTS
Roof flap issues cost Truex 15 points, but the appeal retains for him his crew chief, for now.

9. ARIC ALMIROLA – 55 PTS
Some with Cuban heritage are running for President. President Almirola has a ring to it.

10. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 54 PTS
While Mr. France likes Donald Trump, Brad kind of likes the sound of President Keselowski.

11. AUSTIN DILLON – 53 PTS
When I rechecked the point standings from Tuesday, I thought I might have had another stroke.

12. MATT KENSETH – 51 PTS
In future, when the flag goes black, maybe they should get back.

13. RICKY STENHOUSE, JR. – 50 PTS
Later this season, he will truly be a Sunny Delight. I wonder if Ms. Patrick would agree?

14. KYLE LARSON – 49 PTS
A big fan of the NBA Charlotte Hornets. I like the NHL Montreal Canadiens. We both are weird.

15. KASEY KAHNE – 46 PTS
Named by Hollywood Life as a Top 10 Hottie of NASCAR. Nope. Danica is all alone.

16. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 45 PTS
After failing pre-qualifying inspection twice, even Junior got written up on Santa’s naughty list.

17. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 44 PTS
Looked good at Atlanta, then they began the second minute of action.

18. REGAN SMITH – 40 PTS
Tommy Baldwin should be proud.

19. CHASE ELLIOTT – 38 PTS
Thanks to good, clean living and NASCAR penalties, the rookie makes the list.

20. RYAN BLANEY – 38 PTS
Some got a Charter, some did not need it.

21. RYAN NEWMAN – 38 PTS
Must have been a Childress thing, as Newman and Menard are also 10 lighter than first tallied.

March 2, 2016
The Final Word – It was a war of words at Atlanta, black flags be damned

The drivers liked it. I think most pure race enthusiasts liked it. I kind of liked it. It was not the visual experience Daytona provides, granted, but you could not to sure of anything until it ended. One pit problem, a lack of cautions, and just the second of the day popping up right at the end sure rid us of some of our preconceptions.

For example, Matt Kenseth was going to have a wonderful day at Atlanta. Sure, what could go wrong? Well, it seems that the most a gasman can do when actually fueling the car, when the can is actually engaged, is to pass gas or maybe sing a little song, but that is about it. He cannot place a wrench on the deck of the car, for example. That would call for a pit penalty. Not so, claimed crew chief Jason Ratcliff, who was too busy arguing the case that he did not seem to notice when NASCAR black flagged the driver, then quit counting his laps. Kenseth sure the hell did, and did not seem terribly happy about it. By the time he came in, he was going to go back out two laps down, and he stayed down to finish 19th despite once leading for 47 laps.

Kurt Busch led from the pole and looked sweet for the early going. Sixty-two laps worth of sweetness. Then others got even sweeter, but a fourth place finish was not bad. If we thought he who led early would also lead late, we were bound to wind up mistaken.

Kevin Harvick then would be the guy. He led late. He led the most, with 131 laps on the point. He looked good. Then Chad Knaus ruined everything. He called Jimmie Johnson in early for some fresh rubber in a bid to make up ground. That happened. When Harvick came in under green, a hung front tire cost him four seconds in the pits against Johnson’s time. Harvick was down by more than a dozen seconds, made up half of it, then stalled. It was over, right? Wrong.

Two-thirds of the way through at Atlanta, we had our first caution for debris. By that time, we had two-thirds of the field lapped. With just three to go, Ryan Newman blew a right rear and caution waved for just the second time on the day. Harvick and Johnson would restart side by side.

If only Happy had not spun his tires, it might have been close. If only he did not get tagged by Martin Truex Jr. from behind, then rubbed by Carl Edwards from the side, he might have been able to salvage the situation. If only. Sixth was to be his fate, one spot behind Edwards and just ahead of Truex.

In the end, Johnson won his 76th career race, tying the mark of the late Dale Earnhardt, as his son and Johnson’s teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr., came home second, just ahead of Kyle Busch. This is not what we thought would happen with 20 to go. Once again, we were wrong. If we can be so wrong in a race that had just three cautions, including one that came out on the final lap, there must have been some decent racing action going on. With Las Vegas coming up next week, betting on the outcome might truly be the dominion of true gamblers. Hell, we can’t even be sure as to how big the field is going to be anymore.

The worst Charter car was the 38th place finish of Jeffrey Earnhardt, in a 39 car field. The best non-Charter was Ryan Blaney in 25th. Danica Patrick was 20th, sandwiched between Kenseth and Jamie McMurray. With the win, Johnson joins Denny Hamlin, 16th at Atlanta, as the pair with a ticket all but already punched for the Chase. If nothing else, picking those two to be among the Chasers would have been a very astute pick.

Thank God there appears to be at least one thing we can be confident about.

February 29, 2016
Biggest Surprise for NASCAR Drivers After Atlanta Race?

While the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway may have been the first test of the new low downforce rules package, the biggest surprise for many of the NASCAR drivers who competed may just have been the ‘big one’ that occurred on the very last lap.

The wreck, which occurred on the backstretch during overtime, drew the yellow flag that ended the race and crowned Jimmie Johnson the winner.

The driver with the most damage from the Atlanta ‘big one’ was Aric Almirola. His famed Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 Smithfield Ford caught fire and literally burned up the entire back end of his race car.

Almirola was able to exit the car with the help of some of the NASCAR and fire officials. He was treated and released from the infield care center.

“This was certainly not the finish that we had hoped for,” Almirola said. “This race was a game in tire management. The tire fall off caused our tires to slide all over the track and made it incredibly difficult to keep the car on the bottom.”

“Once we fell a lap down, it was so hard to get back on the lead lap with how challenging it was to pass in a loose car. But we ran in the Top-20 all afternoon, and we had a competitive car.”

“It was disappointing to have a wreck on the last lap, especially with how hard our team worked, but I know that we’ll be able to bounce back next week in Las Vegas.”

In spite of the melee, Almirola still was able to finish in the 15th position due to the limited number of race cars on the lead lap.

David Ragan, driver of the No. 23 Dr. Pepper Toyota for BK Racing was also involved in the crash. He too was treated and released from the infield care center and finished in the 32nd spot.

“Had a lot of fun racing and working on our Dr. Pepper, Toyota Racing Camry today,” Ragan tweeted after the race. “Stinks to get torn up on the last lap! Take the good with the bad.”

One of sports’ more promising rookies also fell victim to that cursed ‘big one.’ Ryan Blaney, driver of the Woods Brother No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing team, went from 16th to 25th as a result of the late race carnage.

“We had an OK car all day and we were just trying to find some balance,” Blaney said. “Sometimes we were better than others and at the end, we weren’t the best. We were gonna run 13th to 15th, which would have been an OK day.”

“I didn’t know what happened initially, but I guess the 43 got a big run off the top and I was inside the 14 and got tagged in the back. That’s what they’re telling me and, unfortunately, that sent me around, which kind of stinks.”

“We were just trying to salvage a decent day out of it and it just stinks to run all those laps and then get wrecked at the end of a race. There are some things we can learn to go onto Vegas next week and we’re excited to bounce back there.”

The final driver to get caught up in the so-called ‘big one’ was Landon Cassill, driver of the No. 38 FR8 Auctions Ford.

“They just kind of wrecked in front of me,” Cassill said. “I had the car slowed down to where I felt like I was going the pace of the wreck. It wasn’t clear in front of me yet, but it was gonna be because it looked like he was gonna go to the bottom and somebody hit me from behind.”

“It was a frustrating way to end the day because it was a handful anyways. At that point, we did have a position to race for, but you didn’t want to risk anything.”

“We just wanted to bring it home in one piece and we didn’t get to do that. I hate having a tore up race car, but maybe it will give us an opportunity to take a look at it and see what we can do to make it better.”

Cassill managed a 36^th place finish in spite of the crashing all around him.

One driver that just barely missed the last-lap wreck was Danica Patrick. The driver of the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 Aspen Dental Chevrolet scored a top-20 finish when the checkered flag flew.

“I can’t believe we made it through there at the end,” Patrick said. “I think I missed about three spins.”

Whether being a part of the race’s only wreck or just making it through, the biggest surprise for the NASCAR elite at Atlanta was no doubt the ‘big one’, especially during the waning laps of the race.

But the season is young and there will no doubt be plenty of other major wrecks to sort through. Anyone taking bets on a Vegas ‘big one?’

February 28, 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
In NASCAR, tenacity inherits a charter spot while success means absolutely nothing

Sometimes you earn by doing, sometimes you earn by succeeding. In NASCAR, perseverance seems to trump performance as it announced the Charter teams heading into 2016 and beyond. It has everything to do with how tenacious a team has been in at least attempting to run, and absolutely nothing to do with their success, be it yesterday, today, or even at some future date.

Thirty-six teams need not worry, at least for the next three years, whether or not they will be racing each week in Cup action after NASCAR granted charters to 19 racing organizations. The agreement, which is slated to run for the next nine seasons, means that the holders of those charters will have no concerns, regardless as to how their seasons have gone or how they qualify. Good news for those seeking some guaranteed stability in their operation, knowing that they can tell sponsors and vendors that they will be running no matter what.

While 36 will be locked in, only four open slots will be available to anyone else. The field will be reduced from 43 to 40 cars, though when you consider that only a couple a dozen of them have any realistic chance of success any given week, the fans have not lost much.

Where they lose is that there are some bad teams that will not be going anywhere or replaced by anyone until at least 2025. The only way to lose a Charter is to finish among the three worst Charter teams for three straight years, and even then that would be at NASCAR’s discretion. If you want a Charter, you either got rewarded with one this week or you have to buy it. No Charters can be earned through racing performance. You can get the loan of one from a team for a single season, and that could happen with that particular Charter only once every five years. In addition, the maximum number of Charters an organization can have is four, the same number of cars they actually can own and operate.

NASCAR came up with the 36 charters after going over the past three seasons to determine which outfits were making the weekly commitment. The Wood Brothers No. 21, driven by Ryan Blaney, did not make the cut as that organization has been running part-time in recent seasons. Performance alone did not cut it, as the Kurt Busch ride, the Stewart-Haas No. 41 and the Joe Gibbs’ No. 19 team of Carl Edwards, also failed to qualify due to their relatively recent formations. Though Clint Bowyer’s entry made it, thanks to a million dollar Charter loan from Premium’s Jay Robinson, Harry Scott’s other car, the No. 46 of Michael Annett did not. With Michael Waltrip Racing going the way of the dodo, its two charters can be purchased from what is left of MWR. It is expected that Busch and Edwards will wind up as the beneficiaries of that.

Eight organizations, which include Petty, Hendrick, Roush, Gibbs, Childress, Penske, Stewart-Haas and Ganassi, have combined for a total of 942 victories. Two other teams, Front Row and Furniture Row, have a win each. That leaves eight, a list that includes such franchise entities as JTG Daugherty, Baldwin, Germain, Go Fas, BK Racing, Circle Sport and Premium Motorsports, all which have yet to taste the champagne. Meanwhile, the owners of cars driven by Kurt Busch and Carl Edwards, who both won twice in 2015, have to buy Charters to be locked in. Wood Brothers, returning to full-time operations after nine seasons, is an outsider. Those 98 wins, 116 poles over 1405 races since 1950 do not mean squat.

If one day all this equates into some sort of equality amongst teams, where today’s weak sisters grow and compete with the big boys, then fine and good. However, if we are left with a band of weak sisters at the expense of those who can demonstrate an ability to succeed, we shall all be the poorer for it.

February 10, 2016