This season of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has so far been a very entertaining one. In the first race of the season, a 20-year old rookie, Trevor Bayne, won the Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is looking like a contender for the first time in years, as he is 4th in the points standings. Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick nearly went Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan on each other at Darlington; while Regan Smith went on to win the race for his one-car team.
This season also introduced a new points system, but much to the displeasure of crazy people who thought this would dramatically change NASCAR; the best drivers are where we all expected. After 11 races (out of 36), Carl Edwards is in first place, followed by Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, and Dale Jr.
Another change in the points was how the twelve drivers would be selected to compete in the Chase for the Sprint Cup (NASCAR’s version of the playoffs). This can be complicated so bear with me.
-The top 10 drivers in points are automatically in.
-The two drivers in positions 11-20 with the most wins are in as well. These are called the “wildcards”.
-That sounded a lot more complicated in my head.
As of right now, the two drivers who would make it into the Chase as “wildcards” would be Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin. These two drivers, along with Jimmie Johnson and Dale Jr. all race for Hendrick Motorsports, so getting all four of those guys into the Chase would be incredible for that group.
Speaking of Hendrick Motorsports, driver Kasey Kahne will be a part the team next year, but this season he is driving for Red Bull Racing. Many thought Kasey would come in and be a “lame duck” of sorts, as he is only driving for one season, then leaving. Kahne has been the complete opposite; he has competed for wins in a few races and has five top-10’s and two top-5’s. Kahne’s teammate, Brian Vickers, has also looked very competitive after missing more than half of last season due to blood clots. Red Bull really needs a good season this year, as they have not lived up to the standards that other Red Bull Racing teams have set around the world.
A former Hendrick driver, Kyle Busch, has continued to be his annoying prick self this season. He spends most of his time racing in NASCAR’s lower series, which are supposed to be for younger drivers, but apparently Kyle didn’t get the message. So as his Sprint Cup peers are resting up and preparing for racing on Sundays, Kyle is racing drivers who are obviously not as skilled as him.
Much has also been said of how “Kyle has matured”. Oh yeah, he’s real mature. At Darlington a few weeks ago, Kyle Busch spun out fellow driver, Kevin Harvick. Not a big deal really, that happens every once in awhile. Then after the race when Harvick confronted Busch, Busch avoided Harvick and ran to his hauler like the little baby he is. I’m fine with Busch and other drivers wrecking each other, but back it up! You want to race rough and tough, then be rough and tough.
My favorite driver, Mr. A.J. Allmendinger, has looked awesome, in a racing sense, so far this year. He is 16th in points right now, compared to a year ago when he was 22nd, and has two top 10’s. These stats can be deceiving especially since he had a car to win last week at Dover, but had engine problems half way through the race and did not finish. More and more people are starting to respect A.J., which is awesome. I just hope you all know I’ve been on this guy’s bandwagon since his rookie season at Red Bull Racing in 2007!
Looking towards the rest of the regular season (next 15 races), I think that the top half of the current Chase drivers will make the Chase, but Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, and Kurt Busch should be worried. All have had their bright spots, but all are struggling recently, and seem to be having team issues.
Kurt started the season strong, by finishing in the top 10 four races in a row, but since then only has one top 10. He has more than once than season verbally assaulted his crew chief during the race, blaming the whole team for problems with the cars. Unfortunately for him, racing is a team sport. To be successful, he’ll need to work on his chemistry with his team.
Stewart and Newman, both a part of Stewart/ Hass Racing, usually get better in the summer months. They have a lot to fix on their teams if they want to make it into the Chase. There are rumors that Stewart is looking to fire his current crew chief, but I don’t buy into that. The problems are at the shop where Stewart/ Hass Racing is based. Don’t be surprised to see changes made there.
Denny Hamlin has finally gotten it together and is looking like the near champion he was last season. Jeff Gordon, who has one win this year, Greg Bifle, and Hamlin, will be looking to make the Top 10 before the Chase, and they’ll be looking to take Newman, Stewart, and Busch’s spots.
