From a NASCAR Fan’s View
I apologize for being a little late in posting this and I’m sure there will be some shouts of joy and happiness all round as to what I say next. This will probably be the shortest NASCAR Fan’s View article/blogcast I’ve ever done and you can either thank or blame Hurricane Helene for that. I’m not making any excuses and I’m not asking for sympathy; just stating the truth. Helene was a bit of a shocker because it wasn’t supposed to be as bad as it turned out to be – at least in our area.
Believe me when I tell you, I know Helene was much worse for many others but we still suffered from the effects of the storm in several ways. Our area had the second highest storm surge we’ve had in sixty years – Hurricane Ian in 2022 was the worst – and we did suffer flooding in and around where I live. During Hurricane Ian, we had seven to eight feet of surge. Helene wasn’t as bad as that but, of course, along with the flooding and the winds, we lost power and internet access for a couple of days so I have had limited access to news and other info until, basically, this morning. Plus, we’ve been cleaning up the mess from the storm.
Look, I know much of this is unimportant to all of you but, until you experience it yourself – several times in just a few years – you really can’t relate and I just couldn’t help relating a little bit of the experience to you. Like I said, I and those around me aren’t asking for sympathy but we do cherish your thoughts and prayers and, of course, your understanding. Considering there was a lot more damage to places far removed from our area, we understand the plight of those others and do the same for them.
Getting back to the matters at hand, this is the first race of the round of twelve and it is taking place at the Kansas Speedway.
After the way Kyle Larson dominated last weekend’s race at Bristol, I admit I am kind of surprised at his eleventh place starting position. I was also surprised at the way the JGR and 23XI Toyotas qualified. Chrstopher Bell on the pole and Ty Gibbs on the front row with him? They look like they have shown up with speed and determination to turn things around for themselves this weekend. Considering the way the qualifying went – I could only check the results – it appears the Toyotas may have a bit of an advantage in this one. Of course, you and I both know, qualifying has very little to do with how the race will go although last weekend did show the Chevys had speed and it carried through to the end of the race.
So, what might that mean for this weekend’s race? Well, it could be that the Toyotas could rule the day. It is my opinion that is a real possibility. Christopher Bell wants to turn things around for his Toyota JGR team, Ty Gibbs wants to win and guarantee his spot in the round of eight, Kyle Bush in his RCR Chevy wants to win and add to his consecutive seasons with a win and William Byron in his HMS Chevy is focused on showing it wasn’t a fluke how their season began.
You see, this one is a hard one to predict (as if every race this season hasn’t been a hard one to predict.) There are dark horses, and expected performers ready to rise to the occasion and end their day in Victory Lane. My question for this one is, “which of the drivers will race their way into the next round?” Will it be Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman of the HMS garage? Will Kyle Bush win his first race of the 2024 season? Will it be one of the top qualifiers or someone from way back in the starting lineup?
Well, honestly, I think I’ve already answered that question. I just don’t know and you can take that to the bank as my prediction…
Hey, this is Russ and that’s my view… See ya next time…
All views expressed are strictly the opinion of the writer
© September 29, 2024 – all rights reserved
Rusty Norman, Nascarfansview.com and Justafansview.com
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