Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
If you’re living under a rock or refusing to accept reality than you don’t know or have chosen not to acknowledge that Jimmie Johnson is more than likely going to win the Sprint Cup championship for the third straight season.
Granted there is a 141-point difference between Johnson and Carl Edwards, and this is NASCAR. So, anything’s possible, but luck is on Johnson’s side.
There are obviously several scenarios that could come into play this coming weekend for Johnson (or Edwards). The obvious one could be Johnson having a major problem and getting a DNF (did not finish) skyrocketing Edwards to the top of the points standings with a win. Unfortunately, that scenario isn’t the most logical or most likely. (more…)
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Wednesday, October 8th, 2008
Talladega proved to be just as exciting as it has always been. There was the “big one,” times two, a first time winner and of course some beating and banging.
The “big one” was multiplied times two Sunday and each was equally damaging to the two sets of drivers.
The first “big one” happened on lap 63 with Brian Vickers, the leader of the middle row of cars, who was battling for the lead with all the other cars on the frontstretch when his right front tire exploded. The explosion sent his No. 83 Toyota into the left side of Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 1 Chevrolet and many cars and drivers searching for clarity. (more…)
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Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
The first race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup was good clean racing, for the most part, and as most years go to show, it shook up the points a bit.
Kyle Busch went into Sunday’s race as the points leader, when he left, he was 74 points behind new leaders Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson — they are tied for first.
What happened to Busch? (more…)
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Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
As predicted the weather played havoc with this past weekend’s race activities. Both Nationwide and Sprint Cup series teams and drivers were able to participate in their one and only practice session on Friday. However, Friday qualifying sessions were canceled and both races were postponed until Sunday with the Cup race set to run first.
The starting lineup for both races were set according to owner points, which meant Joey Logano was not able to make his Cup debut in the 02 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. It does look like he will be able to attempt to qualify for this weekend’s race in Loudon, N.H. (more…)
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Thursday, September 4th, 2008
The Chase for the Sprint Cup is upon us. In 11 weeks we’ll have a new champion or a returning champion and the 2008 season will conclude.
The Chase will be set at the conclusion of this Saturday’s race. There will be 12 drivers who will have the chance to race for the Championship and they are sure to make it interesting, or at least we all hope so.
Last Sunday’s race locked the race winner, Jimmie Johnson, along with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Burton into the Chase. Those three drivers along with Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch don’t have to worry too much about this weekend’s race at Richmond, Va. (more…)
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Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
I apologize for the absence of a column last week. I had spent the weekend in Ohio and Michigan for the race in celebration of my birthday on Sunday, Aug. 17, — the Cup race.
As for the night race at Bristol, well, it was as should always be expected — a shakeup in the standings, good racing, a a new “good, wholesome” feud and the inevitable pileup or two.
Carl Edwards, who captured his first pole of the season and last week’s Michigan winner, also won the Sharpie 500. Edwards’ No. 99 Ford was also in Victory Lane the year before beating Kasey Kahne’s No. 9 Dodge to the finish line. However, this year it wasn’t Kahne who lead the most laps only to be passed by Edwards in the closing laps. Instead, it was Kyle Busch that was the unfortunate one. (more…)
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Wednesday, August 13th, 2008
With the second and last road course done and over with for the Sprint Cup guys it’s on to short tracks and speedways with a super-speedway thrown in the mix. With Watkins Glen out of the way this now means there are only four more races until the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins.
But aren’t they “Chase”ing now? Yes, but they are chasing to get into the big Chase, the one that really counts.
After Sunday’s race, Kyle Busch locked himself in. His eighth win of the season gives him 80 bonus points and the top-seed come Loudon in September. He may not have to worry about making the Chase but come September he may want to watch out, because they’re all coming for him. Eighty points can go quickly especially with the field of competition now. (more…)
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Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
With the last off weekend over, for the Sprint Cup guys, the drivers (and the fans) are on the final stretch — a 17-race showdown. Who will make it to the Chase for the Sprint Cup and who won’t? After Richmond September 6, it will be known. Most importantly, who will win the championship?
The current Chase contenders are:
•Kyle Busch: He’s been sitting on top of the charts for weeks, since Richmond in May to be exact. He currently has the most wins in the Cup series (seven), five wins in the Nationwide series and two wins in the Craftsman’s Truck series, making a total of 14 wins already this season. When the Chase starts, he’ll be seeded first, like he currently sits, but will have 70 bonus points.
•Dale Earnhardt Jr.: He has gradually and consistently made his way to the top, or as far he can get at the moment, putting himself in one of the best positions he needs to be in. (more…)
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Wednesday, June 18th, 2008
Rain — always a factor — played havoc on Friday’s race track activities, this time at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich.
Sprint Cup qualifying was canceled moments after the rain came down. Ten cars had qualified with Greg Biffle’s No. 16 sitting on top. However, it would be Kyle Busch’s No. 18 Toyota who would “claim” the pole position, thanks to the current owner’s points standings.
The rain didn’t seem to be a problem Saturday. The Cup drivers were able to have their final two practice sessions. Greg Biffle’s No. 16 (still very fast) and Jimmie Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet were the fastest. (Other track activities were able to resume as well, including an ARCA Remax race and a Craftsman Truck race.)
The LifeLock 400 started Sunday despite the possibility of rain with Busch pulling away from the pack until the first caution flag flew three laps in. (more…)
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Thursday, May 29th, 2008
Memorial Day weekend is a big racing weekend for the race fans and the drivers. There are always several races going on during the weekend, particularly on Sunday. Two of the biggest and best known races are the Indianapolis 500 in Indianapolis, Ind. and the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, N.C.
The Coke 600 is also the longest race of the year. It starts in the day with the sun blaring down upon you and ends under the lights as the cool air breaths down your neck.
I know this well; I was there this weekend.
It is typically a very interesting race; anything and everything can and probably will happen. It just takes a little longer for most things to do so. This year’s race was no exception. (more…)
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