Tuesday, September 30, 2014

And Then There Were 12
#nascar

Jeff Gordon took the checkered flag in Sunday's AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway, but four other drivers got the axe in the first Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup elimination race in the history of the sport.

The Chase Challenger round is history. Bring on the Chase Contender round. AJ Allmendinger, 2004 series champion Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle and Aric Almirola missed the cut for the next round of the Chase, as the field was pared from 16 drivers to 12 following the third and final Challenger Round race.

The points for the Contender Drivers have been reset to 3,000.   Any Chase driver who wins at Kansas, Charlotte or Talladega will advance automatically to the Eliminator Round. The Chase field will be reduced from 12 to eight drivers at Talladega.


Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway saw the field in the Chase For The Sprint Cup narrowed from 16 to 12 contenders.
Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway saw the field
in the Chase For The Sprint Cup narrowed from 16 to 12 contenders.
(Photo: Todd Warshaw/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Analyzing the Hollywood Casino 400


Below is a look at the 12 Contenders:

1 - Brad Keselowski (No. 2 Miller Lite Ford)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 105.0

2014 Rundown

  • Five wins, 13 top fives, 16 top 10s; five poles
  • Average finish of 12.4
  • Led 23 races for 1,496 laps

2 - Joey Logano (No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 106.5

2014 Rundown

  • Four wins, 13 top fives, 18 top 10s; one pole
  • Average finish of 12.2
  • Led 19 races for 794 laps

3 - Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Budweiser Chevrolet)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 108.8

2014 Rundown

  • Two wins, 10 top fives, 15 top 10s; seven poles
  • Average finish of 14.0
  • Led 21 races for 1,592 laps

4 - Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 100.8

2014 Rundown

  • Three wins, 10 top fives, 18 top 10s; one pole
  • Average finish of 13.4
  • Led 15 races for 1,035 laps

5 - Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 110.4

2014 Rundown

  • Four wins, 11 top fives, 19 top 10s; two poles
  • Average finish of 10.0
  • Led 20 races for 665 laps

6 - Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 90.6

2014 Rundown

  • One win, six top fives, 12 top 10s; two poles
  • Average finish of 17.1
  • Led 13 races for 411 laps

7 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 97.2

2014 Rundown

  • Three wins, 11 top fives, 17 top 10s
  • Average finish of 11.0
  • Led 12 races for 220 laps

8 - Matt Kenseth (No. 20 Dollar General Toyota)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 93.5

2014 Rundown

  • 11 top fives, 18 top 10s; one pole
  • Average finish of 13.8
  • Led 17 races for 467 laps

9 - Ryan Newman (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 85.1

2014 Rundown

  • Two top fives, 11 top 10s
  • Average finish of 14.0
  • Led 4 races for 24 laps

10 - Carl Edwards (No. 99 Fastenal Ford)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 82.5

2014 Rundown

  • Two wins, six top fives, 11 top 10s
  • Average finish of 14.8
  • Led 10 races for 134 laps

11 - Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Office Toyota)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 90.8

2014 Rundown

  • One win, six top fives, 12 top 10s; two poles
  • Average finish of 15.5
  • Led 12 races for 195 laps

12 - Kasey Kahne (No. 5 Farmer’s Insurance Chevrolet)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 88.7

2014 Rundown

  • One win, three top fives, 10 top 10s
  • Average finish of 16.5
  • Led 10 races for 204 laps


Next: Kansas Speedway in Kansas City - the Hollywood Casino 400 on Sunday, October 5. Coverage begins on ESPN at 1 p.m. ET and the race is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET. 



Stewart Struggles With On-Track Tragedy #nascar

When Tony Stewart appeared before the cameras yesterday, his deportment was quite subdued.

After driving for Joe Gibbs Racing for 10 years, Stewart became a team owner and driver with Stewart Hass Racing in 2009. #nascar
After driving for Joe Gibbs Racing for 10 years, Stewart became a team owner
and driver with Stewart Hass Racing in 2009. Davis Turner for USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart, a three-time Sprint Cup champion, the 1997 Indy Racing League (IndyCar) champion and the 1995 USAC Triple Crown champion and now a NASCAR team owner, stated that he regretted ever racing a sprint car that night.

"I'd have stayed at Watkins Glen that night," Stewart said, referring to the location of that weekend's NASCAR race. "I do this stuff and I go run those cars to have a good time and that's all I wanted to do that night. … I do it to have fun, and it didn't end up being fun that night."

Stewart went on to comment compassionately in regards to Ward's family.

"I want to be available to them," Stewart said. But he added, "I don't need to talk to them for closure. ... I know it was an accident."

The family of Kevin Ward Jr. issued a statement over the weekend suggesting that prosecutors treated Stewart lightly because of his status in the racing world. The Grand Jury determined Ward Jr.’s death was an accident.

"Tell me how a NASCAR star totally forgot what caution means," Wendi Ward wrote. Wendi Ward is Kevin’s Aunt. "Maybe he should get a different headset so he is able to hear on the radio that the car in caution is up high, so go low. Or was he low until he rounded the corner and saw Kevin Jr. standing up for himself?"

Ward's aunt also questioned why a toxicology test was done on her nephew. The test found marijuana in Ward's system.

Stewart declined to address the marijuana finding, stating only "Honestly, for me it doesn't change anything," he said.

“It’s not about picking sides. A young man lost his life. His family is in mourning. My family is in mourning,” Stewart said.

Stewart reported that in the days right after the fatal accident he didn't care if he showered and had to force himself to eat.

"Hopefully, through this I will somehow be a better person," he philosophized hopefully.

Tony Stewart made the decision not to race the three races after the fatal accident. He did not qualify for the coveted NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Waltrip and Slate Score an improved 28 points (#nascar)



Michael Waltrip and Emma Slater danced Waltz on Dancing with the Stars 19 on Monday, September 29, 2014. Music was “Everything I Do I Do It For You” by Bryan Adams. Waltrip’s best dance and the judges loved it.

“I was mesmerized,” said judge Carrie Ann Inaba. “You did a great job.”

 “I saw you point at me — you won me over,” said guest judge Kevin Hart. 

“That was your best dance ever,” said judge Julianne Hough. 

“It really shows that you worked,” said judge Bruno Tonioli. 


The judges gave them a total score of 28.

Dale Jr. Showcases True Sportsmanship

Dale Jr. Showcases True Sportsmanship

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sent encouraging post-race tweets after AJ Allmendinger and Aric Almirola were eliminated from the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

NASCAR inGEAR

Meet Rookie Justin Allgaier

Meet Rookie Justin Allgaier

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie Justin Allgaier dives into his life on and off the track.

NASCAR inGEAR

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Ganassi’s #SoundGarage
Social Media Concert A Success

Performance at the #SoundGarage (photo by Pat McCarthy)
Performance at the #SoundGarage (photo by Pat McCarthy)

On 09/08/2014, the normal race equipment inside the Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) shop was moved about and replaced by a medium sized stage, microphones and a sound system. Chip Ganassi Racing invited three hundred social media and millennial* "influencers" to the event, featuring a show by singer Cassadee Pope. Pope won the singing competition, "The Voice" in December of 2012.

This exclusive happening was hosted by CGR's trio of hot young drivers: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson, NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Dylan Kwasniewski and INDYCAR driver Sage Karam. FOX Sports 1 personality Kaitlyn Vincie served as emcee.

From @kaitlynvincie Twitter Feed-  On stage w/@dylankracing @SageKaram @KyleLarsonRacin for @CGRTeams #SoundGarage.
“The Ganassi Sound Garage event was one of the most unique events I've ever attended at a race shop. Ms. Vincie stated. “The goal was to create a social media digital-bash that would bring new fans of the millennial generation to racing. I think that young drivers like Dylan Kwasniewski, Kyle Larson, and Sage Karam are a perfect fit to usher in this new age of fans. The young generation can identify with them. Our sport needs to reach that young demographic to help bring in a new wave of life-long fans . . . and I think those three drivers can help make it happen. It was very neat to see all the social media interaction with the guests and drivers along with country recording artist Cassadee Pope, you could tell everyone was having a good time. I am grateful I was able to be a small part of it!"

A distinctive “reverse" red carpet was utilized for the event. This meant, to the delight of the guests, they were greeted by the drivers as the guests entered. The fans were also treated to photo opts, and engaged in a question & answer session.

Chip presenting the Owner of Big Machine Records a gift of remembrance from the Brickyard #42 car  (photo by American Syndicate )
Chip presenting the Owner of Big Machine Records a gift
of remembrance from the Brickyard #42 car (photo by American Syndicate )

When the Monday event was over, the big boss, Chip Ganassi, had succeeded in showing the fans just how important they are to his organization.

NASCAR Race Mom was able to speak to Dylan Kwasniewski while he was waiting for his bags at the LAX baggage claim. The nineteen-year-old was in town for a meeting with his sponsor Rockstar.

“I thought Sound Garage went great; we had Cassadee Pope playing. I watched her when she was on the voice.” Dylan detailed. “It was a fun time and went fantastically, especially for the first time. The biggest deal was that we were trying to get a big social media push, which we did. I think we were ‘trending’ in North Carolina at the time of the concert.”

During the event, Kwasniewski showed off his lip singing talents, line dancing abilities and his humor with the microphone.

@sagekaram @kylelarson42 @dylankracing having a little fun at Ganassi #SoundGarage.
Dylan Kwasniewski’s favorite part of the Sound Garage was interacting with the fans; taking photos with them and just having fun. He appreciated the opportunity to take a closer look at his fan base and being more personal with them. Intermingling with the event attendees gave fans the rare occasion to witness his more private side.

For those who did not attend, the concert was streamed live on NASCAR.com.

 The official event hashtag, #SoundGarage was Trending Topic for eleven hours in Charlotte.

“I had a great time hosting and having fun with the fans that came out to the event. We wanted to get the people that Kyle, Sage and I hung out with outside of racing to get involved with the sport of Indy Car and NASCAR. I hope that we can do it again soon.” added Dylan, who is currently twelfth in the NASCAR Nationwide Point Standings in his rookie year.

A fun Kwasniewski fact: The Luxury Item Dylan indulges in? With a chuckle, he quickly answered that clothes and shoes is what he spends his “race earnings” on. Currently, his favorite brand of shoes are called R&R – they have Nike soles. 

Twitter Handles










*A millennial, also known as Generation Y are the demographic cohort following Generation X. There are no precise dates when the generation starts and ends. However, researchers and commentators use birth years ranging from the early 1980s to the early 2000s. 


About Chip Ganassi Racing Teams

Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 25 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world. Today his teams include four cars in the Verizon IndyCar Series, two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and one Prototype in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. Overall his teams have 17 championships and 160 victories, including four Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400, five Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis and Brownsburg, Ind. and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, PA.

*Disclosure: This post has been submitted to a NASCAR sponsored program.

2014 Irwindale Celebrity Race
The celebrities celebrate! #NASCAR

L to R: Matt D'Andria, Mark Kriski, Tito Ortiz, Nathan Kress, Mark Paul Gosselaar,
Eric Valdez, Tricia Helfer, Lorenzo Lamas, Doug Fregin, Corbin Bleu, and Brett Davern

In addition to its regular night of exciting championship NASCAR racing, the Irwindale Speedway hosted a special Celebrity Stock Car Race event presented by Justice Brothers and DJ Safety.

Ten well-known names from the worlds of entertainment and business suited up, strapped on helmets, and buckled into boisterous NASCAR-style stock cars (identically-prepared S2 cars) at Irwindale Speedway, located about 25 miles East of Hollywood in front of a crowd of 3,200 fans.

Actors Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Erik Valdez went side-by-side for the final five laps.  In this race, there were no losers; however, Gosselaar won the 20-lap race, earning $2,500 for the Wounded Warrior Project.


2014 Irwindale Celebrity Race
Presented by Justice Brothers & DJ Safety
Benefiting: Wounded Warriors Project®


Irwindale Celebrity Race Heat 1 - 10 Laps
  1. 43 Brett Daveren
  2. 52 Matt D'Andria
  3. 77 Lorenzo Lamas

Irwindale Celebrity Race Heat 2 - 10 Laps
  1. 99 Mark Paul Gosselaar
  2. 50 Eric Valdez
  3. 42 Corbin Bleu

Irwindale Celebrity Race Main Event - 20 Laps
  1. 99 Mark Paul Gosselaar
  2. 50 Eric Valdez
  3. 42 Corbin Bleu

Celebrity Particiapants:

  • Corbin Bleu - "High School Musical," "Dancing With the Stars"
  • Matt D'Andria - GQ's "Car Collectors," Co-Host "Car Cast"
  • Brett Davern - MTV's "Awkward"
  • Doug Fregin - Co-founder Research in Motion, makers of BlackBerry
  • Mark-Paul Gosselaar - "Franklin & Bash," "Saved by the Bell"
  • Tricia Helfer - "Battlestar Galactica," "Killer Women"
  • Nathan Kress - "iCarly," "Into the Storm"
  • Mark Kriski - KTLA 5 Meteorologist
  • Lorenzo Lamas - New season: "Celebrity Apprentice", "Falcon Crest", "The Bold and The Beautiful"
  • Erik Valdez - "Graceland," "General Hospital"

MMA Fighter and former Ultimate Fighting Champion, Tito Ortiz was honored as the event's Grand Marshal & Official Starter


Photo Credit:  Marv Keller

Happy #NASCAR Birthday To Driver
Ron Fellows

Ron Fellows
Age 55 (09/28/59)

Friday, September 26, 2014

See What NASCAR Driver Stars in New Music Video

See What NASCAR Driver Stars in New Music Video

It’s not his first stab at being on-screen, but now NASCAR star Austin Dillon can add “starring in country music video” to his list of roles.

NASCAR inGEAR

Hill Wins The Battle While Rhodes Won the War #kneast #knwest

Austin Hill put on a dominating display in the Driver Sober 150 at the Monster Mile.



Twenty-year-old Austin Hill put on a dominating display Friday in the Driver Sober 150 at the Monster Mile. He had recorded his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East win a year ago at this same track.  Hill also won the last race at Greenville Pickens Speedway on September 6, 2014.

A "Sunoco Rookie of the Year" contender, Hill finished his season fifth in the Championship Points Standings.


NASCAR President Mike Helton presented Ben Rhodes with the 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship trophy Friday at Dover International Speedway.



However, seventeen-year-old Ben Rhodes, the winner of both the "Sunoco Rookie of the Year" award and the 2014 K&N Pro Series Championship could only managed a fifteenth place finish at Dover.  Rhodes had sealed the series title with a race remaining back on September 6.








Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

Rooting for the Underdogs
Allmendinger and Almirola

The NASCAR “playoffs” are heating up! There is just one race left in the Challenger Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.

“Freaky Fast” Kevin Harvick grabbed the Coors Light Pole Award for Sunday's AAA 400 at “the Monster Mile” (Dover International Speedway).

However, NASCAR Race Mom will be keeping her eyes glued to a pair of underdogs*; the two Double A drivers – Aric Almirola and A.J. Allmendinger.

A.J. Allmendinger and Aric Almirola are still the underdogs for advancement to the Contender Round of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup series
A.J. Allmendinger and Aric Almirola are still the underdogs for
advancement to the Contender Round of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup series

Both drivers secured their Chase berth by virtue of a 2014 race win. Almirola qualified for the Chase by winning the rain-shortened Firecracker 400 in July at Daytona. Allmendinger’s win on the Watkins Glen road course in August, after a thrilling duel with Marcos Ambrose, landed him in the chase.

Talking about underdogs; these wins were the first Sprint Cup wins for each driver. They are also first-time entrants into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup postseason.

For this weekend’s race, Almirola qualified twenty-first and Allmendinger will start just seven positions back.  Unfortunately, AJ Allmendinger’s starting position of twenty-eighth is the worst of the Chase Challengers!

With a ranking of 10th after the opening two races, but with just a slight twelve points separating eighth place from sixteenth, Allmendinger will need another solid finish to make the cut.

Earlier this month Allmendinger reported, "We've just got to be perfect. We've just got to be at our best." He added, "I look at a race like Dover, depending on how the first two (races) have run, if we have to win it to stay in it, then you start taking some chances." 

Almirola suffered engine failure in Chicagoland and finished a dismal forty-first. Although he still occupies the last place position in the chase points coming into Dover, he finished sixteenth at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This respectable finish, coupled with bad luck for many of the chase challengers, is keeping Aric’s chase dreams tangible.

“I said all week the best thing we can do if we can’t win is we need to go and try to run top five,’’ Almirola said. “We ran sixth and we’ve got to try and put pressure on those other guys. We’re down, but we’re not out.’’

With this new chase format, where a win will automatically advance a driver to the next round, only one fact is a certain: both Aric and A.J. will have to achieve the abstract combination of luck and skill to avert the bottom four of the Chase Point Standing in order to advance to the Contender Round.

NASCAR Race Mom will be rooting for them both!



*Underdog is cartoon character Shoeshine Boy's heroic alter ego. He appears whenever Sweet Polly Purebred, Underdog’s love interest, is being victimized by villains.

**Track Stats: Since February of 2012, Almirola has an average Dover finish of 15.4 in five races. Allmendinger’s average finish at Dover is 21 in three races attempted.

Photo Credit: NASCAR Media Site.

Bacon Sports Checks Out NASCAR in Chicago

Bacon Sports Checks Out NASCAR in Chicago

BaconSports.com goes behind-the-scenes at the Chase Grid Live followed by a NASCARinGear.com exclusive experience at the track!

NASCAR inGEAR

Grey’s Anatomy Star Shines at Virginia...

Love Doctor McDreamy - I got to watch him race a couple of years back.


Grey’s Anatomy Star Shines at Virginia...

Patrick Dempsey earns first podium in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Series

NASCAR inGEAR

Dale Jr. Auctions Race-Worn Gloves For Ovarian...

Dale Jr. Auctions Race-Worn Gloves For Ovarian...

In honor of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Dale Earnhardt Jr. pledged to auction off four race-worn gloves with proceeds going to charity

NASCAR inGEAR

Bartender Brad Keselowski Gives Advice to...

Gosh is Joey Logano old enough to drink already! I think he was just 17 years old when I met him.


Bartender Brad Keselowski Gives Advice to...

In part two of #BartenderBrad, Keselowski goes behind the bar to answer teammate Joey Logano's life question.

NASCAR inGEAR

Michael Waltrip Sambas in Style on DWTS


Michael Waltrip Sambas in Style on DWTS

Waltrip wore a Bikini in week two of "Dancing with the Stars." See the results show tonight at 8 p.m. ET, on ABC.

NASCAR inGEAR

#NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Dover International Speedway

www.doverspeedway.com

Race Day - Race 16 of 16 (2014 Season)


Track Facts

SHAPE: High-banked oval

SURFACE: Concrete

LENGTH: 1 Mile

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Dover International Speedway
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Dover International Speedway


TRACK ADDRESS

1131 North DuPont Highway

Dover, DE, 19901

(302) 857-3200



MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 843

Dover, DE, 19903

Happy #NASCAR Birthday To Driver
Joe Nemechek


Joe Nemechek
Age 51 (09/26/63)

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

No Charges In Tony Stewart Death Incident
#nascar

Three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart will not be charged with the death of a fellow driver at a sprint car race in upstate New York, prosecutors said Wednesday in disclosing for the first time that the victim had enough marijuana in his system the night he died to impair his judgment.

Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo said a grand jury decided against charging Stewart with either second-degree manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide in the Aug. 9 death of Kevin Ward Jr., who was struck and killed as he walked down the track in an apparent attempt to confront the NASCAR veteran after their cars got tangled up one lap earlier.

"There is toxicology evidence in the case relating to Kevin Ward that indicates that at the time of operation he was under the influence of marijuana," Tantillo said. "The levels determined were enough to impair judgment."

Tantillo also said two videos - one from a fan, the other from the tiny track in this New York hamlet - had been examined and enhanced. Both showed Stewart did not do anything wrong and that there was no "aberrational driving."

Three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart will not be charged with the death of a fellow driver.

 "This has been the toughest and most emotional experience of my life, and it will stay with me forever," Stewart said in a prepared statement. "While much of the attention has been on me, it's important to remember a young man lost his life. Kevin Ward Jr.'s family and friends will always be in my thoughts and prayers."

NASCAR spokesman Brett Jewkes said there were "no winners" in the accident and expressed support for Ward's family and Stewart. 

Current Chase leader and 2012 NASCAR champion Brad Keselowski tweeted after the marijuana disclosure: "Can't believe what I'm reading about Tony Stewart's case. Why didn't they release this sooner?!?!"
Jewkes is correct - there were "no winners" in this incident.  Although  deeply saddened  by the Ward Family's loss, NASCAR Race Mom is very relieved that Stewart will not face criminal charges.


2014 #NASCAR Chase "Intense"

"This Chase, I'm telling you, this thing is intense," Earnhardt said on "The Dale Jr. Download" as part of Dirty Mo Radio.

 He later added, "I think these rounds are harder than I anticipated."

NASCAR Race Mom has to agree with  him.  The new chase format has really increased the intensity and entertainment value of the NASCAR Sprint Cup's last ten races to the Championship.

Soon the Sixteen Challengers will be
whittled down to Twelve Contenders

Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski

Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon

Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson

Joey Logano
Joey Logano


Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick

Carl Edwards
Carl Edwards

Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin

Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch

Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne

Aric Almirola
Aric Almirola

A.J. Allmendinger
A.J. Allmendinger

Matt Kenseth
Matt Kenseth

Greg Biffle
Greg Biffle

Ryan Newman
Ryan Newman



NASCAR Race Mom is hoping that underdog A.J. Allmendinger can avoid disaster in Dover to advance to the next round.

"We're digging," Allmendinger said Sunday after a 13th-place run at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. "We're trying to be the little team that could."
 

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Congratulations to the Koch Family.
#nascar

Bailey Ann Koch


Bailey Ann Koch
September 23, 2014
6 Pounds 14 ounces

Congratulations to Mom Shannon Crytzer Koch, Dad Blake Koch and Big Brother Carter.

Blake Koch is an American stock car racing driver. He currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, driving for TriStar Motorsports, and part-time in the Sprint Cup Series for Go FAS Racing.


Bailey Ann Koch with Dad #NASCAR Driver Blake Koch and Big Brother Carter.

#NASCAR Chase Westgate SuperBook Odds
To Win Sprint Cup following New Hampshire


2014 SPRINT CUP CHAMPIONSHIP


  • 3 Brad Keselowski
  • 4 Jeff Gordon
  • 4 Kevin Harvick
  • 7 Joey Logano
  • 9-2 Jimmie Johnson
  • 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr
  • 12 Kyle Busch
  • 12 Matt Kenseth
  • 20 Denny Hamlin
  • 30 Kasey Kahne
  • 40 Kurt Busch
  • 300 Carl Edwards
  • 500 Greg Biffle
  • 500 Ryan Newman
  • 500 Field




Happy #NASCAR Birthday To Driver
Regan Smith

Regan Smith
Age 31 (09/23/83)

Monday, September 22, 2014

New #NASCAR Chase Format - Excitement!

The 2014 Sylvania 300 provided a plethora of racing excitement. NASCAR Race Mom has to admit that the new chase format keeps the competition tense.

Chase Challengers Denny Hamlin and Jeff Gordon experienced difficulties in the Sylvania 300.
Chase Challengers Denny Hamlin and Jeff Gordon experienced
difficulties in the Sylvania 300.

There are sixteen Challengers heading to Dover International Speedway this weekend.  However, only twelve Contenders will remain when the checkered flag flies on the AAA 400. 

Nine drivers are within sixteen points of the twelfth and final spot to advance to the Contender Round in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.  Only eighteen points separarate eighth place from sixteenth place.

As it stands now, only Penske teammates,  Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano have advanced, by their win, to next round. The other fourteen drivers are still not sure of their position in the chase.


CHASE BUBBLE
Pos.
Driver
+/-
3
Kevin Harvick
+41
4
Jimmie Johnson
+31
5
Kyle Busch
+28
6
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
+28
7
Jeff Gordon
+21
8
Matt Kenseth
+8
9
Carl Edwards
+8
10
AJ Allmendinger
+7
11
Kasey Kahne
+6
12
Ryan Newman
+6
13
Denny Hamlin
-6
14
Greg Biffle
-6
15
Kurt Busch
-8
16
Aric Almirola
-10

Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, and Aric Almirola will need to rally to keep their championship hopes alive, with a win being their surest ticket to continue their Chase battle.

It will be interesting to see just how aggressive these "Chase Bubble" wheeled warriors emerge.  NRM is surprised yet thrilled to see AJ Allmendinger in tenth place.