Regulars Turning Heads

The success of series-only regulars and Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidates has been an early-season highlight.

Three regulars – Justin Allgaier (fourth), Steve Wallace (seventh) and rookie James Buescher (eighth) are ranked in the top 10 in points. Another rookie, Brian Scott, is 11th. Four regulars finished in the top 10 last Saturday at Auto Club Speedway, led by Wallace in sixth. Allgaier paced the regulars in the season-opener at Daytona with a fourth-place finish. In both races – Scott at ACS and Allgaier at Daytona – were running second late in the event.

Last year at Las Vegas, five “regular guys” finished in the top 10, led by Jason Leffler’s fourth-place result.

Last Race For Danica – For Awhile
The highly anticipated three-race NASCAR debut by Danica Patrick wraps up at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, in the Sam’s Town 300.

The first two races of the year have had the spotlight shining squarely on Patrick’s foray into stock-car racing. Saturday will be Patrick’s last before she goes on a four-month hiatus to return to driving full-time in the IndyCar Series. She’ll return to the NASCAR Nationwide Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June.

Driver Rating: Gordon Will Climb Out of Hole
Sure, it’s early. But it’s strange to see Jeff Gordon outside the top 20 at any point in the season.

But after two finishes outside the top 15 to start the season, Gordon sits 22nd in points.

Just like a race at Auto Club Speedway came at the perfect time for Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson, an event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway should lift Gordon.

Gordon ranks second in pre-race Driver Rating at Las Vegas, with a 111.5 (Johnson’s first with a 113.6). Gordon also has a series-best Average Running Position of 7.4 and the top Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 92.9%

We discuss the luck of Jimmie Johnson, Danica’s run at California, Same ol’ Dale Jr., Kyle Busch sneaks one past Logano, plus a full preview of Las Vegas this coming weekend. Hosted by Kerry Murphey and Paul Northrop

LISTEN HERE (About 50 mins)
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CREDITS:
Hosts: Kerry Murphey & Paul Northrop
Production: Kerry Murphey
Music: Radium Sound
Voice Over: Thomas Moog

Johnson, As Usual, Back On Track
Well, that didn’t take long.

One week after yet another disappointing Daytona 500, four-time defending series champion Jimmie Johnson reminded people why he is, well, the four-time defending champ.

Johnson’s victory this past Sunday at Auto Club Speedway boosted him to 12th in points and showed that he remains the man to beat in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing.

Just in case anyone had forgotten.