NASCAR Picks: My Championship 4

Matt Kenseth is NASCAR’s quiet assassin. Will he be part of the Championship 4?

The Beyond the Flag staff made their predictions for who they think will be the final four drivers left standing at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Unfortunately, I missed the memo and was not able to add my picks. As mentioned in my last contribution “NASCAR Surprises and Disappointments,” I took a month off from writing about NASCAR, but that doesn’t mean I abandoned my beloved sport.

If you must know, I was traveling. Since the last time I shared my thoughts on NASCAR, I was in Montreal dissecting the “Formula E is the future” hype and I was in San Francisco listening to Ford Motor Company talk about the City of Tomorrow. Shortly after that, I flew to Nashville and drove to Lynchburg, Tennessee to taste their new Tennessee Rye Whiskey as well as to tour their distillery.

My travels also took me to Dallas for the Ultimate Driving Experience with BMW and I got behind the wheel of the M3 and M4 to test Shell’s V Power NiTRO+ Premium gasoline. I stopped in Viva Las Vegas for a drive through the desert in a Chevy Tahoe with a Polaris in tow and a wild adventure to have lunch in a ghost town. My travels seemed to be endless, but my thoughts on the state of NASCAR were never too far behind. In fact, with the playoffs upon us, I’m in wanderlust longing to get back to a track. I have thought about the sport even more. The never-ending drama has made it hard not to.

The Team

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Martin Truex Jr. graced the top of everyone’s list when the team at Beyond the Flag revealed their Championship Four drivers along with their 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion pick. Although there was at least one notable driver omitted from each list, Matt Kenseth was the one name that was nowhere to be found on anyone’s list.

I understand why, but it’s okay because even if no one else believes in him, I will. I’m sure you are thinking “MATT KENSETH!?” As you wonder and even ponder the logic behind Matt Kenseth being in my final four — yes, he is in my list of drivers that will be campaigning for a championship when we roll into Homestead — I ask you, why not?

Why I’m riding with Matt Kenseth

To know me is to know my love of NASCAR. If you have ever listened to the All Turns No Brakes Podcast or read anything I have written for Beyond The Flag, it is clear I ride for the veteran Cup drivers. Matt Kenseth, my “Quiet Assassin,” is just that, a quiet assassin. Out of respect for the former champion, I’ve taken it upon myself to be his number one rider.

What is happening to Kenseth is downright disrespectful. Some say it’s the changing of the guard. Others will tell you life is not fair. I say this is NASCAR. This is a sport where Cole Whitt, Corey LaJoie, and Gray Gaulding have rides and sponsorship. Why can’t Matt Kenseth? Why can’t we wish the best for a guy who may not have a ride in 2018?

Kenseth was one of sixteen drivers who made it to the playoffs. There were three drivers who secured a spot without a win in the regular season and he was one of them; beating all the odds. Sure he got into the playoffs on points, but let’s remember that Kenseth ran competitively all year.

To date, Kenseth has seven top 5 finishes and thirteen top 10 finishes this season. Mr. 7x has three top 5 finishes and nine top 10 finishes. The big difference is, Jimmie Johnson has three wins this season to drive home a case for him being considered to be in the Final Four at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Again, I’ll ask: why not Matt Kenseth?

The Last Four Standing

Now that I’ve pleaded my case for Matt Kenseth, without further ado, I’m also rolling with Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Larson, and Kyle Busch. It was hard not to include Bad Brad and Mr. 7x Jimmie Johnson, but the more I thought about it, the easier it was to make a case for my chosen four.

Matt Kenseth is a “think with your heart not your head” pick. I know it’s a long shot. Kyle Larson is my “he may surprise you” pick. Kyle Busch is a “he is mad” pick. Martin Truex Jr. is my “you would be stupid not to” pick.

Ultimately, I think Martin Truex Jr. will get his first championship as luck coupled with skills appears to be on his side. Matt Kenseth is my dark horse just because. If you’re wondering how could anyone go against Jimmie Johnson, I was wondering the same thing, but I just did.

Next: NASCAR Surprises and Disappointments

What do you think? Are you tired of all the NASCAR drama? What does the future hold for NASCAR? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to follow along with Beyond the Flag for the latest news, opinions and analysis stemming from a number of different motorsports series. You don’t want to miss any of it. Also be sure to follow Beyond the Flag on both Instagram and Twitter.