With everything on the line as far as Chase berths, here is what was surprising and not surprising from the 56th annual Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway.
The decision was unexpected even to the beat reporters who follow NASCAR daily. After Saturday’s race, thing just didn’t look right, something officials missed. By Sunday at the truck race in Iola, Mike Helton, NASCAR’s President, commented that NASCAR was going to review the race and radio transmissions. That was the first clue that something was up. A timeline was not given, however.
Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway turned into one of the most controversial races in the history of the sport. Fan response to Clint Bowyer’s well-timed and seemingly intentional spin that brought out a late race caution, coupled with an un-needed trip down pit road by Brian Vickers was unprecedented.
In an unprecedented Monday evening news conference after the wild Richmond race on Saturday night, NASCAR dropped the penalty hammer on Michael Waltrip Racing.
I know some will agree with me along with others that questioned the post race "woohoo", also shared the same opinion as I. There will also be many who will not agree with my opinion about Clint Bowyer's mysterious spin-out while Newman was leading and about to win the race. A win would clinch Newman a spot in the Chase. Bowyer in my opinion did it intentionally.
Jason Hathaway would battle his way back to the front late in the race at Barrie Speedway to pass D.J. Kennington on lap 284 to win the Hudco Electric Supply 300. Hathaway had to survive a green-white-checkered finish to pick up his second victory of the season ahead of Kennington and J.R. Fitzpatrick.
There was a lot on the line at Richmond Saturday night but was it so much so that it would actually push a team to deliberately alter the outcome in order to benefit themselves? When you're talking about a shot at the Sprint Cup championship; I'd say so.
Just three years ago, the Chase looked a lot different than what we’re faced with in 2013. Back in 2010, the Chase field was made up of Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson, and Clint Bowyer.
The 2012 champion will race the remaining 10 weeks but will not have a chance to win a second title. A 17th place finished in the Federated Auto Parts 400 along with a season of inconsistency kept him from making the Chase field. He fell to 16th in points and remains winless.
Julie Nataas will return to the driver’s seat of the DC Motorsports GR Supra tuned by Del Worsham and backed by Hedingers Equipment Toyota Supra Funny Car for Del Worsham at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, September 4–7 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Still need a reason to attend this weekend’s prestigious 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at the famed Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park?
Legendary country music artist Lee Greenwood is returning to Bristol Motor Speedway this fall to perform his popular patriotic anthem, “God Bless the USA,”
The azaleas lining Amen Corner at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia provide a moment of zen for golf’s elite as they navigate holes 11, 12 and 13 – arguably the trickiest trio of holes in all of golf.
