AAA Texas 500
Texas Motor Speedway
By Richard Tix
Another interesting week in NASCAR as we leave Martinsville for Texas. Tuesday evening fans got an answer to the question, "what will happen to Matt Kenseth?" We all know now that he will not be in the #20 at Texas or the race after (suspended the next two races). No matter what side you were on, that is the ruling and not much will change (although JGR is appealing).
So, moving on from the actual ruling, this have got interesting in the NASCAR world. There is a growing crowd of 100% Penske fans vs 100% JGR fans. I find myself in the middle. I am a Keselowski follower and I do like Penske, but when it comes to articles and my blog I stay as unbiased as possible.
It is easy to see, though, that on social media huge amounts of fans are on one side or the other right now. It is causing a ton of discussions, but unfortunately they sometimes turn into negative interactions. The more I see the more I remember the pitfalls of social media.
Just please remember, a real human is on the other side. We all have opinions. we all have the right to express those. And we all see incidents differently. Even if the way you see a certain situation is the more correct way, that doesn't give anyone the right to slander someone just because they see things differently.
Back to racing. This week NASCAR heads to Texas for the second race of this round. Guys like Kurt Busch, Joey Logano, and Brad Keselowski all pretty much need a great finish or win to have a shot to advance (same might be said for Edwards). The first step is Texas.
The Good
- Jimmie Johnson- Pull those 6-shooters out, this list should start and end with JJ. Jimmie has four wins in six races and currently has won back to back times. simply put, he is good at Texas and looks good in a Cowboy hat (if you're a JJ fan).
- Denny Hamlin- JGR wasn't on its A game when NASCAR first came here in 2015 and Hamlin finished 11th. This time around I would put money on him finishing higher. He has 2 wins, 5 top 5's, and 10 top 10's in 19 Texas starts.
- Kevin Harvick- The last two Texas races Harvick was good, but not good enough. Both of those he was runner up to Jimmie even after leading 96 laps earlier this year. Maybe this time he can get over the hump?
The Middle
- Greg Biffle- Considering RFR recent struggles, its impressive Biffle has not finished outside the top 20 and has a top 10 in the last four starts here. Texas is a fast track, so RFR current spot puts extra stress on Biffle, but he has been finishing 12th in the last four Texas races.
The Bad
- Austin Dillon- Its a short time period, but Austin finally notched his first top 20 at Texas in 5 tries earlier this year (20th exactly). He is pretty consistent around the 21st finish range, but more is expected of him.
- Kurt Busch- This is a stretch, because Kurt has actually been pretty darn good at Texas in the last two visits. Much of that has to do with being in the 41 and new life. Still, even after running well and leading laps he only finished in the top 10 once in the past two (8th). In his last 8 he has two top 10's and 3 finishes of 30th or worse. I would expect much better this time around, but someone has to get there name typed here.
- Danica Patrick- Alright, this one is almost a bit unfair as Danica just had a very quality run here earlier in 2015. It was her best starting position and finish at Texas. So, keep that in mind going forward. Other than that finish she only has two other top 25's in 6 starts.
Track Stats
- Jimmie Johnson has won the last three Fall races and also two straight (Fall or Spring)
- Only three drivers have won back to back times here (Jimmie Johnson 2014/15, Hamlin-Both 2010 and Edwards- Both 2008).
- Manufacturer wins- Ford: 12, Chevy: 11, Toyota: 3, and Dodge: 3. 29 total races.
- Race has been won from the pole 3 times in 29 races. Twice in the last six races.
- Jeff Burton won the first Texas Motor Speedway race in 1997. He led 60 of 334 laps.
- Dale Jarrett won the first Texas Motor Speedway pole in 1997. He led 42 laps.
- Jeff Gordon is the only driver to run all 29 races at Texas.
- Of current drivers: Jimmie Johnson has the most wins (5). Carl Edwards has the second most (3).
Texas
Motor Speedway
|
|||||
Race
|
Date
|
Cars
|
Winner(s)
|
St
|
Make / Model
|
1997-06
|
4/6/1997
|
43
|
Jeff Burton
|
5
|
Ford
|
1998-07
|
4/5/1998
|
43
|
Mark Martin
|
7
|
Ford
|
1999-06
|
3/28/1999
|
43
|
Terry Labonte
|
4
|
Chevrolet
|
2000-07
|
4/2/2000
|
43
|
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
|
4
|
Chevrolet
|
2001-07
|
4/1/2001
|
43
|
Dale Jarrett
|
3
|
Ford
|
2002-07
|
4/8/2002
|
43
|
Matt Kenseth
|
31
|
Ford
|
2003-07
|
3/30/2003
|
43
|
Ryan Newman
|
3
|
Dodge
|
2004-07
|
4/4/2004
|
43
|
Elliott Sadler
|
19
|
Ford
|
2005-07
|
4/17/2005
|
43
|
Greg Biffle
|
5
|
Ford
|
2005-34
|
11/6/2005
|
43
|
Carl Edwards
|
30
|
Ford
|
2006-07
|
4/9/2006
|
43
|
Kasey Kahne
|
1
|
Dodge
|
2006-34
|
11/5/2006
|
43
|
Tony Stewart
|
8
|
Chevrolet
|
2007-07
|
4/15/2007
|
43
|
Jeff Burton
|
2
|
Chevrolet
|
2007-34
|
11/4/2007
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
8
|
Chevrolet
|
2008-07
|
4/6/2008
|
43
|
Carl Edwards
|
2
|
Ford
|
2008-34
|
11/2/2008
|
43
|
Carl Edwards
|
16
|
Ford
|
2009-07
|
4/5/2009
|
43
|
Jeff Gordon
|
2
|
Chevrolet
|
2009-34
|
11/8/2009
|
43
|
Kurt Busch
|
3
|
Dodge
|
2010-08
|
4/19/2010
|
43
|
Denny Hamlin
|
29
|
Toyota
|
2010-34
|
11/7/2010
|
43
|
Denny Hamlin
|
30
|
Toyota
|
2011-07
|
4/9/2011
|
43
|
Matt Kenseth
|
4
|
Ford
|
2011-34
|
11/6/2011
|
43
|
Tony Stewart
|
5
|
Chevrolet
|
2012-07
|
4/14/2012
|
43
|
Greg Biffle
|
3
|
Ford
|
2012-34
|
11/4/2012
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
1
|
Chevrolet
|
2013-07
|
4/13/2013
|
43
|
Kyle Busch
|
1
|
Toyota
|
2013-34
|
11/3/2013
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
3
|
Chevrolet
|
2014-07
|
4/7/2014
|
43
|
Joey Logano
|
10
|
Ford
|
2014-34
|
11/2/2014
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
3
|
Chevrolet
|
2015-07
|
4/11/2015
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
5
|
Chevrolet
|
2015 Duck Commander 500 Photo Recap
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