The 2017 Winston Cup Series: Martinsville Madness

Chase Elliott gets turned into the wall by Denny Hamlin in the closing laps of the First Data 500.

     A wild finish at Martinsville gave Kyle Busch his 5th win of 2017, and secured his spot in Homestead's final four. After leading early, Busch was hardly part of the conversation until the very end. Brad Keselowski led the closing laps until a late caution for Joey Logano. Keselowski was then run up the racetrack by Chase Elliott on the next restart, who in turn was dumped in turn 3 by Denny Hamlin. In 'overtime', Hamlin couldn't hold off Kyle Busch, who grabbed the win before a massive pile-up on the frontstretch... Elliott went after Hamlin, slamming his #11 into the backstretch wall. Two of the race's best cars, Elliott and Joey Logano, wound up 27th and 24th. Kyle Busch did lead the most laps, 184, finishing ahead of Martin Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer, Brad Keselowski, and Kevin Harvick.

Several cars were involved in a crash at the checkered flag, including Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, and Ryan Blaney. Chase Elliott idles in the foreground, before going after Hamlin.

Elliott and Hamlin discuss the on-track incident...

     I found the last few laps at Martinsville to be pretty unnecessary, and a byproduct of the new format. With three to go, there's no way Denny Hamlin wrecks Elliott if they're not racing for a spot at Homestead. Also, with no double-file restarts, a lot of cars could have been saved at that checkered-flag crash. It was disappointing to see the strongest cars in the closing laps, Elliott, Keselowski, and Logano not competing for the win. Seeing Kyle Busch and Truex Jr. emerge on the last few circuits just didn't feel right. It's not at all reflective of the race's first 490 laps, which did have great racing, just not dump-and-run.
     I'm not a fan of the new NASCAR system. I hated the chase, hate the playoffs, and can't stand the desperation it causes. The last few laps at Martinsville were a perfect example. We thankfully haven't seen these kind of incidents too often in 2017. NASCAR may see excitement; I see a driver who got dumped, and 10 needlessly wrecked race cars. It's also a bummer for Chase Elliott; he still doesn't have that first win, and found another unfortunate way to lose.

     With that, here's an updated look at the standings. With Busch's win, he gained six points on Truex Jr., and is now 54 back... Kyle Larson was the big loser, finishing 38th after a wreck and dropping three spots to 6th. Brad Keselowski moves into 5th place. With only three races to go, 'Rowdy' is running out of time to catch the 78. If anything, Busch would have to hope for a Truex catastrophe in the homestretch. If Busch has anything going for him, it's that Truex Jr. has never won at the final three tracks, Texas, Phoenix, and Homestead.

     Next up on the Cup schedule, the less-exciting-than-Martinsville race at Texas, the AAA Texas 500. If there's any track that 'belongs' to Jimmie Johnson, this is it. Johnson has 7 wins at Texas, including 4 of the last 6. Look for him to potentially punch his ticket to Homestead. Another driver to watch is Matt Kenseth, who has an average finish at 9th there, and two wins. And of course, don't count out Truex. It is, after all, a 1.5 mile track...

Kyle Busch celebrates after winning the First Data 500

The 2017 Winston Cup Series: Truex forges ahead at Kansas

Erik Jones (77) goes airborne in a crash with Jamie McMurray (1), Daniel Suarez (19) and others on Lap 197. Martin Truex Jr. (lower right) sneaks by on his way to eventual victory.

     It was another big day for Martin Truex Jr., as he captured his 7th win of the season at Kansas. Truex started on the pole, but he didn't sit out front for the whole race. On an early restart, the #78 was penalized for going onto the apron while leading the field to the green flag. Truex then ran into more trouble, with a vibration that put him a lap down. Somehow, Truex still recovered, coming back to lead the final 57 laps. He not only sweeps Kansas this year, but also becomes the first driver to win 7 races in a season since Matt Kenseth in 2013. Kurt Busch, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top-5 at Kansas. Also having impressive runs were Chris Buescher in 6th, Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 7th, and Aric Almirola in 9th.

Kyle Larson blows an engine early in the Hollywood Casino 400, ending up 39th.

     Several "playoff" drivers ran into trouble during the Hollywood Casino 400. Jimmie Johnson spun on two separate occasions, but recovered to finish 11th. Matt Kenseth was collected in a large crash on Lap 197, and forced out of the race on a 'crash clock' technicality. But the biggest letdown of all was when Kyle Larson blew an engine early, and finished back in 39th. This cost Larson, who has been a championship contender all season long, a spot in the next round of the playoffs. I've never seen so many people on Twitter lash out at the current points system!

     Looking at the updated 'classic' top-5, Larson lost 42 points to Truex Jr. at Kansas. While he hasn't been 'eliminated,' Larson's chance of catching Truex Jr. took a major blow this weekend. But does 'officially' eliminating Larson make any sense? This is where the playoff format gets tested; does Ryan Blaney, who is 16th in the classic format, really deserve a shot at the championship? Or Jimmie Johnson, who only has 11 top-tens on the year? NASCAR would have to be embarrassed if Truex Jr. or Kyle Busch were not in the "final four" at Homestead.
     With four races to go in the season, Truex has all but secured his first 'classic' championship. For Kyle Busch to catch up, he has to hope something goes wrong for the 78. Truex's 60-point advantage is his largest lead all season. If you're Kyle Larson, your biggest regret has to be the 35-point penalty after Kentucky. Remember, it's a full season marathon, not a Game 7 finish. One blown motor shouldn't immediately drop the 42 from contention.

     Next up on the Cup schedule is Martinsville, the final short track race of 2017 (unfortunately). Watch for Hamlin, Keselowski, Johnson, and Kyle Busch to all race hard here; they all consistently run well at the track. One advantage for Kyle Busch: points leader Martin Truex Jr. has never won at Martinsville, and has an average finish of 20th there. It could be a chance for the 18 to gain back some points.

Martin Truex Jr. does a burnout after winning the Hollywood Casino 400.

The 2017 Winston Cup Series: Dale Jr.'s final Talladega race

Dale Earnhardt leads the field to the green flag in the Alabama 500.

     Brad Keselowski snapped a 24-race winless streak Sunday, winning the Alabama 500 with a dramatic last lap pass on Ryan Newman. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the spotlight of Talladega this weekend, for his final race at the track where he's won six times. Earnhardt started on the pole, but raced mid-pack for much of the day. He survived several on-track incidents to wind up 7th, one of only 14 cars running at the finish. Several cars battling for the championship crashed out, including Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, and Kevin Harvick. Ryan Newman finished 2nd, followed by Trevor Bayne, Joey Logano, and Aric Almirola. 19-year-old Grey Gaulding came home with a surprising 9th place finish.
     With Earnhardt Jr.'s retirement looming, Keselowski is set to become Talladega's new master. In 18 career Cup races there, Keselowski has five wins. No other active driver (aside from Dale Jr.) has more than two, meaning the #2 Miller Lite Ford will have the upper hand come 2018. 

Several cars, including Truex Jr., Kurt and Kyle Busch, and Jimmie Johnson crash out of the Alabama 500. Brad Keselowski scoots by in the #2 car, to eventually win the race.

     Despite a race featuring several crashes and three red flags, the classic points race wasn't severely impacted. Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch finished 23rd and 27th, while Kevin Harvick came home 20th. It was a better day for Kyle Larson, who finished 13th and gained 10 points on Truex, assuming 2nd in points. Truex Jr. now leads Larson by 40, Busch by 49, Harvick by 76, and Hamlin by 81. Keselowski moves back into 6th with his win, followed by Elliott, McMurray, Kenseth, and Newman.

Full top-20 standings (click for a closer look)

     While he didn't leave with a win, Earnhardt Jr. leaves Talladega as one of the track's greatest ever. He won six times, tied with Jeff Gordon, and behind only Dale Earnhardt Sr. who had 10. Some of those wins for Jr. were my favorite races... Who could forget the final lap of the 2001 EA Sports 500, where Jr. grabbed the lead as the "big one" ensued on the backstretch... Or three years later, when Earnhardt came from 11th to 1st in the final five laps? As a kid I'll always remember cheering for the #8 Budweiser Chevy, excited for the next restrictor plate race. Dale Jr. should be very proud of what he accomplished at Talladega.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrates after winning the 2001 EA Sports 500, his first of six wins at Talladega.

     Only five races remain on the 2017 schedule... Next week, the Cup drivers visit Kansas Speedway, for the Hollywood Casino 400. Of the top-6 drivers in classic points, only Kyle Larson hasn't won at Kansas. Being a 1.5 mile "cookie cutter" track, my pick goes to Truex Jr. He'll look for his 7th win of the year, as he inches closer to that first championship.

Brad Keselowski wins the 2017 Alabama 500. Ryan Newman, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. follow in 2nd, and 7th.

The 2017 Winston Cup Series: Truex Jr. wins, Busch struggles

Kyle Busch had a rough Bank of America 500, finishing 29th. Busch hit the wall several times throughout the race, and needed medical attention after exiting his car.

     Sunday's race couldn't have gone better for Martin Truex Jr., and couldn't have gone worse for Kyle Busch. While Truex Jr. led 91 of 337 laps en-route to his 6th win of 2017, Busch got into the wall several times during the race, and brought out three separate cautions. Busch wound up 29th, six laps down. Upon exiting his Toyota, Busch needed prompt medical attention after the race, due to excessive heat inside his race car, and higher carbon monoxide levels due to the car's damage. Adding insult to injury, Busch lost all the ground he recently gained on Truex Jr. in the 'classic' point standings... Coming home 2nd in the Bank of America 500 was Chase Elliott (yet again), followed by Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, and Jamie McMurray.

Some random thoughts on this year's Bank of America 500:
--This was the first fall Charlotte race scheduled for Sunday afternoon since 2002. Not only that, but the 2pm start was pushed up to 1pm due to rain in the forecast (which thankfully never showed up). I forgot how nice those early afternoon starts are; getting a race done before 5 o'clock... Maybe NASCAR should keep that in mind!
--For how well he's raced all season, it's amazing that Kevin Harvick only has one win to show for it (Sonoma). Harvick leads 149 laps at Charlotte, but winds up in 3rd.
--After an abysmal summer, Jimmie Johnson has posted four top-10's in five races, including 7th at Charlotte. During that time, he's jumped to 11th in the classic standings.
--Jamie McMurray is having his most consistent season since 2004. "Jamie Mac" ran impressively well, getting his third top-5 of 2017, and his 16th top-10.
--Dale Jarrett's pace laps in tribute to Robert Yates were priceless, and a fitting move to remember the former car owner, who passed away last week...

     With six races to go in 2017, Truex Jr. leads Kyle Busch by a comfortable 46 points. If we compare that the old Winston Cup points structure, it's basically a 200-point lead. The rest of the top-5 remains unchanged, but Chase Elliott has jumped to 6th in points, past Brad Keselowski. Elliott has finished 2nd in three of the last four races... Both Johnson and Daniel Suarez jump ahead of Ryan Newman, who wrecked early at Charlotte and finished 40th.

Martin Truex Jr. celebrates his 6th win of 2017, a career best

     Next up on the schedule is one of my personal favorites, the fall race at Talladega. It's going to be unpredictable, wild, and will likely throw a wrench into the points race (Both this one and the real one). It's also Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s final race at his best track. Dale Jr. has six wins at Talladega, tied with Jeff Gordon for 2nd most all-time, and only behind his father Dale Sr. who had 10... While it's a stretch to say Jr. will get his 7th Talladega win Sunday, he will certainly get a heartfelt goodbye from the fans. Talladega won't be the same come next season...

The 2017 Winston Cup Series: Kyle Busch wins again

Kyle Busch makes his way by Chase Elliott on lap 399 of the Apache Warrior 400. Busch goes on to win, Elliott gets his fifth career 2nd place finish.

     He came ever so close, but it was once again heartbreak for Chase Elliott. The 21-year-old led 138 laps but failed to win his first career Cup series race, passed by Kyle Busch with only two laps to go. Busch had been working to reel in the #24 car for several laps, but finally caught Elliott thanks to lapped traffic. For Busch, it's his fourth win of the year, and second in a row. In the last nine races, Kyle Busch has 4 wins, 8 top-tens, and 4 poles. His hot streak has propelled him from 4th in "classic" points to 2nd, only 15 points behind Martin Truex Jr... Jimmie Johnson came home 3rd, Truex 4th, and Larson 5th. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had an impressive run, coming home 7th for his first top-ten since June... Dover only saw two cautions that weren't stage finishes, one of which was for Jeffrey Earnhardt's crash into the pit-road entrance, causing a brief delay while crews repaired the barrels.

Jeffrey Earnhardt crashes on lap 88 of the Apache Warrior 400. Earnhardt was able to get back on track and finish 37th, 32 laps down.

     For Chase Elliott, it's another close call. In 70 career Cup starts, Elliott has five 2nd place finishes, and 18 top-fives. The runner-up finishes include two blown opportunities at Michigan in 2016. They don't even account for this year's Daytona 500, where Chase led in the closing stages only to run out of gas with three laps to go and finish 14th. Regardless, a win couldn't be closer for Elliott, whose consistent good runs have secured him a place in the "classic" top 10.
     Looking at the updated standings, Busch's win helped gain him a few extra points on Truex Jr... The gap is now 15 with seven races to go. Larson is 3rd, 38 points back... Harvick lost ground with a 17th at Dover, and Denny Hamlin dropped to 35th because of an axle problem, costing him even more. Chase Elliott's 2nd at Dover helps him keep 7th in points...

     Now let's talk "real" standings... With the "Round of 12" set in place, four drivers have been kicked out of the NASCAR playoffs: Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Austin Dillon, and Ryan Newman. Newman's ouster is unfortunate, as you can see above. Under the old format, Newman's effort is much more apparent than that of Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who held on to advance into the next round... Plus, I really thought Newman would have a good playoff run, with four-straight top-tens after Richmond. But his playoff finishes were 23rd, 13th, and 13th... I feel no disappointment watching Kurt Busch, Dillon, and Kahne be eliminated from the playoffs, thanks to their lackluster consistency. You'll notice Kahne isn't even top-20 in classic points, are you surprised he's being replaced next year?

Kyle Busch celebrates his 3rd win at Dover, and first since 2010.

     Next week, the Cup drivers return to Charlotte, for the Bank of America 500... This is another track that favors Jimmie Johnson, he has a record 8 wins there. A fun fact, Charlotte remains the only track Kyle Busch has never won on in Cup competition. We'll see if 'Rowdy' can gain any ground on Truex Jr.'s point lead...