Weekly Review and Power Rankings
Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500
By Richard Tix
To repave or not to repave? That was the big storyline all weekend at every NASCAR level, that was until a late caution mixed with a dominate car getting a speeding penalty made everyone forget about the surface of Atlanta Motor Speedway.
I am staying mum on the repave issue since I like the current surface and the fall off it gives, but also can see the side of wanting/needing a new surface. So, with that said I will move along and let social media hash that topic out.
As for the race, this years current old surface gave us ton's of comers and goers everywhere but in front. The pack had a bunch of passing and the few restarts we had lead to a bunch of three wide's and movers and shakers during those restarts. However, most of the day was headlined by Kevin Harvick having a dominate car up front, all alone, with a five plus second lead for much of it.
I heard every excuse and complaint trying to blame NASCAR for a race being dominated by one guy, however I want to tell you this: races being dominated by one guy have always happened and always will happen from time to time. I mean on Sunday that No. 4 was just hooked up and no one could touch him. Kevin Harvick was truly running his own race out there for 90% of the race.
The thing is in sports, you can't leave (or stop watching) until the very end because the unexpected will happen every time you count it out. Sunday it happened to be a late caution when Austin Dillon couldn't get it to pit road -- or didn't try hard enough, which ever you believe. On top of that, a guy who had been perfect ALL DAY LONG became imperfect in the most important moment and was caught speeding on pit road during the last stop. That driver was obviously Kevin Harvick and it eventually lead to him not winning a race he lead 292 laps in.
During that moment everyone starting up front on what became the final restart of the day knew they finally had a shot to win at Atlanta because Kevin Harvick wasn't up there with them. Kyle Larson grabbed the early lead after that restart but eventually Brad Keselowski put enough pressure on him and took the lead from him when Larson tried out the high line instead of hooking the bottom. Would it have played out different if he held the bottom? Maybe, but maybe not. One thing is for sure, both Kyle and Brad had great cars on Sunday and only got overlooked because Harvick was just that much better then the field.
At the end of the day it's who is leading the last lap that counts. BK got a trip to Victory Lane, five playoff points for winning the race, and Harvick still had a fantastic day in the points standings as well as collecting two playoff points for winning stages one and two. AMS showcased a stage format that rewarded the best drivers for the entire day as well as the winner when all was said in done.
I am staying mum on the repave issue since I like the current surface and the fall off it gives, but also can see the side of wanting/needing a new surface. So, with that said I will move along and let social media hash that topic out.
As for the race, this years current old surface gave us ton's of comers and goers everywhere but in front. The pack had a bunch of passing and the few restarts we had lead to a bunch of three wide's and movers and shakers during those restarts. However, most of the day was headlined by Kevin Harvick having a dominate car up front, all alone, with a five plus second lead for much of it.
The thing is in sports, you can't leave (or stop watching) until the very end because the unexpected will happen every time you count it out. Sunday it happened to be a late caution when Austin Dillon couldn't get it to pit road -- or didn't try hard enough, which ever you believe. On top of that, a guy who had been perfect ALL DAY LONG became imperfect in the most important moment and was caught speeding on pit road during the last stop. That driver was obviously Kevin Harvick and it eventually lead to him not winning a race he lead 292 laps in.
During that moment everyone starting up front on what became the final restart of the day knew they finally had a shot to win at Atlanta because Kevin Harvick wasn't up there with them. Kyle Larson grabbed the early lead after that restart but eventually Brad Keselowski put enough pressure on him and took the lead from him when Larson tried out the high line instead of hooking the bottom. Would it have played out different if he held the bottom? Maybe, but maybe not. One thing is for sure, both Kyle and Brad had great cars on Sunday and only got overlooked because Harvick was just that much better then the field.
At the end of the day it's who is leading the last lap that counts. BK got a trip to Victory Lane, five playoff points for winning the race, and Harvick still had a fantastic day in the points standings as well as collecting two playoff points for winning stages one and two. AMS showcased a stage format that rewarded the best drivers for the entire day as well as the winner when all was said in done.
Pit Road Power Rankings: Week 2 (Week 1)
- Kevin Harvick (LW-2)- He lead staged one and two and a total of 292 laps on Sunday, but it came down to a speeding penalty late in the race to determine his fate. It was the No. 4 teams to lose on Sunday and unfortunately for them that happen, yet they still lead NASCAR in points after two races.
- Brad Keselowski (LW-12)- BK was a top five car early, had right front issues, rotated back into the lead, then out of the lead, then back to a top five car, and then the hunter when reeling in Larson late. BK and the No. 2 had one heck of a day and it ended in a trip to VL.
- Kurt Busch (LW-3)- Not his day on Sunday, yet they hung up in the top ten most of the day and finished it off with a 7th place finish. SHR has shown a strong start to 2017.
- Chase Elliott (LW-4)- His trip to Victory Lane is coming, and probably coming soon. He has been strong to start this season. Too bad he couldn't have locked in his first win at his home track of AMS.
- Joey Logano (LW-1)- JoLo also had an up and down day like his Penske teammate. Joey rebounded with a 6th place finish after being a couple laps down earlier.
- Kyle Larson (LW-8)- Chase may finally get his first win, but the way things are looking Larson may get his next win soon as well. He had the lead late before BK took it from him.
- Kasey Kahne (LW-10)- Quietly Kahne is having a nice start to 2017. Sunday the No. 5 team fought from being lapped all the way back to a top five.
- Kyle Busch (LW-5)- Not his day, the No. 18 tea, hasn't shown it's dominance like last season. However, they did fight back from being lapped and finished 16th and on the lead lap.
- Martin Truex Jr (LW-11)- The 78 seemed quiet all day even though he had a running average of 7th and ran 323 of 325 laps in the top 15. Maybe they will make more noise next week after a good 8th place finish at AMS.
- Ryan Blaney (LW-6)- Another day full of rough luck, this time an early tire issue. They fought all day to gain ground and eventually finished 18th and the first car a lap down. Better days should be coming for this No. 21 team.
- Trevor Bayne (LW-NR)- Hey, RFR looks sporty so far this year and leading that crew is the No. 6. No, really. Bayne has a 10th and 11th place finish already this year and spent most of Sunday in the top ten.
- Matt Kenseth (LW-NR)- Two speeding penalties in the first (I believe) stage, multiple laps down, and this team fought back to a 3rd place finish. Seriously. I couldn't leave a team that did that off this weeks top 12.
Dropped Out: Jimmie Johnson (LW-7) and Denny Hamlin (LW-9)
Just Missed: Clint Bowyer, Jamie McMurray, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
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