Sunday’s washout at the Bristol Circus Maximus resulted in NASCAR rescheduling both the NASCAR Pinty Truck race and the Cup event to Monday. Martin Truex, Jr. ended up the winner in the Trucks while Parker Kligerman of Stamford, CT ended the day in 18th place with Brett Moffit driving Cape Cod’s Chris Hour entry, who resides in Harwich, MA, to a disappointing 24th.
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
Ryan Blaney Wins at Atlanta, Spoils Kyle Larson’s Dominant Run
You can call Ryan Blaney “The Spoiler.” (more…)
Logano Left Puzzled After Runner-up Finish at Phoenix
Joey Logano didn’t lose the Instacart 500 at Phoenix Raceway because of a lousy last restart or a vibration. Logano admitted afterward that even if he had broken away from Martin Truex Jr. on the final restart, he would probably have been overtaken by Truex at some point during the run to the checkered flag.
Logano, however, was still left puzzled Sunday night. (more…)
5 Races, 5 Winners… Truex Wins in the Desert
Martin Truex, Jr. was certainly a contender for a win at Phoenix but not the first name that came to mind. He was a no show in Stage 1 after brushing the wall but was running second to Joey Logano at the end of Stage 2. (more…)
NASCAR Free Agency: Erik Jones, Ryan Preece of Berlin, CT Most Likely To Enhance Value
For Erik Jones and Ryan Preece of Berlin, CT, respective finishes of 10th and 15th in last Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Las Vegas were quietly effective outings. Considering the teams for which they drive — Richard Petty Motorsports for Jones, JTG Daugherty Racing for Preece — exist on the competitive fringes, as small programs not likely to secure position in the series’ lucrative playoffs. (more…)
Welcome Back to Victory Lane, Kyle Larson!
It wasn’t a question of “if” Kyle Larson could find his way back to Victory Lane, it was a question of “when.” But I still think it is safe to say that Kyle Larson winning at Las Vegas continues the streak of surprise winners this season. (more…)
Underdog Michael McDowell Wins the Daytona 500
Michael McDowell was finally rewarded for years of toiling away in underfunded teams by being in the right place at the right time late Sunday night as he went to victory lane in the Daytona 500. McDowell has run well in this race before with his best finish being fourth in 2017, but he hasn’t always been rewarded with his patience at the Great American Race. (more…)
Michael McDowell Pulls off a Stunner with Last-Lap DAYTONA 500 Victory (full results)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2021) – In a stunning upset at the end of an action-filled, rain-interrupted DAYTONA 500, Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell claimed his first NASCAR Cup Series victory after charging into the lead during a brutal multicar wreck in Turn 3 on the final lap.
“I can’t believe it,” McDowell said. “I’ve got to thank God. So many years of just grinding it out, hoping for an opportunity like this. I’ve got to thank (team owner) Bob Jenkins for giving me this opportunity. I’m so thankful. (more…)
Berlin, CT’s Ryan Preece Puts JTG Daugherty Racing Into Daytona 500 Field
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla: Ryan Preece will sleep very well the rest of the week.
After losing their team charter during the off-season, JTG Daugherty Racing arrived at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway knowing they had to make the “Great American Race” based on their qualifying speed Wednesday night. (more…)
It’s Busch in the Busch Clash! Kyle Wins on DAYTONA Road Course After Elliott, Blaney Collide Coming to Checkered Flag (Full Results)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 9, 2021) – Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch may carry the nickname “Rowdy” but it was a couple of his competitors acting that way that allowed him to move into the lead out of the final turn and earn his second career Busch Clash victory Tuesday night. (more…)
Chris Buescher’s Rally Halted by Late Incident in Daytona Clash
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 9, 2021) – Chris Buescher drove all the way up to fourth with just a handful of laps remaining in Tuesday night’s Busch Clash race, but his promising run was cut short when he was collected by an incident in the final turns of Daytona’s road course. With damage to his Fastenal Ford Mustang, Buescher was forced to settled for a 17th-place finish in the chaotic exhibition event. (more…)
Matt DiBenedetto Ready to Hit the Road (Course) at Daytona
Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are headed to Daytona International Speedway, where they will kick off their 2021 Cup Series campaign with Tuesday night’s Busch Clash on the track’s infield road course. Once that checkered flag falls the action shifts to the 2.5-mile superspeedway for the Daytona 500 festivities that culminate with the Great American Race on Feb. 14. (more…)
Let’s Play Two! Gaunt Brothers Racing Keeps Ty Dillon for Daytona Road Course
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 8, 2021) – Gaunt Brothers Racing will keep Ty Dillon in its No. 96 Toyota Camry for the NASCAR Cup Series’ second race of the 2021 season when drivers turn left and right Feb. 21 on the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway road course. (more…)
Gaunt Brothers Racing Tabs Ty Dillon for Daytona 500
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 19, 2021) – Gaunt Brothers Racing has named Ty Dillon as its driver for the 63rd running of the Daytona 500 Feb. 14 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
The 28-year-old from Lewisville, North Carolina, will make his 163rd career NASCAR Cup Series start upon qualifying for The Great American Race. Dillon will drive the No. 96 Bass Pro Shops/Black Rifle Coffee Company Toyota Camry, marking his first point-paying start behind the wheel of a Toyota. (more…)
Chase Elliott Wins Martinsville; Harvick Fails to Advance to Cup Title Race
The last thing Kevin Harvick needed was another bad race at Martinsville.
The last thing he needed was a driver below the cut line coming into Martinsville to win the race.
The last thing he needed was to have every driver he was chasing finish ahead of him. (more…)
Chase Elliott Takes The Roval Again
Chase Elliott came back with a vengeance and won back-to-back races on the Roval. Elliott went back in the filed after an issue and at one point, the PRN broadcast team mentioned that he was making ground up but still a longshot to come back and win. I guess no one told Chase Elliott that.
Let’s face it, while I don’t think he would call himself a road course specialist, the kid is super good turning left and right. And it doesn’t seem to matter where the road course or roval is, he has been dominant on them. Rain or shine doesn’t seem to matter either.
Unlike the Xfinity race, the Cup race just had a slightly wet track to contend with. It wasn’t too long before cars were swapping out rain tires for slicks. I don’t mind watching cars race in the rain or on wet tracks, but stock cars aren’t really set up for that even with rain tires. They are about as ungainly as a race car comes.
As much of a statement as Chase’s win was, the same could be said about Kyle Busch on the other end of the spectrum. Busch finished a very disappointing 30th and fulfilled his promise that they would be eliminated in this round. He may not win this year.
Of all the drivers that have surprised me in this playoff is the elder Busch brother. Kurt Busch managed a 4th place finish and as we look towards Kansas, Kurt has five Top 10 finishes in his last seven races there. If he can run like that, he stands a chance on advancing quite a ways. Kurt also has an enviable record at Texas but he may need some help by the time they get to Martinsville.
Kansas has been very kind to Denny Hamlin, winner of the past two races and tied with Martin Truex, Jr. with two wins. But MTJ hasn’t won there since 2017. Other recent winners include Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick.
My picks for the drivers exiting this round was pretty close. My list a few weeks ago was:
- Kurt Busch
- Clint Bowyer
- Aric Almirola
- Alex Bowman
So Bowman advances, Austin Dillon falls and Kyle Busch had an epic fail.
For the next round that includes Kansas, Texas and Martinsville, the choices get a lot tougher. A simple mistake could be the difference between advancing or not. Texas may be the race that makes or breaks some of these guys.
My picks for failing to advance to the finals are:
- Alex Bowman – Texas and Martinsville could spell trouble for him.
- Martin Truex, Jr. – Only two top 10 finishes last 5 Texas races.
- Brad Keselowski – Only one top 10 in last 5 Texas races.
- Joey Logano – Another poor Kansas showing could be his downfall.
Dark horse to fall:
- Kurt Busch – he would really need to stay super competitive and have everyone else above him have serious issues. He would have to out point other MTJ, Keselowski and Logano drivers to advance.
Shocker but really not:
- Denny Hamlin – Only has one Top 10 at Texas but won here in 2019. He needs to win at Kansas or Martinsville may be a must win for him, and he hasn’t won there since 2015.
I basically see Kevin Harvick as the only driver not vulnerable to points. He has a good shot winning anywhere and has been the most consistent driver this year. Everyone else feels like a bad race could stop them. Obviously, it’s win and you advance but aside from Harvick, few drivers seem like a sure bet these next three races.
Who do you have?
(Featured image courtesy of Team Chevy PR)
Kurt Busch Shook Up NASCAR At Las Vegas
Kurt Busch shook up the playoff picture by winning at his home track for the first time ever. Denny Hamlin led an impressive 121 laps and had a late caution not come out, he just might have won with his fresher tires. (more…)
Kevin Harvick Wins Again (And Kyle Busch HATES Being Second)
Kevin Harvick battled Kyle Busch through the end of the final stage of racing and came out on top. Again. Harvick winning really put the dagger through the heart of a few teams hoping against hope to advance to the Round of 12. (more…)