Dear Five-Year-Old Me...

It’s been close to two years since I’ve posted, and much has happened during that time. As I move forward in new directions, I thought I would close my blog out with one more entry.

The 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season ended with a historic moment and I’m very excited for the future of the sport. There is much I could say about that, but instead I want to look back on my motorsports journey and write a letter to the girl whose passion for racing led to this blog: My five-year-old self…
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Dear five-year-old me,

You are as wild and fast as the race cars that have exhilarated your heart and mind. You are enthralled by the symphony of engines that roar on your television. The speed excites you. The competition intrigues you. You’ve gravitated to it like a magnet. It’s 2004 and you are just beginning to learn about the sport and community that will have a big impact on your life – more than you might imagine now.

But there is one car that holds your attention. I don’t know why, but you are just drawn to it. I think you like the colors – Or maybe it was just meant to be. Your favorite car – some vehicle dawning blue and white, with a number on the side and top emblazoned in yellow…

“48”

You learned of the driver – some rookie named Jimmie Johnson. That’s your favorite driver – the one you cheer on every week.

Now, I know there is a question that you sometimes think about – I remember it clearly. You wonder if your favorite driver will ever be remembered. Or will he, 30 years from now, be just another number in the history book. I’m snickering as I write this – you’ll understand one day. But you need to understand that, regardless, this driver is going to mean a lot to you.  

You’re going to look up to him – he’s your No. 1 role model (after your parents of course). The way he conducts himself on the track – his cool-headed attitude while under intense pressure – it’s something that you will admire for years, perhaps all your life. In fact, the characteristics he displays are traits you will write about for a speech class in 8^th grade: determination and humility.

Through all the battles on track that you will observe, that guy behind the No. 48 is going to stand out, not only to you, but to everyone. The team will set a high standard for their competition, and even when it seems like it’s over – they strike back, because they never give up. Their unwavering mental focus amidst great uncertainty is a quality you will try your best to mimic. It’s something you’ll remember on a few of your worst days.  “Jimmie wouldn’t let this bother him”, you’ll say, “So why should I let it bother me?”

And through it all your driver is going to be successful…. Very successful. But it won’t go to his head. No, he will still have a classy, humble, grateful persona. Last Friday, as he gave an acceptance speech for his seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship (yes, he really won seven), that humility could be seen.

“I might have won as many championship as Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt,” he said, “But I will never be “the King” or “the Intimidator” – I’m just a guy from California who always wanted to race.”

His love of racing stemmed your love of racing. Over the years, you will open your eyes to the entire world of motorsports. It’s going to take you on a great journey. You will have great opportunities, meet amazing people, and learn so much from them. You are going to grow immensely, professionally and personally, through these experiences. And after a while, you’ll realize the journey is coming to an end and you are being led to another path. Nevertheless, you will cherish the memories and remember the skills learned as your next journey awaits.

Just know, the passion for racing still remains – and I think it always will.

But all of this starts right now, in 2004, where you are – supporting your favorite driver as his remarkable career is just beginning. You are going to have many great memories watching this sport, and even a few that will take your breath away. You will laugh, cry, and smile – sometimes all in one race. Haha. But you’re going to enjoy every minute of it. The future of racing will be different than what you might expect, but it is most certainly bright.

And as to your question: Will your favorite driver ever be remembered?

Honey, trust me, you needn’t worry about it. He’s doing just fine.

A New Era is Coming

For many, their love for NASCAR begins with a driver.

You’re a kid mesmerized by the sweet roar of the engine. Sitting in the stands watching the cars race past you is exhilarating. But the fan experience isn't complete without that one guy/girl you root for – week in, week out. The person who you cheer for when they win, and defend when in the midst of controversy. In NASCAR the connection between fan and athlete is closer than almost any other sport. That is one of the many remarkable things of NASCAR.

But time goes on. You grow older, they grow older. Wins go by, rivalries and on-track battles go by, for some - championships go by. Then you find yourself in the situation so many fans are in right now.

Last month, Jeff Gordon announced that 2015 would be his last full-time year in NASCAR – possibly his last time piloting a stock car. That revelation became a little more real as the drivers took to the track Friday.

Every passionate NASCAR enthusiast has been a fan at some point in their life. We each have had a special connection with one particular driver. And to see that driver face his last year in the sport must be incredibly bittersweet.

Gordon is not only a driver with many fans, but a true legend of the sport. He is a pioneer that changed the face of NASCAR in more ways than one. Whether you are a part of “Gordon Nation” of not, it is hard to imagine a race without him.

The four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion has driven in the sport longer than I have been alive. Every race I have witnessed has included him in the field. His talent is incredible and I will certainly miss watching him battle on the track every week.

As I reflected on this, I realized Gordon’s absence will mark the beginning of a very strange event. It won’t be instantaneous, but the next decade will likely mark the end of an era – the passing of the torch. Several drivers who make up the top ranks of the Sprint Cup Series are not far behind him in age - 43.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart have left their mark on the sport, racing at the highest level for more than 13 seasons. Johnson and Stewart have recently discounted retirement plans, while Kenseth hasn't made any mention. However, that day is approaching, most likely within the next 10 years. This phase begins with the man who ushered in that era more than 20 years ago: Jeff Gordon.

However, this is not necessary a sad event. While no one can ever replace drivers like Gordon, , Kenseth, Johnson, or Stewart, NASCAR has developed a truly remarkable class of young talents ready for their shot at one of the most competitive motorsports series in North America.

And so it continues, just like when Gordon was the new kid with that interesting mustache. What prevailed was excellence throughout a remarkable career. That kind of excellence is about to happen again, with a new face, new name – perhaps more than one.

NASCAR’s future is certainly a bright one – one filled with many more battles, rivalries and wild, exciting moments. Another era will soon be in the record books, but a bright new chapter is about to begin.

Thanksgiving Reflections - Things I am Thankful For

Ah, yes. Today is Thanksgiving and another NASCAR season has already been completed. I have been reduced to once again piping team numbers instead of belt buckles on my pilgrim hat s’mores (a festive treat my family does for the holiday).

During this time of year, people of America remember and cherish all the things they are thankful for. Admit it or not, living in this county is something to be thankful for in and of itself. I hope, like mine, being thankful for family and friends is on your list, as well. I am thankful for a lot of things, but wanted to share some of the NASCAR-related ones with you.

So here you have it, five things about NASCAR I am thankful for this year.

My Popular Speed Family
Of course, these awesome people are at the top of this list. I am honored to be a part of the staff and have enjoyed seeing the website grow every step of the way. I, in turn, have grown along with it and can’t wait to see where the next year leads us both.

The New Chase Format
Whether you are a fan of the new system or not, you are probably tired of hearing everyone talk about it, but please hear me out. I was skeptical at the first of the year to mid-way through the Chase, but in the end I have come to enjoy the new Chase system.

Like anything brand new, it certainly needs some tweaks, but its potential is great. It brought more intense competition throughout the entire season and especially during the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. That trend is always welcome in the sport.

Young Talent in the Lower Ranks
If you watch the NASCAR Nationwide Series or Camping World Truck Series you should be well aware that the sport has no shortage of young talented drivers. Several drivers, some who are still in high school, are thriving as they climb the NASCAR ladder. Many are competing with veterans of the sport almost every week of the season – and every once in a while the student out-duels the master. Some even make history.

One day, these fresh faces will make up the majority of the field in the premier series of NASCAR. They will be battling each other for positions, victories, and championships. Indeed, we have a lot to look forward to. The sport’s future seems very bright with many exciting days ahead.

Tony Stewart Smiling Again
At one point, I was concerned that I wouldn’t say this for a long time. Little explanation is needed to tell how Stewart has had an incredibly tough year. When he returned to the track nearly a month after being involved in a very difficult incident, he seemed different. The driver/team owner carried a burden which oppressed the fiery yet fun personality he normally conveyed.

But with time and a good support system, healing comes. Slowly, glimpses of Stewart’s infectious grin came back and by the end of the season, he was standing on stage as the championship-winning team owner. For that moment he was happy, and the NASCAR community seemed to be along with him. Which brings me to my final point.

The NASCAR Community
I am thankful for the NASCAR community because it has something very unique and special about it. Yes, there are many times that we argue, become frustrated with each other, or have differing opinions on matters concerning the sport, but there is something that separates us from the typical sports community.

Like other sports, every fan has their favorite driver that they cheer for every race day. But when a hard time or tragedy befalls in the community, there is a sense of family found in no other sport but NASCAR. While opinions may contrast, we all have one thing in common – we love racing. That one interest connects us, and brings us together.

I think one way to sum up this list is to say that I am thankful for such a great sport. With that, I hope you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy an amazing off-season. 

2014 Mid-Season Standouts: Most Improved List

This season, like many, has been filled with surprises. There are the usual ups and downs, but some teams have stood out with an up-swing in their on-track performance. The July race at Daytona marked the halfway point of the season which is a perfect time to review those who have improved the most as compared to this point last season.

My evaluation of “most improved” is not only defined by wins and placement in the standings. It is also defined by consistent finishes, team cohesiveness, a noticeable increase in competitiveness compared to this point last season.

With that explained, here are four race teams and one organization I think have made noteworthy advancements in the first 18 races.

No. 22 Team - Joey Logano
In 2013, Logano had his best Sprint Cup Series season after leaving Joe Gibbs Racing to race for Team Penske. He seems to have already topped that within the first half of the 2014 season. Currently, Logano has collected six top-fives and nine top-10s along with two trips to victory lane. The triumphs mark the first time Logano has won multiple races in a season during his Sprint Cup Series career. In comparison to this point last year, the 24-year-old had collected five top-fives, eight top-10s, and no wins (his only 2013 victory came later in August).

Additionally, Logano has also led more laps in the first half of this season than in the entire 2013 season. The Middletown, CT native is currently sixth in the point standings whereas last season he was 15^th. The No. 22 team has quickly proven that they are shaping up to become a championship contender - maybe not this year but certainly in the future.

No. 24 Team - Jeff Gordon
Gordon has also improved immensely when compared to last year’s first half of the season. By this time in 2013, the four-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion had accumulated four top-fives, six top-10s, five DNF’s and no wins (his only 2013 victory came later in October). Additionally, he nearly missed the Chase, which would have been his first absence since 2005.

The first 18 races of this season have been the complete opposite. Gordon has one victory, six top-fives, and 13 top-10s. He also has an average finish of 8.7 and no DNF’s. Currently leading the point standings, the team is locked into the Chase and has successfully turned their on-track performance around.

No. 27 Team - Paul Menard
Last year, Menard compiled three top-fives and nine top-10s in the 2013 season. Halfway through 2014, the Richard Childress Racing driver has matched his previous stats exactly. In the third race of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Menard captured a third place finish - his best since the 2012 October race at Kansas Speedway.

Currently the No. 27 Team sits 10^th in the point standings, 10 positions better than this time last year. With a much stronger on-track performance, Menard and company may find themselves competing in their first Chase this season.

No. 88 Team - Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt Jr. began the 2014 season with a bang, winning his second Daytona 500 and ending a one-and-a-half year winless streak. From there he led the point standings for three races - something the 39-year-old has not done since 2004. Currently, Earnhardt Jr. has collected two wins, nine top-fives, and 12 top-10s. In comparison to the halfway point of the 2013 season, the driver had accumulated four top-fives, nine top-10s, and no victories.

Earnhardt Jr. is currently second in the point standings, 27 points from leader Jeff Gordon. He, crew chief Steve LeTarte, and the entire No. 88 Team have continued to improve in each of their seasons together. As a result, they have also become one of this year’s top picks for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

JTG Daugherty Racing
Of all the teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, one stands out to me as an organization who has made considerable improvement. Many details have changed for JTG Daugherty Racing in the past year. A new driver, AJ Allmendinger, replaced Bobby Labonte in piloting the No. 47 Chevrolet. A less obvious change was their new technical alliance formed with Richard Childress Racing.

Both adjustments to the team have proven beneficial thus far. In 2013, their best finish was 15^th collected in the season-opening Daytona 500. By the halfway mark, they had suffered four DNF’s, accumulated an average finish of 27.7 and were 30^th in the point standings.

This season to date has been the team’s best in four years. Allmendinger drove the No. 47 Chevrolet to a season-best fifth place finish at Talladega Superspeedway and has captured two other top-10 finishes throughout the first 18 races. The team’s current average finish is 21.2 as they sit 24th in the point standings. They also have only one DNF which came last week at Daytona. The progress JTG Daugherty Racing has made in the last year is exceptional and could continue in the months to come.

Ryan Preece a Busy Driver this Weekend

Current NASCAR Next member Ryan Preece has a busy schedule this weekend as he plans to compete in four different NASCAR sanctioned races, concluding with the NASCAR Nationwide Series race this Saturday.

On Friday, he will begin with the NASCAR Whelen Modified All-Star Shootout at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The race is comprised of the biggest names in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. The 20 driver lineup has collected a combined total of 16 series championships and 132 wins. Later on in the day, Preece will travel to Stafford, CT to participate in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified Divisions race at Stafford Motor Speedway.

The following day, the 23-year-old will be heading back to New Hampshire to race in the Whelen Modified Sunoco 100. Once the event is over, Preece will have a few minutes to rest before preparing to get back inside a race car. This time, he will be driving Tommy Baldwin Racing’s No. 36 Chevrolet for the Nationwide Series STA-Green 200.

East West Marine will be sponsoring Preece’s car and is pleased to have him in the driver’s seat.

“We are very excited to be able to support Ryan’s continued progression through the NASCAR ranks and once again be a partner with Tommy Baldwin Racing,” said Brian Slaga, President of East West Marine. “We fully support Ryan’s career through the various racing series that he participates in. He is a great ambassador for East West Marine and we are proud to have him wave our flag. We look forward to his continued success for many years to come.”

Preece is the current Whelen Modified Tour champion after posting four wins and 10 top-fives in the 14-race season. He has a career total of nine wins and 58 top-10s in the series. Additionally, the Kensington, CT native has one previous Nationwide Series start which took place at New Hampshire as well. Last year he raced at the track for Tommy Baldwin Racing where he finished 24^th.

The upcoming race at New Hampshire will be the first of two Nationwide Series events Preece is scheduled to compete in this year. He is also slated to drive in the Virginia529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, September 5^th.

“I can’t wait, and I’m very happy to have this chance again,” Preece said. “You never know if your first race in a car, could be your last one. Making the best of the opportunity is key. I’m very lucky to have someone like Tommy pushing and supporting me. He has given me a ‘true’ opportunity that is very hard to come by in today’s racing. There aren’t very many car owners that will put you in a car like he is doing. I’m looking forward to getting back in a full body car and doing what I love to do.”

The Nationwide Series STA-Green 200 will be broadcasted live on Saturday, June 12 with coverage beginning at 3:00 PM EST on ESPN2.

Storylines from the All-Star Race

The 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star Race was a success. It gave an energized crowd an exciting race under the lights. There were many memorable moments, including pre-race antics by AJ Allmendinger (who did “the worm” during driver introductions). In addition, there were some surprises, such as defending winner Jimmie Johnson’s lack luster night. Now that the confetti has settled and a winner has claimed $1 million, here are some storylines from the electrifying race.

Jamie McMurray wins All-Star, First for Chip Ganassi
To begin, here is the obvious headline. Jamie McMurray surprises everyone by winning the All-Star race. Early on, the event was mostly dominated by drivers like Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne. Within the third segment, McMurray begin to improve on his position and found himself inside of the top five. As the green flag flew for the final 10-lap shootout, McMurray took part in a close battle with Edwards. He soon took the lead and never looked back.

“Carl (Edwards) got a little bit of a jump on me on the restart and I was able to hold onto his quarter panel”, McMurray said in Victory Lane. “When we kept entering (Turn) 1 and Turn 3, I was like ‘Heck with it, it’s for one million bucks. If we wreck, it is not that big of a deal’. It is so cool to come out on top of that.”

What will the Joplin, MO native buy with his large paycheck first? A train for his three year old son, Carter.

“(Wife) Christy told him ‘Now Carter, if dad wins today what would you want?’ and he said ‘A train’ so Carter you are going to get a really cool train, I promise in the next few days”.

Not only is this win a first for the 37 year-old, but also for team owner Chip Ganassi. McMurray adds this victory alongside the crown jewel wins of the Daytona 500, Pepsi (now Coke Zero) 400 at Daytona International Speedway and Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Both driver and team owner have won the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the fall twice. Will the No. 1 team rise up and win the Coca-Cola 600 this upcoming week? After what happened Saturday night, the team will certainly be a favorite for the series’ longest race.

Four-time Winner Jimmie Johnson a Non-factor during Race
Coming into the All-Star race, Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 team were the prime pick to win the race. Why wouldn’t they? They entered Charlotte as not only the defending winners, but back to back winners.

From the time the green flag flew to the moment the checkered flag was waved, Johnson was a non-factor. He was barely mentioned in the television broadcast and hardly ever broke into the top five. It is not that the team performed badly – they finished sixth. The problem was they didn’t gain many positions. The team stayed around sixth most of the race.

Not that bad, but not that good.

This comes after much frustration in the No. 48 camp. They have struggled to place well in the last few races. Johnson and company have run into bad luck and mechanical issues. When everything is performing well, like last week at Kansas Speedway, they still aren’t able to make it to the front.

Knowing the history of team No. 48, this year has been strikingly odd for them. Time will only tell if they can turn their season around and capture a win before the Chase.

Pushing It to the Limit for $1 Million Dollars
Some predicted the this year’s All-Star Race would be fairly uneventful. The event in reality was exactly the opposite. From beginning to end drivers battled hard for positions. Unfortunately that resulted in quite a few wrecks. Many drivers taken out of the race were legitimate contenders such as Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon and Joey Logano.

Indeed each of the drivers were pushing both their car and their abilities in effort to better their average finish per segment. This would give them a better position entering pit road before the final 10-lap shootout.

The hard racing made for a great night under the lights and reminded everyone how much a driver would push the limits for a chance at $1 million.

Allmendinger, JTG-Daugherty Racing on the Rise

Talladega Superspeedway is known for mayhem and surprising finishes. This time, it ended under yellow with Denny Hamlin going to Victory Lane. Along with a winner sticker for the JGR driver, came some notable finishes.

One of those notables was AJ Allmendinger who finished fourth. The JTG-Daugherty Racing driver secured his first top five of the season. For No. 47 team, it was their first top five since the 2011 Daytona 500.

The organization came to the Alabama track with a strong race car. In first practice, they placed 11^th and claimed third place in qualifying. Determination, luck, and speed paid big for the team.

This is not the only time they have impressed this year. Last week at Richmond International Raceway, they finished sixth. At Auto Club Speedway, the group finished eighth.

Looking back at the team’s history, this has been their best season in four years – and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is only 10 races into the 36 race season.

Contributing to the group’s success is their new technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Receiving engines and mechanical support from the organization, JTG-Daugherty Racing has become an underdog team.

“It’s been amazing for the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing team,” Allmendinger said. “With the new rules package - the ride height rules and everything going into this season - there were so many variables for us to try to figure out. To have all the engineering help and the notes that RCR brings is a huge help to our race team. Without it, I feel like we could easily be lost in trying to figure out where we are at."

Heading to Kansas Speedway next week, the team looks to continue competing for top 10s. With the added momentum from Talladega, keep an eye on the group. They are on their way to having a break out year.

“I’m just really proud of all the work the guys are doing and to have all the sponsors we have on the car each weekend… I just take it one week at a time.  It can be this weekend, it could be next weekend as long as we keep doing the things we are doing and progressively getting better each weekend. You know, we will have a shot at it.”

New Challenge Awaits Motivated Kurt Busch

Recently 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kurt Busch revealed big news on the TV show “Fox and Friends”. He announced that he would be attempting “The Double”, competing in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in full, on the same day.

That is 1,100 miles in a 10 hour period between two different race tracks (Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway) separated by more than 400 miles. In addition Busch will be racing in two cars that couldn’t be more different: an open wheel IndyCar and a NASCAR stock-car. This is the ultimate challenge of strength and versatility for a driver.

While it has been attempted five times by three different drivers (John Andretti, 1994; Tony Stewart 1999, 2001; and Robby Gordon 2002, 2003), only Tony Stewart (2001) has completed every lap. Because of the demanding conditions the three-time NASCAR champion was on IV fluids while on the plane ride to Charlotte.

“There is going to be a full-on workout regimen that I am going to be full tilt the next three months with”, Busch said. …To do 1,100 miles in the same day, it’s not just the physical side, it’s the mental side as well.”

“Core strength is probably the most important key… just having the ability to stay in the seat and be able to stay hydrated, stay focused. The mental side is big but the physical strength of the upper body and what drivers have to go through to challenge themselves to stay on top of their game.”

As Busch talked about the lofty undertaking, he looked relaxed… smiling… almost like he was happy to be there. Is this Kurt Busch? What happened? Where is the guy who was constantly in scuffles with other drivers and strongly despised the media? That Kurt Busch is well on his way out the door as the new and improved one is stepping in.

What could have helped the 35 year-old go from nearly losing a spot in NASCAR completely, to joining one of the top teams in the sport (Stewart-Haas Racing) and attempting to achieve one of the most strenuous feats in motorsports? The source seems to be his girlfriend and President of the Armed Forces Foundation Patricia Driscoll. In the few years they have been together, Busch has made a change for the better, both in his personal and professional life.

The two have a deep passion for one thing: Helping injured military veterans receive the help they need as they return to their civilian lives. It is an exceptionally worthy cause and exactly why Busch is doing “The Double”.

“It’s Memorial Day weekend, I mean this isn’t just a PR stunt. I have been working with the Armed Forces Foundation the last three years and to build attention towards our troops and their PTST (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) struggles, traumatic brain injury. I’m doing this for the troops.”

The Las Vegas native has become a spokesmen for the foundation, holding an annual tournament called “Busch Whacked”. It is a mud run, with a military style flare that has raised more than $250,000 in its two years done.

With his newest endeavor to raise awareness of the cause, he encourages Americans to support and give to the Armed Forces Foundation which is as easy as texting 50555 to “AFF”.

On May 25^th American motorsports fans will be keeping an eye on Kurt Busch, the fourth driver to attempt “The Double”. With a new outlook and a great cause motivating him, he may just become the second to achieve it.

Kenseth's Career Rejuvinated

After finishing 2nd in the last race of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Matt Kenseth finished second in the championship standings, 19 points behind now reigning six time champion, Jimmie Johnson. Kenseth gave it his best shot, but in the end could not clinch his second championship despite his stellar year. After 36 races, he finished with seven wins, 12 top fives and 20 top tens. In addition, his overall average finish this season was 12.1, which is his fourth best in a full time season.

Statistically, he has been stronger this year than in his championship-winning season in 2003 where he won with only one victory, 11 top tens and 25 top tens. Kenseth only led 345 laps that season compared to 1,639 laps in 2013.

Kenseth did not have a great start to the 2013 season as he finished 37th in the season opening Daytona 500 after his engine blew with 51 laps to go. Fortunately he quickly rebounded and visited victory lane three times in a span of nine races. Kenseth continued posting wins and good finishes all throughout the regular season.

As the Chase approached, the veteran driver was turning heads. Many felt he was a legitimate threat to compete and possibly beat Johnson in the Chase - the five time champion’s forte.

Kenseth didn’t disappoint as the Chase began, winning the first two races at Chicogoland Raceway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The battle between Johnson and Kenseth stayed close throughout the Chase. At one point, the drivers were tied at the top of the championship point standings heading into the eighth Chase race at Texas Motor Speedway.

It looked to be a battle down to the last lap at Homestead but at Phoenix International Raceway, the complexion of the contender’s competition changed completely. Kenseth’s car was unruly during the whole race and stayed behind 20^th position for the last half of the race.

Kenseth was 19 points behind Johnson in the standings going into Homestead. The No. 20 team’s only chance of claiming the championship this year was if Johnson had major adversity in the race. The adversity never came, making Johnson a six time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. Despite not being the one with his name engraved on the trophy, Kenseth was still very pleased with the season.

“It was just an unbelievable year for us really” Kenseth said after the race at Homestead, “Obviously, we wanted to finish off and win the championship as good as we ran all year, but couldn’t be more proud of the whole Dollar General/Home Depot Toyota team. They did a spectacular job all season…”

The 40 year old seems to be defying the odds as he is experiencing his most successful season later in his career. With his new team at Joe Gibbs Racing, it seems like his career has been rejuvenated. Could the driver of the No.20 Home Depot/Dollar General Toyota continue his success for a few more years? It is certainly possible. Kenseth’s new home at JGR seems to be a great fit with his crew chief Jason Ratcliff and No.20 team.

“…I think that's part of the key, is our relationship.” Kenseth said of Ratcliff a few months ago, “I guess we hit it off right away from first time we met, kind of talked about things from the first time we went to the racetrack together.”

“Definitely it's a team effort. The whole organization there, everybody that works on those cars, engines, gets them to the racetrack, pits them, it's the whole thing. It's been a good combination.”

As the 2014 season quickly approaches, look for Kenseth to be a top contender once again. His success this year may mark the beginning of what we will see from him in the next few years.

Johnson Continues to Make History

As the 2013 season comes to a close, I couldn’t help but write something concerning the championship contenders. The article below is about Jimmie Johnson, but in a few days I will post one about Matt Kenseth as well. During the off-season (and winter break), I will be posting more articles here on NASCAR by Design, as well as continuing to write for popularspeed.com. The 2013 NASCAR season has been great, filled with many twists and turns. I hope to review some of the exciting stories it produced and begin writing about the upcoming 2014 season as well.

See ya soon,
Stephanie Adair

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Jimmie Johnson leads the points standing by 28 points over Matt Kenseth after the eventful race at Phoenix International Speedway earlier this week. The driver of the No. 48 Lowes/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet will have to only finish 23^rd at Homestead Miami Speedway to clinch his sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

However, the battle between Johnson and Kenseth will not be over until the last lap next Sunday. Last year, the No. 48 suffered mechanical problems, something no one can predict or easily prevent. Even if Johnson does not win his sixth NSCS title, he still has made history this year.

The 38 year old NASCAR veteran has set multiple records all throughout this season. The stat-breaking began in May when Johnson beat NASCAR legends Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Sr. for most All-Star race wins. That day, he also became the second driver to win back All-Star races after Davey Allison accomplished it in 1991.

About one month later, he completed a sweep of both the 2013 Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400. Johnson became the fifth driver ever to do such a feat, alongside the names of “Fireball” Roberts, Cale Yarbrough, LeeRoy Yarborough, and Bobby Allison. It did not end there, as he also claimed the most wins all time at Dover International Speedway.

It has been quite impressive how Johnson has continued to engrave his name further in the NASCAR history book. If his success remains steady, Johnson will be one of the few drivers to defy the odds as his career reaches its latter years by continuing to break records.

There are many legitimately in his reach. He is only one victory away from achieving the most wins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, and Kansas Speedway. On the all-time wins list, the five-time NSCS champion sits eighth with 66 wins, only ten victories away from Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Whether you like him or not Johnson is a talented driver and future NASCAR Hall of Famer. Even if Jimmie Johnson does not win his sixth championship, he has already made history this season and will likely continue to for some years to come.

On Sunday, expect him to drive hard, vying for another stat in the NASCAR history book. He is exactly in the position he wants to be in as he enters the final race of the season: Defense.

“We're heading into Homestead in the position we want to be in.” Johnson said after the race at Phoenix, “I'll have to go down there and run 400 miles. It's far from over. You've got to finish that race. Although we have a nice cushion, we still have to go down there and take care of business.”

NASCAR by Design - Farewell, for Now

School started this morning, which means it is the end of summer. The three months I thought would be filled with boredom quickly disappeared when I started this blog. I knew that I would enjoy writing about my passion, but once I started, I found an endless supply of ideas.  I said at the end of my opening blog post that I thought this would be a great summer.  It has, even more than I had ever expected.

Writing "NASCAR by Design" made this summer a good one, but what happened last month made it one to remember. I was given the opportunity by NASCAR veteran Mike Calinoff to become a Development Journalist for his new website popularspeed.com! This completely surprised me! I never thought at the beginning of summer, I would be looking back on all of this! I feel so blessed. I have only published a few articles so far, but it has already been an amazing experience. I look forward to what is yet to come. If you want to check out the articles I have written, the links are at the bottom.

Now, this new opportunity and the end of summer doesn’t mean this is the end of "NASCAR by Design". I will be still be posting articles here occasionally that are my personal thoughts on NASCAR topics, so please check back here every once in a while!

See you soon,
Stephanie Adair

:)

http://popularspeed.com/will-tv-deal-help-nascar-branding/

http://popularspeed.com/were-more-than-just-a-sport/

http://popularspeed.com/tales-of-the-trickiest-track/

http://popularspeed.com/has-tony-flipped-out-of-sprint-car-racing/

http://popularspeed.com/michigan-advantage-to-hornish/

Top Contenders for Pocono

Don’t know who to pick for your NASCAR Fantasy team? Well, here are some drivers I think could be top contenders, with the stats to back them up.

Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon would have to be the top pick for Sunday’s race, especially since he won the fall race last year. Jeff holds the record for most win at Pocono at six. In his 41 starts, he has 28 top 10’s and 18 top 5’s. He does have 5 DNF’s but the last on was in 2010. Jeff will start 22nd on Sunday, so he will have to work his way up from the back during the first part of the race.

Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson has already presented a strong showing by claiming the pole position this week. His stats aren’t that bad either. In Jimmie’s 23 starts, he has 16 top 10’s, which is almost 70% of the time. He also has ten top 5’s, three wins, and the best average finish at 9.0. What is even more stunning is Jimmie has no DNF’s at this track! Coming off an almost win at Indy, it’s hard to go against the 5-time champ.

Denny Hamlin
Another one to watch would be Denny Hamlin. This place is special for Denny since it is where he claimed his first Cup Series victory. Since then, he has scored three more. With 15 starts he has ten top 10’s, eight of them being top 5’s. His average finish is pretty good too, with a 10.5. Denny only has one DNF at this track, which came last year. On Sunday, he will be starting 9th, so keep an eye on him.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.
You might not realize it, but Dale Jr. might be a good pick for Sunday too. In 27 starts, he has ten top 10’s and six top 5’s. He only has one DNF, but an average finish of 16.7. What is interesting though is that four of Dale’s top 10’s came in the last five races. Something has apparently changed in the way he drives the track. He’ll be starting 25th, but look for Dale to be a dark horse this week at Pocono.

Tony Stewart
You might not think of Tony when you think about Pocono, but he actually has some really good stats there. In his 29 starts at Pocono, he has 21 top 10’s. That’s 72.4% of the time! He also has 12 top 5’s, two wins, and an average finish of 11.0. Tony will start 20th on Sunday, but I would expect him to be in the top 10, maybe even top 5 as the laps wind down.

Thoughts on a Historic Race

   This week is an exciting and historic one in NASCAR. For the first time in decades, one of NASCAR's premier series will race on dirt. It's all going to happen today at Eldora Raceway. This is odd for us, since almost all of our races are on the weekends, but when it comes to dirt racing, it’s normal to race mid-week. This race is something new, something fresh, something unknown. With that, comes anticipation and stories to watch during the race. Here are three stories I'm keeping an eye on as the Truck Series prepares for this special race.


Could dirt racing in lower premier series give up-and-coming drivers important experience?
   Eldora might help up-and-coming drivers gain valuable experience... experience no other track on this circuit can give them: Dirt racing experience. Why would this be important when they will only drive on asphalt in the future? Dirt experience can give you better control of your car. Many top drivers in the Sprint cup have raced on dirt: Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, and Kasey Kahne just to name a few. Jimmie, for one, likes a really loose race car. The reason why is probably because he raced dirt trucks for an amount of time in his career. All three have credited their dirt experience to them have better control of their car. In dirt racing, you slide through the corners, which, when on asphalt, can make you more accustom to a loose race car. Driving loose can be a benefit, if you can handle it. Many of the up-and-coming drivers have already had dirt track experience, which shows that this can be a beneficial skill. Giving all of these new drivers, though, a taste of dirt racing, with a truck that weighs about as much as a Sprint Cup car, provides them with a unique opportunity. Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing the Nationwide drivers eventually run a dirt race. Nationwide and Truck cars have different bodies, but I don't see why they couldn't both race on dirt. Maybe we will see this in the future. I would enjoy it… and I don’t think I’m the only one!

Who will win? Who are the favorites?
   Of course I had to talk about everyone’s favorite question coming to a highly anticipated track: who will win? Who knows, especially with this being an inaugural race. So who are the favorites? Again, hard to tell, because of the same reason. It is incredibly hard to find dirt track stats so I will rely a lot on the three practice sessions. The 2^nd and 3^rd practice sessions are more accurate pictures of who to watch than the 1st session was, because the dirt had been “worn in”. This resembles more of what the track will be like at the end of the race. I'll try my best though, to highlight a few potential picks, including mine.

Scott Bloomquist
   Most NASCAR fans wouldn’t know who Scott is, but he is widely known by dirt fans. He has won multiple championships across dirt racing, and has actually been inducted in the National Dirt Racing Hall of Fame! He is said to have 500 wins across dirt, but has never raced in NASCAR. During the practice sessions yesterday, he said that this is the heaviest car he has ever raced, which is probably a true statement since traditional dirt race cars are fairly small and probably half the weight of the truck he will be driving tonight. In 2^nd practice, he placed 14, which is actually down a few spots from his 1^st practice run. In the final practice session, he was 6^th. We will have to see how he handles that heavy truck tonight.

Dave Blaney
   Both NASCAR fans and dirt fans know this driver. He has a long time career in dirt, but also in NASCAR as well. The NASCAR side was lack-luster, but in dirt, he won a USAC Silver Crown championship, a World of Outlaws championship, and the Knoxville Nationals, which is a premiere event on dirt. In 1st practice, he was 3rd and in 2nd practice, he was in 2nd. He dropped a little, though, in the 3^rd practice, placing 12^th. His dirt experience, combined with NASCAR experience, makes him one of the top contenders of this event.

Ryan Newman
   Ryan is the only Sprint cup regular who will be racing at Eldora today. Naturally this makes him a threat; but he does have dirt credentials to back him up as well. Like Dave Blaney, he is also a USAC Silver Crown champion. In addition, he has 100 feature wins in midget cars (a type of dirt race car), which should include many dirt track wins. In 2^nd practice, he was 6^th, but in 3^rd practice, he dropped 10 positions. Ryan, to me, would be a good “dark horse” pick.

Austin & Ty Dillon
   Austin and Ty are two "young guns" who have raced on dirt. I put them together in the same paragraph because I think there both evenly matched. In 1^st practice, they were 4^th and 5^th, and in 2^nd practice, they were 1^st and 2^nd! They did break their togetherness in the 3^rd practice, though, being 5 positions apart. If one of them has the small advantage, it would be Austin, naturally, since he was ahead of Ty in all three practices. When it comes to their dirt history, in my opinion, Ty has the small advantage. Both have raced Legend cars, Bandolero cars, and Late-model cars. Austin won 3 premier events in 2007, including the All-star Shootout at “The Dirt Track” just outside of Charlotte Motor Speedway, but I can’t find any other stats, concerning wins. Ty also won the All-start shootout (the next year), and has more than 15 feature wins. With equal amount of talent, it will be interesting to see which one places better in the race.

Kyle Larson
   Kyle Larson has to be the #1 pick for Eldora this week. Kyle has stellar stats on dirt, so much so, that he was even complemented by Tony Stewart. He has raced USAC midget cars, silver crown cars, sprint cars, and the World of Outlaws Series. In 2011, he became the 2^nd driver in history to win the 4-crown Nationals at Eldora in all three types of USAC cars, all in one night. Impressive stat. He also has won many dirt races across the four series. Yesterday at Eldora, Kyle came out of the gate strong, finishing 1^st in 1^st practice, but did fall back to 3^rd and 9^th in 2^nd and 3^rd practice. Still, that’s not that bad. I fully expect Kyle to be in the top 5 as the finals laps go down.

Ryan Blaney
   I was leaning toward Kyle Larson, but I wanted to pick someone a little different for Eldora: Ryan Blaney. Being the son of an accomplished dirt racer, Ryan has raced on dirt as well. He raced quarter midgets, Bandolero cars, legend cars, and late models, and found quick success. He has won races in all four types of cars, and even won the PASS South Super Late Model Series Championship in 2011. In the 1^st practice session, Ryan was right behind his father in 3^rd. In the 2^nd and 3^rd practice sessions, he finished 9^th and 20^th. I think he'll be another driver that is in the top 5 as the final laps approach.

   The winner of the inaugural Mud-Summer Classic might not be any of the drivers I just highlighted. One thing I do know, though, is that this race will be interesting, exciting, and a little crazy!

NASCAR's safety at dirt tracks
   Dirt track safety came up a while back when Jason Leffler tragically passed away after injuries he sustained during a dirt racing crash. Is NASCAR safe racing at a dirt track? Eldora doesn't have any SAFER barriers, which might come as a shock to some people. The truth is, Eldora isn't any different than any other dirt track. The reason dirt tracks usually don't have SAFER barriers is this: Low budget. Most dirt tracks are "local tracks" that have small budgets. SAFER barriers are very expensive and to put them around the track would not be affordable for most dirt tracks. Therefore, they go to the next cheaper option. Usually, this is just metal, or concrete. Not very comforting, isn't it? The good thing is most race cars never go over 145mph at these tracks. It's still dangerous, but not as much as it would be if they were going the speeds of a regular NASCAR track (170-180mph). Also, almost all the vehicles that race on dirt tracks have HANS devices, and a very strong steel roll cage around them. With NASCAR cars, they have both of those as well, and thankfully much, much more. I will still be a little nervous, knowing the walls are concrete, but they'll be going at slower speeds (no more than 125mph) and the cars have incredible safety built in, which makes me feel better. There is one more question though, as I conclude: If this race at Eldora becomes a regular on the Truck Series schedule, will they put SAFER barriers in then? I honestly don't know. I think if bad wrecks concerning the walls become a problem, they will, but if it doesn't, I doubt it. Even with the Truck race, I still don't know if they would have the money for it. NASCAR would probably have to help them. The good thing is, I don't think the walls will be a concern in the end.

Now, with all of that said, “Let’s go dirt track racing, boys!”

Headlines from New Hampshire

   New Hampshire produced many jaw-dropping moments this week. We had an unexpected winner, as well as some stinging verbiage between competitors. So, here is a round-up of all the interesting and even surprising headlines after the eventful Loudon-based race.

The Brian Vickers Comeback
   This weekend produced a winner no one would have thought of, but everyone enjoyed. Brian Vickers won; marking his first win after a severe medical issue sat him out of the car for most of the 2010 season. When he came back for 2011, his season was lackluster, especially when compared to his 2009 season, where he grabbed a win and had a better average finish by 3 points. When his team, Red Bull Racing, closed its doors and the 2012 season rolled around, Brian found himself at Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR). Despite running a part-time schedule, he did very well on track. In his 8 starts, Brain finished in the top 10’s 5 times, including 3 top 5’s. I, along with many other people started to take notice, and wondered if maybe when Mark Martin retires, he would be the guy to fill in…full time. This win now, very well might have sealed it. It’s been a crazy few years for Brian, but this was definitely a special moment for him. Hopefully this win is the beginning of many, for him and the #55 team.

More Tires Bite the Dust
   Tire issues plagued a few drivers at New Hampshire. The first one happened surprisingly on lap 3, when Joey Logano became victim to a tire failure. This was Joey’s second in a row, continuing to hurt him in the standings, which will be addressed in the next paragraph.

   As the race continued on, I started to hear about tire blistering for some drivers. Tire blistering is caused when a tire overheats, causing air pockets within the compound, which can ultimately result in a blown tire. As you know, that can be a major problem. This was not the problem for Joey, since his tire blew before the tire could really start heating up. Instead, they said it might have been caused by running on a lower air pressure, which is a strategy choice.

   Finally, later on in the race, Denny Hamlin blew a tire, but I never heard the reason why. Tire issues happen occasionally at tracks when Goodyear is trying out a new tire compound that doesn’t respond well to that particular track. This is unfortunate for the drivers who it affected.

Joey Logano’s Chase Hopes Slip Farther Away
   The week before wasn’t a good week for Joey, so the last thing he needed was a repeat… caused by the exact same thing. Going into the race, Joey was 15^th in the standings, this week, 18^th. He’s currently 36 points from 10^th, and I don’t know if he can make the chase by that route this season. Joey has another option though, one I think he might be able to complete now: Wildcard (WC). If Joey’s car holds together, and Tony Stewart continues a bad luck streak, the 23 year old might be able to climb high enough in points, get a win, and become the second WC holder. He and his team have certainly shown an ability to be in the top 10 and even the top 5. A win very well might be next.

Joey Logano’s Bad Move on Pit Road
   This guy seems to be in these headlines a lot! Well, he had a crazy and frustrating day, and the move he made on pit road made it go from bad to worse. First, I don’t even know why Joey entered his stall going up pit road instead of down. I thought that was illegal! Another reason why NASCAR should release a copy of the Rule Book to the public (Hopefully they will do this with the new initiative they announced on Monday). Anyway, Joey went up pit road to replace his blown tire. I’m guessing he did this so he could drive it back to the garage. When the new one was on, Joey whipped his car 180˚ and hit one of his crew member’s arm pretty hard with the right rear end of his car.

   Thankfully, the crew member was ok, and Joey later apologized, saying that he never meant to hit anyone. What was Joey thinking when he made that move? Was it immaturity, as many have said? Joey was obviously frustrated, but I wouldn’t call this move immaturity, as much as I would inexperience. I can see Jeff Gordon, or Jimmie Johnson making a move like that, but without hitting any of their pit crew members. I think Joey learned something from this, though, and I don’t think we will be seeing him make that same move again.

Kyle Busch Said What!?
   This was the jaw-dropping moment of the day. Kyle Busch’s post-race comments, sounded like the old feisty, very immature Kyle we all know. Ryan Newman took the brunt of it this time, after he and Kyle had an aggressive restart with each other. Here were Kyle’s comments:

   "I really hated that Kurt got tore up. I felt like he had the best car and was proud of them guys but, man, just stupidity. I mean Ryan Newman's the biggest stupid idiot out here, and he's a big ogre and can do whatever he wants because he can probably kick anybody's butt. So no sense in getting in a fight with him, but glad he's out of a job."

   “Biggest stupid idiot”? “Big ogre”!? Are we in the 3^rd grade here!? All that those comments accomplished was making Kyle look utterly immature! I’m still trying to figure out where all these comments came from. Kyle was doing so much better with handling the media! I was happy to see the change! This must be like the saying “The straw that broke the camel’s back”. Anyway, after hearing about what Kyle said, here are Ryan comments on the matter, made the next day on SIRIUS XM radio:

   "I’m just afraid if I re-arranged his face I might fix it. (Laughs). He’s frustrated finishing third or wherever he was after hitting me first and then getting a little rub down the straightaway, then just imagine how I feel. It is what it is. We know that he’s not very bright. He’s a heck of a talent but he’s not very bright. And I’ll leave it at that.”

   Compared with Kyle’s comments, Ryan’s were a good comeback. The following day, Kyle wrote a lengthy “clarification” on Twitter. Apparently some people where questioning the reason why Kyle was “mad” at Ryan. Here is a shortened version of what Kyle wrote:

   “I want to clarify that I was answering what I felt was two separate questions asked to me at the same time… The first was about how fast Kurt was and the second was how I felt about Ryan Newman blaming me for him getting wrecked. First I answered the Kurt part. He was fast... Was a shame to see him crashed... Nowhere there did I place blame on who wrecked who. I didn't see it and I still haven't seen it. My second answer came from being upset over an incident I had with (Ryan) on the track… I answered it in the same response, but it was intended as a completely separate answer. I was upset because I felt (Ryan) raced me poorly, making contact and causing damage…that affected the handling on my racecar. This isn't the first time that I've been raced poorly by (Ryan) either… All this built up and allowed my emotions to spill over… I'm not sorry for how I feel in those moments, but could have expressed it better and certainly my comments about someone's livelihood went too far.”

   I feel that this was a good move for Kyle. There was a lot of confusion about why he was upset with Ryan, especially since he answered another question like it was part of the first. I’m glad he also addressed what he said about Ryan’s job. I, along with many others, thought that was low shot, and not right. So now for the usual question: Should we expect this feud to continue? No. The only time I think we might see this light up, is if Ryan races Kyle “poorly” again. There might be a good possibility Kyle would give some back.


   Wow. New Hampshire left us with a lot to talk about, and I didn’t even highlight the news that came later in the week! All of this, and the Nationwide race will hold us through till next week when we go to Indianapolis for the Brickyard 400! I’m sure by the end of that race, we will have a lot to talk about as well. Can’t wait!

My NASCAR Draft

   The SPEED channel show “Race Hub” recently did a feature which really caught my eye. The question was this: If you fielded a 3-car team for the next 15 years, which drivers would you choose? There is a twist though. You have to limit your pick to any driver 15 – 30 years old. This is something you would have to put a lot of thought into. You would have to observe the “young guns”, which are in the Nationwide series or lower right now, and learn their stats, potential, personalities, marketability, as well as how they would all work together if they really were on the same team.
   I have enjoyed watching many of these up-and-coming drivers work their way up the ranks, so I thought that trying to figure out which 3 to put on a team would be an interesting challenge. It was honestly very hard to do! So, after much consideration, here are my 3 drivers, and the reasons why I picked them.

Joey Logano – 23 years old, 38 in 15 years
   Joey was actually the first pick, claimed by Kyle Petty, on Race Hub. It’s a good one too. Joey is still very young, but I think he will be a top star in the coming years. His first year with Penske has been better than I thought it would be! If it wasn’t for the 25 point penalty earlier this year and 2 tire failures, Joey would almost certainly be in the top 10 in points. If they have been running this strong in their first year at Penske, it will be very interesting to see the next. Bottom line, Joey’s new ride has allowed him to show his talent…and he definitely has talent! He also has more experience than my other two picks, which would make him the leader for my organization. In 15 years, he would be at the tail end of his “prime” (When a driver produces the best results, usually 29 – 39 years old.), and able to give quality veteran advice, which is very valuable for a team.

Kyle Larson – 20 years old, 35 in 15 years
   Kyle has probably been the most impressive of the all the up-and coming drivers so far. For me, this was an easy pick. Kyle is currently racing in his 1^st full time year in the Nationwide Series, and in the 17 races they have ran so far, he has placed in the top 10 65% of the time! Not bad for a rookie year. The kid has a lot of potential, and I, along with many others, think he will be one of the top drivers in the next generation of the sport. He will be in the middle of his prime in 15 years, and I’m almost positive he will be a multi-year champion.

Gray Gaulding – 15 years old, 30 in 15 years
   Trying to figure out who would be my 3^rd pick was incredibly hard! I put a lot of time and effort in trying to work it out. I kept going back and forth between 3 guys: My official pick, and the other 2 who are listed below. The main two reasons I picked Gray was because of his potential, and his age. He also is a marketing dream! I have never seen a driver so sponsor-oriented! If he keeps driving and makes it to Sprint, he will probably never run out of willing sponsors! Gray is doing great on the track too, placing very solid finishes in the K&N Pro Series East right now. In the series 7 races so far, Gray had had 5 top 10s, including a 2^nd place, and an average finish of 10.4. Gray would be entering his prime in 15 years from now, which separates my 3 drivers into 3 different stages of their career. He would be benefiting from his two older teammates input, which will make him even more of a threat when he peaks.
   The only concern I would have about him being on my team is this: He seems like a one-man show. What I mean by that is, I don’t think he would like teammates that much. In the top 3 primer series in NASCAR, teammates share data and advice on how they have been driving the track. This can help the driver’s car setup, and how to run the track on a faster line. I can’t see Gray doing this. He probably never has. When it comes to smaller series, the kind that drivers start on that run local tracks, a group comes to the track and the focus is on that one driver and car. In K&N, they run “higher up” tracks, but it is mostly a development series, directly linked to NASCAR. Many big name teams, including Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, have a hand in this series to develop a driver… usually just one at a time. Again, the team is focused on that one driver and car. I might be reading Gray all wrong, but I think it will be interesting to see how does with his future teammates when he gets to the Truck Series and beyond.

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Ryan Blaney – 19 years old, 34 in 15 years
   If I had a four car team, Ryan would be my next pick. He’s another driver with a lot of potential. In the Truck series, 6 of the 9 races he has run have been in the top 10, half of those being in the top 5. He would be another driver in their prime a decade and a half from now, but there is one particular reason I didn’t pick him over Gray: Marketability. Blaney seems very bland to me during interviews, and apparently I’m not the only one who thinks that. Kyle Petty noted during Race Hub, that Ryan needs to show a little more personality. If he doesn’t do this, it could hurt how he attracts sponsors. As I have seen from his sisters’ Twitter accounts, though, Ryan does actually have a more interesting side to him. So why “no personality”? Petty added later that he thought this was because of Ryan wanting to be professional, and not making mistakes that could hurt his career. I’m sure he will find the balance between professionalism and personality soon, though.

Chase Elliott – 17 years old, 32 in 15 years
   Chase is another pick I was considering. He would be closer to the beginning of his prime, like Gray, but I would like to see more stats from him. Of the four Truck Series races he has run, he’s earned straight top 10’s, 3 of them being top 5’s. Very impressive stats, but they are all short tracks (Drivers who are 16 and 17 years old can only run short tracks and road courses in the Truck Series). I would like to see Chase run the full Truck Series schedule, which I’m sure he will do next year since he will be old enough to, and see his stats then. I’m sure they will be good, but I want to wait until then to possibly put him on my team.

   One thing this challenge showed for certain is that NASCAR’s future is very bright. The 20 drivers who were chosen by those on Race Hub, all deserved to be picked and I think they will go far in their careers. I’m really looking forward to it!

4 for the 4th

   The weekend of the 4^th was full of craziness and interesting storylines. From illegal roof flap spacers to a historic finish, here are four stories from the 4^th.

Illegal Roof Flap Spacers
   I was actually at there at the Speedway as this all went down. I had never seen anything like it! A brigade of officials marched down pit road, split up into small groups, and went from car to car looking at something underneath the roof flaps. I didn’t know they were looking at the spacers until I checked my Twitter a few hours later. In all the cars inspected, 31 teams had illegally modified spacers; 16 in Sprint, 15 in Nationwide. Roof flap spacers slip in behind the hinge, which connects the roof flap to the car. The roof flap is used to slow the car down, and more importantly, keep the car on the ground while it is sliding sideways. This is purely a safety feature, so the question is, why would these teams do this? Well, the only reason I could think of, is an advantage by weight. The spacer has to be only a few ounces though! You would think the risk isn’t worth the reward but when it comes to restrictor plate races, the teams might think it could have made a difference. Either way though, it is not good to compromise part of the car’s safety, especially on a track were the cars run wide open at 200+ MPH.

   The next chapter of this story: Penalties. NASCAR is almost certainly going to hand out penalties for this, but to what extent? Initially, I would think just fines, but it might be more. One of the last times there was a safety violation; it was from three cars, between Michael Waltrip Racing and JTG Daugherty Racing. The windshield of their cars were too thin. NASCAR hit the teams involved hard with a $50,000 fine for the crew chiefs, a suspension of 4 weeks for the crew chiefs and car chiefs and a 25 driver point penalty each. I don’t think NASCAR will hit the teams that hard for the roof flap spacers, but suspensions, and more likely, points, are possible penalty factors. If they do go that far, it will be devastating to a lot of teams.

Group of 6 officials (Another group came in a few minutes later)

 

Officials inspecting Jimmie Johnson's car

Up close photo of official inspecting the roof flap

Officials inspecting Carl Edwards car

 

Jimmie Johnson Sweeps Daytona – First since 82’
Well, Jimmie made history again. He dominated the race, and successfully completed his sweep at Daytona, which hasn’t been done since Bobby Allison did it in ’82. This is one of many stats this year that he has added to his career, like winning 4 All-Star races, which is the most of any driver. The sweep is something you wouldn’t exactly expect when you look at Jimmie’s stats. At Daytona, he currently has only 8 top 5’s in 24 starts, which is only 1/3 of the time. Also, he has 5 DNF’s!! That’s the beauty of restrictor plate races, I guess. Jimmie also just tied Matt Kenseth with 4 wins and is leading the points by 49 points now. No doubt, Jimmie is a strong contender for the Championship.

Safety at Daytona – Present and Future
   This weekend was another great example of how important NASCAR’s implemented safety features are, but there are things they need to improve. Late in the Nationwide race, Travis Pastrana’s car was tipped by Cole Whitt causing it to slam into Jason White’s car and both hit the wall. Once the wreckage had settled, Jason climbed out of his car and went to the ground, trying to catch his breath. As soon as he did this, I went silent in concern. He later got up and told the media he was ok. For Travis, he got out of his car just fine, but on his scanner, you could hear it in his voice. You could tell the impact hurt and took his breath away. NASCAR mandates that all their drivers must wear HANS devices, special seatbelts, and sit in seats with full containment headrests. Also the tracks that NASCAR goes to have many walls with SAFER barriers, which softens the force of hits considerably. There are many more safety improvements that have been made in the cars. If it wasn’t for these improvements, I don’t want to even want to think of what Travis and Jason might be feeling. The same with many other drivers who have experienced wreaks we don’t ever want to see again. Another example is the wrecks we had a day later in the Cup race. The scariest one that comes to mind, to me, was when Denny Hamlin swerved (something must have broken) and overcorrected the car, sending him straight into the outside wall (which in that spot, did not have a SAFER barrier) and into oncoming traffic. Many cars, amazingly, were able to avoid him, but as AJ Allmendinger approached, he had nowhere to go. He t-boned Denny in the left rear quarter panel and sent the car’s rear flying two feet or more in the air as it violently spun around. It was a hard hit for both. My first concern was Denny’s back, which he had to be sidelined for earlier in the season. He was out for a whole month while it healed from the crash. Denny and AJ both said they were fine, although AJ admitted it really knocked the breath out of him for a moment. This shows the amazing effectiveness and importance of these safety innovations, but there is still more that can be done, and should be done.
   Something the last few years have showed us, is that if there is a wall, the car will somehow find a way to hit it. The crash that hurt Denny’s back did not have a SAFER barrier, and there are so many more horrible wrecks that have not had them, as well. This is why NASCAR needs to mandate SAFER barriers 100% around the tracks they run at, on both the inside and outside wall. I know SAFER barriers are very expensive and some of these track do not have the money to do this, so I think NASCAR should work with them, giving them a few years to fully implement this, and maybe even splitting the cost 50/50. The place where Denny crashed and hurt his back also had a dip in the asphalt, which brings me to my second point. There are little “quirks” at some of these tracks that need to be addressed. Maybe NASCAR needs to send out a safety specialist to walk the track and figure out if these are a danger or not. Hands down, NASCAR has done an excellent job with safety innovations, but it, like almost anything in life, can definitely continue to be improved.

Does Restrictor Plate Racing Need to Continue Changing?
   No doubt, the teams have worked hard and made a lot of progress with the Gen6 car on restrictor plate races, but there is still something I think they need to work on. The race was interesting, but like the Daytona 500 this year, it is very hard to pass. Because of this, the last few laps were almost identical to  those of the 500. There was a long “train” of 7-9 cars all behind one another, just stuck. If one, or even two of them tried to go to the outside and make a move they would go straight to the pack, which trailed about ½ second off the tail end of the train. Should NASCAR continue tweaking their restrictor plate race cars? I would just like to see what we used to, when it comes to unexpected finishes. The ones where you never knew who would take the checkered flag because in a matter of two turns, another driver could rocket to the front! Why don’t we see this anymore? What could the problem be? Maybe it is an aerodynamic issue? Maybe the engineers could tweak the car’s physics a certain way and allow them to be able to pass more easily. Some people think they should slow the speeds down. I’m not an engineer, so I can’t tell you what could possibly fix it. I’m confident, though, they could figure it out.