1. How Do I Think the Restart Rule Worked at Chicagoland?
One of the new major rules due to the Richmond race was the new restart rule. To explain, I will give some back story. On the final restart at Richmond, people, including myself, felt that Carl Edwards, who was second, should have been penalized for beating the leader, Paul Menard, to the line. Edwards was not penalized and went on to win the race. To me, this was not exactly fair considering the penalties Jimmie Johnson and others had received on restarts earlier this year. No, I am not a Johnson fan, but I am a fan of fairness. Because of the questions around the restart, NASCAR decided to shake up the rules. Starting with the first Chase race at Chicago, the leader had to restart the race in the restart box, but once he did, second place could beat him to the line. Wow, NASCAR finally got something right heading to Chicago. This was a much needed move to even out the sport. I mean, if you were running second on a restart prior to Chicago, you could not do anything. If the leader blew his engine, you would get a penalty for beating him to the line. I applaud NASCAR for making the rule change that we so desperately needed. I also feel that the move worked out well, too. On the second restart during the Chicago race, Jimmie Johnson lined up first with Kyle Busch second. Johnson restarted the race and Busch had a better car that allowed him to beat Johnson to the line. The two battled it out and no penalties were given. It was so much better because NASCAR did not have to slow down the race with a stupid penalty anyway. In my opinion, this rule change could become a factor in the Chase and one I am really excited about.
2. Juan Pablo Montoya Headed Back to IndyCar With Roger Penske
A little bit of surprising, yet unsurprising news came out of the Penske camp during the week. It was announced that Juan Pablo Montoya would make his return to IndyCar behind the wheel of a car owned by Roger Penske. In case you did not know, Montoya was previously released by Earnhardt Ganassi Racing to allow Kyle Larson to become a Sprint Cup driver next year. Montoya had talks with Andretti Autosport about a ride in IndyCar for next season and he had been in talks with Furniture Row Racing to remain behind the wheel of a Cup car. Ultimately, Montoya signed a deal with Penske to drive along side Will Power and Helio Castroneves next year. To me, this is the best possible move for Montoya. One reason is that Montoya is a proven winner in IndyCar. In his first Indianapolis 500, Montoya took the win. If that isn't enough credibility, I don't know what is. The second reason is his ability at road courses. In his tenure in the Cup Series, Montoya has been a consistent front runner when we start taking some right and left turns. With the IndyCar schedule bolstered with road courses, Montoya could be a quick winner and could grab a championship very soon. Finally, Montoya also has some new oval experience. One thing that Montoya was unfamiliar with heading to Cup was ovals. Even though he was never a huge factor at the ovals, Montoya probably has as much experience as any other IndyCar driver now. Granted, his experience is in a thirty five hundred pound stock car, but he still has experience. All things considering, Juan Pablo Montoya could be a huge factor next year in a different seat and I am looking forward to seeing it.
3. Are Joey Logano and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Out of the Battle For the Championship After Engine Failures at Chicagoland?
In the turn from a daytime to a nighttime race at Chicagoland, a lot of drivers ended up having engine failures due to the higher RPMs at night compared to the day. The engine failures actually bit two of the Chase contenders in Joey Logano and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Both ended up finishing deep in the field and are now in big holes compared to the other drivers in the Chase. To me, it is going to be really hard for these two to make it to the front of the points. The first reason is that both of these drivers are not built for the tracks within the Chase. Joey Logano has done very well this year at the two mile tracks, but there aren't any in the Chase this year. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the same way and he still hasn't been consistent at all this year. The second reason is the drivers up at the top of the standings are so good. Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Jimmie Johnson have had very good finishes this year at every track including the mile and a half ovals, which are the most prolific track type in the Chase. If Logano and Earnhardt don't pick it up, it could be a long Chase for them. Finally, I just don't know if the two have the drive to get back up the points. Logano is brand new to the Chase and I feel like you have to know the Chase to win it. Earnhardt has been in the Chase a good bit, but he still hasn't shown that he wants to win a championship, in my opinion. I could be wrong, but I just don't see it. To end it off, Logano and Earnhardt are going to have a tough nine races left and if they don't pick it up, they could be out very soon.
4. NAPA Auto Parts Not Sponsoring Michael Waltrip Racing and Martin Truex Jr. Next Year
Some more fall out from the final regular season race of the year at Richmond came out during the week. NAPA Auto Parts announced that they would not return as full time sponsor of Martin Truex Jr. and Michael Waltrip Racing next year. I will give you guys the back story to the sponsorship ending. At Richmond two weeks ago, Michael Waltrip's team made sure that Truex would make the Chase. Clint Bowyer went for a spin that allowed the caution to come and get Truex an extra point while Ty Norris told Brian Vickers to come down pit road to make sure they also had an extra point on the final restart. Because of this, NASCAR decided to penalize the team heavily with a three hundred thousand dollar fine, probation for all three crew chiefs, and fifty point penalties for each driver, which resulted in Truex being knocked out of the Chase. Because of the controversy around the situation and the credibility issues with Michael Waltrip Racing, NAPA Auto Parts decided not to renew their sponsorship with the team. To me, I just think this is a lot of stupid stuff over nothing. Yes, I know the controversy was a horrible thing for the sport, but come on? Why would a sponsor leave a winning team who I think hasn't reached its full potential yet? I wouldn't. I mean, there is a huge controversy surrounding the team, but it doesn't really affect the performance of the team. If Michael Waltrip Racing still has a team that will race, then why wouldn't you sponsor the team? Plus, this could cause Truex to lose a ride. Truex is a very good driver and he deserves a ride to prove this. Hopefully, if MWR doesn't keep him around, Furniture Row Racing would pick him up and give him a shot. Either way, this was an unnecessary sponsor move and I hope it comes back to haunt NAPA.
5. My Pick to Win
Last week, Matt Kenseth made the transition from day to night to take his sixth win of the season. With the win, Kenseth still sits in prime position to take the Sprint Cup Series championship. Earlier this year at New Hampshire, Brian Vickers deified all the odds and took the win at New Hampshire. Today, I am going to give you a few drivers I think have a chance to win. Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr., and Brad Keselowski stand out as drivers that have a legitimate shot at taking the win at New Hampshire in the second Chase race of the year. I thank you guys once again for reading my opinions. If you think they aren't quite right, let me know in the comments down below. I will continue to write for you guys including the race this afternoon. Here is to hope that the race is awesome and until we meet again.
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