Monday, September 26, 2011

Busch Spanks Rivals in New Hampshire NASCAR Camping World Truck Race

Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR



By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
September 24, 2011)


LOUDON, N.H.—The Magic Mile gave Kyle Busch a chance to show his mastery.
 
Busch started from the pole and dominated Saturday’s F.W. Webb 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, a race in which only six Camping World Truck Series entries finished on the lead lap.

Busch, who led 165 of 175 laps, crossed the finish line 3.816 seconds ahead of runner-up Austin Dillon to post his sixth win in 14 starts this season and the 30th victory of his career. Kevin Harvick finished third, followed by Ron Hornaday Jr. and Johnny Sauter.

Busch led the first 130 laps and didn’t surrender the top spot until he came to pit road for tires and fuel on Lap 131. That handed the lead to Dillon, who didn’t pit until Lap 135.

By the time pit stops cycled through, Busch had opened his advantage over Dillon to nearly six seconds. Harvick was running third at that point, more than 12 seconds back.

Busch had led every lap in a Nationwide race at Phoenix earlier this year, but both he and crew chief Eric Phillips said the prospect of doing that in two different series in the same year didn’t affect their decision to pit earlier than Dillon did.

"I never thought of that, actually," Busch said. "But that’s cool. Certainly, Phoenix and Loudon, when I can hit it right, I can hit it right. The cars are really, really good. Today was no different. I don’t know what Eric’s strategy was to pit—I won’t say that early, but to pit early."

Phillips didn’t want to see a repeat of last week’s race at Chicagoland, which Dillon won.

"I came early, because I didn’t want to see what we tried to do last week, taking two tires," Phillips said. "I think we had about 13 seconds on third, when I decided to come to pit road, and Austin was right there with us. So I felt like, if I came early, that would kind of force Austin’s hand and some of the other guys.

"Kyle was really good getting on an off pit road, and we were able to run a second faster almost for about eight laps there before Austin pitted, and we had almost (six) seconds when it finally cycled between us. That paid off."

Though Dillon closed the gap over the final 30 laps, Busch was able to cruise to the win, breaking a string of five straight Chevrolet victories in the series. Dillon now is atop the truck standings by two points over James Buescher, who finished seventh, the first driver one lap down.

Over the closing laps, Dillon kept the big picture in mind—his quest for the series championship.

"I wish we could have come out a little closer to him off pit road," Dillon said. "I lost a little time getting onto pit road, and that hurt us. But we came out leading the points with six (races) to go. We’ll focus on that, and we’re happy with this finish."

Vettel's One Point Short of 2011 F1 Crown with Singapore GP Win

Photo Credit: Nissan/Infiniti USA
Hosting the only night race on the 2011 Formula 1 grand prix schedule, the premier motor racing league of the world landed in Singapore for the most unique spectacle of the season. Part of an amazing 10-day festival held in the Marina Bay region of the Asian country, 61 laps on the 3.148-mile for the 24 Formula 1 cars is the showcase jewel.

 
Entering the Singapore Grand Prix, World Drivers Championship points leader Sebastian Vettel found himself in an envious position. Building such a monstrous points gap on the changing second place driver throughout the 2011 season, Vettel had a mathematical chance of clinching his second-straight Formula 1 championship with six races remaining. Taking pole in F1 qualifying for the event, Sebastian Vettel was going to make every effort to make the 2011 trophy his by the end of the Singapore night race.

 
On the start of the Singapore Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel shot to an immediate lead aided by a poor start by fellow Red Bull Racing and front row starter Mark Webber awful launch from the grid. The McLaren-Mercedes car of Jenson Button and Ferrari piloted by Fernando Alonso snaked around Webber before the first corner. While Vettel left competitors behind in both the Singapore Grand Prix and the points standing, a fierce fight for second-place in the 2011 Formula 1 standings. Led by Alonso, 4 drivers were separated by 14 points entering the event. With positions in the event becoming very valuable as the season is entered into its final six races, the fight is less for chasing Sebastian Vettel as it is to prevail for the runner-up spot in driver points.

 
For one contender of the second-place in Formula driver points, Lewis Hamilton's start to the Singapore Grand Prix was a situation the British McLaren wheelman was lucky to escape. Losing 4 positions at the start of the grand prix, Hamilton needed to make an unscheduled pit stop after damaging his front wing when he nudged the Ferrari of Felipe Massa on lap 12. A subsequent visit to the pit road was required by Lewis Hamilton in order to serve a penalty assessed by the Formula 1 stewards. Running as far back as 19th place, Hamilton spent the rest of the 2011 Singapore Grand Prix making a mad dash back to the front. Lewis Hamilton would crack into 5th place in the final race results to redeem this reputation on the track at Singapore.

 
A rather twisty street course, the combination of fast speeds and the 61 laps of competition tested the Formula 1 drivers. For the seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, his race ended through an act of miscalculation. On lap 28, the Mercedes GP driver was setting up a pass on the Sauber-Ferrari of Sergio Perez only to collide with the Mexican. Catching the rear of the Sauber car, Schumacher's Mercedes GP car was launched partially airborne before crashing into a turn 8 wall. The German Formula 1 world champion was unhurt from the race climbing out of his wrecked race car while a safety car took control of the race. In a post race debrief, Michael Schumacher commented, "What happened was what I would call a misunderstanding between Sergio Perez and myself. He was about to go inside and lifted, and I was not expecting him to do that so early, and therefore hit him."

 
In the case of Mark Webber, the Red Bull Racing pilot rose to the occasion alongside Hamilton in claiming a competitive edge. Charting a course back into a potential podium after the safety car period ended, Webber used this Renault power to sail past Fernando Alonso's Ferrari for third place.

 

 

 
Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

 
While so many Formula 1 drivers struggled to gain something through the Singapore Grand Prix, the race fell to the Red Bull-Renault driver Sebastian Vettel who held on to his pole position advantage to take the race victory. His 9th victory of the 2011 season, Vettel finished 1.7 seconds ahead of Jenson Button's McLaren-Mercedes. Mark Webber took the final podium spot for the 2011 Singapore Grand Prix returning to form after a retirement in the previous Italian Grand Prix.

 
Collecting maximum points with his Singapore win, Sebastian Vettel found himself just short of solidifying his 2011 Formula 1 drivers title. Holding 309 points total and a 124-point lead over second place Jenson Button after Singapore, Vettel needs only a single point in one of the final five grand prix races to clinch the driver's world championship.

 
Formula 1 engines run for the next time on October 9th for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

 

 
2011 Formula 1 Season
Singapore Grand Prix
Race Results

 
  1. 1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing
  2. 4 Jenson Button McLaren
  3. 2 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing
  4. 5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
  5. 3 Lewis Hamilton McLaren
  6. 15 Paul di Resta Force India
  7. 8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
  8. 14 Adrian Sutil Force India
  9. 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari
  10. 17 Sergio Perez Sauber
  11. 12 Pastor Maldonado Williams F1
  12. 18 Sebastien Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso
  13. 11 Rubens Barrichello Williams F1
  14. 16 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber
  15. 9 Bruno Senna Lotus Renault GP
  16. 21 Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus
  17. 10 Vitaly Petrov Lotus Renault GP
  18. 25 Jérôme D’Ambrosio Marussia Virgin Racing
  19. 22 Daniel Ricciardo HRT F1
  20. 23 Vitantonio Liuzzi HRT F1
  21. 19 Jaime Alguersuari Scuderia Toro Rosso
  22. 20 Jarno Trulli Team Lotus
  23. 7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
  24. 24 Timo Glock Marussia Virgin Racing

 

 

Sunday, September 25, 2011

2011 NASCAR Canada Season Ends with Kennington King at Kawartha

Photo Credit: Matthew Murnaghan/NASCAR

The final race in the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series tour, the top stock car racing arrives at the 0.375-mile Kawartha Speedway short oval prepared to turn a 250-lap event into a final stand for this season. Each vying for a second NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship, DJ Kennington was trailing Scott Steckly for the top spot in the standings.

Taking pole for the Saturday evening Kawartha 250, rookie driver Steven Mathews blitzed the track in 17.737 seconds. Despite the opportune top spot in the 26-car grid, Mathews' #15 Ford Fusion was immediately battered by the more race-seasoned JR Fitzpatrick. Through the early going of the Kawartha 250, the race featured Canada's most promising 'Young Gun' drivers. Behind Fitzpatrick and Mathews, Peter Shepherd in the #7 Dodge was also a presence at the front early hoping to repeat his upset victory in last year's finale.

Starting 10th, it took DJ Kennington a very short time to work his #17 Castrol Dodge Challenger into the top-5. By lap 52, Kennington sailed around Shepherd for 3rd place and would work his way into the lead of the event by lap 69. Hoping to net a significant points gain for this final event, DJ Kennington's best efforts would be only half of the equation for repeating as NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion in 2011. The #22 Canadian Tire Dodge piloted by Scott Steckly had to suffer troubles in the event in order to alter the overall series point positions. Through the Kawartha 250, Steckly's Dodge was on even pace with Kennington as they both angled into the top-5.

Being the final race on the 2011 schedule, the event left many drivers and teams eager to prove themselves aware that the next season is around 7 months away. Patience and tempers ran short in this season finale for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series with 13 cautions for 89 laps telling the story. Under the 8th caution, Steven Mathews (who fought his way to lead 27 laps of his pole-sitting race) became a victim when his #15 Ford was spun out coming to a restart. Eventually coming home in 7th place, Mathews would be the highest finishing rookie in the event. Unfortunately for Steven Mathews' once-promising rookie of the year contention early in the season, a set of race the #15 team missed midway through the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season cost the 21-year old valuable points.

JR Fitzpatrick's #84 Chevrolet looked extremely good for breaking into the winner's circle for 2011 season leading 70 of the Kawartha race's 250 laps. Unfortunately, Fitzpatrick and team were served a penalty during the event which had the #84 car down a lap. Rallying back to a strong lead lap finish, JR Fitzpatrick claimed 3rd in the Kawartha 250 as well as 3rd in the points championship after a difficult season. Fitzpatrick's third spot in points does allow the Cambridge, Ontario native to prevail over fierce rival Kerry Micks. The duo reignited a feud at Barrie Speedway that led from a last lap incident where Fitzpatrick was punted by Mick's #02 Ford.

In the late stages of the Kawartha 250, it was the #17 Dodge that was the dominate machine on track. Unseating Peter Shepherd from a 27-lap reign at the front, Kennington took over the lead on lap 167 and proceeded to lead convincing up to the checkered flag. Fending off a challenge from JR Fitzpatrick and Scott Steckly under a green/white/checkered finish, the Castrol Dodge team with driver DJ Kennington celebrated their 2nd season win in the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

Despite Kennington winning the Kawartha 250 and leading the most laps with 108 circuits, a solid second place run allowed Scott Steckly to take a second NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship. After the final race, Steckly won with a comfortable 59-point gap over DJ Kennington. Winning the title in 2008, Scott Steckly joins Andrew Ranger as a two-time NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion since formation in 2007.




Finish Position


Start Position


Driver


Car #


Car Make


1


10
 



D.J. Kennington


17


Dodge


2


4


Scott Steckly


22


Dodge


3


2


J.R. Fitzpatrick


84


Chevrolet


4


7


Kerry Micks


'02


Ford


5


8


Mark Dilley


9


Dodge


6


6


Don Thomson, Jr


8


Dodge


7


1


Steve Mathews


15


Ford


8


16


Jason White


21


Dodge


9


12


Jeff Lapcevich


23


Dodge


10


3


Pete Shepherd, III


7


Dodge


11


14


Dexter Stacey


55


Dodge


12


17


John Fletcher


56


Dodge


13


21


Joey McColm


50


Dodge


14


24


Brandon White


10


Chevrolet


15


25


Nick Jewell


51


Dodge


16


20


L.P. Dumoulin


47


Dodge


17


11


Ron Beauchamp, Jr.,


60


Dodge


18


18


Trevor Monaghan


13


Chevrolet


19


23


Hugo Vannini


97


Ford


20


22


Isabelle Tremblay


'07


Ford


21


9


Jason Hathaway


3


Dodge


22


5


Donald Chisholm


89


Ford


23


15


Chris Raabe


'01


Dodge


24


13


Brad Graham


19


Dodge


25


26


Noel Dowler


5


Dodge


26


19


Derek White


99


Chevrolet

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Andretti Autosport Makes 2012 INDYCAR Plans with Chevy

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter


Ahead of a major 2012 season for the IZOD INDYCAR Series, auto racing observers eagerly awaited the decisions of the league's three superteams. Andretti Autosport, Chip Ganassi Racing and Penske Racing currently manages 11 cars on the grid for the full IZOD INDYCAR Series making the organizations highly influential to the complexion of the 2012 race field. Earlier this year, two of the three teams officially declared their choice of powerplants as Penske Racing was immediately linked to the Ilmor-built Chevrolet engine and Chip Ganassi Racing re-upping their relationship with Honda. On Friday, Andretti Autosport announced they will opt to wear the bowtie emblem on their all-new Dallara chassis.

Joining Penske Racing running the twin-turbocharged V-6 Chevrolet engines, Andretti Autosport's presence as the second major INDYCAR team commits about 7 cars to the General Motors brand for the next season. Chevrolet’s vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports Jim Campbell welcomed Andretti Autosport saying “Michael and his family have won many races for Chevrolet and we intend to continue winning with our new partnership. We are anxious to have Andretti Autosport begin testing the 2012 engine in the near future.”


Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter


Since the plans for the 2012 IZOD INDYCAR season have included a return to multiple engine suppliers, Andretti Autosport were presented with a choice of Chevrolet, Honda or Lotus engines. Connected to one of the most decorated American racing families, all three auto companies had a prior relationship with the Andretti family. The first generation motorsport family member Mario Andretti took the 1977 Formula 1 championship competing with Team Lotus. Michael Andretti won the 1991 CART World Championship driving a Chevrolet-badged engine with Newman/Haas Racing. As Michael Andretti won 15 races in a three-season span with Chevy power, father Mario Andretti recorded the first Chevrolet win in INDYCAR taking victory at the 1987 Long Beach Grand Prix. Finally, in recent years, all three generations of Andretti race car drivers participated with Honda in promotional work on and away from the track.

Deciding between engines, it's likely Andretti Autosport heavily weighed their options between continuing relationship with Honda or the potential of new horizons supported by Chevrolet power in the 2012 season. As Andretti Autosport chooses a move to Chevrolet, team owner Michael Andretti acknowledged their appreciation for Honda engines through 10 seasons. “All of us want to thank Honda for many good years together, including 39 wins, two wins at the Indy 500, and for working with us to return street racing back to IndyCar in St. Petersburg and then again in Toronto" said Andretti.

Past history between Chevrolet and the Andretti family netted success in North America's top open wheel racing series. However, as the two groups reunite for the uncertain 2012 IZOD INDYCAR Series schedule, it will remain to be seen if past accomplishments between Chevrolet and Andretti Autosport will build into a productive future on the race track.  

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Dominant Dixon Drives to Indy Japan Win

Photo Credit: Chris Jones

The only time the IZOD INDYCAR Series competes on the west side of the Pacific Ocean, the Japanese round at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit was created The last scheduled race for the IZOD INDYCAR Series in Japan almost did not happen as a result of the tragic aftermath resulting from the Earthquake and Tsunami in March.

Planned to run on the 1.549 mile oval, the event was at risk when there was damage found to the Twin Ring Motegi oval. There was also debate of whether or not the event in Japan should have been held this year. Devastation caused by the natural disaster is continuing to leave lingering troubles for the Japanese population. Some believed a major sporting event even 6 months after the disaster for the country was too soon. However, determined to keep the commitment to their economy, INDYCAR and race fans, the event has been relocated to the connected Motegi road course.


Photo Credit: Chris Jones

Titled Indy Japan: The Final, the 26-car field arrived on the 2.98 mile road course. In Saturday qualifying, Scott Dixon took pole with a 1-minute, 38.3918-second top lap time in the Firestone Fast Six session. Will Power started along Dixon gaining a large possible advantage in his points fight with Dario Franchitti. As the Japanese race switched from the oval to the road course, it would be at least an equalizer for the #12 Penske Racing driver fight for the title.

At the start of the 63-lap event, Will Power challenged Scott Dixon hard almost getting squeezed by the #9 car in the race's second turn. Drama early at the start resulted as Helio Castroneves drove into the turn 1 sand trap in avoidance of a rear-end collision with Ryan Briscoe. Castroneves' returned to the track quickly but fell well back in the running order after a 6th place start.

As Dixon and Power maintained a common pace at the front, teams immediately planned their pit stop strategy. Part time driver Hideki Mutoh and KV Racing Technology #82 car of Tony Kanaan pitted early for fuel as well as a change of tires. On lap 22, both Will Power and leader Scott Dixon pitted with the #9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car just barely beating the Penske Racing #12 car.
Ahead of the race, teams and drivers of the IZOD INDYCAR Series were concerned about the lack of grip on the Motegi road course circuit. With drivers such as James Hinchcliffe sliding on track during practice, competitors with limited INDYCAR race involvement spent time off track. The #22 of Giorgio Pantano went off track several time during the event while the #34 car Joao Paulo de Oliveira collided with the #5 car of Takuma Sato. A few laps later, the #34 Conquest Racing car piloted by de Oliveira came to a stop drawing the first full course caution at the Motegi road course.

On the restart on lap 26, Dario Franchitti went three-wide on Ryan Briscoe and Graham Rahal into turn 1. Turning the Penske Racing #6 around on track, Franchitti's #10 car and Chip Ganassi #38 car of Rahal were trapped behind the stationary Briscoe. Charlie Kimball (another Chip Ganassi owned car also took evasive action through the sand as the incident drew a second race caution. All three car were able to resume racing but Dario Franchitti was assessed a penalty for avoidable contact. Sent to the back of the field on the restart, team owner Chip Ganassi expressed some firm disappointment for his Scottish driver. Franchitti would drive through the event and rallied to an 8th place finish. Another race where Graham Rahal was kept in a wreck after running strong, he brought the #38 car home 12th.


Photo Credit: Chris Jones

The only Chip Ganassi Racing car not involved in the lap 26 mayhem, the #9 car driven by New Zealand's Scott Dixon put on a very impressive show of force. Pulling Will Power at bay, Dixon ran comfortably translating his the pole position speed into a solid race pace.

With 6 laps remaining, the #28 car of Ryan Hunter-Reay made contact with the #19 of Sebastien Bourdais sending the Andretti Autosport racing machine into the sand trap. Once Hunter-Reay was recovered from the sand, the race resumed with only 3 laps to go. After a false double-file restart one lap earlier, Will Power was provided with one last opportunity to challenge the dominant Scott Dixon for the Indy Japan win. Dixon launched perfectly on lap 62 leaving the Penske Racing driver in his dust. In third, Marco Andretti and Oriol Servia dueled for the final podium spot with the Newman/Haas Racing race car briefly taking the position. By the second turn, Andretti swept back to reclaim the 3rd place position.

The final restart was not completely without flaws. The KV Racing Technology cars driven by Takuma Sato and EJ Viso (both residing in the top-10 late in the Indy Japan) tangled in the first corner ending both of their top finishes. The #14 AJ Foyt Racing car of Vitor Meira would also have conflict in the final laps resulting in the Brazilian beached in the sand.

Leading all but 1 lap, Scott Dixon's skillful piloting of the #9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car on the Twin-Ring Motegi road course brought him his 25th IZOD INDYCAR Series win. Taking his victory lap, Scott Dixon continued to drive around the track trying to locate the winner's circle at the Motegi road course event. As this Indy Japan: The Final concludes, Scott Dixon becomes the only driver to record a major race victory on both the road course and oval. Dixon won the 2009 event on the Twin-Ring Motegi track.


Photo Credit: Daniel Incandela


With a second place run and Dario Franchitti's troubles in the Indy Japan race, Will Power gained the top place in the overall series points 11 markers ahead. Power also picks up the Mario Andretti Trophy for most points earned on IZOD INDYCAR road courses in 2011 for the second year in a row.

Rounding out the top-five of the Indy Japan: The Final event on the Twin-Ring Motegi road course is Marco Andretti, Alex Tagliani and Oriol Servia.

As the last Japanese round of the IZOD INDYCAR Series, the Twin-Ring Motegi event could be remembered for its relatively few passing opportunities or for the dominance of Scott Dixon. It could also be recognized as a race of conflict in the KV Racing Technology and Chip Ganassi Racing teams. However, as the 63-lap competition ran to its conclusion, this final INDYCAR event Japan demonstrates the country's people is looking forward to welcoming the world.

2011 IZOD INDYCAR Series
Indy Japan: The Final
Twin-Ring Motegi Road Course
Race Results
  1. 9 Scott Dixon/New Zealand/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
  2. 12 Will Power/Australia/ Penske Racing
  3. 26 Marco Andretti/United States/ Andretti Autosport
  4. 77 Alex Tagliani/Canada/ Sam Schmidt Motorsports
  5. 2 Oriol Servia/Spain/ Newman/Haas Racing
  6. 19 Sebastien Bourdais/France/Dale Coyne Racing
  7. 4 JR Hildebrand/United States/ Panther Racing
  8. 10 Dario Franchitti/Scotland/ Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
  9. 27 Mike Conway/England/Andretti Autosport
  10. 5 Takuma Sato/Japan/ KV Racing Technology
  11. 7 Danica Patrick/United States/ Andretti Autosport
  12. 38 Graham Rahal/United States/Chip Ganassi Racing
  13. 18 James Jakes/England/ Dale Coyne Racing
  14. 78 Simona De Silvestro/Switzerland/ HVM Racing
  15. 06 James Hinchcliffe/Canada/ Newman/Haas Racing
  16. 22 Giorgio Pantano/Italy/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
  17. 82 Tony Kanaan/Brazil/ KV Racing Technology
  18. 17 Hideki Mutoh/Japan/ Sam Schmidt Motorsports
  19. 24 Ana Beatriz/Brazil/ Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
  20. 6 Ryan Briscoe/Australia/ Penske Racing
  21. 59 EJ Viso/Venezuela/ KV Racing Technology
  22. 3 Helio Castroneves/Brazil/ Penske Racing
  23. 83 Charlie Kimball/United States/ Chip Ganassi Racing
  24. 28 Ryan Hunter-Reay/United States/Andretti Autosport
  25. 14 Vitor Meira/Brazil/ AJ Foyt Racing Enterprises
  26. 34 Joao Paulo de Oliveira/Spain/ Conquest Racing

Saturday, September 17, 2011

How to Win the 2011 NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup

Photo Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR

In auto racing, the NASCAR Sprint Cup is one of the most elite trophies devoted to the victor of the largest stock car racing series in the world. For the 8th season, the coveted honour of NASCAR's top series will be rewarded following a 10-race shootout between selected drivers.

Called the Chase for the Sprint Cup (or rather simply called the Chase), this modified playoff formula has underwent several adjustments since introduction in 2004. The 2011 edition presents the top-10 point earning drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series along with two drivers granted wild card spots. Wild card spots for 2011 are granted to Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin who were outside of the top-10 in points but won races. Despite the minor alternations made through the years, the Chase is won simply through one fashion; a driver needs to collect as many points as possible in the 10-race stretch.

The past five years, Jimmie Johnson and his #48 Hendrick Motorsports team mastered the task of collecting Chase round points. Similar to the style of Formula 1 greats Jackie Stewart and Alain Prost, Johnson ran the NASCAR Sprint Cup seasons with a dedicated focus on the Chase. For 26 races, #48 team counted points and always preserved enough points to secure a point berth. Once in the 10-race Chase, Jimmie Johnson and the #48 Chevrolet race team has played a near perfect plan of scoring a high finishing average.

Similar to a scenario depicted in the new movie release Moneyball, many believe sports can be won by detecting patterns in the play of athletes. Entering the 2011 Chase, historical analysis of the past 7 champion runs presents a clue to what could be needed for this season's debut battle.

Average Finishes by NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase Winners (2004-2010) Through 10 Races:

2004- 8.9 (Winner: Kurt Busch)
2005- 8.7 (Winner: Tony Stewart)
2006- 10.8 (Winner: Jimmie Johnson)
2007- 5 (Winner: Jimmie Johnson)
2008- 5.7 (Winner: Jimmie Johnson)
2009- 6.8 (Winner: Jimmie Johnson)
2010- 6.2 (Winner: Jimmie Johnson)

Average overall Chase finish: 7.44

Contrary to the duty of every driver, the object of the Chase is not to compete for race wins. Jimmie Johnson won the most races of a Chase champion with 4 victories in 2007. In 4 of the 7 championship runs, a driver record no more than 1 win during the 10-race stretch. In 2005, Tony Stewart's title was earned despite being winless in the Chase run.

This year, a major curve is thrown into the Chase for the Sprint Cup with Chicagoland Speedway becoming the staging spot for the 10-race playoff. Replacing Auto Club Speedway inside the Chase, Chicagoland Speedway is holding NASCAR Sprint Cup races for its 10th season. 2011 Chase contender Kevin Harvick won the first two races at Chicagoland

Jimmie Johnson's average finish first in the 9 races he competed in at Chicagoland places the 5-time Sprint Cup champion for Hendrick Motorsports in 10th place effort. The following chart below represents the 12 Chase contending drivers record at Chicagoland Speedway races.



Races Run
Average Finish
Kyle Busch
6
13.5
Kevin Harvick
10
11.2
Jeff Gordon
10
8.6
Matt Kenseth
10
11.4
Carl Edwards
6
18.3
Kurt Busch
10
18.1
Jimmie Johnson
9
10
Dale Earnhardt Jr
10
16
Ryan Newman
9
16.8
Tony Stewart
10
9.5
Brad Keselowski
2
25
Denny Hamlin
5
16.8


With auto racing consisting of so many variables relating to the athletes in the stock car and on the pit road, there is also mechanical factors that come strictly in play. The 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup will go to the driver that can hold low average finish. With the first race for the NASCAR Chase set to run at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, the number crunching will surround the sport as either a precursor to the future or obstacles to be shattered.