NASCAR!
Where It Is:
Oh yeah, Texas. Thought about going up there for it and making it a NASCAR/World Series day. Suppose I still could. I’m supposed to help build a dish cupboard though. Like a wardrobe for dishes. Thing’s big. Which is good because this duplex has no cabinet space. Our old headquarters had much more cabinet space. This isn’t a huge problem, but it’s a problem. That’s why I’m supposed to help build a dish cupboard. I could probably get as far as Temple if I just kept driving past IKEA, but I think at some point I’d get called out. Definitely would not get away with rolling up to a speedway and saying, “Whoops, guess we missed IKEA, let’s watch the race and grab the cupboard on the way home,” and then do the exact same thing with the World Series. Might try, though.
When It Is:
Google, via NBC Sports (ugh, another NBC race) is telling me 2:47 PM local time, which is Central Daylight Time.
What It Is:
The second leg of NASCAR’s three-race Round of 8. In which the winner, if he’s among the seven drivers who remain in the playoffs but haven’t locked up a spot in the Championship Four (I think that’s the term they’re using), locks up a spot in the Championship Four.
How to Watch:
Turn on NBC and seethe.
Standings Coming In:
After last week, the villain’s up top, the only one to already have a spot in contention at Phoenix.
1. Joey Logano (Won at Kansas, locked into Championship Four)
2. Kevin Harvick (33 points ahead of Brad Keselowski)
3. Denny Hamlin (12 points ahead of Brad Keselowski)
4. Brad Keselowski (Last drive in as things stand)
5. Chase Elliott (8 points behind Brad Keselowski)
6. Alex Bowman (27 points behind Brad Keselowski)
7. Martin Truex, Jr (31 points behind Brad Keselowski)
8. Kurt Busch (73 points behind Brad Keselowski)
Who’s Under Pressure:
Everyone not named Harvick or Logano, and yes, that includes Hamlin now, as he’d miss the Championship Four if drivers who aren’t him, Harvick, and Logano but are still in the playoffs win each of the next two races.
Who’s the Favorite:
Harvick, at 5-to-2. Hamlin’s next, at 5-to-1, and Logano comes after him, at 15-to-2. From there, excluding the guys who aren’t still in the playoffs (Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch are both at 11-to-1, to give some perspective on how likely a non-playoff victor is), we’ve got Elliott and Truex at 10-to-1 each, Keselowski at 14-to-1, Kurt Busch at 20-to-1, and Bowman at 33-to-1.
Any Beef?
Nothing knew I’m aware of. Maybe we can start some, though.
How Should NASCAR Script It?
I don’t have anything elaborate, but Hamlin wrecking early would set up a great must-win narrative for him next week (where he should win, of course, because if Phoenix doesn’t come down to Harvick and Hamlin this season has failed itself), and Truex wrecking Elliott for the win would be exhilarating, reignite the beef from…Darlington? Richmond?, and give us a Hamlin/Elliott/Keselowski race for the final championship spot next week, with Kurt Busch and Bowman also in the picture.
