Sizzlers & Fizzlers- Following FedEx 400
Jun 1, 2014; Dover, DE, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jimmie Johnson (48) celebrates in victory lane with his wife, Chandra Johnson and daughters Lydia Johnson and Genevieve Johnson after winning the FedEx 400 at Dover International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Jimmie Johnson’s 0-11 drought to start the 2014 season is now a distant memory. Johnson’s ability to score two victories in a span of two weeks instantly put the rest of the NSCS garage on high alert. Once again Johnson is raising the bar. All of a sudden things just got real. Wasn’t the new chase format designed to regulate the competition? I guess nothing can slow down the force of nature that is Jimmie Johnson.
Matt Kenseth spent the last six weeks stalled behind the NSCS point’s leader Jeff Gordon. On the verge of winning his first race of the 2014 season, Mr. Reliability leaves the monster mile atop the points standings for the first time since last season. Should Kenseth fail to win a race before the start of the chase, his consistent nature would likely guarantee him a spot in the sixteen driver playoff. However it’s unlikely Kenseth will remain out of the winner’s circle for much longer.
Often in life we find solace in minor victories. That’s certainly was the case for Martin Truex Jr following Sunday afternoon’s race at Dover. Marty’s sixth place finish could go a long way in turning what’s been an abysmal season into a triumph. Furniture Row racing remains hopeful they can catch lightning in a bottle one more time.
Team Penske drivers Joey Logano & Brad Keselowski both finished inside the top ten this week, as they continue to build upon their championship caliber seasons in 2014. Aside from Carl Edwards, Logano & Keselowski represents the ford camps best opportunity at claiming their first championship in a decade.
Silently Paul Menard is carrying the RCR banner. Menard’s been if anything consistent, rolling off three top ten finishes in the last four races. Say what you will. His forward progress is admirable.
The last thing Roush Fenway Racing needs is for its other two drivers ( Biffle, Stenhouse Jr) to struggle heading into the summer months. Lately it seems as if there’s a black cloud hovering over this organization. With all the talk recently centered on the impending departures of Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle at seasons end, combined with dismal results turned in by Biffle and Stenhouse at Dover equals for one unhappy cat in the hat.
Honestly I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating we don’t give Kyle Busch enough credit. He couldn’t pull off the triple at Dover, and some people were pleased to see him faultier where as others wanted to see him continue to rewrite the record book. It’s not every week a driver has the opportunity to win three races in the same weekend. Oh well better luck next time Rowdy.
Remember when David Ragan was a highly touted up and coming driver at Roush Fenway Racing destined for greatness? Don’t feel bad if you don’t because we haven’t seen that David Ragan in quite some time, and it appears his situation is getting worse. Blah!
Alex Bowman’s rookie season probably won’t be remember as one of the better rookie campaigns in NASCAR Sprint cup series history, but it can’t help your cause when you succumb to the nickname bad luck Bowman. Way to gear yourself up for success Bowman.
Photo courtesy of USA TODAY Sports
Jun 1, 2014; Dover, DE, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jimmie Johnson (48) celebrates in victory lane after winning the FedEx 400 at Dover International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O