2015 Pit Road Week 33: Martinsville

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500

By Richard Tix

I don't think a single person who watched Sunday's race can say, "well, that wasn't interesting." The race had just about everything. Short track bumping and racing. Lead changes. A few dominate cars. Drama. Plenty more drama. A intentional wreck. Angry drivers. And a happy driver in VL with his family in what could be his last win, which just so happened to lock him into the Chase Finale in Miami.

Lets dig right into the good stuff. The Matt Kenseth vs Joey Logano battle. Going back to Kansas, where Kenseth was in a win or go home situation, he was out front trying to keep JoLo behind him. He was doing all he could (including blocking). Then Kenseth was attempting one last block and maybe at the same time Joey didn't like it. They touched and Kenseth spun out and JoLo took the win.

All of that situation can also be called hard racing. It's what fans want (until it is there driver spinning out). But, in my opinion none of it was dirty. Both guys wanted a win, one guy needed a win, and the other guy had the better car. They both raced hard.

Sunday at Martinsville, after Kenseth was in the middle of a restart wreck (and out of the Chase after last round) he intentionally took out Joey Logano who had the best car on the day. This while Kenseth was riding around pretty much waiting for the opportunity to do what he did.

Kenseth intentionally took out JoLo, which was no longer "hard racing" as I stated above. It was "pay back," even though it was no where near what happened at Kansas which was a racing thing. This was dirty manipulation. 

The worst part was, Kenseth didn't even admit to it. For a guy who wants a guy to "not have daddy fight his battles," it sure was cowardly to skate around the truth. Own up to being the guy who took him out, don't say "oh, a right front or something must have gone down." 

And no, that was not how racing was done in the past. When driver's "dumped" someone, it was for the lead. It was not a driver riding around looking to dump the leader because he was upset he was spun out a few weeks prior while trying to block. Sr. would intimidate you, race you hard, and dump you late in the race if that was the only way to get the win, not dump you because he has a trash car and was still pouting.

I know Kenesth fans and many others were happy with the Kenseth move, I for one am happy it gets more people talking about NASCAR. But, it wasn't the right thing to do and it wasn't payback for anything Joey did. Everyone will have there sides, but when you look at it from a fan of neither side and from a perspective of wanting good hard racing, it was a disappointing day for NASCAR.

Remember, only Chase drivers are eligible for the top 8 spots. The next 4 spots are up for anyone else in NASCAR (whether they were once in the Chase or not). It is a different variation on the Power Rankings, but it is only far to top the remaining 8 first. 

1. Jeff Gordon (LW-6)- Gordon gets this spot because after all the story lines with Kenseth and JoLo, he was the one in VL and will be one of four at Miami competing for a Championship.
2. Joey Logano (LW-1)- Yes, its an uphill battle, but Joey most likely was going to win a fourth straight on Sunday. It is possible he gets to Miami with a W still. Then what does Kenseth do?
3. Martin Truex Jr (LW-8)- He quietly ran pretty well all day. He will need two more runs like that to have a chance, though.
4. Kyle Busch (LW-7)- Spins in water, still comes out with a great finish. Is this the year I stop saying it will finally happen? A Rowdy Championship? I have been wrong twice already and I am not a Kyle fan...
5. Kevin Harvick (LW-5)- I keep saying don't count him out, but he really hasn't been as dominate during the Chase as many thought. But, he is getting by and he is good at Miami.
6. Brad Keselowski (LW-3)- Until a wreck on a late restart, BK was a guy who could give Joey a run for his money. He and JoLo both really need wins.
7. Carl Edwards (LW-2)- He got caught up in a check up situation and wrecked his front end and whole day. It will be interesting as he might be in a win or die situation as well, but he kept fighting so he still has an outside shot on points.
8. Kurt Busch (LW-4)- Kurt, BK, and JoLo are all already looking at win or go home spots. A rough day for Kurt put him in this spot, can he get out?
9. Denny Hamlin (LW-9)- Too bad for Hamlin Harvick's move at Dega knocked him out. Hamlin finished third when it was all said and done Sunday.
10. Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-11)- Jr would have also started off this round well if he moved on, after finishing 4th. Back to back top 5's for Junior.
11. Ryan Nemwan (LW-10)- Newman hasn't run bad all Chase, but also not great. 7th on Sunday was his best finish since he finished 4th to start the Chase at Chicagoland.
12. Kasey Kahne (LW-NR)- Has anyone noticed, since Loudon Kahne has four top 10's in six races? He notched another one this past Sunday at Martinsville.