Halfway(?) Home...
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07/01/2015 J. L. Steele |
As NASCAR returns to Daytona for the race formerly known as the Firecracker 400, the sport begins its unofficial second half. With 16 races in the books and 20 to go, we're not really at the halfway point. Just call it NASCAR math. Just as they credit drivers with having "home tracks" just because they're racing in the same state a driver is from, they've also always considered the return trip to Daytona as the beginning of the second half. What have we learned so far? Some questions have been answered while others await.
Can Kevin Harvick repeat as champion? Yes.Although he hasn't won since mid-March, he's been as consistent as any driver could hope to be. He's finished in the top 10 in all but two races and has 11 top 5's. That's only three less than he had in all of last season. Looking at the Chase races, tracks that he is strongest at are scheduled in such a way that it's possible he could win in each of the first three segments. Even if he doesn't, fans should still expect to see him in contention at Homestead.
Is Martin Truex, Jr. a serious Chase threat? Absolutely. His was probably the best "feel good" story of the season's first half. A threat to win for several weeks, he of course became Chase eligible with his Pocono win. We all know that not all of the 16 drivers who will make the field are serious threats to win the title but Truex is. With 14 top 10's of his own, he's having as strong of a season as anyone not named Harvick. Some might discount the single car operation and their lack of Chase experience but if you still question their ability to compete on a weekly basis, you haven't been watching what they've done. With what he's been through personally and professionally in the past year, he probably laughs at the thought of feeling pressure on the track.
Will Kyle Busch make the Chase? Get ready because that's the questions all the NASCAR wags will be talking about from now until the time he does or does not. Winning at Sonoma got him the win he needed, now he needs to climb inside the top 30 in points. Without knocking the guys he's chasing, none of them have the level of talent Kyle has and none of their teams are on the same level as Joe Gibbs Racing. With Kenseth and Hamlin both in the Chase, you can bet that organization will throw every resource behind the effort of making Busch Chase eligible. Arguing whether or not he should have been granted a waiver is moot at this point. Arguing whether he can and will make the final 16 is another matter and I say yes he will. Kyle Busch will leave Richmond in the Chase for the Championship field.
Will Tony Stewart win this year? Or ever?! The three time champion arrived at Daytona announcing that he was ready to resume being the old Tony Stewart. The only problem is, the old Tony Stewart used to win races consistently and was a factor even in races he didn't win. This new version of old Tony has only one top 10 and that came at Bristol when late race crashed took out several contenders. Entering Daytona, his average finishing position is 25.3 this season. Comments he made last weekend to the Associated Press didn't exactly inspire confidence in his supporters. He admitted that although he thinks part of the problem is managing the current rules package versus his driving style, he also stated that he's not really sure what the problem is. When a driver of his ability and history makes an admission like that, it shows just how far he and his team have to go to figure it out. Although it would be nice to see Smoke pull out a win this year, chances are he doesn't.
Can Kevin Harvick repeat as champion? Yes.Although he hasn't won since mid-March, he's been as consistent as any driver could hope to be. He's finished in the top 10 in all but two races and has 11 top 5's. That's only three less than he had in all of last season. Looking at the Chase races, tracks that he is strongest at are scheduled in such a way that it's possible he could win in each of the first three segments. Even if he doesn't, fans should still expect to see him in contention at Homestead.
Is Martin Truex, Jr. a serious Chase threat? Absolutely. His was probably the best "feel good" story of the season's first half. A threat to win for several weeks, he of course became Chase eligible with his Pocono win. We all know that not all of the 16 drivers who will make the field are serious threats to win the title but Truex is. With 14 top 10's of his own, he's having as strong of a season as anyone not named Harvick. Some might discount the single car operation and their lack of Chase experience but if you still question their ability to compete on a weekly basis, you haven't been watching what they've done. With what he's been through personally and professionally in the past year, he probably laughs at the thought of feeling pressure on the track.
Will Kyle Busch make the Chase? Get ready because that's the questions all the NASCAR wags will be talking about from now until the time he does or does not. Winning at Sonoma got him the win he needed, now he needs to climb inside the top 30 in points. Without knocking the guys he's chasing, none of them have the level of talent Kyle has and none of their teams are on the same level as Joe Gibbs Racing. With Kenseth and Hamlin both in the Chase, you can bet that organization will throw every resource behind the effort of making Busch Chase eligible. Arguing whether or not he should have been granted a waiver is moot at this point. Arguing whether he can and will make the final 16 is another matter and I say yes he will. Kyle Busch will leave Richmond in the Chase for the Championship field.
Will Tony Stewart win this year? Or ever?! The three time champion arrived at Daytona announcing that he was ready to resume being the old Tony Stewart. The only problem is, the old Tony Stewart used to win races consistently and was a factor even in races he didn't win. This new version of old Tony has only one top 10 and that came at Bristol when late race crashed took out several contenders. Entering Daytona, his average finishing position is 25.3 this season. Comments he made last weekend to the Associated Press didn't exactly inspire confidence in his supporters. He admitted that although he thinks part of the problem is managing the current rules package versus his driving style, he also stated that he's not really sure what the problem is. When a driver of his ability and history makes an admission like that, it shows just how far he and his team have to go to figure it out. Although it would be nice to see Smoke pull out a win this year, chances are he doesn't.
What about Jeff Gordon? Yeah, what about him? After a 2014 season that rejuvenated him, the four time champion is currently without a victory in 2015 and that's surprising to many. His 8 top 10's have helped him stay in or near the top ten in points (currently 11th) but even if he gets a win, he hardly seems like a championship contender to this point. That's going to be disappointing to a lot of fans who thought after last year, that he would have a chance to take another title with him as he leaves the sport this year. Here's hoping he can get that win. Even if he's not in contention at Homestead, fans should appreciate his greatness and what he's done and want to see him "matter" as long as possible.
What's been the most impressive performance of 2015? That's easy, Kurt Busch. After his three race suspension to start the year, a lot of people wondered what would happen when he finally hit the track. With back to back top fives at Phoenix and Fontana, he put everyone on notice that he was one to watch. He has two wins and has been a threat most weekends. He already has one more win than he had in all of 2014 and has already equaled his number of top five finishes from a year ago. If you think that's impressive, keep watching. It will be a few months until we know who the final four at Homestead will be but I'm predicting Busch joins teammate Kevin Harvick in making up half of that quartet.
What's been the most impressive performance of 2015? That's easy, Kurt Busch. After his three race suspension to start the year, a lot of people wondered what would happen when he finally hit the track. With back to back top fives at Phoenix and Fontana, he put everyone on notice that he was one to watch. He has two wins and has been a threat most weekends. He already has one more win than he had in all of 2014 and has already equaled his number of top five finishes from a year ago. If you think that's impressive, keep watching. It will be a few months until we know who the final four at Homestead will be but I'm predicting Busch joins teammate Kevin Harvick in making up half of that quartet.
What's been the most disappointing performance of 2015? It's been so obvious, we can all say it together; Roush-Fenway Racing. Greg Biffle is the highest ranked of the organization's three drivers, sitting 20th in points. The other two, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Trevor Bayne are currently 27th and 28th respectively. Combined, those three have managed just two top five finishes through 16 races. They've also led a grand total of 9 laps on the season. We know it's not the Fords. The two Penske drivers have both won races this year. Once the prized stable of Ford Racing, RFR has fallen as far and as fast as I can remember a top tier organization falling. After watching former teammates Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth leave and find success at Joe Gibbs Racing, it's been a cruel twist for Greg Biffle to see his loyalty rewarded with the results he's a part of.
Will any other drivers enter the Chase via a win? If I had that answer, I'd be writing this from Las Vegas but I'm going to say yes. There are still six spots open for drivers who haven't earned a win so far in 2015. There are only 10 chances left for those on the outside to race their way in instead of relying on points. The best bets to do so are Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon and A.J. Allmendinger. The latter is included simply because Watkins Glen is still on the schedule. Will they all get the job done? Keep watching. There's still a lot of racing left and as we all know, anything can happen, even in a world of "aero push" and "clean air."
Will any other drivers enter the Chase via a win? If I had that answer, I'd be writing this from Las Vegas but I'm going to say yes. There are still six spots open for drivers who haven't earned a win so far in 2015. There are only 10 chances left for those on the outside to race their way in instead of relying on points. The best bets to do so are Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon and A.J. Allmendinger. The latter is included simply because Watkins Glen is still on the schedule. Will they all get the job done? Keep watching. There's still a lot of racing left and as we all know, anything can happen, even in a world of "aero push" and "clean air."