They usually win, too. “But the track went through this weird period where rubber got laid down…but you really couldn’t see the rubber”. He will need to (and has in the past) buck that historical trend at the Monster Mile. And that means that NASCAR will crown a new champion in this season.
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Johnson’s recent Dover history has been even more wonderful. In 29 career attempts Harvick has only finished in the Top 5 four times at this track, but with the Championship on the line, expect Harvick to race hard but smart on Sunday.
But how does Johnson’s mastery translate to what we’re now seeing in the series? Very few expected the No. 15 Toyota team to be a true title contender with the news earlier this year this would be the final season of Michael Waltrip Racing. It’s not so much that Chevrolet has completely fallen off the cliff, it’s just that JGR and the Penske Racing Fords have gotten better – a lot better.
The restart rules were unchanged, and drivers will still line up double file. He’s got to either win of the next two races, or be as close to ideal as possible to continue his Chase.
Kyle Busch, who is one point behind Earnhardt and now out of a transfer spot, was 19th fastest in opening practice but improved to seventh in the second session. He is the only active driver who has 10 wins at any single track. Edwards last won at Dover in 2007.
Harvick pushed Johnson in the chest in the motorhome lot after the race before Josh Jones, Harvick’s business manager, played peacemaker. Good, though probably not good enough on Sunday. That followed a Chase opener at Chicagoland where he had contact with Jimmie Johnson, resulting in a cut tire, a spin and a 42nd-place finish.
At New Hampshire, Harvick was leading with three laps remaining but ran out of gas, allowing Matt Kenseth to pass him and win.
He says the speedway is working with NASCAR and their broadcast partners to determine long term plans if drivers can’t race that day.
“Jumping a restart is something that Matt Kenseth can do and get away with”.
If it goes off as scheduled, the AAA 400 will begin about 2:30 p.m. ET Sunday.
The speedway paid tribute to Jeff Gordon. Johnson has never looked so ordinary heading into a Dover race over his entire career.
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The circumstances in New Hampshire certainly amps up the pressure to have a strong finish this weekend in soggy Dover, where paddleboarding may be a better competitive fit in light of the weather conditions from Hurricane Joaquin. Gordon appeared taken aback & humbled by Dover’s tribute, which additionally included proclamations from the city of Dover & Delaware’s Home of Representatives & Senate. He has a track record of 10 victories at the Monster Mile. We all know the brief history between these two. Logano’s teammate, Brad Keselowski, won at Dover during his championship run in 2012 and was runner-up in both races last season.
