Cavanna: I learned not to mess with Kenny Bruce!
Norman: We saw some dialogue on Twitter about this, Alan. If you’re suspended for six races, someone else does your job for you. You’re allowing someone to come in and do your own job. What if they do it better?
Cavanna: Along with "don’t throw punches," I hope it also sent the message to let the drivers hash it out between themselves. The drivers get themselves into these situations; they should be allowed to settle. Let the crew guys break it up if need be, but it shouldn’t be a brawl.
Bruce: I think you hit on a big difference there, Brad. Missing out on an opportunity to possibly celebrate a title? Yeah, that’s large.
Norman: I’m still not certain Brad Keselowski did anything wrong, either.
Cavanna: Certainly not in the pits, Mr. Norman. As for what Brad did on the track … it’ll remain in the eye of the beholder.
Bruce: As a former "driver," Alan, I’m sure you can understand Gordon’s displeasure at the contact. But it seems a lot of folks believe Keselowski did nothing wrong. The guy was trying to win a race, and possibly a championship. No different from any of the others still in the Chase.
Cavanna: I agree fully, Kenny. I liked Brad going for the win with everything on the line. But there are some online and in the garage who disagree.
Bruce: And they were all crowded around the No. 2 car after the race, right?
2. With only 18 points separating the eight drivers in the Eliminator Round, who is the most likely and who is the least likely to advance into the Championship Round?
Cavanna: Most likely, for me, are Jeff Gordon and Joey Logano. I picked Gordon to win on the FedEx Preview Show, and Logano just needs a top-10. I think he gets it.
Norman: At this point, you’re almost making a bold prediction by picking the four drivers who have been the best (and most consistent) all year — the 2, 4, 22 and 24. Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick, in particular, face an uphill slog to advance. It’s hard to imagine Harvick not being in contention for the win given his Phoenix dominance, and the same with Keselowski, really. That Talladega must-win situation in which the No. 2 team came through is still top of mind.
Bruce: I don’t think any one of the eight can go into Phoenix thinking "let’s just get out of here with a decent finish." The points are just too close. Playing it safe, as Denny Hamlin noted Tuesday, means something like a 17th-place finish. And that’s probably not going to put you in the final four.
Cavanna: I think you’re spot-on, Kenny. It’s possible Harvick could have a top-five run and miss out if he doesn’t win. Keselowski too. Harvick’s six-point deficit doesn’t sounds huge, but with the way everyone is running, it’s nearly must-win.
Norman: The guy most in trouble to me is Matt Kenseth, which may seem kind of strange. He’s one point back of fourth-place Jeff Gordon, but Matt is just not very good at Phoenix. And there are a lot of guys in the Chase who are really good here. It’s sort of the same situation with Ryan Newman, but Newman has a points cushion to fall back on where Kenseth has none. I really think either Harvick or Keselowski wins and shakes this thing up a little bit. I also expect Gordon to run well.
Bruce: So I guess it’s wide open. But I think Logano is the safest bet to advance, based on his current position and his team’s consistency. The least likely would seem to be Carl Edwards, who isn’t in the top four at the moment and hasn’t had much of a Chase. Which of course means he’ll probably win Phoenix.
Norman: That Edwards still has a real shot is fascinating. He was so bad at Texas, yet logged a top-10 after all those cautions. And he’s the only guy to have won at Phoenix other than Harvick in the past four races there.
Cavanna: He came within a half-gallon of gas of sweeping last year, Kenny. Edwards to Homestead!!!
Bruce: Good points, guys. And based on what we’ve seen so far in this year’s Chase, I wouldn’t feel comfortable locking anyone in, or out, going into this weekend’s race.
3. Chase Elliott can wrap up the NNS championship this weekend. Is the 18-year-old ready to move up to the Sprint Cup Series in 2015?
Cavanna: He’s absolutely ready, but that doesn’t mean he’ll suffer from another year of Nationwide, I mean XFINITY Series, action.
Norman: Not quite. He’s obviously tremendously talented, and he’s going to get great equipment when he makes the move, but I think one more full-time year in the XFINITY Series is the right move. Chase will win the title this year, and will be in a great spot to win it next year. That’s Ricky Stenhouse-esque. When he moves up, though, I think he’ll be like Kyle Larson right away — competing for wins.
Bruce: I think he’s ready — three wins and perhaps a championship look pretty good — but that doesn’t mean I think he’d step up and run as well. The competition gets a lot tougher at the top.
Cavanna: His best wins have come against some of the best in Cup. And given the changes to the 2015 Cup cars, he may be more qualified than any Nationwide driver in recent years.
Norman: It’s really a pretty ridiculous story when you consider Chase didn’t have a ride, in any series, at this point last year. Something came together with NAPA late, and here we are. I’m eager to see how Mr. Elliott does with a new crew chief in 2015 as well.
Cavanna: If he didn’t have a quality ride waiting for him in the future, I could see him easily moving up in 2015. But really, no need to rush if you don’t have to.
Bruce: Makes me think of Logano and getting tossed in the No. 20 car after Tony Stewart‘s departure. Talented kid, but …
Norman: He’s like that incredible pitching prospect in the farm system, Alan.
Cavanna: I’ll give you that, Brad. At Chase’s young age, it can’t hurt to learn about transition and working with different people. Going through that change, and succeeding, will make him better in the long run.
Bruce: Mentioning Stenhouse, Larson, then there’s Austin Dillon as well. Great NNS efforts. But even as well as Larson has run, he’s not winning at Cup. Getting close, no doubt. I don’t know how another year in the series would benefit Elliott. Would it hurt? No. He’s still got a lot of years ahead of him. I think a lot of it just depends on what’s available, team-wise and sponsor-wise.
Norman: I think the most intriguing question is … which ride does Chase get? Does Jeff Gordon retire? Does Kasey Kahne move on? Hendrick’s stable is outstanding, but they have three guys 39 and older.
Cavanna: If Hendrick could have five cars, I think Chase moves up immediately.
Bruce: Seems pretty obvious he’s destined for a Hendrick ride. A lot of talk about Gordon sticking around (sponsor signings) and a lot about Kahne being the odd-man out.
Norman: Just think of the headline possibilities when a guy named Chase wins the Chase. I meant to say "if," and it came out "when." Maybe that’s a sign.
Bruce: They’ll have to re-name it, or him. Anyone know his middle name? It isn’t Sprint, is it?
Cavanna: Chase Winston Grand Nationals Elliott
Bruce: Wiki says William Clyde Elliott II
Norman: First name William, but he goes by something else. I can respect that.
Bruce: Not Billy Clyde?
Cavanna: Wow. I learned something today. I think he should stick with Chase.
Norman: That’s the name they’ll put on that championship trophy, at least.
Bruce: Some great names out there … but that’s a discussion for another day. (Right William?) For now, it’s on to Phoenix and another stop in the Chase. Not that Chase. Hold your punches, gentlemen.
Cavanna: From someone who knows.
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