Sizzlers Following The Sylvania 300
Aug 3, 2014; Long Pond, PA, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano (L) and driver Brad Keselowski (2) share a laugh prior to the GoBowling.com 400 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sizzlers
Team Penske
Dominance has become a staple for Team Penske drivers Joey Logano & Brad Keselowski in the 2014 edition of the Chase. After the first two Chase races, both drivers have one win apiece, automatically punching their ticket to the next round. Logano has been the most consistent driver on the tour in recent months. Since finishing fifth at Indianapolis in July, Logano has finished no worse than 14th in the last nine races. He’s quickly marching his way toward becoming one of the tour’s elite drivers. On the other hand, Keselowski continues to lead the Chase standings, showing tremendous resilience overcoming a late on track incident with Matt Kenseth that could have spoiled his day to salvage a seventh place finish. Don’t count out either Team Penske driver this weekend at Dover since, both drivers perform exceptionally well at the Monster Mile.
Chip Ganassi Racing
Kyle Larson is going to win a race before the 2014 comes to an end. Had the rookie sensation
Sep 11, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Aric Almirola is interviewed during media day for the 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup at The Murphy Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
qualified for the Chase, he would be right behind both Team Penske drivers in the standings, battling for a championship in his rookie season. What’s astounding about all of this is he’s only 20 years of age, and he’s only going to get better as his career progresses. That’s a major plus for Chip Ganassi Racing moving forward. Larson’s teammate Jamie McMurray has also seized the opportunity to outshine some of the Chase drivers in recent weeks finishing ninth at Chicago and fourth at New Hampshire. Now if only he could qualify for the Chase, he would be definitely a driver to watch since he’s notorious for winning races in the Chase.
Jimmie Johnson
I’m absolutely marveled that some folks actually think Jimmie Johnson has no chance of winning the 2014 Sprint Cup championship. Haven’t we learned anything from the past decade? There’s no quit in the six time champion, and when he hits his stride, he’s an unstoppable force of nature. Fresh off a solid fifth place finish at New Hampshire, the mercury is on the rise. Is it hot in here or is it just Jimmie?
Aric Almirola
There’s a deep feeling amongst a wide margin of critics who would say Aric Almirola has no business being in the Chase, let alone having an opportunity to make it to the second round. Well get over it because Almirola deserves to be exactly where he stands going into this weekend’s race at Dover. Almirola has shown a tremendous amount of fortitude following a heartbreaking finish at Chicago that could have easily derailed his spirit. Amazingly, Almirola battled his way back from adversity once again to finish sixth at New Hampshire, leaving the magic mile with a fighting chance to advance to round number two of the Chase. And they said he doesn’t belong here….hmmm!
Photo Courtesy of Jasen Vinlove – USA Today Sports
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