Next stop on the Nextel Cup Schedule is Homestead-Miami

The points gap between the top two drivers heading into Homestead-Miami Speedway (the last appearance in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup season) next week is the largest of any Chase since the new format has been adopted. It would seemingly appear that this year’s Chase is Jimmie Johnson’s to lose. Jimmie possesses a 63 point lead over 2nd place driver, Matt Kenseth.

However, if you rewind to the previous two seasons, the Chase was Johnson’s to win heading into Homestead. And win, Johnson did not; the Nextel Cup Trophy to date does not bear Johnson’s name. All Johnson needs is a 12th place finish or higher in the Ford 400, and that could all change.

Next week at Homestead, expect the points gap between first and fifth place to close. The top 2 drivers in the Chase, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth, have had the least success at the 1 1/2 mile speedway.

The top 5 drivers in the Chase average the following at Homestead:

Kevin Harvick - Average Finish 9th
Jeff Gordon - Average Finish 10th
Jimmie Johnson - Average Finish 16th
Dale Earnhardt Jr - Average Finish 20th
Matt Kenseth - Average Finish 26th

Next Week’s Schedule:

Nextel Cup: @ Homestead-Miami
Speedway
11/19/06 - 02:30pm NASCAR Nextel Cup Ford 400

Busch Series: @ Homestead-Miami
Speedway
11/18/06 - 07:00pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Ford 300

Craftsman Truck Series: @ Homestead-Miami
Speedway
11/17/06 - 08:00pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Ford 200

Kevin Harvick Sweeps Phoenix!

Nobody in the field of 43 cars had anything for Kevin Harvick in yesterday’s Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. The #29 car powered around the track in lead for over 252 of the 312 scheduled laps. The win was the fourth Nextel Cup victory of the year for Kevin Harvick, and his second at Phoenix International Raceway.

By winning yesterday, Harvick left the door open on his chances to win the Nextel Cup Championship. He currently sits 90 points out from championship leader Jimmie Johnson. The reality of it is, Harvick will have to race like he did yesterday, and Johnson will have to suffer some kind of setback for Harvick to clinch the title.

Nonetheless, the 2006 season has marked a resurgence in Kevin Harvick’s career. After inheriting the ride of the late Dale Earnhardt in 2001, Harvick experienced much success. However, the succes was short lived as he failed to finish in the top ten in driver’s points since. This year, Harvick has made the most of his talent and his team by winning the Busch Series Champsionship, and being a legitimate contender for the Nextel Cup Championship. Could Harvick be the first to win both the Busch Series and Nextel Cup Series in the same year? We’ll see next week at the Ford 400.

Jimmie Johnson Widens His Lead at Phoenix

Jimmie Johnson has been nothing short of dominant over the last five races of the Chase. His average finish over that time has been 1.8. That’s incredible considering the odds Johnson has had to overcome through the final 10 races of the Chase.

As you remember, the Chase started out with Johnson in the lead. However, he quickly relinquished that lead at New Hampshire in the Sylvania 300 where he finished in 39th position. With a 13th place finish at Dover, a 14th place finish at Kansas, and a 24th place finish at Talladega, it seemed unlikely that Johnson would climb out of the large crater he dug for himself in the first 4 races of the Chase.

However, looking like a sherpa on Mt Everest, Johnson scaled his way back up the points standings by rattling off five consecutive top 2 finishes. Those top 2 finishes were anything but easy. Take yesterday’s Checker Auto Parts 500 for example. Johnson started in 29th position and spent the first half of the race picking his way towards the front.

In these last 5 races, Johnson has shown us that he has the desire and courage, qualities that seemingly eluded him in the previous two Nextel Cup Champsionships, to compete for this year’s Nextel Cup Championship.

Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway Recap

Kevin Harvick spent most of his afternoon at Phoenix staring at the rest of the field of drivers through his rear-view mirror. Kevin was simply that good yesterday, plus the glare wasn’t quite as bad looking out the back window.

While Harvick stole the show at Phoenix, the remainging championship contenders also faired well with all but Kyle Busch finishing in the top 13.

The other championship drivers faired as follows:

1. (leader) Jimmie Johnson left nothing on the table yesterday. The championship leader battle from 29th all the way to the front. He gave up the lead on a misfortunate pitstop, but didn’t shy away from challenging Harvick for the win in the final 3 laps. He finished 2nd.

2. (- 63 points) Matt Kenseth fought adversity for most of the day. His car handled poorly all race, but he battled to finish in 13th place. Kenseth is saying that his doesn’t have what it takes to compete with Johnson next week, but I would not count the former champion out!

3. (-90 points) Kevin Harvick did exactly what he needed to do to keep his championship hopes alive, and that was win. Kevin did that in impressive fashion by leading 252 of the 312 laps.

4. (-90 points) Denny Hamlin is still in the picture for the championship after finishing 3rd at Phoenix. The rookie is showing alot of poise, and looks like he will be a contender for years to come.

5. (-115 points) Dale Earnhardt Jr’s chamionship are alive, but barely. After finishing 9th at Phoenix, Jr will need help from Johnson if he expects to win his first championship.

6. (-167 points) Jeff Gordon is mathematically eliminated from the Chase despite finishing 4th at Phoenix. However, don’t expect the 4 time champion to roll-over next week at Homestead.

7. (-225 points) Jeff Burton tried to correct his championship drive that has somehow fallen off course over the last 4 races with a 10th place finish at Phoenix. However, it’s too late, and the damage is done. Burton is cannot make up 225 in one race.

8. (-273 points) The wiley veteran, Mark Martin, took a gamble on a late pit-stop that helped him pickup a 6th place finish. Otherwise, the fan favorite would have ended up around 15th place.

9. (-319 points) Kasey Kahne made the most of Phoenix by finishing in 9th. The finish moved him in front of Kyle Busch for 9th place and a seat closer to the head of the table at the NASCAR Awards Banquet.

10. (-359 points) Kyle Busch was on the wrong end of a Tony Stewart screw up. Late in the race on a restart, Stewart spun out Jamie McMurray which sent him spiralling out of control and colliding with Kyle Busch. Kyle finished in 38th.