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Hot 20 – If given a choice, rather than Loudon I would prefer to be stuck in Lodi again

Loudon, New Hampshire is where they hand out a lobster to the winner. Okay, it is not as cool as Dover’s Miles the Monster trophy, with a diecast of the winning car held aloft in its mighty hand. No grandfather clock like they award at Martinsville, or the six-shooters of Texas, and that sweet Les Paul guitar for races in Nashville. On the positive side, you can not eat any of those other awards.

Will we be thrilled with edge-of-seat riveting excitement at Loudon? It is not exactly a super speedway or features the beating and banging at Bristol nor does it present the rights to go with the lefts of the road courses. It has been on the NASCAR Cup schedule only since 1993, so it does not even have the history of a Darlington or Charlotte. How much is Loudon in need of an excitement transplant? Well, they are putting some sticky substance on the turns for better grip. Yes, hope springs eternal.

Eleven active drivers have wins there. Kyle Busch is winless this season, but he should be good for the Chase on points alone. Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer seem good for now, but for now might not be good enough in a few weeks. A win for either would be comforting.

It would mean more for former winners Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano. Kenseth leads Logano by seven points in the battle for that final berth. Now, should Erik Jones, Daniel Saurez, Trevor Bayne, or someone else behind them in the standings win, that is where the excitement would truly lie. Then, Bowyer would be sitting on the bubble and the gap between in and out increases. Kasey Kahne won there once and is not even among our Hot 20. Win on Sunday and he certainly would be. That would be exciting.

For you, Loudon will come down to how your favorite driver performs along with the prospect of someone needing a win getting one. That is where the excitement Sunday afternoon will stem from, along with re-starts and visor cams. Lots and lots of visor cams.

1. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 3 WINS (709 Pts)
If the Chase began today, he would go in with a 12 point lead…

2. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 3 WINS (519 Pts)
…over Mr. Johnson.

3. KYLE LARSON – 2 WINS (710 Pts)
Missed qualifying, then sped down pit road, and wound up passing everybody but one.

4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS (536 Pts)
Wants better cars and more manufacturers. I want better tracks and a lot more visor cams.

5. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 2 WINS (418 Pts)
On television last Monday, he was the best damned Ninja Warrior in NASCAR.

6. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN (599 Pts)
Finished ninth at Kentucky, and was the last driver on the lead lap…

7. RYAN BLANEY – 1 WIN (462 Pts)
…while Ryan was 10th at Kentucky…and a lap down.

8. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (419 Pts)
The smoke proved to be due to a failed axle at Kentucky.

9. RYAN NEWMAN – 1 WIN (414 Pts)
Points are fine, but that win at Phoenix has made all the difference.

10. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN (341 Pts)
Ryan’s Childress teammate would not even be on this list if not for Charlotte.

11. KYLE BUSCH – 609 POINTS
Won XFINITY race at Kentucky, meaning 12 of 16 on their schedule have been won by Cup guys.

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 560 POINTS
Very good driver, but one hell of an ax thrower.

13. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 545 POINTS
One way or another, Hamlin’s gonna find ya, he’s gonna getcha, getcha, getcha, getcha.

14. DENNY HAMLIN – 538 POINTS
What, did that go over my radio?

15. CLINT BOWYER – 495 POINTS
Hot at Sonoma and Daytona, but just lukewarm at Kentucky. Needs to bring the heat on Sunday.

16. MATT KENSETH – 478 POINTS
Loses his ride next season. Talk about having incentive to put forth a great audition run.

17. JOEY LOGANO – 471 POINTS (1 Win)
Win or get more points than Kenseth. Just being better won’t cut it, as we saw last week.

18. ERIK JONES – 426 POINTS
Replaces Kenseth in the No. 20 next season. Needs a win to replace him in the Chase this season.

19. DANIEL SUAREZ – 373 POINTS
Went from fighting for a Top Ten last week, to just fighting to bring the wreck across the line.

20. TREVOR BAYNE – 352 POINTS
Like Kahne, he needed a win. Like Kahne, he found the damned wall instead.

July 12, 2017
The Final Word – The boy from New Jersey looked real comfortable in his Old Kentucky Home

Kentucky. I love Kentucky. It is the home of bourbon. It is where Daniel Boone killed himself a b’ar. It is where they run a pretty important horse derby every year. Of course, I pre-tape the thing to avoid the four hours of filler to get at the three minutes worth watching. I even once liked its Fried Chicken. Hell, I actually met Col. Sanders once, though I must say that I did not lick his fingers. Just saying.

It also hosts a NASCAR race. To be honest, that does not exactly rank up with those other things that create a soft spot in my heart for Kentucky. Maybe this year it might. I mean, without hope what do we have? With Linkin’ Bridge, you got one of the best renditions of the Star Spangled Banner I have heard all season. Amazing. At least we were off to a terrific start.

When the Chase arrives, Martin Truex Jr. will have a great start when they re-jig the points. Once again he claimed the opening two stages, and once again Kyle Busch was doing his bridesmaid routine, finishing second in both. To be honest, those two were all that mattered the initial 160 laps. They mattered even more than my brother Regan, and it was his damn birthday.

Jimmie Johnson did not matter on Saturday night. Brad Keselowski lost grip but found Johnson as the pair both ended the night in the second stage. Trevor Bayne became irrelevant when Kasey Kahne clipped him shortly after. Bayne remained on the track, only to soon crash completely out.

No one had anything for Truex, but Kurt Busch came up with an equalizer. As he went up in smoke with just two laps remaining, leaving the outcome in doubt as the caution forced this one into overtime. Everyone came in to pit, but one. The one they all were chasing throughout the evening.

It did not matter. No one but Truex would matter in the end as a caution came out late on the final lap to hand the honors over, but really that did not matter either. Nobody was going to catch the 37-year old New Jersey driver short of digging a Kentucky b’ar pit. Truex swept the stages, claimed his third win of the season, just one shy of his quartet from last year.

There was just one notable change on the ladder. Joey Logano fell to seven points back in the fight for the final Chase berth. The eighth place finisher might have been nine positions better, but Matt Kenseth had a 13-0 advantage in segment points.

It was a perfect night for Truex, while Rowdy picked up 50 points for his trouble, finishing fifth. Forty-plus evenings were enjoyed by the likes of Kyle Larson (2nd), Kevin Harvick (9th), Jamie McMurray (7th), Denny Hamlin (4th), and Erik Jones (6th).

For Johnson, Bayne, and Keselowski, well, did I mention that Kentucky was the home of bourbon?

July 10, 2017
Hot 20 – Kentucky – I am so happy I feel like bouncing…just more like Eeyore than Tigger

Welcome to the Eeyore edition of the Hot 20. Last week, it was Daytona. That was the Happy Snoopy Dance version. This Saturday night, it is Kentucky. My level of excitement is slightly subdued.

It is not as if there is nothing to watch for. Clint Bowyer might like a win, but he is not quite yet in desperate straits. Matt Kenseth might and with Joey Logano just three points behind him, a win or just a much better day than the one his rival experiences would be sweet. Logano would be fine except for the fact five guys below him in points have wins and Joey’s victory counts for nothing.

Kenseth won in Kentucky in 2013, and could sure use another. Kyle Busch has a pair there, in 2011 and 2015, but his points total sure looks good enough despite him being winless. In 2012, 2014, and 2016, the winner was Brad Keselowski. Other than to chalk up some more playoff points, he needs it like I need to gain another 20 pounds.

If a 2017 race winner wins again, it could be pretty ho-hum. If someone 11th through 15th takes the prize, that would be nice. However, if someone 16th or beyond claims the contest Saturday night, Kentucky just might turn out to be mighty interesting indeed.

Of course, like Eeyore, I can be content in the knowledge that things could always be worse. Not sure how, but they could be.

1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 3 WINS (516 Pts)
If this racing thing doesn’t pan out, he could always be a salesman. He is quite the pedaler.

2. KYLE LARSON – 2 WINS (667 Pts)
Top gun in points, has a pair of wins, and soon might not be known as the “other” Kyle.

3. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2 WINS (649 Pts)
According to Las Vegas, this is your favorite for Sparta’s big race.

4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS (535 Pts)
Ignore Thornton. “I am Sparta!”

5. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 2 WINS (395 Pts)
Wins at Talladega and Daytona. Who the hell does he think he is, Jamie McMurray?

6. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN (557 Pts)
Has not yet won at Pocono, Texas, or Kentucky. Time to break out the bucket list.

7. RYAN BLANEY – 1 WIN (435 Pts)
Backward flip into a pool after signing a giant rubber duck. That was his Daytona experience.

8. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (408 Pts)
Said Junior had the car to beat last week…and, by God, they beat it real good.

9. RYAN NEWMAN – 1 WIN (399 Pts)
I am starting to think that they keep Newman locked up in a dark room between races.

10. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN (323 Pts)
Darlington might be three months away, but his paint scheme that day will be so sweet.

11. KYLE BUSCH – 559 POINTS
Doesn’t need a third Kentucky win. He just wants it.

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 524 POINTS
Upset with McDowell, but will keep it civil. I mean, Michael is just too damn big not to.

13. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 504 POINTS
If he is not finishing in the Top Fifteen, it means he crashed.

14. DENNY HAMLIN – 498 POINTS
How this race differs from the Daytona 500? If he wins Saturday, the car won’t be up on display.

15. CLINT BOWYER – 469 POINTS
Not locked in just yet, but feeling pretty confident.

16. MATT KENSETH – 445 POINTS
Not so confident, but he is one of three who has won in Kentucky before.

17. JOEY LOGANO – 442 POINTS (1 W)
It has been a while since a race winner was sitting outside a Chase place.

18. ERIK JONES – 386 POINTS
Has it much easier at an autograph session than, say, Brad Keselowski.

19. DANIEL SUAREZ – 354 POINTS
Maybe…just maybe…we have the first Mexican Olympic bobsleigh champion right here.

20. TREVOR BAYNE – 351 POINTS
A Bayne win Saturday would even make Eeyore smile.

July 5, 2017
Hot 20 – Daytona in the summer time

The changing of the guard. NASCAR fans are getting used to that. Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and soon Dale Earnhardt Jr. Summer returns, which means FOX leaves to be replaced by NBC.

I also read that FOX Sports is dumping its prose in favor of video. Ironically enough, I read about it. Some of us still like to read. If I am wrong about that, I may soon be writing about other things for folks who maintain a certain level of literacy. You would not want me to return to video, but it raises some possibilities. For example, not only could I describe my raised middle digit in salute to what I think about “progress,” but I could visually share it with you should the video censors allow.

Did you notice Danica Patrick’s visor cam last weekend? I loved it. It had that in-car video game feel. You felt like you were actually in the car because visually you were. You looked out the windshield and saw the hands on the wheel. Of the innovative camera angles presented in recent years, the visor cam is the best. I bet we could even see a raised middle finger should the situation warrant it.

Sonoma was our featured track last week, which was good. Daytona returns for this weekend. That is great. Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Indianapolis come to our screens after that, but why dampen my mood just yet.

NASCAR says stage racing will be staying. I might be in the minority, but I like it. I think it is stupid to add an additional stage to the World 600, but I do like it for the most part. They probably offer up too much for those who might have been something in the first half of the race but disappear when it counts, but who ever blamed NASCAR for being perfect? Okay, I just made myself laugh.

Ten drivers have given the rest of the field the bird, with wins all but locking them into the Chase. Six others are there on points, but that number could dwindle should somebody else claim their first win of the season. Right now, Joey Logano, Clint Bowyer, and Matt Kenseth are fighting it out over those final two playoff spaces. That could change to just the final slot should somebody like Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Trevor Bayne come up with the goods on Saturday night.

An Earnhardt in Victory Lane at Daytona. Now, I am not sure if that would constitute much of a change or not. It would sure be one way to rocket up to be among our Hot 20…

1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 3 WINS – 483 Pts
The perfect gift idea for his crew chief? A new laptop, of course.

2. KYLE LARSON – 2 WINS – 659 Pts
When you average more than 40 points every week, they start to add up.

3. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2 WINS – 646 Pts
Hell of a car, hell of an opening stage, too bad about that engine last week.

4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS – 519 Pts
Does anyone really think Penske would let Brad get away?

5. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN – 548 Pts
The winningest driver in Cup…over the past week.

6. RYAN BLANEY – 1 WIN – 415 Pts
Despite the win, Blaney still has seven races in which he garnered less than 20 points.

7. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN – 389 Pts
After his appearance on the Today Show, he can never again criticize his pit crew.

8. RYAN NEWMAN – 1 WIN – 367 Pts
If only Paul Menard could find his way to Victory Lane, Childress would be 3 for 3.

9. RICKY STENHOUSE JR – 1 WIN – 355 Pts
Mr. Stenhouse. That was not what I would call a love tap.

10. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN – 322 Pts
Going with the red, white, and blue on Saturday night.

11. KYLE BUSCH – 542 PTS
Want to be a crew chief for a day? If you do, it is best you come in with deep pockets.

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 509 PTS
Still looking for that first win, but found a new four-year contract extension.

13. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 477 PTS
Daytona. It is a track worthy of another McMurray victory.

14. DENNY HAMLIN – 476 PTS
Won Xfinity race at Michigan. Thankfully, William Byron finally got his win at Iowa last week.

15. JOEY LOGANO – 434 PTS – 1 Win
Another unencumbered win, like the one he had there 2.5-years ago, would sure come in handy.

16. CLINT BOWYER – 427 PTS
Clint’s best finish there is fourth.

17. MATT KENSETH – 423 PTS
Has won a pair of Daytona 500’s, but now hopes to overcome his summertime blues.

18. ERIK JONES – 358 PTS
Is this just a one season stop before moving on to Gibbs Racing?

19. TREVOR BAYNE – 337 PTS
Won the big race in 2011, was third in last year’s July contest.

20. DANIEL SUAREZ – 334 PTS
10 Mexican wins, 3 Xfinity, 1 truck victory. It is just a matter of time.

June 28, 2017
The Final Word – Tradition is fine, but at Sonoma some followed their own course on that road

As we were reminded by Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, tradition contributes a lot to our society. However, sometimes we like to change things up. Sometimes we have to.

Gentlemen, start your engines. That is what was customarily said prior to races, but no longer. You probably thought that was due to a woman being in the field. Nope. There are just not enough gentlemen. Just ask Danica Patrick. She was cruising along in sixth in the opening stage when Dale Earnhardt Jr. lost traction, slid through the hairpin turn at Sonoma, and sat across the track. She collided with him. Of course, it was an accident, but it also was not very gentlemanly.

Later, the boys were crowding into another turn. Junior and Kyle Larson made contact, domino’d into Patrick, who spun. Again, not very gentlemanly. She spun right in front of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. That ended the day for the boyfriend, as Patrick finished 17th in an event that promised to be better.

There are 20 bonus points up for grabs each race, not counting the World 600. Some, like Martin Truex Jr., enjoy collecting those points and the additional playoff markers that winning a stage delivers. Sometimes, that is about the only thing you come away with. Truex won the opening stage but saw his engine expire in the third. He finished last, but he did collect 11 points on the day.

Some want the bonus points, and some could not care less. Everything Kevin Harvick did on the day, especially their pit strategy, was to be there up front in the end. No bonus except what comes with winning. It was Harvick’s first win of the season, the 36th of his career and his first on a road course. The win turned a very likely playoff appearance into almost a sure thing.

Harvick got the win, chalked up 40 points for the race, but others collected more. Denny Hamlin (fourth) managed 46 and Brad Keselowski (third) earned 43 to pad their own collections. Just as 40+ points equates into a good day, below 20 means things could have gone better. We already talked about Truex, but Larson had the pole, finished third in the opening stage, but finished 26th. Same low grades for Erik Jones and Trevor Bayne.

Of note was the runner-up finish of Clint Bowyer. He pops four points ahead of Matt Kenseth in the fight for that final Chase berth, and within seven of Joey Logano. Ten are locked in with wins, leaving six presently open to being determined by points. There are just 10 races to go to see if someone might break some hearts.

Some break hearts, some help break your bank account. If I were a crew chief, I would insist on the crew being part of my family. Kyle Busch, who lost one crew chief due to suspension for no lug nuts, might lose his replacement for missing a pair of them at Sonoma. At least if my sons were my tire changers, I could deduct the fines coming my way from their inheritance. There is an idea for a new family tradition.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. could be a heart breaker next week. He might be just 22nd in points, but a win would certainly shake things up as he wraps up his career. Just as a win at Sonoma did wonders for Tony Stewart in his final season, same goes for Earnhardt. Why would I put forth Junior as a possible winner at Daytona? Tradition, of course.

Tradition!

June 26, 2017
Hot 20-California to make a sharp turn to the right, but only on the race track at Sonoma

It is ironic that the two tracks that feature folks turning to the right are in California and New York, where you would think left would be the preferred direction. Sonoma is the perfect venue to feature our hot drivers, with temperatures this week in the 90s, though promises to be in the low 80s come Sunday. It a facility well used, with 340 days of racing events featured annually.

This is no oval in the sunshine. Its undulating geography has them rise up through the second and third turns, where the inside tires ride higher than the outside. Uphill they go, through the chute before heading back down to reach the hairpin left-hand 11th turn. Then, it is a race to the finish line to complete the 1.99-mile journey.

Sonoma is where Tony Stewart claimed his final career victory, his third on the track. Only six active drivers remain who have claimed a win there. Kyle Busch has a pair. The other five include Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr., Kasey Kahne and Stewart’s employee, Clint Bowyer. The latter pair sure could use another one about now.

No matter how your season has been going, a victory on the road course would make everything seem alright…just not alt.right. That is a totally different deal apparently.

The Hot 20 heading to Sonoma include…

1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 3 WINS – 449 Pts
After signing up for an additional three seasons, wants Chad Knaus to join him.

2. KYLE LARSON – 2 WINS – 640 Pts
17th at Martinsville. 14th at Richmond. 33rd at Charlotte. 12th or better everywhere else.

3. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2 WINS – 635 Pts
When you count playoff points, Truex becomes our leader.

4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS – 476 Pts
Some say he could be the new man in the 88. Others say they then would burn their 88 gear.

5. RYAN BLANEY – 1 WIN – 376 Pts
Embrace your Nickelback adoration and become Hanna, Alberta’s most beloved driver.

6. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN – 359 Pts
Sonoma is wine country. Wine comes from grapes. Grapes grow on Busch’s. Okay, it’s a theory.

7. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 1 WIN – 354 Pts
When my wife has a bad day at the office, we don’t talk about work. Thought I might mention it.

8. RYAN NEWMAN – 1 WIN – 344 Pts
I briefly saw Newman at Michigan. Once, but I did see him.

9. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN – 297 Pts
Former Air Force fan sent him his flight gloves. My biggest fan is a proctologist. I want nothing.

10. KYLE BUSCH – 510 PTS
Has led in each of the past six races, and won the All-Star race. I do not think he has to worry.

11. KEVIN HARVICK – 508 PTS
From DeLana to Joey: “Congrats! Now you’ll really see who wears the fire suit in the family.”

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 478 PTS
Runner-up finish last week was his best, to add to his handful of Top Fives in 15 attempts.

13. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 450 PTS
If his teammate can win, he can win. Next iconic race comes up soon in Daytona.

14. DENNY HAMLIN – 430 PTS
Was fourth on Sunday, which is good. Won the Xfinity race on Saturday (sort of), but who gives a damn?

15. JOEY LOGANO – 398 PTS – 1 Win
Encumbered is a fancy way of saying wins without benefits.

16. MATT KENSETH – 398 PTS
Fun fact: Only those currently in a Chase place have earned a playoff point this season.

17. CLINT BOWYER – 391 PTS
His boss won at Sonoma last year, he won in 2012, and Clint might need to do it again.

18. ERIK JONES – 346 PTS
Was racing recently in Senoia, Georgia. I wonder if he got to meet Carl, Rick, Daryl, and Negan?

19. TREVOR BAYNE – 323 PTS
This month he has a win and now Levi Jensen Bayne. It has been a great June for Trevor.

20. DANIEL SUAREZ – 313 PTS
Older drivers still rule, as just nine of this group of twenty are 20-somethings.

June 21, 2017
Hot 20 – Heading to Michigan, Danica would top this chart if it were not based on performance

You would think it would be great to be Danica Patrick. After Pocono, she might be thinking it would be far easier to be Kyle Busch.

When Kyle does not win, Kyle is not happy. He might not be out signing autographs like Richard Petty should he fall short, especially a race he thought he should have won. Danica finished 16th at Pocono and walked by some autograph hounds without stopping to sign. They then brought out the raspberries. Patrick did not like that and turned to face them.

“If you’re a real fan then you’ll know my job is not to sign autographs. My job is to drive a car and to tell the team what is going on.”

She added that the booing was hurtful, and she pulled no punches in doing so.

“I don’t appreciate the booing. It hurts my feelings. I’m a f***ing person. I’m a person too. I have feelings.”

I think Kyle might have similar thoughts on the matter, though I am sure he probably would have expressed them a bit differently. Rowdy might not have mentioned how they hurt his feelings, but there are a couple of Danica’s words he might have used, along with a few more. Did the crowd feel bad after her comments? Not really. They could not help but notice she still had not given them her autograph. They forget she is a driver first and foremost. If not, they would be hounding the Monster Energy ladies for their autographs. Hell, maybe they do.

Meanwhile, Patrick has a new book out, but some question as to how much touch-up was done to her cover photo. Really? Who gives a damn? I might question her ability to bring in the results you might expect given the resources behind her, but I do not question her popularity, her place in the sport, her dedication, or her appearance.

If the latter really mattered out on the track, Patrick would top our Hot 20 every damn week. Until such time as they figure out why her racing performance is not where they want it to be, that should be her focus. Her real fans would understand that. The others just do not matter. If you don’t like it, try approaching Jack Nicholson for an autograph. He would just tell you to go to hell.

1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 3 WINS (421 Pts)
Had a Yosemite Sam moment. “Whoa, camel. Whoa, Whoa!” This time, no brakes, no whoa.

2. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2 WINS (584 Pts)
Top Tens in seven of his past eight. Too bad about Talladega.

3. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS (454 Pts)
At least nobody wrecked him last week.

4. KYLE LARSON – 1 WIN (583 Pts)
Career wins: 2 Cup, 8 Xfinity, 2 Craftsman, 1 ARCA, 5 World of Outlaws

5. RYAN BLANEY – 1 WIN (360 Pts)
Dad finished third twice at Talladega and once at Darlington, but the boy finished the deal.

6. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (331 Pts)
Won 15 times in a Ford (2002-05, 2017), 14 times in another brand (2006-16). Lesson learned.

7. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 1 WIN (325 Pts)
Never feels he needs to ask Danica for her autograph.

8. RYAN NEWMAN – 1 WIN (322 Pts)
Count the win, and he is 8th. Count the points, and he is 17th. He likes to count the win.

9. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN (287 Pts)
If Newman likes the new format to get to the Chase, Dillon must love it.

10. KEVIN HARVICK – 480 PTS
You shift from first to second to third, pop it back to second, slam clutch and try again.

11. KYLE BUSCH – 463 PTS
I do remember Kyle trying to share his feelings, but Logano’s crew got in the way.

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 438 PTS
Believing Elliott the next first-time winner is like believing Johnson the next eight-time champ.

13. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 418 PTS
Same scene, different camel at Pocono.

14. DENNY HAMLIN – 386 PTS
Believes there will be at least 10 drivers making the Chase on wins…he being one of them.

15. CLINT BOWYER – 369 PTS
You know, his position in the playoffs does not seem near as secure as it once did.

16. JOEY LOGANO – 362 PTS (1 win)
“To hinder or impede the action or performance of something.” That is what encumbered means.

17. MATT KENSETH – 359 PTS
Both Kenseth and Logano have recent wins at Michigan. They each could use another one.

18. ERIK JONES – 322 PTS
Drop this far back in points and you just can not make them up…even with a third place finish.

19. TREVOR BAYNE – 303 PTS
If you thought his 21st place finish was bad, you should check out last week’s tv ratings.

20. DANIEL SUAREZ – 300 PTS
Crew chief Scott Graves tagged with fine over lug nuts? A politician accepts less responsibility.

June 14, 2017
Hot 20 – No lug nuts, no crew, as Kyle discovered heading to Pocono

They went and done it. Kyle Busch comes in leading early in the race at Dover. For whatever reason, when they went to tighten up the rear left lug nuts, the air gun was removing them instead. When the jack dropped, the car left, and shortly after the tire left the car. Bad news for Kyle. Today, bad news for the crew.

A major penalty can be handed out for sacrificing safety in order to have a fast pit stop. That clearly was not the case here, but it did not matter. Gone for four races are crew chief Adam Stevens, tire changer Jacob Seminara and tire carrier Kenneth Barber. To be fair, the rule does state “loss of wheel(s) due to improper installation will result in a mandatory minimum four race suspension of the crew chief and the tire changer and tire carrier of the lost wheel(s).” As I read it, and it appears this is NASCAR’s interpretation, intent matters not. Something tells me that a certain jackman might owe his buddies a few beers, at the very least.

Sometimes the crew does things a bit more on purpose. As we head to Pocono, we remember last year at this time, at this track, when Brad Keselowski’s rear tire carrier threw a hip check to the side of his driver’s car in the pits. NASCAR saw it, and did not like the unapproved modifications to its aerodynamics. Mind you, all he got was a call to return to the pits to repair the indentation. No one got vacation time.

Keselowski knows all about vacation time. He has not made it past the first segment in the past two races. As for Busch, he is left hoping race engineer Ben Beshore will have the magic atop the box to get him his first victory of the season as the Hot 20 make their first visit of the campaign to Pocono.

1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 3 WINS – 414 PTS
Seven is heaven, but to win eight would be great.

2. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 2 WINS – 545 PTS
Good on segments, good on wins, good on points, good to go for the Chase.

3. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS – 410 PTS
Dear Race Friends: Please do not wreck me until at least the second segment. Thanks, Brad.

4. KYLE LARSON – 1 WIN – 536 PTS
Had the best car out there last week, at least until the final re-start.

5. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 1 WIN – 299 PTS
Afraid last week that he had to hit the wall a third time to finally kill the car. It only took two.

6. RYAN NEWMAN – 1 WIN – 299 PTS
Late caution during green flag stops shuffled the order, allowing the Rocket a Top Ten at Dover.

7. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN – 291 PTS
Wiggled early and took out Keselowski last week. One flat later, and he was gone himself.

8. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN – 263 PTS
Until nine more drivers win this season, he is sitting pretty for the Chase.

9. KEVIN HARVICK – 429 PTS
Six Top Tens in his last seven races leaves him winless yet sitting pretty.

10. KYLE BUSCH – 416 PTS
“The wheels on the car go round and round…” He hates that song.

11. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 415 PTS
Has run no worse than 12th over the past seven events.

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 398 PTS
After Richmond, Talladega, Kansas, and Charlotte, Dover was like a breath of fresh air.

13. DENNY HAMLIN – 361 PTS
Four Pocono wins, but the last one came seven years ago.

14. CLINT BOWYER – 349 PTS
Thought Tony Stewart was back, but it was just an idiot fan climbing the Dover catchfence.

15. JOEY LOGANO – 348 PTS (1 Win*)
Some seem to think Donald Trump’s win in November was also encumbered. They are wrong.

16. MATT KENSETH – 327 PTS
Screw it. Just win on Sunday and all this point counting will no longer matter.

17. RYAN BLANEY – 320 PTS
Ryan’s plan is to get eight more points than Kenseth and hope someone winless does not win.

18. TREVOR BAYNE – 287 PTS
40 points is not hard to make up…with a win. You might notice a bit of a theme here.

19. ERIK JONES – 283 PTS
Joins Saturday broadcast team of Erik, Ryan, Ricky, Kevin, Joey, Clint, Danica, and Denny.

20. DANIEL SUAREZ – 278 PTS
I read “Suarez drives in three”, but it was Eugenio’s performance for the Reds over the Cards.

June 7, 2017
The Final Word – Dover, where yellow became my favorite color

When it comes to extraordinary television, sit on the edge of your seat excitement, Dover under green will not exactly get your heart racing. In fact, Sunday’s race was more of a cautionary tale. When the yellow waved, the interest spiked.

They waved the flag to start the race. I dozed. There was a caution, but it was for one of the exhaust eaters. No big deal. Then they dropped the jack on leader Kyle Busch in the pits, nearly spun the fingers off tire man Kenny Barber, and then the tire rolled off as Busch pulled out. That got my attention. I bet it got the attention of the entire crew. It sure got the attention of NASCAR. It seems Barber, tire changer Jake Seminara, and crew chief Adam Stevens could all face a major penalty. That could cost them each up to four races. We shall see. However, instead of trying to jump the gun by putting on fewer lugs nuts, the air gun was actually pulling them off instead of spinning them on. Be it a malfunction or a miscue, it was rather memorable.

Then, back to my nap. For a couple of laps. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. did not take tires under the caution, but caused the next. The lights went on, I woke up, and Stenhouse had some mangled rubber. That contact with the wall did not help either.

I was about to head off to dream land when Stenhouse hit the wall again. He was finally done. Still, no nap for me, as on the re-start, Kurt Busch broke loose and drove Brad Keselowski into the fence. Bad Brad was toast. Busch lingered, but the damage he sustained finally got to his tire, which got him into the wall, and finally in to the garage to stay. There were still three-quarters of the race left to run and three bound for the Chase were already gone for the day.

They pitted, when Clint Bowyer’s crew noticed a mechanical issue. Fluids were flowing out where they should not be flowing. To the garage for repairs. By the time he returned, 18 laps had gone by.

I was able to get in some serious “zzzz” time for the next hundred laps. That was interrupted by another caution. It would seem Joey Logano met the outside barrier, and the repair time cost him four circuits.

More than a hundred laps of round and round later, the alarm went off again. Regan Smith, sitting in for the mending Aric Almirola, had his right front surrender. Another caution, another tire, another fence, another retirement.

As the final laps clicked off, it was Kyle Larson, Jimmie Johnson, and Martin Truex Jr., the contenders. One more caution, and we were off to overtime. Six additional laps under green, we thought. It actually ended under caution.

Johnson moved to the lead with a better re-start and had gone by the overtime line when all hell broke loose behind them on the front stretch. Ty Dillon wiggled and got punted into the safer wafers, while Trevor Bayne and Kasey Kahne not only rhymed but also were among those who failed to make the line. Under caution, Johnson, Larson, and Truex did, in that order.

It marked the 83rd career win for Johnson, tying him for sixth all-time with Cale Yarborough. It gave him his 11th career Dover win in 31 attempts, and third victory of the season. As far as the standings go, the only real change of note was Matt Kenseth out performing Ryan Blaney, 13th compared to 32nd, and moving seven points up in the battle for the final Chase place.

With Pocono coming up next week, here is a final cautionary tale. If you are not in the Top 17 heading to Pennsylvania on Sunday, you are not going to make the Chase on points. With the rest 40 or more points out, their best hopes lie in winning one of the next 13 events. The way things have played out so far, with nine winners to date, even a single victory might not be enough.

This might be a good time for recent past Pocono winners Kahne, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kenseth, and Chris Buescher to catch lightning in a bottle one more time. Either Sunday, or the return date in August will do. Maybe.

June 5, 2017
Hot 20 – If Dover is such a boring track to watch a race, why is Jimmie Johnson so excited?

Some things are just not like the others. May featured the World 600 and the All-Star race at Charlotte, the spring derby at Talladega, events a fellow can get excited about. This week. Dover.

Maybe Jimmie Johnson will stall on the re-start like he did last spring. That caused one hell of a mess. No, it was not racing, but it sure was not boring. It was not boring when Carl Edwards bounced off the infield wall. At the end, Kyle Larson kept Matt Kenseth honest right to the stripe, as the veteran claimed the victory. That was not a boring finish.

Miles the Monster is not boring. He is big, and the trophy is cool as it holds a model of the winning car in its big mitt. The Monster Mile was once known as White Lightning, but I am thinking that Miles is a bit of a Teetotaler. Come to think of it, so are Donald Trump and Kathy Griffin. Why that fun fact amuses me as much as it does, I do not know.

They have raced 94 times at Dover since the first Cup event in 1969. Richard Petty won the first two, three of the first four, and is tied with Bobby Allison with seven victories. That is good enough for second best.

Among active drivers, Kenseth and Ryan Newman have won three apiece but they are a long ways away from the top gun. Remember that guy who jammed things up last year? Johnson has won 10 in 30 attempts. That is a pretty good average. I wonder who the favorite might be?

It would seem our seven-time Cup champion just likes collecting the more unusual trophies. Ten Monsters to go with his nine Martinsville grandfather clocks. Say what you might about the one-mile track in Delaware or the driver who dominates it, but I think we can agree that there is a trophy room out there that is anything but boring.

Like Austin Dillon, Johnson is among our Hot 20 with a Chase in his future.

1. MARTIN TRUEX JR – 2 WINS – 491 PTS
First in points, tied for first in wins. What do you think of Furniture Row now?

2. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS – 409 PTS
Dreams of lasting a tad longer this Sunday than he did in the race last week.

3. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS – 359 PTS
The gatekeeper of the room with Monsters and Grandfather Clocks.

4. KYLE LARSON – 1 WIN – 486 PTS
Monaco is too far away to attempt a Triple but has dreams of a Memorial Day Weekend Double.

5. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 1 WIN – 298 PTS
Like Happy and Rowdy, he has an attractive better half, but he also has something they do not.

6. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN – 290 PTS
With his Daytona 500 win and three of the past four a Top Ten, it is good to be Kurt.

7. RYAN NEWMAN – 1 WIN – 266 PTS
When a veteran looks you in the eye and says you are who they fight for, that has an impact.

8. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN – 238 PTS
Points? Who needs stinkin’ points when you get a win at Charlotte?

9. KEVIN HARVICK – 388 PTS
The buck stops with the crew chief, as Childers loses $10,000 for Charlotte’s loose lug nut.

10. KYLE BUSCH – 386 PTS
Hates to lose, be it 38th at Daytona or 2nd at Charlotte. He won’t be a happy camper.

11. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 385 PTS
All of his wins have come on just four marquee tracks, and this is not one of them.

12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 362 PTS
Keselowski saved mechanics a ton of time last week, removing any thought of making repairs.

13. CLINT BOWYER – 343 PTS
Solution to a front end that just would not turn last weekend. Clydesdales. Just a thought.

14. JOEY LOGANO – 336 PTS (1 WIN*)
Win at Kansas was encumbered, meaning it means nothing when it comes to Chase eligibility.

15. DENNY HAMLIN – 332 PTS
One very bad day away from being in danger of losing his contender status.

16. RYAN BLANEY – 308 PTS
One very good day away from potentially putting Hamlin in that position.

17. MATT KENSETH – 288 PTS
A repeat of last year’s spring edition would be just fine with him.

18. TREVOR BAYNE – 271 PTS
Doing enough to stay on this list, but not enough to challenge for a title.

19. ERIK JONES – 256 PTS
Just turned 21 this week. I turned 21 in 1977. I win!

20. DANIEL SUAREZ – 246 PTS
Five straight in the Top 20, three of the last four in the top dozen. There is still time.

May 31, 2017