Indy braces for after effects of 2008 debacle
After enjoying the final weekend off on the 2009 schedule, NASCAR?s Sprint Cup Series begins the final stretch towards the Chase. With just seven races till the cutoff for the postseason, every week is critical, especially for those drivers jostling for the 8th-14th positions in the standings, a very tight pack. Sunday?s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard is important not only for that reason, but for what happened last year, when severe tire problems destroyed one of the crown jewels on the Cup schedule each year. NASCAR hopes this year?s event is focused 100% on racing, as do Tony Stewart & Jimmie Johnson, the official race favorites at 11-2 odds.
A victory this week is much-coveted one, both for the pageantry of the host venue, the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as well as the prize money disbursed to the winner. As is usually the case, the stars tend shine brightest on the biggest stage, as the last five winners of this race are perhaps its biggest stars. Johnson & Stewart have alternated the last four trips to the Brickyard, with the former coming in as the defending champ, and Jeff Gordon took home the checkered flag here for a record 4th time in ?04. Johnson and Stewart are among seven past drivers who went on to win series titles following their trips to Indy?s victory lane and many experts feel the same destiny could await this week.
Getting back to the debacle that was the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, tire problems dominated the race. They were so severe that the longest green flag run was 12 laps. After seemingly being taken by NASCAR, many fans vowed never to return to Indy. That is what makes this a crucial race for the track, and the series for that matter. Combining that skepticism with the present recession and it would be no surprise to see a record number of empty seats this Sunday. On top of all of that, the racing at the Brickyard has always been more conducive to open-wheel cars. As for the stock cars, track positioning and pit strategy have always been key at IMS, as the minimal banking on the track has mandated cautious driving with minimal passing. Most experts believe that there is only a slight difference between the car setups used at Indianapolis to those at Pocono. Keep that in mind when handicapping, since coincidentally, another trip to Pocono follows this week?s event. The top three in the June race at Pocono were Stewart, Carl Edwards, and David Reutimann.
There are several drivers who embrace this particular race more than others because the Brickyard is their ?home track?. Stewart, Gordon, and Ryan Newman all grew up racing in Indiana. Stewart?s 11-2 odds have him as the co-favorite, and justifiably so when you consider his past success here, he won at Pocono, and is leading the series overall. Gordon is listed at 7-1 with the four prior Indy wins. Of the three, Newman has the longest odds for this week at 16-1, but carries value in the fact that he runs the same equipment as Stewart. Johnson (11-2) has to be given consideration after a runner-up finish at Chicago two weeks ago. His strong finishes tend to come in bunches. Edwards, at 13-2, may be a bit overpriced, but does post the runner-up finish at Pocono in June. Elsewhere on the odds board, you?ll find Kyle Busch at 8-1, Mark Martin at 9-1, and Denny Hamlin at 12-1. All are capable of winning this race. Stay away from anyone from Richard Childress Racing (Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Casey Mears, Clint Bowyer). Besides the on-track problems the team has endured this season, now things seem to have spilled off of the track, with recent rumblings of a potential divorce between Harvick & Childress.
The current point standings after 19 races find Stewart in front of the field, boasting a cushy 175-point advantage over Gordon. Johnson is in third at 212-points back, followed by Kurt Busch, chasing 358 points. Hamlin, Edwards, and Newman would all seem to be somewhat safe within 500-points. After that, it is a logjam between seven drivers, each battling for one of five available Chase spots. Last on that list, and in 14th, is Reutimann, 76 points behind Matt Kenseth for 12th. Perhaps the most amazing things when looking at the standings to this point is the group of drivers nearing the point of elimination from Chase contention. Those expected contenders in the most danger are Bowyer (15th), Burton (17th), Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (21st), Martin Truex (24th), and Kevin Harvick (25th).
This week?s qualifying for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard begins Saturday at 10:10 AM ET, with the race green flag scheduled for Sunday at 2:19 PM ET. With track position being critical, the qualifying usually plays a huge factor, with eight of the previous 15 winners starting in the top 5, including Johnson from the pole in ?08. No winner has ever come from worse than 27th. On top of Johnson?s prime starting spot, he also paced the field in Happy Hour, so if the stars are aligned for someone similarly in ?09, don?t be afraid to unload.
After enjoying the final weekend off on the 2009 schedule, NASCAR?s Sprint Cup Series begins the final stretch towards the Chase. With just seven races till the cutoff for the postseason, every week is critical, especially for those drivers jostling for the 8th-14th positions in the standings, a very tight pack. Sunday?s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard is important not only for that reason, but for what happened last year, when severe tire problems destroyed one of the crown jewels on the Cup schedule each year. NASCAR hopes this year?s event is focused 100% on racing, as do Tony Stewart & Jimmie Johnson, the official race favorites at 11-2 odds.
A victory this week is much-coveted one, both for the pageantry of the host venue, the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as well as the prize money disbursed to the winner. As is usually the case, the stars tend shine brightest on the biggest stage, as the last five winners of this race are perhaps its biggest stars. Johnson & Stewart have alternated the last four trips to the Brickyard, with the former coming in as the defending champ, and Jeff Gordon took home the checkered flag here for a record 4th time in ?04. Johnson and Stewart are among seven past drivers who went on to win series titles following their trips to Indy?s victory lane and many experts feel the same destiny could await this week.
Getting back to the debacle that was the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, tire problems dominated the race. They were so severe that the longest green flag run was 12 laps. After seemingly being taken by NASCAR, many fans vowed never to return to Indy. That is what makes this a crucial race for the track, and the series for that matter. Combining that skepticism with the present recession and it would be no surprise to see a record number of empty seats this Sunday. On top of all of that, the racing at the Brickyard has always been more conducive to open-wheel cars. As for the stock cars, track positioning and pit strategy have always been key at IMS, as the minimal banking on the track has mandated cautious driving with minimal passing. Most experts believe that there is only a slight difference between the car setups used at Indianapolis to those at Pocono. Keep that in mind when handicapping, since coincidentally, another trip to Pocono follows this week?s event. The top three in the June race at Pocono were Stewart, Carl Edwards, and David Reutimann.
There are several drivers who embrace this particular race more than others because the Brickyard is their ?home track?. Stewart, Gordon, and Ryan Newman all grew up racing in Indiana. Stewart?s 11-2 odds have him as the co-favorite, and justifiably so when you consider his past success here, he won at Pocono, and is leading the series overall. Gordon is listed at 7-1 with the four prior Indy wins. Of the three, Newman has the longest odds for this week at 16-1, but carries value in the fact that he runs the same equipment as Stewart. Johnson (11-2) has to be given consideration after a runner-up finish at Chicago two weeks ago. His strong finishes tend to come in bunches. Edwards, at 13-2, may be a bit overpriced, but does post the runner-up finish at Pocono in June. Elsewhere on the odds board, you?ll find Kyle Busch at 8-1, Mark Martin at 9-1, and Denny Hamlin at 12-1. All are capable of winning this race. Stay away from anyone from Richard Childress Racing (Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Casey Mears, Clint Bowyer). Besides the on-track problems the team has endured this season, now things seem to have spilled off of the track, with recent rumblings of a potential divorce between Harvick & Childress.
The current point standings after 19 races find Stewart in front of the field, boasting a cushy 175-point advantage over Gordon. Johnson is in third at 212-points back, followed by Kurt Busch, chasing 358 points. Hamlin, Edwards, and Newman would all seem to be somewhat safe within 500-points. After that, it is a logjam between seven drivers, each battling for one of five available Chase spots. Last on that list, and in 14th, is Reutimann, 76 points behind Matt Kenseth for 12th. Perhaps the most amazing things when looking at the standings to this point is the group of drivers nearing the point of elimination from Chase contention. Those expected contenders in the most danger are Bowyer (15th), Burton (17th), Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (21st), Martin Truex (24th), and Kevin Harvick (25th).
This week?s qualifying for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard begins Saturday at 10:10 AM ET, with the race green flag scheduled for Sunday at 2:19 PM ET. With track position being critical, the qualifying usually plays a huge factor, with eight of the previous 15 winners starting in the top 5, including Johnson from the pole in ?08. No winner has ever come from worse than 27th. On top of Johnson?s prime starting spot, he also paced the field in Happy Hour, so if the stars are aligned for someone similarly in ?09, don?t be afraid to unload.
