|| *Comments on the 2014 MyAFibStory.com 400:* View the most recent comment <#381> | Post a comment <#post> 1. The Long Shot posted: 09.12.2014 - 6:28 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) I'm a bit worried about Kyle starting on pole: a Kyle Busch meltdown this week could take out the entire field. 2. Sector posted: 09.12.2014 - 7:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) At least it was rained out, so this isn't an actual pole for Kyle Busch. 3. We need more Onion posted: 09.12.2014 - 7:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Imagine if Kyle got himself together and dominates this chase... lel no way. Hope he won't take out Mears when he does what Kyle Busch does in the last few weeks. 4. Feetduck posted: 09.12.2014 - 7:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Intesting stat the 18 car won the race from the pole at this track and it was from a rain out in 2008. He also got the pole in the first chase race that year from rain and he crashed. 5. RaceFanX posted: 09.12.2014 - 8:05 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Nationwide series racer Joey Gase makes his Sprint Cup debut. 6. 23andJoe posted: 09.12.2014 - 8:48 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) ...so not only are unexperienced drivers starting up front guaranteed to decimate the field and possibly get people killed (they don't), now Kyle is too? That sound is my eyes rolling. 7. ii posted: 09.12.2014 - 8:52 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Kudos to Frank Stoddard for giving these young guns a chance to one-off races in Cup. Too bad we don't see many owners like this anymore. 8. cjs3872 posted: 09.12.2014 - 9:11 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) What else does Frank Stoddard's team have to offer, since his are the slowest cars in the series, even slower than the #66 or the third cars for Tommy Baldwin Racing or BK Racing, when they decide to run three cars. He gives young drivers a chance to get their feet wet, while at the same time, doing so in races in which they're guaranteed to start, since there are only enough cars to fill the field, and no more than that. In practice, the #32 car was 5 MPH slower than the next-slowest car, and about 15 MPH slower than the fastest cars, making one wonder if they should even be in the race with such a speed discrepancy. Let's just hope that a driver in his first start (and an inexperienced driver in the Nationwide Series at that), in easily the slowest car in the field, doesn't end up ruining the chances of one of the Chasers. That would be the worst possible scenario here. Let's just hope that Joey Gase can finish the race without incident, which is what the #32 car does, no matter who's driving it. That would be the best scenario here. 9. joey2448 posted: 09.12.2014 - 9:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Interestingly enough, Kyle Busch's win here in 2008 was not only the only Chicago race won from the pole, but the only Chicago race thus far won from a top-5 starting spot. Every other race here has been won from outside the top-5. Kevin Harvick's win in the inaugural race in 2001 came from sixth place on the grid. Newman starting second is more interesting to me. With the type of consistency that 31 team has shown in the summer months, it wouldn't surprise me if Newman could pull off the win and become the first driver to clinch his spot in the second round of the Chase. Newman's best finish (3rd) in 2014 came at Kentucky in June, a track similar to Chicago with size, shape and surface (similarly old asphalt). Jimmie Johnson starts seventh. Don't look now, but I think that 48 team is poised to strike now. 10. DH101 posted: 09.12.2014 - 9:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) But hey, 15 MPH slower 1 race deal is better than nothing eh? 11. Raheem posted: 09.12.2014 - 9:53 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Now THIS is the worst name for a race all year, and there's been some stinkers. 12. Aframe43 posted: 09.12.2014 - 11:02 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) CJS, every driver has to learn some time. Robby Gordon was a seasoned vet when he took out Biffle and Stewart back in '04. Veterans can make mistakes too and I find it rather presumptuous of you to assume that a young kid would make one. 13. Dave #38 Fan-Go Gilliland! posted: 09.12.2014 - 11:10 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "CJS, every driver has to learn some time. Robby Gordon was a seasoned vet when he took out Biffle and Stewart back in '04. Veterans can make mistakes too and I find it rather presumptuous of you to assume that a young kid would make one." Don't forget, this is the same guy who was convinced that Aric Almirola starting on the pole of the Coke 600 a couple years ago was going to take out half the field in turn 1. 14. 23andJoe posted: 09.13.2014 - 12:58 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) >Kudos to Frank Stoddard for giving these young guns a chance to one-off races in Cup. Too bad we don't see many owners like this anymore. I keep hoping he'll put Mike Stefanik in the 32 at some point. 15. RaceFanX posted: 09.13.2014 - 1:21 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) This weekend the racing world will change forever as the international Formula E electric car racing series debuts on Saturday. It will be interesting to see what the response is and how the cars race. 16. cjs3872 posted: 09.13.2014 - 2:34 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) @13, at least Aric had quite a bit of experience at that time, in all three of NASCAR's top series, and had a fast car. But you put a guy that's making his first Cup Series start in the Chase opener in a car so far off the pace of even the next-slowest car, and that driver (Joey Gase, in this case) has hardly any experience at all, and it could spell trouble. And considering that NASCAR can't even enforce the minimum speed rule (or refuses to do so), and anything that takes place that involves the #32 car could be on NASCAR. Let's hope nothing happen and Gase finishes the race without incident, and that NASCAR actually enforces the minimum speed rule if Gase is as far off the pace as he appears to be. And as Aframe43 mentioned (and I can't believe I'm citing one of his posts), even experienced drivers make those kinds of errors. He mentioned Robby Gordon at Loudon (though the incident in 2004 with Chasers Greg Biffle and Jeremy Mayfield was intentional), and I'll add former ARCA champion and Indianapolis 500 competitor Andy Hillenburg to that. Even Morgan Shepherd, who has about as much experience as anyone (he competed in the Daytona 500 as far back as 1978, the year before Earnhardt, Bodine, and T. Labonte debuted in that race, in a car entered by the father of current JGR Senior VP of Racing Operations Jimmy Makar), made the mistake of getting in the way at Loudon earlier this year, and ended up wrecked as a result. So even the most experienced drivers make the mistake of getting in the way when they have a horribly slow car, but it's potentially even worse when a guy that may not even know what he's doing gets in that position. 17. murb posted: 09.13.2014 - 3:45 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) I highly doubt Joey Gase will cause problems. 18. Leo posted: 09.13.2014 - 5:48 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) In other news, looks like the first ever Formula E race was quite....dramatic! 19. joey2448 posted: 09.13.2014 - 6:26 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Holy hell was it ever! I don't wanna give away the ending to those who haven't seen it, but I'm sure you can find a video of the ending online. 20. startandparkfan posted: 09.13.2014 - 10:30 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Formula E looks cool! We should add it to the site, I will get results if you need. 21. Hinch27 posted: 09.13.2014 - 10:58 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Saw the Formula E race live... holy cow! 22. startandparkfan posted: 09.13.2014 - 10:59 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) The entire race is on youtube, and I highly suggest that you watch it. You won't be dissapointed! 23. startandparkfan posted: 09.13.2014 - 10:59 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) *disappointed 24. startandparkfan posted: 09.13.2014 - 10:59 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) What channel are they on? I can't wait for the next one! 25. webmaster posted: 09.13.2014 - 11:03 am Rate this comment: (3) (0) I wasn't planning to add Formula E but after watching some of the race I decided differently. Adding the programming and making database updates for an entirely new series takes some time so the Beijing results may not be ready until early next week. Has anyone found a breakdown of race leaders by lap? If it's there I must have missed it. 26. David posted: 09.13.2014 - 11:10 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) BREAKING: Marcos Ambrose will indeed return to Australia in 2015. 27. murb posted: 09.13.2014 - 11:33 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Good for Marcos. He's obviously got a much better chance of maximizing himself to the fullest in those V8 SuperCars. And he's already a legend over there, so I'm sure this is HUGE for that series and that country. As for the #9 car, like I've been saying a bunch, I hope Hornish gets it. I think he has absolutely proven that he is ready for another shot in a solid Cup ride. 28. Anonymous posted: 09.13.2014 - 12:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I hope Regan Smith can land in the 9 car, he did well in the 78 pre Childress help era. If not him i hope David Ragan gets the ride, i think the terrible Front Row equipment has made him a better driver overall. 29. DB1995 posted: 09.13.2014 - 12:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) The post above was me. 30. Sector posted: 09.13.2014 - 12:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jamie Whincup may have competition if Marcos Ambrose can return to the V8 series. Just watched the Forumla E race. Wow @ the ending. I didn't know much about it until you guys mentioned it here, is this the "Nationwide Series of Forumla 1" or what's the story with this series' creation? 31. Quasar posted: 09.13.2014 - 12:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I know he's much older, but if Smith isn't the next driver of the #9, I'd much rather see Gilliland in it than Ragan, after all those years in the terrible FRM equipment, he deservers a shot in a decent car (it obviously won't happen). 32. Eric posted: 09.13.2014 - 12:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The question with the 9 car is sponsorship for next year. I thought I read that Stanley Tools is leaving the 9 car for the 19 car of Carl Edwards. I know Edwards will have Arris as sponsor next year, but they will not sponsor all the cup races that Carl will race in. That means the next driver for the 9 car will need to bring sponsors. 33. Eric posted: 09.13.2014 - 12:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ambrose leaving NASCAR actually will weaken the depth of competition on Road courses. I am saying that because Robby Gordon and Montoya were great road course talents don't do road course races in NASCAR anymore. There is still a lot of great road Course talent in NASCAR though. This actually could cause the 47 team with Allmendinger to win at booth road courses next year. 34. Anonymous posted: 09.13.2014 - 1:12 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Here's a list of people who I think could drive the 9 car next year. Michael Annett. Dakota Armstrong. David Gilliland. Sam Hornish. David Ragan. David Reutimann. Elliott Sadler. Regan Smith. Reed Sorenson. 35. Smiff_2 posted: 09.13.2014 - 1:17 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) I'd love to see Regan Smith get the 9 car and then see Junior put Johanna Long in the 7. It'll never happen, but how awesome would that be!? 36. Leo posted: 09.13.2014 - 1:23 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Mixed emotions regarding Marcos Ambrose returning home. As a career-long fan, I'm obviously very excited about the idea of seeing Marcos race in Australia again, especially given how short his immensely successful V8 Supercar career was. But on the flipside, I wish things were to have gone better for the Devil Racer, as he is not lacking for talent or determination. I would really like to see Marcos find a 'road ringer' drive if there is no schedule clash. Wouldn't that be an exciting story! 37. Leo posted: 09.13.2014 - 1:32 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "Just watched the Forumla E race. Wow @ the ending. I didn't know much about it until you guys mentioned it here, is this the "Nationwide Series of Forumla 1" or what's the story with this series' creation?" Not the case. GP2 sits as a second tier series to Formula 1, with Formula E existing as a series for electric powered race cars. It will be very interesting to follow the series that could potential be the future of motorsport. 38. Sarf52 posted: 09.13.2014 - 1:40 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I hope Ragan lands the 9 car next year, driving the shitty Front Row cars for 3+ years has really improved his driving ability, as he was always spoonfed great cars by Rousch coming up through the NASCAR ranks. The way he's driven the 34, and the 98 in the Nationwide series, warrant a step up to at least *sup-par* equipment. 39. cjs3872 posted: 09.13.2014 - 1:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'll say this about the situation regarding the #9 car. If he has more runs in the NNS like he had at Richmond, Dakota Armstrong could be a good candidate for that ride, because he ran great in the NNS race at Richmond. But, @34, you can throw out a few of those names, because several had sour experiences driving for Richard Petty, including Elliott Sadler, Reed Sorenson, and most recently Michael Annett. I think David Ragan would be a good fit for that car, especially when you consider how well that team runs at the plate tracks, and especially how well Ragan runs at those same tracks. In fact, if Ragan was in that car next year, he might even be considered one of the favorites to win the Daytona 500, he's that good at Daytona and Talladega. And I don't think he would be as mistake-prone as he was when he was under the microscope in Roush's #6 car. If you had to choose among the drivers listed in that post, Ragan's the guy. Heck, he almost made the Chase in 2008, when making the Chase actually meant something. And among those other drivers, we know Hornish has proven that he can't cut it in elite equipment, as was proven in 2012, and I'm not sure about Regan Smith for the long haul. And as I mentioned, three other drivers, Annett, Sorenson, and especially Sadler all had rocky pasts driving for Petty. Another name to throw into the mix might be Ryan Truex, given that he had signed a driver development deal for Petty, so he's obviously high on Ryan, although he's shown nothing this year to prove Petty right on that decision, as he's often been outrun by Alex Bowman in the same equipment (Bowman might not be a bad option for that ride himself). But I think all points at this time head toward Armstrong or Ragan being in that #9 car in 2015, with one of the BK Racing drivers being a dark horse possibility for Petty. 40. murb posted: 09.13.2014 - 2:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Regan Smith is definitely my second choice after Hornish. I'm still giving the edge to Hornish because I think he has shown to be more versatile than Smith when you compare their NNS careers with each other. But yeah, I think those two are clearly the two best available drivers for the ride. I'll be really happy if one of them gets it. And to reiterate what I've been saying lately about David Ragan, I really want to see him get a full time NNS ride next year (maybe even with Roush, since Trevor is moving up). He has had some excellent runs in the Biagi #98, so I think in a good full time deal in that series, he could easily be a perennial championship contender. I think it would do wonders for him in the long run. He would be able to rejuvenate his career and possibly put himself in position for another quality Cup shot in the near future (ironically, just like Hornish and Smith have done). So I hope that's what happens with him. 41. Daniel posted: 09.13.2014 - 2:04 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Go Gordon! 42. murb posted: 09.13.2014 - 2:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "we know Hornish has proven that he can't cut it in elite equipment, as was proven in 2012" I don't understand this. I thought he ran pretty damn well when he was thrust into the #22 car (which, let's face it, never had any stability until Logano got there), and I thought he did a damn good job in the #11 at Fontana this year when Denny had his bizarre eye injury (he didn't even know he'd be racing until literally 30 minutes before the race, but he still drove from the back of the field up to the top 15 at one point). I absolutely think he deserves another Cup shot, and I think this #9 car (or #44 - whatever they renumber it once Hendrick gets the #9 for Chase) is the perfect opportunity for him. He and Almirola are two guys with their heads on straight, and I think they'd be a great duo that could potentially help RPM reach the next level. 43. dennyfan11 posted: 09.13.2014 - 2:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I say put a good driver in there. I say Regan Smith or Sam Hornish Jr.Don't put an untalented guy in there, put a good free agent. 44. dennyfan11 posted: 09.13.2014 - 2:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) David Ragan and Elliott Sadler would also be good. 45. epzik8 posted: 09.13.2014 - 2:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) First daytime race since Michigan four weeks ago. 46. Hinch27 posted: 09.13.2014 - 2:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Lap leaders (if memory serves) Nicolas Prost 1-24 Lucas di Grassi 25 47. Dense Drip posted: 09.13.2014 - 4:28 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) In regards to the #9 car being open, I really hope Dakota Armstrong doesn't get the ride. After his performance so far in the 43 car this year, he doesn't even seem ready for the Nationwide Series. 48. Dave #38 Fan-Go Gilliland! posted: 09.13.2014 - 5:59 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Lap leaders (if memory serves) Nicolas Prost 1-24 Lucas di Grassi 25" didn't Sam Bird lead a lap since he stayed out a lap longer than everyone else. 49. Hinch27 posted: 09.13.2014 - 6:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ^Perhaps he did, but you must determine in your memory banks WHICH LAP. 50. Schroeder51 posted: 09.13.2014 - 6:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You know, seeing how we've all written off Kyle Busch as being a Chase contender seeing how pitiful his performance in general has been over the past several months, it would be kind of funny if he actually ended up running really strongly in the Chase and made it all the way to the final four at Homestead. Of course, I can't see it happening (and even if he did somehow win the title, he would be far from a deserving champion considering how poor his performance was over the summer months), but, you can't say NEVER... As for who gets the #9, I personally hope it'll be either Hornish or Smith. Both have run well in the Nationwide Series the past couple of years, and I would like to see how they fare with another shot in Cup. (I also kind of hope Landon Cassill might get that ride-I've always wanted to see how he would do in better equipment and I REALLY hope he doesn't spend his whole career driving nothing but junk-but I don't see it happening...) I agree with some of you that Ragan would probably be best off going back to the Nationwide Series and potentially revitalizing his career. As for Dakoda Armstrong...he is getting better in the Nationwide Series, but I really hope they DON'T pick him for the ride...as I said, he IS improving in the Nationwide Series, but right now, he is DEFINITELY not ready to run full-time in Cup. If they put him in Cup next year, he is almost certain to struggle royally. 51. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.13.2014 - 6:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Lap leaders (if memory serves) Nicolas Prost 1-24 Lucas di Grassi 25" didn't Sam Bird lead a lap since he stayed out a lap longer than everyone else." "^Perhaps he did, but you must determine in your memory banks WHICH LAP." I re-watched the middle of the race and I have it as: Nicolas Prost 1-13 Sam Bird 14-15(he beat Prost over start/finish while on pit exit) Nicolas Prost 16-24 Lucas diGrassi 25 52. Kubica Fan Ireland posted: 09.13.2014 - 7:22 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Just want to make a few comments on Gordon really since he has a great chance to win the title. This would be the furthest into someone's career that anyone has won the title. This is Gordon's 22nd full season of cup. Petty won his last title in his 19th full season of cup and Bobby Allison won his title in his 17th full season. Obviously if Gordon wins he will break Labonte's record for largest gap between titles. Gordon looks certain to score the most points over the full season for the seventh time which would equal Earnhardt and Petty. In terms of starts, only Petty has won a title this deep into his career, having made just over 800 starts when he won his last title. Also since Gordon will be racing next year and possibly until 2017 when the 3M deal runs out which given his age,(he would only be 46) means people should recognise how great his overall figures will look. If Gordon does 3 more years he is almost certain to pass Bobby Allison for second on the top5 tally as he is only 21 behind at the moment, he could potentially pass it in 2016 if he finishes the year strong and continues. To put this in perspective Gordon will end up with more top5s than Kenseth and Stewart will score top10s. Gordon will also move second on the top10 list early next year if not this year, he needs 6 more to pass Mark Martin. He will become only the second and probably the last man for the next 30plus years to reach 500 TOP10S. Also I can't understand how any experts in the media can have Johnson rated behind JR and Logano for the title. I know they are both having career years but giving Knaus and Johnson some respect they only show up at 100% in the chase. 53. Eric posted: 09.13.2014 - 9:56 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Kubica Fan Ireland, We don't know if Joey Logano is having a career year. I am saying that because Joey is only 24 years old despite being full cup regular since 2009 and Jeff Gordon's breakout year happened in 1995 when he won the Winston cup championship when he was 24 years old. Based on Joey's age, it is possible that Joey can have better seasons in the future. 54. epzik8 posted: 09.13.2014 - 10:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Keselowski and Logano are starting pretty far back due to qualifying being rained out but I'm happy to see Newman, Kenseth and Gordon up in the top ten. And I also hope Dakoda Armstrong doesn't replace Ambrose. 55. Sarf52 posted: 09.14.2014 - 11:29 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Petty Plot Twist: Corey Lajoie gets the 9 How great would that be 56. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 12:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Michael Annett is the one who deserves it the most. Maybe Hornish too, but he has sat in a moderately good ride before. Annett didn't and I really hope he gets the #9 next year. 57. murb posted: 09.14.2014 - 12:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hearing that David Ragan may be the favorite for the #9. I would still prefer Hornish or Smith, but I like David, so I definitely won't complain if it is him. Also, I just read that the apparent Stanley to JGR situation will result in Stanley being on Carl Edwards' car, and the DeWalt brand reuniting with Matt Kenseth and being on his car for a handful of races. As a long time Kenseth fan, it's going to be really awesome to see him dawn those colors again. 58. David posted: 09.14.2014 - 12:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm excited for the Chase. There, I said it. The format has produced some fun races (from a spectator's point of view), and it should be an exciting battle these last ten races. Will it produce a statistically legitimate champion? There's a good chance that it won't. But it would be far from the first time in NASCAR'S history, as I have stated before ad nauseum. I don't really care at this point. I'd rather NASCAR keep this system for several years than change it again in two more (unless they abolish the Chase altogether, which would be good but highly unlikely). It's altogether too gimmicky, but at least it's fair. Also, Jeff Gordon will win it this year. I'm calling it now. 59. Hinch27 posted: 09.14.2014 - 1:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) RGIII went out... now maybe the Redskins can rise to the top of the division! 60. numbah10hatah posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Let's drink milk every time ESPNFL says Chase. 61. numbah10hatah posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I hate Austin Mahone...but DAMN, WAS THAT A GOOD COMMAND!! 62. cjs3872 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:13 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Well, I know it's against the Jaguars, Hinch27, but since RG III (or "RG Me", as I call him) went out, they've scored three unanswered TDs, and before RG III's injury, the Redskins' offense was like a rudderless ship, going nowhere. There's a reason why Joe Theismann was as good an analyst as he was (and why he went to two Super Bowls, winning one of them), because he said before the season started that Kirk Cousins was a better fit. Cousins is more decisive than RG III could ever think of being, for better or for worse. Actually, for long-time fans, the Redskins' QB situation reminds me somewhat of "Woodstrock", the Dolphins' 2-QB system in the early 80s with David Woodley and Don Strock. They always started Woodley, who was the more versatile QB, but in tight situations (or when Woodley struggled), Shula went to Don Strock, who was easily the best passer of the two. 63. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Dave Burns knows that Kyle Busch doesn't drive for Hendrick anymore, right? 64. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Green. 65. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Chase is now underway. 66. murb posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Wow, I didn't realize the roof numbers and windshield banners would be deep piss yellow like that. They looked a lot better on the diecast concepts. 67. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Top six are all chasers. 68. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle Busch is pulling away from the field right now. 69. David posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:30 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) "ESPNFL" Nice! 70. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon moved up to second during the commercial break, while Edwards is losing numerous spots and may be having mechanical problems. 71. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon and McMurray have caught up to Kyle. 72. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) So what do you think of the chase? 73. Hinch27 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon to the lead. 74. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle drops back to third as McMurray challenges Gordon for the lead. 75. Hinch27 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) According to NASCAR.com it is 20 degrees F in Joliet... it's 20 degrees C, not that they'd know the difference. 76. TS1420 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Com'on Mac-Mary! 77. joey2448 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Gordon 1st, MACMary 2nd. Love it. Gordon looking like he wants the championship. Oooooh baby! I like this a lot!!! Sorry but I am excited! 78. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Biffle is currently the lowest running Chase driver. 79. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) McMurray clear to the lead. Seeing how good his car appears to be right now, he could REALLY put a hurting on this field. 80. Hinch27 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) McMurray leads? Time for an appearance from our French friend soon then... 81. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Dinger and Harvick amongst others are short pitting. 82. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt Busch spins trying to come into the pits. 83. David posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt Busch spins into the entrance of pit road. 84. The Crimson King posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) McMurray leads? Time for a blown engine. 85. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Allmendinger and Kurt Busch had some problems during those pit stops. 86. Hinch27 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Where is everybody? 87. The Crimson King posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Watching football, most likely @86 88. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Denny thinks he's about to blow up. 89. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Denny Hamlin says he may be blowing up. 90. SpeedWorld97 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) So far it's been a pretty good race. It seems like the Chicagoland pavement is finally starting to wear, which normally leads to better racing (see: Fontana). 91. Hinch27 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Even dumber, the new NASCAR.com leaderboard has all Chaser's names AND car numbers in yellow, so Kurt Busch's stylize 41 is now yellow... makes it hard to tell which car is which. 92. Jacques posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sacre bleu! 93. TS1420 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jacques! 94. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jacques is here to "save the day". 95. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.14.2014 - 2:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I see the debris, its that Tundra by the wall in turn 2. 96. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle Busch takes two tires and wins the race out of the pits. The top 5 drivers all took two. 97. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ryan Newman has a bad restart. Kyle Larson is now up to second place. 98. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) McMurray slaps the wall and loses numerous positions. 99. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) MacMary rubs the wall off of turn 2. 100. TS1420 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Damn it McMurray. 101. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) McMurray got the wall. 102. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Good race so far. 103. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:13 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Gordon goes back to the lead. 104. SpeedWorld97 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This is some great racing for the lead. 105. Sector posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:15 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Talking about Kyle Larson for rookie of the year. Kyle Larson has this rookie of the year honor hands down. Definitely much more talented than Austin Dillon! Its Kyle's, no doubt. 106. joey2448 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) The Emotionless Juggernaut seems rather average today. Must've forgot to push their "Chase Mode" button that only they possess. I like it. 107. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ryan Newman blew a tire, and the caution is out for the second time. 108. Zackary Shawn posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "The Emotionless Juggernaut seems rather average today. Must've forgot to push their "Chase Mode" button that only they possess. I like it." This doesn't really surprise me. Other than that 4 races stretch when he won 3 races, he's just seemed like another, albeit above average, driver. Even in the other years when he's had a slump prior to The Chase, he's still been one of the top-3 regular season drivers. That wasn't the case this year. Still, he should be able to at least make it to the final 8. 109. TS1420 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:22 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "The Emotionless Juggernaut seems rather average today. Must've forgot to push their "Chase Mode" button that only they possess. I like it." I wouldn't get your hopes up. The 48 team can basically coast until Homestead under this new Chase format. 110. Sector posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @joey2448: Remember, the chase is laid out differently this year. They can be average these first three races & still be a threat the rest of the races after. Especially since these first three races only take out the weakest four competition. What I'm saying is, don't get your hopes up, but again, Homestead isn't exactly Jimmie Johnson's best track either. 111. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:26 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Knaus hasn't fired that rear tire carrier yet? 112. Sector posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "This doesn't really surprise me. Other than that 4 races stretch when he won 3 races, he's just seemed like another, albeit above average, driver." Let's not also forget the Fontana/Martinsville race earlier this year as well. Kurt Busch did the good deeds on beating them at Martinsville, but the tire problem screw them out of the win at Fontana. 113. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:28 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Keselowski through to the lead now. 114. SpeedWorld97 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Time for ESPN to show us the 20th different view of downtown Chicago. 115. Zackary Shawn posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) For what it's worth, I reject the premise that "coasting" will earn you a spot in the final 4. 116. David posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I happen to agree with Zackary on this one. This Chase format will not be very conducive to "coasting". 117. Zackary Shawn posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Danica is running ahead of almost half of The Chase grid at the present moment. 118. Zackary Shawn posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Imagine that, Biffle, the lowest running Chase driver, says he sees debris on the track. 119. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Michael Annett goes to the garage. 120. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Matt Kenseth is the second driver to spin coming into the pits today. 121. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick takes the lead after green flag pit stops. 122. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick to the lead. Allgaier also spun on pit road. 123. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) More pit road troubles. 124. RaceFanX posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This is the first race for NASCAR's new yellow roof numbers and highlights to identify Chase drivers and I will say I like it. Reminds me in a good way of the old orange roof numbers when Winston did its No Bull 5 million-dollar promotion. 125. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I remember when the yellow roof numbers and highlights were thought to be "Gimmicky" 126. SpeedWorld97 posted: 09.14.2014 - 3:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Unlike last weekend's race, this race has been very enjoyable. There've been more daring moves and exciting passing it seems. 127. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution flag for Ryan Truex. 128. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Mandatory BKR caution. I heard they are signing Jacques de Bris next year. 129. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #FireRyan 130. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Or not. Apparently, the caution is for a problem with the SAFER barrier. 131. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Barely any positions changed after those pit stops. 132. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Why do you think gibbs has done bad this year? 133. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Brad pits for a loose tire. 134. DB1995 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:13 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Hope Brad can salvage a good finish from that. 135. The Crimson King posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Aric Almirola is in the top 10, surprisingly enough. 136. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Apparently, RPM became a one car team, the #9 is just there, it won't get any attention until Almirola is in and with this performance, he could well be a survivor of the first round. 137. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) cjs predicted disaster for Joey Gase in his Cup debut. There's less than 80 laps left in this race, and not only is he still running, he hasn't caused any on-track problems today. 138. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Almirola looks impressive so far. I think we all wrote him off as being guaranteed to get eliminated in the first round, but who knows? He may prove us wrong. 139. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Almirola is almost getting by Earnhardt. 140. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It would be funny if Almirola made it through the first round and a big name Eg Carl Edwards didn't. 141. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Larson is about to take second from Gordon. After starting in the rear of the field in a backup car, he's looked really strong today. 142. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Larson to 2nd 143. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:23 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Gase is doing what he does in Nationwide. He is running cleanly in the worst full-time car. 144. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Some battles between teammates going on. 145. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) After running strongly for most of the race, Kyle Busch has faded back to 10th and may well be en route to his 7th straight finish outside the top 10. 146. The Crimson King posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Larson's gonna get dat first win, I'm feeling it. 147. DB1995 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Brad back up to 8 after restarting 16th behind the lapped cars. 148. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Larson is catching Harvick. I can't help but feel that today might be the day for him as well. 149. DB1995 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:33 pm Rate this comment: (1) (4) Anyone but Larson! 150. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Larson fighting for the lead! 151. Mr X posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Newman is the only think keeping Larson from Harvick I think. 152. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Larson to the lead! 153. Hinch27 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:36 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) racefangurl must be sh!tting a brick right now because a rookie winning a Cup race is too much "pie in the sky" for her. 154. David posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:37 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) "Anyone but Larson!" Okay. Go Chevrolets! 155. SpeedWorld97 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Like him or not, Kyle Larson has a bright future ahead of him. 156. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I don't think Larson can pull this off. He can win and will win one, but I just have a feeling that this will NOT be his day. 157. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Edwards has a flat tire. 158. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Edwards has a tire going down. 159. loomer posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Almirola blowing up 160. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Almirola blows up! Edwards blows a tire! They probably wont go to round 2. 161. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:39 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Aw, fauck this. Poor Aric. 162. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And Almirola blew up. I THOUGHT I saw him go up in smoke just before the caution flag came out. TOUGH break for him. He was having such a great run today. 163. Hinch27 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) NASCAR.com has Almirola in the lead, lol. 164. RaceFanX posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:40 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Heartbreaker for Almirola, he had been running in the top-10 all day and flirted with the top-5. 165. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I could tell Almirola's engine was going as he came onto pit road, but ESPN didn't mention it... 166. DB1995 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) Damn Aric was having a great run, Brad is apparently 4th now so i still have hopes this race will end well. 167. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think Almirola actually WAS leading when he blew up, as he had yet to pit. 168. joey2448 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:41 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) What a shame for that 43 team! Good thing is that the 43 car could still advance to the next round with a win...don't give up just yet folks! 169. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Keselowski is back up front. 170. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) GREEN! 171. Sector posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:48 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) This restart on lap 237: The top 4 cars consist of, once again, the numbers 2 & 4's. 1) Kyle Larson- 42 2) Kevin Harvick- 4 3) Jeff Gordon- 24 4) Brad Keselowski- 2 172. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Contact between the Busch brothers on the restart. 173. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Nice bit of car control after an even better bit of lunacy, Kurt. 174. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 25 to go and Larson is slowly pulling away from Harvick. 175. Hinch27 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Itchy arm! 176. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:52 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Caution flag. Clint "Spingate" Bowyer slams the wall. I guess his arm was itchy again... 177. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:52 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Vickers crashes. The Next Dale Earnhardt(TM) is going to the top 10. 178. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:52 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Vickers... me dumb. Of course it is Clint. 179. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kenseth is the first to pit as some cars at the back of the lead lap come in. 180. Smiff_2 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) C'MON LARSON!!! Drive it like you stole it! lol 181. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:59 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Drive it like you stole it! lol " Mike Harmon Racing likes this comment. 182. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 4:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick gets a good restart and battles Larson for the race lead. 183. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Clear - shut the door" Those spotters make it sound so damn easy. Awesome pass by BK. 184. SpeedWorld97 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) What a race. 185. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) And Keselowski is through to the lead. 186. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Wow. 187. joey2448 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) HOLY SMOKES WHAT A MOVE BY KEZ!!! MOVE OF THE YEAR!!!!! 188. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Can't wait to see Larson get Harvick'd. It would be a late, but warm welcome to Cup. 189. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Insane battle for the lead ends. Kes is outta here. 190. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Brad's got this unless there's another caution. 191. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Where did Hamlin come from? Go Denny! 192. David posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It sounds exciting from the radio. 193. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hamlin's caught Gordon for fourth. 194. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution with 10 to go. Danica smacks the wall. 195. numbah10hatah's Danica Patrick horse posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) God damn it! 196. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Danica!!! 197. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Danica collected her boyfriend. 198. David posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:03 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Ouch. Looks like Ricky is in the doghouse. 199. New14 & 88Fan posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yellow for Danica hitting the wall. Now things will really get interesting. 200. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Way to spoil a good and clean run. Who will she blame it on? lel, the #17... 201. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Danica brings out the caution. Uh oh, BF hit GF. And during this week of all times. 202. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Danica wrecks her boyfriend. This changes everything. 203. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Nopety, Ricky will be in command tonight. 204. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) About half the lead lap cars pit. 205. Hinch27 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Now if the front of Stenhouse's... never mind, too foul... 206. RaceFanX posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Danica Patrick crashes with her significant other at her home race. Rough luck for the Roscoe,IL native. 207. joey2448 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:05 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) Wow. Just wow. That was an amazing move that Brad made. That man is gold. Channeling his inner Earnhardt! 208. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ryan Newman got lucky. 209. David posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm only going off of what I'm hearing from MRN. 210. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Got the feeling this won't be the last restart. 211. Hinch27 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:06 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) The Orange Cone: "Dallas will have better sleeping accommodations tonight than Ricky." And "The size of @keselowski's balls on that restart: [map of Montana]" 212. Smiff_2 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Is it just me, or had Larson *just* started to run down Keselowski before that caution? He stuck with the wall lane after he cleared Harvick and it was paying dividends. 213. Bradley Thomas posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Oh boy, Ricky wrecked Danicant. FAIL! 214. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Larson has a HUGE tire rub. 215. New14 & 88Fan posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Larson's got a wicked tire rub. Brad's in the clear. 216. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Larson and Gordon are battling for second, which pretty much hands Brad the win. 217. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Larson and Gordon fighting for second. 218. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) This Gordon/Larson battle would be a lot better if it were for the win. 219. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Larson rubs the wall. 220. New14 & 88Fan posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) White Flag 221. dennyfan11 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:10 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Kes gets his 5th win. 222. epzik8 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Keselowski wins as Logano blows up. 223. Sector posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That was intense driving & battling between Jeff Gordon & Kyle Larson. Too bad it wasn't for the win, but damn. Jeff Gordon shows his talent once again by beating Kyle Larson for 2nd! 224. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:11 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Pretty neat race. Brad won with one of the best moves I've seen in these kind of "boring" tracks. Still hate it for Almirola. And Logano had a 400 mile engine :) 225. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Keselowski makes a statement in the opening race of the Chase as wins at Chicagoland. Meanwhile, Logano blows up right at the checkered flag. 226. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Was JoLo blowing up at the checkered flag? 227. New14 & 88Fan posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Logano blows up just as he takes the checkered flag in fourth. This will definitely be a Hendrick vs. Penske championship battle. 228. Sector posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Second straight race of 1-2 finish for Brad Keselowski & Jeff Gordon. 229. Bradley Thomas posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) They better be turning tables next week at New Hampshire. 230. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:12 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) A better race than most races I've seen here at Chicago, I'll have to admit. I'm really starting to think Brad may very well be our champion this year.. This is his fifth win of the year, and with New Hampshire coming up next win, I could easily see him scoring the sweep. 231. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Logano's finish reminded me of Todd's best cup finish. Blowing up right at the line. 232. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And Gordon is complimenting Larson after the race. 233. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:13 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Gordon is saying, "Nice move Kyle, don't ever f***ing do it again." 234. We need more Onion posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:15 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Nice, humble interview. Kid has matured a lot and lost the bad attitude people were calling him out for. 235. Bradley Thomas posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon 2nd, Larson 3rd, last time two drivers finishes 1-2 two races in a row. What a finish between Jeff Gordon and Kyle Larson with Jeff Gordon winning the battle for 2nd place and Larson forced to settle for 3rd. Larson led before the second-to-last caution came out and to make matters worse, Phillies lose 5-4. The only things that can save me is if the Eagles win tomorrow night and Frankie doesn't get sent to the Jury House. That's exactly what I want over the next 52 hours. 236. Anonymous posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:16 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) What happened to Dale Jr? Did his car just go bad or what. I'm afraid he will never win another race and the way he is going he won't make it past the first round of the chase. I won't give up on Jr but this running good and dropping back is getting old. I may as well end it all. 237. Jarrett88fan posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Cameraman to Paul Wolfe, "What do you think?" 238. New14 & 88Fan posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:17 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) This definitely made up for last week's borefest, outstanding racing among Brad, Larson, Gordon and Harvick. Though break for Aric Almirola, he had a top-10/5 car. He may surprise us in this chase. 239. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:19 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) "This definitely made up for last week's borefest, outstanding racing among Brad, Larson, Gordon and Harvick." Who would have thought that Chicago would put on a better, more entertaining race than Richmond? 240. DaleSrFanForever posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:19 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) As you guys know, I am off the Brad wagon. But I caught the last 30 laps and I must say, that pass for the win was the stuff this sport was made on. I don't like it, but I think Brad, Paul, and the #2 team are gonna be the next dynasty. They have tasted the top, got humbled, and now have a ton of experience at young ages. 241. Schroeder51 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:21 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "What happened to Dale Jr? Did his car just go bad or what. I'm afraid he will never win another race and the way he is going he won't make it past the first round of the chase. I won't give up on Jr but this running good and dropping back is getting old. I may as well end it all." You're already predicting doom and gloom for Junior after just one Chase race? Sure he did fall back at the end, but he still finished in 11th place, ahead of seven other Chase drivers. I would be totally shocked if he DIDN'T make it past the first round. 242. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:22 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Even with a late race dust-up with his girlfriend, Stenhouse finishes better than Edwards and Biffle. This slow clap's for you, Jack. 243. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That conversation between Jeff Gordon and Kyle Larson had 2 things in it: 1. Advice 2. R-E-S-P-E-C-T 244. Anonymous posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Schroder 51, I think Jr will do all right, I'm just afraid he won't. That's all. 245. Jarrett88fan posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Jr. Interview revealed all you need to know about the Chase...average finishes need to drop throughout the rounds. 246. The Crimson King posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The 2 team has way too much speed and they seem to have all the luck in the world right now. It'll either go down between the 2 and the 24. Kind of hoping the 24, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Brad got his 2nd title. 247. joey2448 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:32 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I'm still in awe over the move Kez made. To split the middle and take the lead with all that's on the line...amazing. Just an awesome race at the end there between all those guys, Harvick, Larson, and Gordon included. Those guys are true wheelmen of the sport. Did Joey Logano blow his motor across the finish line? Still finished fourth, lol. Oh by the way....we're going to Loudon next week, and who dominated that racetrack back in July? Yep, I think Keselowski may just win five more races before the year is out. Looking super strong right now. Jimmie Johnson looking like he's in 2011 mode. Just plain average. 248. numbah10hatah posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) I'm a little late, but Keselowski came through like he was shot out of a canyon!!! #RIPBennyParsons Oh, and typical Danica. 249. David posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:36 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) "I don't like it, but I think Brad, Paul, and the #2 team are gonna be the next dynasty." Well, you've said yourself in the past that dynasties often have unlikeable drivers. I'm just pointing that out. 250. Jarrett88fan posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Johnson will look average till Dover, Martinsville and Phoenix. Technically, the eventual champion doesn't have to win a race until the second or third round, but Homestead will likely be a 2011 situation. 251. Thomas posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:51 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) What a move by Brad to make the pass for the win! Reminded me of a pass that Dale Earnhardt made at Bristol in 1993 going three-wide through the middle. Move of the year going away right now. But there's 9 races left to top it. Brutal break for Almirola. If it wasn't for that engine, I think he'd have put himself in great position to move on. 252. David posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:51 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "Technically, the eventual champion doesn't have to win a race until the second or third round, but Homestead will likely be a 2011 situation." /Technically/, the eventual champion doesn't have to win at all. 253. Watto posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:54 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "What happened to Dale Jr? Did his car just go bad or what. I'm afraid he will never win another race and the way he is going he won't make it past the first round of the chase. I won't give up on Jr but this running good and dropping back is getting old. I may as well end it all." It's been a whole 6 races since his last win. Definitely the time to start getting worried. 254. TS1420 posted: 09.14.2014 - 5:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Pretty damn good race. Who would have thought out of Richmond & Chicagoland that Richmond would put on the stinker and Chicagoland would have the memorable classic. Was hoping for either Harvick or Larson to pull it off, but I'll take a Bad Brad win. Sucks Stewart ran like garbage all race long, finishing between Recky & Danicrash. 255. Nascar Lead Lap Points posted: 09.14.2014 - 6:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor Update #4 Jimmy John's / Freaky Fast (Same for all the races with Jimmy John's as the sponsor) #42 Target /Clorox #20 Dollar General 75th Anniversary #5 Farmers Insurance/Designthe5.com #99 Metabo/Fastenal #78 Furniture Row / Denver Mattress #16 Scotch Blue /Ace Hardware/3M #38 Jack Czapla/Love's Travel Stops #40 Snap Fitness 24-7 / #Snapnation #47 Kingsford /Hungry Jack/Scott Products #66 Identity Ventures Racing #32 Foreverhip.com #43 Eckrich / Operation Homefront #34 Dockside Logistics #26 Iowa City Capital Partners /ANF #83 Burger King/Dr.Pepper 256. Jarrett88fan posted: 09.14.2014 - 6:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yes David the eventual champion can hqv a plethora of second and third place finishes. However, Homestead has the possibility of being a max points scenario for the final four. 257. Sector posted: 09.14.2014 - 6:25 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) You don't have to score "max points" at Homestead. A simple last lap pass, leading only the final lap at Homestead, would grant you a championship. Unless I'm missing some bonus points that carry on throughout the chase, which I need to be aware about. 258. Jarrett88fan posted: 09.14.2014 - 6:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) A clarification, some team strategy's race morning will be max points and win the race. Perhaps the infamous Al Davis line will suffice. 259. Benjamin Lowe posted: 09.14.2014 - 6:47 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) The Best way to fix this joke of a point system is to take Brian France and his cronies out of the picture permanently 260. Evan posted: 09.14.2014 - 7:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) -Brad Keselowski wins back-to-back races, but this one is different as he already establishes his place in the chase. Brad Keselowski took it three wide and took the win away from Kevin Harvick and non chaser Kyle Larson. This was a very competitive race for Chicago and had a lot white knuckle racing at the end. Larson got real close to winning and gave Jeff Gordon quite a run for the second spot, he got into and puffed a little tire smoke. -The yellow numbers were quite a dilemma for some guys who already have yellow schemes, Joey Logano's team opted for a red roof, yellow numbers and Kyle Busch kept his intact. I don't find the yellow splitters and numbers and names gimmicky, I think like the No Bull 5, many years ago it is way to distinguish the Chase contenders. -Aric Almirola blows an engine and puts himself in a hole and in the danger zone for elimination. 261. joey2448 posted: 09.14.2014 - 7:17 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "What happened to Dale Jr? Did his car just go bad or what. I'm afraid he will never win another race and the way he is going he won't make it past the first round of the chase. I won't give up on Jr but this running good and dropping back is getting old. I may as well end it all." Dude. Seriously. Get a f**kin hold of yourself. It's one race, Junior is sitting 5th in the standings, that team ran fine today. He'll not only make it past the first round, I think he'll be in the mix come Homestead. #ItsOnlyARace 262. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 09.14.2014 - 7:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "A clarification, some team strategy's race morning will be max points and win the race. Perhaps the infamous Al Davis line will suffice." "Just win baby." 263. Cornys posted: 09.14.2014 - 7:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think you guys are making the Chase a little more exciting than it is. Some of you sound like ESPN (watching too much of it maybe). These first 3 races aren't very important. All you needed to know about this race is that Almirola is almost certainly out of the next round, and Keselowski is guaranteed in the next round. The rest of the race you're just looking at points standings like in the past trying to make a 12 man "chase". Being strong at different kinds of tracks doesn't matter in this new system if you can just earn the minimum points amounts in each round or win. Each individual race doesn't really mean much in the end under this system. I equate this "Chase" to the wave-around and lucky dog rules as follows: 1: Early race ("Chase") problems may not matter if you can just stay close. 2: If a driver is significantly off pace early in the race ("Chase") the driver may be returned to contention very easily later in the race ("Chase") as long as they were reasonably on pace. 3: Early race ("Chase") Dominance is irrelevant. 4: Within reason, the first part of the race ("Chase") can just be used as a test session. Simply, the early part of each race ("Chase") is less exciting, and bad performance early is easily forgiven (or dominance is easily forgotten). While those who love racing will watch the first part of a race seeing what they think is important, they are quick to realize that the first part of the race ("Chase") hardly mattered. 264. WinstonCupStandings posted: 09.14.2014 - 7:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Top 25 (that are on the big teams) 1) Jeff Gordon (3878) -Leader 2) Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (3724) -154 3) Brad Keselowski (3635) -243 4) Joey Logano (3593) -285 5) Kevin Harvick (3484) -394 6) Matt Kenseth (3481) -397 7) Jimmie Johnson (3471) -407 8) Ryan Newman (3321) -557 9) Carl Edwards (3315) -563 10) Kyle Larson (3258) -620 11) Greg Biffle (3216) -662 12) Kasey Kahne (3204) -674 13) Clint Bowyer (3169) -709 14) Denny Hamlin (3150) -728 15) Jamie McMurray (3120) -758 16) Kyle Busch (3118) -760 17) Paul Menard (3067) -811 18) Austin Dillon (3031) -847 19) Kurt Busch (3006) -872 20) Brian Vickers (2991) -887 21) Marcos Ambrose (2868) -1010 22) Aric Almirola (2769) -1109 23) Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (2611) -1267 24) Tony Stewart (2564) -1314 25) Danica Patrick (2512) -1366 -Out 265. Daniel posted: 09.14.2014 - 7:45 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Go Gordon! 266. Zackary Shawn posted: 09.14.2014 - 8:01 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "I think you guys are making the Chase a little more exciting than it is." How is that even possible considering what constitutes "exciting" is completely subjective??? 267. racefangurl posted: 09.14.2014 - 8:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) I can handle rookies winning races, just not championships. 268. racefangurl posted: 09.14.2014 - 8:35 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) I'm in some Facebook groups and one has a video of Trevor Bayne's Daytona 500 win. It's a 14:48 long video and I smiled the whole time I watched it. 269. David posted: 09.14.2014 - 8:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "Some of you sound like ESPN (watching too much of it maybe)." If you're including me in that blanket statement, I can assure you that I have not been watching too much ESPN. In fact, I haven't been watching it at all, since I can't. 270. AutoRockinRacing94 posted: 09.14.2014 - 8:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) With Marcos Ambrose heading back to V8 Supercar next year, the streak of not having 43 American drivers will likely end at Homestead. Therefore, the 2015 Daytona 500 (pending on who will compete, I don't think Montoya will participate but it's too early to tell) will very likely be the first race since the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix that will have 43 Americans in a Cup race. Also, this is basically the end of the Transitional Era as I like to call it when non-Americans and non-stock car drivers (mainly open wheel guys) went to compete in NASCAR. Of course, there are still Canadians and Mexicans competing in NASCAR, mainly Nationwide and Trucks and soon enough they might be in Cup in a few years. But after 2014, AJ Allmendinger and Sam Hornish, Jr. are basically the last survivors that came to NASCAR from 2006-08 that were either non-Americans or open wheel guys (which the two are from the latter statement). I don't think anyone would have guessed that these two guys will be left in 2015, especially Allmendinger (2007 rings a bell). 271. AutoRockinRacing94 posted: 09.14.2014 - 9:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I know Hornish isn't a full time driver in Cup but he still is around on a few Nationwide Series races. 272. Anonymous posted: 09.14.2014 - 9:13 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "m in some Facebook groups and one has a video of Trevor Bayne's Daytona 500 win. It's a 14:48 long video and I smiled the whole time I watched it." Da faq is dis sh!t?????? 273. David posted: 09.14.2014 - 9:17 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Da faq is dis sh!t??????" It's called a statement. Perhaps the correct spelling and punctuation confused you.. 274. SpeedWorld97 posted: 09.14.2014 - 9:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Dude. Seriously. Get a f**kin hold of yourself. It's one race, Junior is sitting 5th in the standings, that team ran fine today. He'll not only make it past the first round, I think he'll be in the mix come Homestead. #ItsOnlyARace" Thank you for saying what I was thinking when reading that comment. I think it was a great thing that the 88 team ran where they did today in the first place considering they had an ill-handling car during final practice. They'll be fine, and I still believe they've be among the final four instead of Jimmie Johnson. 275. racefangurl posted: 09.14.2014 - 10:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Someone in the group posted a link to a Youtube video of Trevor Bayne's Daytona 500 win with the post race interviews included. Said link's on the group's page. It's a group called Trevor Bayne Diehards. 276. Sponsor Updates posted: 09.14.2014 - 10:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #7- TMC Transportation / Allstate Peterbilt #32- ForeverHip.com / Zimmer #26- Iowa City Capital Partners / ANF / Iowa Chop House 277. Brad Keselowski & Bubba Wallace Fan posted: 09.14.2014 - 10:25 pm Rate this comment: (8) (1) My problem with this Chase (and all others) is that it's trying to manufacture an exciting championship race, instead of rewarding the best driver and team for being the best all year. NASCAR has always been and should always be about having exciting races, and letting the points play out however they play out. NASCAR wasn't worse when Dale Earnhardt & Bill Elliott were wrapping up the championship a few races before the finale, NASCAR was just as good, if not better, because the races were exciting & the drivers thrilled us. Not that we haven't had some great races this year, we have. Not that there aren't some great talents in the sport these days, there are. And that's exactly why these sorts of gimmicks are all the more nonsensical, they're completely unnecessary. Let the boys & girls race, they know what to do. So drop the Chase, the Lucky Dog, the nonsense, and just get back to basics. Get back to what worked. 278. racefangurl posted: 09.14.2014 - 10:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (4) I gave up commenting on Chase Elliott, but I lurk on those comments and Hinch27 ate the pie. I hope it was tasty. 279. The Long Shot posted: 09.14.2014 - 11:45 pm Rate this comment: (5) (1) Only got to see the last 60 laps or so of this one, but I'm glad I did. Some observations: --Keselowski's move at the end was absolutely Earnhardt-esque. I'm not exaggerating one bit. He has looked unstoppable over the last two weeks, and I don't see that stopping. He is the unquestioned favorite for the championship at this stage of the equation. Gordon and Logano are the only others that even have a shot. I don't know if we have a dynasty in the making with that #2 team, but what I can guarantee is that they will go far in future. Very far. --Kyle. Motherf*cking. Larson. The kid has been slowly silencing the doubters with each passing week, and today's race may have shut them up for good. He was in the mix for the win throughout the final half of the race, and at the end we saw him battle and nearly out-duel a 4-time NASCAR champ for the second spot (his car was smoking; tire rub, or maybe brakes going out?). I don't know why, but watching Gordon talking with him after the race gave me this warm feeling inside. Make no mistake: he is THE REAL DEAL. --Bold Prediction: Jimmie Johnson will not make it past the second round. This team has been out to lunch for some time now. His results have been Newman-esque as of late, his victories not withstanding. --On Ambrose: I'm glad he made the move. He never seemed truly happy with NASCAR, except when he was running road course races. Otherwise, he was a 20th-24th place guy at best. As for who should take it over, I'm still behind Alex Bowman getting the ride. Hornish and Ragan had chances and failed, and Annett is good, but not as talented as Alex. Someone mentioned Dakoda Armstrong for the ride, which is absolutely comical, considering he's been the proverbial "invisible man" (that Queen reference was for you, David) all season in Nationwide. --And on the Chase: It will take more than one race for me to change my mind on it, but I'm more open to it than I was when it was first announced. All we can do now is wait and see. 280. Eric posted: 09.14.2014 - 11:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Longshot, I disagree you on Jimmie not getting out of the 2nd round. My reasoning is Jimmie won the Coca Cola 600 this year at Charlotte. Jimmie is a favorite to me at Charlotte. Without Charlotte, I would have agree with you. I don't think the rules changes this year completely fit the 48 team and is why I don't see him winning the chase. I have Brad winning the championship. 281. David posted: 09.15.2014 - 10:38 am Rate this comment: (1) (1) "He has looked unstoppable over the last two weeks, and I don't see that stopping. He is the unquestioned favorite for the championship at this stage of the equation. Gordon and Logano are the only others that even have a shot." Somehow I'm not sure he's the "unquestioned" favorite (which then makes him the "questioned favorite"), He's not that far ahead of Gordon and Logano performance wise. I agree that he'll likely make it to the final four. "I don't know if we have a dynasty in the making with that #2 team, but what I can guarantee is that they will go far in future. Very far." Absolutely. Keselowski and Paul Wolfe are a very potent combination. "Bold Prediction: Jimmie Johnson will not make it past the second round. This team has been out to lunch for some time now. His results have been Newman-esque as of late, his victories not withstanding." Nope. He'll make the third round, but not the final four. I'd be happy to be proven wrong, though. "he's been the proverbial "invisible man" (that Queen reference was for you, David)" It's criminal how you can see right through me. :) But seriously, you do realize that there are at least a half-dozen other references that can be made with that phrase, right? 282. someone posted: 09.15.2014 - 11:50 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) just wondering but what's so great about bowman? he's better than Ryan Truex for sure, but cole Whitt outperforms him pretty much every week. 283. murb posted: 09.15.2014 - 12:57 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Lots of stuff to respond to... I think Gordon has the slight upper hand on Brad at this point, but I also think Gordon REALLY needs to win a race or two to sort of reengage his momentum. We saw what the Indy win did for him (he had a great stretch where he also won at Michigan just a couple races later), so if he can do that again here in the coming weeks and carry that big time momentum all the way to the end of the season, I think he'll easily be the champion. Otherwise, he might just end up like 2011 Carl Edwards (finishing 2nd every week to the same guy, who in this case would probably be Brad, since he seems to be on a tear right now). This should be a great championship battle though. I'm interested to see how this system plays out. Like I've been saying all year, if Homestead doesn't turn out to be a total joke of a race where someone undeservingly wins the title, I'll be a big believer in this system, because so far I think it really has created a lot of intrigue and excitement. I agree with David on Jimmie. I think he'll make the third round, but won't be in the Final Four. For what it's worth, my Final Four is Gordon, Keselowski, Logano, and Dale Jr. The only other guy I would even consider right now would be Harvick, but I think he's way too inconsistent and will probably end up having a bad race or two at some point (plus, it seems the pit crew swap with Stewart doesn't seem to be helping, since I saw them make at least one mistake in the pits yesterday by leaving a wheel loose). And as for this race, I missed the last 100 laps or so, but from what I saw, I was actually really impressed with what was going on on track. Chicago is one of my least favorite race tracks, but for the first time in a long time (probably since about 2008 or 2009, which I thought were both good races), I thought we saw some good racing at Chicagoland. So that was good to see. And yes, once again, Larson is the real deal. I'm still expecting him to bag his first win before the year is out. I look for him to be a key contender at Dover, Kansas, Charlotte, Texas, and Homestead. 284. HouseOfPenske posted: 09.15.2014 - 1:45 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Frankie Stoddard's car might have competition for the slowest now from Stewart, Edwards, and Biffle. 285. David posted: 09.15.2014 - 2:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I think Gordon has the slight upper hand on Brad at this point, but I also think Gordon REALLY needs to win a race or two to sort of reengage his momentum. We saw what the Indy win did for him (he had a great stretch where he also won at Michigan just a couple races later), so if he can do that again here in the coming weeks and carry that big time momentum all the way to the end of the season, I think he'll easily be the champion." While I do agree that a win would improve his chances greatly, it's not like his momentum has been disengaged. He's coming off of his second straight second-place finish. The only race of his lately that was really a stinker was Bristol. "For what it's worth, my Final Four is Gordon, Keselowski, Logano, and Dale Jr. The only other guy I would even consider right now would be Harvick" To be quite frank, those five are the only ones with any legitimate shot, as well as the only ones I think would deserve the championship if they won. "but I think he's way too inconsistent and will probably end up having a bad race or two at some point" Well, if he wins, he advances. This system allows for mulligan races. "(plus, it seems the pit crew swap with Stewart doesn't seem to be helping, since I saw them make at least one mistake in the pits yesterday by leaving a wheel loose)." That's one race, a sample size too small to determine how they'll work together. On the other hand, maybe Stewart's crew has made lots of mistakes all year and we just haven't heard about them. 286. Daniel posted: 09.15.2014 - 3:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 43 entered at Loudon: -Timmy Hill in the #32 -David Stremme in the #33 -Corey Lajoie in the #77 -Travis Kvapil in the #93 -#37 & #95 not entered 287. Hinch27 posted: 09.15.2014 - 5:35 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "I gave up commenting on Chase Elliott, but I lurk on those comments and Hinch27 ate the pie. I hope it was tasty. " Billy Madison... the contest manager... yeah... 288. Sector posted: 09.15.2014 - 6:02 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Hilariously enough, Chase Elliott is the best driver in Nationwide who can score points this season. Whatever personal vendetta she has toward him, doesn't mean he isn't worthy of the title this year, because he is worthy as he's shown in his rookie season. No matter, the two Jr's, Martin Truex Jr & Dale Earnhardt Jr, has won their Nationwide championships in their first full season, respectfully. So it isn't like this will be a complete new record when Chase wins it all his first full time season in Nationwide. At least Chase has been very consistent all year, unlike the other championship contenders. The Nationwide series is already screwed up as it is with all the Cup drivers racing every week/year. Man I keep re-watching the moment between Jeff Gordon & Kyle Larson. What an epic moment, both post-race AND on the racetrack between the two! 289. cjs3872 posted: 09.15.2014 - 6:02 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Meanwhile, does anyone else have concerns about what's been going on in regards to the security for the last two NASCAR races. At Richmond, there was that spectator (I refuse to call that spectator a fan, because he wasn't a true race fan) that climbed the catch fence while the cars going at speed and nearly ran onto the track, drawing a caution flag, and now comes word that tires were stolen from the #55 and #83 teams this past weekend at Chicago. This is a dangerous and even a potentially deadly situation, because anyone that could steal tires in the garage area could also do the very thing that was done at Talladega in 1974, and slash the tires, or even doctor other equipment, such as fuel or radiator water, in a potentially disastrous manner. Buddy Baker called that situation at Talladega in 1974 attempted mass murder, and something had best be done by NASCAR and track security, or there might be a possible repeat of that near-catastrophe at Talladega in 1974, with terrible results. After all, if someone is willing and able to steal racing tires, then what else might someone be willing to do? NASCAR had better get on top of their sudden security issues right here and now, or there could be unfathomable consequences. 290. Feetduck posted: 09.15.2014 - 6:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think the 83 car will have the most DNF's this year 291. joey2448 posted: 09.15.2014 - 6:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) -Corey Lajoie in the #77 What?? Wow! That's gonna be awesome to see Corey out there among the big boys! 292. Eric posted: 09.15.2014 - 7:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) CJS3872, Thanks to bring up Chicagoland security up since I wasn't aware of it. I agree that Security needs to be looked be looked at. Since Tires now got stolen, there is a serious trend that has to be a concern. The only thing that I can't tell if this is a ISC track problem only since Chicagoland and Richmond are ISC tracks. Whatever the problem is, Security needs to be increased. The last thing NASCAR needs is teams in the chase have tires that got slashed or race cars that got tampered with. 293. AutoRockinRacing94 posted: 09.15.2014 - 7:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @ The Long Shot "--On Ambrose: I'm glad he made the move. He never seemed truly happy with NASCAR, except when he was running road course races. Otherwise, he was a 20th-24th place guy at best. As for who should take it over, I'm still behind Alex Bowman getting the ride. Hornish and Ragan had chances and failed, and Annett is good, but not as talented as Alex. Someone mentioned Dakoda Armstrong for the ride, which is absolutely comical, considering he's been the proverbial "invisible man" (that Queen reference was for you, David) all season in Nationwide." I agree your thoughts on Ambrose, the same can be said on Montoya, he seems more happy in IndyCar to be quite honest. Look at his interview at Fontana, he seemed to be satisfied after returning back to open wheels since 2006 (first in the Americans since 2000). I knew he would do fine, of course he's driving for Penske but still saw a top 10 season out of his return. Going back to Ambrose, I felt like he wasn't too happy from his near wins at Montreal to knowing that he might not be back after losing to Allmendinger (great battle though) at the Glen. So I'm happy for Ambrose, I think it'll be similar with Montoya in terms that he might finish in the top 10 next year in points, but it's too early to predict. Bowman on the other hand, I see some potential despite the results not being there. I would prefer him over Cole Whitt any day even Parker Kligerman but he might be heading to Indy Lights pending if his test ride with Sam Schmidt goes well. Yes he's 21 years old and perhaps rushed to Cup but he's doing way better than Ryan Truex that's for sure. I'll give him time to improve since I know BK Racing isn't a top team or generally a top 20 team regularly. I still feel like Sam Hornish is a better choice since he has gotten better but hasn't gotten a chance this year since the whole downfall with Penske and that whole situation with Austin Dillon winning the title. But if RPM is looking for a young guy, then yes go with Bowman. I don't think David Ragan would be a good choice since he's been a mess as far as performance is concern. Dakoda Armstrong isn't ready to move up that quick, he hasn't really impressed me at all in the 43. Michael Annett did from time to time, such as Fontana he did pretty well. I think he might bring something to the table but right now as far as the rookie class, only Larson and Dillon has stood out the most. But I have a feeling that this 2014 rookie class could be like the 2003 rookie class to a certain degree when you have two guys standing out while there would be guys still running in Cup for the next decade. 294. AutoRockinRacing94 posted: 09.15.2014 - 7:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Maybe 2003 isn't quite comparable (Tony Raines, Larry Foyt, and Jack Sprague anyone - Cup wise not the Busch or Trucks) because Larson and maybe Dillon will be more impressive once they are done somewhere in the 2030s or 2040s than Biffle and McMurray. But that too is early to tell, yet it's the one group (maybe 2004 too) that reminds me of the 2014 rookie class. 295. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 09.15.2014 - 8:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I missed the race and had to watch highlight clips, but what a move by Brad K to take the win. Although I'm not an enthusiast of his after his post race actions at Martinsville and Richmond earlier in the year (I was happy for him when he won Vegas at the beginning of the year, then he started blending in with the group of complaining drivers... BUT hopefully he is now getting his head back on right and stops letting himself get sidetracked by things other people do), they are reaffirming this year that they, the #2 Miller/Redd's/Alliance team, are THE team that is capable of grabbing the "top dog of NASCAR" torch away from Jimmie Johnson. I'm not sure Logano is completely ready yet, but Brad already has experience beating the #48 and he clearly knows how to make aggressive moves work to his advantage. 296. An Aussie Commentator posted: 09.15.2014 - 9:30 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Michael Annett did from time to time, such as Fontana he did pretty well. I think he might bring something to the table but right now as far as the rookie class, only Larson and Dillon has stood out the most" Considering the fact that Harrison Scott equipment isn't anywhere near the levels of Chip Ganassi and Richard Childress, The fact that several times Allgaier has kept up with Larson and Dillon is pretty impressive. One thing though DANICA! STOP GIVING YOUR HATERS/LOATHERS AMMUNITION! And finally, in response to the question of who would be leading the ROTY standings between Stenhouse and Danica if they ran this year, and at 27 races Stenhouse would be leading Danica 202-186. 297. AutoRockinRacing94 posted: 09.15.2014 - 11:17 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Allgaier too, I completely forgot about him! He too has done pretty well in the #51 car. Personally, I see Larson, Dillon, Allgaier, and Annett being the longest tenured drivers of the rookie class at this moment. 298. Zackary Shawn posted: 09.16.2014 - 6:52 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) I have a feeling it will be Martin Truex Jr. in the 9 next year. 299. Daniel posted: 09.16.2014 - 8:56 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) It's just been announced that The Motorsports Group will be running Cup full time next year fielding the #30. 300. Smiff_2 posted: 09.16.2014 - 9:20 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I wouldn't mind seeing True get it. It'd also be nice to see Cassill get it, too. 301. racefangurl posted: 09.16.2014 - 9:34 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Jr.'s, as well as Brian Vickers were older than 18 and I won't mention the other guy's name. 302. HouseOfPenske posted: 09.16.2014 - 9:54 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Curtis Key moves his start and park efforts to the top level 303. Daniel posted: 09.16.2014 - 10:06 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) S&P effort? The #40 always attempts the full race. 304. Scott B posted: 09.16.2014 - 11:51 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I believe David Ragan is pretty much a lock for the #9 seat. He has run a few Nationwide races in the #98 Biagi-owned Ford, which has ties to Petty. He's only 28, but has plenty of Cup experience. Even though he didn't live up to expectations for Roush when they gave him his first shot in Cup, you can look at Joey Logano's reversal of fortune this season and wonder if Ragan's potential is better than the results we've seen so far. Plus, personality wise, he fits the Petty mold quite well. The bigger question mark may be, will they find enough sponsorship money to be competitive week in, week out? 305. murb posted: 09.16.2014 - 12:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Allgaier too, I completely forgot about him!" I keep forgetting about him too. He wouldn't be a bad choice for the #9 either. 306. David posted: 09.16.2014 - 4:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) All evidence involved in the Tony Stewart/Kevin Ward, Jr. incident will be presented by the D.A. to an Ontario County grand jury. 307. joey2448 posted: 09.16.2014 - 4:12 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) I had a funny dream last night: I was at Loudon, NH, with my dad, watching the race from the infield, but we were sitting in these special seats that were attached to a rail that moved spectators around the track, so that they could see all parts of the track during the race. The only problem was that the seats were moving clockwise, against the flow of race traffic, and not moving with the cars, so we would just see a bit of race action at a time. We missed the first caution flag, but I saw skid marks and assumed there had been a crash, and sure enough, I glanced up at the replay screen to see Danica Patrick had crashed, lol! After that, the seats continued to gain speed until we were moving pretty fast, over 50 mph, and I was pretty nervous. Luckily that's where I woke up... 308. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 09.16.2014 - 5:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "All evidence involved in the Tony Stewart/Kevin Ward, Jr. incident will be presented by the D.A. to an Ontario County grand jury." In terms of the criminal Justice system, a grand jury is "god." And it isn't just 6 people, it is 18 too 20 people in a grand jury. And they can convict anyone they chose in the case presented too them. 309. 23andJoe posted: 09.16.2014 - 6:38 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) >And they can convict anyone they chose in the case presented too them. Er, no. They can INDICT anyone they wish. A grand jury indictment results in a trial. At the trial the jury and judge can CONVICT someone, but a grand jury only determines if a trial is necessary. 310. Cooper posted: 09.16.2014 - 8:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) This was a huge signature win for Brad and the #2 crew. I believe Jeff wins the championship though as he wants to capitalize on what he might believe is his final great shot. That pass though by Brad, damn that was impressive. 311. Sarf52 posted: 09.16.2014 - 10:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Corey Lajoie making his cup debut...sign of things to come? Lajoie to the 9 baby! 312. Cornys posted: 09.16.2014 - 10:32 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Debris" being the cause of the first four cautions (legitimately) is more than unlikely. There hadn't been any incidents yet to weaken the structure of racing vehicles or the facility. Also, low racing-reference comments seems to correlate to poor TV ratings for Sprint Cup races. This race didn't even draw 4,000,000 viewers. 313. Cornys posted: 09.16.2014 - 10:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) *correction to previous post* average 4,000,000 viewers. 314. Brad Keselowski & Bubba Wallace Fan posted: 09.17.2014 - 12:41 am Rate this comment: (2) (1) "Also, low racing-reference comments seems to correlate to poor TV ratings for Sprint Cup races. This race didn't even draw average 4,000,000 viewers. " NASCAR will no doubt attempt to correct this with an even goofier, more gimmicky Chase next year. 315. Scott B posted: 09.17.2014 - 2:03 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I would be one of those non-viewers for Chicago. I may watch one or two Chase races, possibly none at all. I will check in here for stats and comments, though. 316. BON GORDON posted: 09.17.2014 - 1:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) According to Sporting News: "Those drivers who are eliminated in the first three rounds have their points adjusted by taking their total points accumulated in Chase races and adding to their point total when they started the Chase. That way, a driver who is knocked out in the first round of the Chase can finish as high as fifth in the final standings." I did not know this.... 317. Hinch27 posted: 09.17.2014 - 1:44 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Happy birthday to Jimmie Johnson! 318. DaleSrFanForever posted: 09.17.2014 - 2:37 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) Darlington will host NASCAR on Labor Day and DeWalt will sponsor Matt Kenseth (for just 6 races, but still) in 2015. If NASCAR would just say "you know, every time we try to make this chase stuff work, it fails so we are just gonna go back to the full season point system" that would be nice. It won't happen, but it would still be nice. Rainbow Nation, Jeff has looked spectacular all season. But, in the legendary words of Bad News Barrett, I'm afraid I've got some bad news. After Dover, the calendar turns to October. Post September + Jeff Grodon in the title hunt = downturn. 319. DaleSrFanForever posted: 09.17.2014 - 2:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) *Gordon 320. David posted: 09.17.2014 - 2:44 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "Rainbow Nation, Jeff has looked spectacular all season. But, in the legendary words of Bad News Barrett, I'm afraid I've got some bad news. After Dover, the calendar turns to October. Post September + Jeff Grodon in the title hunt = downturn." I'd love to see these words eaten come November 16. 321. BON GORDON posted: 09.17.2014 - 2:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) In my opinion this Chase system is the best so far. The only problem I have is the finale. It's a crap shoot. You could essentially win the first nine races and finish second in the finale and lose the championship. Four is too many, two or three drivers is much better. Maybe they could give a two point differential between first through fourth in points in the finale. However, the old points system (1975-2003) is the best system. DALESRFANFOREVER, I'm worried about the Gordon slump too but not as much as usual. He's still been running really well and this points system constantly puts you under pressure to perform or win in every segment. Talladega and surprisingly Martinsville are the two tracks I'm worried about as a Gordon fan. Talladega, that's obvious. I was at Martinsville earlier this year and he struggled to finish 12th. I've never seen him run that bad there since they repaved the track in 2004 during the Chase race. Hopefully, team 24 has improved @ Martinsville. Plus it's a short track and anything can happen. 322. Canadianfan posted: 09.17.2014 - 3:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bon Gordon don't worry about Martinsville Jeff got front end damage during a restart screwed up his car pretty good. Was never the same after that. Lucky to finish 12th. 323. BON GORDON posted: 09.17.2014 - 3:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yea but he's gotten front end damage a lot at Martinsville. Including last October when he won. He didn't like the tires, he was not very good on restarts, and track position was more important than ever there. I think he just underperformed there. There's always room for improvement and I do believe they'll improve over there run earlier this season. 324. David posted: 09.17.2014 - 3:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Bon Gordon don't worry about Martinsville Jeff got front end damage during a restart screwed up his car pretty good. Was never the same after that. Lucky to finish 12th." "Lucky" or "good"? 325. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 09.17.2014 - 3:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'd like to see Allgaier, Bowman or pretty much any rookie this year who has been making the most they can out of bad equipment get a chance in the #9 instead of seeing Ragan recycled. I like David, but he already had a chance at Cup and didn't capitalize on it. He's good for several good runs a year, but he's not a driver that can compete for the Chase yearly. If they have the right equipment, Martin Truex could do so, but I'm concerned about that as he threw away a lot of wins when he drove for MWR. I will say this about Jeff Gordon's championship chances: I think this is his best shot at winning one since 2007. He finally looks like the Jeff Gordon that has always been capable of still showing these young guns how it is done. Brad will probably be his biggest competitor, and Jeff will no doubt need to buckle down if that is the case (did I mention that Brad stared down Jimmie Johnson, of all people?). 326. racefangurl posted: 09.17.2014 - 3:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) I don't have any scenarios for Cup champ I throw out right away, unless there's someone that realistically won't make it. I don't have pie-in-the-sky syndrome in regard to the Cup. I save that for Nationwide. 327. Hinch27 posted: 09.17.2014 - 3:56 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) ^Would you shut the hell up with that? 328. DB1995 posted: 09.17.2014 - 4:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "^Would you shut the hell up with that?" Geez man, chill out. This is a public board she can say whatever she wants thats within the guidelines of the rules. If it bothers you that much then just ignore her posts. 329. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 09.17.2014 - 4:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "In my opinion this Chase system is the best so far. The only problem I have is the finale. It's a crap shoot. You could essentially win the first nine races and finish second in the finale and lose the championship. Four is too many, two or three drivers is much better. Maybe they could give a two point differential between first through fourth in points in the finale. However, the old points system (1975-2003) is the best system." Drivers should've been awarded with 3 pts/win to start every stage of the Chase rather than just for the 1st round. Example, if BK makes the "Final 4 Race for All Spectacular!!!", he should have 15 pts(5 wins x 3) added on. 330. BON GORDON posted: 09.17.2014 - 5:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "...he should have 15 pts(5 wins x 3) added on." I'll agree with that. Anything is better than just everyone is tied for first in points, free for all. 331. DB1995 posted: 09.17.2014 - 5:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Going into the final race, do points matter at all?, Like does it matter if you lead the most laps and win or just finish ahead of them? 332. BluesTravelerFan posted: 09.17.2014 - 5:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @331 Nope, it was said at the beginning that there would be no bonus points for laps led in the final race, literally just the best finisher of the 4. Alan Kulwicki is glad he raced in 1992 instead of now. 333. David posted: 09.17.2014 - 5:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) So, in case you haven't heard by now, Stanley and DeWalt are going to sponsor the #19 and #20 next year, respectively. In unrelated news, hordes of people are now boycotting Stanley and DeWalt. 334. BluesTravelerFan posted: 09.17.2014 - 6:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Wow, I didn't think that last part through, what I meant was, there won't be any scenarios like with Alan (where he was counting the points in his head throughout) and leading laps will not factor in unlike it did in 92. Which is a shame, because in that race at Atlanta a mid race battle between Alan and Bill Elliot turned out to be critical, because as we all know Alan was able to lead just enough to get the extra 5 points for leading the most laps instead of Bill(had it been the other way around, it would have been a 10 point swing, and Bill would have won on a tie breaker). The whole race mattered, not just the finish. I will say though that if they are going to tie them all up and reset them for the last race anyway, then it IS kind of pointless to have bonuses and add more guesswork when the purpose is to "simplify" things as much as possible. But of course I wish it weren't that way, although I won't lose any sleep over it. 335. Sector posted: 09.17.2014 - 6:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "@331 Nope, it was said at the beginning that there would be no bonus points for laps led in the final race, literally just the best finisher of the 4. Alan Kulwicki is glad he raced in 1992 instead of now." That is a bit smart if you think about it. Example: Joey Logano leading the most laps but finishing 6th behind Brad Keselowski, who didn't lead at all, finished 5th, would be a huge screw over on Brad's part, losing by one point but beating Joey on the racetrack. I mean it could result in a tiebreaker if Brad led & turned out to be another 2011 finish. Personally I think the "no bonus points" does better deeds than not. 336. BluesTravelerFan posted: 09.17.2014 - 6:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I agree with you Sector, as i said if they are going to reset it and tie it up regardless, then yes it is smart to not have bonus points, absolutely. I just don't agree with the other parts of the system (though as I said it's not something I'm going to obsess over). 337. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 09.17.2014 - 6:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "However, the old points system (1975-2003) is the best system." Nope. The Chase isn't either for that matter. Screw points, most wins. "Example: Joey Logano leading the most laps but finishing 6th behind Brad Keselowski, who didn't lead at all, finished 5th, would be a huge screw over on Brad's part, losing by one point but beating Joey on the racetrack. I mean it could result in a tiebreaker if Brad led & turned out to be another 2011 finish. Personally I think the "no bonus points" does better deeds than not." Yep. Although i have no idea why they tie up the final hour drivers, just say "go out and win the damn race." 338. cjs3872 posted: 09.17.2014 - 7:03 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) RCRandPenskeGuy, about what you said in post #325 about Brad Keselowski staring down Jimmie Johnson. While that was impressive, I don't think that had anything to do with anything Brad did. Jimmie Johnson's team simply collapsed in the final two races, blowing a tire and wrecking at Phoenix (a crew chief error) and then missing a lugnut on a pit stop (crew error) and later having a transmision problem (a mechanical problem). None of that was Jimmie's doing. And actually, Jimmie and his team have been known to self-destruct when under pressure. In 2004, they came in as the Chase co-favorites, and Jimmie threw his chances at the championship away with two needless crashes. Then in 2005, they let Tony Stewart get under their skin worse than he got under Carl Edwards' skin in 2011. And in 2012, they impoded in the final two races, handing a championship they should have easily won to Brad Keselowski. And when they won the championship in 2010, the #48 team was actually the underdogs, as Denny Hamlin and the #11 team was actually better, but it was their turn to implode, handing the championship they should have easily won to the #48 team. But I know this. If it eventually comes down to a Penske/Hendrick showdown in the final race, and it's between Keselowski and Jeff Gordon, Jeff Gordon's team is not going to buckle under the pressure the way Jimmie Johnson's team buckled under the pressure Keselowski put them under. After all, if Gordon stood up to everything Dale Earnhardt could put him under in 1995, and he did, albeit barely, than there isn't anyone that can get to Gordon, and I don't think Alan Gustafson is going to buckle down either, simply because Gordon's not going to let that happen. Gustafson may make a bad strategy call to cost him a shot at the title, but he's not going to buckle under the mental pressure Keselowski, or anyone else, for that matter, could possibly put him under. Keselowski might outrun Gordon, his team may have better tactics than Gordon's team may have, but if Keselowski thinks he's going to get the best of Gordon from the mental side of things, he's dealing with the wrong driver, because Gordon went up against Earnhardt, who was as tough as they get, and triumphed. Compared to Earnhardt, Keselowski's a pushover, and so is everyone else. 339. Sector posted: 09.17.2014 - 7:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) So Joe Gibbs Racing will announce a crew chief swap after Homestead. Honestly, at first I thought Jason Ratcliff would be an excellent crew chief for Kyle Busch, until we've seen the success he's had with Matt Kenseth. I would love to see Jason win a championship in his future as a crew chief, basically because he is my favorite crew chief (Second overall to Ray Evernham). Though I know it'll have to be with a future star, since Matt Kenseth probably isn't going to win another championship until the fat lady calls a second for him. Here are the line-ups I want to predict what may happen: 1) Dave Rogers will go to Denny Hamlin. Dave isn't a bad crew chief & Denny isn't a bad driver. I think they both need a change, so it's time. 2) Adam Stevens will go to Kyle Busch. Their Nationwide success? Well putting that aside, I think Adam will change Kyle's career a bit, but not much. Heck, I think they may be able to win a Cup champion together. Never say never, folks. Either way, Dave Rogers & Kyle Busch are long overdue to split, they aren't clicking any better than the next guy. 3) Jason Ratcliff remains with Matt Kenseth. For reasons stated above. 4) Darian Grubb to Carl Edwards. Carl is I see someone who will have great success with a championship calibur crew chief than not. He hasn't had a "bad year" since he got linked up with Jimmy Fennig, an excellent & possibly the best crew chief Jack Roush has ever had that won the inaugural Chase championship with the talented Kurt Busch. Plus, it'll be one hell of a story to see a crew chief that actually defeated a driver for the 2011 championship pair up together, 4 years later. 340. Zackary Shawn posted: 09.17.2014 - 9:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Has there been a case where a sponsor and driver have parted ways and then been reunited with different teams a few years later like Kenseth and DeWalt? I can't think of any off the top of my head, but I feel like it has happened before. 341. Canadianfan posted: 09.17.2014 - 10:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) hey zack Bill Elliott with McDonald's 04-06 and Melling 06 DW and Tide in the truck series 02-03 342. joey2448 posted: 09.17.2014 - 10:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Terry Labonte drove for Billy Hagan in 1983 with Budweiser sponsorship, then reunited with the beer company in 1987 driving for Junior Johnson. Then, Labonte reunited with Hagan and took on Kellogg's sponsorship in 1993, which he then brought over to Rick Hendrick's 5 team the following year (1994). There may be other drivers that had two different stints with the same sponsor than that, but Terry's was the first one I thought of... 343. Canadianfan posted: 09.17.2014 - 10:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Schrader with Red Baron Frozen Pizza. 90 car mid-80's, 49 car mid-2000's 344. murb posted: 09.17.2014 - 10:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I can't think of any other driver/sponsor reunions in Cup (though I'm sure there are some more), but in the Truck Series, Matt Crafton and Menards have done it. Crafton left Thorsport to drive for KHI in 2004, and then returned to the #88 Menards truck the following year. 345. racefangurl posted: 09.18.2014 - 12:14 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) DB, Hinch27's just tired of my attitude about the Nationwide championship, thinks it's insane. I was saying I don't have that attitude about the Cup. I'm more rational about the Cup Chase than the Nationwide championship, I guess. I guess Allmendinger and Almirola are thought to not have a much of a chance and some of the other deep in the Chase field ones could become that way. I think the Hendrick drivers,and Penske drivers are the best bets to pick the Final Four from, but I can't say I'm set on this. It's just the most likely. I'm willing to just wait and see how it plays out. The final four could be all Hendrick, though it's more likely to be three Hendrick and one Penske driver or two of each, as Kasey Kahne's thought to be amongst the most likely to be eliminated of these teams' drivers. 346. DaleSrFanForever posted: 09.18.2014 - 8:32 am Rate this comment: (2) (1) "But I know this. If it eventually comes down to a Penske/Hendrick showdown in the final race, and it's between Keselowski and Jeff Gordon" If you think Jeff will be a championship contender through October, into November, then I'm afraid I've got some bad news. "Gordon stood up to everything Dale Earnhardt could put him under in 1995" If by "stood up to" you mean "damn near blew a 314 point lead in FOUR races" then yeah, he stood up to him. If you think he's gonna get a 314 point lead under this gimmicked system (or whatever the equivalent is with the new point payout), and if you think Jeff is truly a clutch driver in championship battles, and if you think Jimmie Johnson is the poster child of championship collapses and not Jeff, then I'm afraid I've got some bad news. 347. Scott B posted: 09.18.2014 - 1:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Loudon entry update, Mike Wallace now in the #66 in place of Joe Nemechek. Also, speaking of "reunions," Travis Kvapil returns to BK Racing's #93. 348. cjs3872 posted: 09.18.2014 - 1:07 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Fot those wondering about drivers having a sponsor with one team and then having the same sponsor with a different teams years later, add Ricky Rudd to that list on two occasions. First, he left Rick Hendrick after the 1993 season to form his own team and took Tide with him. But also, let's not forget that he had Motorcraft as a sponsor on more than one occasion. The first time was when he drive for Bud Moore, as Motorcraft sponsored Rudd during his time driving for Moore from 1985-'87, and then when Rudd joined the Wood Brothers in 2003, he also reunited with Motorcraft, even showing off his old Bud Moore-era Motorcraft uniform in a shoot he did when he joined the Wood Brothers. (Ironically, Donnie Wingo, who had been a winning crew chief for Moore when the Motorcraft sponsorship was there, was the winning crew chief of the 2011 Daytona 500 with the Wood Brothers with Motorcraft as the sponsor. In fact, the hood of the car looked just as it did when Wingo was the crew chief for Bud Moore in the early 90s, winning with drivers such as Morgan Shepherd and Geoff Bodine.) 349. dennyfan11 posted: 09.18.2014 - 3:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Daniel actually made 2 non- "Go Gordon!" Comments on this race! 350. cjs3872 posted: 09.18.2014 - 4:26 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I'm not saying he will be in contention at the end, DSFF. What I was saying was that if Brad Keselowski thinks he's going to get into Jeff Gordon's head the same way he may have gotten into the heads of the #48 team in 2012, he would be doing that to the wrong driver, because Jeff and his team did stand up to Earnhardt in 1995. What happened at the end of the 1995 season was a case of Earnhardt's team having nothing to lose, believing they were beat for the championship and prepping for 1996, so they were under no pressure and relaxed and did their thing, and I think we saw that in the final 6-8 races of that season. Meanwhile, Gordon's team played it too conservatively, basically waiting for the clock to run out on Earnhardt, especially after what happened to them at Charlotte, and they played what was NASCAR's version of the "prevent defense", and it would have gotten them beat had the season been one race longer than it was. That, and what happened in 1997, when a similar scenario played out (Gordon's team being too conservative with a big point lead, which shrunk dramatically, but was not overcome), is more on the team than the driver. And actually, in recent years, Gordon's been much better in the last few races of the season than he was in his championship years, and I think the record shows that. His only win last year came in the fall Martinsville race, he won the season finale in 2012, and has overall performed better in the final races in recent years than he did in his greatest seasons, 1998 excepted. So I don't think the statement about Jeff not getting it done near the end of the season is as accurate now as it was five years ago. His problem is, because he's not as likely to win as some of the younger drivers are, he has to finish up front every week to make sure of being in that final eight, and then it's anyone's guess who takes it from there. 351. BluesTravelerFan posted: 09.18.2014 - 4:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I have a question that I would appreciate some feedback on from you guys,but first I will give you some background : I have never been to a Cup series race, but have been trying to convince my parents(I'm of High School age) to let me go to Martinsville to a Cup race for a long time. Though they have said they would let me go if I absolutely couldn't stay away, they keep discouraging me and saying things like "It would be miserable, you would barely be able to see the cars,you would have drunks and other people crammed on top of you,etc. and you would not be able to enjoy it". To clarify, my dad(who used to be a big fan but hasn't watched or cared about racing in over 10 years) has been to a decent amount of races at tracks like Rockingham, Charlotte, and Darlington( in addition to the 1990 Daytona 500), but not Martinsville(and all those were 20-25 years ago). My question is do you guys agree with my parents? Would I be able to enjoy the race, or would it be a miserable day like they say it would? Should I pull hard to try to go to this upcoming Martinsville Cup date? I would appreciate some feedback from some of you that have been to Cup races as to what the experience is like(preferably at Martinsville, of course). PS Apologies for all the parentheses. 352. Hinch27 posted: 09.18.2014 - 5:35 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) I agree with DSFF assessments, but I love how he only shows up to be an asshole. 353. DaleSrFanForever posted: 09.18.2014 - 5:43 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Blues Traverer, Martinsville is an excellent experience. You can see everything and it is a comfortable place to see a race. As far as the drunks, they are nowhere even close to the way they were in the 90s. I am 30 years old and have been going to races since I was six, mostly North Wilkesboro and Charlotte. If your Dad hasn't been to a race since the 90s, he wouldn't even recognize the crowds nowadays. And that isn't a bad thing. Used to be people watching (ie drunk watching) was half the fun. There were races I felt like me and Dad were the only ones not drunk. The majority of the fans would either camp out at or get to the track by 7 in the morning and immediately start getting plastered. By the noon time start (man I miss those) they were already 3 sheets to the wind, and they kept drinking throughout the race. And their antics were hilarious. Hell, more than once, on our way to the track, we saw fans already passed out. Today? You hardly even see anyone with a beer. One big piece of advice though: whatever direction you are coming from, DO NOT pass the track to park. Cause if you are trying to leave after the race, driving past the track with all those people leaving takes forever. Park before you get to the track. 354. BluesTravelerFan posted: 09.18.2014 - 5:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Thank you for the awesome feedback DSFF! Much obliged! 355. DaleSrFanForever posted: 09.18.2014 - 6:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hinch, didn't you used to be NRF? 356. Hinch27 posted: 09.18.2014 - 7:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ^Why yes I did, and I will call you an asshole anytime I please :P I am still a bit steamed over the Tony Stewart saga, but I'll get over it. 357. David posted: 09.18.2014 - 7:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) By the way, rest in peace, Earl Ross--NASCAR'S only Canadian winner. 358. David posted: 09.18.2014 - 7:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) *in the Cup series. Ron Fellows and all of the Canadian Tire series drivers were offended. 359. cjs3872 posted: 09.18.2014 - 7:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) BluesTraveler, though I've never been there, I know enough about the history of NASCAR to tell you that attending a race at Martinsville or Darlington is not that much different than attending a MLB game at Wrigley Field or Fenway Park would be like, or what attending an NBA game at the old Boston Garden, or what attending an NFL game at Lambeau Field would be like, or attending the Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National would be like, because you're not only watching the current stars of the sport, but you're also absorbing quite a bit of the history of the sport because you'd be on the same ground on which the legends of the sport made their names. I don't see attending a NASCAR race at Martinsville or Darlington any different than any of those other fan experiences I mentioned, not just because of what you'd be seeing, but also because you'd absorbing much of the history of the sport. 360. DaleSrFanForever posted: 09.18.2014 - 7:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I was just wondering why you have been so sour lately with your guy, Nico Rossburg, leading the F1 points. As for "that saga", if you thought that wasn't gonna end up before a grand jury, I'm afraid I've got some bad news. 361. BluesTravelerFan posted: 09.18.2014 - 7:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Agreed cjs. Martinsville really is the Rodney Dangerfield of NASCAR tracks. 362. DaleSrFanForever posted: 09.18.2014 - 8:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Martinsville has a county fair type atmosphere. Like a community gathering. Heck, you walk through a neighborhood to get to the track. And as for the racing, you are a right on top of everything. 363. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 09.18.2014 - 11:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "While that was impressive, I don't think that had anything to do with anything Brad did" I think Brad got in Jimmie's head, and Jimmie realized that he wasn't gonna fold like Hamlin and Edwards did in the years they raced him for the title. That's why I say Brad stared him down. Next year at JGR will be musical chairs, it looks like. Crew chiefs switching teams and a new driver added. BTW, Matt Kenseth must be thinking "I can't get away from this guy" in reference to Carl (who will probably have a big year next year, like Kyle Busch did in 2008 and Matt last year). 364. The Crimson King posted: 09.19.2014 - 3:13 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Is it mathematically possible for one of the drivers to finish so badly this weekend that they'd be eliminated on points unless they won at Dover? 365. joey2448 posted: 09.19.2014 - 4:11 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Is it mathematically possible for one of the drivers to finish so badly this weekend that they'd be eliminated on points unless they won at Dover?" Yes, if Almirola were to be 49 or more points behind the 12th place driver (note: not the points leader) in the standings, he would be forced to win at Dover in order to continue into the second round. 366. Hinch27 posted: 09.19.2014 - 8:04 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Not trying to be morbid, but an interesting fact: Earl Ross is the first one of the five drivers who won a race in the infamous 1974 season to pass away. 367. Daniel posted: 09.19.2014 - 1:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) -Clay Rogers now in the #93 368. racefangurl posted: 09.19.2014 - 1:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'd say Almirola won't probably advance. 'Dinger's best tracks are Dover and the road race tracks. I'd say 'Dinger has slight edge over Almirola, as I think 'Dinger's better at Dover than Almirola. Neither one has that great a team, though. I predict the eliminated will be Almirola, Newman, Biffle and 'Dinger, unless they win one. If 'Dinger wins Dover, I'd say Edwards would be gone. At least, if Edwards can't win or climb in points at Loudon or Dover. Then, it would be somebody like Kasey Kahne or Matt Kenseth gone, if they didn't win. Kurt Busch is another one that may not advance. He could eliminated if he had a bad race this week or next. It's hard to predict. 369. cjs3872 posted: 09.19.2014 - 1:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Except that Jimmie was the one key person on that #48 team that wasn't fazed by all that Brad was doing, RCRandPenskeGuy. Everyone else, including crew chief Chad Knaus, was making silly errors they didn't usually make. For instance, Jimmie was running a solid seventh at Phoenix when he knew he was having a problem with the right front tire, but Chad Knaus was the one that made the decision to have Jimmie stay out longer than he should have, and Jimmie's right front tire blew out. That's on Knuas, not on Jimmie, who knew he had a problem. Then at Homestead, they were in perfect position to wn the race and take the title when Jimmie's crew left a lugnut loose and NASCAR called them in to get it tightened. That's not on Jimmie, either, but rather on his pit crew (or pit equipment). The fact that he later had a transmission failure made the pit road mistake at Homestead (and possibly even Knaus' judgmental error at Phoenix) a moot point. But Jimmie was on his game throughout that Chase, but key members of his team weren't on the stick as they usually are, possibly because they were distracted by what the #2 team was doing. Let's not forget that Brad's team also made a critical mistake when they made a fuel gamble at Charlotte they didn't need to make, and it cost them a near-certain win, because they had the best car in that race. That helped to put Jimmie's team in position to take the title, when they committed those two rare unforced errors in the final two races of the season to give the title back to Keselowski, who was about to take control of the championship before the Charlotte gaffe. 370. cjs3872 posted: 09.19.2014 - 1:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) At least the first round is more predictable than the second round, racefangurl. That's because a driver could have five top fives in a row to start the Chase, but if none of them are a win, he could get eliminated simply by being in the big wreck(s) at Talladega, because of all the points that could cost him. Unless something like that happens at Dover, the first round is much more predictable, though mechanical failure will still have a big part in deciding a team's future, as it did with Aric Almirola. After all, if not for his engine failure, Almirola would actually have a very good chance of advancing to the next round of the Chase, because he would almost certainly have gotten a top ten finish, if not a top five finish. In fact, had Joey Logano's engine had failed two or three laps earlier than it did, he could easily be in the same box that Almirola's in, even though he does have the extra nine points from his wins, which does help somewhat. Had his engine blown a few laps earlier and forced a GWC finish, Logano could have fnished as low as 38th, depending on the number of extra laps that would have been run to clean up the track for the GWC finish, and he would be where Almirola is now. If a team were to make a fuel mileage gamble this weekend, and that's been known to happen at Loudon, and it doesn't pay off, a top-5 run could turn into a finish of 25th or worse, and if that driver's anyone except Brad Keselowski (who's locked into the next round of the chase from his win at Chicago), that could turn into the one decision that knocks that team out of the Chase, and that even includes one of the Hendrick teams. That's how devastating a mid-pack finish can still be, regardless of how well the team is running. Having Keselowski, or one of the non-Chasers win the next two races, is not the worst thing that could happen for those trying to get into the next round on points, since that would open up more spots for those needing to use points. As of now, 11 spots are open to those needing to use points, and if either Keselowski or a non-Chaser happen to win the next two races, that number would stay at 11, but that number would decrease to ten if this race was won by a Chaser not named Brad Keselowski, and then to nine if the race at Dover is not won by one of the two Chasers that had already won, if two had already won. 371. Daniel posted: 09.19.2014 - 2:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) -Travis Kvapil in the #83 instead of Ryan Truex 372. racefangurl posted: 09.19.2014 - 3:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Aric Almirola's low in points, as are the others are mentioned as prime elimination candidates. I guess I thought given how down in points Almirola is, he either has to win or climb in points to stay alive this round. Even if it is due to an engine issue, he's the lowest ranked one, so he's precarious and I picked up on that. 373. cjs3872 posted: 09.19.2014 - 3:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) But the fact that Almirola ran as well as he did at Chicago does give him some hope of getting two good finishes and then possibly hope that gets him high enough in points to give him a place in the final 12. But Almirola's one of those drivers that is actually rooting for Brad Keselowski or a non-Chaser to win because that opens up another spot that could get in on points, and then what happens in the first three races of the Chase doesn't matter (except for those that win) because the points are reset at that time. We know that if the three races in round one are each won by a different driver in the Chase that it would be the three winners, plus the top nine in points that didn't win that would make it to round two. However, if either Keselowski or a non-Chaser wins at Loudon this weekend, then it would be the top ten non-winners in points that would be guaranteed, since a maximum of two Chasers could win in the first three races, and with Kyle Larson running as well as he did last week, in addition to the track records of some of the non-Chasers at New Hampshire (Clint Bowyer and Tony Stewart instantly come to mind here), we must consider the possibility of a non-Chaser winning at Loudon, which would open up another spot for those needing to get into the next round via points, and make it the top ten non-winners in points getting in. And if neither of the next two races are won by any of the other 15 Chasers, then it would be the top 11 in points that get in, opening up still another spot for those needing to get in via points. 374. Cornys posted: 09.19.2014 - 4:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @BluesTravelerFan Go :) I went this Spring and it was cold, but the racing was GREAT :) I'm very frustrated with the state of NASCAR, but that race was the best I've ever attended in person. It's not the atmosphere of Bristol, but it's a better race. Having never been at a race before it will be a GREAT first race experience, and the price is very reasonable. 375. DaleSrFanForever posted: 09.19.2014 - 9:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Now I will admit that the weather for Martinsville in their dates is a crapshoot. In the Spring '13 race, the weather was simply gorgeous, with the ladies all in their tank tops as I described very well on that race's page. But yeah, this year's Spring race was cold. The worst was the 2008 Spring race. It was in the 30s and it had a steady rain the whole race (the fact it is such a small narrow track and the heat from the cars kept the surface dry, I daresay any other track couldn't have raced that day). Just be prepared in case it is cold. Also, cause it is in the mountains, don't be surprised if it is freezing in the morning, but warms up by noon. Make sure to have a short sleeved shirt under it all. And sun screen. Something about the way the track is oriented, the way the sun sets, if you are on the front stretch, the sun will just bake your right side. Even on a cold day if the sun is out. If you wear a hat and sunglasses, you will have a funny looking red stripe on your right cheekbone. I call it the Martinsville Stripe. 376. racefangurl posted: 09.20.2014 - 12:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Almirola could climb, since the points are on the close side now. 'Dinger, if he was to climb could do so at Dover, his best Chase track. Someone on Yahoo said Dover and road races are 'Dinger's best. If he has a decent race (by his standards this year) this week, meaning he avoid trouble and it avoids him, Dover may save him from elimination, as long he has no issues crop he can't control. Of the underdogs, which has a better chance of surviving this round. Almirola, if he runs like he did at Chicagoland and can have results that reflect his performance or 'Dinger if he has a somewhat ok race this week and is good (given his situation) at Dover? Almirola's 23 points from the 12th place driver, Carl Edwards and the 'Dinger's -5 from 12th place. 377. racefangurl posted: 09.20.2014 - 12:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The 6th-11th has major shift around potential. There's a three way tie in points as 6th,7th and 8th place drivers Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin are -18 and then there's 10th and 11th place tied between Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne at -25. My favorite part of the standings is Joey's 3rd and I hope he can be top-4 when they're headed to Homestead. 378. Accutech posted: 09.22.2015 - 5:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor update: #4 Jimmy John's "Freaky Fast!" 379. Spen posted: 01.02.2016 - 1:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This was Michael McDowell's first top-42 finish at Chicagoland. 380. Tide1732 posted: 09.27.2017 - 7:07 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) I'm very sad to Dale Earnhardt Jr. not end a Glorious NASCAR cup career not make the chase. 381. Rich posted: 09.25.2020 - 3:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Allen Bestwick, Andy Petree and Dale Jarrett were the commentators. Dr. Jerry Punch, Dave Burns, Vince Welch and Jamie Little were the pit road reporters. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Post a comment:* Your comment may not appear immediately - all comments must be approved by the moderator. Name: Comment: