Martinsville Wrap and Phoenix Picks
Xfinity 500-Martinsville
Wrap-up and Results
The final cutoff race proved to be quite the little drama generator. We had thrills and chills and lots of action both on the track and through the airways. Four more drivers were eliminated including Kevin Harvick and the Final Four was set. When it was all over the Siren was blaring over the Dawsonville Pool Hall as Chase Elliott took the win and J. L. Steele was reported doing burnouts in his neighbor’s front lawn to celebrate his 40-point winning pick. Just kidding! It was actually his neighbors back yard.
Way to go, J. L.!
J. L. held off a swarming pack of Harvick-pickers that included points leader, Vivian Simons, Frank Buhrman, Hal Ashburn, John Barnes and Vicq Ruiz. David Nance finished fifth after receiving orders to not pass John Barnes. Overall, this race produced one of the tightest finishes of the season. Check out how close it was below-
Wrap-up and Results
The final cutoff race proved to be quite the little drama generator. We had thrills and chills and lots of action both on the track and through the airways. Four more drivers were eliminated including Kevin Harvick and the Final Four was set. When it was all over the Siren was blaring over the Dawsonville Pool Hall as Chase Elliott took the win and J. L. Steele was reported doing burnouts in his neighbor’s front lawn to celebrate his 40-point winning pick. Just kidding! It was actually his neighbors back yard.
Way to go, J. L.!
J. L. held off a swarming pack of Harvick-pickers that included points leader, Vivian Simons, Frank Buhrman, Hal Ashburn, John Barnes and Vicq Ruiz. David Nance finished fifth after receiving orders to not pass John Barnes. Overall, this race produced one of the tightest finishes of the season. Check out how close it was below-
Vivian Simons had another strong finish which gave her the distinction of being the First racer over 1000 points for the season. This race produced no change in points position only in the gaps in the running order. Here are the Points Standings after Martinsville.
On to Phoenix for the Finale.
Season Finale 500-Phoenix
Final Picks and Prognostications
Season Finale 500 says it all. It’s the end for so much-the 36 race COVID 2020 season will finally, mercifully be over. We will say goodbye to a season full of changes, experiments-good or bad, ups and downs and around and round.
We’ll say goodbye to Matt Kenseth who on short notice finished the season for the No. 42. Clint Bowyer will move from behind the wheel to behind the mic at FOX Sports. So, we can probably say good-bye to any sanity in the booth at FOX next season.
And finally, this will be the final time seven-time Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson takes to the track in his #48. Together, they had 83 Cup wins on their way to winning those seven Championship.
It’s been quite a run for all of you. Thanks for the memories.
Sunday will be the final time Crew Chief Chad Knaus will be atop the War Wagon as he climbs the HMS Corporate Ladder. We’ll say good-bye to the No. 88 as that team will become the No. 5 team next season. And MRN’s Winston Kelly will sign off after Sunday’s finale.
We say good-bye to two tracks that will disappear from the Cup Schedule this year-Chicagoland and Kentucky. Some fans say, “Finally!” and Good riddance” but they had their moments as they provided Dale Earnhardt Jr. with his “Slide Job” call in his first broadcast at Chicagoland and Cole Custer’s four wide pass at Kentucky for his first Cup win.
We say good-bye to long time car sponsor Geico and with it, Germain Racing. Bob Leavine, another long-time Cup team will be exiting after Sunday as well.
We have probably seen the end of race procedures like qualifying against the clock which has been replaced under COVID with math qualifying and metrics.
A lot to say goodbye to, a lot of change. But Sunday we will say hello to a New Cup Champion and a New Race Winner. Who will be our Race Winner?
Playoff finalists have to date won the final race so starting there you would have Denny Hamlin (1) and Joey Logano (3) as Contenders who have won here previously, with Joey winning in the Pre-COVID race in the spring and Hamlin the defending race winner. Contenders Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski have never won here, but could Sunday be the day?
On the outside looking in and looking to break the Chasers streak are Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman with two wins here, Jimmie Johnson (3), Kyle Busch (4) and Regular Season Champ and winningest driver, Kevin Harvick who has as many wins here as 2020 season wins at 9.
Some good picks in there as well.
Strong yet to be Phoenix winners include Martin Truex, Jr, Aric Almirola, and Kurt Busch.
So, there you have it. It’s the Final Countdown and who is it going to be for the final pick of the season? Let’s see what our Fantasy Racers think the Season Finale 500 will go down-
PattyKay Lilley
It really IS the final race of the 2020 season! My pick for Phoenix has been the same for years. That changes this year. I do love Harvick but have to cast my lot with a guy that's gotten better! I'll ride on Sunday in the #18 of Kyle Busch!
Frank Buhrman
I'm going with "Happy's Revenge": kick me out of your game, and I'll steal your marbles. Harvick gets #10 at Phoenix.
Vivian Simons
After the race at Martinsville last weekend and all the confusion over rules, it makes one wonder what may happen. One of the 4 finalists usually wins the race, but I would like to see a non-chaser win. I am caught between 3 drivers, Brad K, Chase E and Kevin H. It is hard to choose so I am going to let my keyboard do it for me. Hey, whatever works, right? Sometimes it’s numbers in my Tony cap and sometimes a dart board, so with closed eyes and one finger down, I wave my hand a few times and drop a finger. Aha, B is closer to the “h” so I am going with Kevin Harvick to take the win. Silly way to choose? Yep...but we need a little bit of fun in this. Smile, Everyone!
**Editor’s Note: I’m going to pretend that B is closer to H, but then we have Elliott! I might be old, but I KNOW that E is a lot closer to B than H is. Bless her heart!
Berra Nordin
With the last race of the year coming up and Harvick having the most points this year even if Chase Elliott takes home maximum "NASCAR points", to me Harvick is the Champion! And with Kevin Harvick also out of the "play offs" I feel safe to pick him this time around so #4 Kevin Harvick is my winner!
Kelly Meiste
The spoiler-Kyle Busch
Vicq Ruiz
Last pick of the year and my "method" actually lines up with my rooting interest for a change. Sticking with Bad Brad in numero duo.
Hal Ashburn
I'll be pulling for Chase to win. But I'll go with KB in the 18 for the win.
Will Dossett
How about the 88?
J. L. Steele
In very 2020 fashion, I'm making this pick before the previous race at Texas is completed. Regardless, I think my choice would be the same either way, Chase Elliott.
John Barnes
I’m pulling for the 9 or 2, I guess. Trying to jinx away ¼ of the championship competition by putting the Barnesian stink on the 22.
David Nance
I’ll take Blaney. Started the year with him about an eon ago, I’ll end with him. Go 12!
Agree? Disagree? Play Along! Make your Picks in the Comments Below
Season Finale 500-Phoenix
Final Picks and Prognostications
Season Finale 500 says it all. It’s the end for so much-the 36 race COVID 2020 season will finally, mercifully be over. We will say goodbye to a season full of changes, experiments-good or bad, ups and downs and around and round.
We’ll say goodbye to Matt Kenseth who on short notice finished the season for the No. 42. Clint Bowyer will move from behind the wheel to behind the mic at FOX Sports. So, we can probably say good-bye to any sanity in the booth at FOX next season.
And finally, this will be the final time seven-time Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson takes to the track in his #48. Together, they had 83 Cup wins on their way to winning those seven Championship.
It’s been quite a run for all of you. Thanks for the memories.
Sunday will be the final time Crew Chief Chad Knaus will be atop the War Wagon as he climbs the HMS Corporate Ladder. We’ll say good-bye to the No. 88 as that team will become the No. 5 team next season. And MRN’s Winston Kelly will sign off after Sunday’s finale.
We say good-bye to two tracks that will disappear from the Cup Schedule this year-Chicagoland and Kentucky. Some fans say, “Finally!” and Good riddance” but they had their moments as they provided Dale Earnhardt Jr. with his “Slide Job” call in his first broadcast at Chicagoland and Cole Custer’s four wide pass at Kentucky for his first Cup win.
We say good-bye to long time car sponsor Geico and with it, Germain Racing. Bob Leavine, another long-time Cup team will be exiting after Sunday as well.
We have probably seen the end of race procedures like qualifying against the clock which has been replaced under COVID with math qualifying and metrics.
A lot to say goodbye to, a lot of change. But Sunday we will say hello to a New Cup Champion and a New Race Winner. Who will be our Race Winner?
Playoff finalists have to date won the final race so starting there you would have Denny Hamlin (1) and Joey Logano (3) as Contenders who have won here previously, with Joey winning in the Pre-COVID race in the spring and Hamlin the defending race winner. Contenders Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski have never won here, but could Sunday be the day?
On the outside looking in and looking to break the Chasers streak are Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman with two wins here, Jimmie Johnson (3), Kyle Busch (4) and Regular Season Champ and winningest driver, Kevin Harvick who has as many wins here as 2020 season wins at 9.
Some good picks in there as well.
Strong yet to be Phoenix winners include Martin Truex, Jr, Aric Almirola, and Kurt Busch.
So, there you have it. It’s the Final Countdown and who is it going to be for the final pick of the season? Let’s see what our Fantasy Racers think the Season Finale 500 will go down-
PattyKay Lilley
It really IS the final race of the 2020 season! My pick for Phoenix has been the same for years. That changes this year. I do love Harvick but have to cast my lot with a guy that's gotten better! I'll ride on Sunday in the #18 of Kyle Busch!
Frank Buhrman
I'm going with "Happy's Revenge": kick me out of your game, and I'll steal your marbles. Harvick gets #10 at Phoenix.
Vivian Simons
After the race at Martinsville last weekend and all the confusion over rules, it makes one wonder what may happen. One of the 4 finalists usually wins the race, but I would like to see a non-chaser win. I am caught between 3 drivers, Brad K, Chase E and Kevin H. It is hard to choose so I am going to let my keyboard do it for me. Hey, whatever works, right? Sometimes it’s numbers in my Tony cap and sometimes a dart board, so with closed eyes and one finger down, I wave my hand a few times and drop a finger. Aha, B is closer to the “h” so I am going with Kevin Harvick to take the win. Silly way to choose? Yep...but we need a little bit of fun in this. Smile, Everyone!
**Editor’s Note: I’m going to pretend that B is closer to H, but then we have Elliott! I might be old, but I KNOW that E is a lot closer to B than H is. Bless her heart!
Berra Nordin
With the last race of the year coming up and Harvick having the most points this year even if Chase Elliott takes home maximum "NASCAR points", to me Harvick is the Champion! And with Kevin Harvick also out of the "play offs" I feel safe to pick him this time around so #4 Kevin Harvick is my winner!
Kelly Meiste
The spoiler-Kyle Busch
Vicq Ruiz
Last pick of the year and my "method" actually lines up with my rooting interest for a change. Sticking with Bad Brad in numero duo.
Hal Ashburn
I'll be pulling for Chase to win. But I'll go with KB in the 18 for the win.
Will Dossett
How about the 88?
J. L. Steele
In very 2020 fashion, I'm making this pick before the previous race at Texas is completed. Regardless, I think my choice would be the same either way, Chase Elliott.
John Barnes
I’m pulling for the 9 or 2, I guess. Trying to jinx away ¼ of the championship competition by putting the Barnesian stink on the 22.
David Nance
I’ll take Blaney. Started the year with him about an eon ago, I’ll end with him. Go 12!
Agree? Disagree? Play Along! Make your Picks in the Comments Below