Wednesday, January 15th 'What If' Question

Ending your year by leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of fans and competitors is never what a major sport wants to happen.

Except the season finale for the NASCAR Nationwide Series at the Homestead-Miami Speedway did just that. The season and the championship came down to one final race with Austin Dillon and Sam Hornish Jr. separated by just eight points.

Much of the 300-mile event had Hornish in control of his destiny as he outran Dillon. Driver of the No. 3 struggling with his machine, even hitting the wall at one point as he wrestled to break into a top 10 spot. With less than 20 laps to go the final caution of the night came out after a hard crash off turn four.

As they ran, Hornish was still on control of the title. Until NASCAR decided not to red flag the race, running over 10 laps under yellow. During that time pit stops occurred, the running order shuffled and suddenly Dillon was in the position that he needed to secure the title.

Brad Keselowski then charged through the field to earn the win, while Hornish lost more valuable spots. Dillon now protecting the position he needed for the final five laps.

Dillon, who went winless, captured his first NNS championship by three points over Hornish. It was the last race he ran for Team Penske and all admitted it hadn’t ended the way they’d hoped. Calling the situation, unacceptable.

But …

What if you were the NASCAR official in charge during the Nationwide finale, would you have thrown the red flag? Why or why not?

@BeeOhBeeRT_BUP Yes. There was a championship hanging in the balance, and every lap under green is vital to determining it.

@TheOrangeCone yes. 17 laps is too long

@jackrlewis yes; because it’s common sense

@StrokerAce90 yes. That was crazy.

@ARosser14 Yes. Because it was ridiculous not to. They had to have known how much fluid Clements’ car dropped.

Monday, January 13th 'What If' Question

For those who haven’t heard, Chase Elliott is now officially going NASCAR racing.

Earlier this month it was announced that Elliott had signed a full-time deal with JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series. He’ll drive the No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet with crew chief Greg Ives. Coming after Elliott won his first career Camping World Truck Series race last season but has yet to run a single lap in NNS competition.

The son of 1988 Cup champion Bill Elliott has grown up in NASCAR garages. Having the best to learn from as he’s made his way through the racing ranks. The younger Elliott becoming a legend in his own right on short tracks.

So with the name come the expectations. Before Elliott was even old enough to compete in NASCAR he was already being called the heir apparent to Jeff Gordon’s No. 24. Now that Elliott is signed to a NNS deal, as well as linked to Hendrick Motorsports as a development driver, the scenario could become quite likely over the next few seasons.

Right now his NNS deal is a multi-year one according to JRM. The trend seeming to be for young drivers that two full years in the NNS and then it’s time to move to Cup. Should Elliott follow in that direction, a decision will have to be made about where he ends up and if he does indeed end up replacing Gordon.

It’s all part of speculation, something that’s familiar in NASCAR. The 2014 season hasn’t even started yet and the future is already trying to be predicted. Yet, with Elliott that’s been the case since he could walk.

And let’s not forget the biggest part of this deal: Jeff Gordon. Many have been ready to attach the retirement tag to the four-time champion since about 2005. Yet he’s not ready to entertain such notions and hasn’t revealed when exactly he plans on stepping away.

But …

What if Chase Elliott is ready for the Cup Series in 2-3 years, and with being connected to Hendrick, how do you fit him in?

@MarshallGabell After Jimmie Johnson wins two more Championships then Elliott will become Hendrick’s franchise driver

@ABolt89 5 team or will they cut ties with whoever the weaker driver is!! Honestly that is a great question

@Talon64 If it’s 3 years, then at least any one of Gordon, Stewart or Danica will be gone to open up a seat within the HMS family.

@ThomasCHitch JR Motorsports emerges.

@jshaunAU2006 in reply to @Talon64 and @KellyCrandall I still think JRM will have a cup team in the future.

@Talon64 to @jshaunAU2006 Dale Jr. would have to leave HMS for it.

@Revvin4Seven48 I figure Gordon will be done after 2015.

@jshaunAU2006 to @Talon64 Dale Sr. didn’t leave RCR for DEI.

@Talon64 to @jshaunAU2006 4 car limit in Cup would prevent Dale Jr. for owning another team while he’s driving for HMS.

@MattWisneski Chase Elliott has been lined up for the 24 car since we first head his name. I sat 2015/16 all but signed #napa24

@jasonskow I think that Jeff Gordon retires or goes part time

@jackrlewis Gordon will retire. I don’t see any other instance, unless Kahne regresses

@AustinPollak8 Gordon retires

@MikeGraf2 Gordon will be retired

@R_Informative I think we’re seeing Jeff Gordon’s career come to a close, like it or not, and that is what will make room for Chase

@HarpAmyStabler He becomes the heir apparent to Jeff Gordon. Or, he goes to a satellite team like SHR until a seat opens up at HMS.