From a NASCAR Fan’s View
So… the NASCAR Cup teams take to the streets of Chicago, and so far, it looks like it might be a really interesting race. SVG basically dominated the field with his qualifying speed compared to all of the drivers that had problems navigating the course without hitting barriers of all types. Some hit concrete barriers, others ran into tire barriers. All of that action led to a lot of extra work for the teams in the garage area, and hopefully, they will get it all done without having to go to backup cars. That in itself means there could be a lot of action in the race as those drivers do their part to make up for their practice and qualifying mistakes putting them in the back of the field.
Some pretty big names had to miss qualifying and will start in the back. Chase Elliott, William Byron and Denny Hamlin are the most obvious ones not to qualify, and they have a lot of work ahead of them. Especially with the speed displayed by SVG, they may never catch up.
The biggest surprise to this fan was what happened to Denny Hamlin in his number eleven Toyota. He didn’t even make a half lap in practice before his engine blew. That was a shock to him and his team and to me. That’s just not a normal thing for a JGR Toyota.
I suppose there are two ways of looking at that situation. One way is to be thankful that it happened when it did and not in the first half of the first lap under power in the race. Another way of looking at it is that he is going to have a great race and maybe even give SVG a run for his money. The reality is, no one knows what it will mean for him, and none of us will find out until the race is over.
There are some unexpected names lining up at the front of the field for the start of the race. I mean, it isn’t that much of a surprise to see Michael McDowell up front. He is a good road racer and has shown good speed at tracks of this type. I can’t help but wonder if this might be his ticket into the playoffs. If not a win at Chicago, he will have another chance next weekend at Sonoma.
I don’t know why it would surprise me that Carson Hocevar is starting third. The kid has been qualifying fairly well, and this time is no different. I will wait to see how he finishes because he has been known to not finish well, even with great qualifying times and strong runs. He may be due to take a win, but I’m just not sure it will be at Chicago.
Tyler Reddick is another one this fan expects to do well, but I’m also not sure Chicago will be all that nice to him. He has the talent and is showing speed, but he has also struggled a bit in recent races.
I can’t believe all four of the Hendrick Chevys had problems in practice and qualifying and all four of them are starting in the rear. It looked like Kyle Larson might be the only one of the Hendrick Motorsports cars that was going to make it from his incident in qualifying. Instead, he will join the other three Hendrick teams starting in the back. I guess he just hasn’t gotten over his bout with bad racing luck yet.
Even though the four of them have their work cut out for themselves, it is possible that any one of them could work their way to the front and give SVG a challenge for the win, but let’s face it. There are a lot of possible winners in the lineup, and it would be pointless for me to point all of them out because anything can happen.
We all remember how things went at the Mexico road course race. SVG basically dominated the field and led much of the race without hardly anyone contending with him for the win, especially at the end. But even he knows anything can and probably will happen in this one. After all, things that cost a driver a race have happened before in the final laps, even to the driver who looked like he was going to win. Why would we think this race at Chicago would be any different? SVG may dominate this race, but things have happened before, and he has made mistakes that have cost him a win. Judging from his speed and road course expertise, he is the favorite to win, but this fan thinks this one won’t be over till it’s over…
Hey, this is Russ and that’s my view… See ya next time…
All views expressed are strictly the opinion of the writer
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Rusty Norman, Nascarfansview.com and Justafansview.com
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