Race 14 - Kansas

Race 14 - Kansas

Pole Winner: #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Race Winner: #78 Martin Truex Jr.

Majority Pick: #3 & #48

CLICK FOR STANDINGS

Pool Standings: 

1. G-unit - 131
2. Buz - 132
3. JuneBug88 - 144
4. Gary W - 154
4. Sam Holloway - 159

Martin Truex Jr. does it again on a mile and a half track. If he continues like this, he could beat Bobby Labonte's old record of averaging a 2.3 finish on mile and a half tracks. Truex is currently averaging a 2.5 finish. It certainly has been his year, and I think it's going to take some bad luck for him to not win the championship.

The racing was pretty good at Kansas, from what I saw of it. Kyle Busch looked to have a good car, as well as his brother. Matt Kenseth got benched during the race for having too many crew members working on the car. NASCAR told him to park the car after that. Then, Jimmy Johnson's crew sent an extra man over the wall. But, NASCAR said that since that crew member was "servicing the driver", he would not be disqualified like Kenseth was. A lot of people disagree with the call, as do I. Johnson's crew member pulled off a tear away from the windshield, which modified the car. That's no different that changing a tire in my mind. Both enhanced the driver's ability to drive the car. Had the guy given Johnson a bottle of water and went back over the wall, then I wouldn't be arguing. I think that is more along the lines of servicing the driver. Any thoughts? Feel free to comment.

We've got some short track action on  the schedule at Martinsville Speedway this weekend. I hope there is a good turnout for the race. Although it's going to be raining that morning and cold throughout the day. But don't let that stop you from going! Take some airplane bottles in with you to help stay warm :-D.

Next Race: Martinsville on October 29, 2017

Race 13 - Talladega

Race 13 - Talladega

Pole Winner: #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Race Winner: #2 Brad Keselowski

Majority Pick: #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.

CLICK FOR STANDINGS

Pool Standings: 

1. Gary W - 118
2. G-unit - 123
3. Sam Holloway - 124
4. Buz - 129
4. JuneBug88 - 133

Talladega looked to be the best race I've seen all year. Lot's of action, tight racing, and plenty of wrecks. I think there were only a dozen cars or so that finished the race. Jr didn't get the win I predicted but, if you see my name on the sheet you can tell I haven't done that great at predicting the winners. He ran good though, and if it wasn't for his splitter breaking he might have had a shot at getting to the front. Chase Elliott had the car to beat, but just had some bad luck with 6 laps to go. He had one hell of a run and saw the opening and went for it. Suarez just didn't see him in time and it ended both of their chances. I hated to see a Ford in victory lane, but at least it said "Cheers 2 Dale Jr" on the back!

Let's get ready for some more settled down racing action at Kansas this week. The race for the chase is getting tight as this race is the last of the round of 12. After Kansas we will be down to the round of 8. Our standings are tightening up as well, so good luck to everyone in the hunt!

Next Race: Kansas on October 22, 2017

Race 12 - Charlotte

 

Race 12 - Charlotte

Pole Winner: #11 Denny Hamlin.

Race Winner: #78 Martin Truex Jr.

Majority Pick: #78 Martin Truex Jr.

CLICK FOR STANDINGS

Pool Standings: 

1. Gary W - 92
2. G-unit -116
3. Sam Holloway -117
4. Buz - 122
4. asleep at the wheel - 125

Well, I missed my prediction on the top 3 for Charlotte, but I got one of them. Martin Truex Jr. continues to roll through this season, racking up his 6th win for 2017. Lots of little things happened last week that may have some impact going forward. One of the biggest being Kyle Larson calling out NASCAR and Jimmy Johnson. Apparently NASCAR has been overlooking some infractions in the 48 camp. We'll see if that creates any tension on the race track between these two chase contenders.

This week is a total crap shoot as usual at Talladega. I'm going with the prediction that Dale Jr. gets his last win at one of his favorite tracks. If not the win, he's a top 3 guy in this race. We'll see what the Toyota's bring to the restrictor plate track this week. They have been ahead of the game this year and we'll see if that run continues, or if Chevy and Ford can start making up some ground during the home stretch!

Next Race: Talladega on October 15, 2017

Race 11 - Dover

 

Race 11 - Dover

Pole Winner: #78 Martin Truex Jr.

Race Winner: #18 Kyle Busch

Majority Pick: #48, #78, #42

CLICK FOR STANDINGS

Pool Standings: 

1. Gary W - 91
2. JuneBug88 - 99
3. Sam Holloway -110
4. G-unit -115
4. asleep at the wheel - 118

I think that everyone moved out of the way for Kyle Busch last Sunday for the race win. I sure would have like to see Chase win that race, but he'll keep digging. The race was fairly uneventful, with limited cautions. If it happens again, I look for NASCAR to throw in a "mystery" caution to make it interesting. This week the big boys are in Charlotte for some mile and half action. A track this size has Martin Truex Jr written all over it, but remember that Jimmy Johnson has dominated here in years past. Also look for Kyle Busch to keep steam rolling through Charlotte. I'm calling that the top 3 for this weekend.
 

Next Race: Charlotte on October 8, 2017