 |
 |
 |
|
While March Madness goes into overdrive this weekend, motor madness is on a cool-down lap.
NASCAR takes the first of four off-weekends and it's as good a time as any to look into the rear view mirror and ponder what we've witnessed over the first four weeks of the season:
New faces in Victory Lane
|
|
| Joey Logano has not impressed thus far, averaging a finish of 28th in four races. (Getty Images) |
Gordon returns
Those who believed Jeff Gordon's career was over and that the four-time champion was simply phoning it in last year have a rude awakening in store. Gordon looks as re-energized as anyone I've seen in the last several years and is finally comfortable with the new Sprint Cup car. That, as well as the increased chemistry between he and crew chief Steve Letarte, has added up to the great start for the No. 24 team with Gordon destined to end his winless streak any race now. The long-awaited "Drive for Five" appears back on track.
Martin dream now a nightmare
The story of Mark Martin's triumphant, full-time return ending in a Sprint Cup Series championship has soured tremendously. Now the storyline is whether Martin can stay above the Top 35 cut-off line after next weekend's race in Bristol or be forced to qualify his way into the field beginning at Martinsville. It hasn't been Martin's fault three of his first four races ended in engine failures or last week's cut tire in Atlanta, but it is definitely his problem.
Junior squared
The great debate whether Tony Eury Jr. should be replaced as Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief is always a topic of conversation. But it picks up steam when Earnhardt performs like he has in the opening quartet of races. One top ten is not going to quiet those clamoring for a break-up between the two cousins. The final decision will be Rick Hendrick's, who has said time and again the No. 88's performance will dictate any personnel moves within the team. Earnhardt Jr. better get up on the wheel the next few races and hope there are no mechanical failures or pit road miscues in his way or he may finally have a new voice talking to him on the radio.
New team, no problem
Clint Bowyer wasn't happy at first when team owner Richard Childress informed him of plans to move to the team's new No. 33 entry, opening the door for newcomer Casey Mears to take the old No. 07 ride. But so far Bowyer hasn't let any of that preseason disappointment affect his performance and he sits second in the point standings behind Gordon. Finishes of fourth, second and fifth are impressive to say the least and with the short track season looming -- where Bowyer usually shines -- the No. 33 team is definitely on the rise.
New team, big problems
While Bowyer has thrived in his new seat others have not been so lucky. Mears is off to a tough start in the RCR No. 07 and has managed only a 15th as his best run so far in 2009. Ryan Newman has watched his new teammate Tony Stewart knock down three eighth place finishes already while the No. 39 entry flails along at 32nd in the point standings. And Paul Menard brought his family's home improvement store fortune to Yates Racing but not much else at this point as he sits 38th in the standings.
Rookie woes
The two high-profile freshmen haven't exactly set the world in their inaugural Sprint Cup campaign. Joey Logano has been on the hot seat since his first day on the job at Joe Gibbs Racing and things haven't cooled off. Stumbling out of the gate with a last-place finish in the Daytona 500 didn't help and Logano is close to slipping out of the Top 35. Scott Speed slid into Team Red Bull's second ride as A.J. Allmendinger's replacement and so far hasn't improved on the team's performance from a year ago. The former Formula One driver needs to improve at least two positions in the standings after Bristol or be sent to the "go-or-go-home" list the following week.
