Ok…. Well, this is one of those weeks. Every sport had them. Aa bunch of crazy things happen, all of them important or exciting, the result of which is a mess for a lone wolf writer like me. A million things to talk about, and I have to write about them. That said, I have a bit of a plan. Anyone like one of those articles with sections? I read a lot of other sports writers, and I always like those. So, let’s get started.

 

Michigan Takeaways

Ok, let’s start basic. Kyle Larson won the pole, led the most laps, and won the race. Ok, maybe too basic. It was a race with some pleasant surprises, like a heroic restart by Chase Elliot late in the race to claim second, and Martin Truex Jr. winning his tenth stage of the year. Both of those guys are doing pretty solid. Clint Bowyer was running well again in his no. 14 car, but, once again, issues took him out. Joey Logano rebounded after several rough weeks for a third place finish, and announced he and wife Brittany are expecting their first child. Meanwhile the Joe Gibbs Racing drivers once again came up short of the win, this time having Denny Hamlin finish fourth. And yes, Kyle Busch once again had a late lead, but lost it. Oh, and Ryan Blaney ran quite well after winning his first race, only to be wrecked late and finish 25th. Can’t win them all. And, last of all, it was a good day for the Jr.s, with Truex Jr, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all placing in the top-ten. Oh, and Darrel Wallace Jr. got a nineteenth place finish in his second start.

So, a very exciting race. Fun fact, only one driver wasn’t running at the finish. A lot happened in this race, and, there are some important takeaways. First among them, Kyle Larson is now ahead of Truex in the points. Both of these drivers are driving away from the rest of the field, and it clearly is going to be one of the two who will lead us into the Chase. After all, third place Kyle Busch is 130 points behind Larson, and 125 behind Truex. For him to catch them, you’d have to put them in go karts. And even then… well, don’t count on it.  As for what’s at stake, regular season winner gets 15 playoff points, while second gets only 10. 1 point means a lot. Just ask Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart. A total of 5 is priceless.  Another funny thought, this is Larson’s third win, all of which have come in the past three races on 2 mile tracks. Also, it’s his second straight win at Michigan. This was also Elliot’s third second place finish at Michigan in all three of his starts there. Surprisingly, this was the one time he didn’t bash himself for not winning. He actually seemed proud to have taken his car to that finish, which he should be, given he was on older tires than all his opponents on the late restarts. However, the biggest takeaway I’ve seen in all this is the randomness of this season. No JGR drivers have won, Kevin Harvick has yet to win, and Jamie McMurray has been killing it in the points. And as if that isn’t weird enough, both Joey Logano and Matt Kenseth, who have been consistent Chase participants in the past, are a mere 7 points in the Chase. And they have some pretty hot drivers behind them, drivers who want to get into the Chase pretty bad. That’s a scenario that is extremely exciting for me and frustrating for these more experienced veterans.

 

Contract Wars

So, with every midseason comes some discussion about contracts. And this season is particularly full. With Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaving the no. 88, that is a very desirable ride available. Also, Brad Keslowski has said his contract with Team Penske is up at the end of the year, and he hasn’t been given an extension. Meanwhile, Jimmie Johnson, has signed another extension to drive the no. 48 until 2020. The result is some speculation. I think I’ll take it ride by ride.

First off is the no. 88. An iconic number owned by a legendary team owner, this car is a coveted ride, and one which is hard to land. There has already been a lot of speculation as to who will get it. Right now, I think the primary candidate is Alex Bowman. Last year’s substitute who nearly won a race at Phoenix, Bowman is a skilled and young racer. However, he isn’t alone in the talks. Xfinity drivers Justin Allgier and William Byron are both prime candidates as well. Both are skilled, although neither seems quite as likely to claim the ride as Bowman, considering Alex has Dale Jr.’s personal support. However, there are two other options. Proven options. Brad Keslowski and Kyle Larson. I know, I know. Crazy, right? But hear me out. Brad Keslowski is at the end of his contract with Penske Racing, and rumor has it that Penske may be considering bringing Ryan Blaney to Penske. Unknown to many, Brad started his career with Hendrick, at the Xfinity team JR Motorsports. However, due to the fact that he would have to wait years to get a Cup ride, Keslowski went over to Penske. Now, he may have a chance at redemption with the team, in the 88. On the other hand, Larson is easily the hottest driver out there, and that’s in the no. 42 for Chip Ganassi Racing. Imagine what he could do for the biggest and best team over the past couple decades? Well, he has said he’s happy at Ganassi, but you have to admit, a Hendrick ride is so tempting…

However, if Keslowski leaves and Blaney, who is the obvious choice, gets the ride, who goes to the no. 21 Wood Brothers car? Well, that may not be easy. That number is one of the most legendary in the sport, and somehow there are no good candidates in the lower levels of Nascar. No young guns are currently in the Penske/Ford camp. In which case, they may have to turn to someone who isn’t on the lower levels, but already up top. Someone like Trevor Bayne. Bayne already has a history with the Wood Brothers, so he’d be a solid candidate. However, this is in the unlikely scenario that Keslowski actually ends up with Hendrick.

Now, if Larson were to leave for Hendrick, Ganassi has an easy answer in Xfinity drivers Byron, Allgier, and Brennan Poole. Poole is Ganassi’s Xfinity driver, and pretty good. However, I personally would try for Byron or Allgier.

So, all of that from the 88. Other than that, there aren’t any notable rides up for grabs. There’s potential for a stir up at JGR, mostly centering around Eric Jones. The one other rumor is also about Larson, but going to another team. Stewart-Hass Racing. Larson and team co-owner Tony Stewart are good friends, and Stewart has said he’d love to have Larson at SHR. While that doesn’t seem very likely, but who knows?

 

Sonoma Preview

All right then, preview time. As we roll in to Sonoma, I have a bittersweet feeling. Not only is this the last race of Fox broadcasting, but it also was the site of Tony Stewart’s final win last year. However, with Stewart and Jeff Gordon retired, and road racing experts Marcos Ambrose and Juan Pablo Montoya having left for other endeavors, the road racing club is rather thin. However, there are a couple names which I like.

First off, AJ Allmendinger. The road expert in Nascar, this guy has to be licking his chops. And who could blame him? He’s been a force to reckon with at Sonoma as of late, but that win has been elusive. However, he’s far from alone. Clint Bowyer is another favorite in my books. An impressive road racer, especially at Sonoma. Now, he has the car and team that won this race last year. Bowyer has been running well, but misfortune has crossed him constantly this season. Maybe this is rebound time.

Now, I’m not guaranteeing either of these two win. Jamie McMurray is a solid road racer, who has been very impressive thus far this year. Denny Hamlin hasn’t been at his best this year, but hey, his average finish on the two road courses last year was 1.5, with his win coming at Watkins Glen (He lost the Sonoma race in the final corner to Tony Stewart when Stewart drilled him. Classic Tony).  And of course, Kyle Busch is an ever present and unrelenting threat. An angry threat as well, given how close he’s been to winning only to fall short. And last of all, Daniel Suarez. This is a bit of a guess. However, Suarez has proven himself a solid road racer in the Xfinity Series, and with the power and speed of the no. 19 car, well, I’d watch out.

Now, this is a little tricky. Like the restrictor-plate tracks, road courses present a unique challenge and an element of randomness lacking at many tracks. That makes prediction a nightmare for me, among others I’m sure. However, I’m not about to give up. Personally, I’m watching Bowyer. Like Kyle Busch, he’s been fast, and like Busch, he’s had success taken right out of his hands. However, Sonoma is one he has to circle on his calendar, especially now.

 

So, that’s all for now. I have to admit, that took a little longer than I expected. But, it happens. No big deal though, considering this is one of my favorite things to do. Personally, I’m already dying for the weekend to arrive and to get racing. But, time is something we can’t effect, so, I must wait. And when it arrives, let’s go racing, California style!