Pit Road Week 32: Talladega

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Week 32

By Richard Tix

NASCAR went through a huge dilemma after Charlotte. NASCAR had to decide how to come down on drivers that were a part of the fiasco that was the post race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was a huge decision by NASCAR because one of its best and fastest drivers in 2014 was the major reason everything escalated so quickly (Brad Keselowski).

NASCAR was in a no win situation, however. No matter which way they went with it someone would end up upset. However, even to myself, a BK fan, NASCAR came down too light on the #2. I also think Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth got off too light when they escaped NASCAR's penalties with nothing. 

All of that being said, NASCAR made its decision. If from that point you said you are done with NASCAR, fine, go on your way. Its a legitimate reason since NASCAR has never been consistent when it comes to laying down the law of its rules. Some fans have given up on the grey line of the penalty system, and that's understandable.

But, if you just decided after the race Sunday that you are done just because BK won after the fact then, "bye Felicia." NASCAR may make its mistakes, and I agree BK should have got more, but if you didn't leave when they made the mistake, than why leave now? Because a driver won by its new rules? Because your driver lost and didn't advance?

I expected a huge uproar over the new Chase system because no matter what, a huge part of the fan base would be hit. Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Matt Kenseth all sat in positions where they might miss out on the next round. NASCAR has a lot of fans that follow those drivers. So, with it being Talladega, and it being a new system not every fan has decided there feelings on, it was bound to be a huge issue once the big one happened and the final results were posted. 

The aftermath was indeed huge. BK, who many started to hate, or hate more, after last week ended up winning and advancing (with Kenseth help pushing). Jr, JJ, Kahne, and Kyle Busch all failed to advance. Three Hendrick cars (some of the favorites going in) are out and now NASCAR is down to 8.

Whether you hate it, love it, or still haven't decided yet, the new Chase format was created by NASCAR for you, the fans. They didn't do this format because of themselves, or to stop JJ from getting 7, or any other crazy reason out there that we have all heard. NASCAR made this change because we as a fan base need something. NASCAR can not stand still. If they want to evolve and thrive in the future of sports they need to do so by some changes. Would you rather have exciting racing and drama like we just had on Sunday, or another COT car era?

The Chase format is the last thing I will attack NASCAR for. In an age where they can't keep a car the same from year to year, ever evolving rules and regulations, sponsors leaving, and inconsistency, I don't think NASCAR hit too far from the bulls-eye on the Chase format. However, you can have your opinion, but I think it is a step in the right direction.

This new format brings excitement to the casual fan, it brings elimination that breads drama, it helps excite a sponsor base that needs to be rejuvenated to bring some new sponsors back in. You may think it is just France trying to ruin the sport, but in this case I think the Chase was to help get some fans back.

The problem is, NASCAR fans don't take to change very well. Everyone saying, "now my driver is eliminated." Well, at this time in last years Chase format we would only have about 4 or 5 contenders anyways, now we have 8 all equal. In the olden days before that, the Championship would be all but decided (maybe down to 1-3 drivers with a real chance). Everyone wants to award the best driver all season, but then complain how boring the racing is? Come on, we would already know our Champion with 4 races left most likely every single season.

Oh, and in every other sport, all of them, the best team in the regular season doesn't always win. That's what is great about sports. In the end, everyone gets a shot. If you struggle during the season, there is still something to fight for at the end of the season. At some point a shocker or upset happens, that's why I love sports in general, the underdog has a chance no matter how many chips are stacked against them. Yet, in most season's the cream of the crop fight to the top, because they fought thorough adversity and hardship. It will be that much more satisfying when your driver wins (or for the actual team that wins). Championships are about team building and finding a strength when the chips are against you, and it is so much more satisfying when you have to really work for it all the way down to the last race. 

However, everyone has and is entitled to there own opinion. If you came here to read the same old opinion as everyone else, or just the popular opinion, I am sorry your not going to get it. I am always open to hearing everyone's opinion, because a lot of times there are very valid points you don't see. Everyone has there own perspective on a given issue, and that is what is great about sports and great about the NASCAR community. I just plead to the NASCAR community to not just abandon something you care about so much because of an outcome. NASCAR is trying to make the sport a better and more exciting product, if we continually abandon the sport or threaten to NASCAR will keep making changes and never settle on a product that truly works. I think this Chase needs to be given a chance at the very least or we will force NASCAR to change again, and possible screw it up more. 

Geico 500 Full Race Results

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 32 (Week 31)

1. Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- A lot of big shuffles up towards the top of the rankings this week. Because of Talladega, Havick's 9th will keep him in the number 1 NBTW Power Rankings spot for now. He has been fast all year and is still a favorite to win the title.
2. Joey Logano (LW-2)- His top 10 streak ended at Dega with an 11th place finish, but only because he tried to help BK win and advance by pushing BK and then blocking the field. You may not like Joey or BK, but wouldn't you like to have a teammate help like that for you when you most need it?
3. Ryan Newman (LW-6)- Yes, its Newman in his highest spot on the season going into the final four races. Newman has reeled of four straight top 10's just when he needed it. Ryan had a shot at the end of the race, but BK had his teammate Joey Logano (won at Kansas) to help him seal a victory. However, Newman said whats more important is a win in the next three races.
4. Brad Keselowski (LW-10)- Last week he was almost dead in the water after his total mess of Charlotte. This week he was up front all day and when it counted had his teammate there to help push him to the win to advance. BK wasn't exactly smart at Charlotte, but it was nice to see him admit his downfalls as a driver and human in VL, another emotional finish just like CHA (doesn't correct everything at CHA, obviously).
5. Matt Kenseth (LW-9)- Lots of big movers this week. 1, because drivers got eliminated. 2, because a lot of top drivers didn't finish that well since most were just trying to survive. Kenseth moved on in part by his 2nd place finish. He actually helped push BK on the final lap, but it was obviously because it was his best chance to win. Crazy as this still seems, he is looking for his first win of the season.
6. Jeff Gordon (LW-4)- Gordon is the lone Hendrick car standing after Talladega. His impressive 2014 season continues onto Martinsville. He finished 26th, but the only thing that the #24 team cares about is that they're still alive.
7. Carl Edwards (LW-5)- Yes, Carl Edwards is still in the Chase! To me its crazy because he has had such a quiet season, but he is getting it done when he needs to (including two top 10's this round). 
8. Denny Hamlin (LW-7)- DH had back to back top 10's in the last round before his 18th place finish at Dega. What matters, he and fellow JGR teammate Matt Kenseth move on to the final round before Miami.
9. Kyle Larson (LW-13)- Kyle Larson retains the top spot he can possible get and moves up because of another elimination round. From here on out it will be the top 12 rankings. Non Chase drivers can only make it as high as 9th until Miami, where they can get as high at 5th. Larson finished 17th, which was his first Chase race finish outside the top 10.
10. Kyle Busch (LW-3)- After a roller coaster regular season, Rowdy had only finished in the top 10 in the Chase leading up to Talladega. Then, he ran into bad luck when he checked up for another wreck (or bad luck ran into him). Kyle looked like he was in good position to advance onto the next round until the wreck ruined his day. 
11. Kasey Kahne (LW-8)- Kahne finished 12th on Sunday, but came up short in the big picture and didn't advance. He only had one top 10 in this round, which really seemed to be what did him in.
12. Austin Dillon (LW-NR)- Dillion's average finish on the season is 16.7. In his six Chase races he has an average finish of 14.16 including four top 15's and one top 10. 

**A refresher of how the rankings have been working all Chase. Only Chase drivers are in the top 8 (or remaining drivers). When we are down to four, the top four will be made up of the remaining Chase drivers. Once you are eliminated you are fed to the dogs and can drop anywhere from 9th to out of the rankings (See Dale Jr and JJ). So, for the next three races spots 9-12 are open to any NASCAR Cup driver. Spots 1-8 will be only Chase drivers (and they wont drop out of the top 8 no matter how bad they're doing). 

Victory Lane

 

Nice prediction Donna!

Six times BK has won, six times Dave has been in the newly named Victory Lane on NBTW

Well, Will got it right last week.... This week, well I am not sure this qualifies?

As always, thanks for checking out NASCAR Behind the Wall. If it wasn't for NASCAR and it's fans this wouldn't be as much fun! Come back and check out the Entry List, TV Schedule, and Martinsville Preview later this week!