2025 NASCAR

[220]

Practice and quali over for the clash, main event qualification races to start soon.
I was expecting SVG to be competitive on a 1/4 mile flat track no one has experience racing a cup car on but qualifying 10th was better than I expected.

[220]

Couple of big names have missed a top 5 in the first 2 heats to advance to tomorrows main.
Ryan Blaney was last in the first heat, Kyle Larson 8th in the second, both will have to try and finish top 2 in tomorrow's last chance qualifier to make the final. If Lagano qualifies in the neat heat Blaney would qualify as the highest placed in last years championship who didnt qualify on speed.
SVG was 3rd in his heat which should see him start the final from 10th.

[Stray Cat]

That 1st heat race had a lot of pushing and shoving at the rear of the field. It should be an interesting final lap(s) in the LCQ and main event.

[220]

Apart from the 1st heat they were fairly clean racing, with cars separating with a bit of green flag running. To be expected in the heats given how the fields were made up with 1st,5,9,13,17 in the first heat 2nd 6,10,14,18 in the second. There was a bit of a speed difference between each car, that disappears in the LCQ and main so will be interesting.

[220]

A win for Chase Elliott led from nearly start to finish leading 171/200 laps, impressive drive from Ryan Blaney to finish 2nd after starting last.
SVG finished 9th ran as high as 6/7 and dropped as low as 11/12 had the bumper used on him a few times and used it himself when he needed to making a pass.
Cleaner race than I was expecting, drivers were using the bumper to move the car in front just enough to get under them.

[Hatchdog]

I haven’t followed NASCAR for several years but I did catch the last chance race yesterday. What an interesting track to run those cars on. Congrats to Chase Elliot.

[220]

I haven’t followed NASCAR for several years but I did catch the last chance race yesterday. What an interesting track to run those cars on. Congrats to Chase Elliot.

Very interesting track, you would assume it would be single groove with no passing but Blaney drove from the back passing the entire field without wrecking anyone or putting a mark on his car. The inside grove was definitely preferred but the outside worked and cars could run 2 wide for laps. Drivers were regularly picking up spots using the outside on 2 wide restarts.

[Stray Cat]

Enjoyed watching Larson run in the LCQ race for the win...too bad it didn't last in the main event. Very impressed with Blaney's drive to the front, his car didn't seem to have many rubs or scuffs on the side. Good to see Elliot have a good run through lapped traffic for the win. Seemed like Goodyear brought the proper tire for this race.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

The progress for 23XI's lawsuit against Nascar has been more positive than negative lately, but that could change in the near future:

https://www.newsweek.com/sports/racing/ ... it-2025511

[220]

I will make a couple of predictions for the year, I think SVG will make the playoffs with a win probably multiple and I wouldnt rule out a short track or super speedway win for him this year. Will probably finish 15-20 in regular season points. He still has some work to do on intermediate track but expect him to stay out of trouble and finish mid field as often as not.
Conner Zilich will run top 10 on debut at COTA and like SVG on debut a top 5 or even a win isnt out of the question. He is just quick and can drive a road course, he already has a rolex from daytona last year, and this year teamed up with Scotty Mac and SVG he was as quick if not quicker than them. A GT car is not that different to a modern nascar.