Tag Archives: NASCAR

Tradition, Frustration, and Seduction: Kenseth Wins at Darlington

Posted on May 11, 2013 | Leave a comment

Tradition is important. It’s why we hang up certain ornaments at Christmastime, take vacations to sacred cabins in the woods, tap that poster of your driver before the race. There’s something about holding on to a pattern created so long ago that makes you feel close to the past.

That’s Darlington.

Racing illuminated my TV screen tonight. If it were in black and white, I could’ve been watching a race from the 1970s. The beginning half was a perfect example; at one point, only ten cars were on the lead lap. That screams old school to me. If you don’t enjoy a taste of that, then you need to sit in a corner and think for a while. Trust me.

Without many cautions, people began to talk. Like any other woman, The Lady in Black doesn’t like when people talk behind her back. So she came back with a vengeance at the end.

Caution after caution after caution. People were happy. Carnage, wrecking, oooooh, aaaaaah.

Kyle Busch was putting a clinic on everyone until the last restart, where Matt Kenseth caught him in his grip and tossed him aside (not literally). As soon as Kenseth passed him for the lead, Busch’s car went to Hell. In the closing laps, his machine succumbed to a cut right rear, and he fell to sixth.

Kenseth captured another win, with his teammate Denny Hamlin finishing second in his first start since March. Jeff Gordon got third, his 300th top five on the night of his 700th start. That’s pretty dang cool, if you ask me.

Busch left the scene without comment, which isn’t a surprise but a shame. Kyle seemed like he was transforming for a while, yet tonight showed how he can take two steps back after jumping up one. It’s understandable, his frustration; he was fixing to win, and a misfortune smacked him.

However, it could’ve been a lot worse. He could’ve hit the wall. He could’ve spun and collected others. He should be happy with the sixth-place finish. Heck, he jumped two spots in points, and he storms off.

Kyle isn’t the only one who’s candor is disturbing. Another example is his elder brother.

Early on in this race, Kurt Busch, who started on the pole, was flying. As soon as Mother Nature shut the lights off, though, his car went south. All you heard from the no. 78’s radio were swears and anger. Standing out to me was the statement, “I don’t even know why I drive.”

It makes me sick that drivers act so ungrateful and disrespectful when something goes wrong. With what Kurt has been through the past two seasons, it’s hard to believe he has a right. But he does, and that’s how he treats his team as soon as something goes wrong.

Both Busch brothers, and countless other drivers, need to find the positivity in races like this. Then again, it seems like society is lacking that essential optimism these days. Sad.

In the end, it was a race that sent you back in time, a serving of time traveling delight that NASCAR is in desperate need of this season. If you think that lapping 33 cars during a long green-flag run isn’t old school, then you should invest some time searching YouTube.

Winning thrice has set Kenseth up to be a championship contender this week, even after that whole penalty snafu. That’s resilience and the true form of a champ. Seducing The Lady in Black isn’t easy, but Kenseth made it seem that way.

Point Standings after Darlington

1. Jimmie Johnson (–)
2. Carl Edwards (-44)
3. Matt Kenseth (-59)
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-64(
5. Clint Bowyer (-74)
6. Kasey Kahne (-97)
6. Brad Keselowski (-97)
8. Kyle Busch (-98)
9. Aric Almirola (-106)
10.Kevin Harvick (-108)
10. Paul Menard (-108)
12. Jeff Gordon (-112)

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NASCAR Fuming after Positive Results in JGR Appeal

Posted on May 8, 2013 | Leave a comment

The NASCAR Appeal Gods smiled down on Joe Gibbs Racing today.

After hours of waiting, the verdict (in regards to penalties handed down after Matt Kenseth’s Kansas win) was revealed, and it made jaws drop everywhere. Not because it was in JGR’s favor, but because of how massive the reductions were.

Here are the new perimeters:

Jason Ratcliff’s seven race suspension has been reduced to one race. His $200,000 fine is still in effect. No word on who will replace him for that one race.

Matt Kenseth can rest easy; the win in question can now be used to grab him a Wild Card slot. He is also eligible for the Sprint Unlimited. His points penalty was also reduced from 50 to 12. This puts him 4th in points.

Joe Gibbs’ owners’ points penalty was also cut from 50 to 12. His owners license has been reinstated, and he can collect points on that side yet again.

The only increase in penalties did a disservice to the team’s manufacturer, Toyota, who was first penalized 5 manufacturer points. That has been increased to 7 points.

The group doesn’t plan an appealing to Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrook. Everyone is happy with the outcome . . .except NASCAR.

A spokesperson for NASCAR claimed that this won’t change how the organization penalizes/enforces rules in the future. They “aren’t worried” about their authority being taken away due to the appeal ruling.

“We cannot speculate on intention. We have to regulate based on whether it was right, or whether it was wrong,” the spokesperson went on to say.

This is a huge win for Joe Gibbs Racing and teams/drivers alike, defeating the Goliath made up of different rules, restrictions, and frowned-upon actions. However, could this huge loss for NASCAR give them less of an edge over its participants? We will have to wait and see the long-term results, but it’s obvious what the consensus is on that subject.

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One for the Books: Ragan Wins at Talladega

Posted on May 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

Night races are ones for the book. You know, a leather-bound, inch-thick page turner that rests on the highest ledge of the tallest bookshelf. It doesn’t get cracked open often, but the magic that is night racing spreads it wide open.

Yet, what about a race that isn’t scheduled to run at night? What if Mother Nature has different plans? Pushes it to the line between dusk and pure darkness? Does that get it in the books?

Talladega does. Oh yes, it does.

The first aspect that makes it noteworthy is the rain. Oh, how rain is desirable to farmers and desert dwellers. Yet, it brings trouble on race day.

Yesterday’s showers pushed the Nationwide start off by a few hours, and spring flowers were nowhere to be seen. It was known that the same thing could happen to the Cup race, so NASCAR brought the green flag up by twenty minutes. That couldn’t stop Mother Nature from raining on the stock car parade with sixty laps to go. She cried and cried, and we were forced into a three-and-a-half long red flag.

Tick, tock. Tick, tock. Tick, tock. DING! It was finally time to race. But not before teams uncovered their cars and realized the rain damaged their electrical setups. Well, that was just Juan Pablo Montoya, but it was still terrible.

Dear Mother Nature, Go cry somewhere else. We don’t want you here.

Another type of rain came down, and it was made up of sparks and broken parts. The thunderstorm that is known as The Big One made an appearance twice in Alabama. The first time include championship-contenders Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch, in reminiscent shades of Daytona, and it collected around sixteen cars. SIXTEEN cars gone before lap 50.

The second installment of The Big One occurred after the red flag was lifted, and it began when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. attempted to make it four-wide. That obviously didn’t work, and it resulted in Kurt Busch flipping and landing on Ryan Newman’s hood. Oops.

Because that included twelve cars, there number of cars running at the finish was about fifteen. However, those fifteen cars put on a heck of a Green-White-Checkered finish.

In the controlled chaos that was the final three laps, a lone victor pushed through the madness and took the checkered flag.

David Ragan, the driver of the no. 34 for Front Row Motorsports sliced and diced between lanes to claim his second career win, the first coming during the night race at Daytona long ago.

A low-budget team, a driver who was pushed out from a top-tier team, and nothing to lose? That’s an underdog story we can all appreciate.

So, is this Talladega race worthy of going into the books?

A wet racetrack, crumpled sheet metal, and an emotional winner all say yes.

Point Standings after Talladega

1. Jimmie Johnson (–)
2. Carl Edwards (-41)
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-59)
4. Clint Bowyer (-67)
5. Brad Keselowski (-69)
6. Kasey Kahne (-84)
7. Aric Almirola (-90)
8. Paul Menard (-93)
9. Kyle Busch (-98)
10. Greg Biffle (-103)
11. Matt Kenseth (-104)
12. Kevin Harvick (-107)

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Mid-Ohio Brings Road Course Magic to Nationwide Series

Posted on April 28, 2013 | 1 Comment
Mid-Ohio will hold its first NNS event on August 17th (NASCARmedia.com)

Mid-Ohio will hold its first NNS event on August 17th (NASCARmedia.com)

As you grow up, there are adventures that grasp a section of your heart and never let go. Nails digging in, yet the intent is comforting like an old song. They are marks that can never be washed away, tattoos of past glories and experiences. Distinction highlights its outline, making it stand out forever.

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has that halo for me.

When the track’s addition to the NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule was revealed, all I could think about was last summer’s IndyCar race, how small I became when I first stepped into their Media Center, what realizations I had soon after. There wasn’t anything more special or remarkable than that time spent around the track.

President Craig Rust, who ran Watkins Glen for nine season, knows how road courses work -and how magically they can be.

“The NASCAR community has bad their eyes open about road course racing. The driver’s today have very diverse backgrounds, and it produces a great product. When the product’s good, people will come out.”

Rust also pointed out, “If [Mid-Ohio was] another oval . . .I don’t think NASCAR would’ve taken as hard of a look.”

That hard look began in October, and Jesse Ghiorzi, the Marketing and Communications Manager for Mid-Ohio, remembered how quickly the decision happened. When the date was announced in November, it was the beginning of “the busiest off-season.”

“We’ve been in regular contact with NASCAR, they have been super helpful . . .I’ve called other PR Managers at other tracks, you know, to figure out what to expect. There’s pressure all around.”

Ghiorzi is also optimistic in that race weekend, which is August 16th through 17th. “I think that it’ll be good . . .so many tickets have been sold already . . .rating are high. It’s going to be awesome.”

A twisting road course, Mid-Ohio will add something more than turns to the NNS line-up; one attribute to the location is the light air that surrounds it.

“It definitely has a picnic and park feel,” noted Ghiorzi. “With a fair-priced General Admission ticket, you can bring cooler, camps, grills . . .kids twelve-years old and under get in free, and general parking is free, too.”

The track also held a public test on April 15th, which included driver Sam Hornish Jr. May 3rd will mark a free fan event, where fans will be able to enter an autocross competition to win tickets to the track, and a $10 donation can be made to get you in the pace car for a ride.

You can tell the track is focused on providing a memorable experience, whether it be to a young child’s first NASCAR memories, or to a seasoned IndyCar fan who’s curious about the other side of racing.

However, another factor into all of this is the sudden attention Ohio and its racetracks are receiving, and this is something that Mid-Ohio can gain upon.

“I think the fact that I made the call [was a big step],” Rust stated. “We wanted a NASCAR race. Trucks on dirt [Eldora Speedway] is a pretty cool concept . . .the NNS race fits well [here], with the track being in Nationwide Insurance’s backyard. We also have Nationwide Children’s Hospital as the title sponsor.”

The Ohio roots run deep, and the old song comes back.

Whether you are attending to relive old memories, or to create new ones, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is eager to help you.

Maybe it will have a halo for you someday.

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Kenseth, Team Penalized by NASCAR’s New Tough Persona

Posted on April 24, 2013 | 2 Comments

In post-race inspection, Matt Kenseth’s no. 20, covered in champagne and confetti, was tore down and, apparently, in the wrong.

News spread today that Kenseth’s connection rod in the engine was too light by, reportedly, almost three grams. In turn, the driver was docked 50 points, knocking him down to 14th in the standings, tying him with Jeff Gordon. Also, his Kansas pole/win won’t guarantee his spot in the Sprint Unlimited or The Chase.

So, basically, all he got from that win was a pretty trophy.

On the crew side of things, it isn’t looking good, either. Crew chief Jason Ratcliff was fined $200,000 and suspended for seven races, including the All-Star Race. His probation is scheduled to last until December 31st.

Car Owner Joe Gibbs has also lost 50 points in the owners’ championship pool. The team plans to appeal, but not much will come from that, I assume.

This is yet another penalty in the string of consequences this season, which begs this questions: Is NASCAR attempting to overcompensate? My theory is that they are going leaps and bounds to put restrictions on things.

I don’t believe this will end well. We definitely have another appeal to watch out for, though NASCAR seems cemented in their decision to try and scare teams into line.

Good luck with that working.

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Suspenseful Race Shows Rockingham’s Potential

Posted on April 14, 2013 | Leave a comment
Kyle Larson dominates Rockingham (via nascarmedia.com)

Kyle Larson dominates Rockingham (via nascarmedia.com)

Suspense is an important player in any sport you witness. Whether it’s a buzz-beating three-pointer at the end of the fourth quarter, or the final set in a tennis match, everyone’s stomach falls into their feet when it comes down to the ultimate moments.

In NASCAR, that ultimate moment is a game of cat and mouse between a young rookie and a Cup driver. It’s also when a caution flies with two to go.

This picture was painted at Rockingham Speedway Sunday afternoon, where Kyle Larson was commanding the majority of the NCWTS race in his fifth series start. As the laps began to wind down, Joey Logano was coming, sliding past Johnny Sauter for second with nearly ten cycles to go. The distance was narrowing, the trucks coming closer and closer. Throats and guts everywhere tightened as the dance between the two sped up. Who was going to get this win?

Two laps to go. That’s when the caution flew for a wreck behind the pair. As if that wasn’t enough cause for shock, word of Bubba Wallace Jr. hitting the wall after the caution was shown. A video replay revealed that Truck series veteran Ron Hornaday intentionally spun Wallace right into the wall. Hornaday was sent to the tail end of the longest line, making him lose only four spots in retrospect.

Though fans were frustrated with how that issue was treated, more important situations needed attention, like the final restart between Larson and Logano.

It was simple: Larson got a great restart, not even thinking about playing defense on the Cup driver. After he got that jump, it was over, and Kyle Larson earned his first Truck win at the same track where he claimed last year’s K&N Pro Series East championship.

To be quite honest, I dislike when Cup drivers dive into the lower series, yet today was a reason to enjoy such moments; it was a different sort of pressure that helped Larson adjust and react and grow. Maybe this race has helped change my mind. Who knows.

After the race ended, Hornaday was called into the NASCAR hauler to talk with Director Chad Little for his actions on-track. SPEED caught up with him, and he claimed it was payback for how Wallace raced him right before the caution.

No matter how the other driver raced you, there is no reason to wreck someone with the caution out. Never. Remember Texas a few years back when Hornaday was in Bubba’s position, with Kyle Busch the antagonist? NASCAR should park him next week. That dangerous behavior cannot be tolerated.

Rockingham, a track from Cup series past, is a fan favorite because of its underdog story and remarkable comeback. Today, it proved that it is worthy of a NNS or Cup date, providing a great finish and actual racing.

Only time will tell if we will see another cat and mouse game play out between upper-level drivers, yet this Truck series’ fire and hunger is just fine with me.

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Dominance, Snakes, and Candor Encapsulate Texas

Posted on April 14, 2013 | 5 Comments
Kyle Busch performs his burnout after officiously showing his talents on Saturday night.

Kyle Busch performs his burnout after officiously showing his talents on Saturday night.

In his 300th NSCS start, Kyle Busch won at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday night after winning Friday night in the NNS race. It’s obvious that Busch’s new nickname should be The Dominator.

Whether you love him, dislike him, or really dislike him, the youngest Busch brother is the epitome of attainment. He runs his car to the ragged edge, slithering and winding, until his prey is coiled within his grip and striking distance. If he is given a terrible racecar, he works his magic until it’s in Victory Lane.

Luckily, Busch’s car wasn’t horrendous. In fact, it was stout, solid enough to beat his older brother for the pole. This was a key moment for the weekend; it’s what helped him win the race.

It all came down to the last pit stop; Busch was trailing Martin Truex Jr., his only competition, when the caution flew for debris. When the leaders paraded down, everyone was on the edge of their seats. It was a vital moment, and it’s one Busch flourished in. Having the pole allowed him to chose the first pit stall, and, during that last stop, he sped off and secured the lead for the restart.

After that, it was over. Truex couldn’t catch him, a tightening car to blame, and the youngest Busch brother claimed his 26th Cup win and his first at Texas.

There is a sense of monotony when races end like this, where the driver the fans generally dislike wins the race and seemingly runs away with it. However, it’s a paradox that’s practically impossible to weave out, its folds holding you back. At certain times, it seems like the other drivers aren’t trying, that they are letting him run away with the race.

We all have to realize that Kyle Busch is a remarkable talent, despite an attitude that has gotten him in trouble and loathed across the board. The dominance he can lay down is something few others have done.

He’s in the same boat as Jimmie Johnson at the moment; after Martinsville, many were tired of seeing the same person win over and over.

These championship caliber men shouldn’t be ridiculed or hated. It’s just racing, the order of things. When the order is meant to change, it will fall into the lap of another worthy driver.

Yet, until then, we can just sit back and watch Kyle Busch withdraw his fangs from his prey and grab another broom. Because he makes supremacy look easy.

All the issues during the race involved the pit road: penalties, awkward pit stop positions, speeding, and even more fire. Not to offend the race as a whole, but the most eccentric part of the weekend was when a pair of cars weren’t even on the grid, two blank spots in their wake.

Pre-race inspection usually produces noteworthy stories, and it didn’t disappoint; the Penske Ford machines of the no. 2 and no. 22 failed inspection about an hour before the race began. Many eyebrows were raised, considering they were two cars from the same team, but we hadn’t seen anything yet.

Pictures of Competition Director John Darby looking underneath the rear of Brad Keselowski’s car surfaced, and both crew chiefs were called to the NASCAR hauler. It turns out that the rear-end housing on both cars were “skewed improperly,” and penalties should be expected this coming Tuesday.

Lengthy trips to the garage, hauler, and grid aside, both Penske cars ended up in the top ten. Last year’s champion, however, wasn’t pleased with the treatment from NASCAR and some of his competitors.

Livid is not even the word to express how Keselowski talked to the media, and bleeping was definitely involved. One statement stood out: “There’s things going on behind the scenes that you don’t even know about.”

Keselowski might be playing Devil’s Advocate, or he could be correct. The truth will come out over time, but it’s surely causing some hesitancy within the garage and fan base yet again.

Point Standings after Texas

1. Jimmie Johnson (–)
2. Brad Keselowski (-6)
3. Kyle Busch (-18)
4. Greg Biffle (-30)
5. Carl Edwards (-35)
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-35)
7. Kasey Kahne (-37)
8. Clint Bowyer (-61)
9. Joey Logano (-62)
10. Paul Menard (-63)
11. Matt Kenseth (-65)
12. Kevin Harvick (-77)

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Martinsville Clock Chimes for Five Time

Posted on April 7, 2013 | Leave a comment

We all knew this was coming. Every since Friday, the theory was out there, bouncing around like a beach ball during a Spring Break concert. It lurked in the back of our minds as the engines fired up, an old song we’ve heard many times before. Even if you didn’t want to believe it, you knew the chances were high.

Martinsville is a predictable short track. Is that an oxymoron? Perhaps, but it’s true; each short track has its conquerors, even if the action can get capricious.

Today, we heard that song ring once more as Jimmie Johnson, and it was in the form of a grandfather clock’s toll.

For the eighth time, Johnson has won at The Paperclip, doing so from the pole position. He had the car to beat, though its condition kept shifting throughout the first half. Keeping the machine clean, he was in the prime position to get the win.

Every competitor knew that he was a force to be reckoned with, and even non-competitor Denny Hamlin could see it.

“@JimmieJohnson won’t have it that easy in the fall I promise,” he tweeted afterwards. “Congrats to them.”

It wasn’t necessarily easy, but contenders fell victim to Five-Time’s wrath and skill.

This win puts Johnson at the top of the points, a place he’s familiar with. Congratulations to him.

Now, for the rest of the race: wow. A lot of people won’t agree with that summarization, but I’ve always been different.

All day, we saw battling, tempers, and even a car on fire. I would say that’s an exciting race, even if there were parts that dragged on. The only way those boring sections could be eliminated is if the race was shorter (but I’m not officially suggesting that because someone will rip me apart for it).

One of the most extraordinary parts of today’s race was the comebacks of two drivers, the first being Mark Martin.

Imagine the struggle that entire team had to go through with someone else in their car. The lowest point, aside from qualifying terribly, was when Martin came in for an unscheduled stop. The crew dropped the jack too early, and the no. 11 started to leave before the left front tire was secured.

But, Martin kept digging and digging and digging. To be perfectly honest, how he came out with a tenth-place finish in unknown, but he did it. Great effort by him and that entire no. 11 team.

The second comeback was completed by that of Danica Patrick. Within the first handful of laps, she spun. Then she fell two laps down. For all we knew, it was going to be another mediocre finish for the no. 10 team.

When she took the wave around twice, however, that put her on the lead lap. She was ready to do some work by that point; passing big names like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, and Greg Biffle, she climbed to a twelfth-place finish.

Her first top fifteen felt like a win to her and her crew, and they deserve to celebrate.

Next week, we saddle up and head to Texas under the lights. Hopefully, the dark will bring exciting things to the Cup series.

Points after Martinsville

1. Jimmie Johnson (–)
2. Brad Keselowski (-6)
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-12)
4. Kyle Busch (-28)
5. Kasey Kahne (-32)
5. Greg Biffle (-32)
7. Carl Edwards (-38)
8. Clint Bowyer (-52)
8. Paul Menard (-52)
10. Matt Kenseth (-59)
11. Joey Logano (-64)
12. Jeff Gordon (-67)

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Sauter Overcomes Youthful Field at Martinsville

Posted on April 6, 2013 | Leave a comment

You never realize how much you miss something until it’s gone. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is definitely no exception.

With all the controversy going on in the Cup series recently, something else to talk about was craved. Something along the lines of a spark-filled show and a shower of champagne on a lesser known face. That’s what was needed to break up the monotony.

So, after a long, six-week hiatus, the Trucks were back at Martinsville, quenching the thirst of race fanatics everywhere.

It was also refreshing to see someone new get the pole. Jeb Burton, the 20-year old son of former Cup driver Ward Burton, broke the track’s record in qualifying, becoming the youngest polesitter in the series. Also on the front row was Darrell Wallace Jr., the 19-year old behind the wheel of the KBM #54.

The youth was blinding with six other teenagers in the field, including Truck newbie Chase Elliott. Everyone knew that this was going to be a hectic race.

And a hectic race it was, yielding eleven cautions and a ton of carnage. The lead was juggled between a handful of drivers, ranging from young Burton to race favorite Kevin Harvick. Nobody knew who was going to hang onto the lead until that checkered flag flew until a pit stop session and a decision took out one of the contenders.

Harvick didn’t pit when a majority of the field chose to, claiming that fresh tires would be the key at the end. This concluded in him drifting to the back and being lapped near the end of the race. Halfway into this result, he radioed in that they were laying in the bed they made.

Jeb Burton led at the beginning of the race and was looking quite promising, even after getting into a scuffle with Ron Hornaday that put the elder driver in the wall. He was on his way to a win until him and Johnny Sauter began to battle. After he was passed, Matt Crafton came and rubbed salt in the wound. The fresh face captured third in the end, yet he couldn’t help but be disappointed with the outcome.

The winner was Johnny Sauter, seemingly coming out of nowhere. Once he got the lead from Burton, he didn’t let go. He cruised to the checkered flag with a two second lead over teammate Crafton.

This is Sauter’s second win, the driver also claiming the season opener at Daytona. Even after the overdrawn break, he kept that momentum, using it to show how much of a contender he can be for this year’s championship.

Oh, how I missed the Truck series.

The drama! The battling! The young drivers!

Thankfully, they’re at Rockingham next Sunday; I can’t stand to wait and see what happens next.

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Hamlin Out, Martin and Vickers In Following Fontana Wreck

Posted on March 28, 2013 | Leave a comment

After Sunday’s last-lap wreck following a scuffle with Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin was diagnosed with a compression fracture of the L1 vertebra, leading to speculation of how the injury would impact his agenda and race to qualify for The Chase later this year.

It was announced Tuesday night that, after consulting with Dr. Lee Petty (the same doctor who was involved in the decision of Dale Earnhardt Jr. sitting out for two weeks last season), Hamlin is schedules to miss six races to properly heal his injury.

As Denny wrote in various tweets on Tuesday night: “I wish I got good news today…I didn’t. If me getting back in the car was based on pain tolerance, then I would be in the car next week. There’s just more to it than I can’t control.”

Hamlin, who has suffered back problems before, reacted to his wreck as soon as the car impacted the wall, shouting, “My back, my back, my back!” It was a hit on a wall that didn’t have a SAFER barrier.

Rumors of who was to pilot the no. 11 during the absence instantly flew -ranging from Elliott Sadler to Bubba Wallace Jr.- and left JGR with no choice but to make a decision.

Mark Martin was reportedly running all the races for Hamlin, yet that was a fit of confusing between MWR and JGR. After the Martinsville race, run by Martin, the rest of the open races will be raced by Brian Vickers. Martin, who has two wins, twelve top-fives, 25 top-tens, and two poles at next week’s stop at Martinsville Speedway, was not everyone’s first guess to fill the seat, but he is certainly a fan favorite.

 Elliott Sadler was already set to run a fourth JGR Cup car at Kansas and Talladega, explaining why he couldn’t commit to the substitution. 

If you were wondering, Hamlin and Logano have conversed since Sunday, via text message. The transaction was “short” and accomplished nothing, according to Hamlin. It hangs in the air if the feud between the two is over.

Despite what seems like a trite confrontation, Logano is kind towards his past teammate.

“Wish @dennyhamlin a speedy recovery,” he tweeted early Thursday morning, the first tweet addressing the situation. “Hope he gets back to the track real soon.”

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