2015 Week 10 Pit Road: Talladega

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Week 10: Geico 500

By Richard Tix

This past weekend NASCAR headed away from the short track and instead hit it's second superspeedway of 2015, Talladega. For many fans Talladega is a race circled on the calendar. For hardcore fan's they like that the race can bring unexpected winners, like underdogs and rookies. For novice fan's who catch a handful of races each year they come for the tracks atmosphere and the fact that they might see the "big one."

No matter what, Talladega has something for some fan out there which makes it an attraction each time NASCAR stops here.

This past weekend again brought the excitement of what might happen because of last years new Chase rules. Would an underdog driver come in, steal a win, and possibly even a Chase spot? The weekend kicked off with a fan favorite winning the Pole, Jeff Gordon. Then we watch guys like Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Earnhardt Jr lead a bunch of laps.

In the end a few guys up front also gave us the story line of the underdog. Ryan Blaney (part time driver in the Wood Brothers #21) was in the top 3. Also, Sam Hornish Jr and Paul Menard were lurking in the top 10. All this time it was two of the top dogs in Cup up front, JJ and Jr. 

Dale Jr lead the pack around as the laps wound down and every fan (hardcore or novice) was waiting for the drivers to make there move. 15 laps left....Nothing. 10 laps left....Nothing. 5 laps left.....Nothing. 3 laps left.....Still nothing.

With about a lap and a half left Denny Hamlin dropped out of line....Nothing. Barely anyone went with him and it was too late. In the end one of the best cars on the day won, Dale Earnhardt Jr. 

It was a big moment for Jr Nation, but left many fans (even some from Jr Nation) wondering why no one went? The worst part about it was the fans attacking NASCAR and also NASCAR's rule package. Some not realizing it was the same package that they were happy with last year at Talladega (fans, NASCAR hasn't changed the superspeedway package from 2014 to 2015).

But, fans again are placing blame in the wrong place. It wasn't NASCAR who didn't get the drivers to go and form another line, it was the drivers. No driver was willing to go because they thought they would be left out to dry. That might have been the case, but then why weren't teams and spotters trying to work out deals with others? Why were no alliances made? 

Instead they road around in single file and didn't challenge Jr much. But, sometimes that is racing. We don't always get the exciting finish and there is nothing you can do about it. But, to blame NASCAR is a bit crazy.

If NASCAR threw a fantum yellow for debris to pack them up again, the same fans would be upset and claiming "WWE, thats all NASCAR is today." Its what NASCAR has to deal with day to day, a no win situation. Sometimes there is nothing NASCAR can do to a car package or the points to get them to choose to push for a win when they're sitting in 5th and don't think anyone would go with them. Folks, its racing....

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 10 (Week 9)

1. Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- For the first time in a few weeks it was a tough decision at #1, yet in the end it was still clear Harvick was #1. Even after a day he was involved in a wreck early his pit crew fought back and he hung around. Finish: 8th
2. Jimmie Johnson (LW-2)- JJ is on a pretty good run since his win at Texas (hasn't finished worse than 3rd). It's a weird strong run for JJ as much of the focus is on Harvick and he is being overlooked. Finish: 2nd
3. Martin Truex Jr (LW-8)- Speaking of overlooked, Truex may have broke his top ten streak at Bristol but has got right back on it. He now has top tens in 9 of 10 races and looks to be in a good spot to make the Chase with or without a win. Finish: 5th
4. Kurt Busch (LW-4)- Kurt missed three races and is above guys like Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer, and Greg Biffle in points. Sunday he once again was a good pusher at a superspeedway but faded to an alright finish. Finish: 12th
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-9)- The short track swing wasn't what Jr wanted (finishes of 36th, 16th, and 14th) but he found what was missing at Dega. When he got out front he didn't look back much. Finish: 1st
6. Jeff Gordon (LW-5)- Gordon has run very well this year, but unlike in 2015 the standings and results don't show it. He is actually behind Aric Almirola by one point in the standings and Aric has zero top 10's (Gordon has 6). Finish: 31st
7. Joey Logano (LW-3)- JoLo is still one of the top 4 or 5 contenders so far this year, but what has happened to his luck recently? Sunday it happened again (though it happens to many at tracks like Dega). He was close to getting back on the lead lap, but didn't have enough time. Finish: 33rd
8. Jamie McMurray (LW-7)- JMac is hanging tough in 2015 after a quality 2014 season. Will Ganassi bring him back in 2016? But, enough of that...At Dega he once again looked strong but just didn't have the car or help to win. Finish: 11th
9. Ryan Newman (LW-12)- Take out his point deduction and Newman has finishes of 10, 3, 3, 5, 12, 5, 11, and 7. His only two bad finishes were 38th at Daytona and 27th at Martinsville. He is doing just what he did in 2014 and is back to 14th in the standings. Finish: 7th
10. Matt Kenseth (LW-6)- After a hot streak on the short tracks Kenseth came back down to earth where he couldn't get in a good spot to finish the race which resulted in a poor finish. Finish: 25th
11. Brad Keselowski (LW-11)- BK had a strong car again on Sunday and stayed up in the top 5 most of the day. With under 50 left he got shuffled to the back and couldn't find another line to make up ground. That's three tough finishes in a row where he had a fast car. Finish: 22nd
12. Paul Menard (LW-NR)- Menard only has two top 10's (both top 5's) this season, but this Sunday was one of them. Even with lacking top 10's, Paul is still 11th in points. Finish: 3rd

Dropped Out: Kasey Kahne (LW-10)

Just Missed: No one really

Honorable Mention: Ryan Blaney (4th), Josh Wise (10th), Cole Whitt (13th), JJ Yelly (14th), and Alex Bowman (16th)

Thanks for checking out NASCAR Behind the Wall this week. Check back in for this next weekends TV/Race Schedule, entry list, and race preview!