BumpDrafter

Winning Races Is More Important In Search For Cup

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 17:53:00 +0000

Prior to NASCAR making recent changes to their points structure, many people, fans and drivers alike, made a plea to make winning more imperative to win the Sprint Cup. Many said the added points for wins entering the Chase just was not enough. Well, apparently the changes NASCAR made has worked.

For the past nine years (2005-2013) the NASCAR champion has had a season win total of 5 or more. The last time a champion had less than 5 was in 2004 when Kurt Busch won the championship with 3 wins. Of course, much of the Chase came about after the 2003 season when Kenseth won the Cup with only 1 win. The average win total of the champion from 1999-2004 was 4.2.

With Johnson totaling 6 wins this season on his way to his 6th championship, the average win total for the champion since 2004 is 6.1.

Drivers and teams alike are striving more to gain wins through the summer stretch to amass larger bonus point totals heading into the Chase. In seasons past, teams would be more likely to be conservative through the summer in order to maintain their standing heading into the final stretch of the year.

Yes, every driver want's to win, but no driver is going to press a 10th place car to win, chancing a bad finish, unless he thinks it is worth the risk. In years past, it was much more worth it to maintain a solid foundation for an end of the year run for the title.

Not every result anticipated by NASCAR after their changes to the points system has come to fruition, but it looks fairly safe to say that their will be no more 1 win champions.

Biggest Surprise And Biggest Dissapointment Of 2013

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 03:36:00 +0000

With every coming season, pundits and fans alike have their preconceptions about how the season will go. Who will be strong? Who will be looking for a ride at the end of the year? And will any newcomers stake out their place at the table?

This year had many story lines, and as I included in my previous post, some of them were not so good for NASCAR as a whole. One definite story line throughout the season was the constant ups and downs of the Penske Racing Miller Lite team and their driver Brad Keselowski.

In 2012, the 2 team won 5 races, 2 of which came in the Chase. They never fell below 12th in the points after the Talladega spring race, which began their gradual climb to the top. And finally, the Miller Lite team had no DNF's after the first race of the year. As a whole, the team was consistent, communicated efficiently, and was constantly a threat to win.

After all the banquets, parties, and appearances on late night talk shows, Keselowski and Penske Racing began the process of changing over to Ford from the departing Dodge Racing. All seemed well as the season began: Keselowski opened up with 4 straight top 4 finishes and 7 top 10's out of the first 8 races.

Then came Richmond.

Keselowski finished the 3/4 mile track 8 laps down and in 33rd position. All seemed fine from the outside, but problems adjusting to the new Ford front for the Gen 6 car and other engineering changes for Ford power plants no doubt added to bad luck. Over the next few races and then during the summer run up to the Chase, the 2 team had 3 top 5 finishes and 4 top 10's in 17 races. In 2012 they had 2 wins, 8 top 5's, and 11 top 10's over the same stretch.

The frustration was clear. Team radio chatter showed a break down in communication almost on a weekly basis. Despite their best efforts, the Miller Lite team came up shy of the Chase cutoff and could not defend their championship, earning them the "Biggest Disappointment" title for 2013.

Entering speedweeks in 2013, most people took for granted that the dominant teams of the season would be, as always, the Hendrick, Roush, Penske, Gibbs, Stewart-Haas and Childress teams, perhaps adding some success by Michael Waltrip Racing. Although many people in and out of the garage had and will have respect for the driving abilities of Kurt Busch, successfully driving a single car team to the Chase was not thought of as a probability.

2013 would prove interesting for the Furniture Row Racing team. Their new driver, fresh off season a season of aggravation driving for Phoenix Racing, was coming into the season with the knowledge that if he did not succeed with the 78, and did not do so without controversial on or off track events, he may well be finished. That is, at least, for the top tier teams.

This season saw some of the brash older Busch, but never crossing the line, always careful to stay away from the press when he couldn't control his tongue. On track, Busch was back to his old form. He didn't quite pull off a win for FRR, but a Chase berth for a single car team is just shy of a championship. After 1 top 5 finish and 5 top 10's for Phoenix Racing, Busch posted 11 top 5's and 16 top 10's in the 78, including 3 top 5's in the Chase.

Although he has gone winless for two straight seasons now, Busch did win a ride for a top tier team, Stewart Haas Racing, and along with it, the "Biggest Surprise" title for the 2013 season.

What Have We Learned From 2013?

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 17:29:00 +0000

Close the book. Another year in the history of NASCAR has come to a close. All of the preparation of the garage for the new Gen 6, the plate races, the summer stretch, and the Chase - over. No more "Five Time", Jimmie Johnson now has 6 in his attempt for the most cups.

With everything over and written down, just what have we learned this season? What bits of wisdom has 2013 imparted to us to clarify what is coming in 2014 and beyond?

First, we have re-learned that Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus are nowhere near finished dominating the sport. It is utterly amazing how much their combination is made for the Sprint Cup setup and would not work without one of the two. Johnson has a 1 win to every 6.6 race ratio in Sprint Cup, an unbelievable fact when placed beside his 1 win to 93 race ratio in the Nationwide Series.

Many people say that the 48's success lies solely with Chad Knaus or is only because of Hendrick money. Those people should think about the 3 races Johnson drove in Hendrick cars without Knaus with an average finish of 31st. They should also consider that in 35 Sprint Cup races without Jimmie Johnson, Knaus has zero wins, zero top 5's, and only 1 top 10 with an average finish of 24th.

No, Knaus, Johnson, and Hendrick make a mixture precision, determination and, yes, money, that will be successful as long as the three are combined. Will there be a 7th championship? Probably. Will they continue forever? Nothing lasts forever, but for now there is no end in sight, so get used to it.

Second, we learned that the fall from dominance and competitiveness is a steep one. Last year we had a young and exciting new champion who looked like he would carry his success forward with a new make, but Brad Keselowski's change from Dodge to Ford proved anything but successful. Penske Racing did not change crews, kept the same crew chief, the same driver, and merely changed engines and decals. Still, the blue deuce ended up 14th at the end of the season and was not able to compete in the Chase to defend their championship.

Yes, Keselowski still had a win, and yes he led laps, but after the trouble began in mid spring after a penalty for questionable parts sidelined his crew chief, they could not rebound. They began the season with 4 straight top 5's, then had a 10 race run in the spring that saw them outside the top 20 for 6 races and aggravation became disappointment when his new teammate made the Chase and he did not.

Finally, we learned that the more things change the more they stay the same. NASCAR has spent years and dollars changing the image of the sport from the "if you ain't cheatin, you ain't tryin", brawling blue collar sport of the 50's, 60's and 70's. Yet what did we get this year? "Is your arm starting to hurt?....Itch it..." And, "Good job man, hopefully we'll get something out of that." For any readers who don't get the reference, these were radio transmissions from the Richmond race where drivers, crews, and owners reportedly conspired to affect the points so particular drivers could make the Chase.

With these three things in mind, an outlook on 2014 would have to conclude that Johnson will be strong, Keselowski will be looking to make a point, and NASCAR drivers and owners will continue to do anything they think they can get away with to win. All three of these probabilities should make for another great season.

How many days until Daytona?

Dale Jr's Best Start To A Season...

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:50:00 +0000

Prior to the start of the 2013 season, 2004 and 2008 stood out as the best seasons for Dale Jr. out of the gate. Both seasons were important from different standpoints for Junior: 2004 was Junior's first real title challenge and 2008 was Dale Jr.'s first season with Rick Hendrick.

In '04, Junior started the season with wins at Daytona and Atlanta, a 5th place finish at Rockingham, and a 10th place finish at Darlington. Although some may say Dale Jr. was better at being aggressive in his earlier seasons, he definitely wasn't as good at taking care of his equipment, which led to a few dissappointing finishes early and late in the season.

All in all, 2004 was a great year for Junior, but had he been able to finish the season the way he started we may all have been calling him a former champion. His late season finishes of 33rd at Martinsville and Atlanta effectively removed him from the championship hunt. Even a Phoenix win just before the end of the season couldn't bring him back.

With the 2004 season ending in "What might have been.." Dale Jr. lost his crew chief, Tony Eury Sr., to a "promotion" and began working with his cousing Tony Eury Jr. Fifteen of Junior's nineteen Sprint Cup wins came with Tony Eury Sr., along with two Nationwide Series Championships. Even though the '04 season began with promise, iit ended in a change that didn't go as well as many hoped.

The 2008 season, as in '04, began strong, with three top 5's and a top 10 finish. Everyone was expecting Dale Jr. to show what he could do now that he was finally in Hendrick race cars and away from his stepmother. The fan fare didn't last long, though, as frustration between he and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. grew from inconsistent finishes which gave way to poor finishes nearing season's end.

Again, Dale Jr. was left frustrated and confused in the off season. Soon after, he and cousin crew chief were separated again, and Junior began a long, cold era of his career.

This year, Dale Jr. has started out with 5 straight top 10 finishes, including 3 top 5's. His average finish so far is 4.4, worlds better than any other season. He has 47 laps led so far, 5 less than his season total for 2011, a season which he finished 7th in points.

Dale Jr. is also the current point leader, a spot he has only held in 2 other seasons: 2004 and last year. Only time will tell, however, if he can hold that spot nearing season's end.

Drivers To Watch In The Daytona 500

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:23:00 +0000

With all of NASCAR's rule changes enveloped in a new car design, this year's Daytona 500 is full of uknowns. The cars will all be bunched up again into large packs, but the ability of cars to drive up and side draft alone may be greater than it has in years. With a change in maneuverability and the abandoning of 2 car drafts, it will be each driver for himself (or herself, of course) for more than the last few hundred yards.

This new car design and how it affects the cars in the draft at 195 mph has changed how most drivers view the race. Some, such as Carl Edwards, say the racing is much more fun. But others may be unsure about their chances and their strategies entering NASCAR's premier event because they have either never raced this style of restrictor plate racing or they had minimal experience with it prior to the 2 car tandem racing that developed after the COT was put in place.

The wild and aggressive style of racing from this car definitely lends itself to drivers like Kevin Harvick who has won the Sprint Unlimited and his Gatorade Duel. Also benefited by this style would be drivers like Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, and Greg Biffle, all who like aggressive racing and are very good at handling cars that are moving around.

Some of the drivers who had plenty of experience and success at the old plate racing style, such as Gordon, Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip, may do well due to their experience at sensing the momentum of various lines and working their way to the front of a pack. However, Waltrip has had much less seat time in recent years due to his semi-retirement, Earnhardt Jr. has not been pleased with his car's ability it pull up to cars in front of him, and Gordon has not won at a Daytona since 2005 and has an average finish of 20.8 since then.

There are a few new drivers who may do well this weekend. All of the media's attention is on rookie of the year candidate Danica Patrick for getting the pole for this weeks race. She does have a very fast car, but more attention should definitely be paid to drivers such as Austin Dillon who finished 3rd in his Gatorade Duel behind Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne. In that race he had an impressive driver rating of 111 due to his ability to not only finish near the front, but to have maintained that position most of the race. Also, Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne was quite strong in his Gatorade Duel, leading most of the race prior to wrecking. If the 21 crew has a strong backup, Bayne may be seen near the front at the end of Sunday's race.

On particular driver who be a bit of a sentimental favorite for many this week is Mark Martin. Martin has said he does not plan to come back next year for Michael Waltrip, and although he may still drive a limited schedule, the likelihood he will be in a top tier, or near top tier, ride at Daytona in the future is slim to none. After coming close so many times, it would be great to see him finally win on NASCAR's largest stage.

Whoever wins Sunday, you can guarantee their will be plenty of passes, some extremely fast racing, and yes, some large wrecks. As drivers are just becoming accustomed to the Gen 6 car's handling and how the drafts and "air bubbles" are being affected, as we have seen in the past week, there will be plenty of torn up cars going back to the garage.

'01 Til Now, With Dale Earnhardt...

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 04:12:00 +0000

This week marks 12 years since the 2001 Daytona 500 which ended in the tragic death of NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt. In the wake of Earnhardt's death, NASCAR embarked on the largest safety renovation in its history, resulting in the safety of the sport in 2013. After NASCAR celebrated the coming Daytona 500 with a remebrance of Dale Earnhardt, one must think about what might have been.

How would the sport have progressed in the past 12 years had Earnhardt not died? Would safety measures have been made and what other differences would their be? Lets take a look back at how the past 12 years would have been with Dale Earnhardt around.

Imagine the victory lane celebration February 18, 2001 when Michael Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Dale Earnhardt finished 1, 2, 3. Earnhardt now has an established NASCAR Cup Series team, capable of winning and competing each week. He just finished second in the points in 2000 and is on the upswing again in his career. After winning a couple races in 2001 he finishes a close second to Jeff Gordon in the 2001 Cup Championship.

In the next couple of years, driver injuries and another driver death add to the recent deaths of Kenny Irwin and Adam Petty to force NASCAR into further safety measures. Only a handful of drivers still use open-faced helmets, but all drivers use some form of head and neck restraining device. NASCAR is also developing safety measure in the cars to absorb more force on impact.

After finishing 5th in the 2002 Cup Series Championship points, Dale Earnhardt decides to retire after the 2003 season. Dale Jr. finished the 2002 season 3rd in points propelling him to a Championship challenge in 2003. New talk by NASCAR about a wider, taller, safer car with identical front ends for all manufacturers is met by contention from NASCAR veterans. NASCAR adapts the front ends to incorporate more brand identity.

In 2004 Dale Earnhardt joins Darrell Waltrip in the broadcasting booth for a few races to add commentary, but decides against a long term contract citing too much hot air in the booth coming from Waltrip as a reason to stay on pit road. With late season coaching from his father, Dale Jr. wins the 2004 Championship, giving DEI its first Championship and the Earnhardt family its eighth.

Over the next few years NASCAR sees many changes amongst teams. There is an addition of a 4th DEI team, as Earnhardt has recruited Tony Stewart away from Joe Gibbs Racing, making the DEI stable every bit as strong as NASCAR powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports. Hendrick, losing hardheaded driver Kyle Busch to JGR, adds newcomer Juan Pablo Montoya from F1 in a single car partnership with Chip Ganassi and adds Mark Martin from Jack Roush's stable, outbidding startup owner Ginn Racing.

Heading into the current decade, NASCAR has now begun to eclipse the NFL in total market share, and continues to expand into new markets, despite a steep downturn in the economy. However, fans still appreciate NASCAR's roots, such as its annual Labor Day weekend at the Southern 500 at Darlington, South Carolina.

No, that is not how things turned out, and probably light years from how it may have happened, but one could definitely see how the sport would have been different had the '01 500 ended differently. Dale Earnhardt was a huge part of the sport's success, not always perfect, but always a part of the conversation. No doubt NASCAR would be different, but one can only speculate in what ways.

2012: In With A Bang, Out With A Kes

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 16:35:00 +0000

NASCAR's 2012 Sprint Cup season is over and gone, but before we begin to speculate about what may be for 2013, lets take one last look at the wild ride that was the 2012 season.

The 2012 season story began with several before/after stories. To begin, Kyle Busch, a perennial threat with the ability to win every week, won the Budweiser Shootout. Many people would have thought the 18 bunch could have put together a strong run this year, but shortly into the season their wheels would fall off. He did manage a points win at Richmond, but that would be all for him in 2012, his lowest win total since 2007.

The next before and after story would have to be the before and after photos of Daytona International Speedway after Juan Pablo Montoya played demolition derby with a jet dryer. Fortunately nobody was hurt, but the ensuing fire and inspection of the track caused the Daytona 500 to end well into the night.

Another early season story we saw was Matt Kenseth's dominance. He won the Daytona 500 and ended up the points leader by mid season, but his contract talks with Roush Fenway Racing fell apart. Probably the largest blunder RFR has made, Kenseth ended up signing to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2013, effectively ending the teams ability to race for the 2012 championship.

Returning to challenge for the Sprint Cup points lead this year was driver 88, Dale Earnhardt Jr. After beginning the year with a large stretch of top 10 runs, he finally returned to victory lane at Michigan with a dominating performance. Although he did reach the points lead briefly during the summer, his season slowed after an initial concussion at a Kansas tire test in August, then totally stopped with a second concussion and ensuing 2 week break at Talladega.

One of the most entertaining stories of the season was the tension and on-track altercation between Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer. After consistent contact between the 15 and 24 for a couple races, Gordon finally had all he could handle and wrecked Bowyer during the final laps of the Phoenix Chase race, effectively ending Bowyer's chances at winning the championship. The ensuing melee in the garage area brought about probations and fines a plenty and added to the drama when the two drivers finished first and second in the season ending race at Homestead. I doubt the two will be drafting partners at Daytona come February.

The final story of the season came down to Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson. Many people wondered whether the young driver could handle the pressure and hold back the five time champion for the 2012 Sprint cup, but as the end of the Chase grew closer, it was Johnson, Knaus, and the 48 crew that did not stand up to the pressure. Keselowski obtained the points lead after a misstep by the Lowe's team at Phoenix and did not let it go.

The stories of the 2012 season were plenty and were fun to follow. There were great races, a good Chase, and even some altercations in the garage. Here's hoping the 2013 season will rise to the occasion.

Comparing Dale Jr. To His Father, Off The Track

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 02:56:00 +0000

NASCAR fans, like those of other sports, are tremendously loyal to their favorite driver. They wear the numbers, watch religously, and cheer in good times and bad. When children, or even grandchildren, of drivers have begun racing careers they are instantly compared to their fathers, older brothers, or grandfathers. Pettys, Bakers, Jarretts, Wallaces, Earnhardts and more have had to prove themselves worthy of carrying their own name.

So many people have compared Dale Earnhardt Jr. to his late father, especially while he was trying to recoup from dissappointing finishes the last few seasons. They often compared his ability to draft or "see the air" to his father's ability at NASCAR's restrictor plate tracks, Daytona and Talladega. They have even compared his less aggressive style to his father's aggressiveness that got him the nicknames Ironhead and Intimidator.

Junior's inability to be 'Dale Earnhardt' has often been discussed, but almost always in reference to their on track talents, not their off track successes. So just how does Dale Jr. compare to his father from monday to thursday?

In Earnhardt's later years he was known as one of NASCAR's best business men. Earnhardt owned car dealerships, was part owner in a minor league baseball team, started and ran a multi-car NASCAR Sprint Cup team (Winston Cup at the time), and had by far the most successful merchandising machine selling Dale Earnhardt, #3, and DEI merchandise by the millions.

Dale Earnhardt's marketing business was eventually sold to Action Performance, which is currently owned by Speedway Motorsports Inc. and International Speedway Corp., owners of most of NASCAR's tracks, marketing and more. His head of marketing that helped build his empire was Joe Mattes. Where does Mr. Mattes currently work? You guessed it, as VP of Merchandising and Licensing for JRMotorsports.

JRMotorsports began as a management company for Dale Earnhardt Jr., but has grown into a merchandising company and Nationwide Series racing team combined. In 2006, JRM began running Nationwide series races and since has begun the NASCAR careers of both Danica Patrick and 2012 Sprint Cup Chamption Brad Keselowski.

Whether you are a fan of the 88 on the track or not, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has had a huge amount of success off the track. He has appeared or done voice work in movies like Talladega Nights and Cars. He has appeared in music videos for Sheryl Crow, Jay-Z, Nickelback, Three Doors Down, Trace Adkins and more.

Ok, so you say that has all come because of his last name... Yeah, probably, but he has taken that opportunity and ran with it. His enjoyment of NASCAR history was the foundation to his ownership of Hammerhead Media, a production company that produced his show Back In The Day which aired on the Speed Channel and Shifting Gears which aired on ESPN2.

Earnhardt Jr.'s latest ventures include opening two large-scale bar/nightclubs in both Charlotte, NC and Jacksonville, FL called Whiskey River and two car dealerships in Tallahassee, FL which he ownes in conjunction with Rick Hendrick.

No, Junior will never win seven championships. He may not win the first one. But whether you believe he is worthy of driving a Cup car (I do) or not, he most definitely learned much from his father off the track as well.

A 2013 NASCAR Wish List

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:50:00 +0000

With Christmas quickly approaching, the 2012 season firmly in the rear view mirror, and January's testing season on the horizon, many possibilities surround NASCAR's Sprint Cup teams. Drivers are wondering how the new cars will race, Crew Chiefs are trying to adjust their track notes to the chassis changes, and fans are hoping bowl season will keep their minds off the lack of racing to watch.

Below are my top 5 NASCAR wishes this Christmas; wishes for fans, for drivers, and with crew members in mind. Please include some NASCAR wishes of your own in the comment section below!

Wish #5: Repaired Restrictor-Plate Racing

During the past few years, racing at Talladega and Daytona has been odd, sometimes boring, and always leaves at least half of the fans dissappointed. With "tandem racing" becoming the norm, even with small adjustments by NASCAR, the racing has been an evolving mess that has determined itself. Sometimes the racing is good, but races with only 10 or so cars being competitive for the first 90% of the race will not keep fans, or even drivers satisfied.

The new car template that has given teams a more product-identifiable image has a more rounded, less flat front bumper, so one would hope that staying linked up will be more difficult, but only time will tell. As long as drivers feel they can link up with another driver, for however long, and pull away, tandem racing will remain. However, if NASCAR could continue to allow more speed, be it with smaller plates or not, drivers will feel less comfortable having someone shoving them around the track.

Wish #4: A New Rivalry

Ok, so most of us have paid attention to the on and off track "dissagreeent" between Jeff Gordon and Clint Boyer. Perhaps that will continue into 2013, perhaps not, but what NASCAR needs is another great ON TRACK rivalry. I don't mind hearing a driver "jaw-jacking" before or after a race about another driving, but prove it on the track! Yes, Gordon and Bowyer did somewhat the last race, but neither were racing for a championship at that point.

The problem with this generation of drivers is that they don't quite have the "showmanship" that yesteryear's drivers did. Yes, they are polished and great for sponsors, but that is not what I mean. Instead of playing up on-track tensions or throwing out a taunting challenge, leading to added tension and raised efforts, they show their aggravation on track by tearing up cars or try to "fight" in the garage. Usually that is all followed up by a stone faced "pretty boy" trying to sound good for their sponsor.

Lets see a Petty-Pearson rivalry, or a Earnhardt-Waltrip rivalry. Run your mouth all you want, but prove who is best at racing, not who is best at wrecking.

Wish #3: More Cars On The Track

For the past few years, more and more owners of small teams have seen it more profitable for them to "start and park" their cars. They make a race only to run a few laps and call it a day. In turn, they spend less on tires, take less risk of wrecking, and can use an engine more, lowering their overall operating costs leaving more for pay.

In turn, less lower tier drivers and teams can make a name for themselves and/or move up through "the ranks" of the sport. Whether or not they have bettered or worsened the overall sponsorship market around the sport is for someone else to decide. The simple fact that drivers are starting and parking, simply being satisfied with being an "also ran" is just a sad comment on the sport in general.

Wish #2: More Fans In The Stands

The state of the economy and everyone's tightening wallet was very apparent during the 2012 season. Empty seats at Bristol, Martinsville, and Daytona were amazing, not to mention the attendance at less important races. People are having some difficulty buying 2-4 $60 and up tickets, yes, but spending that $240 plus the two night stay at a motel, concessions and a tshirt and not too many families can handle a family race weekend these days.

Is there anything NASCAR can do about it? Not much, in my opinion. It is possible that tracks could charge even less, especially for Nationwide and Truck Series races, which survive mostly on sponsor money, not track attendance money. Either way, the likelihood that the entry-level price to attend a race will drop to bring in fans is miniscule. A better overall economy and more door banging are the only things that can fill all the seats.

Wish #1: A Return To What Works!

One of the best moves NASCAR is making for the 2013 season is a return of auto brand identification to the cars. This brings back some, however small an amount, of the old school character of the sport. No, there will not be any huge spoilers or bench seats, but seeing a car that I could imagine driving down the highway beating and banging with a driver I can't stand makes me want to watch more racing.

What NASCAR needs to do is to continue a return of some of the 'old school' aspects of the sport that truly worked. Bringing back a Labor Day race at Darlington, for example, would be a move that would not only make older fan's happy, but it could also be a way to accquaint new fans with some NASCAR roots. Along those same line, NASCAR could dedicate one or two races each season that they would move around between a set of 4 or 5 tracks. Iowa, Milwaukee, Rockingham, Road America, or even a street race similar to Indycar's Grand Prix of Baltimore would be great races to have every other or ever third year to bring something different to NASCAR and bring NASCAR to some new markets. Could you imagine a NASCAR race through the streets of a metropolitan city?

There, those are my top 5 NASCAR wishes for next year, what are yours?

Get Set!: Looking At The 2012 Chase Field, 1st - 5th

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 03:37:00 +0000

As the Chase quickly approaches, many drivers are getting ready to prepare for 2013. They will not be "in the hunt", so they are either preparing with their team for a stronger run next year, or are preparing for a new ride to start speedweeks at Daytona.

The Chase drivers, on the other hand, are preparing to put their best foot forward on the first Chase race. Not wanting to fall behind and give up a chance at a Championship, drivers will be looking to make statements at the 1.5 mile Chicagoland Speedway. Whether they will step out ahead or not, these 5 drivers are starting out front on their way to the Sprint Cup:

5th - Greg Biffle: In many ways, 2012 has been a season of renewal for Biffle and the 16 team. They have led more laps this year than any season since '06. They have remained in or close to the top 3 in points for most of the regular season. And the 16 team has not finished the season in the top 5 since 2008 and have never had an average finish better than 11.9 (their current average for the '12 season is 9.7).

To have a chance at winning the Sprint Cup, Biffle will have to produce on his strong suits, the 1.5 mile downforce tracks and the Monster Mile of Dover. If he can pop of a win or two, look for him to be close to the top entering Homestead, a track where he has 3 wins. The 'Biff' has an average finish of 15.9 and 10 wins at the 10 Chase tracks.

4th - Brad Keselowski: Making his second Chase appearance in just 3 full time Sprint Cup seasons, Keselowski has definitely made his place amoung the top tier drivers. He has 3 wins this year and is more than capable of winning a few more prior to Homestead. Along with his ability to stay up front, the 2 team has also shown that they and their driver are willing to do whatever is needed to win, a trait that may serve them well when the points battle gets close at the end.

The downside for the 2 team is that Keselowski only has good history at a few of the Chase tracks. Don't get me wrong, he is more than capable of winning at all of them, he just has poor average finishes at most of them. His strong tracks are definitely Talladega and Kansas. Keselowski's average finish at the Chase tracks is 17.1 and he has 3 wins on those tracks.

3rd - Tony Stewart: This year Stewart is entering the Chase in 3rd and not quite as unsure as he was last year when he dominated the Chase with 5 wins. However, although Stewart has more top 5's this year than the previous two, he only has two more top 10's than top 5's. What that means is that if Stewart has a good car and a good setup, he can compete and will finish within sight of the lead. If he does not, he is not getting to the top 10. Translation: Stewart could break out with multiple wins, or he could struggle with poor setups.

Nobody, though, should count the 14 out of the Championship. 2011 should serve as plenty reminder that Stewart may be down but is never 'out'. Stewart, after all, is known for being at mid-late season driver. He does not, however, have Darian Grubb who helped him win the Cup last year. Stewart has an average finish of 12.5 and 21 wins on the Chase tracks.

2nd - Jimmie Johnson: Another Chase and another attempt at a Championship for Jimmie Johnson and the 48 crew. Johnson has shown this year, again, that he wins the big races, and once he is out front he is hard to catch. Johnson has had three wins so far, and is unlikely to go winless in the Chase. Johnson has NEVER gone winless in the final 10 races of the year in his Sprint Cup career.

Winning or not, Johnson cannot be counted out of the Chase picture. He has plenty of ability to win, let alone his proven history with Crew Chief Knaus at the Chase tracks from which to draw information. Johnson has an average finish of 10th and 31 wins at the Chase tracks.

1st - Denny Hamlin: After not being able to back up his 2010 performance last year, Hamlin has been able to slowly build this year to the point that he is the Chase frontrunner. Hamlin has had an up and down 2012, but with a few wins and more consistently running at or near the front over the summer, Hamlin is hitting his stride at just the right time.

One of Hamlin's biggest strengths this year is the addition of last years Cup winning Crew Chief, Darian Grubb. Grubb may well be out for some 'how do you like me now' and Hamlin would be more than happy to help him out. What Hamlin will be sure to look out for is a momentum trip up like he had near the end of the 2010 Chase. Hamlin has an average finish of 13.4 and 10 wins at the Chase tracks.

On Your Mark!: Looking At The 2012 Chase Field, 6th-12th

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 02:13:00 +0000

Now that all of the jockeying for a Chase spot is over, the attention of twelve drivers will turn toward the final ten races of the year. As the Chase is complete with downforce tracks, a restrictor plate track, a short track, a concrete track, a flat track, and the one of a kind Homestead, a well rounded racer should do well. However, with only 10 races to go, and every point important, a driver with the ability to finish well every week will be hard to beat as well.

12th - Jeff Gordon: Gordon made his way into this year's Chase with a great finish at Richmond after struggling early. Although this team needed help from a bad finish by the 18 team to make the Chase, don't count them out easily. Gordon is a 4 time champ, is the most winning active driver, and is always capable of hitting a hot streak. Gordon averages a 12.2 place finish at the 10 tracks and has 31 wins on them.

11th - Kasey Kahne: The 5 team made the Chase with Kahne in their first year together due, in large part, to Kahne's strong wins early in the season. Although Kahne has not been unstopable during the summer, he has maintained a strong team and his two wins solidified their Chase spot. Kahne has never excelled at the Chase, his best finish being 8th, but he has also not competed in the Chase in a Hendrick car. Kahne has an average finish of 16.3 with 7 wins at the Chase tracks.

10th - Martin Truex Jr.: How this team made the Chase with such strong runs and did not win, I do not know, but nevertheless, they are in and looking for a win. Truex has never finished in the top 10 in the Sprint Cup Series, but don't count this team out. They have been consistent all season and should have a good showing. Truex has an average finish of 15.7 with his only career win coming at the Chase track of Dover.

9th - Kevin Harvick: Will the 29 team's crew chief change make a big enough difference for them to have a productive Chase? Only time will tell. Harvick does have some unfinished business in the Chase after coming in third the past two years, but with zero wins on the year, finishing the season out with a couple of wins to head into 2013 may be a more realistic goal. Harvick has an average finish of 13.7 and has 8 wins at the Chase tracks.

8th - Matt Kenseth: After being at the points lead for much of the season, Kenseth dropped to 8th due to only producing one win in the regular season. Although the team said Kenseth's coming departure to Joe Gibbs Racing would not be a distraction, competitiveness has tapered off in the past few weeks. Kenseth could do well in the Chase, but with RFR preparing for Stenhouse Jr. to take over that ride and Kenseth preparing commercialse for his new sponsor for next year (Home Depot), it is not likely. Kenseth has an average finish of 14.8 and has 8 wins at Chase tracks.

7th - Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Dale Jr. enters the Chase in 7th place, the exact same spot he finished last year. Although he has an average finish of 16.6 at the Chase tracks, he has 10 wins on them. He only posted one top 5 in last year's chase, but with an average finish of 6.1 on downforce tracks this season, his 2012 Chase is bound to be more productive.

6th - Clint Bowyer: In his first year in a MWR Toyota, Bowyer makes the Chase as one of two MWR teams in the Chase. Although many people thought he would not do as well in his first year at a "weaker" team, his old team, RCR, is only sending one car to the Chase. Bowyer has some good tracks in the Chase and proved with his win last weekend at Richmond that he could be a force in the Chase outcome. Bowyer has an average finish of 14.6 and 4 wins at the Chase tracks.

Chase 2012: 'Outwit', 'Outplay', or 'Outlast'?

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:33:00 +0000

With this season's up and down nature, engine's blowing, and no clear dominator, this year's Chase could be an exercise in 'Outwit, Outplay, and Outlast'. Although there is always a possibility of someone getting on a hot streak as Tony Stewart did late in last year's Chase, the field seems very level for those who are definitely in the Chase.

Each of the past several weeks there has been one or more of this year's contenders in trouble. Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrecked in practice, in a race, and tore up a transmission. Johnson never seriously contended at the Glen, then blew his engine within sight of victory lane at Michigan. Kenseth or his team, or both, are apparently looking forward to next season. And Keselowski is now following the Hendrick cars around drooling over their 'rear ends'. Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

The way things are shaping up, the Chase is possibly going to be a case of who stays out of trouble, dodge's wrecks, steals one with stragegy, and keeps their engines running coming out ahead of the other contenders. With only 10 races in the Chase, one DNF can easily end a driver's chance at the Sprint Cup, especially if there are one or two drivers who are cautious and lucky enough to stay 'clean' throughout the Chase.

One thing is for sure, the race to the Chase for those contending for the two wildcard slots will come down to outwit or outplay. Should anyone of the drivers with one win snag another victory, it could be all they need, because none of those drivers look like they could run off a string of 2 or three wins right now.

As for how the Chase has historically played out, there have been a mixture of three plots. In 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2010, the Champion would win none or one race in the Chase, and effectively 'Outlast' the field. In each of those years, a driver other than the eventual champ would win 2 or more races in the Chase, but one or more poor performances put them in a hole too deep to win. In 2004, in fact, Jimmie Johnson had 4 Chase wins, but could only manage to climb back to second by season's end.

In 2007, 2009, and 2011 the Champion 'Outplayed' the field. In each of those years the eventual winner would snag at least 4 Chase races and simply dominate the competition to the point that sheer speed won out. And in 2008 the Championship was won by a combination of 'Outwit', 'Outlast' and 'Outplay'. In that year, three drivers had multiple Chase wins, and two had three wins in what ended up as a virtual slugfest to the finish. Although Carl Edwards won 3 of the final 4 races, the points Johnson had amassed in his 3 wins gave him the cushion to keep Edwards at bay for the final races.

One driver you will hear commentators say does not have the ability to hit a hot streak during the Chase is Dale Earnhardt Jr. His best showing in the Chase races was in 2004 where he won 2 races in the final 10. The most promising news for the 88 crew is that his performance in the 1.5 mile tracks has been solid this year, which could translate into some success in the fall.

NASCAR Goes (Off) Road Racing...

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 03:07:00 +0000

Road courses are like the Busch brothers to most NASCAR fans: either you love them or hate them. They are much more technical, much more prone to fuel mileage strategy, and tend to favor a handful of drivers that have more experience road racing. However, most NASCAR fans cannot discount the fact that when the cars are side by side, the opportunity for fender-banging, cut tires, and more 'gritty' racing is high.

Sunday afternoon was no different. While much of the first half of the race was fairly inconsequential, with few lead changes and no real drama, the end of the race featured popular drivers spinning, side by side racing, and dirt flying in the air as Keselowski and Ambrose commenced an all-or-nothing dash to the checkered flag.

Both of the drivers offered to add to the paint job of the other's racecar on the final lap, yet neither wrecked the other, a result pointed out by Keselowski in his post race interview. After the two of them made their way past Kyle Busch who was losing control after running through an oil slick laid down by the #47 of Bobby Labonte, they each ran off the road in the interloop. After Keselowski regained the rear bumper of Ambrose, he gave a slight bump which allowed him to move to the left side of the #9 heading into the last corner, a right hander. Ambrose then ran Keselowski up toward the wall on the exit of the corner, without making contact, giving himself the momentum to capture the checkered flag.

During the final few laps, Dale Earnhardt Jr. spun along with Jeff Gordon, ending the hopes of top 10 finishes for both. Busch (Kyle), who spun after contact with the #2, finished 7th. Also, the race also saw problems for Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart and more.

The race at Watkins Glen International generally has more action, mostly due to the sharp right-handed turn at the end of the front stretch, along with the tricky interloop on the back-stretch. Both of these spots allow aggressive drivers to outbreak other drivers and get side by side, hoping to make it through the coming turn.

Whether you enjoy road racing and want more of these races or cannot stand them and prefer ovals any time, Sunday's race ended with a bang.

How Do You Get Your NASCAR?

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 03:41:00 +0000

My how time changes. We live in a world that never stops turning, constantly moving and ever changing. I recall sitting down to watch a race on Sunday and listening intently to the prerace show, because that was the only "insider news" you could get. Yeah there were newspaper articles and a couple select magazines that covered the sport, but for the most part the half hour or so prior to the green flag was where you saw the personalities behind the wheels and behind the pit wall.

Even prior to those days, races may or may not have been televised and even further still, the only NASCAR you could get was by rumor mill or by going to the race. Imagine how daunting Jimmie Johnson would be if all you heard were tales of his wins and his five championships. I would image kids would assume he were 10 ft tall and bullet proof. Of course, some of his fans and even some on-air personalities currently think that way.

Today, NASCAR can get to you a plethora of ways. You can get an instant NASCAR fix through Twitter, Facebook, or by surfing NASCAR sites on your smartphone. You can also catch NASCAR shows on ESPN or even on the SPEED channel.

It never ceases to amaze me just how many fans who are die hard never access the inside information that can be had by following drivers, crew chiefs, spotters or even track personnel on Twitter and/or Facebook. When I personally got on Twitter, I was shocked at how open and personable some of the drivers and team members were. You literally could have knocked me over with a feather the first time I had a question answered by Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, or even Mrs. Harvick herself.

Personability and being able to relate to the sports stars is, in my opinion, of utmost importance if NASCAR is to expand its current fan base, reach new markets, and even fill the stands week in and week out. Social media, to me, provides more insight into the sport than any other avenue.

So how do YOU get your NASCAR? Do you use Twitter (if so give me a follow @the_Bumpdrafter) or Facebook? Do you read multiple NASCAR blogs? Tell us who you recommend following!

FYI: Some of my personal favorites on Twitter are the Harvicks, Jimmie Johnson, definitely Brad Keselowski, @NASCARCASM, and ESPN's Marty Smith among others.

Who Will Get The Wild Cards?

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 04:56:00 +0000

With only 6 races remaining until the cutoff for the Chase after Richmond, the race for the two coveted wildcard spots is tightening up. Although anything could happen between now and the finish under the lights at Richmond, the field is pretty well down to 5 drivers: Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, and Jeff Gordon. Paul Menard and Joey Logano are close to Gordon in points totals, but neither of them have are currently headed in the right direction, so a 6 race swing in their favor is not likely. Ambrose, always a possible winner at Watkins Glen, would need more than 1 win to make the spot from so far back, which is probably not going to happen either.

The 10th position in the points is currently occupied by Clint Bowyer, a solid 55 points ahead of 11th, Kyle Busch. If anyone is capable of putting together a string of good finishes, let alone wins, to get into the top 10, Kyle Busch is that person. However, lately Busch has been having trouble putting together 500 miles without blowing an engine, so making up an average of 9.2 points per race on Bowyer would be a tough order.

So who out of the 5 wild card contenders will gain a Chase entry? Let’s look at the last 6 races: Pocono (this week), Watkins Glen, Michigan, Bristol, Atlanta, and Richmond. Out of the 5 contenders, only 3 have wins: Busch (1), Kahne (2), and Newman (1). I personally believe that 2 wins will get you in this year, a thought for which time is dwindling to disprove. That means that Kahne will be in this year's Chase. It also means that now we have 4 drivers contending for 1 spot.

Of the four I would definitely say that Busch has the best shot. He has more points than the others (not by much) and only Gordon has more wins at the coming 6 tracks. In fact, Busch is more of a lock than anyone to compete for the win at Richmond: his average finish there is 4.7. That is in 15 visits, during which he only has 2 finishes OUTSIDE THE TOP 5. That is ridiculous, so much so that I had to look at the stats twice.

Although Carl Edwards is just behind Busch in the points, I don't give him much of a chance to make this year's Chase. Edwards has no wins this year, has only 2 top 5 finishes, and has just received a Crew Chief change. Yes, Edwards does have the best finishing average at these 6 tracks (out of these 4 drivers), but right now points won't help unless you have wins, and Edwards is not even knocking on the door.

Ryan Newman is has a chance at the final spot for two reasons: he has one win and he is always a threat to win at Richmond and Pocono, as he is good on flat tracks. Newman’s chances, however, hinge on him winning and Busch not winning. Newman is unlikely to pass Busch in points because, although he is only 15 back, his average finish at the 6 tracks lags behind Busch's.

Lastly we have Jeff Gordon. Gordon is in need of a hot streak, something he has not seen in a few years. Gordon is 24 points behind Busch, but without a win he is helpless. Gordon needs at least one win to make the Chase this year, and at the remaining tracks he has 23 previous wins. Although many would think of him as a threat at Watkins Glen, Gordon has 5 wins each at Pocono, Atlanta, and Bristol. If Gordon could catch some luck and momentum at the same time, he is in, but that is a huge if.

I should add that Kasey Kahne should be relieved that his 2 wins is likely to put him over the threshold, as his average finish at the next 6 venues is a dismal 18.3, with Michigan being the only one with an average finish under 17th.

All in all, I would say that the race for the Chase should be coming down to a good show. Between drivers trying to win their way in to the Chase and those looking for more bonus points, a few fenders are likely in for some damage, or at least we can hope...

Earnhardt Jr. Haters Are Fuming

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:29:00 +0000

After a week off and some relaxation, the NASCAR stars were back to action at one of the world's most loved tracks, Indianapolis. With a dwindling amount of races left to the Chase cutoff, teams were looking to make a move and either gain bonus points to begin the Chase or to make their way into the Chase by way of victories.

At the top of the story pile, as usual, was Dale Earnhardt Jr. He was looking to top his best Brickyard finish (6th), become only the second 'son' to win in a 'father/son' combination, to tie Jeff Gordon for most consecutive lead lap finishes in the Modern Era, and to further solidify himself near the top of the standings in preparation for the Chase. Some 400 miles and a small amount of side-by-side racing later, Earnhardt Jr. finished the day completing 3 of his 4 goals. Although his teammate, Jimmie Johnson, piloted the 48 to a dominating win, his 4th at Indy, Dale Jr. finished 4th and took over the Sprint Cup Series points lead after Matt Kenseth was collected in a late race collision.

And the smoke begins.

Although Earnhardt Jr. has had a great season, by many measures his best ever, there have always been and will always be those who cannot stand the attention and following he garners. Whether those people are former fans that had their feelings hurt by his poor performances from 2006-2010, or they are die hard Kyle Petty fans who only wish their 'son of a legend' favorite had the same ability, they will not be happy. They are more than willing to pile-on criticism whether Junior is finishing in the top-5 or if he has a bad race and finishes outside the top-10. They call him "Over88ted", under-talented, rookie, and more. There is even an Over88ted.com, dedicated to pointing out every Dale Earnhardt Jr. mistake. And they range from low level, blogging hack to 'Sr. Bleacher Report Analyst', and even a "Journalist" for the Charlotte Observer. Thankfully, there are also sites like 88-Central, a NASCAR forum website where Junior and NASCAR fans can vent!

This weekend, as Kenseth's car, and points lead, went up in flames, the on-air personalities for ESPN simply pointed out that if the race were to finish as they were running Dale Earnhardt Jr. would be the new points leader. That fact so aggravated the Junior haters that Charlotte Observer writer, and blogger at ThatsRacin.com, Jim Utter tweeted "Can we wait until the race is over before we crown Dale Junior champion?", which he followed with "Dale Junior is NOT the former, current or future points leader." Sounds like a particularly impartial NASCAR journalist.

As blogger Jay Busbee wrote in his Yahoo Sports blog, "From The Marbles", the Junior haters are having to "dig deeper." Some of them are flat speechless, choosing to hold their tongue while praying for a misstep on which to pounce. Some, not unlike Mr. Utter, are in apparent denial.

Oh, and for the Over88ted.com site? They have a clock that counts how long it has been since driver 88 has won... It did not get updated after Michigan, surprisingly enough. Instead it clicks on, like a town clock above a deserted town square. It's funny what jealousy can do to people...

What You Missed In Daytona

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 04:02:00 +0000

After a few years of not attending a race and over a year of sharing my rants and raves here on this blog, I returned to Daytona this past weekend for the Coke Zero 400. For weeks, I had readied everything with anticipation of a great weekend and up-close NASCAR, and Daytona did not disappoint.

First of all, the weather was beautiful. Yes, Florida is hot in July, but there was a decent breeze for most of the afternoon that made tailgating a blast. I have been to a Daytona race at which a few people were injured by a lightning strike, and a Daytona race that left most people sunburned and dehydrated. This weekend was about as good as Florida can be in July.

As we have never really done hard core tailgating at Daytona, we had planned to eat at a local restaurant prior to entering the track. Instead, we parked next to two Firefighters from Moultrie, GA, and a retired Army veteran and his wife from the Tampa, FL area. They made certain to show my wife and I, and our two friends, exactly how tailgating is done NASCAR style. They had grilled burgers, hotdogs, bratwurst, and corn, along with tents, chairs, radio, etc. The most important thing they had were welcoming attitudes and plenty of conversation. Since me and my friend are Firefighters, we had plenty to discus with the other Firefighters and had an awesome time.

I rambled on about all that to say this: NASCAR fans are amazing. Whether you are a Junior fan or cheer for a Busch brother, they are willing to share their food and time with you. If you have never tailgated NASCAR style, you should give it a try!

Also, I have shared on multiple posts about how much can be learned or experienced by following NASCAR and NASCAR personalities on Twitter. This weekend I was able to join a "TweetUp", a meeting at the track of people who follow NASCAR on Twitter, all the way up to those who write about NASCAR in print and online media. As there are often visitors, both drivers and otherwise, I was eager to see who would show. The coordinator of the meetings, Jeff Gluck (motorsports editor at SBNation.com), had said there would be a big guest, and he did not lie. A few minutes into a question and answer session with some Daytona administration personnel, in walks Train, who were scheduled to sing a prerace concert. A few minutes later, Landon Cassill, driver of the #83 Burger King car, walks up right beside me to watch. All because I follow some NASCAR people on Twitter.

NASCAR is a great sport folks, but NASCAR Nation totally rocks. If you haven't experienced all of it, you should! And for those of you who make it what it is, I thank you for another great experience!

Is Rubbin' Still Racin'?

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:03:00 +0000

Rubbing is racing. We have all heard it and 99% of us has said it on multiple occasions. Since NASCAR began, quarter panels and bumpers were made to take a beating. Different from the open wheel racing of Indycar, NASCAR promotes close racing and in many cases a gentle nudge is the only way to set up a pass.

This rough-neck racing has made for driver spats, fan fights, and many trips to the NASCAR hauler. The whole while, NASCAR has expanded its following, multiplied its marketing, and carved its place among the top sports franchises in the world.

However, over the past few years, blatant wrecking and on and off track retaliation have followed NASCAR's famous "drivers, have at it" rule. NASCAR has clarified and penalized yet most drivers have not quite taken the point. This past week, especially in the Nationwide Series, has been case in point. Drivers have opted to simply wreck someone out of the way rather than loosen them up and take the spot.

Perhaps they need to be reminded of "Harry Hogge's" quote from "Days of Thunder", the WHOLE quote. He said, "No, no, he didn't slam you, he didn't bump you, he didn't nudge you... he *rubbed* you. And rubbin, son, is racin'." Not slamming, rubbing.

As much as it pains me to say, the best example of "rubbin" this past week had to have been Kurt Busch. Yes, I said it, and yes it hurt. He rubbed the bumper of Clint Bowyer's #15 Toyota on multiple occasions coming to the end of the race. Although I waited for it to happen on every turn, he never punted him off course. Yes, he did lose, but he did not lose what little bit of dignity he is trying to regain. I don't know if he gained any fans on Sunday, but Kurt Busch definitely regained some respect from drivers and fans alike.

Perhaps Busch has remembered one of Hogge's other quotes from the movie, "Oh he can drive. He can drive beyond the limits of the tires, the engine, the car or anything else. If the sum' b___ listened to me we wouldn't hardly ever lose a race!"

I would be remiss if I did not include a quote for Jacques Villeneuve. I wouldn't be surprised if Danica Patrick is heard on the radio at Montreal (road course) quoting "Russ Wheeler" with a " if he comes near me I'm gonna put him in the wall. Simple as that."

Is Kenseth's 2012 A Replay Of Edwards In 2011?

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 15:12:00 +0000

Another Sprint Cup season for Roush Fenway Racing and again they have a couple of drivers in serious contention to win the Sprint Cup Championship. Last year, Carl Edwards started the season strong. He won at Las Vegas and quickly rose to the top of the Sprint Cup points standings. This year, both Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth have had the points lead, which is currently Kenseth's.

However, soon conversations in 2011 began to focus on the fact that Carl Edwards was a man without a contract. His contract with RFR was to end and the finish of the 2011 season, and much speculation was given to the possibility of him leaving RFR for Joe Gibbs Racing. For weeks reporters would ask Carl if he would be driving a orange toyota in 2012, and for weeks they would get his patented smile and a kind comment about RFR working on a contract.

The questions were soon answered as the summer began to end, and Edwards and the 99 crew were able to finish the season out with a tie for the points lead which resulted in a second place finish (due to a tie-breaker rule.) However, Edwards did not dominate any more races and had no wins, in the Chase or otherwise, after his one early-season win at Las Vegas. Had he won ONE more race he would have won the Championship. Period.

Now, in 2012, rumors have been swirling around Kenseth's future. His RFR contract is over at season's end, and many have wondered if he would leave his long-time home. Now, this week Roush reports that defending Nationwide Series champ Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be replacing Kenseth at RFR in the 2013 season. Will Kenseth be driving a Toyota in 2013? Will he bring Ford back to Penske Racing? We will likely know by week's end.

What we do know is that for a second year in a row, Roush has a driver who is hot and contending for a championship, yet they are unsure about their future. Yes, Edwards did have a successful year in 2011, but few would doubt that he could have won another race had contract talks been completed prior to the 2011 season, which would have led to his first championship. Add on top of that, Kenseth will be dealing with going to a new team, who will be his crew chief, who will be his sponsor, etc, and the likelihood that the 17 will be celebrating after Homestead becomes low.

Either Roush has the worst timing and luck in the NASCAR garage, or someone seriously needs to question their wisdom about personnel management. Had Edwards won the 2011 championship, sponsorship and money woes would have undoubtedly been less of a strain in 2012, and he may have kept the Cup another year.

Excited, Kind, And Snide: Reactions To Junior's Michigan Win

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:00:00 +0000

It is always funny to me to sit back and watch the reactions after each race. Depending on who wins and how the win occurs you will have any number of reactions from drivers, TV personalities, fans and writers. Whether its Jimmie Johnson winning after dominating all day or David Reutimann snagging a lucky win, there are always people who will congratulate and those that will attempt to downplay the event.

This Sunday, of course, is no different. As NASCAR's most liked driver was using up the ample amount of rubber left on his tires on the front stretch, there were all sorts of reactions taking place. Announcers and NASCAR officials were glad, if not relieved, that the story line had ended in a way that will benefit the sport. Drivers, for the most part, were congratulatory of a competitor who has been working hard for a win. And fans were going crazy in the stands, infield, and at home.

Yet, at the same time, some were not so happy. One particular driver felt the need to remind everyone that the next day was still a Monday and that God Himself had not spoken. Tony Stewart, probably tired from racing for a few hours, was obviously short (pun intended) with reporters after the race. His sentiment was that just because everyone wanted a win for Dale Jr. did not mean that he and the other drivers had to make it easy for him. Good point, Tony, and one that I am sure Earnhardt Jr. would agree with. To my knowledge, he has never asked Mr. Stewart to pull over and allow a pass. Not only that, aside from getting around Dale Jr. on a restart during Sunday's race, Stewart did not have much opportunity to see the front of Dale Jr.'s car. Perhaps he just enjoyed the paint scheme on the rear bumper.

Stewart was not the only person who was less than impressed with the win. Many fans, and writers, hate the attention that Earnhardt Jr. gets, how TV analysts always mention him, and how devoted his fans are. They see him as overrated and only in the sport because of his late father, 7 time Champ, Dale Earnhardt. Are they right? Not if you look at facts and numbers, but they are taking a purely emotional view, as are those that believe Dale Jr. can do no wrong.

A particular writer, Mr. Norris McDonald, a blogger for Wheels.ca whose posts appear on the Toronto Star website, is particularly unimpressed with Dale Earnhardt Jr. He as much as said in his latest NASCAR piece, "Was Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Win A Fluke?", that a monkey could have driven better than Junior in the past four years and that perhaps the only way to explain Earnhardt's win on Sunday is to call it a fluke. Was it a fluke: an accident, a break, a stroke of luck or a coincidence? Twelve top 10's and six top 5 finishes in 15 races... Make your own decision.

Either way, Earnhardt Jr. will be taking one less question this week.

Letarte Helping Dale Jr., From Start To Finish

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 03:45:00 +0000

With many people questioning the move by Steve Letarte, Crew Chief for the #88 Chevy driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., late in Sunday's race at Pocono Raceway to take fuel rather than gamble for a win, I just thought I would underscore some reasons Letarte is making the right decisions for the #88 driver. Although mistakes are made on a weekly basis by every, yes, every team, the overall direction of Letarte's team is in the right direction. In fact, some issues Earnhardt has had for several years have been fairly well solved.

For one, Junior has had an issue with qualifying for quite some time. I don't think it is totally because he has not had good setups, and I know it is not for lack of power. When he began driving for Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, Earnhardt Jr. had a average starting position of 10.3, the best season average of his career. However, after the one win that year (at Michigan, his last win, 4 years ago this week) finishes began to taper off, finishing outside the lead lap in five of the ten Chase races.

After Earnhardt's confidence in himself and the #88 team began to go away, so did his qualifying attempts. Over the next three years his starting average was 22.2, 19.0, and last year 19.6, which were out of character for Dale Jr., whose career average is 16.4. This year, Dale Jr. has put up good qualifying numbers almost every week. In fact, he has only two starts outside the top 20. Compare that to last year when, in the first 14 races, he had only three starts inside the top 20.

I thoroughly believe that the primary reason for the change in qualifying success has been confidence. Confidence that his grip will hold when entering a corner at 160 mph, confidence that he has a crew chief that has listened to his feedback and adjusted accordingly, and confidence that if he gives his 100%, so will his team.

That confidence is the main reason I think Letarte chose to pit and take fuel in a late race caution on Sunday. Dale Jr. himself pointed out to Letarte that he would not be forgiven if the #88 car ran out of fuel. In later interviews, Earnhardt Jr. alluded to the fact that running out of gas would have ruined his confidence, the team's focus, and the upward direction of the #88 team as a whole. I agree.

Does Gordon Have Time To Make Chase?

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 04:41:00 +0000

With only 3 top 10 finishes in the first 13 races of the 2012 season, Jeff Gordon is having, by far, the worst start to a season that he has had in his career. Never before has he had so few top tens thus far into the season, including his rookie year. He has had loose wheels, flat tires, started wrecks and got sucked into them. I am sure the 24 team has gone through every spare good luck charm in their hauler by now.

Until 2012, Gordon has made the Chase in every year except 2005, the second year of the Chase, which he finished 11th in the points standings. If he were to miss the Chase this year it would be only the third time in his twenty year career.

The grinding thing for the 24 team has to be that they have had good runs, challenging for and leading races. In fact, he has led almost as many laps in 2012 as he did in that whole 2005 season when he won 4 races on the path to that 11th place season finish. Everything that could have gone wrong, has. For the Dupont team of Gordon and Gustafson, Mr. Murphy has proven his law almost every weekend.

The scary fact for Gordon, at this point, is that he is 94 points out of 10th place. With 13 races left before the Chase field is set, that would mean a gain of 7.4 points on 10th to be in the top 10 by Richmond. Gordon is great, don't get me wrong, but it is hightly unlikely, especially since he currently has more monkeys on his back than live in the San Diego Zoo.

Gordon's best bet is to make it into the top 15 and get at least two wins, possibly three. Currently he would have to beat the win total of Brad Keselowski (2), Kasey Kahne (1), and Ryan Newman (1). I believe at least one of these three will be in the top 10 by Richmond, and since Keselowski is currently closest, 2 wins may just be enough to make the 2 extra Chase slots.

One thing is for certain: if those pesky monkeys ever fall off the rear deck lid of the 24, watch out Sprint Cup Series! Gordon is running as well as he has since his great '07 season and should he make one of the two extra Chase slots due to wins, the rest of the Chase field should be on notice, he could well be the 'Tony Stewart' of 2012. (Recall that Stewart had 0 wins heading into the 2011 Chase and felt like they did not deserve to make the Chase, yet won 5 races and won the Championship.)

All of the above said, this week we are going to Pocono, a track known for killing engines, gas mileage grief, and surprise rain winners. With so many pitfalls around the triangle track, is this the week for Gordon to mount a comeback?

I Have My Tickets, How About You??

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 01:45:00 +0000

With every NASCAR season their is plenty of complaints to go around. Some years there are complaints about one make having an advantage over another, some years there are complaints about too much domination by one team. In 2012 there have been no shortage of complaints, by commentators, analysts, drivers, and especially fans.

People have been complaining about how long the races are, how long the season is, how uncompetitive the races have been and about knowing just what brought out the debris cautions. One definitely concerning complaint has been where are all the fans... I haven't seen a race this year and thought, "Wow, how did they pack all those people in there."

Well, NASCAR fans, there is one certain way to get over the complaining about everything NASCAR: get to the track! Yes, I said go to a race! Nothing makes me less concerned about how crooked the cars look going down the straightaway than actually trying to see them because they are going so fast. The best way for me to forget about how much I can't stand a particular NASCAR on air personality is to not be able to hear anything but the roar of 43 cars (at the beginning of the race, obviously) flying past me. And the only way to care less about the semantics of the sport, how to grow the viewing audience, and what tracks need less races, is to remember first hand exactly why you fell in love with the sport.

Don't get me wrong, if you have read any of my other posts you know I love to tell my opinion about every aspect of the sport. It just seems to me that there are too many fans today that would rather complain about NASCAR than brag about it. Has anything changed? Yes, of course things have, but there are still 43 drivers giving it everything while riding 200 mph a foot from a concrete wall. There are still pit crews dodging cars driving 45 - 55 mph down pit road. And no matter how much some of you bemoan the sport, you still get on the edge of your seat when your driver is slinging it 3 wide on a restart.

Yes, NASCAR needs to hear every point of view and should continue to find ways to keep the fans happy, but the rest of us need to take a step back and remember why we love the sport: the screaming fans, the smell of burning rubber, the car coming out of turn 4 with the right rear sliding out from under it. I, for one, am ready for my reminder.

I will be going to the July race at Daytona International Speedway, which will be my first race in over 4 years. It has been a long cold winter, indeed. I will try to listen out for anyone complaining about the new points system during the race, not likely to hear them though.

Darrell Wallace Jr: Logano, Round 2?

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:18:00 +0000

Four years ago, Joe Gibbs Racing began to introduce a new star to the sport of stock car racing. "Sliced Bread" was to be the next Richard Petty, was the greatest young driver ever seen by some, and was expected to make NASCAR his playground.

Over the next few seasons, Joey Logano has gained mutual respect from other NASCAR drivers, but has failed to wow fans and has won just one race. He has, however, dominated at times in the Nationwide Series where he and his JGR teammates have been the cream of the crop over the last three years.

Perhaps Logano was brought all the way up to the Cup Series before he was ready. JGR was looking for a replacement for Tony Stewart at the time who was leaving, and was, no doubt, looking for a bright, young face that could keep some sponsors. That they got.

With his 12 wins in the Nationwide Series it's easy to think that Logano would have won a Nationwide Championship by now and could have eased his way into the upper level. Perhaps his confidence would have been kept in tact and he would have had an easier time acclimating to the Sprint Cup Series. Who knows?

With Wallace Jr., however there is yet another piece of the NASCAR pie on the line. Wallace Jr. is the best new hope of NASCAR's Drive For Diversity program. Wallace Jr., an African American, has had great success in the K&N Series, and will be expected to continue that progression in the Nationwide Series for JGR. Hopefully the Gibbs organization has learned some lessons from Logano.

One benefit Wallace Jr. will have is that, although JGR may be looking to add a 4th car at some point to its Cup stable, there is no superstar seat to fill to make them do so in a hurried fashion as they did with Logano. JGR has the ability to allow Wallace Jr. The time to mature in the Nationwide Series and become accustomed to the press, fans, and everything else "NASCAR."

Dale Jr. Reaches New Level Of Consistency

noreply@blogger.com (JD) — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:10:00 +0000

All the speculators thought this weekend was the week. Hendrick was to get their 200th win and Dale Earnhardt Jr. was to break his losing streak and make all of Junior Nation happy once again. Sometimes things just don't work out the way you plan. However, Dale Jr. can be thrilled with his 9th place finish for another reason!

Dale Earnhardt Jr's top 10 finish at Talladega marked his 8th in the first 10 races of this season which is the first time he has ever surpassed 7 top 10's to begin a season. Junior has reached 7/10 three other times (2003, 2004, and 2008).

An 80% top ten mark to start the NASCAR season has been reached 47 times in the Cup Era (since 1975), and has been accomplished by that year's champion 13 times out of 36 years. However, that has not been accomplished since NASCAR went to the Chase format. In fact, the last time it happened was one year prior when Matt Kenseth won the championship with only 1 win.

Dale Earnhardt started the season with 8 top tens in 7 of his seasons, including 6 championship years. The next driver on the list was Darrell Waltrip, who made that mark 6 times, including twice of those being 9 top 10's out of 10 races. Out of the other NASCAR greats, Terry Labonte did it 5 times, Jeff Gordon 3, Bobby Allison 3, Cale Yarborough 2, and Richard Petty 2 times.

Some notable drivers not on that list were Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, and other current top drivers. The best knowledge to take away from that fact is that these racers have been excellent in the past 8 years at turning it on from the summer on, especially during the Chase. This has been an issue for Junior in the past as even though he has won at some Chase races, such as Talladega and Phoenix, he has not been able to put together 10 great races at the end of the season as he has now at the beginning.

In the mean time, Earnhardt Jr. and the 88 team as a whole are enjoying a building of momentum including 6 straight top ten finishes. They are listed as the best team over the past 6 races, Junior has one of the highest average driver ratings he has had in his career, and people are looking for them to win week in and week out. The most important thing driver 88 can do now is prove those people right...