30 Degrees of Banking

NASCAR Nuggets: NRA 500

By Ryan Frisco

Photo Cred www.usatoday.com

The Victor: Rowdy did it again!  I remember a few years back, Kyle Busch seemed to win every race, or at least be very much in contention, before folding in the Chase.  Last year, Kyle was in contention a lot, but ran into trouble (or oil) late in the race, thus not making the Chase.  This year, he's winning.  He's highly competitive every week.  C'mon Kyle, keep this up all year INTO the Chase and you might win it all!

The First Loser: Well hello there Martin Truex, Jr.!  What a great run!  Yes, I know, if your teammate hadn't spun late in the race (Mark Martin) you would have won your first race in 6 years.  That is a long drought, but you've gotta be happy with runner up.  Last season you were awesome.  This year has been rough, and you need to focus on finishes like this to get you in the Chase this year.

Pat on the Back: The Other Junior (Martin Truex, Jr.) is the feature here, but I've already talked about him.  Who else deserves a Pat on the Back this week? 

Photo Cred www.zimbio.com

Aric Almirola: 7th place finish for the kid!  That's solid right there.  Almirola has shown flashes of potential, which is saying a lot coming out of little ole Petty Motorsports.  A great Top 10 for him this week, who knows where a few more of these finishes might land him.

Brian Vickers: Man, it feels like Vickers ends up here every race he runs!  Another 8th place finish this week.  Brian has not placed lower than 11th in his three races this year.  He is showing just what he's capable of when you put him in good equipment.  Hmm, I wonder what seats are going to be open next year...  Could Jack Rousch  possibly expand his regime to 4 cars again?  Vickers keeps this up he won't be driving part time for long. 

Ryan Newman: Normally, a 10th place finish for Newman and Stewart-Haas Racing would be ho hum.  This year, different story.  Ever since Ryan finished 5th in the Daytona 500 and Danica Patrick finished 8th, there hasn't been much to be excited about.  Newman is 17th in points, Tony Stewart is 22nd and Patrick is 26th.  Top 10s will have to do for now.

Photo Cred www.sbnation.com

Penske Penalized?: The drama from the weekend; both Penske teams had to make modifications to their rear end housings because they did not pass inspection.  They passed inspection Friday, which would imply they made a change after that first inspection.  That means defending champion Brad Keselowski and newly acclaimed bad boy Joey Logano may both face 25 point penalties and fines/suspensions of their crew chiefs.  Here's what  Brad had to say about it:

"I could tell you there's nobody, no team in this garage with the integrity of the 2 team. And the way we've been treated over the last seven days in absolutely shameful."

Kes believes there is a vendetta out against his team.  NASCAR claims there was an infraction.  Hmm, this is shaping up to be quite a battle.

Also, remember a few weeks ago when Denny Hamlin was fined for his remarks after the second or third race of the season? He said the new Gen 6 cars didn't race as well as the old ones, and had to pay $25,000 for it.  Keselowski is receiving no fine at all for his remarks that are specifically targeting NASCAR.  What?!  I'm not saying I want Brad to be fined, I think he is totally fine with his statement and in the right.  What I'm saying is there is no consistency with the fining process.  Either NASCAR knows they're in the wrong here, or they're showing preferential treatment on their new Golden Boy Social Marketing tool (Kes).

That's a night race for ya, high emotion, high drama.  On to Kansas next week!