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I’d Rather Drive a Chevy at Lowes Motor Speedway

October 6, 2008

Week five of the Chase has taken place at Lowes Motor Speedway every year to mark the halfway point. The race has seen a Chaser win each time, and 3 of the 4 races have been won by Jimmie Johnson (twice) and Jeff Gordon. Breaking the Chevy streak was Kasey Kahne in 2006. Chevys have taken a majority of top 10 spots, and it’s no wonder because the dominant Chevy teams – Hendrick and Childress – have been represented well. On the Hendrick side, obviously Gordon, Johnson, and previous driver Kyle Busch have top finishes, but Childress drivers Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer haven’t been too shabby either. The wild card could be the Roush Fenway Fords, however. Their last big year was 2005, and they placed 3 cars in the top 5 in this race.

As far as the championship is concerned, your guess is as good as mine. Looking at the track record, Johnson’s won this race in the years he failed to win the championship. He hasn’t won this race in 2 years, but won the championship in both. Go figure. I remember back in 2004 and Kurt Busch was involved in an early incident but came back for a top 5. The overarching theme of this race is that the title weighs heavily on the minds of the contenders.

The winners:
2007 – Jeff Gordon
2006 – Kasey Kahne
2005 – Jimmie Johnson
2004 – Jimmie Johnson

Champs finish:
2007 – Jimmie Johnson - 14th
2006 – Jimmie Johnson - 2nd
2005 – Tony Stewart - 25th
2004 – Kurt Busch - 4th

Fantasy options – Obviously, the man to beat at this track is Johnson. 2 wins and a runner-up finish in the Chase, not to mention his record at the track in general. Another driver to watch out for is Jeff Burton. I’m thinking about starting Burton this week, because he seems to have the speed again in his cars to be a contender. Thirdly, Carl Edwards has yet to experience the same success here as he has in Atlanta and Texas. Could it finally come this year? I’m hoping, but I’m not certain.

Sleepers here are always tricky. Does Kahne count as a sleeper? He had one good month here in an otherwise forgettable 2008 season, and has won this race before. Brian Vickers could finally get it done at this race. He runs extremely well at LMS. Scott Speed, Brad Keselowski, and Bryan Clauson are all expected to make their debuts this week. Count on one of them, most likely Speed or Keselowski, to have a stronger run than expected.

Finally, the song for this week’s race comes courtesy of a personal favorite on my playlist right now, “Coming Home” by Alter Bridge. Check it out, I’m out until next week.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media

Written by Matt Mercer · Filed Under 1, Chevrolet Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Lowe's Motor Speedway, NASCAR, Nascar Chase 2008, Richard Childress Racing | Leave a Comment 

The Kez Invades Toledo Speedway

August 28, 2008



On Tuesday, at the Toledo Speedway, while Steve, Charlie and I were preparing for the On Pit Row radio show, I could hear the sounds of a car outside on the track.  It was ‘rumored’ that  Brad Kesolowski was testing.  I decided to go check it out and possibly capture a picture or two of the guys on the track. 

The track is right outside of building where the show is broadcast.  So I stepped out the door, into the track facility, and I looked over towards the pit area and sure enough, there was a Hendrick Motorsports hauler.  As it turns out, the rumor was true.  Brad and teammate Landon Cassill were both testing cars.

The #5 was running most of the laps while I was there.  Brad’s #88 was being busily adjusted in the back of the track.  He did eventually, get his car out for some laps right before dark.  

I found a nice spot in the front stretch where there was a hole in the fence just wide enough to fit my lens through and waited.  It wasn’t long before Cassill’s car came around turn 4.  I felt the ground rumble, then the whoosh of the wind as the car went flying by within 4 feet of where I was standing.  It was a little scary and I had to fight the urge to jump back when the car got that close; even though there was a wall and a chain link fence protecting me.  It was also electrifying and an incredible rush.  

A man came up to me and told me Brad and Landon had been there since 7:30am.  We chatted a bit about how Kesolowski specifically wanted to come to Toledo for testing because it was a track he was familiar with and he needed to work on his short track program.

Mostly though, he wanted to warn me about the dangers of standing so close to the wall.  I thought about the dangers involved with racing…even testing.  I was done anyway, but I thought, I’d rather go out doing something I loved than wasting away alone in a nursing home.  It was a good afternoon.

Photo credit: BethAnne Heisler - ON PIT ROW

Written by Beth Anne Heisler · Filed Under Hendrick Motorsports, On Pit Row, Show News | 1 Comment