2024 NASCAR

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Michael Jordan's 23XI and a 2nd team sue NASCAR over revenue sharing model:

https://apnews.com/article/nascar-antit ... 0suppliers.

What a difference from the days back in the 50's, where you drove a car to the track, entered the race and if the car was up to it, you drove it back home, along with any money you may have earned.

And the other controversy lately, Nascar just turned all their ticket sales over to Ticketmaster.

Ticketmaster, known for charging big extra Fees.

The old days sure are gone.

[220]

SVG will start from P8 at Talladega, Kaulig cars look to have reasonable pace with AJ P5.
SVG is currently 8 points above the cut line, AJ 13 points below, both will probably be chasing early stage points and trying to avoid getting caught up in a big one.
While they are probably the 2 best road racers in the field I dont think either wants to head to the Roval needing to win to advance to the next round.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

I just checked to see where Kyle Busch is starting at (4th) and just noticed that your driver is now listed at 17th for some reason.

AJ down to 25th. ??

EDIT: My mistake. I thought you were referring to Cup, but just tuning in to the race, I see now that you were referring to the Xfinity series.

[220]

Sorry should have said Xfinity where they are both in the playoffs. Both are doing double duty running cup as well.
SVG just involved in a big one midway through the 3rd stage while running top 5.
At least he banked a few points with a 4th in the second stage.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Looks like we were both typing at the same time, lol. I left the computer just then to watch the replay of that big one you just mentioned.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Well, it was brewing and sure enough another big one. Red Flag with 3 to go.

[220]

Yeah more playoff contenders involved, probably a good thing for SVG as will keep him closer to the cut line.

[220]

Lucky break for SVG his DNF had him sitting 21 points below the cut line.
Sam Mayer failed post race inspections and has been disqualified so SVG is now only 10 points out, a much more manageable gap.

[220]

Big one with 4 to go and race red flagged, most of the field involved, 28 cars they are saying.
SVG was running at the back of the pack in the 20's got turned around but drove off and showing as 9th, just about every car apart from the leader involved. Will have to wait and see who is still running and where they restart.
Impressive run from SVG in the second stage, led quite a few laps working both lanes to maintain the lead, pitted under green lost the lead but run top 5 to the end of the stage and finished it P4.
Interesting in both the cup and infinity races he has run at or near the front while they are running single file or 2 wide. As soon as they start running 3 and 4 wide he drops to the back of the lead pack. I think it is deliberate choice, dont think he is confident in that situation yet and is just trying to stay out of trouble when the big one everybody knows is coming happens.

[220]

Interesting stat from the cup race was SVG setting the fastest lap at 199.438mph, guess he is getting the hang of turning left.

Biggest race of the year for us in Aus this weekend with the Bathurst 1000.
Might have posted this vid before but gives you an idea of the track although it still doesnt do justice to the elevation changes, almost 600 feet elevation difference between the lowest and highest points, just under 4 miles 22 turns, a mile long straight with speeds approaching 200mph.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGykmw1M_Y4

No doubt it is broadcast live in the USA but I have no idea who has the rights.
While it is a purpose built road course it is also a public road for all but 6 weeks a year, I have probably driven it 100 times, the 35mph speed limit takes the fun out of it but gives a real appreciation for the elevation twists and turns.

[220]

I think the Xfinity race will be the one to watch at the Roval this week, The fight to get above the cut line looks like it will be an epic battle,
You have AJ sitting at +7, normally you would say he is almost a lock to advance, for a long time regarded as the best road racer in the series, reining cup series race winner, has never lost a Xfinity race at the Roval with 4 wins at the track.
Justin Allgaer is at -7, no slouch on a road course narrowly missed finishing the regular season as the points leader,
SVG at -10, will start the cup race as the favorite has taken over from AJ as the dominate road course racer in Nascar having crossed the line first in 3 of the 5 Xfinity road races this year the 2 races he didnt win he crossed the line in 2nd and 5th.
Sam Mayer is at -13, with no AJ in last years Xfinity race he is the defending Xfintiy race winner.
At -17 is Parker Kligerman sort of forgotten about given the quality of road racers above him, 5 Xfinity road course races this year and he has finished top 10 in every one.
Given the quality of the 5 I dont think anyone can rely on points to get into the 8 they will all be chasing a race win.
The changes to the Roval course look to have created a couple of spots where a dive bomb for position is a real possibility, I think we will be in for one of the best races ever seen or absolute carnage.

[220]

No surprise SVG has qualified 1st in the Xfinity race, margin isnt as big as I thought it might be only 2 tenths ahead of Mayer with AJ just behind in 3rd.
All 3 have nearly half a second on the 4th place qualifier, Allgaier is 9th but 1.2 seconds slower than SVG.
On pure pace it looks to be a 3 car race but cautions and strategy will undoubtably bring others into contention.

[220]

Pole for SVG for the cup race as well.
Easy to forget this is the first time he has raced the Roval and his cup experience is still less than 10 races.
Everyone expects him to be at or near the front even in car unchartered 3rd car from a second tier team that has to qualify on speed to start the race.

[220]

Not going to plan for SVG so far, Mayer jumped him at the start but was penalized with a drive through for jumping the start.
AJ passes him for the lead about 4 laps in with SVG complaining of poor handling, be blew through the back chicane had to come to a stop before continuing and dropped to 6th. Managed to get back to second by then end of the first stage.
Restarted the second stage in 22nd and was up inside the top 10 when a yellow that involved Creed and Herbst saw him pit again. Restarted 17th with 4 to go in the second stage and was up to 7th in 2 laps when another yellow for ended the stage.
Creed looks to be out of the race after blowing up probably due to damage from the 2nd stage incident, Herbst is also suffering from the same incident with the team working frantically to replace a track bar after he hit the wall again.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Kind of a boring race today in my opinion. About the most exciting thing was Logano and Reddick. Logano was above the cut line and towards the end Reddick was 14 spots behind after having mechanical problems from a dust up. One by one Reddick kept gaining spots, with Joey losing 2 or 3. He finally caught up to him in points and at the end eliminated Joey by 4. Larson ended up winning by the way.

[Sir Henry]

I watched the race for five minutes. I just can’t get into the stages. It’s like the NFL evening the score at the end of each quarter.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

I'm not crazy about the stages either, it's more the Road Courses I don't care for, especially on a track that's a long time traditional oval. But there is one thing I do like about stage points. Especially happening to Jr years ago, many times to boot. He would start up front, have a great day, have great pit stops, working his butt off all afternoon being either leading or top 5 anyway and right at the end he would get taken out by some kind of incident that was not his fault and end up finishing 35th or worse. All that hard work and nothing to show for it.

[Sir Henry]

I'm not crazy about the stages either, it's more the Road Courses I don't care for, especially on a track that's a long time traditional oval. But there is one thing I do like about stage points. Especially happening to Jr years ago, many times to boot. He would start up front, have a great day, have great pit stops, working his butt off all afternoon being either leading or top 5 anyway and right at the end he would get taken out by some kind of incident that was not his fault and end up finishing 35th. All that hard work and nothing to show for it.

His dad would say that’s just racin’.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

I'm not crazy about the stages either, it's more the Road Courses I don't care for, especially on a track that's a long time traditional oval. But there is one thing I do like about stage points. Especially happening to Jr years ago, many times to boot. He would start up front, have a great day, have great pit stops, working his butt off all afternoon being either leading or top 5 anyway and right at the end he would get taken out by some kind of incident that was not his fault and end up finishing 35th. All that hard work and nothing to show for it.

His dad would say that’s just racin’.

That is true, lol.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

HOT NEWS !!

Joey is back in. Alex Bowman was disqualified in post race inspection. His car was too light. The penalty of a last place finish put him below the cut line, which put Joey back in. For now anyway. We will see if Hendrick appeals, but I bet it won't stick.