Articles by Heather, Nationwide Series, Sprint Cup, Truck Series

Musings from the Lawn Mower

Thursday, August 16, 2012 178 reads
Heather Meyer

When I mow the yard it gives my mind time to just wander and think of things other than what has to be done in the next 24 hours.

I realized there are just 4 more races till the Chase starts and the Chase on the bubble list seems to be changing every week.

So with that I thought about what all has gone on over the season so far, starting with the off season and changes made.

Who would have thought that Allmendinger would have ended up in the Penske/Shell # 22, have the slow start they did and just when the ship started to right Allmendinger fails a drug test and is out the rest of the season.

I knew Montoya bounced off a lot of cars and walls during the season but taking out a jet dryer at Daytona started the season off with a bang, or should I say flame out.

A first at Daytona of race being postponed to a Monday night race, who would have ever thought we’d have a driver tweet during the race, well red flag.

Tracks have been repaved or altered which have brought some tire issues for the first Michigan race. The answers to how the changes at Kansas and Bristol are still to come.

Matt Kenseth informing RFR that he is leaving, yet he can’t tell us what team he’ll be with yet. Everyone says he’ll be in the #20 Home Depot cars.

A National Holiday was declared after Dale Jr won the first Michigan race, he’s even been the point’s leader this season. A lock for the chase but can he win the whole thing?

Up until this month Jeff Gordon hadn’t won a race and is outside the chase. He has flirted with the chase bubble so will he make the chase?

Then there is Carl Edwards he hasn’t won a race, had a crew chief change and sits 12^th in points not looking good for him to make the chase.

MWR has 2 drivers in the top 10 which is a first and they should both make the chase.

Johnson, Keselowski and Stewart have 3 wins each making them the favorites heading into the chase.

Harvick had most of his crew change over the off season along with adding Crew Chief Shane Wilson still hasn’t won a race this season but is sitting 9^th in points. Over all RCR has seemed to be struggling.

Regan Smith had a crew chief change right before Indy and since has had 2 top ten finishes.

Silly season could be interesting since we know Stenhouse Jr will be taking Kenseth’s ride but who will be in the #22? Where will Logano go? Will SHR find the sponsorship to keep Newman in the fold?

Rumors are RCR could go back to a four car time. Kurt Busch is still looking to get back to a big time team, Phoenix racing looking for sponsors. Rumor is he could end up at Furniture Row Racing if sponsorship found. Smith’s contract up too.

Then there is Dodge leaving with a few teams scrambling to renew manufacturer and alliance contracts.

New cars for 2013 have been approved and testing has begun.

I guess the big question isn’t any of the above but will this be the year Johnson wins his 6^th Championship?