Sprint Cup 2012: Race 19: Up in Lobstah Country

The 2012 Sprint Cup Series reaches a clear milestone with the conclusion of tomorrow’s Lenox Industrial Tools 301 in Loudon, NH. While the Coke Zero 400 officially marks the beginning of the 2^nd half of the season, the drivers take their last week off of the season and it’s all crunch time from the Brickyard 400 through the Chase to championship at Homestead, FL in November. Not only that, to most fans the rest of the season will have quite a different look on TV as TNT ends its brief stint of six races then ESPN coverage kicks in with selected dates on over-the-air ABC stations, and quite honestly when one considers all the gimmicks, production decisions, and personalities involved, it might even look like a different sport. Who knows what new gimmicks ESPN will roll out this year looking to their yearlong Nationwide coverage for possible clues.

Looking at the qualifying results for tomorrow’s race, there’s one big question? Where are the Fords?  Their top qualifier is Greg Biffle in 11^th until David Ragan checks in 19^th position in the #34 car, followed by a quick succession of Fords, Marcos Ambrose (#9) in 20^th, Carl Edwards (#99) in 21^st, and Aric Almirola (#43) in 23^rd. Points leader, Matt Kenseth (#17) starts 27^th. Okay, without calling attention to a bad situation, the NASCAR cynic could also say, “where’s Dodge?” given the A.J. Allmendinger suspension and only two cars in the field, that Brad Keselowski (#2) and Sam Hornish (#22) starts 24^th.  Okay, we’re cynics, we’ll say it. Ford and Dodge drivers have much to do to execute pit stops to their advantage and makeup track position during one of the shortest races on the schedule. The starting lineup also looks good for Toyota claiming four out of the top five positions: Kyle Busch (#18), 1^st; Denny Hamlin (#11), 3^rd; Martin Truex, Jr. (#55), 4^th; Clint Bowyer, (#15) 5^th. The rest of the top ten starters are all Hendricks or Hendricks prepared cars. Beyond that, the only accomplishments worth noting are that two Richard Childress drivers start 12^th and 13^th, Kevin Harvick (#29) and Paul Menard (#27). Beyond that, there is not much to be said about the starting field other than the large number of trash entries in the field, eight of which are almost certain “start and park” rides. Given this is a relatively short track, 1 mile, and a shorter race, 301 laps, the extra clutter on the track is especially annoying. NASCAR’s welfare program for non-competitors continues to get increasingly annoying when one considers there are operations at every level below Sprint Cup giving every last dollar and ounce of devotion to achieve and move up the ladder to the highest level. When fans pay their hard earned money to buy expensive tickets and pay the cost of travel to the tracks, it’s a real spit in the face to constantly see freeloaders like Phil Parsons’ entries and Joe Nemechek grabbing a share of the purse every week. When NASCAR talks of “go or go home” that should mean, “compete in it or BEAT IT!”

Accidents WILL happen!

Jayski.com reports an embarrassing incident for Greg Biffle and the #16 Ford damaging his car while traveling about one mile an hour smashing into a generator cart belonging to the #48 Jimmie Johnson team. Ooops, you think Johnson and Biffle will get into fisticuffs over that incident?  

Cause for Concern:

Is NASCAR substituting one vice for another?  For years NASCAR was criticized that its title sponsor was Winston bearing the name Winston Cup Racing despite years of evidence on the health dangers of tobacco. That concern ended under considerable political pressure when cell-phone maker, NEXTEL, now Sprint became the title sponsor. However, has anyone noticed how many energy drinks and nutritional supplements are now sponsoring Sprint Cup rides despite the exit of Red Bull racing and its two cars from the 2012 field?

Ouch!!!

Defending Champ and Daytona Coke Zero winner, Tony Stewart, has been penalized resulting in  losing of six owners and drivers points with crew chief, Steve Addington nailed with a $25,000 fine and probation through August 22^nd while Jeff Meendering, car chief, has likewise received the same probation penalty for violation of a “Section 20” violation for improper equipment and installation for an improper opened vent hose in the #14 car. We suppose this amounts to more than just blowing smoke!!! Given last year’s points finish, six points is no small penalty. There goes his bonuses for last week’s win.

Starting Lineup:

POS	CAR#	DRIVER	MFG	SPEED
1	18	Kyle Busch	Toyota	133.417
2	5	Kasey Kahne	Chevy	133.406
3	11	Denny Hamlin	Toyota	133.399
4	56	Martin Truex Jr.	Toyota	133.338
5	15	Clint Bowyer	Toyota	133.319
6	39	Ryan Newman	Chevy	133.277
7	48	Jimmie Johnson	Chevy	133.254
8	24	Jeff Gordon	Chevy	133.198
9	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Chevy	133.045
10	14	Tony Stewart	Chevy	132.938
11	29	Kevin Harvick	Chevy	132.868
12	27	Paul Menard	Chevy	132.572
13	16	Greg Biffle	Ford	132.549
14	51	Kurt Busch	Chevy	132.549
15	20	Joey Logano	Toyota	132.425
16	78	Regan Smith	Chevy	132.393
17	47	Bobby Labonte	Toyota	132.333
18	34	David Ragan	Ford	132.264
19	55	Brian Vickers	Toyota	132.245
20	9	Marcos Ambrose	Ford	132.200
21	99	Carl Edwards	Ford	132.186
22	2	Brad Keselowski	Dodge	132.085
23	43	Aric Almirola	Ford	131.833
24	22	Sam Hornish Jr.(i)	Dodge	131.556
25	31	Jeff Burton	Chevy	131.465
26	17	Matt Kenseth	Ford	131.234
27	1	Jamie McMurray	Chevy	131.234
28	10	David Reutimann	Chevy	131.184
29	83	Landon Cassill	Toyota	131.184
30	93	Travis Kvapil	Toyota	130.833
31	42	Juan Pablo Montoya	Chevy	130.662
32	26	Josh Wise #	Ford	130.104
33	13	Casey Mears	Ford	129.834
34	87	Joe Nemechek(i)	Toyota	129.807
35	36	Dave Blaney	Chevy	129.679
36	98	Michael McDowell	Ford	129.525
37	32	Ken Schrader	Ford	129.318
38	49	JJ Yeley	Toyota	129.274
39	38	David Gilliland	Ford	129.156
40	30	David Stremme	Toyota	129.094
41	23	Scott Riggs	Chevy	128.863
42	79	Kelly Bires	Ford	128.515
43	33	Stephen Leicht #	Chevy	128.128
DNQ	19	Mike Bliss(i)	Toyota	128.070