Over The Wall

Nationwide Battle heating up

With only three races to go in the Nationwide Series the race for the top 5 is heating up.  The 12, 1,and 66 are battling for the 5^th spot and it’s probably going to come down to the last race to see what happens.  Over the last couple months I’ve been fortunate enough to pit the 12 during some of the nationwide races and it’s a good team to work for.  Taking a rookie driver and trying to finish in the top 5 in points would be a successful year in my opinion.  We are yet to get a win this year but I think with 3 races to go anything can happen.  The 1 car has been running well the past few weeks and is making a strong run for the top 5.  Steven Wallace is still in contention as well.  He’s gotten caught up in a few wrecks lately but I wouldn’t count him out either.  That’s all I got for now.

 

The Closest Chase Ever?

   So far this Chase has been pretty close.  Every week I feel that Kurt has finished well and then I look up on the score board and everyone were racing has finished right with us.  I said this earlier but I really believe that this year’s final race will have multiple drivers with a chance to win the championship.  Every other sport has a playoff format and there should be no reason we shouldn’t either. When looking back at the Chase format there were a lot of people who didn’t like the way the chase was set up.  From the beginning I was a big fan because I like the competition it breeds.  This year is just another example of the excitement the Chase can provide.  Just curious to hear what everyone else thinks about the racing so far.

The Farm System is looking good

Just like in baseball, a lot of young talent if brought up thru the ranks before they actually get to the Cup Series.  In baseball you have single A, AA and AAA.  In racing you have Arca, Nationwide, and Trucks.  At the moment I think Penske is doing a good job of getting some good young talent into the system and starting to see some results.  This past weekend Parker Kligerman sat on the pole at his first Nationwide race and Justin Algier finished fifth during the race.  I’ve been lucky enough to be part of both teams during the year and I think both guys have a big future at Penske.  Both these guys have won at various levels of racing and in the next few years it should be cool to see their success. 

                As far as the chase goes, I think the 2 car is flying under the radar.  They have a very good team and driver.  As long as you can keep finishing top ten and avoid the DNF’s I think this year’s championship could come down to the last race with 5 cars having a chance to win it.  Already this year the competition is closer than it was last year.  Hopefully the 2 car can continue their success and have a chance going into the last race of the year.