Posted on by Staff Report

Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of four stories examining why each driver could win the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Monday: Denny Hamlin
Tuesday: Kevin Harvick
Wednesday: Martin Truex Jr.
Thursday: Kyle Busch

• • •

Martin Truex Jr. will win the 2019 championship because …

This is the strongest his team has ever been.

No, he didn’t win a single pole this year. No, none of his seven wins, 14 top fives, 23 top 10s or 1,268 laps led are career highs. But this was a team in transition, moving during the offseason from half-a-country away when much of the now-defunct Furniture Row Racing group packed up and headed east for Huntersville, North Carolina, and Joe Gibbs Racing.

The reveamped No. 19 group then went out and racked up a pair of runner-ups in the first four races of 2019 and popped bottles in Victory Lane four times in the next 12 events that followed.

MORE: Clutch wins in playoff history

This season also finally saw Truex Jr. shake the short track monkey off his back, picking up his first career wins on such layouts at Richmond (twice!) and later in a showing of extreme dominance at Martinsville to clinch a Championship 4 berth. The latter victory also came along with the bonus prize of a two-week breather inherent with winning the Round of 8 opener, allowing crew chief/mad scientist Cole Pearn extra time — never a good thing for Truex’s competition — to prepare for Miami.

In all but one of his ’19 wins (Dover), a fellow Championship 4 driver either placed second or led the second-most laps to him in the race — he’s been beating these same drivers all year, so why stop now?

A super strong playoff run — three wins and a 3.75 average finish not counting a 26th-place result at wild card Talladega — shows the team, at the absolute very least, has the performance dialed in to carry the No. 19 Toyota all the way to the title.

Though his first championship bid in 2015 didn’t quite pan out (started 11th, finished 12th), Truex has been a stud in his two shots since. He sealed the deal in 2017 with 78 laps led en route to his first title and nearly followed it up last year by giving rival Joey Logano everything he had before a runner-up finish.

With seven battle-tested victories under his belt already this season, he could add an eighth come Sunday and, with it, the whole damn war.

RELATED: Championship 4 Power Rankings

Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR penalized five teams, including two teams in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, for lug-nut violations after last weekend’s action at ISM Raceway near Phoenix. Each team was found to have one lug nut not safe and secure in post-race inspection.

In the Monster Energy Series, the teams penalized were the No. 2 Team Penske Ford driven by Brad Keselowski and the No. 53 Rick Ware Racing Ford driven by JJ Yeley. NASCAR fined crew chiefs Paul Wolfe and Mike Hillman Sr. $10,000 each.

RELATED: Full Miami schedule

NASCAR also hit the No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Zane Smith with a $5,000 fine for crew chief Taylor Moyer.

And in the Gander Outdoors Truck Series, NASCAR penalized crew chief Joe Shear Jr. of the No. 13 ThorSport Racing Ford driven by Johnny Sauter and crew chief Trip Bruce III from the No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing Chevrolet of race-winner Stewart Friesen with fines of $2,500 apiece.

Posted on by Staff Report

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of four stories examining why each driver could win the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Monday: Denny Hamlin
Tuesday: Kevin Harvick
Wednesday: Martin Truex Jr.
Thursday: Kyle Busch

• • •

Kevin Harvick will win the 2019 championship because …

… it would be an extremely Kevin Harvick thing to do. He’s outnumbered — three Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas to his lone Stewart-Haas Racing Ford — but this ain’t El Toro’s first rodeo.

While none of the Championship 4 drivers can consider themselves spring chickens, Harvick ranks as the elder statesman of the group at 43 years young. Needling tends to happen heading into Homestead-Miami Speedway, and with a three-against-one advantage, you’d think the JGR trio could possibly get into the 2014 champ’s head, but don’t count on it. There’s a lot of veteran savvy under that No. 4 helmet.

In fact, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the notorious instigator turn the tables and perhaps even find a way to rekindle some fire in the long-simmering teammate rivalry between Busch and Hamlin.

MORE: Kevin and DeLana through the years

Harvick has also taken part in five of the six Championship 4 fields to date, winning the first instance of it in 2014 and falling short of the title every year since. He’ll be hungrier than an Everglades alligator, and while the sunset doesn’t appear imminent, he’s certainly on the back nine of his career.

Never one to shy away from a fierce on-track battle, perhaps he pushes things to the limit and fans see an even more aggressive Harvick behind the wheel, with no guarantees he’ll still be in contention this late as he closes out a brilliant career.

MORE: Clutch wins in playoff history

Stats wise, it may look like a down year for the No. 4 group — and make no mistake, it was until a July New Hampshire Motor Speedway win sparked things — but the second half of Harvick’s season has been lights-out, with just one non-mechanical failure finish outside the top nine, a 17th-place run at Talladega Superspeedway.

He’s no slouch at Miami, either, compiling a straight-up silly average finish of 6.6 (best in the series) with no finishes outside the top 10 since 2007.

When things are down to the wire, Harvick is up to the task, and he will be hoisting his second career Monster Energy Cup on Sunday to further cement an already Hall of Fame career.

Posted on by
No. Driver Sponsor Make Organization
00 Landon Cassill International Marine Chevrolet StarCom Racing
1 Kurt Busch Monster Energy Chevrolet Chip Ganassi Racing
2 Brad Keselowski Discount Tire Ford Team Penske
3 Austin Dillon Symbicort Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
4 Kevin Harvick Busch Light Ford Stewart-Haas Racing
6 Ryan Newman Wyndham Rewards Ford Roush Fenway Racing
8 Daniel Hemric myblu Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing
9 Chase Elliott NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
10 Aric Almirola Smithfield Ford Stewart-Haas Racing
11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Express Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
12 Ryan Blaney Menards / Richmond Ford Team Penske
13 Ty Dillon GEICO Chevrolet Germain Racing
14 Clint Bowyer Rush Truck Centers / Haas CNC Ford Stewart-Haas Racing
15 Joe Nemechek RoyalTeakCollection.com Chevrolet Premium Motorsports
17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Fastenal Ford Roush Fenway Racing
18 Kyle Busch M&M’s Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
19 Martin Truex Jr. Bass Pro Shops Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
20 Erik Jones DeWalt Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing
21 Paul Menard Motorcraft Ford Wood Brothers Racing
22 Joey Logano Shell Pennzoil Ford Team Penske
24 William Byron Axalta Flames of Independance Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
27 Ross Chastain Xchange of America Chevrolet Premium Motorsports
32 Corey LaJoie CorvetteParts.net Ford Go Fas Racing
34 Michael McDowell Love’s Travel Stops Ford Front Row Motorsports
36 John Hunter Nemechek Speedy Cash Ford Front Row Motorsports
37 Chris Buescher Honey Nut Cheerios Chevrolet JTG Daugherty Racing
38 David Ragan Thank You David Ford Front Row Motorsports
41 Daniel Suarez Haas Automation Ford Stewart-Haas Racing
42 Kyle Larson Credit One Bank Chevrolet Chip Ganassi Racing
43 Bubba Wallace Victory Junction Chevrolet Richard Petty Motorsports
47 Ryan Preece Kroger Chevrolet JTG Daugherty Racing
48 Jimmie Johnson Ally Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
51 JJ Yeley Jacob Companies Ford Petty Ware Racing
52 Josh Bilicki Bangor Savings Bank Ford Rick Ware Racing
53 BJ McLeod Aqre App Chevrolet Rick Ware Racing
66 Timmy Hill Generex Generators Toyota MBM Motorsports
77 Reed Sorenson Total Quartz Oil / Rousseau Chevrolet Spire Motorsports
88 Alex Bowman Nationwide Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports
95 Matt DiBenedetto Toyota Express Maintenance Toyota Leavine Family Racing
96 Drew Herring TRD 40th Anniversary Toyota Gaunt Brothers Racing
Posted on by PJ Walsh

It all comes down to this. After 35 points-paying races, the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) championship will be settled during Sunday’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin, four drivers that combined to win 21 races this season, will vie for the title in Miami.

For those new to the playoff format, a normal field of drivers will compete on Sunday, but only those four drivers are eligible to win the championship.

And the eventual champion doesn’t necessarily have to win the race, but simply finish ahead of the other three contenders, no matter where that is in the final finishing order.

Here’s a look at Monster Energy Series championship odds from the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas:

NASCAR Championship Odds, Pick

  • Kyle Busch: +250
  • Martin Truex Jr.: +250
  • Kevin Harvick: +280
  • Denny Hamlin: +280

As one would imagine considering these have been the best four drivers all season, championship odds are tight.

And Homestead is a racy, 1.5-mile track with massive tire wear and multiple grooves, so expect plenty of comers, goers and side-by-side racing.

But because this track is unique and the Monster Energy Series hosts only one event here every season, finding meaningful data to rely on can be difficult.

As a result, I looked at races earlier this season at other high tire wear tracks — Atlanta Motor Speedway, Auto Club Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway — and recent results at Homestead to pinpoint the smartest championship bet.

First, here is our three-race sample from this season, sorted by Driver Rating.

*ARP stands for average running position.

Harvick has had the edge this season at these three high tire wear tracks, including the most laps out front, but Busch has run the most fast laps.

And now, here is the same data over the past four races at Homestead.

Note: I chose the past four races because that’s when Furniture Row Racing (Truex’s former team) switched to Toyota and a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing, which also catapulted Truex into a championship contender.

Again, recent stats from Homestead point to Harvick and Busch as the best performers, with Kyle out front more often but Kevin ripping off considerably more fast laps.

NASCAR Championship Pick: Kevin Harvick (+280)

Considering Harvick ranks as the best of the championship drivers at Homestead in recent years as well as at the high tire wear tracks this season, he’s the best value to win the title, especially considering he’s not priced as a favorite, though he likely should be.

Posted on by Staff Report

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of four stories examining why each driver could win the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Monday: Denny Hamlin
Tuesday: Kevin Harvick
Wednesday: Martin Truex Jr.
Thursday: Kyle Busch

• • •

Denny Hamlin will win the 2019 championship because … 

This is a different Denny Hamlin.

Forget about the driver who walked right up to a championship in 2010, only to fall agonizingly short. We’ve seen the clips over and over (and over and over) since then. Of course that impacted Hamlin the next year and even the years after.

It would anyone.

But the Denny Hamlin who arrives in Miami this weekend isn’t the same guy he was nine years ago — none of us, after all, are the same person as we were almost a decade ago.

RELATED: Hamlin through the years

And sure, Hamlin will have all of the prerequisites to winning a championship. His team absolutely will bring a fast car. He has an excellent pit crew. He’s perhaps in the prime of his career at nearly 39 years old.

It’s the stuff that doesn’t show up in the stats, though, that makes Hamlin the favorite. His first-year crew chief Chris Gabehart has been a perfect fit for the confident driver. And make no mistake: Hamlin is a confident driver.

He has always had a bit of a swagger about him, but this year it’s just … different. Ask those closest to him or folks who see him every weekend in the garage.

This is a different Denny Hamlin.

On Sunday, he’ll be a champion.

MORE: Hamlin comes through in clutch

Posted on by Data Skrive

Todd Gilliland finished 14th in the Lucas Oil 150 at ISM Raceway, adding 32 points to his season total.

Gilliland now sits at 694 points on the 2019 season.

Stewart Friesen brought home the win in the race, with Brandon Jones following in second, and Chandler Smith placing third. Ben Rhodes brought home fourth place, followed by Grant Enfinger to round out the top five.

Rhodes came away victorious in Stage 1, and Jones won Stage 2.

Gilliland qualified in ninth position at 132.694 mph. He led once for a total of one lap, but relinquished the lead for good after Lap 49. The third-year driver has piled up one career victory, 12 top-five finishes and has placed in the top 10 in 25 races.

There were 32 cars in the field, and the race endured five cautions and 30 caution laps. Prior to the checkered flag there were nine lead changes.

Chevrolet added 40 points to its season total with Friesen’s victory. Overall, Toyota ranks No. 1 with 820 points, followed by Chevrolet in the No. 2 spot with 811. Ford sits at No. 3 with 724 points on the season.

Todd Gilliland Driver Page | Get Todd Gilliland Gear | Race Center

Posted on by Data Skrive

Ty Majeski finished 11th in the Lucas Oil 150 at ISM Raceway, adding 26 points to his season total.

Majeski is now at 26 points on the season.

Stewart Friesen earned the checkered flag in the race, with Brandon Jones taking second, and Chandler Smith crossing the finish line third. Ben Rhodes took fourth place, followed by Grant Enfinger to round out the top five.

Rhodes came away victorious in Stage 1, and Jones won Stage 2.

Majeski qualified in fifth position at 132.876 mph.

Majeski battled 31 other cars in the field and the race saw five cautions and 30 caution laps. There were nine lead changes before the checkered flag.

Chevrolet added 40 points to its season total with Friesen’s victory. Overall, Toyota ranks No. 1 with 820 points, followed by Chevrolet in the No. 2 spot with 811. Ford sits at No. 3 with 724 points on the season.

Race Center

Posted on by Data Skrive

Harrison Burton finished seventh in the Lucas Oil 150 at ISM Raceway, adding 36 points to his season total.

Burton is now up to 683 points on the 2019 season.

Stewart Friesen came away with the victory in the race, with Brandon Jones taking second, and Chandler Smith placing third. Ben Rhodes brought home fourth place, followed by Grant Enfinger to round out the top five.

Rhodes came away victorious in Stage 1, and Jones won Stage 2.

Burton qualified in 32nd position. He’s still looking for career win No. 1, but boasts 11 top-five finishes and 18 finishes in the top 10.

Burton battled 31 other cars in the field and the race endured five cautions and 30 caution laps. There were nine lead changes before the checkered flag.

Chevrolet added 40 points to its season total with Friesen’s victory. Overall, Toyota ranks No. 1 with 820 points, followed by Chevrolet in the No. 2 spot with 811. Ford sits at No. 3 with 724 points on the season.

Harrison Burton Driver Page | Get Harrison Burton Gear | Race Center

Posted on by Data Skrive

Ben Rhodes finished fourth in the Lucas Oil 150 at ISM Raceway, adding 43 points to his season total.

Rhodes is up to 748 points on the 2019 season. He’s collected seven top-five finishes in 2019.

Stewart Friesen took the checkered flag in the race, with Brandon Jones finishing second, and Chandler Smith placing third. Grant Enfinger followed in fifth.

Rhodes came away victorious in Stage 1, and Jones won Stage 2.

Rhodes qualified in fourth position at 132.949 mph. He led on two occasions for a total of 47 laps. The fifth-year driver has piled up two career victories, 24 top-five finishes and has placed in the top 10 in 46 races.

There were 32 cars in the field, and the race endured five cautions and 30 caution laps. There were nine lead changes.

Chevrolet added 40 points to its season total with Friesen’s victory. Overall, Toyota ranks No. 1 with 820 points, followed by Chevrolet in the No. 2 spot with 811. Ford sits at No. 3 with 724 points on the season.

Ben Rhodes Driver Page | Get Ben Rhodes Gear | Race Center