Crown Royal presents the
Combat Wounded Coalition
400 at the Brickyard
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Speedway Indiana | Sunday, July 24th, 2016
3:00 PM EST | Live on NBCSN
Loudon Recap-
Good evening everyone, another week is in the books and the Dick Trickle fantasy team domination continues. I didn't get the win this week, but finished tied for 2nd. The last 3 weeks I have scored 294 points and the last 2 weeks I have had the winner starting (better take that luck to Vegas). I started Matt Kenseth (1st), Tony Stewart (2nd), Ryan Newman (7th) and Regan Smith (32nd). That's right I was a driver away from taking another victory but that's alright, this is a good sign heading into the final months of the season.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. missed Sundays race in Loudon due to concussion-like symptoms, driver Alex Bowman filled in for JR. He ran really well till a late race restart when he suffered damage which ultimately cut down his tire sending him into the wall he would finish 26th. Chase Elliot also had another bad day as his #24 car suffered a cut tire after a bad restart due to a shifter/clutch problem for the #78, Truex stacked up everyone on a restart. As for the other rookie Ryan Blaney, he overcame and early speeding penalty on pit road to bring his #21 ford in the 11th position helping his cause for a Chase bid.
Kyle Busch and Martin Truex dominated most of the race. Busch would lead 133 laps, and Truex led 123 laps. Kyle Busch finished 8th while Truex would suffer a broke shifter and clutch and limped it home 16th.
But the day belonged to the 44 year old out of Cambridge, WI. Matt Kenseth. Kenseth took over the lead with 30 laps to go, and didn't look back. His car did fail post race inspection, he will not be stripped of the win but will possibly miss out on some bonus points for the chase.
The biggest news of the weekend was Dale Jr. If he is unable to go this weekend at Indy, his replacement driver will be different from this weekends race at Loudon but its a familiar name. Jeff Gordon, may possibly be coming out of retirement to pilot the #88 machine. Keep an eye out for that announcement because JG will be a good go to driver to plug in this weekend.
This weekend we head to Indianapolis for the Brickyard 400, the history here alone is awesome. The drivers that win here etch their name into the history books of Indy that dates back all the way to 1909. Can Tony Stewart who will be coming off a very good week capture yet another Brickyard? Or will Kyle Busch and company ruin the retirement party? We will find out with my picks for this weekends Brickyard 400.
Bright Shiny Star Award- Matt Kenseth
The second week in a row I picked the winner. This is back2back wins for Kenseth he was the fall race winner last season and his 3rd of his career at Loudon.
SURPRISE!! AWARD- Tony Stewart
Smoke is on fire heading into a big huge week for him. Last Saturday night they ran the Kings Royal at Eldora and his driver Donny Schatz won it, finished 2nd yesterday at Loudon, and now this Wednesday night Eldora is hosting the MudSummer Classic. The Camping World Truck series hits the mud for this awesome mid-week event (tune in to FS1). Oh by the way, the cup series heads to Tony's home state of Indiana.
Wreck of the Day- Kyle Larson goes for a spin
Group A-
Kyle Busch
The guy won here last season, and runs pretty well here. His last 6 starts at IMS are 8th, 10th (twice), 2nd (twice) and 1st. Also has finished in the top 20 every race he has been entered here except one (39th, 2009). Plug in Mr. Kyle Busch this weekend.
Kevin Harvick
It seems like Happy is on the verge of another win, but his pit stops haven't been to par this season. He runs well at Indy, has 1 win back in 2003, finished 3rd last season here 8th in 2014 and has been on the lead lap in all but 1 race here at IMS. Pit Crew troubles aside you can be assured the 4 car is going to be Freaky fast and up front.
WE2W4- Jimmie Johnson (2 Brickyard wins), Matt Kenseth
Sleeper- Joey Logano or Brad Keselowski
Group B-
Tony Stewart
I've already told you about the big week ahead for Smoke and how much he loves Indy. A month ago we weren't sure if he would even make the chase let alone win another race, he is going to make the chase and is going to be hard to slow down. Runs very well here at Indy, from 2009-2012 he recorded a 3rd, 5th, 6th, 10th, and 4th. Last win came in 2004 with JGR.
Jamie McMurray
Coming off the 6th place finish at New Hampshire, look for the 2010 winner of the Brickyard to have another good run this weekend as he looks to solidify his spot in this years chase.
Ryan Newman
The 2013 winner of the Brickyard is once again showing us all that you don't need to make a lot of noise to turn heads. At least he is making this fantasy team owner's head turn, but in the good direction. A 7th place finish last week at NH, and a good run here will help him with his chances to make another run at the title like in 2014.
Kyle Larson
Though Kyle has only ran 2 races here at IMS, I'm convinced enough that the kid likes this race track. If it wasn't for that late race spin last weekend he was battling up front all day. He is on the outside looking in as far as the chase goes, but I think this weekend he gets into contention for a win.
WE2W4- Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle
Sleeper- Kasey Kahne
Group C-
Regan Smith and (Awaiting to here the news)
Its either going to be Jeff Gordon or David Ragan. Jeff Gordon will put the drivers suit back on this weekend if Dale Jr is not cleared to race. I would advise you to keep a close eye on the news this week, as no matter what you start Jeff Gordon.
WE2W4- JEFF GORDON!!!
Sleeper- Ryan Blaney or Chase Elliot
There we have it, another week in the books. Make sure to tune into FS1 on Wednesday night to watch some dirt slinging NASCAR Trucks Series racing. Its a fun event, if you have ever been to your local dirt track, they run heats, last chance showdown and the 150 lap feature.
I hope everyone has a great and as always thank you to those who continue to read and support this blog. Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT.
UNTIL NEXT TIME....
GOD SPEED
BOOGER
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