NASCAR - Chase Race #10 - Miami

 

 

Homestead Miami proved to be a great race for the finale of the season. With only 3 cautions, the green flag racing was good. The last caution coming on lap 154 and the last green on 162, leaving 103 laps and one more pit stop for everyone, pit strategy was critical. Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer running 1st and 2nd with a hand full of laps left took the chance that they saved enough gas to make it to the end. Bowyer never caught up with Gordon and Gordon gave Hendricks his first Miami win... Jimmie Johnson had problems towards the end of the race, sending him to the garage and ending his chase for his 6th Championship.

 

Congratulations Jeff Gordon!!! Staying out of trouble and just staying in the hunt til end and not pitting and pushing the fuel mileage limit to take the checkered flag... Having a few times racing Bowyer, you both acted like true racers, just proving that every once in while stuff happens, and that is just a part of racing.

Top Ten Recap:

1. Jeff Gordon - started 15 - up 1 positions to 10th

2. Clint Bowyer - started 6 - up 2 positions to 2nd

3. Ryan Newman - started 19 - remains in 14th

4. Kyle Busch - started 8 - remains in 13th

5. Greg Biffle - started 13 - up 2 positions to 5th

6. Martin Truex Jr. - started 7 - down 1 position to 11th

7. Aric Almirola - started 5 - up 2 position to 20th

8. Kevin Harvick - started 23 - remains in 8th

9. Kurt Busch - started 26 - remains in 25th

10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 16 - remains in 12th

 

Chase for Championship:

1. Brad Keslowski - finished 15th

2. Clint Bowyer - finished 2nd - up 1 position

3. Jimmie Johnson - finished 36th - down 1 position

4. Kasey Kahne - finished 21st - down 1 position

5. Greg Biffle - finished 5th - up 2 positions

6. Denny Hamlin - finished 24th - down 1 position

7. Matt Kenseth - finished 18th - down 1 position

8. Kevin Harvick - finished 8th

9. Tony Stewart - finished 17th

10. Jeff Gordon - WINNER - up 1 position

11. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 6th - down 1 position

12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 10th

 

 

Congratulations to Brad Keslowski, our little polack, great racing to win your first Sprint Cup Championship.... Way to go!!! Joining Jeff Gordon in winning a championship in just your 3rd full season.


Next Race - Daytona International Speedway - The Shootout - Saturday - February 16, 2013 - TBA -
90 Days and counting
Banquet - Las Vegas - November 30, 2012 - 8 pm on Speed Channel

Have a Nice Night
Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR - Chase Race #9 - Phoenix

NASCAR - Phoenix - First thing I must say about this race is NASCAR was very inconsistent in throwing the yellow flag. Two miscues in the throwing of the yellow flag late in the race cost a lot of teams wrecked race cars. No flag was thrown when Jeff Gordon hit the wall and put parts over the track, that flag could have preventing Jeff from wrecking Clint Bowyer. Then during the green, white checkered run, they again failed to throw the yellow when Danica Patrick got spun by Jeff Burton on the front stretch as the leaders took the white flag, getting as low as she could on the track the officials still let them race for the checker even though the track was covered with oil, wrecking cars as they crossed the finish line. Ryan Newman who finished 5th sat in the middle of the track, wrecked, just pass the finish line. Jeff Gordon admitted openly that he was after Clint Bowyer, said he had had enough and reached his limit. Both teams are on hot seat right now as to what NASCAR is going to do about the fighting incident. Personally I don't think anything should be done, let them race and fight. They certainly are not going to lose any fans from it, probably going to gain a few.

Congratulations Kevin Harvick!!! Where did he come from? is back. Staying out of trouble all race and playing some pit strategy Kevin drove the #29 Bud car home with just a little bit of gas left.
Bring him up 3 positions to 8th place in the points. Was a tough race for the Chasers today only 5 of the 12 finished in the top ten. Jimmie Johnson blew a tire and hit the wall, finishing in 32nd., Clint Bowyer was wrecked by Jeff Gordon, who wrecked himself also. Clint finishing 28th and watched his championship hopes die. Jeff Gordon finished in 30th. Martin Truex Jr. had engine problems very early in the race finishing 43rd. Tony Stewart hit the wall giving him a 20th place finish. Matt Kenseth just muddled his way to 14th and Dale Earnhardt Jr. just couldn't find the right set up finishing 21st.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Kevin Harvick - started 19 - up 3 positions to 8th
2. Denny Hamlin - started 3 - up 2 positions to 5th
3. Kyle Busch - started 1 - remains in 13th
4. Kasey Kahne - started 4 - up 1 position to 3rd
5. Ryan Newman -started 12 - remains in 14th
6. Brad Keslowski - started 14 - up 1 position to Leader
7. Greg Biffle - started 20 - up 3 positions to 7th
8. Kurt Busch - started 6 - remains in 25th
9. Paul Menard - started 7 - remains in 16th
10. Mark Martin - started 10 - remains in 26th

Chase Championship Race:
1. Brad Keslowski - finished 6th - up 1 position
2. Jimmie Johnson - finished 32nd - down 1 position
3. Kasey Kahne - finished 4th - up 1 position
4. Clint Bowyer - finished 28th - down 1 position
5. Denny Hamlin - finished 2nd - up 2 positions
6. Matt Kenseth - finished 14th - down 1 position
7. Greg Biffle - finished 7th - up 3 positions
8. Kevin Harvick - WINNER - up 3 positions
9. Tony Stewart - finished 20th - down 1 position
10. Jeff Gordon - finished 30th - down 4 positions
11. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 43rd - down 2 positions
12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 21st

Again this week every position in the chase changed, with the exception of Dale Jr. This is going to be one hell of a finish in Miami next week. Don't miss it.

Final Race: Homestead-Miami Motor Speedway - Ford EcoBoost 400 - November 18, 2012, 2pm est

Have a Wonderful Week
Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR - Chase Race #8 - Texas

Texas was an exciting race, green flag racing and cautions in clumps. Brad Keslowski gave it everything he could, opting for two tires at the end of the race put him up front but with three restarts within 40 laps and two of the them coming within the last 10 laps he just couldn't hold up to Johnson's 4. The last 10 laps proved to be nail biting and exciting, Keslowski trying to hold off Johnson for first place, leaned on Johnson hard, rubbing and racing, but when the choice came to wrecking Johnson and maybe himself, Brad opted to race clean and came in second behind Johnson and dropping another 5 points to 7 points back from the top spot.

Congratulations Jimmie Johnson!!! Starting from the pole, leading the most laps, dominating most all the race, and finishing top seed to top it all off. Extending his points lead to 7, the next 2 races are crucial. They should be very exciting racing, with the points lead so close, there is no room for error on either teams part.
Denny Hamlin's luck has run out, with a 20th place finish, his hopes are pretty much diminished. Kasey Kahne had a strong running car, but a late race flat tire. rendered him a 25th place finish.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Jimmie Johnson - started 1 - remains Chase Leader
2. Brad Keslowski - started 8 - remains in 2nd
3. Kyle Busch - started 3 - remains in 13th
4. Matt Kenseth - started 10 - up 3 positions to 5th
5. Tony Stewart - started 21 - up 2 positions to 8th
6. Clint Bowyer - started 4 - remains in 3rd
7. Dale Earnhardt - started 19 - remains in 12th
8. Kurt Busch - started 18th - remains in 25th
9. Kevin Harvick - started 23 - remains in 11th
10. Greg Biffle - started 2 - down 1 position to 10th

Chase for the Championship:
1. Jimmie Johnson - WINNER
2. Brad Keslowski - finished 2nd
3. Clint Bowyer - finished 6th
4. Kasey Kahne - finished 25th
5. Matt Kenseth -finished 4th - up 3 positions
6. Jeff Gordon - finished 14th
7. Denny Hamlin - finished 20th - down 2 positions
8. Tony Stewart - finished 5th - up 2 positions
9. Martin Truex, Jr. - finished 13th - down 2 positions
10. Greg Biffle - finished 10th - down 1 position
11. Kevin Harvick - finished 9th
12. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - finished 7th

Next Race - Phoenix International Speedway - AdvoCare 500 - Sunday, November 11, 2012 - 2pm est.

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care
 Barbara

NASCAR - Chase Race #6 - Kansas

Chase Race #6 Kansas - coming down to the wire with just 4 races left, points are getting tight and every lap counts. Brad Keslowski finished ahead of Jimmie Johnson but only by one position and because Jimmie lead a lap and Brad did not, Brad did not make up any ground lose last week at Charlotte. Kansas was littered with a record 14 caution flags, due mostly to popped tires causes cars to go into the wall, at the same time the race has some long green flag runs. The leader, whoever it was, seemed to pull away from the rest, clean air worked the best. Proven by Jimmie Johnson when he got caught on a yellow flag after making a green flag pit stop. Rendering him to the back of the pack and thus spinning out and damaging his car, even though this did not stop him or his crew to stay on the lead lap and still finish in the top ten.

Congratulation Matt Kenseth!!! A win truly deserved, after having trouble a couple of times during the race, the last time scraping the wall with just 47 laps left to race. Great driving. Martin Truex Jr. had a strong car, coming up fast just not enough laps left to catch you. Kasey Kahne had the fastest car at the end of the race but lost spots during the caution when he shut his car off and had trouble getting it restarted losing  4 positions and not able to make them back up. Greg Biffle had trouble again this week, being one of the cautions after popping a tire and hitting the wall hard. Greg was the only chaser, besides Dale Earnhardt Jr. to finish lower than 13th. Dropping him 5 positions in the points to 11th.
Dale Jr.  who sat out again this week after suffering a concussion at Taladega two weeks ago, seems to be on the mend and is scheduled back at Martinsville next week, pending tests be done on Monday and Tuesday.
Even though you didn't hear much about them during the race two drivers not in the chase made a great showing today. Paul Menard had a strong 3rd place finish and Regan Smith, subbing for Dale Jr. finished in 7th after starting 39th, good going Regan!.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Matt Kenseth - started 12 - up 2 positions to 9th
2. Martin Truex Jr. - started 16 - up 1 position to 6th
3. Paul Menard - started 14 - remains in 16th
4. Kasey Kahne - started 1 - remains in 5th
5. Tony Stewart - started 33 - up 1 position to 7th
6. Clint Bowyer - started 3 - remains in 4th
7. Regan Smith - started 39 - remains in 23rd
8. Brad Keslowski - started 25 - remains the Leader
9. Jimmie Johnson - started 7 - remains in 2nd
10. Jeff Gordon - started 19 - up 1 position to 8th

Chase for the Championship:
1. Brad Keslowski - finished 8th
2. Jimmie Johnson - finished 9th
3. Denny Hamlin - finished 13th
4. Clint Bowyer - finished 6th
5. Kasey Kahne - finished 4th
6. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 2nd - up 1 position
7. Tony Stewart - finished 5th - up 1 position
8. Jeff Gordon - finished 10th - up 1 position
9. Matt Kenseth - WINNER - up 2 positions
10. Kevin Harvick - finished 11th
11. Greg Biffle - finished 27th - down 5 positions
12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Did not start

Next Race - Martinsville Speedway - Turns Fast Relief 500 - Sunday, October 28, 2012 - 1pm est

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR Chase Race #4 - Talladega

NASCAR Chase Race #4 - Talladega what can you say. Talladega never disappoints. Racing at its, sitting on the edge of your seat and nail biting best. I love Tallageda it is not short of drama. The big one didn't come until the last lap and what a big one it was. Tony Steward took the blame for it coming down to block the #55 Michael Waltrip and not having enough room, causing a multi-car pile up, taking out many of the Chase contenders. I do not understand how NASCAR is deciding who finished where when the big one happened. How did Jimmie Johnson finish 4 positions ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. when Jr. drove Jimmie to pit road. I hope they explain it some where and if someone out there knows where to find that I would be appreciate the link to the website. The drivers avoided the big one even though a few cars got loose and spun around, they didn't collect up anyone. The green, white, checker proved to be the beginning of the big one, with the drivers racing 4 wide all the way around the check after they took the green and still 4 wide when they took the white, it was inevitable that the big one would happen. The Chase Contenders involved were Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer and Kasey Kahne.

Congratulations Matt Kenseth!!! Making through a few squirrely incidents and saving your car twice to come home with the win, being up front when it counted in front of the wreck. Still an up hill climb to win the Championship, but winning is the way to do it.  Restrictor plate racing seems to be agreeing with you this year, winning at both Daytona and now Talladega.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Matt Kenseth - started 15 - remains in 12th
2. Jeff Gordon - started 6 - up 4 positions to 6th
3. Kyle Busch - started 13 - remains in 13th
4. David Ragan - started 25 - up 2 positions to 27th
5. Greg Biffle - started 5 - up 2 positions to 9th
6. Regan Smith - started 28 - remains in 23rd
7. Brad Keslowski - started 22 - remains in 1st
8. Travis Kvapil - started 36 - remains in 30th
9. Ryan Newman - started 2 - up 1 position to 14th
10 Jeff Burton - started 26 - remains in 19th

Race for Championship
1. Brad Keslowski - finished 7th
2. Jimmie Johnson - finished 17th
3. Denny Hamlin - finished 11th
4. Kasey Kahne - finished 13th - up 2 positions
5. Clint Bowyer - finished 23rd - down 1 position
6. Jeff Gordon - finished 2nd - up 4 positions
7. Tony Stewart - finished 22nd - down 2 positions
8. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 12th
9. Greg Biffle - finished 5th - up 2 positions
10. Kevin Harvick - finished 14th - down 1 position
11. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 21st - down 4 positions
12. Matt Kenseth - WINNER

Lot of change ups in the Chase - Dale Jr. dropping 4 positions with teammate Jeff Gordon gaining 4 positions - how quickly things happen. In contention one week and almost out of it the next.
I took my results off the NASCAR website right after the race, so if they happen to be wrong I will check tomorrow to make sure they haven't changed their minds where everyone finished.

Next Race - Charlotte Motor Speedway - Bank of America 500 - Saturday October 13, 2012 - 7pm
Any other year I would be there but this year my youngest son is getting married to a wonderful girl that day at 4pm and I couldn't talk them into getting married at the track LOL, so I will have to watch the race on TV that night.
Best wishes Joe and Amanda - love you

Have a Wonderful Week All!!!
Take Care
\Barbara

Chase Race #1 - Chicagoland

Chase Race #1 - Chicagoland - Lots of green flag racing, but not a lot of racing. Jimmie Johnson was the dominate car for most of the race. Brad Keslowski was the only car that had anything near Johnson's. The last run, Keslowski seemed to have found something, winning by a comfortable margin. A couple of the chase guys had some problems. Jeff Gordon's throttle stuck sending him into the wall, leaving him a 35th finishing position. Matt Kenseth broke a shock off his left front, finishing 18th and Denny Hamlin ran out of gas on the last lap, finishing 16th. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had to start 42nd after an engine change, he had a fast car at the beginnning of the race, pushing him into the 10 ten, the last part the race his car was just average, finishing 8th, his race for the championship is just a race away.

Congratulations Brad Keslowski!!! Strong car all day. Winning the first race of Chase and becoming the Points Leader for the first time in your career. You and your pit crew were right on today, giving you the positions you needed coming off the pits, and your driving like you stole it, put you in the coveted position all 11 other Chase drivers wanted. With 9 more races still to go and 7 of the Chase drivers finishing in the top 10, one bad race could ruin it all. The next couple of race will tell, with Jeff Gordon being 47 points in the hole after his disappointing finish. Kasey Kahne on the other hand moved up the ladder more than any driver today, 6 position putting him 5th in the Chase just 15 points behind. Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin were the big losers, all 3 losing 3 positions in the points.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Brad Keslowski - started 13 - up 3 position to Leader
2. Jimmie Johnson - started 1 - remains in 2nd
3. Kasey Kahne - started 6 - up 6 positions to 5th
4. Kyle Busch - started 21 - remains in 13th
5. Ryan Newman - started 20 - up 2 positions to 14th
6. Tony Stewart - started 29 - remains in 3rd
7. Joey Lagano - started 10 - remains in 18th
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 4 (43) - remains in 7th
9. Martin Truex Jr. - started 18 - up 1 position to 9th
10. Clint Bowyer - started 9 - remains in 6th

Championship Chase 2012
1. Brad Keslowski - WINNER
2. Jimmie Johnson - finished 2nd
3. Tony Stewart - finished 6th
4. Denny Hamlin - finished 16th - down 3 positions
5. Kasey Kahne - finished 3rd - up 6 positions
6. Clint Bowyer - finished 10th
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 8th
8. Greg Biffle - finished 13th - down 3 positions
9. Martin Truex Jr - finished 9th - up 1 position
10. Kevin Harvick - finished 12th - down 1 position
11. Matt Kenseth - finished 18th - down 3 positions
12. Jeff Gordon - finished 35th

Kyle Busch remains in 13th positions for the racing between the other drivers. Ryan Newman is the closest to him still 41 points behind him. Carl Edwards in 15th 42 points behind.

Seeing this is the first year with this points system on the side bar of this block, you will see where I am keeping up with the points WITHOUT  the Chase, and how the championship would turn out without a chase. Will be interesting... Hope you keep reading.

Chase Race #2 - New Hampshire International Speedway - Sylvania 400 -Sunday - September 23, 2012 - 1pm est.

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care
Barbara