2015 Pit Road Week 20: Indianapolis

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Week 20

By Richard Tix

Another week and another Kyle Busch victory. This is starting to get crazy how in the zone he has been in the last 5 weeks. He has now won three straight and four out of five races which will almost assure him getting to the top 30 in the standings and taking a Chase spot.

Rowdy now only needs to average about a 24th place finish to make the Chase by the end of Richmond. 

While we are on the topic of Rowdy, I want to take the time to say how ridiculous some of the hate he receives is. I am not a fan of Rowdy's, but I try and respect every driver at the Cup level. These guys are the best in the business and bring it week after week. To try and say NASCAR rig's its races or cautions just for Kyle Busch is a slap in that NASCAR "fans" own face. I hate to break it to you but the other 42 drivers would not accept that. You don't think Gordon would want that last Indy win? How about Smoke, he wants one every week. This is not the WWE and this is not staged.

Also, three wins straight has happened before and will happen again. Not because it is rigged, but because that driver is on top of his game and also a bit lucky (right place right time with the right calls). If you are bored with NASCAR because one guy is dominating then you need to ask yourself, "who is forcing you to watch?" Richard Petty once won 27 races of the 48 he raced (49 in the season). Of those 27 he won 10 straight at one point. Yet, many of the same fans complaining to leave now are the same that complain about it not being like the good ole days... 

Streaks happen.. Learn to enjoy them while great things are happening in front of us. You can dislike Kyle all you want (or Brad, or Jimmie, or Harvick, etc), but the disrespectful hate gets old after some time. You can say, 'I still don't like him but that is a pretty good run." Or you can just ignore it, but do not use him as your excuse to leave or say this is why NASCAR sucks, because there is no real reason behind that. NASCAR won't miss you, trust me. They're changing to try and keep you and gain new followers so one lost while they gain a few will not break there day.

So, enjoy the great things as they happen and just root even more on Sunday for another driver, or boo even louder at Kyle. No need to take it too far on Social Media for no real reason except you're sick of him winning. 

Guess what, if you hate him here is even more to hate. The Week 20 Power Rankings are below.

Week 20 Power Rankings (Week 19)

1. Kyle Busch (LW-1)- He didn't lead the most laps on the day but had a car to beat late in the race during all the restarts. It is truly and amazing run he is on right now whether you like him or not. 4 wins in 5 races and is now all but locked into the Chase (almost to the top 30 in points). Finish: 1st
2. Kevin Harvick (LW-2)- If it wasn't for late restarts Harvick may have won this years Brickyard, but he had a few slow restarts and he had to endure a ton of them. Harvick has 12 finishes in the top 3 out of 20 races, pretty impressive. Finish: 3rd
3. Joey Logano (LW-5)- Logano has been turning it on lately and he seems to be getting over looked because of Kyle and Kevin. Granted, he isn't getting the wins, but since Pocono (7 races) he has 6 top 5's including two runner up finishes in the last three races. Finish: 2nd
4. Kurt Busch (LW-3)- Sunday at Indy was a win for the 41 team. Neither CC or driver are huge fans of Indy but they came away with a top 10. That must also be the reason they were pretty quiet on the day. Finish: 8th
5. Brad Keselowski (LW-6)- Both Penske cars have been fast lately but just can't close the deal, instead Kyle Busch has been doing that for them. BK has led laps in the last three races and the Penske camp seems to be onto something. Finish: 10th
6. Jimmie Johnson (LW-4)- Not a memorable Brickyard for Jimmie Johnson on Sunday. That's two in a row for JJ and the #48 team where they haven't been very close on hitting, but they are no where near out. Finish: 15th
7. Matt Kenseth (LW-8)- Kenseth and the JGR camp is starting to gain some steam behind the red hot Kyle Busch. At the same time the 20, 19 and 11 are also picking up speed. Kenseth just pulled off three straight top 10's on Sunday. Finish: 7th
8. Denny Hamlin (LW-11)- Denny now has three top 10's in his last four races, so its not just Kyle Busch getting going. As mentioned for Kenseth, all of JGR is picking up steam at the same time and just in time. Finish: 5th
9. Carl Edwards (LW-10)- Carl really blew his finish on one of the last restarts when he came into turn one near JoLo and got lose, sending him back and then farther back. He salvaged a top 15, but Carl had a top 5 car all day and one that sat on the pole. Finish: 13th
10. Martin Truex Jr (LW-12)- After a rough stretch Truex Jr finally got back track on Sunday at Indy. The top 5 was his 6th of the season and he still sits 5th in the points. Finish: 4th
11. Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-7)- Jr just can not find consistency right now, but better now than in the Chase. The 88 team needs to get a few things figured out, but if they do they're still a title contender. Finish: 22nd
12. Jeff Gordon (LW-9)- Gordon gets the benifit of the doubt, because I just can't drop him out of the top 12 after such a heartbreaking Indy. No Gordon fans, Clint was not trying to take out Gordon, but things happen. He had three straight top 10's coming into Indy, so its just a speed bump. Finish: 42nd

Dropped Out: None

Just Missed: Ryan Newman, Kyle Larson, and Paul Menard

Honorable Mention: Ryan Blaney (12th)

Garry has intelligently riding the Rowdy hot streak.

Pit Road Week 20: Indianapolis

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Week 20

By Richard Tix

It's official, NASCAR has six races left until the Chase field is set and NASCAR's version of a playoff begins. Indianapolis Motor Speedway could have been a bit of a wild card race, where guys like McMurray, Menard, and Ryan Newman have won in the past.

So going in some guys had some hope's of getting that illusive win that would almost assure them a Chase spot. But, IMS also holds some impressive statistics for guys like Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon. Those stats would hold up once again at Indy as the inaugural winner in 1994, Jeff Gordon, won for a record 5th time in his career. 

With the win at IMS Gordon officially locks himself in the Chase with it being his second win of 2014. In my mind the win wasn't important in the way of locking in a Chase spot (he was locked in anyways with a win and points). It is still statistically possible to end up with more then 16 winners, but it just wont happen. This win is bigger for Gordon because he can start to get on a hot streak that will carry him through the Chase. If you missed it, here are the full IMS results.

Pit Road Power Rankings: Week 20 (Week 19)

1. Kyle Busch (LW-5)- Yes, this even shocked me. I don't know if many Power Rankings will have Rowdy as there #1 right now, and as I said I am also shocked, but he does have 3 runner up finishes in his last 4 races (crash at Daytona is his only blemish). He has had an up and down year, but right now things are clicking.
2. Jeff Gordon (LW-4)- Gordon is your Cup Points leader and newest winner (second win of 2014), but his Loudon finish will hold him back one week from the #1 spot. Heck of a win on Sunday though and a very memorable moment for him. Remember when fans were wondering if he would retire at the end of the year and they thought he might be slowing down, never to contend again?
3. Brad Keselowski (LW-1)- BK didn't do much to fall this far after being #1, but he also didn't do enough to keep #1. The good news for #2 fans is that he has been steadily getting it back together and is all the way up to 3rd in points. Plus, a 12th place finish isn't a terrible, points killing finish.
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-2)- Jr is in the same boat with BK, he didn't do anything to loose ground but guys around him just did enough to gain it. Jr admittedly didn't have the greatest car on Sunday but made the day alright by finishing 9th.
5. Matt Kenseth (LW-6)- So, Kyle Busch has three second place finishes in the last four races right? Well every time Rowdy has finished second Kenseth has finished 4th. Kenseth is just looking to get over that hump right now, but no need to worry he will make the Chase.
6. Denny Hamlin (LW-9)- Quietly Hamlin has strung together three straight top 10 finishes, the last being a third place finish at IMS. Is he back? Time will tell, but getting hot at the right time will let him forget about his shaky start.
7. Ryan Newman (LW-7)- Will he win before the Chase? I'm not sure. Will he get into the Chase? In my opinion yes, he has too many tracks coming up that he runs pretty well at. Not sure he will run well enough for the win, but right now he is the second guy to get in on points (behind Kenseth) and he is up 29 points on Bowyer. He has been too consistent this season to not make it in.
8. Kasey Kahne (LW-11)- After a crash at Daytona and just missing the top 10 at Loudon (11th) Kahne got back on track at IMS with a 6th place finish. He did miss out on one of his best chances for a win in 2014 after leading 70 laps (most laps led on the day). I still think he can win before the Chase, but right now he is also 6th among drivers without a win. Meaning, as of today he just misses the Chase but is on the bubble (up 4 points on Paul Menard).
9. Jimmie Johnson (LW-8)- From weeks 11 to 17 we saw the JJ we have come to know over the past years, but the rest of the season has been a strange one for the #48 team. After back to back weeks of being involved in crashes, JJ stayed out of trouble and finished 14th. All this team needs to do in the next 6 races is just smooth out the bumps and get ready for the Chase.
10. Clint Bowyer (LW-3)- Big fall this week for Bowyer and all he did was finish 16th. He is still in the hunt, sitting behind Newman as the third non winner in points. The goal here is just to keep putting up quality finishes so they can get in on points (maybe sneak a win).
11. Austin Dillon (LW-12)- Third top ten of the season for Dillon (10th) just two weeks after finishing 5th at Daytona. He is hanging around and keeping his Chase hopes alive, but every new winner that comes along (think Smoke, Kahne, or Ambrose) hurts his chances. You can't knock him for running well week in and week out.
12. Kyle Larson (LW-NR)- Right now, after 20 races, two rookies would make the Sprint Cup Chase. Larson is up 3 points on Dillon but both get the last two spots in the Chase. But what I said for Dillon is true for Larson, unless he wins, every new 2014 winner means less of a chance for the rookies to get in. But, unlike Dillon, I could see Larson stealing a win (but I don't see it happening until the Chase starts if he does win).

Dropped Out- Paul Menard

Just Missed- Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, and Joey Logano

Honorable Mention- Greg Biffle (13th place finish)

No one got it right this week, but I will leave that up to my mistake. I only asked once this week on Twitter after Jeff Nathans send me his prediction, reminding me that I had not asked yet. Otherwise I am sure one or more of my Gordon fan followers would have predicted him the winner. This weekend I will be in Northern MN at my fiance's family cabin, but I should be able to watch the race before heading back home. I will still have all the weekly articles up as normal and my review should be up on Monday per the usual. 

As always, thanks for reading and checking out NASCAR Behind the Wall.

2014 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Entry List

NASCAR Driver Entry List for Indy

By Richard Tix

Since 1994 NASCAR has been going to Indianapolis Motor Speedway to give Cup drivers a chance to kiss the bricks. Since Jeff Gordon won the inagural race in '94 there have been 11 different other winners. Jimmie Johnson has won the most times (four) and is the only driver to win back to back seasons. But, if a driver wants to kiss the bricks they first have to get on this list.

From Jayskis.com

Interesting notes: Matt Crafton will be attempting to make the race in the #29 Toyota. Brett Moffitt will also be running again this week and Kyle Busch will be back in the Snickers scheme. Also, this is Juan Pablo Montoya's second of two Cup races this season.

2014 Indianapolis Schedule

The John Wayne Walding 400 At The Brickyard

By Richard Tix

**All Times are Eastern**

Friday July 25, 2014

• 8:30-10 am- NASCAR Nationwide Series practice- FOX Sports 1
• 10:30-11:25 am- NASCAR Nationwide Series final practice- FOX Sports 1

• 11:35-1 pm- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice- FOX Sports 1

Saturday July 26, 2014

• 9-10:50 am- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice- ESPN2
• 12:10 pm- NASCAR Nationwide Series Pole Qualifying- FOX Sports 1 
• 2:10 pm- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pole Qualifying- ESPN
• 4:30 pm- NASCAR Nationwide Series Lilly Diabetes 250 (100 laps, 250 miles)- ESPN 

Sunday July 27, 2014

• 1 pm- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents. The John Wayne Walding 400 At The Brickyard (160 laps, 400 miles)- ESPN

Week 20 Preview

Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2013

Nascar breaks from another bye week and heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 20th Sprint Cup running.  Last time here Jimmie Johnson crossed the fame bricks in first and also has 4 times in the last ten races at IMS. The two previous years at IMS has brought surprise winners in Paul Menard and Jamie McMurray. So the question is who will win in 2013, a favorite or a surprise winner?

With the race to get into the Chase heating up a surprise win could throw a huge curveball towards drivers on the edge of getting it, unless that is, the winner happens to be one of those guys already on the edge. Lets get right into the Good, Middle, and Bad drivers at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the last 10 races. If you need to take a peak at last years results look no further, IMS 2012.


The Good:

• Tony Stewart- Well this is a track Smoke considers his home track and it always means a bit more to him when he wins here. For Smoke, he has had those special moments two times in the last ten races here. He also has 8 top 10's and 5 top 5's while finishing in 10th in 2012. Best Chance Forecast: A track favorite and a potential summer run, look for Smoke to finish top 5 if not compete for a win if he is fast in qualifying.
• Jeff Gordon- This list could not leave off Gordon, who has one win in the last 10 (but 4 career wins here). He is tied with JJ for most wins at IMS. Best Chance Forecast: Looking for some consistancy I think Gordon can find a way into the top 10 and hang near the top 10 in points.
• Greg Biffle- Biffle's last five finishes at IMS? 3rd, 7th, 3rd, 4th, and 8th. Not too Shabby for the Biff. Add in he has a 12.1 average finish position in the last 10 starts here and you have a quality start. Best Chance Forecast: I doubt he will win, but look for him to be up front and finish top 10.

The Middle:

• Jimmie Johnson- Ok, ok, I know many people have them on there hot list, as is the smart choice and idea. But, I also want to point out his last three and bad luck that seems to follow him here. He does have a win in his last 3 but he also has finishes of 19th and 22nd, both races he finished on the lead lap. Also, in his last ten he has finishes of 39, 38, 36th all bad luck. With how good he has been you can bet he will be up front, and probably finish top 10, (and may deserve a spot in the Good category) but I also feel I have to inform the public JJ isn't transparent to bad luck.

The Bad:

• Kurt Busch- Well Kurt's last 5 starts here go a little like this: 36, 21, 10, 27, and 40th. Not so hot for a driver trying to get the one car team into the Chase. If any year was the year to bounce out of that funk this would be the one.
• Joey Logano- Well JoLo only has 4 starts here at IMS and they have brought mixed results. Normally you would think the first races would be learning curves and the next couple better. Well here are his finishes starting with his first in 2009: 12th, 9th, 25th, and 33rd last year. Last year he didn't finish on the lead lap but it still isn't the greatest stat line to have right now.
• Martin Truex Jr- 8 starts and one top ten. The upside to Truex's stats? That top 10 came just last year with an 8th place finish. Maybe he is figuring it out here? If not he has a 21.5 average finish position in his last 10 races that says he may struggle.

Who I like for the win this weekend?

• Tony Stewart. Its summer, he has to catch fire eventually right?

Dark Horse?

• Greg Biffle. Yeah he is part of my Good section, but who is really picking the Biff to kiss the bricks?

Hope everyone enjoy/enjoyed Eldora (depending on when you read this). Lets get ready to cross the bricks.