Matt's Chase for the Championship 2008 - Week 30 - Talladega

Was really frustrated with Carl and really upset my daughter (the Carl fan). I saw people pushing others through the turns all day but it was usually in the lead, on the bottom, all by themselves. I am reminded that Jimmie pulled a very similar bonehead a few years ago here. Congrats to Tony. Jimmie has stepped out now.

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• Matt Kenseth, points, Chase, Talladega

Cast Your Vote Now!

Five weeks from today we go to the poles to cast our ballots on the future of this great country. Who will you vote for?

On one side we have Bass Masters who has supported the current administrations policy of the Great Wave of Consolidation. He believes that in this time of great uncertainty and rising costs that we must stay the course and continue to support the fat cats. Masters is convinced that in the threat of a renewed Indy Series and re-surging F1 enemy we must support the efforts of our teams on the track to fight the good fight. Possible running mates for Masters have been thrown around like his close personal friend Buzz Cutler, the stalwart and former Cup driver Rick Mast and rising support for the Queen of Rowdy, Sweetseventeen Susie

On the other side we have Buck Fever who believes change is needed and needed now. The COT was the wrong direction in his mind and we have a situation that makes it impossible for the small guy to build himself up in this sport. Fever raises concerns with the potential loss of a great American icon from the sport like Petty and lagering success of the Nationwide series. Insiders at the Fever camp state he is keeping his running mate close to the chest but speculation still arises around names like Hall of Fame General Manager Tyler Epp, the always knowledgeable and never flinching David Poole and even the always lovely Linda B.

In the time of Soccer Mom's and NASCAR Dad's you must make your voice heard. Who will you support?

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Matt's Chase for the Championship 2008 - Week 29 - Kansas

I said I would try this for a few weeks to see if it was useful. I would like your opinion on which format to use.

Below is a switch of the primary and secondary charts and might work for the chase.

Below is a chase revision of the old chart format. I think I like it, but what do you think.

Excellent race. Even with one bad pit which put us in the wrong position for a potentially bad spin we came out in great shape. The top three have set a gap now and likely can't be caught. It would require all three having a mistake at some point. But now that we've caught Junior, we need to set our sights on Bowyer and Gordon. I would be thrilled with the year we've had to end the season in the top 5.

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• Matt Kenseth, points, Chase, Kansas

BBQ: KC vs. TX, Kansas Corn?

The boys called me out on Friday's podcast to share my limitied knowledge on KC BBQ and a comparison with Texas BBQ. All in all a fair question. Let me qualify my expertise on the subject. I did live in Joplin, MO for 15 years, spent a considerable amount of time in the lovely KC area. Yes, my wife is from Emporia, KS, the home of one Chase driver, Clint Bowyer. I grew up in the Dallas Area and now reside in Round Rock, TX a suberb of the great city of Austin. Further, I love meat that has been cooked over and open fire. In the words of a South African - Irish friend of mine, "You Americans eat entirely too much meat." Yeah! And ain't it great.

First my wife's thoughts. She is not a KC girl. Emporia is central Kansas and KC is east Kansas. She would not consider herself an expert on the subject.

Second my thoughts on KC BBQ. I've eaten BBQ at several places in the KC area and frankly was not particularly impressed with any of it. I have shared my experiences with people who love KC BBQ and the determination is that I haven't actually eaten BBQ at any of the places that would truly be considered KC in nature. In the end, I need to give it another try or two.

Texas is a big place and the BBQ is varied from region to region. Here in the Austin area you will find several very wonderful BBQ places. If you make it to town here are some good choices.

1. By far my favorite is the Salt Lick. You need to go early, go hungry, and BYOB. The original Salt Lick is south of town in Driftwood. It's a hole in the wall in the start of the Texas hill country. They serve the BBQ up family style all you can eat. The pit at the original Salt Lick is years old and truly seasoned. The reason I state "original" is because they opened one in west Austin on 360. This one is more of a steakhouse style restaurant with meals served to order. It is good, but it is not Salt Lick BBQ. A couple months ago they opened a new store about 1.5 miles from my house in Round Rock. It sits in the parking lot of the Round Rock Expresss (Astros AA) baseball diamond. I haven't been yet, but I expect it will not be as good as the original. I'll let you know once I've been.
2. Stubs is in downtown Austin just off of the world famous 6th Street. The food is great, the atmosphere is fun and they have an amphitheatre out back that plays host to many of the live acts that make their way through Austin. If you're in town on a quick trip and you can't get out to the Salt Lick this is a great choice.
3. North and East of Austin is a small town known at Taylor, Texas. Not much in this small town, but the fabulous Rudy Mikeska's BBQ. Great food, this place is known for playing host to many of the state legislators who leave the capitol for some good conversation and grub.
4. The County Line is rather popular and is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Austin. Frankly, I'm not impressed.

As I understand the history of BBQ and the four main regions for it in the U.S., it breaks down this way.

1. Carolina BBQ, the original American BBQ, is mostly Pork based with a vinegar based sauce. Had some with my sister who lives in Charlotte, NC. Liked it. Very different from Texas BBQ.
2. Tennesee BBQ is mostly Pork based and generally seasoned with Rub instead of sauce. Honestly I'm not much of a sauce guy, so Rub sounds like a good idea to me. Hope to try Tennesee BBQ some day.
3. Texas BBQ is mostly Beef based, Brisquet and Ribs and the sauce is made with a tomato base. Raised on salsa, I like it ok, but generally prefer my meat naked. We do have pork but generally in the form of smoked sausage.
4. KC BBQ is mostly Beef based, but the sauces tend to be sweeter than Texas sauces and they do use a lot of rub. Some consider KC BBQ so good because it is like a melting pot of the other three regions with great variety in texture and flavors.

Now to Kansas Corn. I know you east coast folks think every state between the Mississippi and Rockies is made of the same stuff, but Cutler, you should know Kansas and Corn are not really that synonomous. Corn comes from north of there in Nebraksa and Iowa. Don't get me wrong, you will find Corn farms in northern Kansas, but the state is better known for wheat than corn and the southeast region grows a lot of Milo. If you don't know what Milo is, just realize that southeast Kansas is not that far away from the northwest Arkansas Tyson Chicken plants.

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Matt's Chase for the Championship 2008 - Week 28 - Dover

Go Biff! Wow, Roush happy and proud.

As for Matt, shake off those small track woes and keep the angle on my chart and all will be well.

Now that I'm done gloating, Oh, how the the mighty have fallen. Kyle actually predicted his demise after the blown engine today. And once again, he quit long before his team did. Dude, grow up!

• 3 Comments
• Matt Kenseth, points, Chase, Dover

Matt's Chase for the Championship 2008 - Week 27 - New Hampshire

I don't know if this chase chart is going to be useful. I'll give it a few weeks to see how it functions. Whether it works or not, Matt's current position does not work. What a mess. Fortunately I was on a plane to Colorado Springs during the race and missed the whole thing.

• 1 Comment
• Matt Kenseth, points, Chase, New Hampshire

Matt's Chase for the Championship 2008 - Week 26 - Richmond

Tony Robbins gets at least one point right..."The past does not equal the future." That idea doesn't give a clear picture of things to come but it does mean things can change. Maybe Tony could stop by the garage and have a talk with Matt and the boys.

80 points behind a championship. If, somehow, Matt and team pull off a championship out of this, will NASCAR once again change how the championship is won.

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• Matt Kenseth, points, Chase, Richmond

Matt's Chase for the Championship 2008 - Week 25 - Fontana

I'm with Mast, Booorrrinngg! Luckily, I started the evening with my friends 50th at one of the best Bar-B-Q joints in Austin and ended it with a solid top 5 from the best driver at the Fontana Track. At least, my favorite driver.

Ok, we are in good shape heading in minus any bonus points. Let's pick up 10 at Richmond.

What I did find amazing is that I have argued with fair weather Gordon fans who are questionablly race fans about the horrible season Jeff has had. I keep arguing in favor of Gordon that he has remained solidly in the top all year even without a win. But today I eyeball my charts a little closer only to realize that he has dropped below Matt and is in danger of not making the chase if things are safe next week. Hmm.

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• Matt Kenseth, points, Chase, California

Matt's Chase for the Championship 2008 - Week 24 - Bristol

Solid top ten again. At this point, I'll take it. If I can get those the next several weeks we are safe, but we have to stay there.

I know this is about Matt, but congrats to Carl. Classic bump and run at Bristol. Change the car, change the configuration of the track if you like. Bristol is Bristol and when you put 43 stock cars on here, the bump and run will always save the day. Kyle has 8, Carl has 6. Over half the season between these two people. Wow!

As the Chase sets up we have the usual suspects. Three from JGR, three from Hendrick and three, possibly four, from Roush.

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• Matt Kenseth, points, Chase, Bristol

Matt's Chase for the Championship 2008 - Week 23 - Roushigan

Curious circumstances. Matt gives to the rest of the team the setup notes from earlier in the season. They all show up in good shape and run well. The 17 is a mess off the truck and spends most of the weekend getting it better. It's the COT, I tell ya! We look much better for the chase, but we really need a "W"! Go, go Killer Bees!

• 2 Comments
• Matt Kenseth, points, Chase, Michigan