From a NASCAR Fan’s View
The pressure is on as the Cup Teams take on the Michigan International Speedway this afternoon. There are three races to go and a lot of possibilities surrounding the way things could turn out as far as the playoffs are concerned. Things have just gotten a little tighter as far as the points situation is concerned for the spots left remaining.
After Martin Truex Jr.’s engine expired last weekend it even lessened his hold on a points lead to make it into the playoffs. Although he still has a good amount of points and can likely make it in on points unless he wins one these three races, another bad week for him just might make it even more difficult for him. If there is a new winner, just like last weekend might have done except for Austin Dillon’s last lap, it just opens the door a little wider for someone to close him out. Now, I’m not saying someone will. I’m just saying stranger things have happened and there this is a weekend that could shake things up for the playoffs.
Since I’ve mentioned the situation caused by Austin Dillon’s actions, I think now would be a good time for me to give my view of that action.
First, let me setup my premise… You see, I’ve been a NASCAR fan for a long time and I’ve been around for the entire careers of both Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano. I’ve seen them grow and mature from what and where they were when they were just coming into the ranks of NASCAR Cup until the present. During that time, they’ve said and done things they probably now may regret and, in my opinion and to be honest about it, they probably paid a price for those actions similar to what Austin Dillon did but not in the same way.
People say Karma always comes back to bite you or, in other terms, you reap what you sow. In some way, last week’s finish to the race at Richmond might have been just that. I know what I’m about to say is just my opinion but I’m going to say it anyway.
You see, over their careers, both of them have done similar or the same thing but maybe just a little less severe. There are several I can think of but just as a quick example for Joey, I mention what he did to Martin Truex Jr. several years ago that cost Martin a race. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that Truex Jr. was more than a little upset about it. It cost him the win that day along with other things. As for Denny, well, we all know he is an aggressive driver, especially when it comes down to the final laps and winning. Over recent years, we have often seen him force people into the wall as he pressed them coming out of the turns side by side with several drivers and often costing those drivers – one in particular I’m thinking of – the win or definitely a top finishing position. I also saw the actions of Austion Dillon a little differently in that final lap.
Sure, I know he was and still is desperate to win and make the playoffs for RCR. The way he took out Logano did appear to be a little “over the line” but I’m not sure it actually was. Desperate people do desperate things and it was a definite act of desperation. I admit, it was actually a little bit more than a bump and run. Where I don’t quite agree with the assessment of what happened with Hamlin is how it looked to me. I took a close look at the contact after Dillon hit Logano and Denny moved to take the lead afterwards. In typical fashion, and the way I saw it from my view, Denny tried to pull in front of Dillon to finish the pass and wasn’t quite clear, similar to the way he has pressed other drivers as he is trying to make a pass and usually has been struggling to get the advantage on the other driver. Dillon didn’t back off and give him the spot and, admittedly, did appear to hook him which put him into the wall. Austin was declared the winner and then NASCAR stepped in and made a ruling on the incident. I guess we’ll see how the appeal goes…
Any way you look at it, this race at Michigan is going to be full of aggression and emotion just like last week. Maybe even more. There is a lot riding on this race and I expect the emotions might override common sense by the time it is over. Since the qualifying was rained out and there wasn’t that much practice to be had, it makes it difficult to know which teams might have the advantage. The Fords have often run well at Michigan and they could very well rule the day again this time.
If the very shortened practice session makes any difference, the Chevys might be able to pull off a victory and it could be Ross Chastain. I don’t want to jinx him but all four of the Hendrick Chevys are starting in the top ten. Of course, less than half a practice session doesn’t tell much of how the race will go but it might give hope to the Chevy camps whether it be Hendrick, TrackHouse or others.
And then, there is the possibility of a new winner shaking everything up. From this fans view, this is going to be a good one. Hamlin may have an advantage since he will be starting on the pole but I know there are a bunch of drivers highly motivated to win and I expect many to pull out all the stops, strategy-wise, to do just that…
Hey, this is Russ and that’s my view… See ya next time…
All views expressed are strictly the opinion of the writer
© August 17, 2024 – all rights reserved
Rusty Norman, Nascarfansview.com and Justafansview.com
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