Hey all! Personally, I’ve been enjoying working with my two friends Michael and Robert more often this year. I’ve had a rather busy Summer, and I’m looking at a busy weekend. Little fun fact about me, I am considering pursuing a career in writing. Whether it is as an author or sports writer, time will tell. Either way, some writing of mine has been a bit time consuming over the Summer. Thus, it has become relatively common for me to consult my amigos Robert and Michael for some help. There’s been some interesting developments recently, so let’s get down to it.

Me: All right boys, it was a good weekend in Charlotte. Truex was dominant, the Busch brothers were back, and Austin Dillon somehow managed to pull off his first career victory. Any thoughts on that?

Michael: Well, I think the obvious fact in all this is Truex is the man to beat this year. May seem early to pick that, but hey, the man is on fire. He’s been nearly unbeatable on 1.5 mile tracks, and impressive on others as well. Laps led, stages won, and races won are all categories he’s either leading or close to leading. If this keeps up, he might be so far ahead in points entering the Chase that he won’t be beatable. You got that one right in your preseason predictions ______.

Me: Hey, don’t say my name.

Michael: Sorry.

Robert: Anyway, I see something totally different out of this. Austin Dillon entered this race in a slump. Well down in the points, struggling to be in the top-10, and a new crew chief on the box. He left a virtual lock for the Chase, hi second top-5 of the year, and 1/1 record with his new chief. Not only is this huge for him, but it also is the first win for the no. 3 car since Dale Earnhardt Sr. won in Fall of 2000. This is a huge accomplishment for him.

Me: Well, very good points. I agree on both hands. I won’t say I told you so…. but heck, I did predict a lot of what’s happened thus far this season before the year started. Speaking of that, what do you see happening over the Summer weeks? There always seems to be a shift in the front runners when that happens.

Robert: I don’t see that happening much. Running well is now very important, so don’t expect Truex or anyone else to let off the gas. Stage points and victories mean more now than ever, and to build up points will be more important later in the year than Summer experimentation. However, a couple drivers like Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Ryan Newman may consider the experimentation part, as more wins is not a likely scenario.

Michael: You’re not wrong. However, I do think there may be some new winners over the Summer. The Joe Gibbs drivers will probably grab a few wins, my guess is at least one each, with the possible exception of rookie Daniel Suarez. Rookie Eric Jones of Furniture Row Racing may be in for a win as well. Veterans Chase Elliot, Ryan Blaney, and Trevor Bayne all seem possibly capable of a win, with Blaney and Elliot seeming almost guaranteed. Stewart-Hass Racing driver Kevin Harvick and Clint Bower both seem on the fast track as well. That’s ten drivers with fourteen races remaining before the playoffs. This could be tight. Plus, with two road course races on the schedule, AJ Allmendinger seems like a wild card winner.

Me: Very true. And do remember, that total would take us to more than 16 winners, the result of which would cause some chaos in the battle for points. And don’t leave out sleeper picks like Dale Jr. and Kasey Kahne. Now, I’m pressed for time, but here’s a last question. WHo looks like the sixteen we’ll see. Just fire off the names.

Michael: Well, I think this will be an interesting playoff. My 16 are Truex, Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keslowski, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Clint Bowyer, Jamie McMurray, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Austin Dillon, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Elliot. Young guns are good this year, but experience will be key over this Summer. The surprise is obviously me leaveing Joey Logano out of this. However, his encumbered win is just going to be to much to overcome.

Robert: Ironically, I agree. My sixteen are: Truex, Johnson, Keslowski, Busch, Larson, Harvick, Kurt Busch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chase Elliot, Ryan Blaney, Eric Jones, Dillon, Newman, Bayne, Bowyer, and McMurray. This is obviously a shocker. No Logano, no Hamlin, no Suarez, and Trevor Bayne rather than Matt Kenseth. The reason: Hamlin, Kenseth, and Logano are struggling. May seem unexpected, but I just see Bayne as a tad more consistent than these three this year, and quite frankly, he seems closer to a win also. Random thought, I know, but it just seems like that year. Love the idea of a young gun filled Chase.

Me: Well, you both are in scenarios with surprises, but it seems unlikely we make it that far without some randomness. I am a little surprised neither of you chose Allmendinger. All that aside, let’s get rolling. See you boys for Dover.

Michael: See you.

Robert: Later.

And to all my loyal readers, a low me my favorite words. Let’s go racing!