I have a mental of breaking up the Nascar season into segments, and with the waving of the checkered flag at Fontana, the first segment ends. A lot has happened in a mere five races, and it’s about time for a Chase update.

After just five weeks, I look back at my Chase picks and they need some adjusting. The first adjustment would be picking Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the champion. I still expect success from him, but a championship seems to be a stretch.

I picked Chase Elliot and Ryan Blaney to each make the Chase, and I am currently very happy with that pick. Both rookies have performed beyond early expectation, and they appear to be getting stronger, Chase especially. Elliot’s only weakness is his pit crew, which I wouldn’t consider terrible. Ryan doesn’t have as good of equipment as Elliot, but he is performing very well with it. Both are driving like future champions. (Note: late in the race at Fontana, Elliot was running second, and he was the fastest car on the track).

I believe that I made a mistake picking Kyle Larson to make the Chase. He has had a disaster of a season so far, and he appears to be going in the wrong direction as far as improvement goes.

I am glad to have put Austin Dillon in my Chase bracket. Austin has been driving better ever since he was paired with crew chief Slugger Labbe, and other than a bad race at Fontana, he has been a solid contender each week.

I believe I underestimated Ricky Stenhouse Jr. He seems to have found some speed in his no. 17 car, and surprisingly is in the Chase as of now. His first win is becoming a realistic goal, and for once he is outperforming his girlfriend.

About that last sentence. I picked Danica Patrick to make the Chase, and after the beginning of the season some people may think I want to change that. However, she has shown flashes of speed over the past two weeks, and I still think she may have a decent shot at a Chase spot and her first win.

One last thing I would like to address is my picking of Tony Stewart to finish 20th in points. His recovery is going very well, and I think we could see him back on track in the next few weeks. Smoke is rising, and I can’t wait to see him back on track, and hopefully in the Chase.

So far 2016 is off to the best start I’ve ever seen, and I can’t wait for more racing!