NASCAR 2016 & 2017, 2018

[SoxJox]

Both Johnson and Kenseth like Vegas:

• Johnson (4 wins): 2010 and 3 consecutive 2005-2007
• Kenseth: (3 wins): 2013 and 2 consecutive 2003-2004

Edwards has 2 wins as well: 2008 and 2001.

My picks (and qualifying position):

1. Matt Kenseth (3)
2. Jimmie Johnson (with the race namesake as his primary sponsor) (11)
3. Kasey Kahne (8)
4. Austin Dillon (5)
5. Martin Truex (10)

 

[rembrat]

Busch brothers seem to love Vegas. They're always up front.

 

[rembrat]

Chase has had a rough start in the Sprint Cup.

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Las Vegas results...

1. Brad Keselowski
2. Joey Logano
3. Jimmy Johnson
4. Kyle Busch
5. Austin Dillon

(where can I locate the strike through feature?)

 

[SoxJox]

My picks (and qualifying position):

1. Matt Kenseth (3) (wrecked)
2. Jimmie Johnson (with the race namesake as his primary sponsor) (11) (finished 3rd)
3. Kasey Kahne (8) (finished 10th)
4. Austin Dillon (5) finished 5th)
5. Martin Truex (10) (finished 11th)

You mean like that? Click on the "+" sign in the square on the editor bar. You'll see strikethrough.

I didn't get a chance to watch the race. Did the wind play as much of a role as they expected?

I did see that Kenseth wrecked along with Chase and Edwards around lap 200 or so.

 

[rembrat]

I don't think wind played a factor.. Brad's #2 was just too strong and once he got passed Logano there was nothing Busch could do to stop him.

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

I didn't get to see the entire race...came in around lap 200 Johnson looked great and Kyle Busch pulled off a classic move on a restart from 6th(?) to the lead...it shows why he's one of my favorite shoes....but as Rembrat says the 2 was best at the end.

thanks for the tip SJ

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Good Sam 500 - Phoenix 3pm Sunday...

1. Kyle Busch
2. Harvick
3. Dale Jr.
4. J. Johnson
5. Hamlin

 

[SoxJox]

(Qualifying position)

1. Harvick (for the 3-peat and 4th overall win in Phoenix) (5)
2. Logano (finally gets his ride to cooperate) (3)
3. Almirola (7)
4. Hamlin (win in 2012) (2)
5. Ku.. Busch (win in 2005) (1)

Darkhorse: Edwards (win in 2013) (6)

Probably the only race I won't pick a Hendrick car to finish ion the top 5.

The team qualified at:
9. Johnson
21 Elliot
22. Kahne
24. Dale, Jr. (ugh)

 

[rembrat]

What a finish!

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

heck yeh....great show

1. Harvick
2. Edwards
3. Hamlin
4. Kyle Busch
5. Dale Jr.

8. Chase Elliot

22. Logano
29. Keselowski

 

[SoxJox]

Good race. Great bump and grind the end. I I really respected Edwards post-race comments regarding how he could have wrecked Harvick. What would the old Dale #3 have done? Little doubt.

One point that has been bugging me now for couple of years: I understand the aerodynamic design considerations, but I really can't figure out how they haven't come up with a better solution to preventing - or at least reducing/minimizing - cut rear left tires upon contact with front right 1/4-panels.

Edit: I mean, it's really the right rear 1/4-panel that is most significant for aerodynamic flow. That panel is subjected to significant aerodynamic forces. Much less so the left panel. I would think the left rear could be extended beyond the linear plane of wheel rotation.

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Who knows what the hell NASCAR is thinking or the apparent lack of logic seen with the rules...

If you had a choice what would you like to see?

For myself...A race on a one mile dirt track...a second race on an intermediate length track without any rules other than the car must be safe...some WWO type stuff.

 

[SoxJox]

I wouldn't mind seeing some road courses on tracks built specifically for NASCAR, as opposed to re-purposing the Indy Car tracks. But that will never happen because of $$$. In fact, there has been a general and continuing decline in attendance and TV ratings for the past few years - motivating many NASCAR venues to actually remove seating. All sorts of reasons suspected, ranging from the recession, cost of attendance, travel, the way today's sports fans like to take in their events (e.g., 60" HD TV at home).

 

[ernieshore]

I go to the All-Star race every year where they usually try a different format, but even that has become pretty dull. Maybe at a short track like Martinsville or Richmond they could try a set of shorter Twin Races and invert the field on the second race -- take a page out of the local Saturday night tracks. Or they could have a rotating date or two each year where they do to an entirely different track each year. They could rotate it around, almost like the British Open, to places like Mexico's F1 track, Montreal, Circuit of the Americans, Watkins Glen, short/dirt tracks, etc...). They have enough races on the calendar where they could experiment a little.

They should cut back the number of races altogether, but that will never happen because the promoters have to keep the tracks open.

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Auto Club 400 - Fontucky

1. Kyle Busch
2. Harvick
3. Edwards
4. Jimmie Johnson
5. Martin Truex

(Gonna wish I picked Kenseth)

 

[SoxJox]

(Qualifying Position)

1. Kyle Busch (6)
2. Trevor Bayne (7)
3. Austin Dillon (1)
4. Kevin Harvick (2)
5. Chase Elliot (8) - I'm feelin' the love for the new 24 car and it's barely 20-year old driver.

Dark horse: Jamie McMurray (10)

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

I'm with ya on Elliot...not tomorrow tho...but if I'm wrong...great.

I was at an Indy Car race at the old Ontario Speedway back in the day when I was invincible. I was in the infield on the backstretch where the only thing between me and the cars on the track was a chain-link fence and a rare moment of clarity told me I was not safe.

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Wild finish at Xfinity today...Kyle Busch leading final, left front goes down...Suarez to the lead....Suarez run out of gas...Busch regains lead here comes Dillon on the outside...Busch squeezes him up to the top....Dillion escapes to win Busch takes second....

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Yes..correct thread...lookin for a race Sunday

 

[SoxJox]

Hot damn ELO on Soul Train circa 1973 (my frosh year in college). We were SO much more progressive then. Wonder where video-dancing those kats are now.

But I digress. 120db and rubber pellets rain on Sunday!

I've missed much of this week's activities as I am in the midst of a major program transition point for one program this week, and another next week (Easter is shot, but I'll try to follow along underneath the covers).

 

[rembrat]

This track is like a fucking freeway.

 

[rembrat]

Pretty exciting racing between the 1-6 spots ever since that caution for debris. Looks like a movie.

 

[SoxJox]

I'm cozying up to the new 24.

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

1. J. Johnson
2. Harvick
3. Hamlin
4. Logano
5. Stenhouse Jr.
6. Chase Elliot ---not if but when!

I'm wondering if Kyle was too hard on his tires this weekend.

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

STP 500 @ Martinsville Sunday 1pm

1. Logano
2. Hamlin
3. Johnson
4. Keselowski
5. Harvick

Dark horse...Chase Elliot

 

[SoxJox]

(Qualifying Position)

1. Johnson (24 - ouch, but he's won here 3 times before in this race, and 5 additional wins on this course in the Goodys Fast Relief 500))
2. Newman (5, with 1 previous win)
3. Hamlin (8, with 3 previous wins in this race, and 2 additional the Goodys)
   
4. Kurt Busch (23)
5. Elliot (10)

Dark Horse: Kahne (2, although picking a "dark horse" that starts #2 could be construed as cheating).

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

1. Kyle Busch...
2. AJ Allmindinger
3. Kyle Larson
4. Austin Dillon
5. Brad Keselowski...my only pick...

 

[SoxJox]

A 3-K game for me with no RBI. I'm batting .137.

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Duck Commander 500 at Texas...

1. Kyle Busch...just because I was gonna pick him last week and didn't....and I have no Idea where he projects...
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Brad Keselowski
4. Dale Jr.
5. Chase Elliot

Dark Horse...Kurt Busch

 

[SoxJox]

(Qualifying Position) (Current Standing in Points)

1. Joey Logano (2) (5)
2. Brad Keselowski (8) (6)
3. Jimmie Johnson (11) (2)
4. Austin Dillion (10) (7)
5. Martin Truex (3) (11)

Dark Horse: Kyle Larson

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Thanks for adding the qual. & standing info SJ... good luck this week.

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Reminder the race is tonight at 7:30 on Fox

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Texas Duck Commander results

1. Kyle Busch
2. Dale Jr.
3. Logano
4. Jimmie Johnson
4. Chase Elliot

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/franchises/all-videos.xfinity-series-dash-4-cash-explained-heat-racing-darrell-wallace-jr-erik-jones-daniel-suarez.4842684608001.html

Xfinity series will be using a heats and mains format this weekend...

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Food City 500 at Bristol - Sunday 1p on Fox.

1. Kyle Busch
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Carl Edwards
4. Jimmie Johnson
5. Logano

Dark horse...Ricky Stenhouse

 

[SoxJox]

Late getting to this week's post, but...

The old Bristol Motor Speedway - my first and favorite race track when I was growing up. Just a few miles down the road from my childhood home town - Roanoke, VA.

(Qual Posit) (Points Standing)

1. Matt Kenneth (2) (12)
2. Kyle Busch (5) (1)
3. Carl Edwards (1) (4)
4. Martin Truex (8) (11)
5. Jimmie Johnson (6) (2)

Rooting for: Johnson
Dark Horse: AJ Allmedinger (9) (15)

We've had green-white-checker finishes at this race the last 2 years. Always something happening late.

 

[rembrat]

I've never seen a car not go on Lap 1 of the race. Tough break for Junior.

 

[ernieshore]

Peyton Manning - ruining NASCAR for me too. Thanks FOX!

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Results for Bristol...
1. Carl Edwards
2. Dale Jr.
3. Kurt Busch
4. Chase Elliot
5. Trevor Bane
16. Stenhouse

Finishing position for my picks...
1. Kyle Busch - 38th
2. Denny Hamlin - 11th
3. Carl Edwards - (Winner)
4. Jimmie Johnson - 23rd
5. Logano - 10th
Dark horse - Stenhouse - 16th

Finishing order for SJ's picks

1. Matt Kenneth - 36th
   
2. Kyle Busch - 38th
   
3. Carl Edwards - Winner
   
4. Martin Truex - 14th
   
5. Jimmie Johnson - 23rd

Rooting for: Johnson
Dark Horse: AJ Allmedinger -19th

 

[SoxJox]

It does seem the wealth is being spread early this year: 6 different winners in the first 8 races (Johnson and Ky. Busch with 2 wins each).

Kenseth is having a tough year, dropping 6 places (to 18th) in the points standings after yesterday. Kyle Larson, too, dropping 4 places to 22nd.

Two young guns, Austin Dillon (last year's ROY) (stands at 11 in the rankings) and Chase Elliot (12) making waves. In fact, Elliot was in a good position to possibly win until Kurt Busch outmaneuvered him late, and Dale Jr. passed and pushed him to 3rd just before a caution to set up the final restart. Chase has 5 top-10 finishes. I'm really liking the way the kid drives.

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

I too like him....came close ehhh?

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Trivia time....

Name the a NASCAR track where there has not been a pass on the final lap to win.

edit: - excludes wrecks where leaders lost position and cars behind them finished ahead

add edit: I phrased the question incorrectly, I have a specific track in mind there may be others. My bad

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Richmond... Toyota Owners 400 - Sunday on Fox at 1pm
1. Kyle Busch
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Brad Keselowski

Dark horse...Kurt Busch

(See trivia question above)

 

[SoxJox]

I'm going to guess Watkins Glen. A) Because there are so many races at the "traditional" tracks that all likely have seen at least one. and B) There are so few races on the road courses and it might be a tad easier to block someone during a restart, when most of the last lap passes occur I would imagine.

Selections a bit later.

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

SJ, no, but that's an excellent guess, one I never considered, makes sense.

edit to add: You may be right, I phrased the question as if there was only 1, there may be others, I will check.

 

[SoxJox]

(Qual Position) (Points Standing)

1. Joey Logano (2) (4): 1 previous win in this race
2. Kyle Busch (9) (5): 4 previous wins in this race
3. Kevin Harvick (1) (1): 1 previous win in this race
4. Brad Keselowski (6) (8)
5. Dale Jr. (16) (6): 3 previous wins in this race, and his dad won twice, too.

Rooting for: Dale Jr.
Dark horse: Ryan Newman (14) (16)

 

[75cent bleacher seat]

Answer to trivia question....Martinsville...hard for me to fathom....

Tony Stewart's return...http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2016/4/22/tony-stewart-driver-reaction-support-richmond-sprint-cup-series.html

 

[SoxJox]

Man that's unreal. With all the near-end-of-race excitement over the years at that track, you'd think it would have happened at east once.

I'm rooting for Tony to do well, but I'm not expecting much. Maybe he can give Danica a push. I'd really like to see her win one. She's got 126 races under her belt, 0 wins, 0 top 5s, 6 top 10s. She's led only 27 laps in her career. Average start/finish 25.9/24.7, average point standing rank is 49.

In my mind I had her doing better better than that, but then again I haven't really tracked her. But she's earned $12,398,049 in her 4+ years.

 

[Greg29fan]

Answer to trivia question....Martinsville...hard for me to fathom....

Tony Stewart's return...http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2016/4/22/tony-stewart-driver-reaction-support-richmond-sprint-cup-series.html

I know that's not right b/c Darrell Waltrip passed Terry Labonte and Dale Earnhardt on the last lap of the fall race in 1987. Was his only win that year.