2014 NASCAR Cup regular season

[gomick]

Sure its a different format & I never really took any notice of it until last week when "the chase" started - at this stage I don't mind the idea of 4 drivers getting knocked out after 3 races, especially if they drive for Hendricks

[canamman]

Think I am ready to see a couple top ten'rs
have a dnf this weekend to shake it up a bit
and light a fire to this chase.

[MJ_N_09]

I really feel for the 43 team. They had a great finish, but a blown engine when running 6th at Chicagoland has ensured that he will be knocked out of the chase after Dover. With how they've run the past several weeks, they could have easily had a shot at winning the championship.

As it looks, I expect Penske taking home their 2nd Sprint Cup championship after Homestead.

[Salamus]

The second half of this race was ridiculous. Completely ruined the rhythm that was established in the first half.

Sucks that Jeff had a tire go down, he was running in the top 5 for much of the race. But I know he'll bounce back next week.

And Larson is going to be a champion one day. But I prefer if he didn't do it with Ganassi!

[divxx]

Well, considering the way his star has risen, only the Hendrick empire would be capable of luring him away from his current post, and I certainly don't want that to happen.

[chernaudi]

Well, that's almost certain to happen. I can see Hendrick getting rid of Kahne when his contract lapses and Gordon, though competitive, can't race forever. I can see Kyle and Chase taking their places a few years down the road.

[rustyfan]

Hasn't Jeff Gordon already hinted at he'd very much would like to see Larson take his place in the #24 car at some point?

As for last night's race I freakin' loved it. I hope we'll go three for three next weekend with another great Chase race. Dunno if it's the new format that's done it, but whatever it is I hope it continues.

[divxx]

Yeah, Jeff definitely wants him to take over. But Ganassi has been waiting so long for a franchise driver, it will take some doing to pry him away.

I'm also enjoying NASCAR in a way I haven't for years; maybe it's the new high pressure format, maybe because the #48 looks like just another car on track, or maybe it's because I only watch the last ~30 laps of any race

[Paradise City]

I get the sense I'm watching a TV gameshow. I keep thinking they should replace Bestwick with Pat Sajak or one of those flashy gameshow guys.

[PabloTeK]

EDIT: Wrong thread!

[NaBUru38]

Allmendinger, Kurt Busch, Biffle and Almirola were knocked off the Chase. based on their poor season results, I must admit that it's fair.

But with Talladega next, I'm afraid that a few season regulars will be knocked out unfairly.

[Salamus]

I missed the second half of the race. Sucks that Harvick ran into problems. I think that team has led the most laps in the last 3 races and won none of them.

So much for "winning is more important than ever now!" Jeff's win has no significance in this Chase. They aren't even handing out bonus points for wins anymore...everyone is at 3000.

[R.Lee]

I HATE this chase non-sense. The racing, since it began, at Chicagoland, two weeks ago, has been underwhelming! I'm watching now, just out of habit/tradition -- stock car racing fan. I don't care who wins the this so called championship. IMO it does not carry the meaning of championships of the past.

[canamman]

I am ok with the Chase set up so far. What I seem to be losing
patience on are the pre and post race tv shows and interviews.
The media tries as hard as they can to manufacture a build up
and make a big deal out of the disappointment of being cut.
So I have all but cut those out. If I need some info , I will
listen to nascar on xm during the commute.

[tux]

Im a little puzzled, in the majority of races i watch there always seems to be multiple tyre failures, do Goodyear/Nascar not care about this?

The media that cover Nascar never seem to make a big deal about it, when Pirelli were having issues in f1 there was uproar.

[Salamus]

What I find more interesting is that most tire failures are coming from chase contenders. Maybe they are pushing the limits of the tires too far with their set-ups?

[gomick]

Be good if JJ, Jnr & Keselowski are out of the title running... Seems Logano & Harvick are the consistent frontrunners, tho the #18 is coming good. Pity Larson never made the chase, he is flying & Ryan Newman is going about his job very nicely too!

[Paradise City]

I don't see anyone past Logano for the "title" really.

[NaBUru38]

Ryan Newman is 4th, Kanhe 9th, Keselowski 10th, Dale 11th and Johnson 12th. Really?

[canamman]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Ryan Newman is 4th, Kanhe 9th, Keselowski 10th, Dale 11th and Johnson 12th. Really?

Yep # 2 - BK - Tied with most wins this year -5.
# 88 -D jr - Most Popular forever .
#48 - JJ - Most Championships in recent era.

All 3 at the bottom. Now we are going to see the urgency factor
start to pick up. This championship has my attention.

[rustyfan]

Originally Posted by tux

Im a little puzzled, in the majority of races i watch there always seems to be multiple tyre failures, do Goodyear/Nascar not care about this?

The media that cover Nascar never seem to make a big deal about it, when Pirelli were having issues in f1 there was uproar.

It's not causing as much of an uproar in NASCAR because it's been a known problem for years now that the teams are constantly pushing their setups to the limit, often surpassing the recommendations from Goodyear when it comes to tyre pressures, camber angles and so on.

That said there have been, of course, some races where it's been fairy obvious Goodyear hasn't brought a proper tyre. But for the most part it seems the teams are pushing it a tad too far on the setups.

Originally Posted by canamman

Yep # 2 - BK - Tied with most wins this year -5.
# 88 -D jr - Most Popular forever .
#48 - JJ - Most Championships in recent era.

All 3 at the bottom. Now we are going to see the urgency factor
start to pick up. This championship has my attention.

Yeah I must admit the uncertainty this format has produced has gotten me more interested than I first thought when I initially heard about the new format. I expect some pretty aggressive racing from the Chase drivers these next two weekends.

[KayBee]

I'm looking forward to my visit to Phoenix next month, however, whenever I visit a circuit Jimmie Johnston doesn't have a good meeting so I await the result with baited breath.

[JHamilton]

I heard it mentioned on MWM, but the irony of Newman and Kenseth advancing to the next round with no wins is hilarious.

[rustyfan]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

I heard it mentioned on MWM, but the irony of Newman and Kenseth advancing to the next round with no wins is hilarious.

They haven't advanced just yet...

I fully expect a lot of shuffling happening in the next two races - especially at Talladega.

[gomick]

Kyle Busch on the pole at Charlotte - hope he dominates!