The race continues: Power drivers of 2015

With the Sprint Cup Series nearing the end of the season, it is hard to believe that Brad Keselowski is lagging behind the likes of Joey Logano and Carl Edwards. While Keselowski's season got off to a rocky start, he led early at Phoenix, while having a victorious weekend at the Auto Club 400. The latter weeks, however, saw his sudden decline in rankings with a number of penalties, which until today is widely debated in the racing community. 

Image source: bleacherreport.com

Let us not forget that Keselowski led the Sprint Cup Series with six victories last year. So it’s really hard to understand all of the penalties that NASCAR levied against him, especially in the final stages of the race. 

Meanwhile, currently on the lead is Joey Logano, who recently won his “controversial” sixth victory this season under Team Penske. Currently with 4,000 points, Logano is battling against Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, and Kurt Busch. 

Image source: maguzz.com

Despite the controversies, there is no denying Logano’s skill. Like Keselowski, he too became the youngest winner in Sprint Cup Series history when he won the 35-day competition back in 2009. Hence, I am interested to see how things will work out in the last few races in November. 

Hi! I am Steve B. Liefschultz, an avid NASCAR fan and a die-cast cars collector. Visit my blog for more articles on driving and racing.

So Long, Leon Gonyo! You’ve Left an Impressive Legacy

The racing community has just lost another great man. Leon Gonyo, a resident of Chazy, New York, succumbed to a “medical problem” while taking a ceremonial victory lap at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway. The 63-year-old racing veteran won the speedway’s final asphalt NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Modified race of the season on September 19—but was never able to collect the checkered flag. 

                                     Image source: addison-eagle.com

The medical problem occurred while Gonyo was circling the track. His car crashed into a wall, hurting track official Dick Therrien in the process, before bouncing off and making an approach toward the speedway’s victory lane area. He was rushed to Rutland Regional Medical Center but was pronounced dead shortly. The cause of death is yet to be determined, although stroke is currently being looked at for the symptoms he manifested. 

Gonyo wore complete safety gears—including helmet and seatbelt—when the accident occurred. A thorough inspection of his vehicle revealed that it was mechanically and structurally okay. The driver had raced stock cars for more than four decades and the victory on Saturday was marked his fifth championship for 2015. 

“His demeanor didn’t change much,” said fellow racer Bucko Branham. “The biggest thing about him, I mean, he was soft spoken. I think that’s probably why (fans) liked him.”

            Image source: dailymail.co.uk

My name is Steve B. Liefschultz. I am a thrill seeker most attracted to fast cars. Let's talk more on Twitter.

Between Harvick and Logano: Who Deserves More to Lift the Sprint Cup?

The race to the top of the Sprint Cup series this season has just become even more rigid. While Kevin Harvick currently holds the top spot in the overall rankings, Joey Logano is catching up rather fast. In fact, he just lorded over Harvick last week when he thumped his fellow speedway giant in the Cheez-It 355.

Image source: brainerddispatch.com

 After running out of fuel while taking the lead at Pocono with three more laps to go, Logano overtook Harvick on the final turn of the 90-lap race as Harvick ran dry mid-way through the race. Logano fulfilled the first NASCAR weekend sweep at the track after winning the Xfinity race. Additionally, he gave his Roger Penske team their first Cup victory at The Glen. While Logano only ranked outside the top five during the restart, he had the first car off pit road and was the first driver confident enough to make it to the end of the race without the dilemma of low gas levels.

The current table standings are as follows:

1. Kevin Harvick (#4 Chevrolet) - 823 points 
2. Joey Logano (#22 Ford) - 781 points 
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (#88 Chevrolet) - 750 points 
4. Jimmie Johnson (#48 Chevrolet) - 747 points 
5. Brad Keselowski (#2 Ford) - 719 points  

Image source: bleacherreport.net

 My name is Steve B. Liefschultz. I am a fan of NASCAR races and everything else that involves fast cars. Like me on Facebook for more insights about the Sprint Cup and other major racing competitions.

NASCAR Linchpins: Racers on the Current Truck Series Leaderboard

With five more laps to go and a damaged catch fence cutting the race short, pole-sitter Matt Crafton #18 was declared the winner of the UNOH 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event on July 9th. This propelled him atop the leaderboard of the said series (417 points), surpassing Erik Jones #4, Ryan Blaney #29, Daniel Suarez #51, and Timothy Peters #17.

While fans like me could make intelligent guesses, none of us can predict who will ultimately bag the silverware in NASCAR’s third-tier race. Racers’ standings are changing by the week and the competition’s highly energetic nature makes things all the more unpredictable. Nevertheless, this gives the tournament extra spice and thrill.

Image source: popularspeed.com

 The victory was the fourth of the season for the two-time defending series champion, who won for the first time in Kentucky. So far, he has already won nine times in his entire career. Overall in the current season, Crafton leads Tyler Reddick by 20 points, and has a 29-point edge over third-ranked Erik Jones. Completing the top eight are Johnny Sauter (359 points), John Wes Townley (330 points), Timothy Peters (322 points), Cameron Hayley (315 points), and Spencer Gallagher (308 points).

Image source: jayski.com

 My name is Steve B. Liefschultz and I have been following NASCAR races since forever. Follow with me on Twitter for updates on our favorite auto racing event.