Well a few things to report as the first practice is under way at New Hampshire. As everyone knows, it was announced "officially" that Kevin Harvick will be going over to Stewart-Haas racing in the number 4 budweiser Chevy. That left several questions that needs answered. Richard Childres has already said 3 cars next season and possible a 4th car, no names have been even speculated about, but one, grandson Austin Dillon, car number? Looks more and more like the 3 will hit the cup track again next season with Dillon behind the wheel. No sponsor announcements on that car as of yet.
Another question was, where does this leave Ryan Newman? Well we now know, he is out at the end of the season at Stewart-Haas, again looking for a ride. Tony did say that he would do anything he could to help Ryan find another driving job, but they were not ready to start a 4th team. The stable was full with the 4, 10, and 14. Personally I think they got rid of the wrong driver, but that's my opinion only.
So what cars are open next year in cup? Ummmm......... Right now, can not think of one that could be open. Maybe someone could convince Joe Gibbs to start a 4th team? Maybe Rousch goes back to 4? Maybe....maybe there just isn't a ride out there right this moment, but knowing Ryan is now open to talk to other teams, this might force an owner to think hard about starting another team or doing a driver switch. With it only being July, anything is possible.
Oh and can I say this.....only 8 races left until the start of the chase? Heard that today and cant believe it. I actually went to a schedule and looked, sure enough, only 8 races left until the chase starts. Wow! With the races counting down, the 8th-15th in points are really close and anyone could get on a hot streak and climb their way into the chase. Could guys like Kasey Kahn, Jeff Gordon, and series Champion Brad Keselowski not make the chase? Let alone 3 time champ Tony Stewart he is only 6 points ahead of the 56 driven my Martin Truex Jr. Tony and Martin both have 1 win this season and either could make it under the wild card provision.
No I didn't forget about last weeks race at Daytona. I used to be a big fan of the 2 super speedways on the schedule, not so much anymore. These races are a snooze fest if you ask me. Again like the mile and a half tracks, once the lead car clears the car beside him on a restart, its pretty much over. Its way to hard to pass. For those of you that remember the "sling shot" move of the 80's and 90's, folks those days are so long gone its pathetic. Maybe it was a little, Jimmie Johnson freaking won again, and the fact that there didn't seem to be any way to pass the guy who was in front, because as we see, blocking was key and at any cost....like blocking a driver who ended up wrecking your teammate that you left hanging to block the car that was actually going to pass you. I think the short tracks is where the racing is the best, but hasn't that always been the case? NASCAR was founded on the short tracks across the southeast, maybe its time we put them in forefront and limit the tracks over 1.5 miles. There just isn't anything exciting to talk about when it comes to last weeks race. So much so I just cant think of anything else to report other then it seemed like a let down from times past. The sad part is looking in the stands at these races, from trucks to cup, and seeing empty seats.....a lot of empty seats.
Until next time...........
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