NASCAR Notebook: Michigan
Barry F. Hess
August 18, 2006
Motor City Madness
With the bright lights of Richmond and the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 in everyone’s sights the Nextel Cup heads to Michigan for the second time this year.
After a rain-shortened race back in June saw the checkered flag come out with just over half the race completed expect a heated race Sunday as drivers on the verge of missing the Chase will look to begin one last push as they round out the regular season.
One driver who has never had to push hard at Michigan is Greg Biffle.
Biffle, currently 13th in points and dangerously close to missing the Chase, has two wins and four top five finishes at the large mile-and-a-half track, including a win in 2005.
Michigan has arguably been Biffle’s best track since entering the Nextel Cup and he will need every bit of the good luck he’s enjoyed in the past if he wants to begin yet another climb into the top 10.
180 points from 10th place is a long shot but a win at Michigan and “The Biff’s” chances may increase.
Kasey Kahne’s ability to beat Carl Edwards off pit road by a fraction of a second proved to be the deciding factor in who won the short June race.
Kahne returns to Michigan with the infamous Chassis No. 239, the very same car that has earned him three pole awards and taken him to Victory Lane four times in 2006.
After last lap crashes at both Watkins Glen and Indianapolis Kahne finds himself outside the top 10, currently in 11th place, but with a strong race Sunday the young driver of the No. 9 Dodge Dealers, Dodge will be right back in business.
Expect Kahne to challenge for his fourth pole of the year as well as the checkered flag.
Reed Sorenson was all business the last time the Nextel Cup traveled to the Wolverine state.
The young driver competing for Rookie of the Year honors earned a fifth place finish in his first time around the cookie-cutter track in a Nextel Cup car after shooting past the field from the 25th position.
After a solid top 15 finish at Watkins Glen look for the driver of the No. 41 Target Dodge to put together another strong run in what is amounting to a very respectable rookie season.
Since the June race at Michigan Matt Kenseth has only finished inside the top 10 twice, a trend he will look to break this Sunday.
Currently second in points to Jimmie Johnson, a place it seems he’s been since early in the season, Kenseth will need a solid run to keep the gap between he and the third place position comfortable.
With just four races until the Chase the driver of the No. 17 DeWalt Ford is hardly at risk to miss the Chase but as we’ve seen over the last few weeks one race can change the outlook of the entire point standings.
Kenseth has traditionally ran well at Michigan and expect that trend to continue.
Though he’ll likely qualify near the middle of the pack look for the yellow and black Ford Fusion to charge up the front and challenge for his third win of 2006.
Prediction: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the rest of the No. 8 Budweiser Chevy team refuse to be left out of the Case in 2006 and a win on Sunday will solidify June bug’s spot in NASCAR’s version of the playoffs.
After a gutsy move in Indianapolis catapulted the team up the point standings Earnhardt has maintained the 10th and final position in the Chase.
Junior is more determined than ever since he was knocked from a comfortable fourth place position several weeks ago all the way to 12th after two DNFs in a row.
A determined Earnhardt will challenge Kahne for the pole and keep that No. 8 Chevy up front all afternoon for his second win in 2006.
Evernham Not to Blame for Mayfield’s Struggles
Since the announcement by owner Ray Evernham was made two weeks ago that Jeremy Mayfield’s contract was terminated and he would not finish the year in the No. 19 Dodge the reaction around NASCAR has been the same: Poor Jeremy, what was Ray thinking? How could Ray take away Mayfield’s entire race team, what did he expect?
Unfortunately, however, they all have it wrong.
The problem in this situation is people around NASCAR are all asking the wrong questions.
The fact the Mayfield’s entire team was moved to help the struggling No. 9 team is nothing more than a cop out on Mayfield’s part, an excuse he’s used all season for his lack of production, even if it’s only to himself.
Here is a question people should be asking.
If Mayfield’s team of one year ago was as good for him as he seems to think why did he not come close to the three pole awards and four wins his teammate Kasey Kahne has enjoyed this year with the same crew?
The answer: Mayfield is not as talented as Kahne.
Here is another question you won’t here asked: If Mayfield was the team player he has claimed to be throughout this entire situation, why then was there a lack of communication between he and his car owner?
The answer: Mayfield has been bitter from the day his team was sent packing and not only did it effect his race day demeanor but his dedication to the ultimate prize as well.
We have fought communication and attitude issues kind of all year,” said Evernham after announcing Elliot Sadler would replace Mayfield for the remainder of 2006 as well as in future years. “This business doesn't seem to be about equipment anymore. It's about equipment and about communication. It's about performance, and there's got to be trust and respect on a race team. Sometimes when that performance goes away, those things go away. As hard as you try to save it, you can't.'”
The fact of the matter is a very simple one.
Mayfield is an average driver at best, despite his qualifying for the Chase two years in a row he was hardly competitive and nearly finished in 10th again last year despite the fact that Kurt Busch did not race the last two races.
Evernham was forced to do what all good businessmen do, make a change when business is going bad.
And failing to finish anywhere near the top 10 after 22 races defiantly qualifies as bad business!
NASCAR, more than any of the other professional sports, is a business first and a sport second.
Evernham has built two solid race teams, including the first year team driven by Scott Riggs, who despite missing the Daytona 500 is 22nd in points and has been respectable all season compared to Mayfield’s 34th place in points.
The one thing that stuck out like a sore thumb all year at Evernham Motor Sports was Mayfield.
Whether or not Sadler was the right choice to replace Mayfield is another issue for another time but the fact is this, Evernham is a smart team owner with a lot of experience.
The decision to remove Mayfield from his team was both well placed and appropriate, no matter how much slack he’s taken for it.
The environment and attitude brought to the race track each week by Mayfield was not only detrimental to the No. 19 team but to both of Evernham’s young and promising drivers as well.
When the smoke clears and the dust falls the decision to terminate Mayfield will not only be a smart one by Evernham but a winning one as well.
Kahne Looking to Recapture the Glory
Kasey Kahne left the June race at Michigan on top of the world.
Despite the rain shortened race he walked out of the track with his fourth win of the year and third in points.
Since that time, however, it has been nothing but bad luck, missed opportunities and last lap crashes for the former Rookie of the Year winner.
After earning his first career win last year at Richmond Kahne was expected to produce an effort in 06’ worthy of making The Chase but after a wins in Atlanta and Texas, both coming from the pole, the No. 9 team quickly set its sights on a championship.
After dethroning Jimmie Johnson in the Coca-Cola 600 Kahne took the pole in Michigan before eventually winning the shortened race.
In all, Kahne finished inside the top 10, 10 times before the ground was lifted out from underneath him.
In the seven races since the 3M Performance 400 Kahne has finished inside the top 10 just once, an eighth place finish at New Hampshire, and has places 22nd or worse in each of the remaining races.
After his consecutive last lap crashes Kahne fell out of the top 10 in points for the first time since the first week of the season.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel however, and Kahne is hoping it’s not from an oncoming train.
This weekend in Michigan marks the start of four straight races, which also happen to be the four remaining races until the Chase is set to get underway, where Kahne has finished inside the top 10 in previous races, setting up the young team for its best possible chance to bounce back and make the chase.
Random Thought
Don’t be surprised if we see Robby Gordon driving a Ford Fusion in 2007 as he continues to progress the No. 7 Jim Bean/Harrah’s team.
Elliot Sadler replaced Jeremy Mayfield in the No. 19 and Casey Mears will replace Brian Vickers in the No. 25, has there ever been a group of drivers in the history of NASCAR more overrated and underachieving….I submit no!
Did anyone else notice how Benny Parsons struggled through parts of last weekend’s broadcast because of his cancer treatments…he certainly is the epitome of what a tough guy is supposed to be!
With the bright lights of Richmond and the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 in everyone’s sights the Nextel Cup heads to Michigan for the second time this year.
After a rain-shortened race back in June saw the checkered flag come out with just over half the race completed expect a heated race Sunday as drivers on the verge of missing the Chase will look to begin one last push as they round out the regular season.
One driver who has never had to push hard at Michigan is Greg Biffle.
Biffle, currently 13th in points and dangerously close to missing the Chase, has two wins and four top five finishes at the large mile-and-a-half track, including a win in 2005.
Michigan has arguably been Biffle’s best track since entering the Nextel Cup and he will need every bit of the good luck he’s enjoyed in the past if he wants to begin yet another climb into the top 10.
180 points from 10th place is a long shot but a win at Michigan and “The Biff’s” chances may increase.
Kasey Kahne’s ability to beat Carl Edwards off pit road by a fraction of a second proved to be the deciding factor in who won the short June race.
Kahne returns to Michigan with the infamous Chassis No. 239, the very same car that has earned him three pole awards and taken him to Victory Lane four times in 2006.
After last lap crashes at both Watkins Glen and Indianapolis Kahne finds himself outside the top 10, currently in 11th place, but with a strong race Sunday the young driver of the No. 9 Dodge Dealers, Dodge will be right back in business.
Expect Kahne to challenge for his fourth pole of the year as well as the checkered flag.
Reed Sorenson was all business the last time the Nextel Cup traveled to the Wolverine state.
The young driver competing for Rookie of the Year honors earned a fifth place finish in his first time around the cookie-cutter track in a Nextel Cup car after shooting past the field from the 25th position.
After a solid top 15 finish at Watkins Glen look for the driver of the No. 41 Target Dodge to put together another strong run in what is amounting to a very respectable rookie season.
Since the June race at Michigan Matt Kenseth has only finished inside the top 10 twice, a trend he will look to break this Sunday.
Currently second in points to Jimmie Johnson, a place it seems he’s been since early in the season, Kenseth will need a solid run to keep the gap between he and the third place position comfortable.
With just four races until the Chase the driver of the No. 17 DeWalt Ford is hardly at risk to miss the Chase but as we’ve seen over the last few weeks one race can change the outlook of the entire point standings.
Kenseth has traditionally ran well at Michigan and expect that trend to continue.
Though he’ll likely qualify near the middle of the pack look for the yellow and black Ford Fusion to charge up the front and challenge for his third win of 2006.
Prediction: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the rest of the No. 8 Budweiser Chevy team refuse to be left out of the Case in 2006 and a win on Sunday will solidify June bug’s spot in NASCAR’s version of the playoffs.
After a gutsy move in Indianapolis catapulted the team up the point standings Earnhardt has maintained the 10th and final position in the Chase.
Junior is more determined than ever since he was knocked from a comfortable fourth place position several weeks ago all the way to 12th after two DNFs in a row.
A determined Earnhardt will challenge Kahne for the pole and keep that No. 8 Chevy up front all afternoon for his second win in 2006.
Evernham Not to Blame for Mayfield’s Struggles
Since the announcement by owner Ray Evernham was made two weeks ago that Jeremy Mayfield’s contract was terminated and he would not finish the year in the No. 19 Dodge the reaction around NASCAR has been the same: Poor Jeremy, what was Ray thinking? How could Ray take away Mayfield’s entire race team, what did he expect?
Unfortunately, however, they all have it wrong.
The problem in this situation is people around NASCAR are all asking the wrong questions.
The fact the Mayfield’s entire team was moved to help the struggling No. 9 team is nothing more than a cop out on Mayfield’s part, an excuse he’s used all season for his lack of production, even if it’s only to himself.
Here is a question people should be asking.
If Mayfield’s team of one year ago was as good for him as he seems to think why did he not come close to the three pole awards and four wins his teammate Kasey Kahne has enjoyed this year with the same crew?
The answer: Mayfield is not as talented as Kahne.
Here is another question you won’t here asked: If Mayfield was the team player he has claimed to be throughout this entire situation, why then was there a lack of communication between he and his car owner?
The answer: Mayfield has been bitter from the day his team was sent packing and not only did it effect his race day demeanor but his dedication to the ultimate prize as well.
We have fought communication and attitude issues kind of all year,” said Evernham after announcing Elliot Sadler would replace Mayfield for the remainder of 2006 as well as in future years. “This business doesn't seem to be about equipment anymore. It's about equipment and about communication. It's about performance, and there's got to be trust and respect on a race team. Sometimes when that performance goes away, those things go away. As hard as you try to save it, you can't.'”
The fact of the matter is a very simple one.
Mayfield is an average driver at best, despite his qualifying for the Chase two years in a row he was hardly competitive and nearly finished in 10th again last year despite the fact that Kurt Busch did not race the last two races.
Evernham was forced to do what all good businessmen do, make a change when business is going bad.
And failing to finish anywhere near the top 10 after 22 races defiantly qualifies as bad business!
NASCAR, more than any of the other professional sports, is a business first and a sport second.
Evernham has built two solid race teams, including the first year team driven by Scott Riggs, who despite missing the Daytona 500 is 22nd in points and has been respectable all season compared to Mayfield’s 34th place in points.
The one thing that stuck out like a sore thumb all year at Evernham Motor Sports was Mayfield.
Whether or not Sadler was the right choice to replace Mayfield is another issue for another time but the fact is this, Evernham is a smart team owner with a lot of experience.
The decision to remove Mayfield from his team was both well placed and appropriate, no matter how much slack he’s taken for it.
The environment and attitude brought to the race track each week by Mayfield was not only detrimental to the No. 19 team but to both of Evernham’s young and promising drivers as well.
When the smoke clears and the dust falls the decision to terminate Mayfield will not only be a smart one by Evernham but a winning one as well.
Kahne Looking to Recapture the Glory
Kasey Kahne left the June race at Michigan on top of the world.
Despite the rain shortened race he walked out of the track with his fourth win of the year and third in points.
Since that time, however, it has been nothing but bad luck, missed opportunities and last lap crashes for the former Rookie of the Year winner.
After earning his first career win last year at Richmond Kahne was expected to produce an effort in 06’ worthy of making The Chase but after a wins in Atlanta and Texas, both coming from the pole, the No. 9 team quickly set its sights on a championship.
After dethroning Jimmie Johnson in the Coca-Cola 600 Kahne took the pole in Michigan before eventually winning the shortened race.
In all, Kahne finished inside the top 10, 10 times before the ground was lifted out from underneath him.
In the seven races since the 3M Performance 400 Kahne has finished inside the top 10 just once, an eighth place finish at New Hampshire, and has places 22nd or worse in each of the remaining races.
After his consecutive last lap crashes Kahne fell out of the top 10 in points for the first time since the first week of the season.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel however, and Kahne is hoping it’s not from an oncoming train.
This weekend in Michigan marks the start of four straight races, which also happen to be the four remaining races until the Chase is set to get underway, where Kahne has finished inside the top 10 in previous races, setting up the young team for its best possible chance to bounce back and make the chase.
Random Thought
Don’t be surprised if we see Robby Gordon driving a Ford Fusion in 2007 as he continues to progress the No. 7 Jim Bean/Harrah’s team.
Elliot Sadler replaced Jeremy Mayfield in the No. 19 and Casey Mears will replace Brian Vickers in the No. 25, has there ever been a group of drivers in the history of NASCAR more overrated and underachieving….I submit no!
Did anyone else notice how Benny Parsons struggled through parts of last weekend’s broadcast because of his cancer treatments…he certainly is the epitome of what a tough guy is supposed to be!
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