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.

Continue reading →

NASCAR Hands Down Hefty Penalty to JGR Team

Posted on Author WKVI
Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin

A post-race inspection at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has resulted in a hefty penalty for the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team.

The infraction is a P5 level penalty which is a step down from the stiffest penalty in the NASCAR handbook.

According to NASCAR, the penalties came after officials found parts on Denny Hamlin’s car that fail or were improperly installed to fail in their intended use of great importance. Those parts include “rear wheel panels that fail and allow air evacuation in the trunk area; an oil box cover that fails and allows air evacuation in the driver compartment; and a shifter boot cover that fails and allows air evacuation through the floor pan.”

Continue reading →

Hamlin Gets First Win of the Season

Posted on Author WKVI
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2014 in Talladega, Alabama. Photo by Getty Images
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2014 in Talladega, Alabama. Photo by Getty Images

At Talladega Superspeedway, anything can happen. Tell that to Denny Hamlin as he won the Aaron’s 499 on Sunday afternoon at Talladega Superspeedway. Hamlin won as a caution came out on the last lap for debris. A large piece of debris was found on the front stretch and NASCAR officials took their time and threw the caution flag on the last lap of the race. Once that happens, the field is frozen. Hamlin was able to secure the win.

Continue reading →

Hamlin is Cleared to Race in Martinsville

Posted on Author WKVI
Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin will race this Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.

Hamlin missed the race on Sunday, March 23 as he was having trouble with his vision and the medical staff would not clear him to race.

According to a press release from Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin visited the infield care center at Auto Club Speedway on Saturday night with an eye irritation. The issue worsened the morning of the race and medical officials could not clear him to race.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →