Dwight Drum

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FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s top Chasers ready to catch a win at Loudon

The Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire presented by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the second of the 10-race playoffs—The Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Author: Dwight Drum racetake.com

Fans not in the stands can view the race on the 1.058-mile oval at 2.p.m. Sunday on ESPN.

When NASCAR reset the points this time for the Chase, the new point system which is stingy with numbers seemed to have a meager effect on the top 12 positions. Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick landed at the top each with four wins in the regular season. Jeff Gordon with two wins in third place was only three points out and the last place held by Denny Hamlin with one win was only 12 points back.

Ryan Newman summed up the numbers.

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FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s truck teams shed jobs as Kevin Harvick shutters KHI

Author: Dwight Drum racetake.com

Kevin Harvick nixed summer rumors when he announced the merger of KHI and RCR in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, a new two-car team, and shuttered his Camping World Truck Series team for 2012. Many suspected lurid causes, but Harvick was specific about his thoughts and reasons.

“The reactions have just been crazy as far as the way the rumors have spun out of control. DeLana and I have just kind of sat back and laughed at a lot of them. But I feel like as a couple, and as a group at KHI, we’ve made a lot of good business decisions over the course of the years. And it’s going to allow us time to explore other business opportunities as well.”

KHI is not the only team to notify crew members that they will be cutting back. Germain Racing minority owners Mike Hillman, Sr., and Mike Hillman, Jr., informed their NASCAR Camping World Truck Series employees of shutdowns. Team members, like many at KHI, are free to pursue options for the 2012 season.

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FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s top Chasers talk first championship race in Chicago

Author: Dwight Drum racetake.com

The players in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship are set. It’s go time for the top-12 and the top is not far from the bottom—just nine points. A total of 480 points in 10 races are available to the contenders.
The number spread looks slim under the new reduced points system, making each finishing position vital to a good run at the trophy.

A DNF (did not finish) owing to crash or equipment failure can be crown lethal because points are so hard to replace while competent others are collecting top finishes.

As in the past, expect several drivers to plunge to the bottom early in the battle for the top.
The action at the Geico 400 on the 1.5-mile tri-oval track at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois can be viewed this Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN.

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The Wonderful Pistachios 400 at Richmond International Raceway promised bumping and grinding on the 0.75-mile track as drivers raced for their last chance for a berth in Chase for the Sprint Cup championship Saturday night.

Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski were locked into the Chase before the green flag. The final three spots were secured by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin. Earnhardt and Hamlin overcame wrecks to get in.

Author: Dwight Drum racetake.com

Wild-card spots were secured by Keselowski and Hamlin, but the real wildness seemed to be between Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson.

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FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson talk Michigan start and finish

Author: Dwight Drum racetake.com

Michigan International Speedway has sweeping 73-foot wide turns providing three and four grooves for drivers of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) to catch and pass one another.

The 2-mile tri-oval track with 18 degree banking did not disappoint during Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 as numerous lead changes, bold pit road strategies and fast competition pleased the abundant crowd.

PHOTO CREDIT: NASCARMEDIA

Although cautions happened, the day of racing was surprisingly free of crashes. Some cars scrapped the wall. Some ran low on fuel, but it was a speedy event where equipment failed—not drivers or teams.

Race 23 of 36 in the Sprint Cup Series in Brooklyn, Mich., was important for all wanting a win or good result, but for Chase contenders on the bubble the finish became tense.

Continue reading “FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson talk Michigan start and finish”