Pit Road Week 22

Watkins Glen 2013

Nascar takes its last Right turn of the year and Kyle Busch was the one left standing as the winner at Watkins Glen.  This past Sunday it really was all about clean air, or so it seemed. Marcus Ambrose took the Pole and stayed out front all day until an ill timed caution while he was about to pit had him starting back in traffic and he wasn't the same. Eventually Marcus mentioned he may have something broke on his car and not too much longer he was found spinning out.

Watkins Glen gave everyone the excitement that road courses tend to bring to the Sprint Cup and left some people asking again for more, including one in the Chase. The excitement came with 2 regulation laps to go with Kyle Busch leading and Brad Keselowski trailing and working as hard as he could to get around him. In the end BK didn't find a way without wrecking Kyle and took home second while Rowdy finished off his day with on of the better burnouts in a long time.

Take a look at the results here. Also take a look back at this weeks Watkins Glen Preview.


Rising:

• Brad Keselowski- BK Wanted the win, which would have made him a much safer bet at the very least a WC but he also didn't want to wreck himself trying and take away a good points day. Good move by BK to take home second and not push it too much, but at the same time giving fans an exciting finish.
• Martin Truex Jr- No one wanted Smoke to get hurt, but no one may have gained more out of it then Truex. After a 3rd places finish at the Glen he now holds the 10th spot in points.
• Carl Edwards- Carl leaves Watkins Glen with a 4th place finish and now goes to a track where he has run well at and won, Michigan.

Coasting:

• Jimmie Johnson- Yawn. He never contended but he also hung out near the top 10 most the second half the day. A 8th place finish at the Glen and onto the next race. Also to note, he clinched a Chase spot after this week. 

Falling:

• Jeff Gordon- Historically a great driver at the road courses, Gordon went down early when he got himself loose and spun into an inside wall. He did get back out to finish some laps but it really ruined his day and took a huge hit on his points standings and chances at the Chase.
• Tony Stewart- He didn't race, which is why he is here. I love that Smoke does what he loves and races all over, he is throwback like that, but that doesn't mean I wont put him on this list. He will not be able to make the Chase now though and will have to be a great team owner the rest of the way.
• Marcus Ambrose- He had one chance really at making a push at the Chase and it faded away late in the race when bad luck got the best of his team. With no win at the road courses this season, it doesn't look like he has any shot at the Chase.

Pit Road Week 22 Power Rankings

1. Jimmie Johnson (LW-1)- Well he has had this top spot on lock now for awhile and now he locks himself in the Chase. All he has to do now is dial back in and get hot for the only 10 races that matter.
2. Kyle Busch (LW-3)- Well he finally closed a race out for the first time in what seems like forever (13 races) and got a win. He was already safe for the Chase but what he really needs it to close out the season like he did this Sunday.
3. Carl Edwards (LW-10)- Well, 3rd on down is just a mix of guys and now one has got it going enough to take out JJ in the Chase. So the real story isn't the rankings but who can get hot and push him in the last 10. A 6th place finish defiantly doesn't hurt Carl.
4. Kevin Harvick (LW-7) He goes from 7th to 4th in a week he finished 13, can you tell the rankings are starting to get messed up?
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-2)- Knocked out after getting caught in a wreck, Jr had a nice run going in the races previous, plus we head back to the track he got his last Cup win at ine 2012.
6. Martin Truex Jr (LW-12)- He has looked good on the road courses this year, too bad there wont be one in the Chase, which after Sunday, he can seriously think about being a part of.
7. Clint Bowyer (LW-11)- Early season Mr. Consistent, Bowyer finished 6th but he really needs to challenge for some wins if he has any shot at JJ and the title.
8. Matt Kenseth (LW-5)- Another tough race for Kenseth who got banged and scrapped up but still finished out the race. He has been great at times but in other times he finds trouble.
9. Brad Keselowski (LW-NR)- Suddenly there is life in the defending champs camp and it could be just the spark he needs to challenge JJ again. He is this weeks big mover and up to 8th in the points.
10. Kasey Kahne (LW-6)- Just one week after winning Kahne finds himself in a wreck that slows down his day. He wound up 34th.
11. Ryan Newman (LW-8)- He had an alright Sunday and ended up finishing 14th, ironically he is also 14th in the points standings. He still has a shot at the Chase but its getting crowded with all these one time winners.
12. Joey Logano (LW-NR)- Man it was tough between he and Kurt, but JoLo has 3 straight finishes in the top 8 and has quietly looked pretty good. He is 16th in points so he really needs to find a way to win and soon.

Dropper Out: Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon
Just Missed: Kurt Busch

Next week Nascar (and myself) head to Michigan International Speedway for the second time this season.  Last time around Greg Biffle got his lone win this season and gave Roush Racing its 100 career win. The preview will be out early this week but the review maybe late next week. Do, however, follow me on Twitter for updates from MIS including a look into the garages, pit road, qualifying, and of course the race on Sunday!