Richmond, the second race of the opening rung of the championship ladder. Only four storylines awaited to be written. Who would win, and would it be Brad Keselowski for a fourth straight contest?
We know some things. In these times, some folks do not seem to know anything, but we do. Brad Keselowski is advancing to the next round. After Saturday night in Richmond, it should be confirmed that Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch will be joining him. I feel pretty confident about Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano about now.
Now it gets real. There is no argument as to whom the contenders are, and who are the pretenders. Say what you will, but even though there might be forty cars on the track, only 16 matter.
1. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski won his third consecutive race, emerging victorious at Las Vegas. "I'm already in the next round of the Playoffs," Keselowski said. "And so is my car. For the time being, I'm calling the No. 2 Ford 'Advance Auto.' Mention that name at your local Advance Auto store and win a free 'plug.'"
Change is coming to NASCAR. Not the kind that makes people return in droves to the grandstands, but the change that always comes through the passage of time. Martin Truex Jr. moves to a new team, as his old one folds. That means Daniel Suarez is on the move, replacing the retiring Kasey Kahne. Jamie McMurray is in search of a new ride and we await word as to what the future holds for Kurt Busch.
I had such high hopes for NASCAR, at least since July. That is when NBC came on board, and presented the long sought after broadcast crew that could keep fans glued to the track simply by the strength of their commentary. We have waited years for that to happen, and it is crucial for a sport that has yet to solve some on-track competitive issues and more than a few off it. If the racing is not spell binding, then the commentary damn well better be if you hope to have anyone watching.
5. Kyle Larson: Larson easily won the first two stages at Darlington and finished third, after Brad Keselowski beat him out of the pits on their final pit stop. "I led 284 of 367 laps," Larson said, "but we faltered in the pits when it counted. We should have taken first place; instead, it was the 'won' that got away." Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.
DARLINGTON, SC — Brad Keselowski took advantage of the final caution in Sunday night’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, winning the race off pit road to ultimately claim the trophy.
