Turn 4 Transitions

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

By Natalie Anthony

 

LifeLock.com 400

July 11, 2009 (Saturday) 8:00 pm – TNT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            I have been one of those NASCAR fans that have braved the comments and back-lash of defending a driver like Kyle Busch.  No, it is actually Kyle that I have used all my energy and effort to show a different side of his demeanor and focus on the impressiveness of his raw talent in order to over shadow his jerky, self-righteous, and stubborn persona.  If Kyle disrepects a reporter or avoids an interview because he can’t be man enough and control his anger one more time like he did last Saturday at Daytona; I will boycott the #18 for the rest of the season.  That is that.  Oh, and one more reason why the #18 is in the dog house is because of his racy actions last Saturday when he took out my boy Kasey Kahne on the last lap.  Well, Kasey kind of rammed Kyle, but it was Kyle’s fault.  I know that wrecks are all about racing at Daytona, but leave Kasey out of the carnage.  Now, that is that.

            I checked the race statistics for Chicagoland Speedway (CS) and the Illinois track only has two repeat winners out of the current driver roster.  How can that be?  One reason is that NASCAR only visits this track once a season and the other reason is that the speedway is less than ten years old.  That makes sense.  The two drivers that have won more than once (that would be exactly twice) are Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart.  Both of the over thirty drivers sported Top 5’s at CS last July.  The only other drivers to make it into Victory Lane besides Tony and Kevin are Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jeff Gordon.  Do the math and that makes CS eight years old, going on nine. 

Another driver that is in and out of the commentary on race day is Brian Vickers.  Brian is driving well enough this season to get noticed and last season he grabbed a Top 10 at CS and is slowing making his way up the point standing ranks.  He is five spots out of the chase right now, but another solid finish this Saturday could move him up a spot in front of Clint Bowyer.

Baby news this week; daddy Matt Kenseth added a daughter to his crew.  Much congrats to him and his wife (Katie).  Good to know that he is having a life outside of NASCAR.  Now, let’s see if he can add another win to his season.  Matt is currently winless at Chicagoland, but if he can’t find the checkered flag this weekend he will surely find his #17 in the Top 10.  Matt placed 7^th last July.

 

 

 

 

LifeLock.com 400

 

(July 12, 2008)

Top 10 Results  

1.  Kyle Busch

2.  Jimmie Johnson

3.  Kevin Harvick

4.  Greg Biffle

5.  Tony Stewart

6.  Brian Vickers

7.  Matt Kenseth

8.  David Ragan

9.  Martin Truex Jr.

10.Ryan Newman

 

Track Stats

Chicagoland Speedway

(Joliet, IL)

 

 

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