The Michigan 400 meant different things to different people. This particular race may have given us a microcosm of the championship battle.
Teams show strength at different times of the year. In the past drivers have been powerhouses leading into the Chase and then fell flat in the final 10 races. Others know how to play the game right and make themselves look like an also-ran; then pounce for a Cup.
Jimmie Johnson has been declared done during the past four years. Right before he starts to show how its done.
Sundays race gave us all a look, and to me a hunch, at how the points will shake out during the Chase showdown.
The win meant a lot to anyone analyzing Kevin Harvick. The Richard Childress Racing team was victorious in their first non-restrictor plate point race since 2006. The group had a healthy championship lead for much of the season and had two point wins, Daytona and Talladega. Now with a downforce track score, the strong effort just looks that much more formidable. The proof is there that they can win on the majority of the Chase style speedways.
Denny Hamlin went on a hot streak earlier this season only to cool off as the summer temperatures rose. Michigan was the last track he visited Victory Lane and looked to turn around his season here. The poor Friday qualifying run did not encourage some Hamlin optimism. Whatever crew chief Mike Ford tried during Sundays 200 laps worked well. Hamlin showed form of old and may be getting dialed back in to a weekly victory threat at the right time.
The next three drivers could be lumped under one umbrella. The Roush Fenway group is coming around toward the front of the pack.
Carl Edwards has not won a Cup event since 2008, a season that saw him frequently cash Sunday Money checks. The team has run well at times, just not good enough to revisit a winners circle. His momentum and runs closer to the front are increasing.
I called Greg Biffles number early in the season as someone to keep your eyes on. He was just beyond the regular strong runners and lurking. In spite of the Roush criticism I refused to believe this camp was done. Biffle looked great at Indianapolis, won at Pocono, finished with another top five at Michigan. And there are three more races until the Chase starts.
Matt Kenseth appears to be a step behind the previous two Roush runners. But whatever is making the team stronger is bleeding over to all the cars including Kenseth. While Jack Roush was recovering from his recent plane crash injuries, the team concept just may have stepped up a little further. All of these cars and people may feel they have a point to prove to the rest of the sport.
If the Miami finish reflected what we saw at Michigan, I wouldnt be surprised one bit.
(Patrick Reynolds is a former NASCAR team mechanic who hosts "Motorweek Live" Thursdays at 9pm ET. Listen at
www.racersreunionradio.com)
Patrick, I take it that you like the idea of "The Chase". I have heard a lot of negative comments about this, but not many positive ones.On the subject of Jack Roush, I wish him well and I hope he can recover soon from the crash and loosing his eye. If anyone can, he can. He is a very stong man mentally and physically. We are all praying for him.
Maybe Im old fashioned in this but I think I saw a little bit of old showing up "again" at Michigan. I also saw this a couple of other times this year. To me the veteran side of Richard Childress enterprises is raising its head again in the form of Kevin Harvick. Now compare what he has done,but dont let his childish way fool you, he is good humored but also a shrewd business man and is showing his ability to control what is going on around him on and off the track.If history serves me right another gentleman started his march up the ladder under the same control as Kevin. Dale Earnhardt was wild yet good and he matured into a great driver and businessman "with a woman steering him too". So now we may just see the remaking of a champion of our liking and one to carry the torch of Nascar to greater heights. I also think kevin would make a far greater role model for our future drivers than what we have now.
Folks, don't fall asleep on Jimmie Johnson,everybody said he was done last year when Tony Stewart was hot as a firecracker, Denny Hamlin was making noise and choked under pressure,but when the Chase started JJ and Company showed why they have won 4 straight. They are geared for the Chase and they know how to win it.Their track record proves it.Yes, I agree,Harvick is much improved,he looks alot like Tony Stewart did last year and Kyle Busch the year before,but does he have what it takes to beat JJ? I'm not saying he don't but they have to prove it first.Do you really think JJ and Company are going to lay down? Remember JJ and Denny Hamlin have won 5 each this year to Harvicks 3,that will keep the points real close when the Chase starts.I would never bet against the 48 crew in the last 10,not with my money any how! There sure will be an aweful lot of disappointed folks if JJ does like last year, just hang around close enoughto get to the Chase and then show his hand. It's almost like they want people to think they are struggling just so they can quietly go about their business.And speaking of Kyle Busch,he don't look so hot any more to me.The whole world thought he was going to be the Tiger Woods of racing.I guess there is alot to be said for chemistry and teamwork. I'll put my money on the 48 untill somebody proves otherwise!The 1 thing Harvick has going for him is Richard Childress as a car owner.I think he knows what it takes to deal with the pressure more than most. We probably shouldn't count any of the top 12 out,any of them are capable of going on a hot streak at any time.Jimmie was hot early,then Denny got heated up and now Harvick ,steady all year and now he is stepping up even more.No matter what,I think it will be a great Chase.I remember the old days when somebody always seemed to stink up the points almost every year.Those memories make me kind of enjoy the Chase.I wonder what would have happened the year ole Harry Gant won all those races in September.Maybe somebody with more talent than me could rewind that one and give us the outcome if the Chase format was used.Well,enough of my rambling, good luck to the winner,it will be hard earned no matter what.