2015 Hall of Fame Class: Rex White

By Richard Tix

NASCAR Behind the Wall will take a short look at each 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee. These articles will be spread out in time until the 2015 Hall of Fame induction (mostly depending on how much free time I find)

Previous 2015 HoF Driver Articles: Wendell Scott, Fred Lorenzen, and Joe Weatherly


Forth up on NASCAR Behind the Wall's quick reviews of the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 is Rex White. Rex's racing life began as a little boy when he was diganosed with Polio. White also grew up during the great depression so the last thing he thought would bring him fame and a career was a car. He just thought car's were a way of tranportation.

Rex White started in NASCAR in 1956 where he ran 24 of 56 races on the year. He finished with 14 top tens and three top fives that year.  The following year White only ran 9 of the 53 races but finishing in the top ten six times (top five four times).

In 1958 thinks started to turn into Rex White's favor. He moved to join up with Louis Clements who at the time was his partner and lead mechanic. At this time they started to build there own late model Chevy's to compete in NASCAR. That season they ran in 22 of the 51 races and White won his first race of his career which was also the first race of the 1958 season. White won two total races in 1958 with 13 top fives and 17 top tens while accumulating 7 Pole's.

1959 came and went somewhat like 1958. White ran 23 races of the total 44 and had 5 total wins. He also notched 11 top fives and 13 top tens.

Rex White will also go down in NASCAR history as a Champion. In 1960 White won his first and only championship along with becoming NASCAR's Most Popular Driver for the season. Along the way he won 6 races, finished top five 25 times, and top ten 35 times all in 40 races. He only finished outside the top ten an amazing 5 times in 1960 (14, 14, 12, 11, and 23).

The next two season's Rex White combined to win 15 races while also finishing top five 47 times, top ten 61 times, 16 Poles, all in 84 total races. In a two year span White only missed out on a top 10 23 times. During his entire career White finished in the top ten almost 70% of the time. He ran 233 career races, had 28 total wins, 110 top fives, and 163 top tens.

His run from 1959 to 1963 was one for the books. In that time span he had more wins then any other driver at the time. What makes it an even greater accomplishment is that he did it against some notable drivers like Lee Petty, Ned Jarrett, Joe Weatherly, and Fireball Roberts.

Some Extra Rex White Photo's

Congratulations Rex White on you 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction

The Denny Hamlin Rule

NASCAR Issues Penalty in #11 Team

By Richard Tix

On Tuesday Twitter started a frenzy when NASCAR rumors came out that Denny Hamlin and the #11 team might be hit hard by the new NASCAR rules. Talk went around by fans and media that the team could be hit with the first P5 penalty issued (Need a review? Check out NASCAR's New Penalty System).

Hamlin fans waited in anticipation of what NASCAR might hit the team with after they were found to have illegal rear firewall block-off plates at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday. "The block-off plates are intended to keep fluids, smoke and fire from getting to the driver’s compartment. Air flow through the block-off plates, in theory, can provide additional rear down force, which could help at a track like Indianapolis." (Jim Utter. Charlotte Observer. NASCAR penalizes Denny Hamlin, Sprint Cup team).

NASCAR finally announced the penalty they had decided on and Twitter went off like it normally does when a big NASCAR announcement comes out. The penalty? Denny Hamlin was docked 75 points in the standings which moved him all the way down to 21st overall. Hamlins Crew Chief Darian Grubb and Car Chief Wesley Sherrill were also suspended 6 races. So in a sense, he will be out the rest of the regular season until the Chase starts. Both will be on probation for the remainder of the year once they return.

On top of that Grubb was fined $125,000 and car owner J.D. Gibbs was docked 75 owners points. The announcement came as a big blow to the #11 Toyota team and the Twitter world. Many on social media saw it as NASCAR putting there foot down and laying out the law.

I think since then the reality has sunk in that NASCAR was trying to lay down the law, but did they really? "This should send a message that for anyone who attempts to overstep or bend the rules, it’s not worth it. We revised our penalty and appeal processes to make the system more effective, fair and transparent. That was something all of our competitors asked for." 

True, the new system is a little more straight forward and should provide a bit more fairness in rulings (and less gray area), but it still puts some teams and drivers at a disadvantage. 

Did this penalty really hurt Denny Hamlin in the long run? Not really. Hamlin is still in the Chase if it ended today because of his win at Talladega. Plus, he is still in front of Almirola and Kurt Busch in points (both have wins). With 6 races left in the 2014 regular season and only 11 different winners, NASCAR will not see more then 16 winners (my opinion, not a fact, but mark it down). So his win will put him in the Chase.

But, think if a guy like Tony Stewart had this penalty. His Chase chances would be gone other than if he could win in the last 6 races. Or Ryan Newman, all the work they have put in to get in on points would be negated. But, if you have a win already in 2014 you may as well cheat.

Yes, that is what you heard from me. The guys that have a win have another advantage other then knowing they're in and they can try legal things (like fuel strategy or car set ups), they also can CHEAT and it wont hurt them in the long run.

I do believe it will hut the #11 team a bit. This is because they have had and up and down season as it is and they needed to find some chemistry in the last 6 races. Now, it will be dramatically harder to get that chemistry with there leader on the box out. 

For the most part, this rule infraction didn't hurt there team. In fact, now they know that NASCAR will catch any change of the rear firewall block. NASCAR had to make this call, it was not only a rules infraction but also a safety concern because smoke or flames could have entered Denny's area much easier. But, by changing the rules of the Chase points early this year they also shot themselves in the foot with the new penalty system. NASCAR wanted it to be more straight forward and fair, but all we got was straight forward, we are still waiting on the fair part of the deal. 

So who is this really hurting and if NASCAR is sending a message who is it sending it to? This ruling just showed the teams with a win (which is mostly top tier teams already) that they can cheat during the regular season if they already have a win. So, Denny Hamlin and the #11 team will move on and we as fans will see them in the Chase, but how will NASCAR handle the elephant in the room? Will a tweak in the new penalty structure come after the season? Will we remember it as the Denny Hamlin Rule? Only time will tell.

Driver Spotlight: Kasey Kahne

A Push to the Chase. 2014 Driver Spotlight on Kasey Kahne

By Richard Tix

Twenty races down and six races to go until the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase begins. It has been well stated that this year everything is different. NASCAR started the season off by shaking up the points criteria for qualification into the Chase. The main thing, "you win and you are in." Obviously that statement is only true with 16 winners and under (but most years it will be true).

The other big thing that changed (Not including changes during the Chase) is that 16 drivers now get into the Chase. Well, for Kasey Kahne he has to be looking at both scenarios right about now. With 6 races left in NASCAR's regular season Kahne still does not have a win but is sitting 17th in points and just 4 points back from Cup rookie Austin Dillon (Current Chase Standings).

That is cause for anyone to start to get nervious, but the good thing for Kahne is he is on the rise. At one point, I had serious concern for Kahne's chances at a Chase birth and was wondering what was wrong with the #5 team. 

So, here NASCAR heads to Pocono which is where Kahne's shaky early season came to a cross roads after he was involved in a wreck. He ended up finishing 42nd and had 4 top 10's (1 top 5) in 14 races at that point. But since NASCAR's last trip to Pocono everything for Kasey has been uphill excluding a 27th place Daytona finish where he was one of many cars involved in a crash (which we all know is a wild card track). 

Since Pocono he has 4 top 10's (1 top 5, two 6th's, and an 11th) and has climbed all the way to one spot out of getting a Chase spot on points. The big concern is going to be if a surprise driver from the group of guys in 13th-20th spot in points steals a win in the next 6 races. Every win that is stolen by a non 2014 win driver means "The Fight for Points" in at the bottom of the standings becomes even more heated. To this point, just remember guys like Tony Stewart and Clint Bowyer (and Marcus Ambrose, think Watkins Glen) still do not have a win in 2014.

So, Kahne is doing a great job fighting back and picking up points when he can, which could end up being enough, but a win would be huge for this team and lock them into the Chase. 

Even though he got caught up in a crash a Pocono last time around he does have two career wins there (last one in 2013). Also, at the remaining 6 tracks he has 7 career wins, so winning a race before the Chase is definitely not out of the question (Chasing the Chase in 2014).  

I do think Kasey Kahne will get into the 2014 Chase. Every race that goes by without a new winner in 2014 will mean better chances of getting in on points for all the win less drivers. Whats for an exciting last three races of the NASCAR regular season.

Week 21 Preview: Pocono (Race Two)

Pocono Raceway

GoBowling.com 400

By Richard Tix

Last time NASCAR was at Pocono Dale Earnhardt Jr stole a win late in the race from Brad Keselowski who was worried about his engine over heating. This is the second track that NASCAR revisits this season (Daytona was the first). Much of this review will be a lot like the last, because drivers career stats have only been increased by one race here. We will take into consideration how drivers ran last time around though, as it could lead to another good day.

Here is the Week 14 Preview of Pocono.

The Good, Middle, and Bad

(This is just a review of each drivers recent past performance, generally about 5-10 past races)

The Good

• Jeff Gordon- JG is a repeat driver on this list from earlier this year. He gets back on the good list after picking up an 8th place finish Week 14. With how well 2014 has gone for Gordon and after last weeks win I would expect him to compete for a win.
• Jimmie Johnson- Another repeat driver from Week 14, JJ finished 6th after starting 20th the first time around. In 2013 he swept the Pocono poles while finishing 1st and 13th. 
• Brad Keselowski- Last time he had arguably the best car but when the race was winding down he got trash on his grill. Dale Jr was in the right place at the right time and took advantage. BK has back to back top 10's and 3 top 10's in the last 4 races here (2 top 5's). He has also won at Pocono in 2011.
• Extra Credit- Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman

The Middle

• Kevin Harvick- Harvick was in this spot last time I previews Pocono and a 14th place finish didn't change that. From last preview," In his last 9 starts at Pocono he hasn't finished worse then 17th but also hasn't finished better then 4th. In his last 10 he has only led a lap in one race (2010) and it was only 5 laps. Harvick may have a decent finish here, but contending for the win maybe asking a bit much." Again, he didn't lead a lap last time here so that stat holds true.

The Bad

• Aric Almirola- Though not terrible, Aric has only two top 20's in his five starts at Pocono (18th and 20th). He may not be in line for a 30th place finish (hasn't finished worse then 28th) but he also may not find the top 15.
• Josh Wise- In his last 4 starts at Pocono Wise hasn't finished above 34th. With a few new sponsors on the season lets see if it can get him going for at least a top 30 performance.
• AJ Almlmendinger- His last 3 finishes: 21st, 33rd, and 33rd. He hasn't been consistent here but he is in the best ride he has had for a little while.

Track Stats

• Richard Petty won the first race at Pocono in 1974. He also won 2 of the first 3.
• Tim Richmond won three straight Pocono races (1986-1987). Won 4 career Pocono races.
• Carl Edwards won in 2005 from 29th position, the furthest spot back someone has won from.
• 6 straight different drivers have won at Pocono
• Chevrolet has won 4 straight Pocono races (Earnhardt, Kahne, Johnson, and Gordon)
• Most cautions was 13 in 1990 (winner Harry Gant) and 2005 (winner Kurt Busch)
• Race has been won from the Pole 6 times in the last 17 races.

Pocono Articles:

• TV/Race schedule
• Driver entry list
• Power Rankings
• This Week in NASCAR: 7/28
• Current Chase Standings Denny Hamlin points deduction included

2014 Pocono Raceway Entry List (Race Two)

NASCAR Driver Entry List for Pocono

By Richard Tix

NASCAR heads back to Pocono for the second and final time in 2014. Here is a look at the entry list last time we were here. List from Jayski.com.

A few things to note: Jamie McMurray will be in the Bad Boy Buggies scheme this week while Greg Biffle is running a 1942 3M throwback scheme. Alex Kennedy is making another start at the Cup level this week in the #33 owned by Joe Falk. Just 43 drivers will attempt the GoBowling.com 400 at Pocono Raceway this weekend.

2014 Pocono Schedule (Race Two)

GoBowling.com 400

By Richard Tix

**All Times are Eastern**

Full Truck and Nationwide Schedule is not shown. Find it on NASCAR.com this week.

Friday August 1, 2014

• 11-12:20 pm- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice
- FOX Sports 1
• 3:40 pm- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying- FOX Sports 1

Saturday August 2, 2014

• 9-9:50 am- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice- ESPN2
• 11:30-12:20 p.m- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice- ESPN2


Sunday August 3, 2014

• 1 p.m- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series GoBowling.com 400 (160 laps)- ESPN

2014 Week 20 Chase Standings

Chase Standings after the First 20 Races

By Richard Tix

NASCAR is leaving Indianapolis Motor Speedway behind and it was not a surprise winner, instead it was Jeff Gordon winning a series best 5th time at IMS. So, we have no new winners but there was a small shake up in the Chase standings. Who is in? Who is out if the regular season ended today?

Race to the Chase Standings
Rank	Driver	Wins	Points	Pts Back	Last Week
1	Brad Keselowski	3	666		1
2	Jimmie Johnson	3	628		2
3	Jeff Gordon	2	717		7
4	Dale Earnhardt Jr	2	693		3
5	Carl Edwards	2	603		4
6	Joey Logano	2	591		5
7	Kevin Harvick	2	565		6
8	Kyle Busch	1	609		8
9	Denny Hamlin	1	**497		9
10	Aric Almirola	1	496		10
11	Kurt Busch	1	456		11
12	Matt Kenseth	0	661		12
13	Ryan Newman	0	606		13
14	Clint Bowyer	0	577		14
15	Kyle Larson	0	562		17
16	Austin Dillon	0	559		16
17	Kasey Kahne	0	555	-4	19
18	Paul Menard	0	551	-7	15
19	Greg Biffle	0	550	-9	18
20	Brian Vickers	0	532	-27	20
21	Tony Stewart	0	529	-30	21
22	Marcus Ambrose	0	511	-48	22
23	Jamie McMurray	0	499	-60	23
24	AJ Allmendinger	0	466	-93	26
25	Martin Truex Jr	0	465	-94	24
26	Casey Mears	0	455	-104	25
27	Ricky Stenhouse Jr	0	397	-162	28
28	Danica Patrick	0	382	-177	27

*Pts Back= Points back from the last Chase spot

*Last Week= Where they were in the standings last week.
** Updated 7/29: Denny Hamlin and team were docked 75 points by NASCAR. He had 572 total points before. He did not lose any ground in the new Chase standings though (still 1 point ahead of Almirola). 

Kasey Kahne and Paul Menard are the big movers this week. Kahne moved from 19th up to 17th and the first driver outside the top 16. Meanwhile, Menard moved from a spot in the Chase (15th) all the way down to 18th and 7 points out.

The most important move of the week? Kyle Larson went from tied with Austin Dillon for the final Chase spot to 15th. Larson is now up 3 on Dillon (who is in 16th) and 7 up on Kahne in 17th. Without this new system no one would even know who Kurt Busch is this year. He would be 103 points out of 16th in the standings, which is a must win spot to be in.