2021 NASCAR thread

Too rich for my blood! I like the 5 but need to stick with JGR.

Too be honest 5 or 11 is ok with me

 

For what I saw Denny came down into the 48's right front fender. I honestly don't think the 48 hit him?

 

I wouldn't say out. But for meeting him under the Flag Stand. Maybe losing a few points?

 

Congratulations to the 48. You did you. Good win!

 

Lot of emotions today. His crew chief was his best friend. As said, bigger picture Denny, bigger picture!

 

That's A Fact. Hopefully that got him away from the area before it got him into any issues with Oval Office.

 

It was like a western stand off when the 48 was trying to do his burn out and the 11 being a baby and blocking him. 11 lost all creditable in my book when he said fuck..

edit. Love how my son says why can he say fuck on tv

 

That was a good race, Martinsville never disappoints. Not really sure where the disconnect was for the 11. The 48 was a far superior car and I felt like the 48 raced the 11 pretty clean. I get Denny wanting to win that race but with the 48 with nothing to lose and the 11 with everything to lose it seems like Denny should have let that one go and settled for the 2-5 place car he was. I think Denny has anointed himself the next master of Martinsville so he feels he has some sort of birthright when it comes to that track. His antics after the race were not becoming of someone of his stature in the sport. Considering he has dumped cars a lot harder and more deliberately at this very track. Had the 48 really dumped him like the 11 did the 24 a few years back he would not be in the picture for next week.

I doubt NASCAR will do anything. I mean points really do not matter for the next one so that would not matter. It's one thing to be unhappy about it but to berate the guy on national TV that is a little harsh. I mean Bowman seems to have worked a lot harder to get where he is than Denny has. To flat out call him a hack and say he has not earned anything is pretty poor. It was funny when he said he gets his ass kicked by his teammates every week but hell, Jimmy Johnson could not put that car in victory lane for the last couple of years so getting there 4 times this season and 2nd only to Larson for HMS has to count for something. I mean even Denny has only managed to win two this year. The race was exciting and the playoff format did make for excitement right to the last lap so that was fun. I was pulling for the 2 to make it in. I hate Fords but Brad has earned some respect on the track and I think he would have been a bigger factor that the 19 will be. All in all it has been a good season. Best of luck to whomever you are pulling for next week. I am hopeful the 9 can pull it off but we shall see. My gut tells me the 5 is a heavy favorite but you know, pressure. KL has never really proven himself at this level in that regard. He has a history of letting some get away so we will see. Anyone but the 11 for me next week. Best case it's the 9.

 

Man, this has been an off-year for Ford only 7 total wins across teams. Who would've predicted that by the season finale, McDowell and Wallace would have as many wins as Keseloksi and Logano, and more wins than Harvick? And how about the only winner in SHR's stable being Almirola? Hendrick has won nearly 1/2 of the races this year and Chevy certainly did win half of the races. It's not all rosy for Chevy as RCR has gone winless since July 2020. in spite of Larson's dominance, we've had 15 different winners this year, which makes a good argument for parity in the sport right now.

Wins by Manufacturer:

• Chevy- 17
• Toyota- 10
• Ford- 7

Wins by teams:

• Hendrick- 16 (9 Larson, 4 Bowman, 2 Elliott, 1 Byron)
• Gibbs- 9 (4 Truex, 2 Busch, 2 Hamlin, 1 Bell)
• Penske- 5 (3 Blaney, 1 Logano, 1 Keselowski)
• SHR- 1 (Almirola)
• Ganassi- 1 (Ku Busch)
• Front Row- 1 (McDowell)
• 23XL- 1 (Wallace)

 

Phoenix. The finale. We are finally here. I swear the Cup season is about 10 weeks too long. I don't really have a dog in the hunt in the final four drivers but if I had to pick one, based on personality, and stats, I'd have to go with Truex. It's a battle of two veterans vs. two (very experienced) younger guys.

Larson- The kid's had a great breakthrough season. He's met expectations of him. I remember watching him racing open-wheel cars as a kid and getting excited about his future career prospects.
Starts: 14
Best finish: Second (spring of 2017)
Top fives: 5
Top 10s: 8
Average start: 7.3
Average finish: 11.6
Laps led: 72
DNFs: One (engine: fall of 2017)

Elliott- On one hand, he's a Georgia boy from a rural area with racing pedigree. On the other hand, he's led a charmed life with private school education snow skiing, and golfing outings between his family's Summer and Winter homes, and his lifestyle is nothing I can relate to.
Starts: 11
Best finish: First (fall of 2020)
Top fives: 4
Top 10s: 7
Average start: 4.7
Average finish: 11.2
Laps led: 402
DNFs: One (crash: fall of 2019)

Truex- He's grumpy. He complains. He wines when other drivers race him. Other than that, he's alright. He's one of the last guys who busted their butt to rise up the ladder.
Starts: 31
Best finish: First (spring of 2021)
Top fives: 5
Top 10s: 13
Average start: 11.9
Average finish: 15.4
Laps led: 187
DNFs: Four (crash: spring of 2020; crash: fall of 2016; engine: fall of 2012; overheating: fall of 2008)

Hamlin- Obviously trying to out-stage his teammate as the Heel. I actually found myself rooting for him last year and earlier this year to finally win the championship. After Indy Roval, whatever went down with his baby momma, and yesterday, I won't be hoping he finally gets the trophy.
Starts: 32
Best finish: First (twice, most recently in fall of 2019)
Top fives: 15
Top 10s: 19
Average start: 9.8
Average finish: 10.8
Laps led: 854
DNFs: One (crash: fall of 2017)

Source: https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2...series-championship-4-set-after-martinsville/

Okay, Phoenix by the numbers, and the last time I'll be doing this weekly rundown during my Monday coffee break:

Wins by Manufacturer:

• Chevy 10
• Toyota 7
• Ford 4

Source: https://www.racing-reference.info/tracks/Phoenix_Raceway/

Wins by Active Driver:

• Harvick 7
• Hamlin 2
• Logano 2
• Ky Busch 2
• Elliott 1
• Truex 1
• Newman 1

Source: https://www.racing-reference.info/tracks/Phoenix_Raceway/

Average Finish by Active Driver:
Harvick 8.8
Hamlin 10.8
Ky Busch 10.9
Elliott 11.2
Larson 11.6
Keselowski 12.6
Byron 12.7
Logano 13.4
Ku Busch 13.6
Almirola 14.6

Source: https://www.driveraverages.com/nascar/track_avg.php?trk_id=17#all

 

Are you a booky on the side. Lol. Good info!!!! I always love your predictions and stats

 

I mean, I love looking at numbers. It's what I do at work. Before the internet, I kept stat books on NASCAR results. at the time, the points system was so convoluted, so I made my own points system, which, is identical to the current Cup points system(!). I put this info together so I can better predict what could happen and to help you guys if you happen to be wagering some $ with friends.

 

Don’t stop… love it!!!! GO KL..

 

Good stuff, sir!!

We roll out Thursday at 6a for Championship week. First time since it's been at Phoenix raceway with no restrictions.

I still want to see the 11 get a Championship ring, so i'll quietly be pulling for him. Yes, he could have handled Martinsville differently but we are here now and we move forward.

The 5 and Kyle Larson. Let's not hope the trouble he seems to run into late season, as yesterday, doesn't bleed into Championship Sunday. I would be ok with him winning knowing Blaney and the 12 are out.

My wife is a HUGE Chase Elliott fan, so i'll throw a couple golf claps in if he does pull it off.

As for the 19; no, just no

It's been a great season and the final race has a lot of drivers and teams a bit frustrated/mad as some of shenanigans from this past weekend. Either way, we'll be ten rows up on the start/finish line.

 

have fun!!!!

 

i'll try and get a photo for you as there probably won't be many folks around his garage

 

It would be funny to see the 4 dominate this race like he did in the past here. I expect all four of the championship guys to fail inspection and start in the rear. You know the cars are going to be all cheated up. At least one of them will have trouble on pit road. It should be an exciting race.

 

Anyone but the 9

 

We shall see.

 

Aren’t you the optimist… lol