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Tag: Xfinity

  • The Final Word on 2015

    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.

  • The Final Word – Monaco, and Indy, and Charlotte, Oh My!

    The Final Word – Monaco, and Indy, and Charlotte, Oh My!

    It was the biggest day in motorsports, starting with the streets of Monaco, where they have been racing since 1929. Then, to Indianapolis, where they have been logging 500 miles this time of year since 1911. Finally, the long way home, the World 600 at Charlotte for the boys and girl with fenders.

    Overseas, Nico Rosberg claimed the prize for the third straight year. It helps when it is handed to you. During a late caution, the dominant car of Lewis Hamilton was called in for fresh tires. He had thought Rosberg and those immediately behind him had done the same. They had not. Nice call, team. Thanks a bunch. Surprise, surprise, surprise, as Gomer Pyle used to say.

    Gomer’s creator, actor Jim Nabors, performed “Back Home Again in Indiana” for the final time last year, but Juan Pablo Montoya was back in Indianapolis. An early mishap cost the former NASCAR performer what passes for a rear fender on his open wheeled car, forcing him back to 30th. That set the stage for his charge through the pack. With just three laps to go, he made his pass for the lead and claimed the crown he first won back in 2000.

    They have been racing 600 miles at Charlotte on Memorial Day weekend since 1960, the longest NASCAR event of the season. Martin Truex Jr. would have been the story, had he won after leading 131 laps. He did not. Kurt Busch led the way for 118, but no suds for him, either. In fact, five other drivers led more than Carl Edwards, but it was the man from Missouri doing the back flip in the end as he led the final 21 to take his first of the season, 24th of his Cup career. It might still be a bit premature, but what the heck. Welcome to the Chase, Mr. Edwards.

    Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Bruton Smith. The 88-year old owner of the Charlotte track, along with seven others on the circuit, will be inducted as part of the class of 2016. Joining him will be two-time champ Terry Labonte, the legendary Curtis Turner, six-time Modified king Jerry Cook, and 1970 Cup champion Bobby Isaac.

    Landon Cassill was still running at the end of the race in Charlotte. For another hour, 41 minutes, and 49 seconds, he continued to run the 14 miles between the track and the Hall of Fame. This time, the only rubber on the road was on his sneakers. This sounds like something my sons might do. I, on the other hand, am much too smart…and fat…and old…for that.

    If you want to win the Indianapolis 500, spend some time in NASCAR. Montoya won his second after 278 races in Cup and the XFINITY series over parts of the previous nine seasons. His Indy lead engineer, Brian Campe, was on the box as a crew chief for 22 Nationwide races in 2009, including seven for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Not a bad apprenticeship.

    Jeff Gordon was at Indianapolis, drove the pace car before returning to North Carolina. After getting out of the car, he will head to the broadcast booth to join Mike Joy and Darrell Waltrip at FOX next season. I think they might be replacing the wrong guy, but maybe that is just me.

    So, what is next? The Monster Mile in Dover is slated for this Sunday, where everybody who has won there the past nine events also has claimed a Cup title along the way. In fact, over the past six years, the only non-champion to take the checkered flag there was Kyle Busch. Not a bad pick, come to think of it.

  • The Final Word – Texas was all about Jimmie and Kevin with a Junior cameo

    The Final Word – Texas was all about Jimmie and Kevin with a Junior cameo

    Jimmie, and Kevin, and Dale, oh my. Jimmie, and Kevin, and Dale, oh my.

    Last Saturday night was a good one if you happened to be a fan of one of the above-mentioned drivers. Johnson was the class of the field, leading 128 laps, including the final one. It was his second win of the season and the 72nd of his career. Six-time rather likes the Texas track, having won the last three fall races, now four in his last six attempts, and his fifth win overall in Fort Worth. I am starting to think he likes the place.

    Kevin Harvick, also with a pair of victories this season along with four runner-up finishes, led 96 laps and came home second. Life must be good when finishing eighth at Martinsville represents a slump. As for Junior, well, Mr. Earnhardt led zero laps but he was close, closer still near the end, to claim third. If he could only get a mulligan for both Phoenix and Martinsville, for he has finished between third and sixth everywhere else.

    Another good day as well for the likes of Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski, as the Penske duo finished in the Top Five. Proof positive you can get away with being a two car operation if those teams actually matter. Same goes for single car outfits, as Martin Truex Jr. now has a Top Ten in each race of this season, a huge turnaround from a year ago. As for the likes of Tony Stewart and Sam Hornish Jr, nothing much to write home about regarding this race or this season. Maybe this weekend things will be different. Probably not.

    Maybe they could join the rest of us, experiencing success at home driving a video game version. Next month the new NASCAR ‘15 game comes out. Of course, for me, realism is being able to switch to indestructible mode in order to take out the entire field en route to victory. Hey, it could happen in real life. Having cars flying a hundred feet into the air, now that was unrealistic.

    Unrealistic, like me growing taller, or having my hair back, or holding out hope that one day I might actually become a Cup driver. If I could just shed 60 pounds and 40 years, I could be Erik Jones. You might as well become familiar with the 18-year-old, who is registered in the trucks. All he has done there is win four of his career 20 events, with 16 Top Tens. When he was 16 and 17, he ran ARCA, winning one of 14 with eight Top Tens. Oh, Jones also runs Xfinity, winning his first in nine attempts last weekend to go with six Top Tens. Joe Gibbs did not want to rush him into Cup, going with David Ragan instead of Jones to fill in for Kyle Busch. Even though Ragan sits 10th in the standings, maybe they might want to re-think that. The man child might be ready.

    We are always ready for a day at Bristol, where Jimmie and Kevin and Dale have all won. Once. Jimmie won it five years ago while 10 have gone by for the other two. Kurt Busch and Jeff Gordon each have five, but a few years have ticked by even for them.

    No, your best bet would be Carl Edwards. Winner of three, including the event one year ago, he did pick up his first Top Ten last Saturday. Maybe it is his time to shine this season though if he falters I am sure teammates Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin would be more than willing to pick up the slack. Both are also past Bristol winners.

    As for some Bristol trivia, there were 56 races run at that track between 1973 and 2000. Thirty of those, more than half, were won by Cale Yarborough (9), Darrell Waltrip (12), Dale Earnhardt (9), and Rusty Wallace (9). Hall of Famers all. Oh my, indeed.

  • Hot 20 – Texas awaits as our thoughts are with a broadcaster back in the hospital

    Hot 20 – Texas awaits as our thoughts are with a broadcaster back in the hospital

    A week of rest, a week of contemplation, a week for those of faith. I so desperately pray that miracles do happen. Pit reporter Steve Byrnes is back in the hospital in his fight against neck and head cancer. He is in the ICU with pneumonia and a blood clot in his lung. At least he was able to tweet that information himself. This, more than anything I have written here, is the most meaningful and important. I could use some faith restoration about now. How about you?

    Kyle Larson missed Martinsville as doctors sought out a cause for his fainting at an event prior to the race. Today, they have the luxury to err on the side of caution as an injury no longer automatically means a championship run is done. This reduced pressure to race also means an injured driver no longer needs to feel compelled to climb back into the seat much too soon to keep his hopes alive. Even a suspension does not spell the end, as Kurt Busch sits a win away from proving. While it might be a trial for Kyle Busch to make the Chase with a win and Top 20 spot when he returns, Larson should be fine as Denny Hamlin was last season. He missed Fontana, yet finished 2014 in third.

    The National Network to End Domestic Violence is not happy Kurt Busch is back racing. To be honest, I believe there are more serious matters for them to hang their shingle. In this case, we had a questionable incident based on the opinion of a single Delaware judge from the questionable comments of two people over an incident in which little, if any, physical harm was caused. I applaud their vigilance, but I do question their bid to use this case as their cause celebre. For me, the issue has turned out to be more pathetic than violent.

    It has been announced that Cup regulars Aric Almirola and Sam Hornish Jr. will run even more XFINITY series events than they originally planned. It makes it easier to explain why some of us could not be bothered covering major leaguers kicking minor league butt week after week, season after season. Twenty-one-year-old Ryan Reed won at Daytona. Cup guys have won the other five, with Kevin Harvick taking two. Enough said.

    At least Chase Elliott won the spring XFINITY race in Texas a year ago. He is not a Cup regular just yet. As for the big boys…and girl…here are the…

    Hot 20 going down to Texas…

    1. Kevin Harvick – 2 Wins (263 Points)
    It wasn’t his tires up there on the Grassy Knoll.

    2. Joey Logano – 1 Win (239 Points)
    Won two weeks ago Saturday, third on that Sunday.

    3. Brad Keselowski – 1 Win (206 Points)
    Bloody Keselipski, according to the billboards in Texas.

    4. Denny Hamlin – 1 Win (172 Points)
    Only tire issues he had at Martinsville were during his burnout.

    5. Jimmie Johnson – 1 Win (168 Points)
    Won last three fall races in Fort Worth, but was 25th last spring.

    6. Martin Truex Jr – 231 Points
    It is nice when all one’s ducks and furniture is all in a row.

    7. Kasey Kahne – 193 Points
    Best Hendrick driver, by points, is ole what’s his name.

    8. Paul Menard – 173 Points
    Once one of two Childress drivers in the Hot 20…then Newman got tired, so to speak.

    9. Dale Earnhardt Jr – 172 Points
    According to Gordon, Junior doesn’t know squat…jumps.

    10. Aric Almirola – 170 Points
    More XFINITY for him, less seat time for others.

    11. Matt Kenseth – 168 Points
    Fort Worth is Matt’s kind of town.

    12. David Ragan – 163 Points
    Kyle Busch? I don’t know. The names does sound rather familiar, though.

    13. Casey Mears – 161 Points
    500-1 to win at Texas? Really? Is he driving it or running it?

    14. Jamie McMurray – 154 Points
    Claims he and Larson are ego free. I am hair free, but you don’t hear me bragging.

    15T Jeff Gordon – 148 Points
    Soft start followed by a trio of Top Tens.

    15T Danica Patrick – 148 Points
    From what we saw in the last race, Virginia really is for lovers…of Danica.

    15T Carl Edwards – 148 Points
    Has a million very good reasons to race for the win Saturday night.

    18. Clint Bowyer – 146 Points
    Truex left, Bowyer stayed. I wonder who got the best of that deal?

    19T A.J. Allmendinger – 138 Points
    Bush’s Beans is the sponsor. You wouldn’t want to be running behind him.

    19T Greg Biffle – 138 Points
    Has led at least a lap in 12 of the 20 Texas races he has run.

  • Hot 20 – If it was something we could not see, was Fontana truly debris free?

    Hot 20 – If it was something we could not see, was Fontana truly debris free?

    Nothing gets NASCAR fans hotter than the possibility their conspiracy theories might actually be true.

    Is NASCAR using phantom debris to manipulate the outcome of races through the use of late cautions?

    “That’s a preposterous allegation,” says NASCAR Executive Vice President Steve O’Donnell. Actually, it is those cautions that many fans are finding preposterous. With debris shown in only one of three late instances, fans are left to wonder. With bad boy Kurt Busch apparently heading to victory, how fortuitous that a caution was called to open up an opportunity to alter the outcome of the race at Fontana. That should be easily enough addressed, one would think. Show us the debris, and it better be something more substantial than a hot dog wrapper. Either that, or give Michael Waltrip his money back.

    Of course, it is preposterous that some fans fail to understand just how transparent NASCAR now is. Anyone know what the attendance was at Fontana? Oops, sorry, I forgot. Some information is as tough to get made public as a Hillary Clinton e-mail or a Richard Nixon taped conversation.

    As for our Hot 20 heading to Martinsville…

    1. Kevin Harvick – 2 Wins (225 Points)
    33rd at Martinsville last fall, first or second after each race since.

    2. Joey Logano – 1 Win (197 Points)
    If the damn tire stays in the box, maybe NASCAR should stay out of it.

    3. Brad Keselowski – 1 Win (163 Points)
    NASCAR loves me. They really love me.

    4. Jimmie Johnson – 1 Win (159 Points)
    After all the restarts left him finishing ninth, I need to ask Jimmie, “What does NFG stand for?”

    5. Martin Truex Jr – 192 Points
    Five events, five Top Tens. That works.

    6. Dale Earnhardt Jr – 164 Points
    Zero for 23 at Fontana, but 1 (last October) for 30 at Martinsville.

    7. Ryan Newman – 162 Points
    If he had sat out the Daytona 500, would only slip to 8th in points.

    8. Kasey Kahne – 159 Points
    If 17th is the worst he can do (Phoenix, Fontana), you will find him here each week.

    9. Paul Menard – 152 Points
    Crew chief Justin Alexander’s magic helped massage a Top Ten on Sunday.

    10. Aric Almirola – 138 Points
    His boss won 15 times at Martinsville. Guess who wants a clock of his own.

    11. A.J. Allmendinger – 137 Points
    Thinking of Martinsville, dreaming of an Indianapolis-Charlotte double.

    12. Casey Mears – 132 Points
    His uncle won the Indianapolis 500 four times.

    13. Matt Kenseth – 127 Points
    Great pit stops, just one too many at Fontana.

    14. Denny Hamlin – 125 Points
    Gibbs cars lead 100 laps, none finish among the Top Dozen.

    15. David Ragan – 124 Points
    Upset Gordon at Fontana, but still sits a dozen points ahead of him in the standings.

    16. Carl Edwards – 120 Points
    Turned his foot long into a six-inch sub in practice and still searching for first Top Ten

    17. Jamie McMurray – 120 Points
    Yet to finish in NASCAR’s Top Ten. Is this the year?

    18. Austin Dillon – 116 Points
    With four Xfinity starts, tied with Larson for most visits to the kiddies table this year.

    19. Kyle Larson – 116 Points
    Now, NASCAR, THAT is what I would call debris.

    20. Clint Bowyer – 115 Points
    Martinsville changed its hog dogs, but this hot dog has endorsed ‘em as being just as good.

  • The Final Word – Daytona saw no Kyle, no Kurt, but for Joey, oh my

    The Final Word – Daytona saw no Kyle, no Kurt, but for Joey, oh my

    Speeds over 200 mph. Three wide racing to the end. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had time at the front. So did Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Excellent announcing on FOX. Nice weather. What was there not to love about the Daytona 500?

    Okay, if you were not a fan of Joey Logano and saw that caution come out as they were wrecking behind them on that final lap, maybe you were upset. Especially so as Kevin Harvick and Junior were trying to challenge at the end. Yet, they kept wrecking back there so NASCAR decided to err on the side of safety.

    Gordon was involved in the melee, and was ranked 33rd, the final car on the lead lap of a race that went to green-white-checkers. If you were a fan of Tony Stewart or Matt Kenseth, early damage left them non-factors the rest of the day, with Smoke finishing 42nd. With 40 laps to go, Brad Keselowski went up in smoke to sit 41st. Danica Patrick was 21st, but rarely to be seen on the day.

    If you are a Busch fan, any Busch, you were left cheering for Matt Crafton, who was 18th in his Cup debut, while Regan Smith was 16th. Neither picked up drivers’ points with each being registered in one of the other two national series. Both Casey Mears and Martin Truex Jr. each earned a Top Ten, with David Gilliland, Sam Hornish Jr., and Michael Annett all in the Top Fifteen. Now if they can only follow that up with solid results next week in Atlanta.

    Still, not a Busch to be found in Georgia, either. I have always thought that by running an average of 25 races in the junior circuit, Kyle Busch was taking a seat away from an up and comer. That has been solved for the time being, but not in a fashion any of us wanted. That was a damn scary hit last Saturday, on a regular concrete wall, causing Busch a broken right leg and left foot. If there is a need for a wall, it is due to the possibility a car might hit it, and if the possibility exists, so does the need for a safer barrier to exist. I dislike Kyle driving so much in the Xfinity Series, but I dislike even more him having to be in hospital.

    A Daytona 500 with neither Busch brother. At least Kyle’s situation is straight forward, which is more than one can say about that of Kurt. From my understanding, a despondent Busch texted his former girlfriend who then sent these along to his coach driver who encouraged her to visit. This she did, out of either compassion or to get Kurt to tell her son the relationship was over, I am no longer sure as to which. Kurt was naked the entire time of the visit, an image I am trying to keep out of my head. He tried to get her to leave by either cupping her face aggressively or choked her and slammed her head into a wall. No charges have yet been laid and a judge says he believed more of her story than that of the driver yet stated she lied during her testimony. In the end, he gave her a protection order to keep Busch away, causing NASCAR to react with the suspension. I find this whole situation a train wreck with more drama than most of us can be bothered to dwell upon. I wish them both well.

    For most others, the season opened well, especially for the fans. While Junior had a strong car, Logano had the one that could challenge him. Sometimes luck decides how things work out, but Sunday at Daytona the car that was the stoutest when it counted, won. Sure, he was helped when Junior made a lane change that cost him too much for too long too late into the event, but Joey was the one guy who could, and did, take full advantage. Now it is off to Atlanta for 500 miles, the scene of Kasey Kahne’s lone victory of 2014. If you loved Daytona, you might as well stick around to see how Atlanta might measure up.

  • Kenseth Wins Nationwide Finale; Elliott and Penske Celebrate Championships

    Kenseth Wins Nationwide Finale; Elliott and Penske Celebrate Championships

    In a thrilling green-white-checkered finish, Matt Kenseth, behind the wheel of the No. 20 GameStop/Rock Candy Toyota, held both Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson at bay to win the 20th annual Ford EcoBoost 300.

    This was Kenseth’s first win of the 2014 Nationwide Series season and his second victory in 13 races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

    “Well, we kept getting those restarts at the end of the race, and the first couple got away okay,” Kenseth said. “I felt good about it.”

    “We had a really good car tonight, especially on a short- to mid-range run, and that kind of fell into our hands except for the last two or three cautions we didn’t need, but it kind of worked out where we got in the front and had the speed on the front side of the run where we needed it.”

    ”It’s been a long time since I’ve won a race in anything.”

    Following closely behind race winner Kenseth, with what has become known as the ‘Kyle and Kyle show’, Busch and Larson finished second and third respectively. This was Busch’s seventh top-10 finish in eight races and Larson’s seventh top-10 finish in just two races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

    “Yeah, we had a strong car,” Kyle Busch said. “Somewhere in the middle part of the race we started falling behind a little farther than I wanted to, just ill handling, being loose, tight, loose, and everything going on. But Adam made some great race calls and some good adjustments to get our car handling a little bit better, to get ourselves farther up toward the front. The 20 was kind of off there early on in the race, but there at the end he really came on strong and the 42 was really good.”

    “So it was kind of a race amongst us three, I thought, and that’s kind of what it came down to there at the end,” Busch continued. “All in all, can’t be prouder of my team, Adam Stevens and Curtis and everyone that works so hard on the Monster Energy 54 at Joe Gibbs Racing, all the guys at the shop.”

    “We did our part and we had some great races, and we did have a successful year, so nothing to hang our hats about, but there’s one other guy or team out there that was a little bit better than us.”

    “Yeah, we were able to lead a lot of laps today, a lot more than I’ve probably ever led in my career,” Kyle Larson said. “That was fun. I had good restarts up there until the last 50 laps or so, and then I finally got a good one underneath Matt, was able to get to the lead, and was about 15 feet short of the win.”

    “Almost had second, but Kyle was able to squeeze around me,” Larson continued. “I probably could have shut the door on him, but we weren’t going to win, so there was no point in maybe tearing up two cars. Disappointed, super disappointed. Really close to a win today.”

    The Homestead finale race also officially crowned Chase Elliott as the Nationwide Series champion, an honor he had clinched last weekend. In spite of finishing 17th in the last race of the season, Elliott still made history as the youngest champ in NASCAR history.

    “I know it was ugly,” Elliott said. “We didn’t have a very good run, but we’ll take it.”

    The title was not just special for Chase Elliott and his family, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott and wife Cindy, but was also the first ever for the team owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., his sister Kelly and Rick Hendrick.

    Roger Penske also clinched a championship, that of the Nationwide owner’s title. He did so with six wins and not just with one, but five different drivers, in the No. 22 Hertz Ford Mustang.

    “It was a great day,” Penske said. “I thought that race would never get over. I think we had a green-white-checker and all we had to do was finish 25th, but you never know with all the action up front.”

    “Brad (KeselowskI) ran a great race and when you think about five different drivers it’s really a credit to Jeremy Bullins and the job he’s done in preparing the car for different drivers and with six wins.”

    “So, to me, this was a team effort at Team Penske,” Penske continued. “Everyone did so much to make this happen and obviously it didn’t come down until the last lap there that we knew we had it.”

    With the final race in the books, NASCAR also bid a fond adieu to Nationwide, who has ended their title sponsorship, turning the reigns over to Xfinity.

    “We have truly enjoyed our time as the series sponsor and are grateful for the relationships we’ve made with the drivers, teams, owners, and fans,” Jim McCoy, director of sports marketing for Nationwide Insurance, said.

    The full race and points results are as follows:

    2014 NNS Ford EcoBoost 300 Race Results

    Fin Str Car Driver Team Lap Pts BPts Status TLd LLd
    1 3 20 Matt Kenseth(i) GameStop/Rock Candy Toyota 206 0 Running 3 52
    2 6 54 Kyle Busch(i) Monster Energy Toyota 206 0 Running 2 5
    3 2 42 Kyle Larson(i) Cartwheel by Target Chevrolet 206 0 Running 5 111
    4 5 12 Ryan Blaney(i) Discount Tire Ford 206 0 Running 1 24
    5 10 60 Chris Buescher # Humalog Ford 206 39 Running
    6 15 7 Regan Smith TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet 206 38 Running
    7 21 3 Ty Dillon # WESCO Chevrolet 206 37 Running
    8 1 22 Brad Keselowski(i) Hertz Ford 206 0 Running 1 5
    9 4 11 Elliott Sadler OneMain Financial Toyota 206 35 Running
    10 7 2 Brian Scott Shore Lodge Chevrolet 206 34 Running
    11 13 6 Trevor Bayne AdvoCare Ford 206 34 1 Running 1 3
    12 31 33 Paul Menard(i) Alert Today Florida/Boy Scouts of America Chevrolet 206 0 Running 3
    13 20 51 Jeremy Clements All South Electric/Repairable Vehicles Chevrolet 206 32 1 Running 1 1
    14 25 10 Ross Chastain(i) watermelon.org Toyota 206 0 Running
    15 30 93 TJ Bell(i) Dedicated to Electrical Linemen Dodge 206 0 Running
    16 17 28 JJ Yeley Texas 28 Spirits Stage Toyota 206 28 Running
    17 14 9 Chase Elliott # NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet 206 28 1 Running 1 1
    18 24 99 James Buescher Rheem Toyota 206 26 Running
    19 9 31 Dylan Kwasniewski # Rockstar/AccuDoc Solutions Chevrolet 206 25 Running
    20 19 43 Dakoda Armstrong # WinField Ford 206 24 Running
    21 28 4 Jeffrey Earnhardt GCL/Polyglass Chevrolet 206 23 Running
    22 22 44 Blake Koch Celsius Flo Fusion Toyota 206 23 1 Running 1 1
    23 18 19 Mike Bliss Tweaker Energy Shot Toyota 206 21 Running
    24 35 26 Jake Crum(i) MyFreedomSmokes.com Chevrolet 206 0 Running
    25 12 5 Josh Berry Ragu Chevrolet 206 19 Running
    26 27 14 Eric McClure Hefty Ultimate/Reynolds Wrap Toyota 206 18 Running
    27 11 16 Ryan Reed # ADA Drive to Stop Diabetes/Lilly Diabetes Ford 206 17 Running
    28 33 36 Ryan Preece Accell Construction/East West Marine Chevrolet 206 16 Running
    29 8 62 Brendan Gaughan South Point Chevrolet 205 15 Running
    30 29 55 David Starr Niece Equipment Chevrolet 205 14 Running
    31 40 17 Tanner Berryhill # New Gulf Resources Toyota 204 13 Running
    32 37 23 Carlos Contreras Circle K Chevrolet 203 12 Running
    33 26 25 John Wes Townley(i) Zaxby’s Toyota 201 0 Running
    34 39 87 Milka Duno CanTV Toyota 201 10 Running
    35 23 1 Landon Cassill Flex Seal Chevrolet 190 9 Engine
    36 32 39 Ryan Sieg # Huntinator Chevrolet 179 8 Suspension
    37 16 98 Corey LaJoie(i) Medallion Financial/Smithfield Ford 116 0 Accident
    38 36 40 Matt DiBenedetto Curtis Key Plumbing Chevrolet 57 6 Transmission
    39 38 52 Joey Gase FindDieselEngines.com Chevrolet 54 5 Engine
    40 34 91 Jeff Green SupportMilitary.org Toyota 3 4 Vibration

    # = Rookie, Fin = Finish, Str = Start, Pts = Total Points, BPs = Lap Leader Bns Pts, TLd = Times Led, LLd = Laps Led. (i) Ineligible for driver points in this series

    2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Unofficial Point Standings Final

    Pos Driver BPts Points Ldr Nxt Starts Poles Wins T5s T10s DNF PPos G/L
    1 Chase Elliott # 26 1213 0 0 33 2 3 16 26 0 1 0
    2 Regan Smith 13 1171 -42 -42 33 0 1 7 26 0 2 0
    3 Elliott Sadler 13 1154 -59 -17 33 1 1 7 25 1 4 1
    4 Brian Scott 10 1154 -59 0 33 3 0 6 23 1 3 -1
    5 Ty Dillon # 11 1148 -65 -6 33 3 1 7 24 1 5 0
    6 Trevor Bayne 7 1086 -127 -62 33 1 0 5 21 3 6 0
    7 Chris Buescher # 9 1014 -199 -72 32 0 1 5 14 1 7 0
    8 Brendan Gaughan 14 954 -259 -60 33 0 2 2 7 2 8 0
    9 Ryan Reed # 1 889 -324 -65 33 0 0 1 1 2 9 0
    10 James Buescher 3 868 -345 -21 33 0 0 0 2 1 11 1
    11 Dylan Kwasniewski # 0 867 -346 -1 33 1 0 0 3 4 10 -1
    12 Landon Cassill 0 800 -413 -67 33 0 0 0 3 7 12 0
    13 Dakoda Armstrong # 2 788 -425 -12 33 1 0 0 3 1 13 0
    14 Mike Bliss 1 779 -434 -9 33 0 0 0 1 4 14 0
    15 Jeremy Clements 8 757 -456 -22 33 0 0 0 2 2 15 0
    16 Ryan Sieg # 1 682 -531 -75 33 0 0 1 2 5 16 0
    17 Jj Yeley 2 651 -562 -31 30 0 0 1 2 5 17 0
    18 Jeffrey Earnhardt 1 586 -627 -65 33 0 0 0 0 9 18 0
    19 Eric McClure 0 521 -692 -65 28 0 0 0 0 4 19 0
    20 Joey Gase 1 482 -731 -39 33 0 0 0 0 11 20 0
    21 Matt Dibenedetto 0 369 -844 -113 29 0 0 0 0 17 22 1
    22 Tanner Berryhill # 1 365 -848 -4 29 0 0 0 0 14 23 1
    23 Derrike Cope 0 364 -849 -1 28 0 0 0 0 12 21 -2
    24 Blake Koch 2 317 -896 -47 28 0 0 0 0 18 25 1
    25 Jamie Dick 1 314 -899 -3 21 0 0 0 0 7 24 -1
    26 David Starr 2 293 -920 -21 14 0 0 0 1 1 26 0
    27 Sam Hornish Jr. 10 242 -971 -51 8 2 1 4 4 3 27 0
    28 Mike Wallace 1 229 -984 -13 11 0 0 0 1 2 28 0
    29 Chad Boat 1 227 -986 -2 14 0 0 0 0 6 29 0
    30 Carlos Contreras 0 204 -1009 -23 14 0 0 0 0 5 30 0
    31 Jeff Green 0 172 -1041 -32 20 0 0 0 0 16 31 0
    32 Kevin Swindell 0 157 -1056 -15 10 0 0 0 0 4 32 0
    33 Mike Harmon 0 153 -1060 -4 16 0 0 0 0 13 33 0
    34 Kevin Lepage 0 137 -1076 -16 14 0 0 0 0 10 34 0
    35 Tommy Joe Martins 0 124 -1089 -13 11 0 0 0 0 8 35 0
    36 Josh Reaume 0 116 -1097 -8 11 0 0 0 0 8 36 0
    37 Ryan Ellis 0 104 -1109 -12 12 0 0 0 0 10 37 0
    38 Carl Long 0 104 -1109 0 16 0 0 0 0 16 38 0
    39 Alex Tagliani 1 82 -1131 -22 2 1 0 2 2 0 39 0
    40 Austin Theriault 0 78 -1135 -4 3 0 0 0 0 0 40 0
    41 Will Kimmel III 0 74 -1139 -4 5 0 0 0 0 1 41 0
    42 Robert Richardson Jr. 0 72 -1141 -2 7 0 0 0 0 4 42 0
    43 Cody Ware 0 71 -1142 -1 4 0 0 0 0 1 43 0
    44 Kenny Habul 0 61 -1152 -10 3 0 0 0 0 1 44 0
    45 Justin Marks 0 58 -1155 -3 2 0 0 0 1 0 45 0
    46 Daniel Suarez Garza 0 54 -1159 -4 2 0 0 0 0 0 46 0
    47 Morgan Shepherd 0 54 -1159 0 8 0 0 0 0 8 47 0
    48 Kelly Admiraal 0 53 -1160 -1 3 0 0 0 0 1 48 0
    49 Martin Roy 0 53 -1160 0 5 0 0 0 0 3 49 0
    50 Josh Berry 0 51 -1162 -2 2 0 0 0 0 0 59 9
    51 Stanton Barrett 0 49 -1164 -2 3 0 0 0 0 2 50 -1
    52 Kevin O’connell 0 48 -1165 -1 2 0 0 1 1 1 51 -1
    53 Ryan Preece 0 46 -1167 -2 2 0 0 0 0 0 61 8
    54 Ruben Garcia Mateos 0 41 -1172 -5 3 0 0 0 0 1 52 -2
    55 Harrison Rhodes 0 40 -1173 -1 6 0 0 0 0 6 53 -2
    56 Daryl Harr 0 39 -1174 -1 3 0 0 0 0 1 54 -2
    57 Andy Lally 0 37 -1176 -2 1 0 0 0 1 0 55 -2
    58 Hermie Sadler III 0 37 -1176 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 56 -2
    59 Bobby Reuse 0 35 -1178 -2 2 0 0 0 0 1 57 -2
    60 Hal Martin 0 34 -1179 -1 2 0 0 0 0 0 58 -2
    61 Scott Lagasse Jr. 0 31 -1182 -3 2 0 0 0 0 0 60 -1
    62 Matt Frahm 0 28 -1185 -3 3 0 0 0 0 2 62 0
    63 Tim Cowen 0 26 -1187 -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 63 0
    64 Paulie Harraka 0 25 -1188 -1 1 0 0 0 0 0 64 0
    65 Kenny Wallace 0 25 -1188 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 65 0
    66 Jason White 0 25 -1188 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 66 0
    67 Ryan Gifford 0 24 -1189 -1 1 0 0 0 0 0 67 0
    68 Bobby Gerhart 0 19 -1194 -5 2 0 0 0 0 1 68 0
    69 Mackena Bell 0 15 -1198 -4 1 0 0 0 0 0 69 0
    70 John Jackson 0 15 -1198 0 4 0 0 0 0 4 70 0
    71 Matthew Carter 0 15 -1198 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 71 0
    72 Roger Reuse 0 14 -1199 -1 2 0 0 0 0 1 72 0
    73 Tim Schendel 0 14 -1199 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 73 0
    74 Milka Duno 0 14 -1199 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 76 2
    75 Kyle Fowler 0 12 -1201 -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 74 -1
    76 Richard Harriman 0 12 -1201 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 75 -1
    77 Kyle Busch(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 26 7 7 25 25 0 77 0
    78 Brad Keselowski(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 11 5 5 10 11 0 78 0
    79 Kevin Harvick(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 15 1 4 12 15 0 79 0
    80 Kyle Larson(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 28 1 2 14 21 2 80 0
    81 Ryan Blaney(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 14 1 1 10 13 0 81 0
    82 Matt Kenseth(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 19 0 1 10 15 1 87 5
    83 Paul Menard(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 8 0 1 3 5 0 82 -1
    84 Kasey Kahne(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 3 0 1 2 2 1 83 -1
    85 Marcos Ambrose(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 1 0 1 1 1 0 84 -1
    86 Joey Logano(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 10 3 0 8 9 0 85 -1
    87 Michael McDowell(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 3 0 0 1 3 0 86 -1
    88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 4 0 0 3 3 0 88 0
    89 David Ragan(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 6 0 0 1 2 0 89 0
    90 Erik Jones(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 3 0 0 0 3 0 90 0
    91 Cale Conley(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 11 0 0 0 1 2 91 0
    92 Joe Nemechek(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 6 0 0 0 1 0 92 0
    93 Darrell Wallace Jr.(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 2 0 0 0 1 0 93 0
    94 Austin Dillon(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 1 0 0 0 1 0 94 0
    95 Justin Boston(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 2 0 0 0 1 0 95 0
    96 Ross Chastain(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 7 0 0 0 1 0 96 0
    97 Alex Bowman(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 3 0 0 0 0 0 97 0
    98 Matt Crafton(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 1 0 0 0 0 0 98 0
    99 Aric Almirola(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 2 0 0 0 0 0 99 0
    100 John Wes Townley(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 11 0 0 0 0 2 100 0
    101 Chase Pistone(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 3 0 0 0 0 0 101 0
    102 Johnny Sauter(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 3 0 0 0 0 0 102 0
    103 Josh Wise(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 17 0 0 0 0 6 103 0
    104 Tj Bell(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 2 0 0 0 0 1 117 13
    105 Jeb Burton(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 1 0 0 0 0 0 104 -1
    106 Corey Lajoie(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 5 0 0 0 0 3 105 -1
    107 Brennan Newberry(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 4 0 0 0 0 1 106 -1
    108 Danica Patrick(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 1 0 0 0 0 0 107 -1
    109 Tomy Drissi(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 2 0 0 0 0 0 108 -1
    110 Timmy Hill(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 7 0 0 0 0 4 109 -1
    111 Jake Crum(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 4 0 0 0 0 1 111 0
    112 Jennifer Jo Cobb(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 1 0 0 0 0 0 110 -2
    113 Todd Bodine(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 2 0 0 0 0 1 112 -1
    114 Chris Cockrum(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 2 0 0 0 0 0 113 -1
    115 Caleb Roark(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 1 0 0 0 0 1 114 -1
    116 Denny Hamlin(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 1 0 0 0 0 1 115 -1
    117 Derek White(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 2 0 0 0 0 2 116 -1
    118 Jimmy Weller(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 1 0 0 0 0 1 118 0
    119 Willie Allen(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 0 0 0 0 0 0 119 0
    120 Benny Gordon 0 0 -1213 -12 0 0 0 0 0 0 120 0
    121 Clay Greenfield(I) 0 0 -1213 -12 0 0 0 0 0 0 169 48

    BPts – Bonus Points, -Ldr/-Nxt = Points behind Leader/Next higher, PPos = Previous Position, G/L = Points standing gain/loss, (i) Ineligible for driver points in this series

    Source: Timing and Scoring provided by NASCAR Media/NASCAR Statistics

     

  • Hot 20 – Long Term Product Branding Works on the Range, but Holds Little Appeal for NASCAR

    Hot 20 – Long Term Product Branding Works on the Range, but Holds Little Appeal for NASCAR

    I had hoped to announce the NASCAR Ron Thornton series, but I came up about $200 million short. Instead, the former Busch series and soon to be former Nationwide series shall be the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the next 10 years. Oh, so close.

    Just as NASCAR holds no respect for branding its events long term, the same goes for its touring series. Thankfully, the top circuit remains the Cup tour, as in Winston, Nextel, and Sprint. Mind you, it was referred to as Strictly Stock in 1949 before becoming the Grand National tour a year later. That got tossed in favor of the Winston Cup in 1972, becoming in 1986 part of the new name for the former Sportsman series, then called the Busch Grand National Series until 2003. Thankfully, the truck series is the truck series, no matter who sponsors it. At least something remains consistent. You would think with all them smart folks working for them, someone would have gotten a grasp on the concept of branding. Maybe they need fewer smart guys and more cowboys.

    Now looking forward to Richmond. Looking back at last year, Clint Bowyer did what he was told, and it cost his then teammate a place in the Chase. Spin-gate was a year ago at Richmond, and while Martin Truex Jr. did not make the playoff in 2014, it appears Bowyer is in tough to repeat this year. He needs to make up a 23 point deficit on Greg Biffle and then hope nobody takes their first win of the season at Richmond. Truex lost his ride and had to find another, while I doubt Biffle will go for a spin to help his cause.

    It is interesting to note NASCAR granted Tony Stewart a waiver that would allow him a Chase spot if he wins on Saturday night. Part one of the Chase notes declared a driver needed to be in the top 30 in points – that was accomplished. The second part was a driver must qualify for each of the races leading up to the Chase – unless waived due to circumstances, say medical reasons. NASCAR deemed Stewart to fall under the “extraordinary” circumstances and granted the waiver. Still, he has to win to get in – but that’s another story.

    The whole reason for the Chase and new playoff format this year is to create some drama and higher ratings. Win and you are in has been exciting, though Biffle, Bowyer, or both could be denied a place they would have taken a year ago. The elimination format should be interesting as those eligible for the title get pared down by four every three events, leaving four to battle it out for the crown at Homestead. Of course, there will be 39 other guys and gal out there as well to provide some hamburger helper to bulk up the few steaks out there.

    I still like the idea of a real playoff, with the top 20 and only the top 20 competing over the final five races to see who is the best. There is no way you could send cars home ten races short, but we once had 31 race seasons and some might want those days to return. Failing to qualify for the Chase would then be one way to realize a shortened season and a longer rest, though not a desirable option. Who knows, maybe it is an idea that will find traction in the future. In the meantime, let the Chasing and the eliminations begin after we take care of business at Richmond.

    As for our search for the best over the course of an entire season, these standings reflect if winners were given a 25 (rather than a 3) point bonus.

     

    1 – Jeff Gordon – 3 Wins – 937 Points
    2 – Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – 3 – 917
    3 – Joey Logano – 3 – 857
    4 – Brad Keselowski – 3 – 848
    5 – Jimmie Johnson – 3 – 832
    6 – Carl Edwards – 2 – 799
    7 – Matt Kenseth – 0 – 794
    8 – Kevin Harvick – 2 – 792
    9 – Ryan Newman – 0 – 747
    10 – Kasey Kahne – 1 – 730
    11 – Greg Biffle – 0 – 728
    12 – Clint Bowyer – 0 – 705
    13 – Kyle Larson – 0 – 704
    14 – Kyle Busch – 1 – 679
    15 – Paul Menard – 0 – 675
    16 – Austin Dillon – 0 – 674
    17 – Jamie McMurray – 0 – 666
    18 – Denny Hamlin – 1 – 658
    19 – Brian Vickers – 0 – 650
    20 – Kurt Busch – 1 – 636