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Chase Intrigue, Johnson’s Title Quest Headline Return To LMS
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Get all you can.
That’s this week’s mantra for Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup competitors, whose ranks were stirred last Sunday at unpredictable Talladega Superspeedway and whose opportunities for advancement are dwindling.
Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway may represent an ideal follow-up; it’s proven ground for many of the 12 teams battling for the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title, and also represents the opportunity to rebound, or establish momentum.
The fifth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Saturday’s event marks the halfway point, and with seven of the 12 Chase participants switching positions after Talladega, those out front likely have eyes on rear-view mirrors.
Only 99 points separate the top four Chase drivers, who all retained their spots; only 27 points separate second from fourth.
Reigning and two-time series champion Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet) extended his lead over second-place Carl Edwards (No. 99 Aflac Ford) to 72 points.
Edwards leads third-place and Roush Fenway Racing teammate Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford) by five points, while Biffle leads fourth-place Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet) by 22 points.
Johnson will be formidable at LMS, where he has five career wins and a series-high Driver Rating of 116.5. He’s attempting to become only the second driver in NASCAR history to win three consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles. Cale Yarborough (1976-78) is the other driver to do so.
Saturday also marks Johnson’s 250th career start.
“I’m fortunate to be able to do what I love for a living,” he said. “I’m so thankful for the success this team has had. I also know that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the hard work of (crew chief) Chad (Knaus) and my guys. This sport is a total team effort and I am so lucky to have such an awesome team.”
Other Bank of America 500 storylines:
Four-time series champion Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet) is the defending winner of Saturday’s Bank of America 500. It’s also the last time he won. Gordon, currently eighth in the Chase standings, hasn’t had a winless season since his rookie year of 1992.
Edwards, Biffle and teammate Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Carhartt Ford) all hope to right themselves at LMS, after getting caught in a Lap 175 accident at Talladega. All three excel at LMS — Kenseth notched his first career win there, Biffle finished second in the May event and Edwards has an average LMS finish of 7.6.
Despite a wreck-induced 38th-place finish at Talladega, Gordon is optimistic about his chances this weekend. He finished fourth two weeks ago at another 1.5-mile track – Kansas Speedway – and posted the fastest speed during last month’s series test at LMS.
“There’s still a lot of racing left this year, and I’m not counting anybody out just yet,” Gordon said.
NASCAR Reiterates Position On Racing Below The Yellow Line At Daytona And Talladega
On Monday, NASCAR President Mike Helton reiterated the sanctioning body’s rule about passing below the yellow line at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.
It applies to all three NASCAR national series, which compete annually at both tracks.
Drivers and crew chiefs are reminded of the yellow-line policy during each pre-race drivers meeting at Daytona and Talladega. The verbatim language is read aloud and included in a handout.
It is: “This is your warning: race above the yellow line. If, in NASCAR’s judgment, you go below the yellow line to improve your position, you will be black-flagged. If in NASCAR’s judgment you force someone below the yellow line (in an effort to stop him from passing you), you may be black-flagged.”
Helton further clarified that language on Monday.
“Since the end of the race there has been some confusion as to what is allowable during the last lap at Daytona and Talladega,” he said. “To be clear, as we go forward, there will be no passing under the yellow line at any time during NASCAR races at Daytona or Talladega, period. This includes any passing below the yellow line near the start/finish line on the final lap.”
Times Three: Kahne Going For The Three-Peat At LMS
Lowe’s Motor Speedway may be known as Jimmie Johnson’s house, but Kasey Kahne (No. 9 Budweiser Dodge) can stake a claim, too.
The reigning series champion usually rules at what’s considered the industry’s home track in Concord, N.C., just outside Charlotte, but Kahne maybe the driver to beat in Saturday night’s Bank of America 500.
He’s attempting something not even Johnson has accomplished — to become the first driver to sweep all three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at LMS.
Earlier this season, Kahne’s back-to-back wins at LMS kick-started a run to make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup,
He first won the non-points NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race there on May 17, following with a victory on May 25 in the Coca-Cola 600.
Kahne didn’t make the Chase — he’s currently 14th in the series standings — but making history would be a high note.
