2017 NASCAR Week 34: Texas

AAA Texas 500

Texas Motor Speedway 

By Richard Tix

What to Watch For?

Denny Hamlin vs Chase Elliott

• This one is obvious. Just one week after the incident at Martinsville, all eyes will be on Denny and Chase. Both drivers need a strong run at Texas, possibly even a win, so another mix up is doubtful to happen this week. As long as both are still in the hunt all race long I don't see any reason for someone to risk a shot at Homestead just yet. However, if Chase is down and out and just riding around, things could get interesting. If anything happens it is more likely to happen next week, or at Homestead if Hamlin makes it and Chase doesn't. 

The Cut Line

• I mean, this is literally the storyline every weekend in the playoffs, but each round it holds more weight. Right now Kyle Busch is locked in (win last week) and Martin Truex Jr is all but locked in (67 points ahead of 5th). Keselowski has a 29 point lead on Jimmie Johnson (5th in points) and 26 points up on Harvick (4th). BK seems like a safe bet if he doesn't have a poor race in the next two, but that's no where near a sure thing. On top of that Hamlin and Johnson both have wins at Texas (both still in the playoffs) and Chase Elliott has two top fives and three top tens in his three career starts here. 

Jimmie Johnson's Quest for Eight

• As NASCAR head's to Texas JJ's quest for his eighth Championship and eighth win at Texas both loom large. Yup, JJ has seven wins at TMS including winning earlier this year. An eighth win at Texas would go a LONG way towards an eighth Championship putting him in front of Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty. I personally think it would be a fun headline to look back on if both come true this year... If not, there's always next year. 

Track Repave

• This weekend will be just the second time Cup runs on this new surface at Texas. The first time around many made mention that it was a "different TMS." However, the results were the same: another Jimmie Johnson win but with only 18 laps led. At that time Toyota was not in full force yet. In fact, the first Toyota was Truex Jr. (8th) and the next was Kyle Busch in 15th. The No. 78 has been in stride all year, but the others soon followed after this trip to Texas. So, did they learn enough the first time around or can other teams with other manufacturers take advantage of what they learned here in April?