The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has reached its 2015 finale. It’s a shame, really, because rain was the factor in the race at Phoenix, which led to the race being called early and the look of disappointment coming across the face of several drivers.
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Earnhardt had been eliminated from the playoffs in the second round. Matt stuffed Joey in the wall at Martinsville.
The race was also the final race before the championship race.
Unfortunately for them, it did.
With the wreck at Martinsville, it opened the door for Jeff Gordon to make it to the Championship 4.
That leaves Truex – the man who, by all means, should not be in this position.
The four finalists enter the Ford EcoBoost 400, well, Ford-less. If you’re looking for the bright-eyed championship feel-good story, Truex Jr.is it. “We knew that was going to be a tough situation, but it ended up that it bit us and I just hate it for these guys”.
We’ve said it numerous times, but it bears repeating; NASCAR’s elimination Chase is predicated on big moments. It will be a nice mixture of old school and current school in my book. “I don’t even think it was a penalty”. “I love that race track”.
“I don’t think it matters what’s fair, it matters what entertains the fans and if the fans are happy then that’s what it’s all about”, said Keselowski. And his younger brother, Kyle, got a waiver because NASCAR felt awful about the crash at Daytona that sidelined him 11 races with a broken leg and broken foot.
In this topsy-turvy second season of NASCAR’s new championship format, it was only fitting that the race to set the final four ended in an empty, unsatisfying way. A year ago they struggled so mightily both on and off the track, with Martin’s girlfriend battling cancer. In traffic, climbing into the top 10 was more hard. Ingrid 1/8Gordon’s wife3/8 and the kids got there the next day and we immediately went out to the stables where they were at and visited with them. Busch proved he could continue to advance by showing patience discovered during his 11-race layoff for injuries and by not over-driving his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to finish fourth.
“I know there’s a lot of guys that wanted to race this through and I totally understand – the 19 [Carl Edwards], the 41 [Kurt Busch], a lot of guys wanted to get an opportunity”, Earnhardt commented. Johnson has never won at this track.
There may be two other drivers with a shot at the title, but for all intents and purposes, Kevin Harvick is the one standing in his way. He had to win at Dover to advance in the Chase and did. If he wins the championship, he would have the smallest career win total of a champion since Benny Parsons in 1973.
“You win a few, you lose a few like that”, said Harvick. I like that about him. “This is a numbers and inches – it didn’t add up for us”. They are bad-fast no matter where they go.
Gordon will complete his 23rd season of Cup competition for Hendrick Motorsports and hopes to win a fifth title trophy. That No. 4 auto has simply been the dominant vehicle everywhere we go.
As expected, it was the Kevin Harvick show at Phoenix global Raceway Sunday evening. Going to Homestead as a final four driver is nothing short of incredible. Brad Keselowski and Jones finished second and third, respectively. It was his third win of the year.
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Back in 1998, Wallace in all likelihood would not have won the Phoenix race had it not been shortened.
