Behind the Wall: January 2015

Friday, January 30, 2015

2015 Driver Spotlight Preview: Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick 2015 Season Preview

By Richard Tix

2014 Season Review

NASCAR Behind the Wall has taken a look at a large chunk of drivers for the 2015 season so far, all that's left is Kevin Harvick. That's because Harvick is the newest NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion after a strong 2014 season.

2014 is hands down Harvicks best season at the Cup level and its not for debating. Any year a driver wins a Championship it rockets up that list, and 2014 was the first one. Yes, he does have other season's where stats might put 2014 in the dust, but the end results are what mean the most.

In a year full of uncertainty because of new rule changes, stiffer penalties, and a points change to the Chase the #4 team and Harvick fought through. It wasn't an easy ride to say the least.

Harvick moved from RCR to SHR in 2014 while gaining a new CC. The two teamed up and ended up working out perfect. But, for a majority of the season the #4 team struggled with bad luck and some bad pit failures. In the end Tony Stewart gave up his pit crew for the push for the Chase and it seemed to make a big difference.

The 2014 Championship was well deserved as well. Through all the controversy of the new Chase system and drivers in the finale who "shouldn't be," Harvick stayed strong. In fact, Harvick was a title favorite most of the season after bringing fast car weekend after weekend.

Five wins, 14 top 5's, 20 top 10's, a Cup leading 8 poles, and 2,137 laps led all resulted in the ultimate goal of his first Cup title.

Bold Predictions/2015 Season Expectations:

Call me crazy, but just one year after winning his first Championship I think he could go back to back. That feat is never easy though, so its still a long shot to happen. The thing I have taken from 2014 is how good Harvick was when SHR seemed to be at a low with Smoke and Kurt struggling. I think 2015 will be a strong year for Kevin and he may notch 3-4 wins, 10-12 top 5's, and 19-22 top 10's. Repeating wont be easy, but Harvick is on my short list of contenders in 2015.

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

2015 Driver Spotlight Preview: Joey Logano

Joey Logano 2015 Season Preview

By Richard Tix

2014 Season Review

At the end of the 2013 season it looked like Joey Logano had finally arrived at the NASCAR Cup level. He finished the season off with a win, 11 top 5's and 19 top 10's which was good for an 8th place finish in points.

It looked like the move to Team Penske from Joe Gibbs Racing was a good one. Then came 2015 and JoLo set the bar even higher for himself. It looks like 2013 was the stepping stone and the 2014 season was the true break out season.

He finished 2014 with 5 wins, 16 top 5's, 22 top 10's and used all of those stats to make the Chase Finale at Homestead. The crazy thing to keep in mind is Joey is only 24 years old and will enter 2015 as a title favorite after a strong showing in 2014.

A lot can be attributed to Team Penske and the fast transition they took from 2013 to 2014, but don't rule out everything JoLo did to just the cars, he has talent. The combination of JoLo, BK, and Team Penske is continuing to look good.

The big question is, will it continue in 2015?

Bold Predictions/2015 Season Expectations

It's hard to imagine another season like 2014, it always seems that way with NASCAR because its hard to stay that good that long. Yet, I do think he and Penske will have another good season. I think from now on he will be a title contender year after year, but I am not sure he will win it just yet. I think either he or BK will once again make the Finale in Homestead. Another 4 wins, 11-13 top 5's, and 19-22 top 10's are what I expect from JoLo this year.

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2015 Driver Spotlight Preview: Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon 2015 Season Preview

By Richard Tix

2014 Season Review

Jeff Gordon's Last Full Time Season- Article on his career and a look back through photo's

Just last week Jeff Gordon announced he would not be running a full-time schedule at the Cup level after the 2015 season. In my 2014 season review I mentioned how he went from a bad 2013 season to a strong 2014 year and quieted many peoples retirement talks.

I also said, "It is refreshing to see Gordon back at a high level after a struggle in 2013. Its nice to have the sports biggest stars at there very best, Whether you love them or hate them, its good for the sport." Just as we got one of NASCAR's biggest stars back at his highest level after a rough 2013 season, he announces it will be his last run at a title this season.

Love him or hate him, Gordon has helped this sport along the way become what it is. He came in and was a family man from the start. He did't shy away from the way he wanted to live with his family and in the end family is the biggest reason he is stepping away from the sport. I think that is one of the biggest reason's you have to respect Jeff, not only as a driver but as a man.

Along the way he had some scuffles with other drivers, but in the end it still seemed like everyone respected him because he was always himself, Jeff Gordon. In my opinion respect is not something you always have to have for a fellow drivers skill on the track, yet Gordon seemed to always get it from fellow drivers.

Still, past the four Championships, 92 wins, and 77 poles the thing that will stick out the most is how devoted he was to his family even while in a sport that makes you give up so much of your free time.

Yet, lets not forget that Jeff Gordon still has one last full time season to go. I know the news hit a lot of fans hard, especially Gordon fans, but he still has a 36 race season ahead of him. I would remind you to soak every moment in because at any point it could be Gordons' final win, top 5, or pole of his career. Every moment will be bittersweet when thinking about a career like Gordons. He has accomplished so much on and off the track that its hard to ignore.

So, in 2015 take a moment to watch one of the greats race his final full time season. Enjoy NASCAR racing because this is a sport he helped progress to the main stream so we can enjoy it every Sunday.

Gordon Rant:

One last statement because I hear people say they will leave the sport when Gordon does. You are free to do so, no one is holding you ransom. But, of all people Gordon would probably be upset because you are leaving something he helped build and loves with an amazing passion. His ability and his personality helped shape the sport we have today. Enjoy racing and what it is. If you don't enjoy it, that's fine. I know a ton of local tracks that could also use the support and put on great shows every weekend. But fans that can't take change but still complain about NASCAR's short fall's are not helping the progress in the sport Gordon helped build in the Modern Era. Most of NASCAR's changes have been because of complaints and upset fans. NASCAR is a business, they will never sit still and of all the drivers out there I think Gordon understood that the most and it may have effected him the most (think Chase Era). The old days of racing were great, but at some point you have to realize it isn't going back. NASCAR still has a great product on the track and have been trying to make it better. Sometimes it backfires, but sometimes they hit on something that really works. So, as a NASCAR fan myself I would say stick around, enjoy the racing, and maybe you will pick up a new favorite driver along the way.

Bold Predictions/2015 Season Expectations:

Every Gordon fan is going to hope and pray the drive for five ends up happening. I mean what would be a better way for Gordon to ride off into the sunset? After his strong 2014 season and the announcement he wont run full time ever again, I think he will make a strong push again this year. In the end I think he will come out about like last season. 3-4 wins, 12-13 top 5's, and 20-22 top 10's. What Gordon needs to focus on, the new Chase system and getting the most out of the final 4 races of the season. I honestly think he may come up short, but even as a non fan of Gordon I would love to see him win one last Championship.

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Wednesday, January 28, 2015

2015 Driver Spotlight Preview: Brad Keselowski

Brad Keselowksi 2015 Season Preview

By Richard Tix

2014 Season Review

In 2014 it seemed like Brad Keselowski found a bit of his missing form from his 2012 title run. He wasn't near as reserved as he was in 2013 and once again let his personality out time after time. That rubbed some fans the wrong way, but at the same time was also praised by others.

In NASCAR it seems like fans want more information and personality out of there drivers until they speak and they don't agree with them. NASCAR is a tough sport to be in because it seems like no one can see eye to eye.

But in 2014 BK let it out and didn't really care what other people thought. Once again, he had a great season when just being himself. By the end of the season he had a Cup leading 6 wins and 17 top 5's. He also had 20 top 10's and 5 poles.

He was consistently one of the fastest cars every weekend and it showed. Then the Chase came and he got off to a hot start before running into trouble in the second round. He pulled off the improbable and won at Talledega to move onto the next round. BK ended up short of the Finale but all in all he had a great season on the track.

Off the track BK didn't make any friends, but he has stated many times he isn't racing to make a bunch of friends.

Hate him or love him, NASCAR needs a guy as brash as BK. Sports need different characters and different personalities. The sport was made around personalities of the 70's, 80's, and 90's. At some point NASCAR started to lack those kind of characters and I think that's when NASCAR truly lacked that extra "it" factor.

With all the young guys coming up, and a guy like BK with an outspoken persona I think the next few years could be the next big NASCAR boom. The greatest thing about NASCAR is it has room for every type of personality and driving style. The larger the mix NASCAR gets of those two things the more exciting NASCAR could become.

Bold Predictions/2015 Season Expectations:

Some think BK may have another down year like 2013, but I think he will come out strong again. I think he learned a lot in 2013 and used that in 2014. The big thing will be if Penske is early season adapters again. They have the resources and adapted well last year, so it should come with ease, but sometimes the sport surprises us. He wont put up 6 wins in 2015 again, but i think he can put up another 3-5. Add on 13-15 top 5's (down from 2014), and 19-21 top 10's (about the same as 2014) and he should make a strong push for title two. As most top drivers, it all comes down to those last 10 races where its make or break. BK will be in my top 3 favorites to win a title in 2015.

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2015 Driver Spotlight Preview: Matt Kenseth

Matt Kenseth 2015 Season Preview

By Richard Tix

2014 Season Review

The 2014 season was disappointing for Matt Kenseth, sure, but it may not have been as bad as many portray it as. Much of this had to do with the fact that Kenseth had 7 wins in 2013 but went win-less in 2014.

If we take a broader view of things and look past just win totals we see Kenseth in fact had a very consistent season. Many forget that about his 2014 year, he started the season off constantly running near the top 10 and finishing a bunch off in the top 5.

Matt actually had more top 5's (13) and top 10's (22) in 2014 than he did in his break out campaign with JGR in 2013 (12 and 20). His average finish did slip a bit from 12.1 to 13.2 in 2014, but a lot of that has to do with how much a win will effect your average.

2014 was also a down year for JGR in general compared to 2013, so it wasn't just Kenseth. Most of the season they seemed a bit off. That brings 2015 and a fresh new start. Kenseth isn't getting any younger and his window for his second Cup title is getting smaller year after year.

JGR and Toyota will be bringing in new Toyota Camry's for the 2015 season and that might just be the key to things. At the same time, that may hinder there early season development.

Bold Predictions/2015 Season Expectations:

I do believe Kenseth will bounce back (in a way). I think he gets back on the win board, but his overall consistency may be a bit down. I think some early season adjusting may take place at JGR to the new Camry's and four team set up. I think he is in line for 2-3 wins, 10-11 top 5's, and 18-21 top 10's which are all a bit down from 2014 (except wins). As always, he will be expected to make the Chase at least, and possibly be a title contender.

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