I’ve been digging these finishes from various drivers recently, especially with you mentioning Todd Gilliland! Interested to see the rest of the finishes and possible winners too until the playoffs begin around Darlington.
@Cow Mann slim to none with just a fracture. If there’s no damage to the disks and nerves there will be no long term effects. If there was any disk or nerve damage they’d already have said he’d be out for at least half the year because those come with major long term issues.
@Cow Mann but what he is feeling is not uncommon either. While the bone itself is fusing back together there will be a lot of shifting and discomfort as his body compensates and readjusts.
I’m honestly loving the closer parity in the cars. Letting some drivers really show what they can do and not what the car can do. Seeing Gilliland, Bubba, even the Ford drivers doing well with Ford kinda lagging behind the rest is refreshing. Much better than when we had the same driver win the cup 5 straight years lol.
If Chase points his way in after missing 6 races I would be concerned if I was another team entering the playoffs. Chase would have to be super consistent to do that and not have won then he could easily reel of 3 or 4.
With regards to Bowman’s pain situation, dropping the jack would be like being swatted with a feather compared to cartwheeling and barrel rolling down the track after being caught up in a ’big one “.
I think Suarez is the best bet for the guys below the cut off not counting the Hendrick guys. Suarez has great cars almost every week but something unfortunate, self inflicted or not always happens. If he starts finishing races where he runs well I definitely think he’ll make it in
Corey Lajoie is the real surprise to me knowing that he’s currently 22nd in points 37 points out of the playoffs and running well on the short tracks,super speedways and staying consistent..watch for him to make a run as the summer roles along.
@Eric Estepp I think it comes down to where he’s strong at. Obviously a top 10 at Atlanta last year and was nearly leading at Daytona before the rain wreck. He was also strong at Watkins Glen and Indy Road Course. 50 points is a lot, but he can make a resurgence
Gotta say, I expected you to say Allmendinger. Disappointing in the points standings but 4 road courses coming up and he’s always a favorite. Have to think he has a good chance
You’re right! I was mostly focused on the points element. No way AJ points his way in, but a road win is possible. I’d give Erik Jones a shot to win in as well
Cannot believe we’re halfway through the regular season already and rookie or not, I can see Ty Gibbs making his first playoff appearance this year if things keep going his way. Being only 15 below the cutline is not that bad and seeing how he’s run so far including that top 10 streak of his and hell, I can even see him squeezing a win out somewhere cause he’s that talented. I really have faith in the 54 team, which is still the 18 team that won 2 championships with Kyle Busch just rebranded
You have to think with all this Ross Chastain Controversy that not only is it distracting, its taking away from the team trying to help out or maybe coach Suarez into trying to run better or figure out ways to close races. I’m convinced that unless we see something different at the 600 that Suarez’s only hope is winning a road course or Getting lucky at Daytona or Atlanta. Like clearly if it wasn’t for the controversy they could almost forget about Chastain and focus solely on Suarez because Chastain is always running well and competing for wins
33 comments
I’ve been digging these finishes from various drivers recently, especially with you mentioning Todd Gilliland! Interested to see the rest of the finishes and possible winners too until the playoffs begin around Darlington.
As someone with multiple back surgeries, what Alex Bowman is going through is not abnormal. It’s entirely possible that he could be back for the 600.
What are the permanent effects with that type of injury?
@Cow Mann slim to none with just a fracture. If there’s no damage to the disks and nerves there will be no long term effects. If there was any disk or nerve damage they’d already have said he’d be out for at least half the year because those come with major long term issues.
@Cow Mann but what he is feeling is not uncommon either. While the bone itself is fusing back together there will be a lot of shifting and discomfort as his body compensates and readjusts.
I’m honestly loving the closer parity in the cars. Letting some drivers really show what they can do and not what the car can do. Seeing Gilliland, Bubba, even the Ford drivers doing well with Ford kinda lagging behind the rest is refreshing. Much better than when we had the same driver win the cup 5 straight years lol.
I think Aj allmendinger will win a road course and make it off that other than that I think you got it also completely agree about Ty Gibbs
Fair, nobody can drive onto a road course with AJ and not be under immediate and imminent threat.
Him, Buschers, McDowel, and Suarez are all active threats to win most road course. But if them all AJ is the most terrifying.
Especially if he has a good chassie that day…
If Chase points his way in after missing 6 races I would be concerned if I was another team entering the playoffs. Chase would have to be super consistent to do that and not have won then he could easily reel of 3 or 4.
With regards to Bowman’s pain situation, dropping the jack would be like being swatted with a feather compared to cartwheeling and barrel rolling down the track after being caught up in a ’big one “.
I think Suarez is the best bet for the guys below the cut off not counting the Hendrick guys. Suarez has great cars almost every week but something unfortunate, self inflicted or not always happens. If he starts finishing races where he runs well I definitely think he’ll make it in
There have been moments where he would have more than 4 top 10s but every single time something bad always happens to him
Glad to see RFK running decent again.
Same
Corey Lajoie is the real surprise to me knowing that he’s currently 22nd in points 37 points out of the playoffs and running well on the short tracks,super speedways and staying consistent..watch for him to make a run as the summer roles along.
Maybe he might get redemption at Atlanta.
No Justin Haley mention makes me sad. He’s having a solid year. 3 top 10s already!
Same feelings bud
50 points are a lot to make up, but I’ve gained a lot of respect for Haley the past two seasons.
@Eric Estepp I think it comes down to where he’s strong at. Obviously a top 10 at Atlanta last year and was nearly leading at Daytona before the rain wreck. He was also strong at Watkins Glen and Indy Road Course. 50 points is a lot, but he can make a resurgence
Keep an eye out for Corey LaJoie. 23rd in the points, and he is up higher in the standings this year than last year.
Dude has been making ground
Crazy to think we’re already halfway through the regular season. Certainly been an eventful first half
Crazy I was thinking about this earlier. Gotta say racing hasn’t been all that bad the last few weeks and hope that trend continues
Needs the tv show tho
Gotta say, I expected you to say Allmendinger. Disappointing in the points standings but 4 road courses coming up and he’s always a favorite. Have to think he has a good chance
Chase might get in by winning at a road course.
You’re right! I was mostly focused on the points element. No way AJ points his way in, but a road win is possible. I’d give Erik Jones a shot to win in as well
Hope Bowman can try to get in to start the race at either charlotte or gateway
If Bubba continues to execute at Intermediates he’s got a chance for a win like at Kansas last year
He’ll be a threat at the coke 600
Cannot believe we’re halfway through the regular season already and rookie or not, I can see Ty Gibbs making his first playoff appearance this year if things keep going his way. Being only 15 below the cutline is not that bad and seeing how he’s run so far including that top 10 streak of his and hell, I can even see him squeezing a win out somewhere cause he’s that talented. I really have faith in the 54 team, which is still the 18 team that won 2 championships with Kyle Busch just rebranded
You have to think with all this Ross Chastain Controversy that not only is it distracting, its taking away from the team trying to help out or maybe coach Suarez into trying to run better or figure out ways to close races. I’m convinced that unless we see something different at the 600 that Suarez’s only hope is winning a road course or Getting lucky at Daytona or Atlanta. Like clearly if it wasn’t for the controversy they could almost forget about Chastain and focus solely on Suarez because Chastain is always running well and competing for wins