2015 NASCAR Behind the Wall Hot Laps: Week 25

By Richard Tix

Hot Laps will be a weekly article on news in the world of NASCAR. I will write these articles any weeks where I have a thought or opinion on NASCAR news that is worth sharing. So, this could be an every week thing, or just every few weeks. Its an opinion piece, so it is open to discussion and debate and would love to here your thoughts.


Rest In Peace Justin Wilson


Not many times does NASCAR Behind the Wall stray from the NASCAR world, but at times like this it only seems right. I do not catch much IndyCar from year to year, but anytime you hear of a fatal crash in motor sports it hit's you deep.

Any driver from any kind of racing puts his life on the line every time he steps in or on his vehicle. They do it for the fans, they do it for the sport, they do it for the money, and they do it for the love. Some do it for all of them, some do it for just one reason, it doesn't matter why but these guys do it because in the end they grew up loving the thought of going faster than the next guy

Because I do not watch much IndyCar nor cover it, after hearing of this accident I immediately did some research on Justin Wilson. Everything I got from social media was that he was a great human being that happened to be a great racer. He was a great driver, but an even better friend, father, and husband.

Justin was taken from us way to early at the age of 37. The thing that always hits me the deepest is that he was taken way to early from his family and friends. We may deeply miss him as fans and will long to see him in a car again or even just on the sidelines, but others will deeply miss his actual presence and accidents like this will never leave there memories.

Many people got to know him over the years and shared there thoughts over social media. AJ Allmendinger for one tweeted a bunch of heartfelt tweets that really hit fans hard. Sometimes it is hard to get all the emotions from a tweet, but AJ made us all feel the deep sorrow and love he had for Justin.

It's times like these that you wish these thoughts and stories weren't coming out because we lost a great man. I never knew him, never got to meet him, but I have taken the time to think and pray for he and his family. Keep all of them in your thoughts and each an every week the sport and drivers that you watch there as well. Racing is a dangerous sport and an accident can happen anytime, so sometimes we need to look past those driver we hate and remember these are friends, husbands, fathers, brother, humans first, and drivers second.

I love that in moments of tragedy we all come together, no matter which sport we watch. If I had one last comment, it would be to check out some articles on Justin Wilson. Check out some of his fellow drivers tweets and thoughts. Remember him as a great man and keep his family and friends in your thoughts.

RIP Justin Wilson 1978-20015

Throwback Darlington


The next race up on the 2015 season is Darlington Raceway. This year Too Tough to Tame was moved back from the beginning of the year to Labor Day Weekend. If that wasn't enough to get the old school feeling going then all the recent news on retro paint schemes should.

It seems like everyday since NASCAR left Michigan International Speedway a new driver has released an official look at there Darlington ride. This week we got a shot of Dale Earnhardt Jr's retro Valvoline ride (Neil Bonnett). We also got a look at Clint Bowyers ride (Buddy Baker), which is said to be hand painted. Those are only two rides of the many who will take the retro look and try not to give it a Darlington Stripe.

So, if you weren't already excited for "The Lady in Black" these schemes should get you ready. Even Goodyear got in on the fun and are running retro tires that have Goodyear in white. If you missed some of the paint schemes or still need to check them out, check this photo galleria on NASCAR Behind the Wall.


NASCAR Chase Final Stretch


2015 is year two of the new Chase Era in NASCAR. The Sprint Cup Chase has been around for awhile, but this new era where 16 drivers get in and winning pretty much locks you into one of those spots is still fresh and new. With that being said, only two regular season races remain before the second running of this Chase starts at Chicagoland.

Labor Day Weekend NASCAR heads to Darlington Raceway and then we cap off the regular season at Richmond International Raceway. With only two races left the heat is being turned up on win less drivers and guys on the outside looking in. McMurray, Gordon, Menard, Newman, and Bowyer are all on the inside (top 16), but can not have multiple slip ups. It's easy to say they have a large points lead, but back to back terrible finishes could be disastrous.

Drivers like Almirola, Dillon, Biffle, and Larson are all on the outside and need either a miracle or a win in the next two races to make it (current Chase Standings here).

This is an aspect I like in this Chase era, a team can not just pack it in for the playoffs unless they have earned it (winning a race or even multiple races). Even though McMurry is safe, two 43rd place finishes would at least make him start to sweat. Maybe you thing the Chase field is too big (I for one am on the fence about that), but the rules do make things interesting and we are two races from seeing that all play out again. Buckle up.