NASCAR: Every Week Is A “Silly Week”
By T. Walker
They call it NASCAR Silly Season, but lately, every week is a “Silly Week” in NASCAR.
NASCAR is a sport that is always evolving. You never know what will happen in any given week. This time of year has been coined “NASCAR Silly Season” for a reason, but let’s be honest. Every week, there is something to talk about and a story that we the fans (and media) won’t let rest just because that’s the NASCAR way.
As much as things change in NASCAR, they stay the same. Fans love their drivers. Fans hate the powers to be. They always want more. Fans complain that it’s too much. Drivers are mad about something and want it changed. Drivers don’t agree with why the rules are the rules. One driver is mad at another driver. You get where I’m going. At some point, most of it is all silly, especially when you realize it’s just the NASCAR way. Each week there is something; hence, why it is always NASCAR Silly Week.
Listen: Breakthroughs, Burnouts, Failed Inspections
The Week That Was
When Matt Kenseth let it slip that he didn’t think he would be back with Joe Gibbs Racing, Joe Gibbs was not ready to announce plans for the No. 20 car. But because of Kenseth’s loose lips, Joe Gibbs Racing moved forward with officially announcing Erik Jones as the driver that would take his place. The announcement has left NASCAR Nation buzzing, and Kenseth addressing his future plans.
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NASCAR dropped the hammer on Kyle Larson when he was penalized for rules violation and docked of 35 points. Larson then lost the pole after another penalty for a post-qualifying inspection failure.
Kyle Busch had not one but two speeding penalties in New Hampshire, which many would say deprived him of the win and an opportunity to end his nearly year-long winless streak. His teammate, Denny Hamlin, ended Joe Gibbs Racing’s win drought and won this past week, so we can finally put that story to rest and move on to more important news like who will really drive the No. 88 next season.
The Week That Is
While we ponder whether NASCAR racing at Indianapolis still has its appeal, it was officially announced that Alex Bowman would be replacing NASCAR’s most popular driver next year behind the wheel of the No. 88. This was something we all knew would happen, but we got distracted by NASCAR’s Silly Season with all the rumors, gossip and speculation.
When Dale Jr. announced he would retire, everyone believed Alex Bowman was his likely replacement. After all, he did great holding down the wheels last season while Dale Jr. dealt with his concussion issues. Dale Jr. even co-signed and said, “That kid earned it last year. He ran good.”
He's worked so hard for this opportunity. A huge thanks to the @nationwide88 fans for supporting Alex. 2018 is going the be exciting. https://t.co/CQFY0M7NRM
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 20, 2017
Speculation crept in that William Byron was the one to drive the No. 88. At the same time, whispers turned into loud chatter that Matt Kenseth was the guy when Kenseth floated the thought that he probably was not returning to Joe Gibbs Racing.
When Dale Jr. went on record saying Kenseth was “so good and so talented that he will be in a great car with a great opportunity next year,” many believed he was giving his stamp of approval for Kenseth to take over. Kenseth to the No. 88 was a short-lived story because it was announced that Bowman would indeed drive the No. 88. Silly rumors (with merit) were great to entertain, but we are right back where it all started; Bowman is Dale Jr.’s replacement.
Does that mean Matt Kenseth will be in the No. 5, replacing Kasey Kahne next year? Will Kenseth race for Hendrick Motorsports next year? And let’s not forget, Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle are still lurking.
Will Bubba Wallace have a ride next year? Is he the likely replacement for Ryan Blaney in the Wood Brothers No. 21? Blaney is currently behind the wheel of the iconic No. 21 through an alliance between Team Penske and the Wood Brothers, but it’s not a secret that Penske will more than likely field a third car next year if Brad Keselowski doesn’t jump ship and bring Blaney home.
What about Larson? Will he land at Stewart-Haas Racing in the No. 10? Not sure how and why, especially since he made it clear that he wants to stay at Chip Ganassi Racing for the rest of his career. No one knows what’s in his contract, but we do know it’s NASCAR, so you never know what will happen.
The Rumors That Are
All these rumors along with whether or not Danica Patrick is really retiring are about to get louder. Why? Because it’s still NASCAR Silly Season and we need something to talk about–something to speculate on. It is not as if this doesn’t happen every week, but right now as you are reading this, it is officially another NASCAR Silly Week.
In the midst of everything that is happening, let’s not forget that NASCAR appointed Brent Dewar as the new President. Pocono Raceway President & CEO, Brandon Igdalsky, also resigned and joined NASCAR as Managing Director of Event Marketing and Promotion. That’s NASCAR for you.
On the latest episode of All Turns No Brakes, a NASCAR podcast for fans by fans, we discus Denny Hamlin’s burnout after his win in New Hampshire, Joe Gibbs Racing ending the team’s winless streak, when will Chase Elliott have a breakthrough, why Kyle Busch can’t get right and more NASCAR talk. Check it out. Join the debate with Rene and I as we talk all things NASCAR in an unapologetic, humorous and unfiltered way.
Next: Why Does Danica Patrick Even Have Haters?
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