http://justafansview.com Just a fan's view of Nascar Sprint Cup Racing Sat, 12 May 2012 17:50:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 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 TV-G http://justafansview.com/2012/05/11/after-talladega-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/05/11/after-talladega-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 14:43:20 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2782 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/05/11/after-talladega-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 http://justafansview.com/2012/04/14/the-samsung-mobile-500-at-texas-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/04/14/the-samsung-mobile-500-at-texas-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:38:53 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2754 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/04/14/the-samsung-mobile-500-at-texas-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar Fan,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/2010/02/091218_iPhoneCamPixes-060-003A-150x150.jpg) The track at Texas is fast... really fast. It is also tricky when it comes to entering the turns, especially when the bumps show up entering into turns one and two. So what does that mean for tonight's race at TMS? Well... from this fan's view, it means the one that can consistently run the fastest lap times, deal with the bumps and not have problems in the pits will probably end up in Victory Lane. Oh yeah... and it could turn out to be a fuel mileage and tire management race, too, and that could prove to make it a very interesting night for sure. Martin Truex Jr will sit on the pole for tonight's race but this fan wonders whether or not that will actually translate into a victory for Michael Waltrip Racing (or even whether it will translate into a victory for Martin Truex Jr.) As was obvious in qualifying, one fast lap does not (and will not) a race make. What do I mean by that? Well... many of the cars ran fast on their first qualifying lap but none that I noticed ran as fast, or faster, on their second lap. That makes it fairly obvious that the drop-off in speed with the tires is pretty quick and that should make it interesting when it comes down to the longer green flag runs. That could mean a big difference in which cars start out up front and the ones that actually finish up front. Of course, one of the big questions is whether or not tonight's race will mean Rick Hendrick and Hendrick MotorSports gets that 200th Cup win. Once again Kasey Kahne is starting in the top five, but with the way his year has been going, not too many are putting much stock in his chances for a win tonight. That's not a statement against Kasey's abilities, it's just that he hasn't had the best of finishes even though he has had fast cars every weekend this season. He and Jeff Gordon are pretty much in the same boat when it comes to their racing luck this year and there are two ways this fan looks at that. Either they are getting all of their bad luck out of the way long before the Chase and are going to finish strong then, or, they just won't be factors at the end of the year. I'm sure there are some of you that disagree with me and that's okay. I'm just as sure there are others of you that figure they are already out of the running and won't even make the Chase. Personally, I think it is a little early to start talking about which drivers will and won't make the Chase. We're only about one quarter of the way into qualifying for the Chase and there is still a lot of time for others to run into some disappointments before we get there and it may be some of the present front runners, too. I'm not saying that will happen, but I am saying “racing luck” is a finicky beast and can affect anyone at anytime and, unfortunately for some, for extended periods of time. As far as the other Hendrick teams of Johnson and Earnhardt Jr, well... they are starting in good spots and their chances for ending up in Victory Lane are at least fairly good. I'm not convinced they will, but I have been surprised more than once so far this year. A quick look at the top of the lineup for tonight is interesting in itself and I am still not convinced starting up front amounts to a hill of beans when it comes to time for the checkered flag to drop. The Roush Fords of Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth look strong and the 1½ mile tracks seem to always be some of their strongest showings. Could that mean either one of them (or even their team-mate, Carl Edwards) takes home the trophy tonight? Yeah, it could but, Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 6:33 http://justafansview.com/2012/04/01/some-need-good-things-to-happen-at-martinsville-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/04/01/some-need-good-things-to-happen-at-martinsville-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sun, 01 Apr 2012 11:31:18 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2744 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/04/01/some-need-good-things-to-happen-at-martinsville-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar Fan,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/2010/02/091218_iPhoneCamPixes-060-003A-150x150.jpg) NASCAR Sprint Cup teams are back to short trackin' at Martinsville today and for some, it is time for something good to happen or they just might not be in the Chase this year. Sure, I know it is very early in the season and this is only the sixth race of the year but, that means there are only twenty weeks left after this one is over. To some, that sounds like a lot of time and maybe it is, but, points add up fast in both directions whether you're leading or losing... and some just can't afford to keep on going the way they are. I'm sure some are glad there will be a week off to regroup after the Goody's Fast Relief 500, if for no other reason, than they get a chance to breathe and think about the way the season is going this year. For others, they may not want to break their momentum and would prefer to just keep on going without a break. As for this fan, I think a week off will do some good for everyone. Once again, Kasey Kahne has shown up with a fast race car and easily took the pole for today's race. From my view, and judging from the way the truck race went for Kevin Harvick after starting from the pole, Kasey also has an excellent chance to get his first win as a Hendrick driver and it would be the 200th for Hendrick Motorsports. That is something all of the Hendrick teams have been trying to get for their owner since last season. Of course, with the way Kasey's luck has been running this year, sitting on the pole and having a fast car hasn't meant a trip to Victory Lane this year. So far, he has shown up with fast cars every weekend and is sitting 28th in points (a great disappoint to him, his team and this fans.) He just hasn't been able to finish anywhere near the front most weekends. Another that is looking for something good to happen would also be a member of Hendrick Motorsports. I'm sure everyone knows that would be Jeff Gordon and he hasn't had the kind of year anyone expected him to have. It's not that he hasn't had fast equipment and hasn't been performing well, it's just that he has had a problem with that beast called “racing luck” too. One thing about Jeff Gordon though... he won't throw in the towel until there is no hope left. Even then, he won't go down without putting up a valiant fight. There is nothing that would be better for him and his team than to finish in the top five today or, better yet, get that 200th win for his boss Rick Hendrick. From my view, that would be a great way for the #24 team to go into the week off and possibly gain some momentum for Texas. No matter how you look at it, this is a week Jeff Gordon needs a good finish. Unfortunately, there are a lot of good drivers and cars that intend to make it very difficult for either Kahne or Gordon to get that 200th win for Hendrick Motorsports. Just to mention a few of them would be names like Harvick, Hamlin, Bowyer, Newman, Vickers and Keselowski. All of them can win at Martinsville and none of them intend to pull over and let those other two just drive by them. If either Gordon or Kahne do end up in Victory Lane today, it won't be because they didn't work for it. Another wrinkle for the #5 and #24 teams would be their teammates of Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. Both of them want to be the ones that deliver that 200th win to Mr Hendrick and I expect both of them to be right in there fighting for the win when it comes down to the final laps. From this fan's view, the most obvious thing I've noticed about the Cup teams is that most of them are fast this year and there is very little speed difference between them. Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 6:26 http://justafansview.com/2012/03/25/the-auto-club-400-at-fontana-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/03/25/the-auto-club-400-at-fontana-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sun, 25 Mar 2012 12:37:34 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2739 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/03/25/the-auto-club-400-at-fontana-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar Fan,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 7:03 http://justafansview.com/2012/03/24/thoughts-after-bristol-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/03/24/thoughts-after-bristol-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2012 19:42:45 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2734 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/03/24/thoughts-after-bristol-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 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 6:55 http://justafansview.com/2012/03/18/a-look-back-at-vegas-and-ahead-to-short-tracking-bristol-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/03/18/a-look-back-at-vegas-and-ahead-to-short-tracking-bristol-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:25:16 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2730 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/03/18/a-look-back-at-vegas-and-ahead-to-short-tracking-bristol-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 http://justafansview.com/2012/03/08/phoenix-after-thoughts-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/03/08/phoenix-after-thoughts-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:41:54 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2715 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/03/08/phoenix-after-thoughts-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 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) ********************************************************************************************************* (http://nascarfansview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/20100220RSNTest001-120x150.jpg)There were several surprises at Phoenix International Raceway last Sunday afternoon and not all of them were associated with the winner of the race. Yes, it's true Denny Hamlin did end up in Victory Lane with the help of his new crew chief, Darian Grubb. As everyone knows, Darian Grubb was crew chief for Tony Stewart last year and has continued his winning ways with the number 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team. It should come as no surprise and now, statistically speaking, Grubb has won six out of the last 12 races in NASCAR as a crew chief. No matter how you look at it, or what you think about him, that's a very interesting statistic. It almost makes this fan wonder what Tony Stewart is thinking about his decision to release Darian Grubb and take on a new crew chief. (Notice I said , almost...) From this fan's view, it is way too early for someone to start second guessing himself and I am sure Tony isn't doing that. It is just interesting how the momentum generated during last years Chase seems to be following Grubb, at least for the moment. I guess time will tell if that continues or fades as the season progresses. Could it be that the expectations everyone had for Denny Hamlin last year is going to be something that happens this year? Well... as far as that goes, time will tell about that, too. The other most obvious surprise of the weekend had to do with the EFI system. It appears all the bugs are not yet worked out and, even though we know this is part of the learning curve, there are still a few problems the teams are going to have to learn how to contend with. It's just an observation from my view, but not only are the crew chiefs going to have to figure it out, but the drivers, too. It doesn't appear to be associated with any one car or team, but the differing minor problems are spread out over several teams and hardly ever is it the same problem for the same team. One possible reason there were problems at Phoenix could be because it did become a fuel mileage race as it has often been in the past. I was thinking with the introduction of EFI that it might not be that, but I was proved wrong and I guess I should have expected it. From my view, I do think EFI will eventually make a bigger difference in fuel mileage than it did in Phoenix. It does appear that the fuel pickups and some of the things drivers used to do to save fuel may have to be altered somewhat but, we all know these are just minor setbacks and challenges the engineers are more than willing to take on. Now, I understand that EFI is new to everyone and that problems and situations should be expected, so I'm not too worried about the ability of the different teams to figure it out. I do think, as we witnessed at Phoenix, that there may be some frustrated drivers and even some frustrated crews and crew chiefs until that happens but, I don't expect those problems to be long-lived. It is this fan's best guess that it is only a matter of time until things like this happening will be in the rear view mirror. Jimmie Johnson did exactly what he needed to do by finishing fourth to start digging himself out of the hole they were in after Speed Weeks in Daytona, with his trip into the wall early in lap two causing him to finish 43rd along with the penalties NASCAR imposed on them after the failed inspection. Although the jury is still out on the penalties for the crew chief and car chief, it does appear the team is already on the road to recovery. Just as a quick side note to that situation; I just have to put in my two cents about the whole thing. Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 6:55 http://justafansview.com/2012/03/04/sprint-cup-at-phoenix-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/03/04/sprint-cup-at-phoenix-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sun, 04 Mar 2012 12:29:09 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2707 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/03/04/sprint-cup-at-phoenix-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 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 6:36 http://justafansview.com/2012/03/01/daytona-after-thoughts-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/03/01/daytona-after-thoughts-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:00:43 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2700 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/03/01/daytona-after-thoughts-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar Fan,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)There has never been a Daytona like there was this year. When the checkered flag fell early on Tuesday morning, it ended an endurance race for the fans and the NASCAR cup teams. From the first ever postponement of the 500 to a burning Jet dryer, this Daytona 500 was one to remember for everyone, (at that's not even to mention, Dale Jr finished second and very well could have won.) From this fan's view it does look like NASCAR has managed to make the two car draft a lot less effective than it has been in recent Super Speedway races. The biggest problem seemed to be over heating in short order if they did try the two car draft and, at times, even when they were drafting in the pack. This fan wonders what kind of a problem that will be when the teams visit other tracks and Super Speedways and experience warmer temperatures than they had at Daytona. As for the EFI addition, the jury is still out but, it did appear there were very few problems with it. One noticeable problem was fluctuating fuel pressures and it did affect more than one car. It does appear the problem is somewhat related to the fuel pickups in the fuel cells but more input is needed from different tracks before it should be considered a major issue, at least from my view. As expected the Fords were fast and Matt Kenseth put his racing prowess and the horsepower under the hood to use to take the victory over Dale Jr and Greg Biffle out of the final turn. It does appear, at least for the time being, that one car is as fast (or maybe a little faster) than two when it comes to those final dashes for the flag. Side drafting works again and timing is everything in the last 1000 feet or so to the finish line. That was one thing that was evident, at least to this fan, in all of the Cup races this last weekend. Danica Patrick had a rough start to her Speed Weeks and entry into the NASCAR circuit full time. Some said she was in over her head and others said she shouldn't be there. I, however, disagree with the negativity she may have endured during Speed Weeks. From this fan's view, her accidents had very little (or absolutely nothing) to do with her actions on the track. Her accidents were caused by others she was racing with and she suffered the crashes much as Jimmie Johnson did with a little help from Elliott Sadler in the first two laps of the 500 Monday night. There was nothing he could do and there was nothing she could do after the contact. Both of them were, “along for the ride,” and Danica more than once over the last weekend. In this fan's opinion, Danica is a good racer and a grand addition to both the Nationwide and Cup series and just a good addition to the overall picture of NASCAR. How she will do remains to be seen but it is this fan's opinion she will do well. The more seat time she gets, the better she will do and let's not forget, when it came to finishing the Daytona 500, hardly anyone believed she would finish ahead of four time Champion, Jeff Gordon or five time Champion, Jimmie Johnson, but she did. Yeah, I know Jeff's engine blew near the halfway point of the race and Jimmie's car was pretty much destroyed in the accident that took him out on lap two, but Danica was also caught up in Johnson's accident. After her team put her car back in race-able shape, she ran well the rest of the night in “the pack” and finished 38th. Well, as I said in the earlier article for Daytona, it was unpredictable. I don't think anyone expected the postponement for rain and I know no one expected one of the Jet Dryers to be caught up in a collision with one of the Cup cars, Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 6:32 http://justafansview.com/2012/02/26/the-500-will-cap-an-exciting-2012-speed-weeks-at-daytona-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/02/26/the-500-will-cap-an-exciting-2012-speed-weeks-at-daytona-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:49:21 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2694 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/02/26/the-500-will-cap-an-exciting-2012-speed-weeks-at-daytona-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 http://justafansview.com/2012/02/22/daytona-danica-and-the-duels-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/02/22/daytona-danica-and-the-duels-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:48:14 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2690 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/02/22/daytona-danica-and-the-duels-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 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