NASCAR: Five Lessons Learned From Martinsville

Non-Chase Drivers Have Become a Major Factor

With only eight drivers left in the Chase, Non-Chase drivers are becoming much more of a factor in each race leading up to Homestead.

It started at Martinsville with Martin Truex Jr. winning the pole. The driver of the 78 car was ready to prove that even though they were eliminated from the Chase, they were still going to push for a win as if they were still competing for the championship.

He went on to finish the race in 7th, but Truex Jr. was a major factor in this race and was competing as if he was still in the Chase.

Another driver pushing his car to the limits even though he is no longer in the Chase was Brad Keselowski.

Keselowski finished the race in 2nd, and if a late race caution had come out the driver of the two car might have passed Johnson for the race lead and denied a Chase driver a win.

He finished the race in second place and shook up the top five which was made up of drivers in the Chase, besides for Keselowski.

As we continue to get closer to Homestead non-chase drivers will be more of a factor. Texas and Phoenix are coming up and these races will be vital for Chase drivers. Don’t be surprised though if someone not racing for the championship denies a winning spot to someone trying to make it to Homestead.