CHASE STANDINGS AFTER KANSAS
1. Jimmie Johnson leader
2. Jeff Gordon - 6
3. Clint Bowyer -14
4. Tony Stewart -117
5. Kevin Harvick -126
6. Kyle Busch -136
7. Carl Edwards -142
8. Martin Truex Jr. -158
9. Kurt Busch -177
10. Jeff Burton -186
11. Matt Kenseth -219
12. Denny Hamlin -248
After only three races in this years edition of NASCAR’s playoff system know as the Chase for the Cup, 9 out of the 12 teams are looking for life preservers, because they are quickly seeing their title hopes sink like the New York Met’s division lead. Heading to Talladega, the bottom 9 are looking up at Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Clint Bowyer, who have proven in the first 3 races at New Hampshire, Dover, and Kansas that they are the guys to beat. Now it certainly is not time to hit the panic button for drivers like defending champions like Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, and Kurt Busch to panic, but one more poor performance, and you might as well stick a fork in them.
The Good News: There are still 7 races left in the Chase.
If it’s possible for any of the bottom 9 to fall behind as many points as they have in the first 3 races, it’s certainly mathematically possible for those points to be made up in the final 7. With a little good luck for themselves, and some bad luck for Johnson, Gordon, and Bowyer, anything is still possible. Just last season, Johnson proved that a sizeable deficit can be overcome. Johnson and his Lowe’s #48 team trailed then leader Jeff Burton by 165 points after the third race at Kansas. Johnson would eventually hoist the Cup after the final race at Homestead, so the fact of the matter is, it’s not time to panic.
The Bad News: Talladega is not the place to make up points.
Theoretically speaking every race in the Chase is equal. Each race means the same, and each is equally difficult to win. While the goal for all of the teams at New Hampshire, Dover, and Kansas was to win and gain points, the goal for most of the teams at Talladega is simply to survive and not lose very many points.
The reason for this change in game plan for the 12 Chase teams: Restrictor plate racing
Carburetor restrictor plates are placed on every engine of every car at the larger tracks Daytona, and Talladega. The restrictor plates limits RPM, which in turn limits speed, which cause all 43 cars to bunch up in packs. Because all of the cars run so tightly together, most accidents are out of the drivers hands, and when the “Big One” happens, few drivers escape. Mix the fact that the Car Of Tomorrow (COT) is making it’s restrictor plate debut this Sunday, and it’s safe to say all 12 Chasers win be playing it safe until the final 20 laps.
My Pick: Jeff Gordon has been great with the COT all season, and won the previous race this year at Talladega. The win earlier this season is remembered for Gordon mathcing legend Dale Earnhardt's career win mark, and the #24 car getting pelted with various bottles and items. Look for Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, and Kevin Harvick to be in the mix as well, but I'm going with Gordon and the Rainbow Warriors to pick up the first COT restrictor plate race at Talladega. -Nick Yeoman
1. Jimmie Johnson leader
2. Jeff Gordon - 6
3. Clint Bowyer -14
4. Tony Stewart -117
5. Kevin Harvick -126
6. Kyle Busch -136
7. Carl Edwards -142
8. Martin Truex Jr. -158
9. Kurt Busch -177
10. Jeff Burton -186
11. Matt Kenseth -219
12. Denny Hamlin -248
After only three races in this years edition of NASCAR’s playoff system know as the Chase for the Cup, 9 out of the 12 teams are looking for life preservers, because they are quickly seeing their title hopes sink like the New York Met’s division lead. Heading to Talladega, the bottom 9 are looking up at Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Clint Bowyer, who have proven in the first 3 races at New Hampshire, Dover, and Kansas that they are the guys to beat. Now it certainly is not time to hit the panic button for drivers like defending champions like Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, and Kurt Busch to panic, but one more poor performance, and you might as well stick a fork in them.
The Good News: There are still 7 races left in the Chase.
If it’s possible for any of the bottom 9 to fall behind as many points as they have in the first 3 races, it’s certainly mathematically possible for those points to be made up in the final 7. With a little good luck for themselves, and some bad luck for Johnson, Gordon, and Bowyer, anything is still possible. Just last season, Johnson proved that a sizeable deficit can be overcome. Johnson and his Lowe’s #48 team trailed then leader Jeff Burton by 165 points after the third race at Kansas. Johnson would eventually hoist the Cup after the final race at Homestead, so the fact of the matter is, it’s not time to panic.
The Bad News: Talladega is not the place to make up points.
Theoretically speaking every race in the Chase is equal. Each race means the same, and each is equally difficult to win. While the goal for all of the teams at New Hampshire, Dover, and Kansas was to win and gain points, the goal for most of the teams at Talladega is simply to survive and not lose very many points.
The reason for this change in game plan for the 12 Chase teams: Restrictor plate racing
Carburetor restrictor plates are placed on every engine of every car at the larger tracks Daytona, and Talladega. The restrictor plates limits RPM, which in turn limits speed, which cause all 43 cars to bunch up in packs. Because all of the cars run so tightly together, most accidents are out of the drivers hands, and when the “Big One” happens, few drivers escape. Mix the fact that the Car Of Tomorrow (COT) is making it’s restrictor plate debut this Sunday, and it’s safe to say all 12 Chasers win be playing it safe until the final 20 laps.
My Pick: Jeff Gordon has been great with the COT all season, and won the previous race this year at Talladega. The win earlier this season is remembered for Gordon mathcing legend Dale Earnhardt's career win mark, and the #24 car getting pelted with various bottles and items. Look for Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, and Kevin Harvick to be in the mix as well, but I'm going with Gordon and the Rainbow Warriors to pick up the first COT restrictor plate race at Talladega. -Nick Yeoman
No comments:
Post a Comment