That sort of comes down to the rip off I believe THE CHASE to be. Bob Latford came up with the original “ modern” points system that worked so well for so many years designed on a napkin in a bar, by his own words. I have that on cassette tape here in the Lair where he was interviewed on my old radio show back in the mid nineties and we talked about that. While it is true that there were a couple of years where it was a run away as early as September, there were the exciting 5 and 10 point champions during those days as well more often than not.
Like the matchbook opportunity to become a world renowned artist, the ability of a driver to make a sustained charge in the last 10 races of the year to win a championship or improve his position about the top 12 of the sport has disappeared. The “draw me” enticement of the matchbook has become the “rip me off” mentality of the ludicrous absurdity called THE CHASE. Granted it is not likely in the “good old days” that someone in 13th place could win the Cup, but it somehow takes away something when you know that now, with this weekend’s race coming up, only 12 drivers have a shot and now the points are all realigned using the convoluted formula concocted on THE BOTTOM of a cocktail glass after it had been emptied for the 10th time. Like it or not, it is what it is, so allow me to expound on my comments on the Chase Participants this year. I’m doing these in the order of seed by NASCAR after the Richmond Race.
1. Kyle Busch. He has four wins this year thus far. He has run some very good races. He has made some very stupid, bonehead moves as well. While he was a contender last year and this is his second year in that status, I don’t believe he will do it. No, that’s not my Kyle Busch “slam” of the evening, just a statement that I don’t believe his maturity level is there yet. Now, if he had that sports car he got caught in on the North Carolina Highway, I may increase his percentage.
2. Kevin Harvick: He has four wins this year as well after Richmond so he is seeded as tied with Candy Man. I admit I had problems when Kevin first stepped in for Earnhardt, Sr., but that was mostly because I was missing Dale. We all have watched him win some incredible races as well as lose some he should have won. He’s sold his truck and Nationwide Teams now to concentrate totally on the Championship Drive. I think his chances are very good, and Lord knows, Richard Childress deserves another championship big time. He may need to pay another fine to NASCAR in the future for extraordinary use of his fists.
3. Jeff Gordon: Has three wins this year and has been looking really strong in the past several races. Did you know that Jeff has NEVER won a championship under the Chase format. This may be the year and I wouldn’t be sad to see him do it again.
4. Matt Kennseth: Of all the Rousch drivers, Kennseth seems to have the most going for himself. He is championship material as he has already proved once and he has a good shot at it this year.
5. C arl Edwards: It is impossible to predict how Duck Boy will handle the chase. He can certainly drive a race car and he does pretty good flips from the door of the car when he wins. This recent showboating of running into the stands to thrill some of the fans after a win is a good thing and I applaud him for that. But I really don’t think the feathers on the duck back are going to repel the challenges of other competitors here.
6. Jimmie Johnson: Herein is proof of the rank odor of The Chase Format. Jimmie was leading the points but because he has only one win thus far this year, he finds himself in Fifth position, NINE points out of first. Of course it is the Jimmie-Chad Talent Show getting underway again so you can’t count him out for this sixth consecutive trip to the head table. Chad and Jimmie have figured out how to take advantage of NASCAR under NASCAR’s own terms. Sort of poetic justice there I would say.
7. Kurt Busch: I had truly believed that Kurt had matured and after being removed from those parents that are the Nevada poster parents on how NOT to raise children, he would have a good year and possibly repeat. Now he confronts reporters at Richmond this weekend, not once but twice, one of which included jerking the reporter’s papers and ripping them up and throwing the trash on the ground. Where were the litter police? If that had been in North Carolina, they could have had BOTH Busch brothers doing community service picking up the beer cans scattered along the interstates there.
8. Ryan Newman: Ryan is running consistently, although not strictly competitively in his Stewart-Haas Chevrolet. This may be the key to his chances. I have met Ryan a time or two and he is truly a fine man, dedicated to his family and to the animals he saves. He seems, in so many ways, like the old time racers we here at Racers Reunion care so much about.
9. Tony Stewart: Tony, I understand, recently took on a member of the media as well concerning “stupid questions”. I was taught in school there are no stupid questions but in the case of some of the motorsports press I have to give Tony that one. He is a two time champion already and could do it again although his season thus far in 2011 has been like the roller coaster ride known as Kurt Busch’s marriage.
10. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Dale starts 12 points behind the leader in the Chase. There are literally millions of fans hoping for a championship. A chance to return an Earnhardt to the head table at season’s end. I like Dale, Jr. a lot!
But whether or not he is yet ready for a championship is something I don’t wish to concede. Perhaps he needs Mikey Waltrip to help him with his driving and D.W. to help him with his public image. Nah, don’t need those guys, maybe just the gopher to chew the tires of the other 11 guys in the chase.
11.Brad Keselowski: Brad has come on like George Patton going after Hitler in 1944. His recent consistency and heads up actions in the pits by his crew have produced three wins. I truly think Brad can do it and he is definitely the hope of the Penske operation. Would be great to see a Dodge back in championship form with a driver who has enough class to carry the Stars and Stripes around the track after he wins. I like this kid.
12. Denny Hamlin: Last year I supposed myself to be privileged to some inside information from an old NASCAR connection who informed me the week BEFORE the chase commenced that Hamlin was NASCAR and Toyota’s chosen boy to give the Japs their first cup title. As we all know, that fell through but he did make a formidable foe for Jimmie and Chad. He is in the Chase, but he has not impressed me whatsoever this year.
So, my pick: Ok, out on a limb I go. I pick Jeff Gordon to win. Why? Because he is getting back to his old form as shown at Atlanta especially, and he knows how to win a championship. He wants it bad. He’s getting towards that retirement age and you know he wants to show that once he can win under the Chase format. Besides, in my opinion, Jeff is a class guy. NASCAR could make much out of such a fine driver stopping another fine driver from getting six in a row. My sentimental choices: Harvick of course, more for Richard Childress than Kevin but I like Kevin. Ryan Newman because I sincerely believe he represents the best of the sport. Brad Keselowski because I have always been a Mopar man. LET THE CHASE BEGIN!
