Tuesday, July 9th 'What If' Question

Halfway through the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season, two drivers have already set the benchmark for the championship.

As well as setting themselves up to be the favorites when the Chase begins in eight weeks. Matt Kenseth has a season high four wins after 18 races, as does Jimmie Johnson. Both drivers have hit their stride with their respective teams and can dominate a race on any given Sunday.

Many have blamed Kenseth, the 2003 Cup champion, for being the reason the Chase exists. Johnson, the 2006-2010 champion, is continually shot down even in the midst of the history and milestones he continues to break.

Whereas Kenseth has seemed to find himself the right home with Joe Gibbs Racing, winning early and often, Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team just keep getting better. Finding new ways to improve either their team or their performance. One Sunday it’ll be Kenseth the favorite, the next it’s Johnson.

Then there comes the days where the two go head-to-head and it looks like the perfect preview to the 2013 Chase title fight. Entering New Hampshire Johnson leads the points, Kenseth sits sixth, mostly in part to DNF’s that haven’t been his doing as well as a early season point penalty after a failed inspection.

Regardless, these two drivers and their respective teams appear to be the best in the series right now. A lot can change before the Chase and many more drivers can silently creep into the picture when the 10-week playoffs begin. After all, it wasn’t expected for Brad Keselowski to take home the title last year, or Clint Bowyer to finish second in his first season with his new team.

But …

What if the championship comes down between Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson, who'd you rather see win another title? Matt get #2 or Johnson get #6

@chreister89 Kenseth! 

@srs1159 Matt for sure

@kathyrmoore I'd much rather see Matt get #2!

@HD388 no question @mattkenseth. The guy is due for a 2nd championship

@Daniels_Caudill absolutely @mattkenseth, I haven't watched him win a championship. I watched @JimmieJohnson win five.

@JamersonD I'm probably in the minority, but I'd rather see @JimmieJohnson win #6. I think its cool seeing him make history.

@tpt0413 JJ for sure!

@Nascarnoll Matt

@mkdowd definitely @mattKenseth 

@Gman1439 Kenseth! 

@PenskeRacin1fan Kenseth 

@wwespnascar2924 I rather see... Johnson win his 6th actually 

@scubazuke I'm going to go against the grain and say @JimmieJohnson. It's history every time he gets another and closer to 7.

@hookemhorns51 Definitely @mattkenseth for #2

Joe Shepherd (via Facebook) Kenseth, without a doubt

Craig Taureck (via Facebook) Kenseth

Rebecca Turbeville (via Facebook) Kenseth

Josh Genthe (via Facebook) Kenseth, but if I had my druthers I'd prefer Truex Jr.

Stroker Ace (via Facebook) Normally I'd say JJ and Team Chevy. However..... I would so love to see Kenseth win it just so he could be the Top Dog at JGR

Dustin Parks (via Facebook) Despite Johnson's fast start, Kenseth has not made mistakes to this point. Just had some parts fail him. My bet is on the 20

Josh Jones (via Facebook) Kenseth

Dawn Emery-Watson (via Facebook) Kenseth!

Barb Dawson (via Facebook) don't even have to think about that one...Kenseth

Ellen Trdina (via Facebook) Def would rather see Kenseth get it. Johnson's bunch push the envelope a little too far to suit me, kinda like Ferrari did with Michael Schumacher. Yeah, they're great drivers but don't cheat (not exactly cheating, just bending the rules) to get the extra edge

Dan Sanger (via Facebook) In a battle of the Home Improvement stores I have to go with Kenseth and Home Depot 

Saturday, March 30th 'What If' Question

The Sprint Cup Series championship picture is constantly changing. Teams go from contenders to pretenders and vice versa. There are drivers who get hot at the right time and charge into the Chase.

Perhaps rarely though, if ever before, had a championship picture changed so dramatically than five races into the season. But when Denny Hamlin crashed on the final lap in the final corner of the Auto Club Speedway two weeks ago, that’s exactly what happened. The crash, involving new foe / old teammate Joey Logano, resulted in Hamlin suffering a compression fracture to the L1 vertebra in his back.

The diagnosis puts Hamlin out of his No. 11 FedEx Toyota for a minimum of five weeks. Taking him out of Chase contention, at least temporarily. Mark Martin will sub for Hamlin at Martinsville and Brian Vickers will be the driver starting at Texas. Hamlin was sitting 10th in points leaving California and will now start to slide backwards with ever race he misses.

Except, it’s not impossible for Hamlin to make the Chase when he returns. The most important thing will be for him to win and try to get himself in the top 20 in points. From there, thanks in part to NASCAR’s new wildcard rule in which drivers who are outside the top 10 in points but have a win, Hamlin could get a Chase spot.

The good news is that some of Hamlin’s best tracks will be ahead of him when he returns. Thus making it difficult, but not impossible for him to make the 2013 Chase for the Championship, something he’s done every season since he’s been in the NSCS.

It will be a few weeks though, before any of that can be set in motion. In the meantime, Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the points as teammate Jimmie Johnson looks for another Martinsville win. Danica Patrick is struggling early in her Rookie season and Tony Stewart made it clear, again, that he’s not a fan of blocking.

But …

What if Denny Hamlin comes back from his injury and makes a charge into the Chase, will he be the story of the year? 

@HD388 without question if @dennyhamlin makes the Chase after coming back from injury it is the story of the year. I think the only story bigger than Hamlin coming back to make the Chase would be if Junior wins the title

@WilliamCheerboy No because it'll be impossible

@JoJo_6040 Depends on who might win the championship. He'd definitely be one if not the biggest stories & probably for years to come

Tuesday, December 26th 'What If' Question

The 2001 death of Dale Earnhardt changed the complexion of NASCAR in many ways. Earnhardt was killed on the last lap of the Daytona 500 while running third, he hit the turn four wall head-on after losing control of his iconic No. 3 and making contact with other competitors.

Since that time the cars, some tracks, and a plethora of safety innovations have both changed and revolutionized the sport we’ve all come to know and love. For as much as Earnhardt did for the sport as he lived, he’s continued to do so in death. Except, it’s not just the sport that’s changed, those in it have as well.

When he was alive, Earnhardt and wife Teresa ran his own three car operation, Dale Earnhardt Inc., with drivers Steve Park, Michael Waltrip and son Dale Earnhardt Jr. After his passing the company was continued on by Teresa, who did her best to keep her husband’s legacy alive while putting a championship ran team on track.

Soon, as the racing world watched, everything fell apart. Earnhardt Jr., who raced with other family members such as his cousin and uncle, found himself at odds with his stepmother. Changes were being made that he didn’t agree with and prior to the 2007 season he put his cards on the table: give him some control of the company or he walks out of the door.

Teresa never blinked and Earnhardt Jr. signed with Hendrick Motorsports beginning with the 2008 season. Making it easier for her was the fact that Earnhardt Sr. had never had his will changed – perhaps because he either never thought about it or didn’t want to – leaving the company in her control and not with his children.

In any case, what Earnhardt may or may not have wanted, was never seen. Earnhardt Jr. went on to have a successful season: winning one race and making the Chase with DEI doing the opposite. They failed to win and his former car, the No. 8 was shut down because of a lack of sponsorships.

Starting in 2009 the company would be merged with Chip Ganassi’s, forming Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing. They’re biggest season to date would be a year later, 2010, when driver Jamie McMurray won the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400. They have yet, however, proven to be championship contenders.

Earnhardt Jr. meanwhile has experienced his own ups and downs at HMS. He made the Chase in 2008, 2011 and this past season. Yet, he’s won only twice and is working with his third different crew chief.

His Nationwide Series team, which he brought to HMS as well, has found themselves in a similar situation. They brought Brad Keselowski to the spotlight before he left for Penske and now a Cup championship, before struggling to fill their seats and find the winner's circle. Danica Patrick has come and gone, JRM bringing her to NASCAR and now setting her off to a Cup ride of her own.

And the family aspect isn’t as strong for Earnhardt Jr. anymore either. Both his cousin and uncle have left under difficult circumstances. Sister Kelley, who also owns part of JRM, remains at Earnhardt Jr.’s side.

But …

What if DEI had been left to the Earnhardt children - not Teresa - how different would everything/one be now? Including Eanhardt-Ganassi? 

@JamersonD I think EGR wouldn't exist. Still DEI with Jr stil in the 8. I think they'd be getting engines from Hendrick now though. 

@TomLglEdtr hard to say; by most accounts Teresa had great marketing sense (value of Dale Sr. brand); would his kids appreciate that?

@HD388 EGR never happens. Jr stays & DEI would be a solid 3 car operation with that puts all 3 cars in the Chase year after year

@SMofHRinHC It would have fallen apart even faster. 

Kenneth J Carlson (via Facebook) Dale Jr would still be driving the 8 car

Clayton Caldwell (via Facebook) Good question....All the Chevy teams are now second to Hendrick who is quickly becoming the dominate force in NASCAR. Would it have been different. Yes, but how much different. IDK. It wouldn't have been family run cause Pops and Jr got canned at JR Motorsports so .... 

Kelly Crandall (via Facebook - responding) But would they have been? Would things have gone on this far and like they are now? This can be a loaded question because it affects so many people and a few different companies. 

Clayton Caldwell (via Facebook) I agree. My thing is though look at a team like RCR. They are not even close to a team like Hendrick. Harvick left to drive for Hendrick's B team next year? As bad as a job Teresa did running the organization  would it be different? IDK. I mean Chip Ganassi had to merge and he has a ton of money. It's just a completely different sport than it was in 2007 and IDK if DEI would still be a powerhouse. 

Kelly Crandall (via Facebook) It's been a crazy few years since it happened. I think you also have to look at how many changes she made, and if Junior or Kelley being in charge, if they would have made the same ones. Such as moving around teams and personnel, like sending the 8 team to Michael beginning in 2005. Or how Jr.'s Nationwide team would be like now if he didn't have as close an association with Hendrick. And if he never goes to Hendrick, is Kyle still there? Many different ways to look at it, I guess. It's interesting to look back at how much has happened. 

Clayton Caldwell (via Facebook) Yeah and I'm not tryin to kill Jr but this is fact, I mean with the way he struggled so bad in the "COT" they woulda looked at other alternatives, which probably means merger. It is sad what happened to that team, and a lot of teams since 2007. I mean DEI made their own engines. Coming into next year we are going to have 5 engine builders! 5! In 2007 we had 12. It's just changed so much. 

Kelly Crandall (via Facebook) He never did figure out the COT, hated it, in fact. Wonder if he had worked with Pops if he would have done a little better?

Clayton Caldwell (via Facebook) You never know. I mean Pops coulda struggled in the COT too. I think Zipadelli couldn't get his arms around that car and that's part of the reason why the 20 struggled so bad and the 14 and 39 took a hit this year. Just my opinion. 

Thursday, December 20th 'What If' Question

Ford Championship weekend in Homestead-Miami again played host to NASCAR's grand finale. All three National Series would be crowning champions, with the possibility of all three being first-time champions at that.

The first act of the three act weekend was the Camping World Truck Series and the Ford EcoBoost 200. James Buescher entered the weekend as the point leader, hanging to a 15 point advantage on rookie Ty Dillon. Buescher, racing for team owner and father-in-law Steve Turner, was looking for his first title in just his fourth full season.

Buescher had dominated the year, winning the most races (four) and leading the points the final four weeks. Except Dillon wasn't about to let Buescher have an easy clinching race, entering the final race of the season with hopes of becoming the second Dillon to win the CWTS title in as many years. Older brother Austin had won it the year before.

For much of the event Buescher was in firm control of his destiny, ahead of Dillon on track and keeping his point lead. As the race wound down however, business picked up and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team played their hand, making the necessary adjustments to move Dillon up in the field and more importantly, ahead of Buescher.

With two laps to go he was running second when fellow rookie Kyle Larsen made a bold move to his inside in turn three. The two made contact and hit the wall ending both of their nights and Dillon's championship run. At the time, he would have been within one point of Buescher as they ran on the track.

Dillon instead finished 25th while Buescher came home 13th and won the championship. Afterwards, though disappointed, Dillon noted that he was at peace with that occurred because his team had given it everything they had in trying to win the championship in their first year together. He'll be back in 2013 to try again.

But ...

What if Ty Dillon doesn't wreck at Homestead while racing Kyle Larsen, does he overtake and beat James Buescher for the championship?

@Talon64 As long as the race goes caution-free, then Buescher probably would've slipped back enough for Ty to take it.

@JorgeMondacaFOX No

@HMPPhoto I think he was reaching for straws and going for broke! Like wouldn't have caught Buescher!

Tuesday, October 9th 'What If' Quesiton

Sometimes all it takes to ruin the perfect moment or the perfect race, is one split second decision. Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart found himself in that position when he came down the track to block Michael Waltrip's big run and caused a 25 car wreck.

Stewart, who was leading at the time, was trying to win the race. When he quickly found himself in the sucker-hole, the middle of the track with cars flying past on the outside and inside, he made the only decision he could: try to protect his position.

Stewart ended up getting turned by Waltrip who was being pushed by Casey Mears. When the dust settled and the checkered flag was shown, Matt Kenseth was declared the winner with only Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon making it through the carnage behind him. Stewart did apologize for starting the wreck and took responsibility, but many others weren't happy with the type of racing they had seen.

Most vocal was Dale Earnhardt Jr., who we learned later had suffered a concussion. He'll be sitting out the next two Sprint Cup Series races.

The wreck also shook up the point standings. Brad Keselowski extended his lead to 14 over Johnson, who wrecked while Keselowski was able to save his car and drive to a seventh place finish. Anything could have happened had the pack made to the finish line as they were, instead one mistake on the final lap, in the final corner changed everything.

Such is the life in NASCAR.

But ..

What if Stewart and Waltrip didn't get together and start last lap crash, of that big pack coming off turn four, take your pick: who wins Talladega?

@TheOrangeCone Josh Wise

@Anthony_Stuart Kenseth: not enough time was left for them to get by him

@FurnitureRow_78 Waltrip definitely would have won!

@NaScArFaN995 michael waltrip or casey mears

@Gman1439 Waltrip vs Kenseth, I say Waltrip would of won

@31SpazCat15 I think Mikey wins!!

@philenespanol Mikey. He had a full head of steam (hence getting into smoke) and probably would have settled it between him and Clint

@mattwoodruff29 Harvick he was right on Kenseth's and could had went for the win!

@NancyatStudioN Michael Waltrip

@chuckallen2 @mw55 was going to win, no doubt in my mind. His momentum, getting pushed in the perfect spot on track were just enough

@Rasenna Tony! He's the man!

@HarpAmyStabler I think that Mikey or Casey Mears would have duked it out for the win.

Thursday, September 9th 'What If' Question

It all comes down to one race and two drivers. While others are still mathematically eligible  to make this year's Chase for the Sprint Cup Series Championship, all eyes are on Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon going to Richmond.

Busch holds the second Wild Card spot, with his one win from May at the same track. Gordon sits 14th, fighting a year of bad luck and many mechanical failures. He too, has a lone win from Pocono. And the scenario is simple: whoever finishes ahead of the other will make the Chase.

Yet, while both Busch and Gordon have had their fair share of success at the Virginia track, Busch enters the weekend as the favorite. He's the most recent winner at the track and it's Gordon who has to beat him. A tall task simply because of the fact that anything and everything that could happen to a driver and team this season, has to Gordon.

They must continue to fight from behind if they want a shot at the Chase. A situation neither company, Joe Gibbs Racing with Busch and Hendrick Motorsports with Gordon, imagined themselves in before the season started. Except here they are, Busch not wanting to miss the Chase again as he did in 2009 and Gordon hoping to have something go right in his season. Saying it's never over until it's over, and he too, doesn't want to experience being on the outside looking in as he did in 2005.

Each driver knows what they have to do, Busch feeling confident in his team and the track. Gordon looking to avenge a heartbreaking loss to Hamlin at Atlanta, saying he won't make the same mistake twice.

But ...

What if Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon are running together on the last lap Saturday, who makes it back to the checkered flag and into the Chase?

@ARosser14 Whoever's third

@HarpAmyStabler Kyle makes it to the Chase and the checkered flag

Wednesday, August 29th 'What If' Question

A failed drug test at Kentucky and subsequent suspension at Daytona - then firing from Penske - did more than lose AJ Allmendinger his ride in NASCAR. It opened the door to one of the silliest seasons in the Sprint Cup Series and this year's version of musical race seats.

With Allmendinger off the track and taking care of his personal business, Sam Hornish Jr. stepped into the No. 22 Shell / Pennzoil Dodge. Hornish soon found himself doing double duty, competing for the Nationwide Series championship while helping keep the Cup team head's above water. And Hornish hasn't done that bad of a job, impressing many and starting the whispers of who should be in the car full-time.

Those whispers quickly died down when Matt Kenseth not only announced he was leaving Roush - Fenway Racing but reports ran wild that he was going to join Joe Gibbs Racing. That meant more dominoes needed to fall, such as who Kenseth would replace or if another JGR car was going to be added to the stable.

Yet, as details started to emerge of Kenseth's new home with JGR it became clear that Joey Logano was also going to be someplace else in 2013. Penske and the 22 was the logical choice, although many held out hope that the Captain, Roger Penske, would keep the seat in-house and reward Hornish's efforts.

That didn't happen. Kenseth is going to Logano's ride at JGR and Logano is going into Allmendinger / Hornish's ride at Penske. It's the NASCAR snowball effect, one thing leads to another. When one car opens .. well, you get the idea.

Fortunately for Hornish, he still has a job in '13 as he'll remain with Penske, running a full-time NNS schedule again with hopes of Cup races.

But ...

What if AJ Allmendinger was still in the 22, and with Kenseth going to JGR, where would Logano have ended up in 2013 since the 22 would be unavailable? 

@17FordFan Logano would stay at JGR and run full NNS and possible NSCS races if they had sponsor $

@chuckallen2 Probably full time JGR Nationwide/ PT Cup deal. Although nothing was indicating that AJ would keep it regardless.

@HD388 Logano would go back to the Nationwide Series for JGR til sponsorship for a 4th car could be found but

@abullins I've heard Penske started talking to Logano before Kentucky so it would still be his probably.