Turn 4 Transitions

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

By Natalie Anthony

 

 

TUMS Fast Relief 500

October 25, 2009 (Sunday) 1:30 pm – ABC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            There has been a strange calm in NASCAR this past week.  Yes, we see the typical chase driver in the news that has lessened their spot in the point’s battle because of their poor performance in the last weekend’s race (Juan Pablo Montoya).  And Jeremy Mayfield and his non stop lawsuits christen a web page or two.  See, he even got a mention here.  But what we haven’t been hearing or reading much about is speculation as to which driver is in the best position in the chase as of right now (post NASCAR Banking 500 – Lowe’s Motor Speedway) and who will be the dominate factor in the last five races in the chase to be the 2009 Sprint Cup Champion.  The reason journalists, web columnist, sports radio hosts, and anyone else whose occupational existence is dependent on stock car auto racing are too constrained and unable to risk their reputation because the points chase is too close to call when we are right in the middle of the chase.  Well, not me.  I respect my reputation, but I also have done some rudimentary numerology.  My version of this pseudo-mathematics is not mystical by any means or swayed by the stars, but developed with 95% number crunching and pattern indications and 5% pure darn gut instinct (maybe woman’s intuition).  Of course, my personal innovation is not considered a branch of pure science, so there will be a definite margin of error.  That means if I am wrong, I have already predicted that there was a statistical possibility of a negative outcome.  In lieu of all the technicalities, I can confidently predict that a Chevrolet driver will take the Cup home.  Yeah, that is vague.  Ok, a Chevy owned by Rick Hendrick.  Still a bit vague, but narrowed down a bit.  Another funneling of the results will be a Hendrick Chevy driver who has won a championship before.  I know, just come out a say it. 

            Whether a chase driver wins this weekend at Martinsville Speedway (MS), that half-mile track is going to host one of the most amped races of the second half of the season.  The results from last year’s fall race and the race held at MS in March of 2009 showcased drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Clint Bowyer who run below the radar most of the season.  If the #48 is contending for another win or the #24 is trying to finish better than second for once, the #88 and #33 will be putting a whole lot of stop to that goal.  Oh, by the way, Jeff Gordon.   

 

 

                                                                        

 

Track Stats

 

TUMS QuikPak 500

(October 19, 2008)     

Top 10 Results  

1.  Jimmie Johnson

2.  Dale Earnhardt Jr.

3.  Carl Edwards

4.  Jeff Gordon

5.  Denny Hamlin

6.  Casey Mears

7.  Kevin Harvick

8.  Matt Kenseth

9.  Clint Bowyer

10.Martin Truex Jr.

 

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