2021 NASCAR thread

Congratulations Kyle Larson on win number six last night. Also, very happy the 24 advances to the top 12.

See you all In Vegas!

 

Glad to see the 5 back where it belongs. The 4 gained a few new fans last night. Also loved the 18's intro at driver intros!

 

Doubt it. But if so that brings his total up to a few.

 

I wasn't a big fan of the 4 before last night. Anyone who takes care of the 9 is ok in my book. I can't tell if I dislike the 9 more or less than I despised the 48 in the 2000's.

 

Putting aside favorite drivers; take your helmet off and be a man and confront your challenge. Don’t freak out after he walks away.

 

Harvick learned from Gordon to keep your helmet on so you don't get clocked on live TV.

 

I don't disagree. But to me it was clear Harvick was looking to confront him but wasn't looking to actually fight. Chase put his hands on Harvick first to keep him back and Harvick only grabbed Chase's arm after he did so. Chase shoved his finger into the front of Harvick's helmet but that was pretty much the extent of the physicality between the two.

 

Fully agree on that. Regardless of who’s at fault, dick move to leave the helmet on, period. Both knew something was going to go down at the conclusion. If they did nothing but hen peck each other with words, simply lose the helmet.

 

It looked like he initially tried before getting out but couldn't get it off. Regardless he still left it on after getting out. He had tunnel vision for sure.

 

I've liked Harvick ever since he took over for Dale himself. Unfortunately however... The decline of RCR in the mid-to-late 2000s pretty much held his career back.

 

They say Dale carried that team all those years. The same can be said for Harvick, too. Really shows what kind of talent they had behind the wheel.

 

Las Vegas. 400 miles. I usually don't tune in for Vegas. It's another cookie-cutter track that doesn't appeal to me. It also seems like Penske's playground, as they've amassed 6 wins in the past 11 events. Brad's on his way out the door. Joey's been very quiet this year. The momentum seems to be behind Blaney at the moment, which is pleasing. Ford has not had the pure speed of years past this season. Chevy has won the past two events at LVMS, and Larson is absolutely on FIRE. I have to lean towards Chevy on this one and Larson is definitely the top dog in that pen. Toyota has sent Truex to the winner's circle here twice in the past few years and you can never count him out.

My Picks: 5, 12, 19

Manufacturer Wins over past ten years:

• Ford-7
• Chevy-4
• Toyota- 3

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

Driver Wins over past ten years:

• Keselowski- 3
• Harvick- 2
• Truex- 2
• Logano-2
• Ku Busch- 1
• Larson- 1

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

Active Driver Averages:

• Logano 8.4
• Blaney 9.2
• Larson 9.8
• Truex 10.7
• Keselowski 10.8
• Ky Busch 12
• Hamlin 12.9
• Harvick 14
• Newman 15.7
• Dillon 15.9

Source: https://www.driveraverages.com/nascar/track_avg.php?trk_id=12#all

 

I hope Saturday night lit a fire under his butt. Somebody half his age stood up to him like he used to do in his early Cup days. He probably has a swelling case of Get-off-my-lawn-itis right now.

 

This made me LOL. Kevin is at home watching Grand Torino... I think the 4 is screwed and he knows it. Bristol was the last chance he had at a track with a package SHR is decent at. The 550 package is not kind to SHR of late. I am sure he will be up on the wheel. Not sure the car will be able to get him where he needs to be.

 

Yeah- He was the defending winner of the race and looked good, which I haven't been able to say much this year for SHR. He's only one tick better than Almirola right now. Briscoe has had some decent runs of late. I hope 2022 will be a breakout year for him as resources shift away from the 4 (probably in his retirement year in '23).

 

Agreed. You know Kevin has several opportunities to be in the booth if he wants. In addition his business of managing other athletes has taken off. He has been the most vocal in concerns of the next gen cars safety and seems to not be comfortable getting into it with the data they have currently shared. My gut tells me he wants to hang it up but his pride just will not let him go out like this. If they are able to come around and make a run at it I would not be surprised to see him retire all Carl style at the end of the year.

 

Carl retired because he'd had enough heartbreak. Kevin at least got his.

Maybe more John Elway style...

 

No doubt Carl was sick of coming up just a little short but I think he realized he had accomplished enough in the sport. He had enough money, wife that’s a doctor, children and his health. He realized there is more to life than chasing that lifestyle and putting it all on the line each week for what equates to little gain other than vanity.

Kevin has come to a similar point in his life.

 

No, he is a washed up old man bro!! JK.

 

Agreed.