Fast Times
A NASCAR BLOG BY Kris Johnson
- TEXT SIZE: Increase Text Size Decrease Text Size Reset Text Size
- 2 Comments. Leave a Comment
- Digg This
- Add to Del.icio.us
- RSS Feeds
Is Ragan ready to rise up?
Aug
18
Michigan made some Chase contenders look like real pretenders. Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon are licking their respective wounds after all dropping three positions in points after the 3M Performance 400.
It’s mind-boggling to me that Gordon and Tony Stewart still have yet to win a race this season. Perhaps neither are worthy of the Chase? Maybe that’s a tad harsh, but you expect greatness from these guys. This year, it’s been elusive for both.
Meanwhile, David Ragan’s third-place run at Michigan kept him solidly in Chase contention. It would be nice to see a guy like Ragan, in only his second year of full-time Cup competition, get in while running as well as he is instead of seeing one of the marquee drivers back their way into the 10-race playoff.
Yeah, perhaps TV and even NASCAR would hate to lose the star power in seeing Kahne, Stewart or Hamlin slip out of the Chase only to be supplanted by an upstart such as Ragan. And by the looks of things, that is a definite possibility.
Hamlin clings to the final transfer spot, just 26 points ahead of Clint Bowyer and Ragan. His harsh words after the Michigan race regarding an engine that went sour makes it hard to believe the No. 11 ship can be steadied in time for the Chase.
I’d prefer to see a Chase longshot in Ragan competing over a disenchanted Hamlin (and who can blame him at this point?) when the Chase starts at New Hampshire.
It’s mind-boggling to me that Gordon and Tony Stewart still have yet to win a race this season. Perhaps neither are worthy of the Chase? Maybe that’s a tad harsh, but you expect greatness from these guys. This year, it’s been elusive for both.
Meanwhile, David Ragan’s third-place run at Michigan kept him solidly in Chase contention. It would be nice to see a guy like Ragan, in only his second year of full-time Cup competition, get in while running as well as he is instead of seeing one of the marquee drivers back their way into the 10-race playoff.
Yeah, perhaps TV and even NASCAR would hate to lose the star power in seeing Kahne, Stewart or Hamlin slip out of the Chase only to be supplanted by an upstart such as Ragan. And by the looks of things, that is a definite possibility.
Hamlin clings to the final transfer spot, just 26 points ahead of Clint Bowyer and Ragan. His harsh words after the Michigan race regarding an engine that went sour makes it hard to believe the No. 11 ship can be steadied in time for the Chase.
I’d prefer to see a Chase longshot in Ragan competing over a disenchanted Hamlin (and who can blame him at this point?) when the Chase starts at New Hampshire.
Other Blogs
Recent Blog Postings
- Jimmie Johnson too good to be true?
by Art Weinstein | 11/29/2008 - Does winning the Daytona 500 jinx a driver's season?
by Kenny Bruce | 11/29/2008 - NASCAR races aren't boring
by David Exum | 11/26/2008 - Cracking the big three of Jimmie, Carl and Kyle will be tough
by Bob Pockrass | 11/25/2008 - Tough Nationwide season for Brad Keselowski
by Jared Turner | 11/24/2008 - Plenty to think about while waiting for 2009 Cup season to begin
by Rea White | 11/23/2008 - NASCAR should leave some money on the table
by Mike Hembree | 11/21/2008
Poll Position
Which NASCAR competitor should be Driver of the Year?
Comments
2 responses to "Is Ragan ready to rise up?"
Freddy Preston said:
Aug 19, 2008 at 8:16 AMI believe both TV and Nascar would love to have a storyline like David Ragan making the Chase...creates excitement.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Report4da88 said:
Aug 24, 2008 at 6:19 PMAgain this week David Ragan looks like a veteran driver. He came from deep in the field to a 10th place finish. Good for you David!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Report