But on the other hand the chase racing hasn't been that sloppy to me. The late race yellow fever at New Hampshire was worse than anything that happened at Kansas imo
JJ has been struggling with speed for a while he simply hasn't been as six time fast this year or at least since the late spring. And he struggled at Kansas most of the weekend prior to the race and the wreck. Aside from name and reputation there wasn't much to be shocked about, he was running in no man's land were that kind of stuff should be expected.
Harvick was freaky fast as usual and still figured out how to loose it, as typical for the season.
Jr actually looked better than he has in the last two months, if they out cambered themselves I wouldn't be too upset. They haven't had winning speed in awhile, it was time to experiment imo . Tricked out or not I can't see how any fan of his should feel any more deprived , being fast enough with the wall banger is no worse than just being average in recent events.
Jeff was fast again, but victimized again, interpret it anyway you like. That is typical stuff, definitely not a new phenomenon that needed a chase trigger.
Kahne scraped the wall and his chances were gone, again that has been a common thing throughout the whole season. It might be bad caution timing, Kyle hitting him, or just another Kasey whatever but still typical in any case.
Brad was the only real surprise to me, he entered the event as the hottest driver and looking to be the most poised to contend for the title, but now Joey does. That is why they run the races, it shouldn't be predictable any time of the year.
I don't like these resets, but I think there is more dissapointment about who had a bad day, verses what the Chase is doing to the actual racing.
I don't care for this format , it juat doesn't excuse losing or' sloppy racing' . Everybody has the same number of laps to run, and has the same need to go fast as anyone else. It is a performance buisness that requires getting it done, or watching someone else getting the trophy.
I will be more sympathetic over the complaints for the finale, when everything, almost the whole world is put on a single event. Random bad luck will be profoundly more significant. But currently all 12 nations have the same task to complete over the three events And I still think two top fives in the next two gets anybody in. Anyone good enough to be a champion simply has to be extremely good over the next two races, not even the very best.
If any one of the big money front line teams take some crazy risk, with camber etc that is on them just like it is in the first 26 races. If one of the other 42 figures out how to run a smarter race, be it threatening rain strategy, or approaching an elimination event that's just part of the business. If it works or fails that's still their responsibility, every one else runs under the same conditions. Even the non nations should be just as determined. I am glad that Larson, Dillion, and McMurray raced hard and competitively, the motivation should be at full saturation level chase or no chase.
So congratulations to Lagano, he did what he had to do, better than anyone else.
