NASCAR, Fantasy, Team News / Analysis, Player News / Analysis, Rumors, Crashes, Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, Martin Truex Jr., AJ Allmendinger, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr
![Blog Photo - NASCAR Racing in Kansas [Live Thread]](http://cdn4.faniq.com/images/photos/photo_large/81/file-110481-1283/Blog-Photo--NASCAR-Racing-in-Kansas-Live-Thread.jpg "Blog Photo - NASCAR Racing in Kansas [Live Thread]")
It seems almost every week, lately, we have an excuse offered on NASCAR Raceday for why the racing might not be the absolute best it can be. Or maybe it just seems that way to me because the racing has been somewhat disappointing to me so far this year. I expected excitement at the reworked Bristol and it was pretty much just a train ride around the track. I thought Texas would be the kind of racing where I didn't want to get up for a snack, drink, or bathroom break and instead got a snoozefest. Today, I am not expecting anything terrific. I guess I'm trying a little reverse psychology on NASCAR. The announcers on NASCAR Raceday seem to be doing the same. Kansas is slated for repaving as soon as this race is done, and it's a good thing. The track is lifting in spots and in one particular place patches have been done twice this weekend. As we have been warned, it could be a factor in the STP 400.
Kansas is windy. This time of year, that is pretty much guaranteed. However, we have already been warned that the winds are even higher than expected to day, and that the temperature is lower than it has been in practice sessions by a significant amount.
Hey guys!! If you think the racing won't be exciting, why don't you just say so??
Okay, so here comes my reverse psychology. I am hoping that the simple fact that the patch may come out of the track will make the racing a little more exciting than normal. Sure, the guys can't necessarily driver around the patch - it is in the middle of the track after all - but it did lift during the course of the truck race. In fact, it lifted enough that a fresh patch was put in place after the race was complete. However, no one will forget a similar situation that took Jeff Gordon out of the running at Martinsville in 2004. The piece of the track that lifted went through Gordon's rad, eliminating any chance he had at victory. Gordon was pissed. It might not happen today, but look for it to be a factor later in the race.
As Dale Earnhardt Jr. just said in his pre-race interview, the wind today is stronger than it has been all weekend. It's also blowing from a different direction. The temperature was predicted to be 77F today, yet it is only 55F at the track. In other words, conditions are nothing like what the teams practiced in.
![Blog Photo - NASCAR Racing in Kansas [Live Thread]](http://cdn4.faniq.com/images/photos/photo_large/81/file-110481-1284/Blog-Photo--NASCAR-Racing-in-Kansas-Live-Thread.jpg "Blog Photo - NASCAR Racing in Kansas [Live Thread]")
So, I could go with one of the favorites for my pick, but I am going with Tony Stewart. My dark horse is Mark Martin. I realize others were more dominant during practice, but it seems with every bit of adversity Tony faces he comes out just a little stronger. He is always good on the mid-size tracks and always needs to be a factor in any race.
And before we go racing, NASCAR has quietly announced that in 2013 the cars will be able to look more like the cars we drive on our streets and highways. In other words, they will go back to a recognizable brand, rather than the cars only identifiable by the decal on their hood, but we'll give you more on that later in the week.
Let's go racing!
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10050 respect
Good thing I'm a "Mind reader" hmmmm? I really like seven out of the top 12!!!
4/22/12 | JenX63 | 26727 respect
"Martin Truex Jr. continues to lead the STP 400 at Kansas Speedway in today’s NASCARSprint Cup race as he has from the very beginning. However Jimmie Johnson has recently pulled into second place and has tried a few moves to make his way past Truex and take the lead. Yet NASCAR's race feed is saying that he might just wait for the leader in front of him to do his work.
"According to the feed, “Jimmie Johnson’s spotter has told him not to push the issue, saying that leader Martin Truex Jr. ‘will mess up.’” At this point, expect Johnson to hold back then and hope that Truex fails at some point given his history."
I can't post what I think, cause I loooove the Q! Yeah for Martin finishing 2nd, and Kasey getting a top ten!
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
|
10050 respect
The arrogance that is Jimmie Johnson and his crew continues. This was posted during the race::
"Martin Truex Jr. continues to lead the STP 400 at Kansas Speedway in today’s NASCARSprint Cup race as he has from the very beginning. However Jimmie Johnson has recently pulled into second place and has tried a few moves to make his way past Truex and take the lead. Yet NASCAR's race feed is saying that he might just wait for the leader in front of him to do his work.
"According to the feed, “Jimmie Johnson’s spotter has told him not to push the issue, saying that leader Martin Truex Jr. ‘will mess up.’” At this point, expect Johnson to hold back then and hope that Truex fails at some point given his history."
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
|
10050 respect
Martin Truex Jr gave it all he had, but just fell short by a bit. So disappointing for him, I'm sure, but he ran an awesome race!! He will get a win before the end of the year I have no doubt.
Finish"
Hamlin, Truex Jr., Johnson, Kenseth, Biffle, Harvick, Dale Jr., Kahne, Edwards, Kyle Busch, Keselowski, JPM (he didn't hit anything) Stewart (he did)
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10050 respect
Martin Truex Jr's car just got better again, and he is gaining on Hamlin, it seems. Mark Martin just lost a cylinder.
4/22/12 | JenX63 | 26727 respect
He lost his focus according to Darrell.....I see the Fords are doing alright.
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10050 respect
The sun came out and screwed up Truex's run for the checkers. Jeff Gordon running a different gear than the others has lost a cylinder - off the pace. Johnson, unfortunately, is closing on Truex and Hamlin. I don't want either of Hamlin or Johnson up front, so here's hoping someone else's car suddenly comes to them.
4/22/12 | JenX63 | 26727 respect
Slow race.......I'm not a Kansas fan.
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
|
10050 respect
Uh oh, Tony brushed the wall and Mark got around him. Two MWR cars in the top ten. Truex deserves this win, he is so dominant, but he needs to keep focus and not worry about the dudes behind him.
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10050 respect
They just hadn't made the right adjustments for the change in the weather. They have made some changes and he is moving forward. Up to 11th from almost going a lap down and a 17th place restart.
4/22/12 | JenX63 | 26727 respect
Hey! I just got back, is there something wrong with Stewarts car? Why is he still back there?
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10050 respect
so it seems getting to pit road is a problem today. Jr initially missed it and elected to go around again instead of hitting the cone. Bowyer spun trying to get there. Brett Bodine, in the PACE CAR, said he had trouble getting onto pit road as well.
4/22/12 | Canadianhick | 2091 respect
What a bummer for Clint Bowyer @ his home track to blow up.
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10050 respect
Clint Bowyer had radioed his crew that he had lost a cylinder. He just spun trying to get down to pit road, and we have our first caution.
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10050 respect
Truex says his car is FAST! He just needs to get into some clean air. In other words, if he ever gets out in front, he figures he will be GONE
They will be doing green flag pit stops if we don't get a caution first.
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
|
10050 respect
Martin Truex jr in 3rd, Dale Jr was in 6th, but is dropping. Not sure if he is running high line or not, as he usually does, but he needs to. Tony back in 23rd.
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
|
10050 respect
The Dinger, who was the pole sitter, is in the lead after 9 and Harvick and Hamlin run 2nd and 3rd.
Jeff Gordon just slid up right in front of Jeff Burton (they have history) and Burton didn't let off one bit. Gordon sped up.
Truex got around Hamlin for third
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
|
10050 respect
First three laps will run under caution.
Okay, I guess not. NOTE TO SELF: Don't take DeLana Harvick's tweets as unquestionable fact....
Further edit: Read DeLana's tweets a little more carefully.....
4/22/12 |
JrCanuckFan
|
10050 respect
Tony Stewart having some fun before the race:
4/22/12 | Canadianhick | 2091 respect
Winner: I picked him last week and I'll pick him again since he has been of on the best on intermediate tracks in the last 1.5 years. Matt Kenseth takes the checkered flag in Kansas.
Dark Horse: Anyone in the MRW camp.
Seeing racing in Kansas in April seems really odd to me?