Take 5: Five Takeaways From The Second Race In The Chase

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Take 3 – Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray are running like they are in the chase.

Somebody may have forgot to tell Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray that they missed the chase because after these last few weeks it would appear that they are in it. Over the last three races (Richmond and the two chase races) McMurray has finishes of 4th, 9th and 4th. During that same span Larson has finishes of 11th, 3rd and 2nd. The first thought here is that it’s a shame we didn’t see more of this in the first 26 races because had these two drivers made the chase instead of Greg Biffle and Ryan Newman, boy oh boy. I for one hope that these teammates are able to continue this success through the rest of the season and hopefully have some carry over into the 2015 season. 2015 is going to be a big year for McMurray as it will be the final of his contract. Originally I had predicted that McMurray would not be brought back after 2015 and that the team would seek a stronger driver to partner with Larson but maybe I was wrong. As for Larson, well we all knew he had this talent and that it was only a matter of time before he showed it to those who might not have been aware. Larson is going to be a player in this chase in 2015.