The Chase is On – Here’s What the Drivers are Saying

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September 17, 2011

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase field has been set and the contenders have been all over the country in a media blitz. Each of the 10 tracks that are included in the Chase hosted one of the 12 Chase drivers. They participated in everything from go-kart races to pep rallies to golfing and more.

[media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”251″][/media-credit]The media has made their picks and the fans have weighed in.

Now it’s time to hear from the drivers.

It’s no surprise that five-time champ Jimmie Johnson is on everyone’s mind.

Although some have suggested that he may be more vulnerable this year, Kevin Harvick is not buying it.

“I heard the same conversation last year. They’re still the team to beat. They’ve won it so many different ways.”

But the other drivers are still hoping that Johnson will falter. Brad Keselowski quipped, “He is human, right?”

Jeff Gordon is looking forward to the Chase and thinks this could be the year he captures his fifth championship.

“I’m excited about going to the race track every weekend,” said Gordon. When I won my four championships, it was under the old format. You had to be consistent, and yeah, you had to win, but at the end you were trying to beat two or three guys. With this format you’re going up against 11 other guys. But I do think this is the best chance we’ve ever had at winning the championship [in the Chase].”

And while many consider Dale Earnhardt Jr. an underdog going into the Chase, he feels like he has a shot.

“I’m going in with the attitude that we have as good a chance as anybody. The opportunity is on the table. We’re going to make the most of it.”

One sentiment echoed by many of the drivers is that there is nothing to lose and everything to gain. This is what they have been working toward all season long and each race will bring them one step closer to their goal.

Kurt Busch, who has been in the spotlight lately because of his rivalry with Johnson, is ready to leave the past behind and focus on winning a second championship.

“The Chase is intense. Every year you have your rivalries. I have a sibling rivalry with my brother Kyle, too. But you have to put that stuff away.”

Tony Stewart thinks this is the toughest group of drivers we’ve ever seen in the Chase.

Stewart went on to add that “Realistically, there’s seven guys who really have a shot at winning this thing.”

In no particular order, Stewart’s top seven picks include Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman and Brad Keselowski.

It should be noted that he doesn’t include his name on the list of potential championship winners and says “I feel like we’re the underdog right now.”

The reigning champ, Jimmie Johnson, heads into the Chase feeling confident that the possibility of a sixth consecutive championship is within his grasp.

“We’re in a good spot,” said Johnson. “Our win total isn’t what it’s been in the past, but we’ve had opportunities.”

As the first race approaches this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, it’s time to get down to business.

Stay tuned for Round One of the Chase. The real fun is about to begin.

TOYOTA NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) Post-Race Notes & Quotes Chicagoland Speedway

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SM Archive

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September 17, 2011

Keselowski wins NNS race at Chicagoland

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SM Staff

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September 17, 2011

BIL_7424 — Keselowski led 158 of the 200 laps. He was only passed for the lead one time and that was by Edwards. Keselowski blamed lapped traffic at the time. Keselowski pitted under green flag conditions while Edwards stayed out. Eventually Edwards ran out of gas allowing Keselowski to go back to the front.

Brad Keselowski dominated the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) Dollar General 300 at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday and won his first NNS since race since returning to the series after he broke his ankle testing at Road Atlanta.

[media-credit name=”Bill Gutweiler” align=”alignright” width=”259″]

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: Keselowski led 158 of the 200 laps. He was only passed for the lead one time and that was by Edwards. Keselowski blamed lapped traffic at the time. Keselowski pitted under green flag conditions while Edwards stayed out. Eventually Edwards ran out of gas allowing Keselowski to go back to the front.

Keselowski held off Carl Edwards by 8.568 seconds for his 15^thcareer NNS win and his third of the season.

“Today was a team victory. Good strategy. Good execution. Fast car. We didn’t make any mistakes and a lot of times that’s what this sport is about. It was a really strong showing here today. I’m glad to get the win. Obviously, when you can get extra track time before the Cup race it can be advantageous. I think today was one of those situations. Hopefully it will payoff for tomorrow. We’ll just have to see.” Keselowski said.

Edwards ran out of gas while leading on pit road on lap 124. Edwards came out nine seconds behind

“Congrats to Brad. He was doing a really good job. I have to thank Fastenal, Ford and I hope folks tune in tomorrow. It is going to be a great race. The first race of the Chase and there couldn’t be a better race track to run at. It has multiple grooves and it is a really fun place. I just wish we had gotten a caution to get another chance at this one.” Edwards said.

Brian Scott finished third, Aric Almirola fourth and Sam Hornish Jr. finished fifth.

Scott earned his first career pole and led five laps en route to equaling his career best NNS finish (Chicagoland 2010).

“I think there at the end we were a little faster than Carl (Edwards), but he was a little better in the traffic, and we just got a little too loose. After some of the luck we’ve had and had a fifth-place run ruined at Montreal, to be able to finish third here is a pretty good day.” Scott said.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished 8^th and holds a 14-point lead over Elliott Sadler in the series standings.

There were three caution periods for only eight laps in a relatively problem free event. There were eight lead changes between only five drivers.

Unofficial Race Results
Dollar General 300, Chicagoland Speedway
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/n2s/race.php?race=28
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Pos.		No.	Driver	Make	Points
=========================================
1	–	22	Brad Keselowski	Dodge	0
2	–	60	Carl Edwards	Ford	0
3	–	11	Brian Scott	Toyota	42
4	–	88	Aric Almirola	Chevrolet	40
5	–	12	Sam Hornish Jr.	Dodge	39
6	–	2	Elliott Sadler	Chevrolet	38
7	–	7	Jamie McMurray	Chevrolet	0
8	–	6	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	Ford	36
9	–	33	Paul Menard	Chevrolet	0
10	–	32	Reed Sorenson	Chevrolet	34
11	–	16	Trevor Bayne	Ford	33
12	–	38	Jason Leffler	Chevrolet	33
13	–	20	Ryan Truex *	Toyota	31
14	–	31	Justin Allgaier	Chevrolet	30
15	–	19	Mike Bliss	Chevrolet	29
16	–	62	Michael Annett	Toyota	28
17	–	9	Kenny Wallace	Toyota	27
18	–	66	Steve Wallace	Toyota	26
19	–	18	Joey Logano	Toyota	0
20	–	1	Mike Wallace	Chevrolet	25
21	–	51	Jeremy Clements	Chevrolet	23
22	–	15	Timmy Hill *	Ford	22
23	–	39	Joey Gase	Ford	0
24	–	87	Kevin Conway	Toyota	0
25	–	14	Eric McClure	Chevrolet	19
26	–	70	David Stremme	Chevrolet	0
27	–	52	Blake Koch *	Dodge	17
28	–	89	Morgan Shepherd	Chevrolet	16
29	–	23	Robert Richardson Jr.	Chevrolet	15
30	–	81	Scott Wimmer	Dodge	14
31	–	40	Josh Wise	Chevrolet	13
32	–	28	Derrike Cope	Chevrolet	12
33	–	30	Kasey Kahne	Chevrolet	0
34	–	171	Matthew Carter	Ford	10
35	–	49	Mark Green	Chevrolet	9
36	–	103	Scott Riggs	Chevrolet	8
37	–	175	Carl Long	Ford	7
38	–	141	Johnny Chapman	Chevrolet	6
39	–	104	Danny O’Quinn Jr.	Ford	5
40	–	146	Chase Miller	Chevrolet	4
41	–	248	Dennis Setzer	Chevrolet	3
42	–	127	J.J. Yeley	Ford	0
43	–	150	T.J. Bell	Chevrolet	0