OPINION: NASCAR’s Chase Format Creates Pressure, Drama

Posted on Author WKVI
A general view during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 11, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
A general view during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 11, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

It wasn’t until Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 that I realized how much this new Chase format may be getting to some drivers and teams.

The tempers boiled between Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski and Matt Kenseth after Kevin Harvick won the race and moved onto the eliminator round of the Chase.

With 63 laps to go on a restart lap, Matt Kenseth had a big run and Keselowski snuck up in front of him which caused Kenseth to smack into the wall. That incident caused Kenseth to drop from fourth to 18th and deeper in the field.

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Matt Kenseth Looking for Win at Kentucky Speedway

Posted on Author WKVI
Matt Kenseth
Matt Kenseth

NASCAR is headed to a track this weekend that is described as having lots of character. Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Kentucky has a rough surface which throws off some drivers when maneuvering their cars around the 1.5 mile oval.

Matt Kenseth will be racing in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races this weekend. Kenseth said Tuesday afternoon that he’s not sure if tire wear will be a concern with the surface being so rough. He will figure that out when he does a tire test there in his Nationwide car this afternoon.

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Kenseth and Hamlin Win Budweiser Duels, Daytona 500 Field Set

Posted on Author WKVI
Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 DOW Chevrolet, and Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 3M Ford, lead the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel 1 at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 2014 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Photo by Getty Images
Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 DOW Chevrolet, and Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 3M Ford, lead the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel 1 at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 2014 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Photo by Getty Images

Thursday night’s Budweiser Duels sparked dreams for some and disappointment in others.

Joe Gibbs Racing was dominant as two of the organization’s drivers were in Victory Lane after both races.

Matt Kenseth was able to come away with the win in the first race, fighting off a charging Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne. All three were close to the finish line for the win but Kenseth was able to get across in winning fashion to claim the first victory of the evening.

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Dollar General Increases Sponsorship with Joe Gibbs Racing

Posted on Author WKVI

Dollar General and Joe Gibbs racing have agreed to a 27-race sponsorship with Matt Kenseth and the No. 20 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2014. That’s 10 races more than in the 2013 season.

The No. 20 yellow and black Dollar General Toyota will be featured at the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Talladega Speedway in May, Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July, Richmond International Speedway in September, the first race of the Chase at Chicagoland Speedway, and Charlotte Motor Speedway in October, plus four other races in the season.

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Johnson Wins Sixth Championship, Hamlin Wins Last Race of NASCAR Sprint Cup Season

Posted on Author WKVI

From the drop of the flag at the Daytona 500, Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports crew set the tone as Johnson won the first race of the 2013 Sprint Cup season and set a goal of capturing a sixth championship. He made that goal a reality Sunday night when he lifted his sixth championship trophy at the end of the Ford Ecoboost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Johnson didn’t win the race, but he was able to keep track position and escape danger throughout the race to end the season as the champion – 19 points ahead of rival Matt Kenseth.

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship Contender on the Pole for Sunday’s Race

Posted on Author WKVI

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Matt Kenseth proved that he’s still a viable contender in the chase for the Sprint Cup trophy when he qualified his yellow No. 20 Dollar General Toyota on the pole for Sunday’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kenseth had the top speed of 177.677 mph.

Kenseth trails points leader Jimmie Johnson by 28 and leads Kevin Harvick by six points as they head into Sunday’s race where a new champion will be crowned.

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Two NASCAR Championship Contenders Racing in Two Series Competitions

Posted on Author WKVI

Austin Dillon and Matt Kenseth are both in the running to win championships in two different series and they will be racing in additional races this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Matt Kenseth is attempting to win his second NASCAR Sprint Cup championship but is trailing series leader Jimmie Johnson by 28 points. He will be racing for the championship in the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota for Joe Gibbs racing on Sunday, and will race the previous day in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) in the No. 18 GameStop/Cabela’s Toyota for same race team. Kenseth believes that running in both races will help prepare him for a championship run.

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Harvick Wins at Phoenix, Johnson Takes 28 Point Lead to Homestead

Posted on Author WKVI

Carl Edwards’ Crew Chief Jimmy Fennig wasn’t kidding when he told the driver of the No. 99 Fastenal Ford Fusion that he only had a lap-and-a-half left in the gas tank and to save as much as possible, but Edwards’ car just couldn’t make it to the finish line. What’s worse was he was leading the race with one lap to go when the tank went dry. That allowed Kevin Harvick to drive right past Edwards and take the win Sunday night in the Advocare 500 in the Sprint Cup Series at Phoenix International Raceway.

Edwards went from leading the race to coasting to a 21st place finish.

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Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson Ready for Championship Battle at Phoenix

Posted on Author WKVI

This been a memorable Chase for Matt Kenseth, the newest driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and for Hendrick Motorsports driver, Jimmie Johnson.

Kenseth won a Championship in 2003 after dominating that year and it’s been an interesting back-and-forth battle in the Chase with Johnson. Only seven points separate Kenseth and Johnson as they go to Phoenix International Raceway this Sunday, Nov. 10.

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