The logo for this Sunday's Pep Boys Auto 500
at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
This weekend, while the truckers invade Iowa for a Saturday night shootout the Cupsters and claims jumpers (that's the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series) invade Atlanta. Hopefully all involved will exhibit better manners than General Sherman displayed during his visit seven score and five years ago when he brought a whole new meaning to the nickname Hotlanta, although should he have a bad evening Kyle Busch may add another chapter to the above.
Atlanta is an anomaly on the NASCAR circuit, hailed for being super fast yet simultaneously not all that. During the race, drivers face two options: run low and risk blowing a tire due to the track's less than gentle approach to where the rubber meets the road, or run high and risk blowing the engine due to insane constant RPMs. Given how the new car is already brutal on tires, do not be surprised if more than a couple of cars end the evening playing pattycake with the SAFER barrier.
Races at Atlanta tend to follow a pattern featuring lengthy stretches of seemingly interminable tedium with one driver checking out while everyone else is content to make laps, concluded by an oh-wow finish with a couple of cars separated by a few paint molecules as they cross the finish line nearly simultaneously. Races in Atlanta also tend to follow a pattern where large numbers of diehard southern NASCAR fans come dressed as empty seats, although it is hoped this year's date swap with Auto Club Speedway or as we denizens of the Golden State refer to it California Speedway will help alleviate the situation. Along with scheduling the race at night, taking advantage of the Labor Day weekend makes for a rare Sunday night prime time performance. And since this is a NASCAR weekend, naturally there is a chance of rain in the area, albeit presently pegged as slight.
Given that after this Sunday there will be one race left before the Chase for the Sprint Cup, otherwise known as Tony Stewart vs. Jimmie Johnson and ten thanks for playing players, there is more than a little speculation about who'll make the show and who'll spend the last ten races of the season running for prize winning dough and an attempt to salvage some pride. Rumors that ESPN will refuse to televise the rest of the season should Kyle Busch not make it are somewhat exaggerated. But only by a bit. There have been several instances this year where crew chiefs have complained to NASCAR about being unable to hear their drivers on the radio over the roar of the crowd in the media center whenever the #18 passes someone.
Snarkiness aside, let's look at the current Top Twelve. The aforementioned Messrs. Stewart and Johnson along with Jeff Gordon have already clinched their spot in NASCAR's equivalent of the playoffs, thus providing them the luxury of going flat out for victory in an effort to snag some bonus points before the Chase starts. From fourth on back no one is completely safe, although barring major disaster Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards are secure despite the latter putting his worst foot forward earlier this week. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall and seen the expression on Jack Roush's face when he got that phone call ("you broke your foot doing what?!!"). Kurt Busch also is semi-comfortable in the standings.
From seventh through twelfth it's a mess, the kind where positions can change literally from lap to lap and no one can rest easy. While much too much of the focus has been on whether Matt Kenseth can keep his claim of being the only driver to qualify for every Chase intact, the pressure is equally heavy on those before him in the standings -- Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Juan Pablo Montoya, Mark Martin and Kasey Kahne -- and those trailing in the standings including the previously referred to Kyle Busch. Brian Vickers and to a lesser degree Clint Bowyer also have a shot at making the Chase, but given racing's mercurial nature nothing is settled. Nor shall it be until the checkered flag waves in Richmond.
Which is as it should be.
Enjoy the weekend, everyone.
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