The Chase is On...

Richmond...not for us old people

No, I couldn't hang.  I tried to stay awake for the last non chase event to see who the final wild cards would be.  But about 12ish, I guess Scott got tired of my snoring and turned off the TV.  Imagine my surprise when I woke up Sunday morning to find out Bowyer won and Gordon somehow came back to make the Chase field.

I was stunned to say the least.  With the field set, the "real" racing begins.  Not only within the chase drivers, but with those drivers trying to hang on to sponsors and seats.  It is irksome that it starts to really get good about the time college football gets going.  I'll deal.  At least, football plays in the rain.

On to Chicago

The boys started rolling into Chitown Wednesday evening, promoting the 12 drivers that made the Chase.  I'm not crazy about the track itself, another tri-oval.  Whoopee.  But what does intrigue me is the Chitown weather.  You just never know what you'll get up there.  The weather has been known change quickly.

Per the weather.com, the high for Sunday is 80 with a low of 55.  The weather will be cool, breezy with of course, NASCAR rain on Friday.  What does this mean for the cars?  Well, for drivers that like loose or "free" cars, it could be trouble.  Cool temps normally = tight cars.  And a track with a lot of grip.  So the successful driver will probably be the one whose crew chief manages tire wear but most importantly times the pit stops.

And those pit stops just might come under green.  Cause Chicago can be a napper.  Like boring.  Who do I like for this race?  Well, Junior likes it.  But I'd keep an eye on the Bif.  I think he likes creeping on these guys.  As usual, my pick is Kez.

Chase Predictions

I know there has got to be some statistical algorithm NASCAR prediction guru out there somewhere.  You know, some nerdy little engineer that has come up with some regression analysis to predict the chase winner.  God bless him or her, I hope it works and they make off like a bandit in Vegas.

But I've got my on predictions and reasons for 'em with out all that math.  Not only do I think the Chase driver need to watch Bif at Chicago, they better keep on eye on him down the stretch.  He's just been there all season.  And you can't count out JimBob.  That boy can finesse a car.  He definitely has smooth down to a fine art.  Plus he has that entire Hendrick thing going for him, which doesn't hurt.

Of course the fan favorite is Joonyah.  And if he ever had another chance to bag the big trophy, by far this is it.  He better but his big boy britches on and drive his hiney off.  It is definitely time for him to Dew it to it!!  Stewart might also be a force, but I'm thinking he might of should of kept his crew chief from last year.  If he gets his game face on, he could prove to be a contender.  But y'all know that saying about a frog and wings, right?

And lastly, my favorite...Bradly.  The Kez.  It's a sentimental choice.  I'll confess.  I want to see him win one for the Captain.  For Dodge.  But also because he comes from a racing family.  A family that never got rich racing.  His Daddy didn't buy his ride.  That boy worked hard and earned it.

It would mean a lot to us ARCA folks.  To have one of "ours" move up and bring home the big win.  And I think those us who have kept watching, you know us "old" fans from back then, we'd like to see this kid win it too.  He is kind of a throwback to when racers did more than hold the steering wheel and tote a helmet.

So, I'm pulling for Kez.  Win. Lose. Draw.  So, who you got?

5150 in NASCAR

Sheesh...it is getting plum nuts in NASCAR.  Tony Stewart lost his primary sponsor, then resigned Newman. My boy Kez is getting cred for calling out the slight variances in tolerance for Hendrick car set ups.  Of course the icing on the cake is the official announcement of Kenseth to JGR sending Lagono to the 22.  I might have possibly missed some of the minor action, but I think these are the big things that warrent some futher commenting.

Office Depot leaving SHR? Wow.  Right after a championship season.  Weird.  And sort of out of the blue.  Not like there has been any talk of Office Depot being in "play" with other teams.  This seams to be a financial move for Office Depot.  So I checked some financial data and realized that the company, which has been with Stewart since 2009 has had lackluster sales throughout the poor economy.  The OD announcement doesen't say "Gone for good".  So maybe they will be back in some capacity.

Very glad to see Ryan Newman resign a one year deal with SHR.  News is that he has races open for sponsorship.  Newman hasn't been real flashy this year, but has managed one victory.  He stands 17th in points and is very doubtful for the chase. 

The departure of the ARMY sponsorship is a hard hit for SHR.  It is also kind of sad.  Newman spent a lot of time visiting bases and hospitals and extending a warm welcome to military personel in the pits.  A lot of this never made the news.  NASCAR fans tend to be very patriotic and conservative.  I really hate to see the ARMY go.

My boy Kez done called 'em out!
Reckon the news that NASCAR is placing "limits" on rear suspension movement is in NO way a reaction Kez calling them out after Bristol.  The Hendricks driver were none to happy with Kez.  But my Granny Fussell always said a bit dog will bark.  Now all you Junior fans, no hate mail.  Looks like NASCAR wasn't willing to let the Hendrick engineers travel any further into the "gray area" also known as cheating.

Way to go Kez!!

Kenseth leaving Ford...to drive a Toyota????
I would have never believed this one.  And I'm thinking when I see it at Daytona, then it just might be real.  I've never seen Matt Kenseth drive anything that didn't have a blue oval on it.  What were you detroit idiots thinking??  Kenseth might be a little on the oatmeal side, but he has been a solid player for Ford and Roush for years.  I still can't quite wrap my brain around him leaving.

But on the other hand, I have a tremendous respect for Joe Gibbs.  He has a team that I would gladly work for. (Scott says I'd work for any of 'em.  I'm old an have gotten a bit ticky.)  Coach Gibbs is an amazing man of integrity...a Godly man...and places a very high value on family.  With Kenseth and wife Katie's family growing, maybe this is a good fit for them.  I truly wish him success.  I think Matt will bring some maturity to the Gibbs team and will allow them to grow and attract sponsors.

The Kicker, Lagano to Penske
Well, well.  I admit I didn't see this one coming.  By far, this might be the best decision this kid has made in his career...other than moving down south!  Penske's very well oiled and structured environment has proven to be successful for several young drivers, most recently Keselowski.

The kid needed more time in the Busch series to mature as a driver and young adult before being thrown in the Cup series.  He has struggled and probably wouldn't have made it this far had it not been for Joe Gibbs.  So I applaud this decision Joey.  And it makes it even better that your team mate kind of picked you out too.  Kez will be a good mentor for Joey.  I think the two of them will be able to work together and bring the Captain his 2nd series title.

That's right...my pick is still the Kez for the big trophy!!  All the way to Homestead Kez and bring home that hardware!