Three Richmond favorites qualified outside the top 10 for the Sprint Cup race tonight.
Denny Hamlin (11th), Kyle Busch (20th), and Jimmie Johnson (30th) all had disappointing qualifying efforts. Hamlin was also terrible in Happy Hour, posting just the 40th-fastest lap, while Busch and Johnson were not much better (34th and 22nd, respectively).
Hamlin has won the last two fall Richmond races, while teammate Busch took home the checkers in the last two spring events. Johnson has three Richmond victories, all coming in 2007 and 2008, and finished 10th and 3rd at the track last season.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Losing streaks will continue at Richmond
I predict that we won't see the end of any major losing streaks at Richmond Saturday night. That means Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton, Kasey Kahne and Mark Martin will not reach Victory Lane to end 50-plus race winless streaks. Nor will Brian Vickers, Joey Logano or Brad Keselowski.
Of that bunch of drivers, Logano might have the best shot after running a strong fourth in last fall's Richmond race, but JGR has been down this year and Logano is mired in 24th place in the standings with a single top-10. He'll need to show consistent improvement before hoping for a win.
Junior has been strong at Richmond in the past and has three career wins here, but has finished outside the top 20 in the past four races. He's been strong this season, but Richmond's not a likely place for him to finally break through for his first win in nearly three years.
Burton has been fairly good at Richmond recently, with top-5s in the last two spring races, but he has struggled mightily this season and it's been 13 races since his last Sprint Cup top-10. The No. 31 team has significant improvements to make before Burton will return to Victory Lane.
Martin, Kahne, Vickers and Keselowski have also been struggling this year, and their teams will have to pick it up before they can expect to break their winless streaks.
Vickers and Keselowski are nowhere close to winning anytime soon, while Martin and Kahne are in their last seasons (and in Kahne's case, his only season) with their teams. Martin has a better shot than Kahne at winning this year, but the odds are against him.
Of that bunch of drivers, Logano might have the best shot after running a strong fourth in last fall's Richmond race, but JGR has been down this year and Logano is mired in 24th place in the standings with a single top-10. He'll need to show consistent improvement before hoping for a win.
Junior has been strong at Richmond in the past and has three career wins here, but has finished outside the top 20 in the past four races. He's been strong this season, but Richmond's not a likely place for him to finally break through for his first win in nearly three years.
Burton has been fairly good at Richmond recently, with top-5s in the last two spring races, but he has struggled mightily this season and it's been 13 races since his last Sprint Cup top-10. The No. 31 team has significant improvements to make before Burton will return to Victory Lane.
Martin, Kahne, Vickers and Keselowski have also been struggling this year, and their teams will have to pick it up before they can expect to break their winless streaks.
Vickers and Keselowski are nowhere close to winning anytime soon, while Martin and Kahne are in their last seasons (and in Kahne's case, his only season) with their teams. Martin has a better shot than Kahne at winning this year, but the odds are against him.
Seven Bold Richmond Predictions
Richmond International Raceway is known for producing thrilling excitement on the track. At three-quarters of a mile, it is the third-shortest track on the Sprint Cup circuit and there is always action going on somewhere.
Like the other short tracks, Richmond tends to be a track that certain drivers get dialed in and proceed to dominate for several races. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had two wins and a runner-up during a five-race stretch from 2004-2006. Jimmie Johnson won three of four races in 2007 and 2008.
Lately, it's been the Joe Gibbs drivers dominating, with Kyle Busch winning the last two spring races and Denny Hamlin the last two fall events.
What will happen at Richmond on Saturday night? No one knows, but here are my best predictions at what to expect.
Read more here.
Like the other short tracks, Richmond tends to be a track that certain drivers get dialed in and proceed to dominate for several races. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had two wins and a runner-up during a five-race stretch from 2004-2006. Jimmie Johnson won three of four races in 2007 and 2008.
Lately, it's been the Joe Gibbs drivers dominating, with Kyle Busch winning the last two spring races and Denny Hamlin the last two fall events.
What will happen at Richmond on Saturday night? No one knows, but here are my best predictions at what to expect.
Read more here.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Edwards vs. Keselowski: Who's Most to Blame?
Who is most at fault in the well-chronicled history of altercations between Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski?
Keselowski often comes across as a brash young man who speaks his mind—remember his introduction at Bristol last August when he referenced Kyle Busch in a none-too-favorable light.
Meanwhile, Edwards is a polished marketer for his sponsors and has an engaging personality.
But to find out who's really at fault in their history of on-track incidents, let's look at the facts. And the facts clearly illustrate that Edwards has a history of overreacting and making questionable decisions and then blaming the results on others...
Click here to read on!
Keselowski often comes across as a brash young man who speaks his mind—remember his introduction at Bristol last August when he referenced Kyle Busch in a none-too-favorable light.
Meanwhile, Edwards is a polished marketer for his sponsors and has an engaging personality.
But to find out who's really at fault in their history of on-track incidents, let's look at the facts. And the facts clearly illustrate that Edwards has a history of overreacting and making questionable decisions and then blaming the results on others...
Click here to read on!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Dale Jr. and other surprises in the Sprint Cup standings
Junior Nation has to be excited. NASCAR's most popular driver has climbed all the way to third in the standings, and it's looking like he'll make the Chase for the first time since 2008.
After ranking 25th and 21st the last two seasons, this is a stunning turnaround.
Sure, Junior hasn't broken that winless streak, which stretched to 101 races after a fourth-place run at Talladega...
Click here to read more.
After ranking 25th and 21st the last two seasons, this is a stunning turnaround.
Sure, Junior hasn't broken that winless streak, which stretched to 101 races after a fourth-place run at Talladega...
Click here to read more.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
NASCAR celebs in the news
Today there are two items of interest that have nothing to do with racing regarding people affiliated with Hendrick Motorsports.
First, Emily Maynard has broken off her engagement with Brad Womack about one month after they became engaged on "The Bachelor." Maynard was the fiancee of Ricky Hendrick when he died in a plane crash in 2004. She said Womack had exhibited "hurtful and erratic behavior."
Second, Jimmie Johnson is appearing tonight (9:30 pm ET) in an episode of Fox's comedy series "Breaking In." Johnson is playing himself, and the plot centers around the need of Johnson's race team for security assistance.
First, Emily Maynard has broken off her engagement with Brad Womack about one month after they became engaged on "The Bachelor." Maynard was the fiancee of Ricky Hendrick when he died in a plane crash in 2004. She said Womack had exhibited "hurtful and erratic behavior."
Second, Jimmie Johnson is appearing tonight (9:30 pm ET) in an episode of Fox's comedy series "Breaking In." Johnson is playing himself, and the plot centers around the need of Johnson's race team for security assistance.
David Gilliland has more top-5s and top-10s than.....Denny Hamlin??
Who would have thought that eight races into the 2011 season David Gilliland would have more top-5s (one) and top-10s (two) than Denny Hamlin (no top-5s, one top-10)?
For that matter, Gilliland has more than Jamie McMurray, Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr. and A.J. Allmendinger as well; like Hamlin, they each have just one top-10 and no top-5s.
Hey, at least Paul Menard has more top-5s (two) and top-10s (three) than Gilliland.
Admittedly, Gilliland is just 29th in the standings, lower than any of these other drivers. Even still, the fact that Gilliland has more top-5s and top-10s than drivers with much better equipment and more talent serves to illustrate how lackluster of seasons these drivers have been having.
For that matter, Gilliland has more than Jamie McMurray, Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr. and A.J. Allmendinger as well; like Hamlin, they each have just one top-10 and no top-5s.
Hey, at least Paul Menard has more top-5s (two) and top-10s (three) than Gilliland.
Admittedly, Gilliland is just 29th in the standings, lower than any of these other drivers. Even still, the fact that Gilliland has more top-5s and top-10s than drivers with much better equipment and more talent serves to illustrate how lackluster of seasons these drivers have been having.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Top drivers finally rising from the bottom of the standings
Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton and Joey Logano were mired around 30th in the points standings after the first few races this season. They are finally starting to make a move up the standings, although it may already be too late for Burton and Logano to make the Chase.
With a 10th place run at Talladega, Logano moved up four positions in the standings to 24th. He's 66 points back of Clint Bowyer for 10th place, the cutoff line for making the Chase (other than the two wild-card drivers who will qualify based on wins). Making up that much ground will be a tall order.
Burton finished just 16th at Talladega, but still moved up three slots in the standings to 22nd. However, he is still a daunting 60 points behind Bowyer in 10th.
Biffle, meanwhile, is much closer to making up his early-season deficit. He finished a strong 7th at Talladega to gain two positions in the points, moving up to 16th. He is now just 26 points out of 10th place.
The three drivers have a long ways to go if they want to make the Chase. They do have the wild-card option, and Biffle especially is capable of winning a few races to sneak into the playoffs using that method. There are still 18 races to go before the Chase cutoff race, but for these drivers to make it, they'll have to make a move up the standings in a hurry.
With a 10th place run at Talladega, Logano moved up four positions in the standings to 24th. He's 66 points back of Clint Bowyer for 10th place, the cutoff line for making the Chase (other than the two wild-card drivers who will qualify based on wins). Making up that much ground will be a tall order.
Burton finished just 16th at Talladega, but still moved up three slots in the standings to 22nd. However, he is still a daunting 60 points behind Bowyer in 10th.
Biffle, meanwhile, is much closer to making up his early-season deficit. He finished a strong 7th at Talladega to gain two positions in the points, moving up to 16th. He is now just 26 points out of 10th place.
The three drivers have a long ways to go if they want to make the Chase. They do have the wild-card option, and Biffle especially is capable of winning a few races to sneak into the playoffs using that method. There are still 18 races to go before the Chase cutoff race, but for these drivers to make it, they'll have to make a move up the standings in a hurry.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Three quick observations from Talladega
1. It's not real racing when the cars are lined up two by two. The competitors said it themselves, from Dale Jr. before the race to Matt Kenseth during the race after being wrecked. It takes great concentration but more luck than actual skill to run up front. (Come on, why else was Dave Blaney leading laps for much of the afternoon? I have nothing against the guy...but I'm just saying.)
2. Kurt Busch is a menace in the two-car packs. He seemed to single-handedly cause most of the cautions that were not for debris. Twice Busch wrecked the driver he was pushing, and although he stayed out of trouble himself, he deserved nothing better than the 18th-place finish he ended up with.
3. The Hendrick cars proved that the boring strategy was the safest and best strategy. Despite having arguably the best cars (they swept the top four positions in qualifying), they ran in the back of the pack for most of the afternoon, only charging to the front in the final 30 laps or so. In the end their cautious approach paid off, as Jimmie Johnson won the race and all four finished in the top eight.
2. Kurt Busch is a menace in the two-car packs. He seemed to single-handedly cause most of the cautions that were not for debris. Twice Busch wrecked the driver he was pushing, and although he stayed out of trouble himself, he deserved nothing better than the 18th-place finish he ended up with.
3. The Hendrick cars proved that the boring strategy was the safest and best strategy. Despite having arguably the best cars (they swept the top four positions in qualifying), they ran in the back of the pack for most of the afternoon, only charging to the front in the final 30 laps or so. In the end their cautious approach paid off, as Jimmie Johnson won the race and all four finished in the top eight.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Kyle Busch just 2 wins away from tying all-time Nationwide record
With his win in today's Aaron's 312, Kyle Busch won his fourth race of the Nationwide season.
It was also his 47th win in his Nationwide career, just two shy of Mark Martin's all-time mark of 49 wins.
Martin won earlier this year at Las Vegas, leading just one lap when Brad Keselowski blew a tire after taking the white flag as the race leader. But that will likely only set Busch back by a week or two in his quest for the record.
Busch has been winning races at an amazing rate in recent seasons. In 2008 he tied the single-season mark with ten victories. He followed that up with nine in 2009, and then broke the record with an incredible 13 wins last season while only participating in 29 events.
Busch is once again not running a full season in 2011, but at the rate he's been winning it's reasonable to expect him to match and break Martin's record by June at the latest.
It was also his 47th win in his Nationwide career, just two shy of Mark Martin's all-time mark of 49 wins.
Martin won earlier this year at Las Vegas, leading just one lap when Brad Keselowski blew a tire after taking the white flag as the race leader. But that will likely only set Busch back by a week or two in his quest for the record.
Busch has been winning races at an amazing rate in recent seasons. In 2008 he tied the single-season mark with ten victories. He followed that up with nine in 2009, and then broke the record with an incredible 13 wins last season while only participating in 29 events.
Busch is once again not running a full season in 2011, but at the rate he's been winning it's reasonable to expect him to match and break Martin's record by June at the latest.
Hilarious prank by Dale Earnhardt Jr. on JR Motorsports personnel!
Dale Jr. plays a snake prank on several people, including Aric Almirola, Tony Eury Jr., and Tony Eury Sr.
Watch it here!
Watch it here!
Comprehensive and definitive Talladega predictions, team by team
Which team is the best at Talledega? (Hint: It's Hendrick Motorsports, who else?) Which drivers can expect to do well? Find out here!
Are the Fords in trouble at Talladega?
It may be early in the weekend, but only two Fords were in the top 20 on the speed chart in the first practice session on Friday. And neither of them were from Ford's powerhouse team, Roush Fenway Racing.
David Gilliland, the third-place finisher in this year's Daytona 500, was ninth-fastest, while A.J. Allmendinger was fifth-quickest. The next-highest Ford driver was Greg Biffle in the 21st position.
Should the Ford camp be worried? Recent history is certainly against them.
Chevrolet has won 20 of the past 24 Talladega Sprint Cup races, and the Chevys are looking strong for Sunday. 11 of the top 20 cars in practice were Chevrolets, including three of the top four (Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Jimmie Johnson).
It may turn out to be a statistical anomaly, and engines typically aren't an issue at restrictor plate tracks, since all cars essentially end up with the same horsepower. But placing just two cars in the top 20 is far from encouraging, any way you look at it.
David Gilliland, the third-place finisher in this year's Daytona 500, was ninth-fastest, while A.J. Allmendinger was fifth-quickest. The next-highest Ford driver was Greg Biffle in the 21st position.
Should the Ford camp be worried? Recent history is certainly against them.
Chevrolet has won 20 of the past 24 Talladega Sprint Cup races, and the Chevys are looking strong for Sunday. 11 of the top 20 cars in practice were Chevrolets, including three of the top four (Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Jimmie Johnson).
It may turn out to be a statistical anomaly, and engines typically aren't an issue at restrictor plate tracks, since all cars essentially end up with the same horsepower. But placing just two cars in the top 20 is far from encouraging, any way you look at it.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Who will win the Nationwide championship?
Right now the Nationwide standings are as follows:
1. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 218
2. Jason Leffler 204
3. Justin Allgaier 194
4. Elliott Sadler 188
5. Reed Sorenson 188
6. Aric Almirola 187
7. Trevor Bayne 181
8. Brian Scott 173
Who will win the championship come November? Elliott has been making a move the last few races, while Trevor Bayne and Aric Almirola are doing their best to recover from rough starts to the season. This could be the year Jason Leffler has been waiting for, now that Cup drivers cannot compete for the NW championship. Can Ricky Stenhouse Jr., last year's Rookie of the Year, hold them all off?
Leave a comment below to voice your opinion!
1. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 218
2. Jason Leffler 204
3. Justin Allgaier 194
4. Elliott Sadler 188
5. Reed Sorenson 188
6. Aric Almirola 187
7. Trevor Bayne 181
8. Brian Scott 173
Who will win the championship come November? Elliott has been making a move the last few races, while Trevor Bayne and Aric Almirola are doing their best to recover from rough starts to the season. This could be the year Jason Leffler has been waiting for, now that Cup drivers cannot compete for the NW championship. Can Ricky Stenhouse Jr., last year's Rookie of the Year, hold them all off?
Leave a comment below to voice your opinion!
Jimmie's chances at Talladega
Talladega hasn't been kind to Jimmie Johnson on the whole.
On the other hand, he does have a 2006 win at the track, as well as two runner-up finishes to Jeff Gordon in 2007. Since 2007, he has three top-10s but also two finishes of 30th or worse.
What will happen on Sunday? Look for Johnson to do his best to stay out of trouble for the first 150 laps or so (never a guarantee at 'Dega).
Then with 20-30 laps to go, he'll get hooked up in a two-car draft, most likely with an experienced drafting partner like Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart. They'll storm towards the front, just as Jeff and Jimmie did last fall.
From there...it's anyone's guess.
Perhaps Jimmie will get caught up in a late-race Big One. Maybe everything will go his way and he'll be in front when the checkered flag waves.
Whatever happens, it'll be sure to be an exciting finish. Anything can and will happen. It's 'Dega, baby!
On the other hand, he does have a 2006 win at the track, as well as two runner-up finishes to Jeff Gordon in 2007. Since 2007, he has three top-10s but also two finishes of 30th or worse.
What will happen on Sunday? Look for Johnson to do his best to stay out of trouble for the first 150 laps or so (never a guarantee at 'Dega).
Then with 20-30 laps to go, he'll get hooked up in a two-car draft, most likely with an experienced drafting partner like Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart. They'll storm towards the front, just as Jeff and Jimmie did last fall.
From there...it's anyone's guess.
Perhaps Jimmie will get caught up in a late-race Big One. Maybe everything will go his way and he'll be in front when the checkered flag waves.
Whatever happens, it'll be sure to be an exciting finish. Anything can and will happen. It's 'Dega, baby!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
When will Dale Jr. win another Sprint Cup race?
It has now been 100 races since Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s last win, at Michigan in June 2008.
When and where will he win again? This article examines the 10 tracks where Junior is most likely to once again reach Victory Lane.
When and where will he win again? This article examines the 10 tracks where Junior is most likely to once again reach Victory Lane.
What to expect at Talladega: Menard, Ragan and 2x2 racing
What's going to happen at the Aaron's 499 this Sunday?
As with all restrictor plate racing, expect the unexpected. But there are some things we can reasonably predict will happen. Read on to find out.
As with all restrictor plate racing, expect the unexpected. But there are some things we can reasonably predict will happen. Read on to find out.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Final Texas predictions
I predict tonight's winner will come from the top 11 on the starting grid. Edwards from P2, Kenseth from fourth, Jimmie from sixth or Kyle Busch from 11th.
Hamlin won't get a third consecutive win at Texas, and Harvick won't get a third consecutive win after taking Fontana and Martinsville (at least he'd better not, or I'll be very unhappy tonight). Dale Jr.'s winless streak will stretch to 100 races. Look for him to have better luck at Talladega!
Hamlin won't get a third consecutive win at Texas, and Harvick won't get a third consecutive win after taking Fontana and Martinsville (at least he'd better not, or I'll be very unhappy tonight). Dale Jr.'s winless streak will stretch to 100 races. Look for him to have better luck at Talladega!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Predictions for Sunday's Race at Texas Motor Speedway
Here are seven predictions for Sunday's Sprint Cup race, ranging from Paul Menard to A.J. Allmendinger to, of course, Jimmie Johnson.
Click here to read the full article.
Click here to read the full article.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Dale Jr. blows chance at victory
Dale Earnhardt Sr. would have won Sunday's race at Martinsville Speedway had he been in Junior's position. Or he would have wrecked trying.
Can Junior be a championship contender without being willing to beat and bang for wins? Read about it here.
Can Junior be a championship contender without being willing to beat and bang for wins? Read about it here.
Kevin Harvick shows he's a legit title contender
Once again, Kevin Harvick ruined my Sunday. After Jimmie Johnson's speeding penalty, seeing Dale Jr. win at Martinsville would have been at least some consolation. But there was no such luck, thanks to Kevin Harvick and his unfortunately timed display of championship form. Read about it here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)