Pete Shepherd III wins Wahta Springs 300 at Barrie Speedway in dramatic finish
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[/media-credit]Following a dramatic conclusion to the 300 lapper at Barrie Speedway, it’d be Pete Shepherd making his way to victory lane after slipping past both J.R. Fitzpatrick and Steve Mathews in the closing laps. It marks the third career NASCAR Canadian Tire Series victory for the Brampton, Ontario part-timer after winning at Kawartha Speedway in 2010 and Saskatoon last year.
“Having three years in a row where we’ve gotten wins, it’s really special to us,” Shepherd says. “The National Exhaust Dodge is always fast.”
It was a battle for Shepherd as he had fallen two laps down following problems on pit road when the jack broke.
“We always know that we’re able to win these races, and the car was strong,” Shepherd comments. “We always had good line-ups on restarts and made the most of every lap and ended up in victory lane today.”
When the jack broke, there was a moment that could’ve changed the outcome as NASCAR was ready to penalize Shepherd for too many people over the wall. However, they overturned the call when they noticed someone from another team jumped over to attempt to help without being asked or noticing the people count.
“We didn’t ask anybody for help – I saw the guy that actually came over to help,” Shepherd explains. “He put his hands inside the car and tried to lift it, nothing happened. They made a great call. It just shows the level of professionalism they have just by rethinking what happened and understanding what happened. They were very fair on that decision and I have to applaud them on that.”
As the race neared its conclusion, it looked as if Scott Steckly would pick up the victory as he had almost a straightaway lead on Mark Dilley while Shepherd ran just outside the top five. However, a caution with 22 laps to go for Ron Beauchamp Jr. having a flat tire would change everything.
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[/media-credit]The finish was setting up to feature defending series champion Steckly and last year’s race winner Dilley dueling for the win. However, Dilley would have a driveline failure under caution and would be out for the rest of the race. In turn, it’d be pole sitter Steve Mathews starting on the outside of Steckly for the restart.
After cleaning up the debris from Beauchamp Jr.’s flat tire and pushing Dilley off of the track, the restart would come at lap 293 with seven laps to go.
Steckly and Mathews would run side-by-side for a whole lap, before Mathews would send Steckly for a spin in turn four. Dave Connolly would make contact with Steckly after the fact, causing heavy front end damage to Steckly’s dodge. As a result, Mathews would take control of the lead while Steckly would restart at the back of the field for the green-white-checkered.
On the green-white-checkered restart, it’d be Mathews side-by-side with Fitzpatrick for the lead. Coming out of turn four, contact beween Fitzpatrick and Mathews would send Mathews up the track, causing contact with the outside wall. Meanwhile, Shepherd would make the move three-wide, slipping past both of them for the lead.
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[/media-credit]Shepherd would take control of the final lap and take the victory while Mathews spun Fitzpatrick in turn four. Andrew Ranger and Noel Dowler would both get by Mathews and Fitzpatrick to finish second and third. The second place finish for Ranger allowed him to gain points on points leader Kennington, who finished 21st.
“Actually, it’s always interesting to come here to Barrie,” Ranger says. “Those races are really exciting. Probably not the fastest car on the track, but the 27 team proved they could be fast and finished second. I was trying to save my stuff to the end and when the caution came out, I was very excited, thinking I had a start there. I saw the 15 and 84 sideways on the back there so I put my nose on the inside. J.R. came close to me and I should’ve lifted, but Barrie is so close. It was such a close finish.”
The third place finish for Dowler marks his best career Canadian Tire Series finish.
“We started off with a very fast car at the start of the day,” Dowler says. “Got spun around, came back from that. Got a lap down, came back from that.”
Mathews would get credited with fourth while Dexter Stacey rounded out the top five.
Fitzpatrick would get sixth, followed by Beauchamp Jr., Jason Hathaway, Steckly and Larry Jackson.
Points leader D.J. Kennington would finish 21st in the race after spending numerous laps on pit road after stalling on the track on lap 153. As a result, Kennington only leads by 14 points over Ranger and 18 over Fitzpatrick with two races remaining.
Quick reaction: Chase for the Sprint Cup gets ready to go green
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[/media-credit]The 2012 Chase for the Sprint Cup field is set. It needed all 400 laps in Richmond, along with some rain and a platter of pit strategy, but the field is set and the playoffs can begin.
Through it all, not much changed. The top 10 drivers were already locked in, Kasey Kahne held onto his first Wild Card spot. Denny Hamlin remains the top seed; his four wins led the way during the regular season.
Hamlin leads Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Brad Keselowski, Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon. Those are the only drivers with a shot at the 2012 Sprint Cup championship. One of those drivers will have their name called on the stage at Homestead in November.
Hamlin has to be the favorite entering the Chase. Along with his four wins, what could have been five on late Saturday night, he has the momentum and confidence. If the saying is true, in order to win a championship you must first lose one, the Virginian has paid his dues. Still well aware of what his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team did in 2010, Hamlin feels this Chase will be much different.
“What took us out of the championship in 2010 really were a lot of different circumstances. I won’t treat it any differently about the way I drive, things like that,” said Hamlin. “I think I’ll be a little bit more aggressive on restarts and not give up those one or two points when they really, really count.
“That will change, but for the most part I think I’ll just be a lot more relaxed this time around. Obviously our stuff is really good right now, as good as it was in 2010. What do you got to lose? We’ve never won a championship. We’re going out there trying to win our first. I’m going to race week-to-week, not think about a championship until I get to Homestead.”
If that’s the case, the field should be worried. Hamlin’s been on fire lately and no team or driver has come close to stopping him. Right now, he’s in control, the only driver that can win on any given weekend, even though there are still whispers that it’s Jimmie Johnson’s title to lose. Sure, the five-time champion will be one to watch, he always is, but it could, and if it does, come down to another Hamlin – Johnson matchup in Homestead, it looks good for roles to be reversed.
It wouldn’t be surprising. That part of the Chase isn’t. Both were expected to be in the field this year and they are. As are all four cars from Hendrick Motorsports, Johnson leading the way in points seeding, Dale Earnhardt Jr. close behind. The sports most popular driver, who made the Chase for the first time in back-to-back years, feels he has a good a shot as anyone to win the championship. .
If consistency wins championships then Earnhardt Jr. and the Diet Mountain Dew crew will be factors. But only if they find the speed and consistency they had to start the year. A top five finish in points shouldn’t be a reach for this team and as Earnhardt Jr. said on Saturday, wins will be needed.
Richmond was a good step in the right direction. Earnhardt Jr. wasn’t any lower than second for the first 160 laps. He and Hamlin were dominating, until suddenly they weren’t and that’s when everything started to change. And change it did, in a big way when it came to the Chase.
Hamlin and Earnhardt Jr. quickly left the picture when they had to pit on lap 282. The wheels then began to turn for the drama of the night to play out. Jeff Gordon, the fourth HMS car to make the Chase, made an incredible comeback to beat out Kyle Busch by one point.
Over the last 100 laps Busch and Gordon traded the second and final Wild Card position with each spot they gained and lost on the track. Busch’s night ended on lap 335 when he had to pit and Gordon went on to finish second. He’s in the 2012 Chase, after starting the season with a black cloud over his 24 team.
But when the leaders in Pocono crashed in front of him, followed by a rainstorm, Gordon was on his way to the Chase. Rain again helping his chances on Saturday when they allowed the team to regroup and refocus on the second half of the race.
Now that Gordon’s in though, will he be a factor? Quick answer is no. There’s a reason he had to fight his way into the Chase, the season hasn’t been one to write home about. He could surprise us, go into the Chase and do what Tony Stewart did last season, but it doesn’t look likely.
And whether it was he or Busch who made the Chase, the sentiment would have been the same. Neither, to this point, has shown they have what it takes to compete with the drivers who have been up front all year long. Except, Gordon, and not Busch, now gets a chance to do so when it matters most.
“I was not very smiling and happy at that rain delay, the one red flag. I was pretty tick off that we got that far behind,” said Gordon afterwards, who celebrated as if he had won the race after climbing from his car. Pumping his arms in the air after finishing second, following the team cutting the chain from the rear sway bar. It enabled Gordon to drive his No. 24 through the field and into the Chase.
“I felt like I won the race tonight. When that was over, they told me I was in the Chase, we made it, I was ecstatic,” Gordon said. “I was going nuts. To me, after you have that kind of effort, fall back, then come up there and finish second, almost win the race, make it in by one point, man, I don’t see any reason why we can’t go over these next 10 races and be a real threat for the championship.”
Then there’s the Michael Waltrip Racing team of Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr. It would be hard to find the two of them on many lists of preseason predictions to make the Chase. But both MWR cars are in and both of them could win the championship. It’s not as far fetched as it may sound; it’s not something that just looks good on paper.
Perhaps lots in the shuffle of setting the Chase field, Bowyer won the race at Richmond. It’s his second win of the year and seeds him sixth heading into Chicago next weekend. Might have been hard to find a happier team and organization than this one after Richmond, the sky’s the limit.
Whereas Bowyer has the wins, Truex could be the stronger threat of the two. Had it not been for evil twists of fate, he could have a pair of wins in 2012 as well. He dominated Kansas only to be passed late by Hamlin. Then last weekend in Atlanta he dominated the last portion of the race only to be done in by a caution with less than five laps to go.
Now there’s no bigger stage for Truex or Bowyer to shine than the Chase. Putting MWR cars into the playoffs for the first time in their history. For those looking for underdogs or dark horses, here they are. These two didn’t sneak into the Chase, nor did they get lucky. They’ve been near the front all year and sat in the top in the top six in points.
The competition knows they’re for real, too. Both Hamlin and Earnhardt Jr. acknowledged on Saturday that MWR will be around for a while, and they’ll be two drivers that will put up a challenge week in and week out.
It’s one of the many storylines of the 2012 Chase, which begins next weekend in Chicago. This Chase fields looks to be one of the most competitive yet with only two of the 12 drivers still winless on the season. Eight of the 12 have never won a Sprint Cup Series championship.
Should one of the drivers who have – Johnson, Stewart, Kenseth or Gordon – win another one it would be historic. Johnson will be one closer to Petty and Earnhardt with six, while Stewart would go back-to-back by winning his fourth. Kenseth, leaving Roush at the end of the season, could prove there’s no such lame duck by wining his second. And Gordon, winning his fifth would breathe new life into the 41-year-old.
Take your pick; it’s going to be a fun 10 weeks.
2012 Chase Forecast, Top 12 Begin Cup Run at Chicago
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[/media-credit]The 2012 Chase for the Sprint Cup begins next weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Here is a look at one of the deepest chase fields in history.
1. Denny Hamlin – 2012 has been a bounce back year for Denny. A series leading 4 wins has Hamlin sitting in the top spot as the chase begins. Darian Grubb has been a big factor in the 11 team’s resurgence.
Outlook: Denny should be a factor all the way to Homestead. New Hampshire,Martinsville, and Phoenix are tracks that Denny should contend for wins at. Very strong on the 1.5 mile tracks as well.
2. Jimmie Johnson – Ole 5 Time is preparing for another run at a championship. 3 wins, 12 Top 5’s, and 17 Top 10’s has JJ primed for a 6th championship. Also has led 1033 laps this season.
Outlook: The chase sets up perfectly for Johnson. Very strong on the 1.5 mile tracks where he has the most career wins all time. Also a brilliant track record at Phoenix and Martinsville. Only concern for the 48 team could be Talladega.
3. Brad Keselowski – 3 wins in the 2012 season and very consistent across all the tracks in the chase. Brad should show to be a major contender all the way to Homestead.
Outlook: Brad will need to come up big on the 1.5 mile tracks where he has scored 2 wins in his career also will need to have great showings at Loudon and Martinsville.
4. Tony Stewart – The defending champion rolls into the chase with 3 wins. But inconsistent finishes left Smoke scrambling to protect his bonus points heading into the chase.
Outlook: Can Smoke put together another magical run like he did in 2011? Time will tell but the first three races will be the deciding factor on whether Smoke is a contender all the way to Homestead.
5. Greg Biffle – The Biff is back in 2012. 2 race wins and has led the points for a good portion of 2012. Biffle looks primed to become NASCAR’s first triple crown winner.
Outlook: Biffle will be strong on the 1.5 mile tracks as well as Talladega. The short tracks will determine Biffle’s chase fate. Top 10’s at Martinsville and Phoenix could be big for Biffle’s title hopes.
6. Clint Bowyer – One of the chase’s best stories in 2012. 2 wins and several strong finishes have the 15 team primed to make some noise in the chase.
Outlook: The short tracks will play to Bowyer’s strength. New Hampshire and Phoenix figure to be great races for Clint. Also been solid on the 1.5 mile tracks and is a great plate racer. Looking for a championship dark horse look no further than Clint Bowyer.
7. Matt Kenseth – Another year, the same old rock solid Matt Kenseth. 1 win and in the Top 5 in points basically all of 2012. Can Matt show the same rock solid consistency that led him to the 2003 title.
Outlook: Terrific on the 1.5 mile race tracks as well as Talladega. Martinsville and New Hampshire will be big for the #17 team and their cup hopes.
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – The sport’s most popular driver has given Junior Nation a ton to cheer about this year. 1 win and in the Top 5 in points all of 2012. Junior is showing the consistency that could lead him to his first cup series title.
Outlook: Junior is proving to be consistent and has run great at every track in the chase. Needs to pick up a couple of wins and keep that consistency in order to remain a contender.
9. Kasey Kahne – After a rough start to the 2012 season, Kahne has finally found his stride in that #5 HMS Chevrolet. Picked up 2 wins at New Hampshire and Charlotte.
Outlook: Kasey’s strength is the 1.5 mile race tracks. Will need to improve on his short track program to remain a contender. Talladega also proves to be a critical race for Kahne.
10. Kevin Harvick – Hasn’t been the most consistent of seasons for Harvick but did enough when it mattered to make the chase field. Showed strength at Atlanta leading the most laps and finishing 5th.
Outlook: Could Harvick be this year’s Tony Stewart? The answer remains to be seen but has won at 6 of the 10 chase tracks and is very strong on the short tracks and at Talladega.
11. Martin Truex Jr. – Another feel good story for Michael Waltrip Racing. Has flexed his muscles on the 1.5 mile race tracks this season and almost scored victories at Kansas and Atlanta.
Outlook: The 1.5 mile tracks are great opportunities for Truex to stay in contention. Will need to improve on the short tracks to be a threat. But a couple of Top 10’s on the short tracks could lead to him being a Cinderella story at Homestead.
12. Jeff Gordon – The 4 time champion has battled against all odds and extremely bad luck to make this chase field in 2012. Picked up a win at Pocono and rode a string of Top 5 finishes to put himself in the chase.
Outlook: Jeff doesn’t have a weak track in the chase. Has won at every track in the chase with the exception of Homestead. Needs a good start as well as a couple of wins to keep pace with Johnson,Hamlin, and others.
Prediction: It is hard to ignore Jimmie Johnson as the odds on favorite to win this championship. 5 consecutive titles as well as making the chase every year of its existence are key factors for the 48 team. But this chase field is extremely deep and in my opinion the best in the 9 year history of the chase. Anyone of these 12 drivers can win this championship. You have proven champions such as Johnson,Stewart,Kenseth, and Gordon. Hungry drivers such as Hamlin,Keselowski, Bowyer,Kahne, and Biffle. Drivers like Truex and Harvick who have flown under the radar most of the year. Then you have the crowd favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. who is seeking his first championship. This chase field is stacked from top to bottom. Whoever walks away with the championship after Homestead will have truly earned it but we have to start at Chicago on Sunday to see who will be there at the end. This should be an incredible 10 weeks for NASCAR and its fans.
