Hey everyone! Hope all my Nascar fans are revved up and ready to go. This year to me has been full of surprises. Some unexpected and some that we just knew were coming, but all definitely adding flavor to this years chase. From this point on now there are just 10, count ‘em, a mere 10 races til the season is over. I cant believe the season has flown by so quickly. There have been so many exciting and so many frustrating moments that it just seems that it all went to quickly!!
Well there sure was a big shake up points wise after the Sunday race which was the last in the regular season. I can hardly believe that Mark Martin is atop the points standings going into the chase. Go Mark!!! Like Mark said, he will enjoy that for one week and then Sunday, it starts all over again. Following Mark in points is Tony Stewart and Jimmy Johnson in third. Denny Hamlin sits fourth with Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon behind him in 5 and 6 positions for the chase.
I dont know what happened there Jeff, well yes I do, but here’s hoping we can pull it together for the chase and hopefully get a shot at winning! Of course you got Jimmy up there running in second place and if he has anything to say about it, I am sure he will be winning a few during the chase as well. I dont know what it is about Johnson but he always seems to get “Chase” fever and really digs for it and usually comes out of it with a couple of wins under his belt and well frankly the title as well the last three years. It would be really cool to see him set a new record with four in a row, but I gotta tell you I am seriously pulling for Mark Martin to win the whole shebang this year.
The race for the Chase starts this weekend as we all know at New Hampshire Motor Speedway followed next week by Dover then Kansas. Then its onto Fontana, Charlotte, and Martinsville. Then its back to Dega, then Texas, Phoenix, and finally bringing it home to Florida for the grand finale, Homestead. I just want to wish all the drivers the best of luck and even better luck to Mark and Jeff. This is about to get good in a couple weeks once the chase gets underway and we see where these 12 drivers start falling within the chase rankings. It should be really interesting.
Also just wanted to mention too that a real stand up guy, Matt Kenseth did not make the chase this year for the first time since they adopted the chase formation for Nascar. Kenseth struggled all night with his car in Richmond and finished in a not so good 27th place. That knocked him from chase contention straight into 14th position. Thats too bad because I have always liked Kenseth, he is quiet but nice and very respectful. Good luck next season Matt.
The chase will bring with it a chance for redemption on the part of the Roush drivers. The only wins they garnered this season were the 2 races that Kenseth won and now he isnt even a chase contender. Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards, who by the way had a great season last year, are both winless this season. Biffle however was winless last season entering the chase and won the first two chase races and helped boost himself within the chase keeping him within reach for a short time.
Cousin Carl on the other hand had a stellar season last year with like 4 wins during the regular season. This year he hasnt had an oppurtunity to do any backflips for the crowd. I like Carl and met him at Daytona. Some people have said that he was arrogant, but I didnt see that. Heck, I was close enough to grab his ass and often wonder if I should have. But he was very nice and signed hats and stuff for fans for several minutes before he had to go. Good luck to you in the chase Carl.
Here’s something I had not heard about yet. Martin Truex is leaving Earnhardt Ganassi Racing to make the move to Michael Waltrip Racing. Truex is leaving at the end of this season to join MWR and drive the #56 Napa Toyota. In addition to Truex they are also adding another quality person to their team in their choice for Truex’s new crew chief, Pat Tryson. Pat is a seasoned veteran that has taken two drivers to the chase in the past and has had a fair amount of success over at Penske racing as crew chief for the #2 car of Kurt Busch. Tryson also is a former crew chief for chase front runner Mark Martin during his time at Roush Racing. Tryson says that MWR has made some really big strides and really come on to the scene this season and feels that they could be a contributor to the chase in the future with Truex piloting the Napa Toyota.
Well thats about all the news this week. Things seem to be relatively quiet and that is probably a good thing right now. At any rate I hope you all have a great week and are rested and ready to go for the chase this weekend!! Dont forget it’s Loudon, New Hampshire this weekend and the chase is on Nascar fans! Until then everyone have a great week!!!
