http://justafansview.com Just a fan's view of Nascar Sprint Cup Racing Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:52:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Just a fan\'s view of Nascar Racing Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing skynorm@embarqmail.com skynorm@embarqmail.com (Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing) Copyright Rusty Norman 2006-2010 Just a fan's view of Nascar Sprint Cup Racing http://justafansview.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://justafansview.com/category/nascar-racing/ TV-G http://justafansview.com/2012/01/30/a-look-ahead-to-nascar-cup-2012-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/01/30/a-look-ahead-to-nascar-cup-2012-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:52:32 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2672 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/01/30/a-look-ahead-to-nascar-cup-2012-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 http://justafansview.com/2011/12/24/merry-christmas-to-all-you-nascar-fans-out-there/ http://justafansview.com/2011/12/24/merry-christmas-to-all-you-nascar-fans-out-there/#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:00:11 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2651 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/12/24/merry-christmas-to-all-you-nascar-fans-out-there/feed/ 0 http://justafansview.com/2011/11/20/chase-championship-race-at-homestead-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/11/20/chase-championship-race-at-homestead-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:12:46 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2638 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/11/20/chase-championship-race-at-homestead-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar,nascar chase,Nascar Racing *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 - ************************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) ********************************************************************************************* (http://nascarfansview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/091218_iPhoneCamPixes-060-003A-150x150.jpg)And so it comes down to this... the 2011 NASCAR Cup Championship is all about winning, or at least, three points. Tony Stewart needs to win at Homestead or at least finish four points ahead of Carl Edwards by the end of the race Sunday afternoon and he will be the Cup Champion. Carl Edwards needs to win or finish just behind or just ahead of Stewart and he will be the Cup Champ. Either way, there is truly no way of knowing until the race is over, (or one or both of them drop out because of and accident or major failure) which one it will be. From this fan's view, this is exactly what NASCAR hoped for when they started the Chase format for the Championship and there couldn't be a better way to end the year. (Well, there are those that think it would be better if the points were closer throughout the top twelve and more than two could win it.) This is not the first time the points battle has been close, but it is the first time it has been this close with the new points system and with the competition throughout the cup teams being as close as it has ever been. I probably don't have to remind you again, but this fan doesn't generally put much stock in qualifying. Everybody knows it's not how fast you can go for one or two laps but how fast you can consistently go over many laps. Preferably, it is important for a driver to be able to gain places on the track, maintain a faster speed than his competitors and have his pit crew pick up even more time for him in the pits and maintain track position. It is important to notice where Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards qualified however, if for no other reason than who is going to be in clean air first (and possibly most often.) Carl Edwards qualified on the pole for today's Championship race while Tony Stewart qualified fifteenth. I'm not so sure that was exactly how Tony wanted to start the race but he did seemed to be more pleased with his race trim than qualifying trim. That's where the importance of those consistently fast lap times I mentioned earlier come in. It was obvious Tony and crew chief Darian Grubb were working on the race trim during their practice times much more than qualifying. One of the biggest problems I see with where he is starting is how many possibilities for getting caught up in something not of his own making. In other words, it is possible his chances for moving forward or winning could be hurt by someone else's mistake. By starting on the pole, Carl Edwards has a definite advantage. From my view, his first worry is whether his crew chief, Bob Osborn's setup is good for the beginning of the race and he pulls away from the field out into clean air. There is always the possibility the setup could be missed by just enough to cause him to fall back into the field, as has happened in the recent past, and open up the possibilities for problems (much like Tony Stewart could face from the start), and I hate to put a damper on the whole day, but neither one of them may even be close to the front for the whole race. Now you may ask, “Do I really think that's what going to happen?” Well... no... but, I won't rule out the possibility either. NASCAR is way to competitive right now to think that everyone is going to move over and let the top two just work it out between themselves. I do have to admit, I don't think Homestead is the place there are going to be a lot of paybacks for something, but I do know the competitive spirit will be very evident throughout the race. Let's not forget that NASCAR is all about winning and, Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 8:10 http://justafansview.com/2011/11/13/chase-race-nine-at-phoenix-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/11/13/chase-race-nine-at-phoenix-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 06:59:23 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2614 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/11/13/chase-race-nine-at-phoenix-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar fan opinion,Nascar Racing,The NASCAR Chase *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 ***********************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) *******************************... Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:39 http://justafansview.com/2011/11/10/chase-race-at-texas-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/11/10/chase-race-at-texas-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:48:18 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2609 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/11/10/chase-race-at-texas-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 nascar chase,Nascar Sprint Cup Racing *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 ***********************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) ********************************************************************************************* (http://nascarfansview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/20100220RSNTest001-120x150.jpg)Texas was big for the Chasers and, unless something really goes wrong for the top two drivers in points in the coming two weeks, this fan thinks we are down to a two man race. Tony Stewart did exactly what he needed to do and he now trails Carl Edwards by only three points as the NASCAR teams head for Phoenix this coming weekend. Okay, okay... I admit it is still just a tad early to be counting out anyone in the top six of the Chase standings, but if the only thing you're hoping for is mathematical elimination to make being out a reality, then you're obviously an optimist. I'm sure there are some that still hold on to the hope that Brad Keselowski or Jimmie Johnson can still be a force in the final race at Homestead, but the likelihood of them picking up the amount of points they need over the next two races would mean the four ahead of them would have to have absolute disasters and finish in the last spots for both weeks. You say, “Well, it could happen...” and I say, “Ain't likely... and your a bigger dreamer than anyone I know.” Now you may not know this if you do feel those two do have a chance, but the chances of the top four finishing as far back as possible and spots five and six finishing at the front two weeks in a row are astronomical. I still say emphatically, “It ain't gonna happen!!” and there are more than just a few that agree with me. So what are the chances of Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick pulling ahead of Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart? Well, better than the other two but still, it would mean Carl and Tony would have to have extremely bad races in Phoenix and Homestead. That is about the only chance I see for Harvick and Kenseth but they only have to make up 33 and 38 points to pass the leaders over the next two races. That's not impossible but it isn't easy either. Of the two top Chaser's, this fan thinks if anyone is due for a bad week it is Carl Edwards, but not both him and Stewart on the same weekends. As it stands right now, this Chase is Carl Edwards to lose and this fan thinks Tony Stewart is going to do everything he can to take advantage of any mistakes the #99 team makes and, also from my view, Stewart is the hot shoe at the present. Kasey Kahne had the best finish of the non-Chasers and has had an exceptional Chase (even though he isn't in it.) The Red Bull team is making a strong showing even though they're losing the driver and probably won't be involved next season. It is a good thing for Kasey and for his team though, because even with the adversities they're facing, they have shown what they are made of and it could be a plus for all involved no matter what happens for them next year. I know I mentioned in the pre-race article that I had noticed kind of a trend that dealt with most multiple win drivers appearing to be three and done. Because of that trend, I didn't think “Smoke” would win at Texas (or possibly any place else this year.) Well, I reckon I might have to adjust that statement a bit and, to be honest, I'm not sure that he won't win at least one of the two final races. He has that old glint in his eye that says to this fan and his competitors, “Look out, you may have thought I didn't have a chance, but I intend to win this Championship and it's up to you to stop me.” Honestly, from this fan's view, it is good to see the fire back in Stewart's eyes even if it was only missing for a few weeks before the Chase started. A quick look at the Texas finishing order tells an interesting story about the possibilities for the race coming up in Phoenix. Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:27 http://justafansview.com/2011/11/05/chase-race-eight-at-texas-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/11/05/chase-race-eight-at-texas-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:22:53 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2606 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/11/05/chase-race-eight-at-texas-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 nascar chase,Nascar fan opinion,Nascar Sprint Cup Racing *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 ***********************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) *******************************... Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 8:23 http://justafansview.com/2011/11/04/martinsville-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/11/04/martinsville-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sat, 05 Nov 2011 01:15:55 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2603 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/11/04/martinsville-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar Fan,Nascar fan opinion,Nascar Sprint Cup Racing,The NASCAR Chase *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 ***********************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) *******************************... Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:58 http://justafansview.com/2011/10/30/chase-race-seven-at-martinsville-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/10/30/chase-race-seven-at-martinsville-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sun, 30 Oct 2011 11:28:46 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2598 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/10/30/chase-race-seven-at-martinsville-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar fan opinion,Nascar Racing,The NASCAR Chase *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 ***********************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) ********************************************************************************************* (http://nascarfansview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/091218_iPhoneCamPixes-060-003A-150x150.jpg)NASCAR at Martinsville in the fall is always subject to the weather and this year's fall race is no different. Cooler weather and a different tire compound may compound the weather issues for some and earlier tire testing my give some an advantage. Now that's just speculation from this fan's view, but with only one practice session and and no real qualifying, it remains to be seen what effect the non-cooperative weather situation will have on Chase Race seven. Because there was no practice or qualifying until NASCAR decided to turn the qualifying session into the final practice, the teams will lineup for today's race according to points. That will benefit the top twelve in the Chase and all of them will start in the top twelve spots. When the green flag drops it will be 500 laps to see who drops like a rock through the field and who advances (or stays) in front. The Martinsville track is the smallest on the NASCAR circuit and it follows the largest, which was Talladega last weekend. It is interesting to note how the Chasers consider both the largest and the smallest tracks as tracks they just hope they can survive without too much damage in points. Most of the dread at the Talladega track comes because it is a restrictor plate track and so little of what can happen there is in the drivers hands. At Martinsville it is because it is a short track with two drag strips and two very sharp corners and forty-three cars running and pitting in very tight quarters. In addition at Martinsville, with the closeness of the competition these days, there is very little separation in speed from the fastest to the slowest and that makes track position one of the most important factors for getting, or staying out front and also adds to the tension and stress levels for the drivers and the crews. If the short final practice is any example of what may happen this Sunday afternoon, this fan thinks the patience level is going to be very short. Now why do you suppose I would suspect a thing like that? Well, first of all, just look at how the points battle is shaping up. Just twenty six points separate the top five and only another twenty-six points separate the next three spots from them. Although some appear to be eliminated from the Chase, a complete reversal of the way it has gone so far over the next four races would really make it interesting by the time the teams reach Homestead for the finale. Of course, this fan realizes the chances of that happening are basically slim and none, but since we are talking about NASCAR Cup, it is not completely outside the realm of possibilities. The reality is, this Chase is probably between the top five in the standings from here until Homestead, but we can't rule out those next three just yet. Taking a serious look at spots sixth through eighth show two former Cup Champions and one of them has won five consecutive championships. The other has never won a Cup championship but still has to be considered a contender simply because he can go on a winning streak himself and that could put him back into the mix relatively quickly. Of course you know, that last one I'm talking about is Kyle Bush and the other two are Kurt Bush and Jimmie Johnson. Since this is the first year for this points system to be in place, there really is no way of knowing what the possibilities are (even though those guys that like to compare statistics for everything would tell you those last three don't have a chance, mathematically.) I really hate to state the obvious, Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:08 http://justafansview.com/2011/10/29/talladega-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/10/29/talladega-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:03:36 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2595 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/10/29/talladega-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar fan opinion,Nascar Racing,The NASCAR Chase *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 ***********************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) *******************************... Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 6:34 http://justafansview.com/2011/10/22/chase-race-six-at-talladega-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/10/22/chase-race-six-at-talladega-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sat, 22 Oct 2011 23:49:51 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2589 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/10/22/chase-race-six-at-talladega-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 nascar chase,Nascar fan opinion,Nascar Sprint Cup Racing *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 ***********************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) *******************************... Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:29 http://justafansview.com/2011/10/20/chase-race-five-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/10/20/chase-race-five-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:02:05 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2581 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/10/20/chase-race-five-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar Fan,Nascar Racing,The NASCAR Chase *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 ***********************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) *******************************... Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 9:24 http://justafansview.com/2011/10/15/chase-race-five-at-charlotte-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/10/15/chase-race-five-at-charlotte-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:37:52 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2577 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/10/15/chase-race-five-at-charlotte-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar Fan,Nascar Sprint Cup Racing,The NASCAR Chase *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 ***********************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) ********************************************************************************************* (http://nascarfansview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/091218_iPhoneCamPixes-060-003A-150x150.jpg)Chase Race five in Charlotte tonight will draw the line for some that would like to be in contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship for 2011. Those at the bottom of the top twelve in points absolutely have to have a good finish tonight and hope that those above them in points have really bad finishes. Of course, just between you and me, the chances of that happening are about slim and none. I can't help but mention, (again), unless things really change for Denny Hamlin over the next six races, he is definitely out of contention from my view, (and many others, too.) The odds of him winning several of the remaining races and ALL of the others having extreme reverses in their fortunes are completely astronomical. (Uh, in case you're wondering, that's a nice way of me saying, “It ain't gonna happen!”) The way I see it, his only hope is that some continue to do worse and he can move up out of the twelfth position. If you listen to interviews with him, it appears they are trying to deal with the rest of this season and focusing on their hopes to be major contenders next season. Ryan Newman is almost in the same boat as Denny. Being fifty-four points out and considering the drivers that are ahead of him, he would almost have to have miraculous intervention to move anywhere close to the first spot. Now, don't get me wrong, he isn't 100% out of the picture and I know he is starting sixth in the lineup tonight, but unless he consistently finishes the next six races in the top five with some wins, he is clearly on my “also-ran” list for the 2011 Sprint Cup Championship. Where it really begins to get interesting, and one of the things that makes tonight's race so important at Charlotte, is where Dale Jr and Jeff Gordon are in the points standings. They are in ninth and tenth and forty-three and forty-seven points out of first respectively. They are definitely not out of contention but they do have a lot of work to do and neither one of them can afford to finish out side the top ten again. Even if they do finish in the top ten for the next six races, their future depends on how the ones now in the top eight places finish over that same time. From this fan's view, unless they start finishing in the top part of the top five from here on out, they both need to start thinking about next year. Next on my list would be Kyle Bush. Kyle has quietly been running fairly consistently, but if he wants to win his first Sprint Cup Championship, he's going to have to turn up the wick a bit. I have heard rumors they've just been working their way through some of their not-so-favorite-tracks and some performance issues at JGR, but many are beginning to wonder if the Chase is just a bit out of his reach yet. We all know he can drive, and win, but from this fan's view, I expected more from him in this Chase just like I expected more from Jeff Gordon. With Kyle's improved attitude this year and his ever increasing maturity and mellowing-out level, I truly expected him to be in the top four or five by now. Sure, I know twenty points isn't that far out, but it doesn't leave much room for error over the next few weeks either. Tony Stewart sits on the pole for tonight's race but it's going to take a top five performance from him to make me see the #14 team has a chance at taking the Championship. Yes, his two wins were impressive but his performance has been a bit lacking most of the last half of the year. I'm thinking the Stewart/Haas teams are both a little concerned about their performance so far. Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:32