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/2012/04/19/texas-a-triumph-for-biffle-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/04/19/texas-a-triumph-for-biffle-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:57:28 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2759 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/04/19/texas-a-triumph-for-biffle-from-just-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar,Nascar Fan *************************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) Greg Biffle won the Samsung Mobile 500 last Saturday night... but then, you already knew that. He also broke a 49 race drought of being in Victory Lane... but that's just about all you heard about his victory all week, too. So, what else is there to talk about when it comes to the race at Texas Motor Speedway? Well... I guess that depends. You see, Greg Biffle not only has the points lead, but he has a victory to go with it. Some would say he is on a tear (while others may say “on a roll”) and that's okay because either one fits. Compared to last year, he is doing great and is running consistently up front. Even if he runs into some rough races in the weeks ahead, that victory will carry some weight along the way for him, but, he will probably need more than one if the bottom does drop out for him. Add to all that the fact that Roush teams have a tendency to run well at 1 ½ mile tracks and it is very possible he could win at least one more (and probably more than that.) Some have already crowned him the Cup Champion for the year and they could be right. Even with the new points system, he really needs to stumble for most of the field to even stay close to him, but this fan thinks it is way to soon to be naming someone to take the Cup Championship. Yeah, it's true he has looked unstoppable so far and all of his finishes are in the top fifteen but that doesn't always mean he will continue with his present stats. Admittedly, it does look like he is going to continue with his strong showing but, this is not quite 1/3 of the way into the season. From this point on, anything can happen even if it is someone (or several someones) hitting a hot streak and the #16 team just having decent finishes outside the top ten. If that does happen, there is always the possibility Biffle and his team could start trying to press their own envelope to try and regain the performance levels they've enjoyed in this early part of the year and begin to fall backwards in the points. Of course you know this is just speculation from this fan's view but it could happen. Once again, the Hendrick teams didn't score the 200th victory for their boss, Rick Hendrick but all of them did have a good day at TMS. (I hate to state the obvious, but two of them, Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon, really needed it.) It did appear that Jimmie Johnson was going to take home the trophy and the honors for scoring number two hundred for Hendrick MotorSports, but Biffle's power slide past him as they dealt with lap traffic late in the race put an end to that possibility. Michael Waltrip Racing had a very good showing with two from that camp finishing in the top ten. Mark Martin lead the way for MWR finishing third and Martin Truex Jr finishing sixth. It is very obvious that MWR has turned a corner on performance issues of the past and all three teams are showing up every weekend with fast cars and good race-day runs. That doesn't mean they are perfect yet, but it does mean they could be in Victory Lane at any time in the near future. From this fan's view, Texas proved just how close the main teams are running these days and how important track position is every week. It also showed that Roush Racing has a strong grip performance-wise on the 1 ½ mile tracks and that could prove to be a good thing, in particular for Greg Biffle and the #16 team. It just may mean that Greg Biffle does have a chance at staying at the top of the points, at least up to Chase time. Then again, it could mean absolutely nothing at all for him or Roush Racing when the Chase begins. Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 5:58 http://justafansview.com/2012/01/18/welcome-nascar-fans-to-2012-and-just-a-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/01/18/welcome-nascar-fans-to-2012-and-just-a-fans-view/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:10:18 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2661 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/01/18/welcome-nascar-fans-to-2012-and-just-a-fans-view/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/2011/10/08/chase-race-four-at-kansas-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/10/08/chase-race-four-at-kansas-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sat, 08 Oct 2011 18:20:17 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2558 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/10/08/chase-race-four-at-kansas-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar,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)Unpredictable... that's what I would call the race that will take place on Sunday afternoon at Kansas Speedway. Well, maybe that is a little strong, but I do know the pressure is on all of the Chasers, (especially those that need a good finish), and Kansas is a very challenging track. It isn't the kind of place any of the Chasers that are struggling a bit want to have problems at and even though they put on good face, you can tell all of them are feeling the pressure to perform. And then you have all of those that aren't in the Chase. They only feel the heat of wanting to win and that makes for very interesting circumstances for all involved in this race. For starters, the starting lineup has five Chasers and five non-Chasers. Greg Biffle isn't in the Chase but is sitting on the pole and he is the defending winner from this time last year. Of course, right along with Greg B iffle are a couple of his teammates from Roush Racing. Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth are just as capable of taking the win Sunday afternoon and they start second and fourth and are in the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship. From my view, this is definitely one of the Chase races of 2011 that I think is likely to be won by a non-Chaser. (Yeah, I know I've said that more than once, but I really do think there is a greater likelihood of it happening this weekend than any so far.) Let me repeat myself one more time... Kansas Speedway is unpredictable (and for more than one reason.) So, what are some of those reasons? Well, I'm glad you asked and I am more than willing to give my opinion (as you already know.) Kansas is a different one-and-a-half mile track than most any other the NASCAR teams face. It is basically a flat track but it is a fast track. The two ends of it are different enough that the drivers have to handle them differently. The biggest concern I hear voiced by the drivers is the exit of turn four. After that, the next biggest concern is the seams in the asphalt. Both of them together seem to make the racing grooves a challenge for the drivers, especially when they are racing two or three wide in the turns and elsewhere on the track and can't choose their favorite line. Now don't misunderstand, I'm not saying the track is precarious but I am saying it is unpredictable and there is a difference. Precarious means dangerous, risky or perilous. I don't think Kansas is that. I do think it is unpredictable and for me, that means there is no guarantee that the line a driver used the last time around that the car is going to respond the same way the next time around, depending of course on the circumstances. I guess the next question is which make is going to end up with the win Sunday afternoon. From this fan's view, that is the question that is going to be the hardest to answer until the race is about half way over. We all know that a Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota sat on the pole last weekend and fell like a rock through the field for the whole race. Will the same thing happen to Greg Biffle and his Roush/Fenway Ford Sunday afternoon? That is a very good question and it is one of those things I was referring to earlier when I said we won't know until the race is about half over. I don't expect any of the Roush Fords to fall like rocks through the field, but since we are talking about NASCAR Cup and possibly basing performance on qualifying times, I guess it could happen. From this fan's view, I just don't think it is likely and I do expect them to be in contention at the end of the race. Overall, Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:55 http://justafansview.com/2011/10/05/the-monster-leaves-its-mark-on-the-chase-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/10/05/the-monster-leaves-its-mark-on-the-chase-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:00:20 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2552 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/10/05/the-monster-leaves-its-mark-on-the-chase-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar,Nascar fan opinion,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)The Monster Mile at Dover left its mark on the top twelve contenders in the Chase for the 2011 Sprint Cup Championship. Shaking up the points a bit was only part of the story as the day was a struggle for some but there's one thing it wasn't... it wasn't a fuel mileage race. Even though several of the teams did experience problems, mistakes on pit road and often changing track conditions (mostly due to the differences of rubber in the racing groove), the points race tightened up, at least in the top nine spots. The biggest losers on the day (as far the Chasers) were Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Ryan Newman and Brad Keselowski. All of them finished twentieth or worse and that was not what any of them wanted or needed. With these four finishing where they did, it helped tighten up the points, (at least somewhat), and makes the coming weekend in Kansas all the more interesting. From this fan's view, Jimmie Johnson appeared to be about the only Hendrick or Hendrick associated team that had any kind of handle on the concrete Monster and he finished second to Kurt Bush. Things may have turned out a bit different if it hadn't been for two cautions close to each other near the end of the race and he did lead the most laps. Compared to him, the rest of the Hendrick teams struggled all weekend and Sunday afternoon was no different. In my opinion, it appears the Hendrick engineers have a little work to do on their concrete surface setups. The problem with that statement is that Jimmie Johnson ran well. I'm guessing the rest of the teams are wondering why he was hooked up so well and they weren't. I'm also guessing there will be some figuring going on amongst the engineers and the crew chiefs in the days ahead. Although the finishing order for the race was part of the puzzle, the biggest shift took place in the points of the top twelve. Even though Jeff Gordon dropped four places in the points, he still closed the gap slightly points-wise bringing him to within nineteen points of leaders, Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards. Brad Keselowski had a few problems during the race and he dropped three places to sixth. Tony Stewart dropped two places to third, Kyle Bush dropped two places to eighth and Dale Jr dropped two places to tenth. The biggest gains were made by both Kurt Bush and Jimmie Johnson. They both gained five spots each putting them fourth and fifth in the points battle. A quick look at the finishing order did show there are more than just Chasers running well and Kasey Kahne finally had a finish that matched his overall performance in the race and he finished fourth on the day. Teammates AJ Allmendinger and Marcos Ambrose both finished in the top ten along with Clint Bowyer. Denny Hamlin is continuing his struggle for the 2011 season. He didn't have a stellar day but nothing really major happened and he did finish eighteenth. That means he didn't loose a lot of ground on those ahead of him in the Chase, but from this fan's view, he is pretty much relegated to finishing twelfth in the Chase. He is only sixty-eight points behind, but with the different points system this year, that is a lot of ground to make up. I kinda feel for his fans, but sometimes in racing you just go through a bad stretch. It looks like the 2011 season is one of those for him and his fans can only hope his luck either turns around quickly or, at the very least, it doesn't carry over into next year. Some would call this a character building time and it remains to be seen how he and the #11 team come away from this. Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 8:51 http://justafansview.com/2011/09/27/chase-race-two-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/09/27/chase-race-two-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:12:11 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2529 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/09/27/chase-race-two-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar,Nascar fan opinion *******************************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)Chase race number two for the NASCAR Sprint Cup series didn't really go as I expected except for one thing and that was that it was a fuel mileage race right down to the wire (which I did say it would be in my pre-race article.) Now, let me remind you, I'm not bragging but it does feel good to be right more often than it does to be wrong. I don't have to point this out (but I will) and that is the fact, Tony Stewart waited all year to win a race and now he has won the first two Chase races. A few weeks ago he was lamenting how poorly they were running and they weren't likely to do well in the Chase (even if they made it) and now he sits atop the standings in the run for the 2011 Cup Championship and even though his lead is slim in points, he is one that absolutely has to be considered as one of the major contenders for the Championship. I am somewhat surprised at how many people are complaining about the number of fuel mileage races there have been this year. Another surprising complaint is how those that complain, in particular, seem to think NASCAR should do something about it and that the race should not be decided on fuel strategy. (It strikes this fan as peculiar when all the rest of the time these same folks complain that NASCAR tries to alter the outcome of a race by throwing debris cautions and now it sounds as if they want them to throw a caution so the race won't be decided by strategy.) Let me just say, I do understand what they are saying, but, I do think the strategy for fuel and tires is just part of the overall picture when it comes to racing in NASCAR these days. Yeah, I understand what they're saying, (especially when the driver I would rather see win loses because of a late race caution which alters his track position by erasing a large lead or some other advantage he may have acquired because of an extended green flag run.) But I also understand that fuel mileage is not a result of some miraculous or hidden agenda, or because one make has an advantage over the others (although there is that possibility even though NASCAR tries its level best to keep things as even as possible). It is a calculated item and the engine builders and crew chiefs figure what they need to accomplish with the amount of fuel they have and yet perform well and then they put it in the hands of the drivers to “save” all they can and still be at the front with fuel still in the tank when the checkered flag falls. I guess I just don't see what is wrong with fuel mileage deciding the result of a race. From my view, it makes the end of the race just as dramatic and just as much a mystery until all of them drive across the finish line. I mean, over the last two races we have witnessed a large difference in the finishing order over what it might have been just a lap or two earlier. If you don't think it is dramatic, just ask those that have run out of fuel and lost a bunch of spots and points on those last two laps. (Uh... can anyone say, Denny Hamlin?) He has to be one of the most disappointed drivers actually in the Chase with the kind of things he has suffered in the 2011 season. I'm sure he and his team are looking over their shoulders to see what lurks there. If it can go wrong, it has gone wrong for them this year, (and unless something big happens, I just don't see them anywhere in the mix for the Championship at all.) His teammate, Kyle Bush, didn't have a great day either, but he did manage to pick a few spots back up from last week's terrible performance. It seems to this fan, Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:34 http://justafansview.com/2011/09/25/chase-race-two-at-loudon-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/09/25/chase-race-two-at-loudon-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sun, 25 Sep 2011 12:17:36 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2525 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/09/25/chase-race-two-at-loudon-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 http://justafansview.com/2011/09/04/sprint-cup-night-racing-at-atlanta-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/09/04/sprint-cup-night-racing-at-atlanta-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sun, 04 Sep 2011 22:37:50 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2495 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/09/04/sprint-cup-night-racing-at-atlanta-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar,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 7:30 http://justafansview.com/2011/07/02/nascar-at-daytona-from-a-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/07/02/nascar-at-daytona-from-a-fans-view/#comments Sat, 02 Jul 2011 16:54:35 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2421 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/07/02/nascar-at-daytona-from-a-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar,Nascar Articles,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)The big question has already been answered about the Coke Zero 400 in Daytona this weekend. That question was how the different drivers were going to handle the “Two Car Draft”, (some call it “the Two Car Tango”), but it was answered before they got to Daytona this week. Many had already started planning their strategy a couple of weeks ago and most had already chosen their partners for drafting before unloading their cars off the haulers. It still remains to be seen how that strategy plays out simply because “stuff” happens in restrictor plate racing that can't be forseen and this fan doesn't see this night race at the super speedway being any different. The next big question was wondering who would actually sit on the pole and that was answered Friday in the late afternoon and early evening. Mark Martin was fastest and took his fiftieth career pole in NASCAR Cup. He and the Daytona 500 winner for 2011, Trevor Bayne, will make up the front row. Yeah, I know many, (including myself), downplay the importance of qualifying on a regular basis but I do find it interesting that a fifty two year old and a twenty year old make up the front row. (Some have even said it is the old and new of it.) From this fan's view, after observing the practice session and qualifying (even though qualifying doesn't tell us anything about the way the race will go), I don't see this race being that much different than the race in February. The track is still smooth and still has a lot of grip according to the drivers. And it is very obvious it will be two-by-two unless someone discovers how to go faster in groups of three or four. I look forward to this race with mixed emotions and it is my opinion the two car draft has changed restrictor plate racing completely. Now, when I say mixed emotions, I'm not saying they are negative emotions, I'm just saying restrictor plate racing is different than it was. In some ways, I kinda miss the big packs and watching them swap positions lap after lap. It seemed there was little to distract those watching because, at any moment, someone in that large pack of cars could get just a little squirrely and suddenly there would be mayhem and a bunch of spinning and sliding cars often changing the possible outcome of the race. The “big one” usually affected more than just those close to the action, it affected anyone that couldn't get out of the way. In those big packs, it could have been a contender, or someone with no chance of winning, that was taken completely out of contention and it didn't matter which number was on the side of the car or who was driving. With the two car draft, there is still a lot of action and they still run in packs. The difference is, (at least from my view), there is a bit of separation and when one of the twosomes get a run, they seem to blow by everyone and then they hit a wall. Of course you know I'm not talking about a literal wall (at least, most of the time) but a wall of air that seems to slow their progress and let's someone else take over until they hit that same momentum killer. In this case, momentum is key and that is what makes the end of the race so interesting. The teams have to time their move just right if they want to win. A great example of this was the race at Talladega in the spring. With eight of the contenders finishing four abreast and only thousandths of a second apart at the finish line, to me that says the finish at Daytona tonight could be one of the most exciting in recent history, including the race in February and the one at Talladega. Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:23 http://justafansview.com/2011/06/04/nascar-at-kansas-from-a-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/06/04/nascar-at-kansas-from-a-fans-view/#comments Sat, 04 Jun 2011 23:28:30 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2377 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/06/04/nascar-at-kansas-from-a-fans-view/feed/ 0 motorsports,Nascar,Nascar fan opinion MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 Kansas in early June is quite a bit different than Kansas in September or October. Many already know that, but what will be the biggest difference this weekend? 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)Kansas in early June is quite a bit different than Kansas in September or October. Many already know that, but what will be the biggest difference this weekend? That's a great question and one that will only be answered by the cars taking to the track on Sunday afternoon. We already know it's going to be hot and humid but how the tires help or hinder the cars this weekend is a bit of an unknown. If things go as usual, the tires will be the least of the worries the teams have but the heat and humidity may be a little bit more difficult to deal with. I think the heat will make a difference and a big one as the NASCAR Cup teams hit the track Sunday and one of the biggest problems will be keeping the drivers cool. In my opinion, racing in the heat of the day in the Midwest will prove a challenge to the drivers and the engines and whether or not they last through the shear torture will determine the one that ends up in Victory Lane. From this fan's view, the Hendrick teams didn't qualify well and even though they were able to post some fast times to enter into qualifying, they still appear to be struggling. Mark Martin qualified best for the Hendrick teams but placed in the eighteenth position. It only got worse from there for the other three with Jeff Gordon 22nd, Dale Jr, 28th and Jimmie Johnson 31 st. Of course we all know it isn't how a car qualifies, it is how it races over a number of laps before having to pit, but from my view, it appears the Hendrick teams could have a mediocre day ahead of them unless they can run strong over the long haul and consistently move forward through the pack. I have to admit, especially the way things have been going for him lately, Kurt Bush winning the pole was a complete surprise to me, (and I would be willing to bet, no matter what he says, he was surprised, too.) He turned his lap early in the the qualifying session and it did stand the test of the the other competitors, which could very well tell us something about how the race is going to go tomorrow. That's not to say he will win, but it could mean even the Dodges have a chance. Greg Biffle hopes to break out of his run of bad luck and Kansas is one of his better tracks. He may not have qualified well, but he was very confident in the way his car was going to race. He and Carl Edwards are favored by many to win the STP 400 and it could be, the Roush Fords rule the day again. I think the Fords are looking mighty tough and it could be a very strong day for all of the Fords. Something that really sticks out at me is the way all of the different teams qualified. Some of the faster cars from the practice sessions didn't really show that much speed in qualifying and ones that were slower in practice ended up surprisingly higher in the lineup. Whether or not that situation remains as obvious on race-day will only be known after the race is over. One thing that all will have to deal with will be the condition of the track simply because of the afternoon heat. I expect the biggest complaint from the drivers will be they have no grip and I also think they are going to drive their crew chiefs crazy asking for more bite off the turns. Although it is true the track is wide and has sweeping turns, it also has only minimal banking in those turns and that should prove to make the racing interesting. The sealer they use to fill in the cracks in the asphalt bothers many, if not most, of the drivers and the ones that can adapt to the slippery feel caused by that sealer will move toward the front on a consistent basis throughout the afternoon, at least in my opinion. In the same way, others will simply do all they can to try and stay on the lead lap and hope for the best. Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:41 http://justafansview.com/2011/05/25/nascar-all-star-after-thoughts-from-a-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/05/25/nascar-all-star-after-thoughts-from-a-fans-view/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 15:57:30 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2361 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/05/25/nascar-all-star-after-thoughts-from-a-fans-view/feed/ 0 motorsports,Nascar,Nascar Sprint Cup Racing MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 - Say what you will, but even though Carl Edwards didn't win all the segments Saturday night, he did dominate the All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In fact, 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)Say what you will, but even though Carl Edwards didn't win all the segments Saturday night, he did dominate the All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In fact, from this fan's view, after the first segment, there was little doubt in my mind he was going to win his first million dollar race. Oh I know it's easy for me to say now, but in all honesty, even though Greg Biffle looked strong in the first part, there was hardly any doubt in my mind the race was going to be between Kyle Bush and Carl Edwards. At the risk of sounding like a disgruntled fan, (which I'm not), even though there was a lot of hype leading up to the Saturday night, almost no holds barred event, I felt this was one of the more dull All-Star races, at least in my recent memory. Now, I'm not saying it wasn't a good race; I'm just saying it was kinda uneventful. Though there was always the hope something might happen, it seemed to me, there were faster cars and slower ones and once they got sorted out, they mostly played follow the leader. From my view, the only times the race was really exciting was during the double file restarts and once again, after they got sorted out, (which didn't take long), it was mostly follow the leader and a lot of single file laps. Oh, I know it sounds like I'm complaining, but really... I'm not. I found it interesting, as did others, that the Hendrick and Richard Childress teams performed so poorly. The Childress teams were basically a non-issue for the whole night even though Clint Bowyer started up front. He quickly dropped to the back to hardly be heard from again. As for the Hendrick teams, well... it is just my opinion, but to me it seems they have been hurting for a thing called “speed” since late in the season last year. At no time recently have they been the dominating factor the were in the past. Yes, I know they're all running okay, but they just don't seem to have the horsepower or the handling to run with the Fords and Toyotas. Speaking of the Fords, the Roush Fords are looking pretty tough. They have certainly gotten their mile and a half track program down and it looks like they are still wanting to make a statement with their FR-9 engines. Since they (and all of the Fords) have switched over to that engine, they have been showing some muscle and Carl Edwards, in particular, has made it known by his performance he is ready to challenge Jimmie Johnson for the Championship this year. Matt Kenseth has also been quietly making a statement of his own and one has to wonder if he isn't going to be challenging Johnson and Edwards during the Chase also. From this fans view, he has always been one to quietly move toward the front by the end of a race, (especially recently), and I think it has a lot to do with the FR-9 engine, too. Yeah, I know he has also struggled a bit, but I do think he is back to that quiet confidence that says, “Hey, you can ignore me for a while, but just wait... you're gonna be staring at my bumper, a lot and soon.” Unfortunately, Greg Biffle has had some fast cars, but just hasn't been able to put a whole race together yet. This fan thinks the time for him to win is coming soon and it may not be just one and done. He may end up with two or three victories on the season and I am sure he is ready for it to start anytime now. David Ragan has also had fast cars but hasn't been able to put together his end game. I'm not saying he won't, and he has been qualifying and running consistently good, but they just haven't shown that end of the race strength yet. There are those of the opinion the Childress and Hendrick teams were using this last weekend as a test session for this coming weekend. Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 6:38 http://justafansview.com/2011/05/07/nascar-at-darlington-from-a-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/05/07/nascar-at-darlington-from-a-fans-view/#comments Sat, 07 May 2011 20:35:43 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2330 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/05/07/nascar-at-darlington-from-a-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar,Nascar Sprint Cup Racing Darlington... it has a history and it is well known amongst NASCAR fans everywhere. It is narrow and a little under a one and half mile oval (actually around one and a third mile) and the nicknames given it over time are, (http://www.twobuckthemes.com/images/affbannerblank2.jpg) (http://justafansview.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/2009JAFVrussPix-150x150.jpg)Darlington... it has a history and it is well known amongst NASCAR fans everywhere. It is narrow and a little under a one and half mile oval (actually around one and a third mile) and the nicknames given it over time are, “the Lady in Black” as well as the track “Too Tough To Tame.” You don't have to believe me when I tell you, but you can ask any of the drivers, it lives up to both of those. It was built in 1949 and, as many know already, it is known as the first “super-speedway” in NASCAR. It has long been known as a driver's track and the fastest way around it on a consistent basis is around the top right up against the wall. Some say, aside from the faster speed, the real reason they run up so close to the wall is in case something goes wrong, their contact with the wall won't cause as much damage to their car and they will hopefully be able to continue without too much trouble. As a fan, I have long heard the commentators talk about the drivers earning their “Darlington stripe” and that particular comment is still used today. Sure, I know there are those that don't know much about the track, but that's only because they haven't been around NASCAR very long. Though it is a challenge, the drivers really like to race on the historical track that has a well known history of being exactly that... a challenge. It tests them and their abilities “to the max.” From this fan's view, one thing that just might make tonight's race more interesting than normal is the fact that much of practice was rained out on Friday. Sure, the Cup teams did get to spend some time on the track, but whether or not it was enough time to get a grip on on the tires Goodyear brought this year is still an unknown. Some worked on their race setup and some worked on their qualifying setup in the little time they spent on the track and, from my view, we really won't know who has the best setup until they put in some race laps. Personally, I think that is why the possible contenders for the win won't really be known until about half way and after a few pit stops for adjustments. That being said, there are several drivers that just perform well at Darlington and I expect them to be in contention from the start, even though it may take a bit for them to get their cars the way they need them to be. From my view that is the real unknown – the thing that is going to make this race at the track “Too Tough To Tame” more interesting than normal. So... who are the drivers I'm thinking generally do well at Darlington and probably will again tonight? Well, there are several and just because they generally do well doesn't mean they will. Some to watch will be names like Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin. Others I think will have a good night will be Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Bush, Marcos Ambrose and AJ Allmendinger. (Of course, there are those that hope Dale Jr will also be around at the end to make some noise, too.) I can't help but think they will all make some kind of a statement tonight but there are two I've purposely saved until the last. Of course, that would be Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon and both of them have a history of running well at the Lady In Black, in particular, Jeff Gordon. Mark Martin probably doesn't jump to the front of peoples minds to win tonight, but he is always a threat to come out on top just about anywhere he goes. Of course I'm not saying he is going to be a threat tonight, but I am saying we need to keep an eye on him. Now, from this fan's view and with the kind of luck he's been having, Jeff Gordon may or may not be the one we see leading the pack to the checkers tonight. He is the one that has the most wins entering into tonight's race and has a very good record at the track. Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:18