Sprint Cup 2013: Race 3 - Viva Las Vegas

The starting field for the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be lined up based on 2012 final owners’ point standings as Friday’s qualifying was rained out in, of all places, the Las Vegas desert. This unexpected surprise could benefit some normally successful teams that are off to dreadful starts including Tony Stewart in 23^rd (one position behind rookie teammate, Danica Patrick); Kevin Harvick stuck in 30^th; Kasey Kahne buried in 31^st and Martin Truex wallowing with the dregs deep down in 34^th.  The full starting order is determined precisely as follows: 1-36 are established on last year’s owners points; 37-39 are based on this year’s owner points; the final spots, 40-43 are determined by the number of qualifying attempts te remaining teams have for 2013. No past champion needed a champion’s provision.

The Kobalt Tools 400 will be perhaps the most telling test of the Generation 6 car since it is the first race on a typical 1 ½ mile track of which eight of the twenty three NASCAR race tracks are configured representing 11 of the 36 races on the schedule.

Pos.		Car#		Driver		Mfg		Sponsor
1		2		Brad Keselowski		Ford		Miller Lite
2		15		Clint Bowyer		Toyota		5-hour Energy
3		48		Jimmie Johnson		Chevrolet		Lowe's / Kobalt Tools
4		5		Kasey Kahne		Chevrolet		Farmers Insurance
5		16		Greg Biffle		Ford		American Red Cross / 3M
6		11		Denny Hamlin		Toyota		FedEx Office
7		17		Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #		Ford		Zest
8		29		Kevin Harvick		Chevrolet		Rheem
9		14		Tony Stewart		Chevrolet		MOBIL 1 Racing / Bass Pro Shops
10		24		Jeff Gordon		Chevrolet		Drive to End Hunger
11		56		Martin Truex Jr.		Toyota		NAPA Auto Parts
12		88		Dale Earnhardt Jr.		Chevrolet		AMP Energy Orange
13		18		Kyle Busch		Toyota		M&M's
14		39		Ryan Newman		Chevrolet		Quicken Loans
15		55		Mark Martin		Toyota		Aaron's Dream Machine
16		99		Carl Edwards		Ford		Aflac
17		27		Paul Menard		Chevrolet		Menards / Schrock
18		20		Matt Kenseth		Toyota		Dollar General
19		9		Marcos Ambrose		Ford		Stanley
20		31		Jeff Burton		Chevrolet		Caterpillar
21		22		Joey Logano		Ford		Shell Pennzoil
22		43		Aric Almirola		Ford		Farmland
23		1		Jamie McMurray		Chevrolet		McDonald's
24		78		Kurt Busch		Chevrolet		Furniture Row Racing / Serta
25		42		Juan Pablo Montoya		Chevrolet		AXE Apollo
26		47		Bobby Labonte		Toyota		Kings
27		51		Austin Dillon(i)		Chevrolet		Tag Heuer
28		93		Travis Kvapil		Toyota		Burger King / Dr Pepper
29		34		David Ragan		Ford		Unsponsored
30		13		Casey Mears		Ford		GEICO
31		38		David Gilliland		Ford		Long John Silver's
32		83		David Reutimann		Toyota		Burger King / Dr Pepper
33		7		Dave Blaney		Chevrolet		SANY
34		32		Ken Schrader		Ford		Federated Auto Parts
35		36		JJ Yeley		Chevrolet		Accell Construction
36		21		Trevor Bayne(i)		Ford		Motorcraft / Quick Lane Tire & Auto
37		10		Danica Patrick #		Chevrolet		GoDaddy Racing
38		30		David Stremme		Toyota		MGM Grand, Las Vegas / Lean1
39		98		Michael McDowell		Ford		Ambient Edge HVAC
40		95		Scott Speed		Ford		Surrender the Sponsor
41		33		Landon Cassill		Chevrolet		Little Joe's Autos
42		87		Joe Nemechek(i)		Toyota		Maddie'sPlaceRocks.com
43		35		Josh Wise(i)		Ford		MDS Transport / Riviera Hotel & Casino
				Failed to Qualify
		19		Mike Bliss		Toyota		Plinker Tactical / Stratosphere Hotel

Sprint Cup 2013: Race 2 - Phoenix Rising: Let the Real Show Begin

(DISCLAIMER: The writer of this piece blew up in his fantasy race effort having both Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick on his team.)

For Sprint Cup racing about the only thing Phoenix has in common with Daytona is that both races are held in states where baseball’s spring training is up and rolling. Many say Phoenix is where the real racing season begins, and aside from earning points at Daytona, what begins tomorrow is where the hard realities of the long Sprint Cup season begin for real.

Hours of preparation go into Daytona, which with the whole winter as build up, and the Dual 125’s as the gateway to a decent starting position, stands alone as its own phenomenon. That it is one of only four restrictor plate races also makes it impossible to project on how a team’s car will perform in the rest of the races. Phoenix, by contrast, and even more so, Las Vegas next week, presents a much more realistic look at which teams are poised to be contenders and which ones are struggling to where by the time they return to Daytona in early July, the story of the 2012 season will be in keen focus. Tomorrow begins the long haul – the season’s longest stretch – and fans first look at the regular setup for the Generation 6 race car.

Qualifying could indicate Ford is a little behind the curve as the “Blue Ovals” are shut out of the top ten with defending champ, Brad Keselowski, posting the 11^th spot paired up with rookie contender, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in 12^th.  The aged wonder, Mark Martin, captured the poll for Michael Waltrip Racing. The balance of the top 10 are all either Hendricks or Hendricks powered Stewart Haas cars and the Joe Gibbs boys. The sports’ two media sensations, both running Hendricks power, were not invited to the party, Dale Earnhardt Jr. starts 21^st while Danica Patrick is down in the dregs at 40^th. 

POS		CAR#		DRIVER		MFG		SPONSOR		SPEED
1		55		Mark Martin		Toyota		Aaron's Dream Machine		138.074
2		5		Kasey Kahne		Chevrolet		Quaker State		137.862
3		48		Jimmie Johnson		Chevrolet		Lowe's		137.804
4		18		Kyle Busch		Toyota		M&M's		137.673
5		24		Jeff Gordon		Chevrolet		Pepsi MAX		137.164
6		14		Tony Stewart		Chevrolet		Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1		137.143
7		29		Kevin Harvick		Chevrolet		Jimmy John's		137.075
8		11		Denny Hamlin		Toyota		FedEx Ground		136.924
9		20		Matt Kenseth		Toyota		Husky		136.882
10		39		Ryan Newman		Chevrolet		Quicken Loans		136.861
11		2		Brad Keselowski		Ford		Miller Lite		136.835
12		17		Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #		Ford		Best Buy		136.731
13		15		Clint Bowyer		Toyota		5-hour Energy		136.654
14		56		Martin Truex Jr.		Toyota		NAPA Filters		136.602
15		99		Carl Edwards		Ford		Subway		136.483
16		27		Paul Menard		Chevrolet		Menards/Serta		136.364
17		16		Greg Biffle		Ford		3M/Novec		136.291
18		43		Aric Almirola		Ford		Farmland		136.266
19		1		Jamie McMurray		Chevrolet		McDonald's		135.936
20		31		Jeff Burton		Chevrolet		Cheerios		135.890
21		88		Dale Earnhardt Jr.		Chevrolet		National Guard		135.870
22		9		Marcos Ambrose		Ford		DeWalt		135.440
23		51		AJ Allmendinger		Chevrolet		Guy Roofing		135.440
24		34		David Ragan		Ford		(unsponsored)		135.267
25		78		Kurt Busch		Chevrolet		Furniture Row/Beautyrest		135.247
26		7		Dave Blaney		Chevrolet		Sany		135.100
27		36		JJ Yeley		Chevrolet		Accell Construction		135.064
28		95		Scott Speed		Ford		Surrender the Sponsor		134.917
29		42		Juan Montoya		Chevrolet		Target		134.821
30		93		Travis Kvapil		Toyota		Burger King/Dr.Pepper		134.705
31		38		David Gilliland		Ford		Long John Silver's		134.695
32		22		Joey Logano		Ford		Shell Pennzoil		134.373
33		47		Bobby Labonte		Toyota		Glad		134.343
34		83		David Reutimann		Toyota		Burger King/Dr.Pepper		133.814
35		19		Mike Bliss(i)		Toyota		Plinker Tactical/Value Place		133.774
36		35		Josh Wise(i)		Ford		Blockbuster.com		133.591
37		30		David Stremme		Toyota		Swan Racing		133.571
38		33		Landon Cassill		Chevrolet		Little Joe's Autos		133.383
39		44		Scott Riggs(i)		Ford		No Label Watches		132.920
40		10		Danica Patrick #		Chevrolet		GoDaddy.com		132.890
41		87		Joe Nemechek(i)		Toyota		MaddiesPlaceRocks.com		132.023
42		32		Ken Schrader		Ford		Safe Skies Locks		131.747
43		13		Casey Mears		Ford		GEICO		131.286

Starting positions 37-43 are provisional starts; however, only 43 cars entered for competition so no cars failed to make the race.

Sprint Cup 2013: Race 1: Daytona 500 -- Stock (looking) Cars Return

Handicapping the 2013 Daytona 500 is no easy task but so far based on the Twin 125’s and the Sprint Shoot Out, Kevin Harvick’s #29 Chevrolet is looking mighty tough having been dominant both in Saturday night’s race and his victory in the first 125. While they were two different cars, it certainly looks like both the Childress shop is doing good work setting up for the race, but just as importantly, Harvick is the one driver who has truly mastered the new Generation 6 car.

The second conclusion is Chevrolets look awfully strong; Fords don’t but Toyotas certainly have potential. The three top cars, Danica Patrick, Jeff Gordon, and Kevin Harvick, are in Chevrolets as are drivers in positions six through nine, Kasey Kahne, Juan Pablo Montoya, Austin Dillon, and Jimmie Johnson giving Chevy seven of the top ten spots.  Kyle Busch starts 4^th in the top Toyota and Greg Biffle 5^th in the top Ford, but Ford doesn’t make another appearance until defending champ, Brad Keselowski checks in at #15. Ford dominates the “twenties” with six drivers positing positions from 21^st through 28^th.

Looking at the starting line up, Danica Patrick and Jeff Gordon hold the front row based on their qualifying positions. The next thirty rides down to starting position #32 established their starting position racing in the Twin 125’s, odd numbered drivers racing in the first Twin race and even numbered starters coming from the second race. The next four drivers established their position based on qualifying time with Carl Edwards being the last driver whose performance put him in the race in a distant 36^th place. The last seven positions were established based on 2012 owners’ points with Martin Truex Jr., a Chase participant, being the first of the final grouping. No championship provisional was needed to put a driver in the race. Two cars did not qualify: Mike Bliss ad Brian Keselowski, failed to make the race.

Weather could be a factor with summer-like weather, hot and humid reaching 86 degrees on Saturday, cooler moist whether could impact racing on Sunday with temperatures in the 70’s but a chance of showers. The change in weather would certainly make car setup issues chancy given their last practice conditions would be quite different from anything they’ve seen so far but also different from what’s expected on Sunday. AccuWeather is currently indicated a chance of showers or possibly a thunderstorm but indicates no certainty at which time rain could hit. While certainly no one looks forward to rain being an issue for a second year in a row, NASCAR would get a chance to demonstrate its new moisture removal system. Massive air compressors will direct bursts of high pressure air upon the track where vacuums and get dryers will do the rest of the work. NASCAR boasts the new system could reduce drying time by 80%. With at least a ten percent chance of rain, they might get their chance to showcase the new gear.  

Starting Lineup:

Pos.	Car #	Driver	Mfg.	Sponsor	Speed
1	10	Danica Patrick #	Chevrolet	GoDaddy.com	196.434
2	24	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet	Drive to End Hunger	196.292
3	29	Kevin Harvick	Chevrolet	Budweiser	194.742
4	18	Kyle Busch	Toyota	M&M's	195.767
5	16	Greg Biffle	Ford	3M	194.729
6	5	Kasey Kahne	Chevrolet	Farmers Insurance	195.852
7	42	Juan Pablo Montoya	Chevrolet	Target	195.508
8	33	Austin Dillon*	Chevrolet	Honey Nut Cheerios	195.385
9	48	Jimmie Johnson	Chevrolet	Lowe's	195.084
10	15	Clint Bowyer	Toyota	5-hour Energy	195.228
11	78	Kurt Busch	Chevrolet	Furniture Row	193.657
12	20	Matt Kenseth	Toyota	Dollar General	195.725
13	14	Tony Stewart	Chevrolet	Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1	195.925
14	55	Mark Martin	Toyota	Aaron's Dream Machine	194.683
15	2	Brad Keselowski	Ford	Miller Lite	194.961
16	27	Paul Menard	Chevrolet	Menards/Peak	195.503
17	13	Casey Mears	Ford	GEICO	195.495
18	31	Jeff Burton	Chevrolet	Caterpillar	195.156
19	88	Dale Earnhardt, Jr.	Chevrolet	National Guard	195.584
20	1	Jamie McMurray	Chevrolet	McDonald's	195.042
21	22	Joey Logano	Ford	Shell Pennzoil	195.767
22	34	David Ragan	Ford	Detail Doctor	194.616
23	47	Bobby Labonte	Toyota	Kroger	192.563
24	9	Marcos Ambrose	Ford	Stanley	194.793
25	38	David Gilliland	Ford	Love's Travel Stops	194.654
26	43	Aric Almirola	Ford	Smithfield	194.742
27	87	Joe Nemechek*	Toyota	Maddie's Place Rocks	190.046
28	17	Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.#	Ford	Best Buy	195.537
29	26	Michael Waltrip	Toyota	Sandy Hook School Support Fund	194.313
30	7	Dave Blaney	Chevrolet	Florida Lottery	192.996
31	95	Scott Speed	Ford	Leavine Family Racing	193.54
32	35	Josh Wise	Ford	Blockbuster.com	194.254
33	21	Trevor Bayne*	Ford	Motorcraft/Quick Lane	195.976
34	39	Ryan Newman	Chevrolet	Quicken Loans	195.946
35	11	Denny Hamlin	Toyota	FedEx Express	195.771
36	99	Carl Edwards	Ford	Fastenal	195.24
37	56	Martin Truex, Jr.	Toyota	NAPA Auto Parts	195.207
38	51	Regan Smith(i)	Chevrolet	Guy Roofing	193.096
39	93	Travis Kvapil	Toyota	Burger King/Dr.Pepper	190.142
40	83	David Reutimann	Toyota	Burger King/Dr.Pepper	190.339
41	32	Terry Labonte	Ford	C&J Energy Services	193.515
42	36	JJ Yeley	Chevrolet	Golden Corral	192.094
43	98	Michael McDowell	Ford	K-Love/Curb Records	193.544

#Rookie of the Year 2013 contender

*Not competing for 2013 Sprint Cup Championship

Manufacturer's representation: Chevrolet - 17 cars; Ford - cars; Toyota - 11 cars.

Past champions represented: (8)

Jimmie Johnson: 5 (2006-2010)

Jeff Gordon: 4 (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001)

Tony Stewart: 3 (2002, 2005, 2001)

Terry Labonte: 2 (1984, 1995)

Bobby Labonte: 1 (2000)

Matt Kenseth: 1 (2003)

Kurt Busch: 1 (2004)

Brad Keselowski: 1 (2012)

Previous Daytona 500 Winners 

Jeff Gordon: (3) (1997, 1999, 2005)

Matt Kenseth (2) (2009, 2012)

Michael Waltrip (2) (2001, 2003)

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (1) (2004)

Jimmie Johnson (1) (2006)

Kevin Harvick (1) (2007)

Ryan Newman (1) (2008)

Jamie McMurray (1) (2010)   

Trevor Bayne (1) (2011)

Wins by Manufacter

Chevrolet - 21 (GM -- 30 wins [Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick])

Ford - 13 (Ford Motor Company -- 16 wins [Mercury])

Toyota - 0

Dodge (no current entries) - 4 (Chrysler Corp. -- 8 wins, [Plymouth])