2016 NASCAR Season

[CheckGameMeBob]

Tonight, it's the final race before the playoffs kick off and there are still a few bubble drivers on the brink of missing out.  Richmond is the arena and it's the short track that races like a super speedway and the drivers will have 400 laps under the bright lights.  Virginia native Denny Hamlin is the pole sitter.

My pick: Carl Edwards

[CheckGameMeBob]

Denny Hamlin threw down the hammer and survived a wild race with 16 yellow flags (a new track record!) to take the victory in his home state of Virginia.

The chase commences next week.  10 races, 16 drivers, and 1 champion to be crowned at the finish line.  Let the playoff madness begin.

[jwatson2973]

I would love to see Tony Stewart retire as champion. Although it looks like some stiff competition including defending champ Kyle Busch.

[CheckGameMeBob]

I would love to see Tony Stewart retire as champion. Although it looks like some stiff competition including defending champ Kyle Busch.

It's probably going to be a Gibbs car or Harvick that wins it.  As long as it isn't Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, or Joey Logano, I won't be too mad at whoever wins.

[CheckGameMeBob]

The playoffs kick off at the 1.5 mile Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois.  As qualifying got rained out, Kyle Busch is the pole sitter.

My pick: Denny Hamlin

[CheckGameMeBob]

Martin Truex Jr rallied to take the checkered flag and has earned a pass through to round two of the chase.

[jwatson2973]

Awesome.

Next race: New Hampshire

[CheckGameMeBob]

Round Two of The Chase heads to the northeast for 300 laps at the flat one mile New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  This is a tricky place to pass, so a good qualifying result can make a huge difference between winning and losing.  Carl Edwards of Joe Gibbs Racing is sitting on the pole.

My pick: Denny Hamlin.  Denny's finished in the top ten in 13 out of his 21 finishes here and he's got two wins too.  The 11's pit crew has been operating flawlessly, so Hamlin stands to gain a spot or two when it's clutch time in the pits.

[CheckGameMeBob]

Woohoo! Kevin Harvick is on his way to round two as he took the checkers for his second New Hampshire win!

 

[jwatson2973]

Happy Harvick.

Next race: Dover for round 3 of the Chase

[CheckGameMeBob]

Race number three of The Chase heads to Dover for 400 laps at The Monster Mile.  This track is like Bristol, but an extra half mile longer.  This also holds one of the toughest entries to pit road, so timing the entrance right on a green flag stop will be crucial to avoid a commitment cone violation or a speeding penalty.

My pick: This is where the 48 team of Jimmie Johnson will find its speed again.  Dover is Jimmie's house as he's got 10 wins in 29 starts.  He is wicked fast here, and he will earn his free pass to the Round of 12 today.

[CheckGameMeBob]

Martin Truex Jr came out on top and netted his second Dover win.  The round of 16 is over, and the following drivers got eliminated from The Chase:

Chris Buescher

Tony Stewart

Kyle Larson

Jamie McMurray

Next up: A 500 mile race under the lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway

[wpghi5]

Thank god #48 didn't win there! Lol.

[CheckGameMeBob]

The fourth Chase Race heads back to Charlotte for what was supposed to be a race under the lights, but with bad weather, it'll be ran tomorrow at noon eastern.

That said, Kevin Harvick is on the pole! 

He won this race in his championship clinching season in 2014, and has three wins here overall.

My pick: Joey Logano

[CheckGameMeBob]

Blech.  The 48 team rose from the dead and Jimmie Johnson took the victory at Charlotte, and he earned a free pass to The Round of 8.