Hot 20 over the past 10, the past 5, and how Talladega could change everything
A Top Ten finish for ten straight races, and a driver would accumulate a minimum of 340 points. That is hot. Kevin Harvick, and the Busch boys are that hot, but Matt Kenseth has been nearly 40 points hotter, so a bad day at Talladega on Sunday would mean he would make his championship dreams more of a challenge. The others go down and so do their hopes.
Jimmie Johnson is still rated as cool over the past ten, but remains second in the Chase. His is a case of earning just 69 points in the five pre-Chase races that do not count toward the title and the 209 he has claimed in the five that do. Kenseth, with his two wins in the Chase, has accumulated 210 over the last five, as this chart would sport a slightly different look if we took into account only what has happened since Chicago instead of Watkins Glen.
|
|
Driver |
Win |
T5 |
T10 |
Points |
|
1 |
Matt Kenseth |
2 |
3 |
4 |
210 |
|
2 |
Jimmie Johnson |
1 |
4 |
5 |
209 |
|
3 |
Kevin Harvick |
1 |
2 |
4 |
190 |
|
4 |
Jeff Gordon |
0 |
2 |
4 |
189 |
|
5 |
Kyle Busch |
0 |
4 |
4 |
176 |
But then, I would have to change the title of this column. Barring misfortune, we should see Johnson charging up these standings over the final four events. Barring misfortune, we should see Kenseth maintaining his hold on the point position. Barring misfortune, we should see Harvick, Jeff Gordon, and Kyle Busch battling it out to see who finishes third. Barring the Big One at Talladega, there are a lot of things we might be expected to see, but what we have come to expect from the big track could change the fortunes of more than a few by the end of Sunday. It was just one year ago when we had a massive 25 car demolition on the final lap at Talladega. Kenseth was ahead of the pack and won that day. Can he be so fortunate in 2013?
Here is a look at the hottest 20 drivers over the past 10 events.
|
|
Driver |
Win |
T5 |
T10 |
Points |
LW |
Rank |
|
1 |
Matt Kenseth |
3 |
4 |
6 |
379 |
1 |
1 |
|
2 |
Kevin Harvick |
1 |
3 |
6 |
343 |
6 |
3 |
|
3 |
Kyle Busch |
2 |
6 |
6 |
341 |
5 |
5 |
|
4 |
Kurt Busch |
0 |
5 |
6 |
340 |
2 |
7 |
|
5 |
Jeff Gordon |
0 |
2 |
7 |
337 |
4 |
4 |
|
6 |
Joey Logano |
1 |
5 |
6 |
337 |
3 |
11 |
|
7 |
Greg Biffle |
0 |
1 |
4 |
324 |
7 |
6 |
|
8 |
Ryan Newman |
0 |
2 |
5 |
313 |
8 |
12 |
|
9 |
Jamie McMurray |
0 |
2 |
2 |
306 |
9 |
15 |
|
10 |
Carl Edwards |
1 |
3 |
6 |
306 |
10 |
10 |
|
11 |
Juan Pablo Montoya |
0 |
2 |
3 |
296 |
14 |
22 |
|
12 |
Paul Menard |
0 |
2 |
4 |
293 |
12 |
17 |
|
13 |
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. |
0 |
1 |
5 |
284 |
11 |
9 |
|
14 |
Marcos Ambrose |
0 |
0 |
3 |
283 |
12 |
19 |
|
15 |
Brad Keselowski |
1 |
2 |
3 |
282 |
16 |
14 |
|
16 |
Jimmie Johnson |
1 |
4 |
6 |
278 |
17 |
2 |
|
17 |
Jeff Burton |
0 |
0 |
2 |
273 |
18 |
20 |
|
18 |
Kasey Kahne |
0 |
2 |
3 |
271 |
15 |
13 |
|
19 |
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. |
0 |
0 |
2 |
267 |
21 |
21 |
|
20 |
Clint Bowyer |
0 |
1 |
4 |
246 |
22 |
8 |
|
21 |
Martin Truex, Jr. |
0 |
2 |
4 |
244 |
19 |
16 |
|
22 |
Aric Almirola |
0 |
0 |
1 |
242 |
20 |
18 |
An Interview With NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Driver Chad Hackenbracht
Through a friend I became friends with Chad Hackenbracht, which I have to tell you I was in awe. So Hackenbracht was coming here near where I live to race so out of my fingers before I could stop it came the words how about a interview? I sat there then thinking, “what have I just done?” Then he said yes and I thought I was going into cardiac arrest. I am thinking to myself, “oh you have really done it this time” and when I told my husband what I had done I got that blank stare that no wife wants to really see. Well while he was here he actually became too busy to do it in person, so we decided to do it via email.
So for you all, this is my very first interview. First of all I am no writer, at the moment I am a housewife laid off from work and started working for a NASCAR page. Now I am socially the most backward person you will ever meet until I get to know you. I apologize if it’s a tad rough around the edges.
Whose idea was it to put the phonetic spelling of his name on his car?
It’s not quite the phonetic spelling, more/less a play on my name and making fun of everyone not knowing the correct way to say it. My buddy Carl Nadeau (a Canadian drift driver) came up with the Hocken-something and it stuck ever since.
What track scares him the most?
None of them really scare me. Honestly the most scared I’ve been at a particular track was just the other week at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park my first time on track. Every corner is blind and that’s daunting at first.
Any pre-race rituals or superstitions?
No Particular pre-race rituals or superstitions.
Who does he see as his biggest competition?
Any young driver coming through the ranks, particularly any with lots of sponsorship funding or with a famous last name.
What one rule would you add/remove/change from the current rule book?
Can’t say there’s anything that sticks out to me that I’d change.
What new sponsor would you like to see in NASCAR?
Any new sponsor. Whether its on my car or someone else’s. Any sponsor is a good one to see in NASCAR.
You could pattern yourself after one cup driver, who would it be?
I don’t know about pattern, but I’d say Kyle Busch. He’s an all around racing machine. Races anything, anytime, and wins in everything. Not only does he do all that but he knows everything there is to know about any race car he has/is driven.
How did you like working with Kyle Busch?
I really enjoy working with Kyle. He’s a great teacher of the sport, with any of my questions. And he pays attention, he doesn’t just sit back and collect money from his race team, he watches. For instance I got a text from him after the Canadian road race, that meant a lot.
You are offered the opportunity to go back in time and compete in NASCAR in any ONE year from the history of the sport which year would you choose, and why?
Early 2000’s. Racing was racing, no politics, go win, drive hard, beat and bang, no need to have pretty cars at the end of a race.
What has been the biggest adjustment for you going from racing ARCA to running NASCAR?
Nothing much. Just knowing I’m no longer “on top” and somewhat looked up to, and no longer have pull with the series leaders about different issues.
As a rising star in the NNS Series, what would be your “Dream team” and sponsorship to have when you graduate to the Sprint Cup series?
Hendrick motorsports, any sponsor
How did you start in racing , what suggestion would you give to a young kart racer?
Saw NASCAR on TV and explored options. Keep digging is my suggestion, don’t give up. I wish I had ran karts at some point, so you’re on the right track!
What challenges do you face driving for a low budget team?
A few. Mainly not having the amount of personnel the big teams have, for instance that I have over at KBM.
How do you stay focused for that long ?
Practice. Lots of guys run the simulators and discipline themselves for long races on those. I just try to race as much as I can, and I stay in shape. If your muscles start to get tired your focus goes to that particular muscle, so if you don’t get tired, you’re good!
What would you like to do next ? which series if he had to move on which would he choose. trucks etc?
I would like to be the trucks or nationwide full time. But any form of racing full time is fine by me!
What kind of hobbies do you have outside of racing?
I hunt whitetail deer, hopefully elk someday soon. and I go out on the lake when I have the opportunity.
How do you feel about women in racing?
Go for it! No reason they can’t do what everyone else can, or men have already done.
Is there any one person you want to thank for giving you that break you needed to get where you are?
My dad. There’s many times he could’ve “pulled the plug” on my career but he’s stuck behind me from day 1.
Who is your racing idol?
Mark Martin because he is well respected among all of the drivers.
If you could meet anyone in the world from any time who would it be?
I honestly have NO clue…stumped!
Do you think you will race in Europe ?
I’d love to. Maybe in Global Rally Cross or some sort of road race car.
If you weren’t a driver what do you think you would be doing?
A-I would be going to school for business or engineering with the aspirations to own my own business.
What is your fave food?
JAPANESE all the way. Could eat all day every day
Do you have a favorite movie? do you even really get the time to go to the movies?
Shooter. Its a little older but for sure my favorite movie that I could watch over and over.
What type of music do you listen to? fave band or singer?
Anything. Not much I don’t listen to these days. Been big into the remix and mash up stuff lately.
And lastly where do you see yourself or hope to be in 10 years?
I see myself racing full time successfully in some form of racing, whether that’s NASCAR or somewhere else, only time will tell and where my career leads me.
So there you have it my first ever interview with a NASCAR driver. I have become more courageous and done a few more ,which I hope to share with you in the future. I also want to thank Chad for his patience in dealing with me, because I was star struck to a degree, terrified of making a fool of myself, and had no clue what to do.
Chad is one of the nicest man you will ever meet he is very down to earth and I cheer for him every truck race and he certainly in my book deserves a full time NNS ride.
Thank You all for reading and I hope to have more interviews for you soon!
Marshall’s Madness: Another MWR Bad Decision; Sadler Subbing For Vickers
Early Thursday morning the Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) stable made another big announcement, this time in regard to who will pilot the No. 55 Toyota for the remainder of the NSCS season.
38-year-old Elliott Sadler will drive the Aaron’s Dream Machine in the final five races for Brian Vickers who has taken the rest of the year off due to blood clots. The 3-time winner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) has been driving in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) for Joe Gibbs Racing.
“First, I am already a teammate of Brian’s at Joe Gibbs Racing and it is really tough to see him going through this again,” Sadler said. “Both of us have fought hard to get back in a position to win at NASCAR’s highest level. I am honored to have this opportunity to drive for MWR because I know their cars are competitive. I want to thank Rob Kauffman, Michael and Aaron’s for giving me this chance. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers will be for Brian to have a quick recovery.”
But could this decision be another wrong choice by Kauffman and Waltrip? Is Elliott Sadler truly worthy of this opportunity?
Top notch equipment is key now a days and Sadler has had that type of equipment, the only problem is he hasn’t been able to produce victories and championships with it. 2012 saw Sadler compete with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for the NNS championship until late in the Phoenix race Sadler spun out and it cost him the title. 2013 gave positive hopes for Sadler as he’d expect a championship, that hasn’t been the case because he hasn’t even been to victory lane and is currently fourth in NNS points.
We also don’t know what Sadler is capable of doing back in the NSCS. The last time we saw him he was deprived of his contract and sent to the NNS because he wasn’t producing. These last 5-races if the No. 55 team plans on having successful weeks you can’t count on an on/off guy like Sadler.
In my personal opinion I certainly don’t believe MWR should’ve chosen Sadler, I think a more reasonable source would have been Parker Kligerman or Alex Bowman. Most people would think I’m going out on a limb with those two guys, but if MWR has already downsized to 2-cars in 2014 and you can’t paint the future of Brian Vickers why not develop young talent.
“Elliott has all the attributes we were looking for. He’s experienced, familiar with Toyota, has a great attitude plus he’s a heck of a driver,” Waltrip said. “We’ll pair him with Scott Miller and the No. 55 guys and I know they’ll have the Aaron’s Dream Machine at the front of the field. I also want to thank everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota for letting us borrow Elliott for a few races.”
Michael Waltrip won’t be helping get Sadler setup for the car this weekend though because he will be in the No. 55 Toyota for Talladega.
If Your Last Name Is Earnhardt, You Might As Well Live In A Fish Bowl
If you are Dale Earnhardt Jr., this is what you do every day of your life and more so since the loss of his father on February 18, 2001. Earnhardt Jr. has really lived his life in a “fish bowl.” It has to be tough growing up and having every form of news media watch your every move. I relate Earnhardt Jr. to the life that Elvis Presley lived. Every move Elvis made was watched till he left this world. Of course we have nut cases who say he is still alive. Who knows, perhaps he did to get away from the crazies and staged his own death.
I have followed Earnhardt Jr. since his career began when his uncle Tony Eury Sr. talked his Daddy into putting him into at that time, a Busch Series car. Dale Sr was wanting to get started in that series with a driver. It turned out to be a good move for sure. Earnhardt Jr. went on to win races and Busch Championships. But as fate would have it, Earnhardt Jr. was moved up to what was known back then as the Winston Cup Series, the wonderful Winston Cup years. What a sponsor Earnhardt Jr. had with Budweiser in that red and white number 8.
The only thing that really irritates me are the things said over the years about any female relationship Earnhardt Jr. might have become involved with. When he did he kept them well hidden except to family and those he could trust. I have read some about Amy since he brought her to the awards banquet last season, it’s sad. Just like I said, living your life in a “fish bowl.” To the females making the comments and negative as they are, no one will ever be good enough in your eyes for Earnhardt Jr. to have a permanent relationship with. But I think that is for him alone to decide.
Every female in your words will be after his fame or money, no matter who they are. Let things be. Let Earnhardt Jr. and Amy be alone and enjoy their lives together. They may or may not marry one day, it’s not for a fan to decide. It’s really nice to hear Earnhardt Jr. say “she is a real nice girl.” It’s nice to read where he makes comments about Amy’s little Pomeranian to every race with a smile and stand next to him during the pre-race ceremonies.
Stop blaming everything that goes wrong on Amy. I have a good friend who sends me articles she reads on sites almost everyday that is said about Amy blaming Jr not winning race to blown up engines on her. You people have got to be crazy to say some of the things you do to keep Earnhardt Jr. from being happy and for once in his life, truly happy. It takes a strong woman who can deal with all of that.
Amy just might be the right one to jump in and handle all of it because of one word, true love. She has been in there with him for a long time now and handled all that the media and jealous female fans. I am happy for both of them and I truly hope this relationship lasts. For myself, Earnhardt Jr. appears to be truly happy in his personal life and that counts more than winning a race.
