This weekend, NASCAR makes its annual return to the Brickyard for the famed Brickyard 400. Here are some things to watch for on Sunday
1. Downforce Package
After last year's aero package that many in the NASCAR world deemed as unexciting and lackluster. Given this year's low downforce package producing exciting races and finishes, will fans see an exciting race at Indy?
2. Tires
Another thing different from last year is a softer tire from last year. Indy's tire package for NASCAR is a difficult one to strategize, so keep your eye out for differing strategies.
3. Drivers
1. Kyle Busch
Fresh off an Brickyard sweep from last year, he lookw to repeat this year, in hopes of finding victory lane in Cup for the first time since Kansas back in May.
2. Brad Keselowski
At first, one would not consider Keselowski a factor here,but he has an Xfinity win here, and several top tens in Cup. Could he finally get a win in one of NASCAR's premier races?
3. Jimmie Johnson
It's hard not to mention Johnson when NASCAR comes to the Brickyard. With 4 wins and numerous top 5's and 10's, he looks to go for his 5th Indy win, and give Hendrick their first Cup win since Fontana in March.
4. Jeff Gordon
Under unusual circumstances, Gordon has yet another chance to get a win at the Brickyard. He won the first Brickyard 400 back in 1994 and won 4 times after that. Now driving the 88, it'll be interesting to see what he can do behind the wheel, after not being in a Cup car for 7 months.
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Monday, July 18, 2016
New Hampshire Reactions
Following the bumper beating and banging at New Hampshire, there were plently of storylines to come out of New Hampshire
1. Tire Rubs & Hard Racing
Within the last 50 laps of yesterday's race, there were tire ribs involving drivers like Keselowski, Logano and Hamlin. As the laps were winding down, the agression meter hit the high water mark, causing tire rub issue after tire rub issue
2. Truex Misfortune
A common theme this year has been bad luck for the 78 team. The 78 team leada good chunk of the race before getting passed by Kenseth, only to have a broken shifter a few laps later, resulting in him going to the garage.
3. Roush Resurgence
With Biffle finishing 5th, this marks his best finish since his 5th place run at New Hampshire back in the fall of 2015. Stenhouse finished 10th, his 2nd top 10 at this track. With as good as Roush has been performing, could this be the spark that propels them to their first Cup win in 2 years,and a possible Chase spot?
1. Tire Rubs & Hard Racing
Within the last 50 laps of yesterday's race, there were tire ribs involving drivers like Keselowski, Logano and Hamlin. As the laps were winding down, the agression meter hit the high water mark, causing tire rub issue after tire rub issue
2. Truex Misfortune
A common theme this year has been bad luck for the 78 team. The 78 team leada good chunk of the race before getting passed by Kenseth, only to have a broken shifter a few laps later, resulting in him going to the garage.
3. Roush Resurgence
With Biffle finishing 5th, this marks his best finish since his 5th place run at New Hampshire back in the fall of 2015. Stenhouse finished 10th, his 2nd top 10 at this track. With as good as Roush has been performing, could this be the spark that propels them to their first Cup win in 2 years,and a possible Chase spot?
Monday, September 7, 2015
NASCAR's Manufactured Finishes
After watching the long Southern 500, I noticed something that caught my eye. It wasn't the throwback paint schemes, announcers, or TV graphics but the finish. While there was great racing through the race, the finish was a let down. So, let me explain.
With roughly about 15 laps to go, Brad Keselowski was holding off Edwards and Harvick on worn out tires on a green flag run. But, Jeb Burton spins out only the have the caution thrown out after he gets going, even when he was off the track where no other cars were and was off course. So in comes the leaders and Edwards wins race off pit road and race. On the last restart, there wasn't much of a nail biting finish like all the fans expected out of the rules package. The real kicker is NASCAR wanted to throw out the caution to create a show for fans, considering this is the first Darlington race on Labor Day weekend since 2003.
I suspect this was an attempt to create a show like many other NASCAR races over the last 5-7. For instance, " debris" caution coming late into a race or a relatively minor spin that wouldn't throw out a caution. An example from this year was the Brickyard 400, where a "debris" caution was thrown out to please fans and advertisers to put on a show for fans. This year's Southern 500 will be another episode on how NASCAR showcases itself of being rigged.
With roughly about 15 laps to go, Brad Keselowski was holding off Edwards and Harvick on worn out tires on a green flag run. But, Jeb Burton spins out only the have the caution thrown out after he gets going, even when he was off the track where no other cars were and was off course. So in comes the leaders and Edwards wins race off pit road and race. On the last restart, there wasn't much of a nail biting finish like all the fans expected out of the rules package. The real kicker is NASCAR wanted to throw out the caution to create a show for fans, considering this is the first Darlington race on Labor Day weekend since 2003.
I suspect this was an attempt to create a show like many other NASCAR races over the last 5-7. For instance, " debris" caution coming late into a race or a relatively minor spin that wouldn't throw out a caution. An example from this year was the Brickyard 400, where a "debris" caution was thrown out to please fans and advertisers to put on a show for fans. This year's Southern 500 will be another episode on how NASCAR showcases itself of being rigged.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Martinsville Preview
Following yet another fantastic Fontana finish and the West Coast Swing, NASCAR returns to its short track roots in southern Virginia. NASCAR heads to the "Paperclip" or Martinsville for some side-by-side, bump-and-run style of short tracks. Here are some drivers to keep your eye on at the paperclip.
1. Jeff Gordon
It's hard not to talk about Martinsville without mentioning Gordon's incredible statistics at this track. He has lead 3,723 laps, or about the distance of 7 Martinsville races. He also has 8 wins, 28 top 5's and 35 top 10's. It's not hard to rule out Gordon at this track.
2. Jimmie Johnson
Right behind Gordon, Johnson has also been extraordinary at this track. He also has 8 wins, 18 top 5's, and 22 top 10's. He finished 2nd last year and led the most laps behind Kurt Busch. In fact, he's led 2,748 laps, 2nd to Gordon.
3. Joey Logano
A bit of an underdog at this track, he had two stellar outings last year at this track. He finished 4th and 5th respectively. In both races total, he led 99 laps. He could also extened his streak of 23 lead lap finishes, breaking Earnhardt and Gordon's record of 21 consecutive lead lap finishes last week.
4. Denny Hamlin
Hamlin is always a factor at this track, with 4 wins, 3 poles, 9 top 5's and 14 top 10's. However, he has not won here in Cup since in the fall of 2010. He also hopes to give Toyota their first Cup win, since last year's spring Talladega race. This could also jump start his Championship run, much like in 2010.
1. Jeff Gordon
It's hard not to talk about Martinsville without mentioning Gordon's incredible statistics at this track. He has lead 3,723 laps, or about the distance of 7 Martinsville races. He also has 8 wins, 28 top 5's and 35 top 10's. It's not hard to rule out Gordon at this track.
2. Jimmie Johnson
Right behind Gordon, Johnson has also been extraordinary at this track. He also has 8 wins, 18 top 5's, and 22 top 10's. He finished 2nd last year and led the most laps behind Kurt Busch. In fact, he's led 2,748 laps, 2nd to Gordon.
3. Joey Logano
A bit of an underdog at this track, he had two stellar outings last year at this track. He finished 4th and 5th respectively. In both races total, he led 99 laps. He could also extened his streak of 23 lead lap finishes, breaking Earnhardt and Gordon's record of 21 consecutive lead lap finishes last week.
4. Denny Hamlin
Hamlin is always a factor at this track, with 4 wins, 3 poles, 9 top 5's and 14 top 10's. However, he has not won here in Cup since in the fall of 2010. He also hopes to give Toyota their first Cup win, since last year's spring Talladega race. This could also jump start his Championship run, much like in 2010.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Fontana Preview
This week, NASCAR will complete it acclaimed "West-Coast Swing" at Auto Club Speedway in southern California. This track, known for 4 and 5 wide racing, worn out surface, and last lap finishes has made this a favorite among fans for racing. Here are some drivers to watch out for.
1. Kevin Harivck
Fresh of back-to-back wins at Vegas and Phoenix, Harvick returns to his home track where he won a nailbiter finish in 2011. But his last two finishes have been 13th and 36th, which could be a challenge if he wants to sweep the West Coast Swing.
2. Joey Logano
Always a contender at the 2-mile tracks, Logano is fresh of his 21st consecutive lead lap finish, tying Gordon and Earnhardt. He finished 3rd in 2013, in that famous battle between he and Hamlin. He's also had huge success at the sister track, Michigan where he's won and had several top 5's. Could this be the weekend he stop the Hendrick engine winning streak of 2015?
3. Kyle Larson
Larson shook the NASCAR world, when he won his first XFINITY race last year (then Nationwide) , holding off Harvick and Kyle Busch. Then in the Cup race, he was runner up to Kyle Busch in that great battle for the checkered flag. Will he be able to get the elusive first win at Auto Club Speedway this weekend?
1. Kevin Harivck
Fresh of back-to-back wins at Vegas and Phoenix, Harvick returns to his home track where he won a nailbiter finish in 2011. But his last two finishes have been 13th and 36th, which could be a challenge if he wants to sweep the West Coast Swing.
2. Joey Logano
Always a contender at the 2-mile tracks, Logano is fresh of his 21st consecutive lead lap finish, tying Gordon and Earnhardt. He finished 3rd in 2013, in that famous battle between he and Hamlin. He's also had huge success at the sister track, Michigan where he's won and had several top 5's. Could this be the weekend he stop the Hendrick engine winning streak of 2015?
3. Kyle Larson
Larson shook the NASCAR world, when he won his first XFINITY race last year (then Nationwide) , holding off Harvick and Kyle Busch. Then in the Cup race, he was runner up to Kyle Busch in that great battle for the checkered flag. Will he be able to get the elusive first win at Auto Club Speedway this weekend?
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Las Vegas Reactions
Following the first race of NASCAR's West Coast Swing, Las Vegas produced some interesting storylines following the race.
1. Kevin Harvick
Picking up right were he left off at Atlanta, Harvick dominated his way to his first win at Las Vegas, following last year's 42nd place run. He is on the best 6 race strech of his career, fnishing 2nd,1st,1st,2nd,2nd and 1st. He also 2 for 3 in his last 1.5 mile starts.
2. Loose cars
They say loose is fast, but sometimes loose can be counterproductive. Nearly everyone from Carl Edwards to Brad Keselowski was complaining of loose cars in the center and entry of the corners.
3. Furniture Row/Truex. Jr
After a dismal 2014 season, Truex. Jr is starting off the year on a high note, with 2 top tens and an inpressive 2nd place run behind race winner Harvick It's not hard to see why he's better, as Furniture Row is using RCR's engines that have produced good results for other satelite teams like Germain Racing and JTG Daugherty Racing.
1. Kevin Harvick
Picking up right were he left off at Atlanta, Harvick dominated his way to his first win at Las Vegas, following last year's 42nd place run. He is on the best 6 race strech of his career, fnishing 2nd,1st,1st,2nd,2nd and 1st. He also 2 for 3 in his last 1.5 mile starts.
2. Loose cars
They say loose is fast, but sometimes loose can be counterproductive. Nearly everyone from Carl Edwards to Brad Keselowski was complaining of loose cars in the center and entry of the corners.
3. Furniture Row/Truex. Jr
After a dismal 2014 season, Truex. Jr is starting off the year on a high note, with 2 top tens and an inpressive 2nd place run behind race winner Harvick It's not hard to see why he's better, as Furniture Row is using RCR's engines that have produced good results for other satelite teams like Germain Racing and JTG Daugherty Racing.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Las Vegas Preview
NASCAR this week starts its west-coast tour, going to Las Vegas, Phoenix and Auto Club. Las Vegas is also the second 1.5 miler, and the first of many "cookie-cutter" tracks on the circuit. So, with NASCAR going to one of the more popular tracks, here are some predictions for this weekend.
1. Fuel Mileage
Almost every time we go to Vegas, fuel mileage is always talked about. It can win or lose you a race, just like Keselowski last year, making Junior run out of fuel.
2. Engine
Though the horsepower may be reduced, the possibility for engine failures still exists. With Las Vegas's high speed and RPM's, expect at least 1 or two engine failures.
3. Drivers
1. Brad Keselowski
Last year, Keselowski lead the most laps, en route to his first Vegas win. He also was a stong contender on 1.5 milers, with 3 wins, 5 top-5's and 490 laps lead. He also finished 3rd back in 2013. Don't rule him out as a contender this weekend.
2. Matt Kenseth
Coming off a dissapointing 2014, Kenseth returns to a place where he has 3 wins, 6 top-5's, 515 laps led and a pole back in 2011. He finished 10th last year. Could a win here be what he needs to start his 2015 campaign for a championship?
3. Jimmie Johnson
Fresh of his 21st 1.5 miler win at Atlanta, Johnosn returns to Vegas, where he has 4 wins, but none in the last 4 years. He also has 5 top-5's and led 455 laps. If he wins this weekend, he'll lead Vegas with most wins all time at this track.
So with this in mind, we will be in for a fast-paced, fight to the finish in Sin City.
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