As you have heard us say many times this year, with the new point system NASCAR instituted at the beginning of the season, combined with the revised qualification opportunities for the 2011 Chase, these drivers realize more than ever the importance of getting wins and making every point count.
It just seems to me that these drivers are digging a little deeper than ever before and are up on the wheel from the drop of the green flag until they take the checkered one. I really find it refreshing. I really enjoy it now when a driver gets out of his car after a race and is disgusted finishing ninth. Two years ago that same driver would have been talking about having a great “points day.” Now it is all about winning.
These guys are really going after it. That is exactly what NASCAR has been searching for this last handful of years. These guys really are laying it out there now every week. There’s a renewed sense of urgency and need that we haven’t seen in recent years. The value of what you are doing on the track and the gutsy decisions you make has a different meaning this year than in previous years. The sport and its fans are receiving the benefit of that.
You heard me say recently that just a couple years ago during this portion of the hot summer stretch, guys were simply trying to hold on to what they had and get to the Chase. Now the intensity is higher than ever. The points are tight. Every race matters and each week it’s a new challenge.
So starting next week at Indianapolis, we have seven races to go until the Chase field is set and there are seven drivers hanging on. Some are hanging on by points and some are hanging on by having a single win. Quite honestly, as awesome as the racing has been this year, the combination of those two factors can change weekly now.
At the beginning of the season with the new point system and the new way to make the Chase, you heard everyone say “Win and you are in.” Well guess what – that’s not a given anymore. Today, just because you have one win doesn’t mean you will make the Chase anymore. I think that is what is making this season so compelling: all the unknowns.
Let’s face it, one of the most intriguing storylines involves Brad Kesolowski, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart. Brad has a win and the other two don’t. However, for Brad’s win to come into the Chase wild-card spot picture, he has to get himself into the Top 20 in points.
So let’s assume he does get into the Top 20. If Dale Jr. continues his slide and is outside the Top 10 and if Tony can’t get a win or into the Top 10 in points in these next seven races, guess who is in and who is out? That’s right – Brad would make Chase and two of our sport’s biggest names will be on the outside looking in.
Juan Pablo Montoya could also upset some folks’ apple carts as well. We have Indy next weekend that he is awesome at and then don’t forget we have the road course at Watkins Glen. If he were to win at both those places, then again, guys like Dale Jr. and Tony are going to have their seasons ruined. These are scenarios our sport has never had to deal with. That’s just another level of excitement that we’re enjoying in 2011.
These guys are great race car drivers. They know what their goals are and what they have to achieve to move forward to the Chase and they are going after it. I love what we are seeing and feeling in our sport. The intensity is so great that even those guys with one win under their belts are not feeling very secure. It’s pretty incredible that one win might not be enough. David Ragan, the driver of the No. 6 car just told me the other day that he doesn’t think his single win so far this year will be enough.
So for about a handful of drivers, these next seven races are make or break. This is their version of a mini-Chase. They know they only have seven races left and they have to make the most of it. If you are a racing fan, these races leading to Richmond are going to be nothing short of intense and fun. This is stacking up to be one of the greatest seasons of NASCAR Sprint Cup racing that our sport has ever seen.
