Daytona

[eyepatrol]

The 24 and 8 are going to need a good finish this weekend to have a good chance at making the chase I think (along with the points leaders having a bad day). Although the 24 is only 14 points away from the 400 point cut-off, there are still some tracks coming up that he has not done well at. The 8 obviously has his work cut out for him being 143 points away from the 400 mark, but it still can be done if they can just figure out what's going on. Not sure if they're at that point yet, but mathematically speaking they still have a chance.

About 1/2 the races remaining until the 10-race chase are tri-oval or D shape tracks. The 24 and the 8 have been having their fair share of problems on these types of tracks.

Daytona SHOULD be a lock for them to finish well, but as we all know, nothing is guaranteed. With the problems each team has been having lately, it will be interesting to see if they can step up to the plate.

Anyway, just thought I'd put an observation out there in "cyberspace". I'm sure some (or many) may disagree, but if things keep going the way they are, the two biggest names in NASCAR will be on the outside looking in.

[lawdog]

I think there are a couple differences in the 8 and 24 seasons though. Granted both are struggling, but the 8 has not been fast and has just not had good runs. The 24 on the other hand has had bad luck as his nemesis more with mechanical failures and other people's crashes. Seems that absent the luck, he'd be right in the hunt still, while the 8 just hasn't run well enough to be up there. One other thing, last year the 8 finished horribly going into the chase, losing the points lead and falling all the way to 3rd in the last 10-12 races, while the 24 climbed into first. This too bodes better for team 24.

Regardless, both have to be much better and have better breaks to make it. My guess is only one will and you all know which one that will be...

[eyepatrol]

I'll agree with you there Lawdog. Hopefully the year will turn out like many of the races Gordon runs....start out good...fade to the middle or back of the pack...get the kinks worked out and back up to the front!

Don't know why they just can't start out good and stay good, but the 24 team really defines perseverence if you ask me.

[Sifty]

I guess that tells a person how good and how much you depend on your crew.

Sifty

[JohnMickish]

If I was on the 24 team I don't think I'd be in panic mode yet. They are a solid TEAM and have just had some bad luck. There are some other teams out there that dont remember the old saying that there is no "I" in team, but there is a "me"