pandr
09-02-2011, 01:26 PM
Chase spots aside, there's money on the table
By Jim Utter - charlotteobserver
Thursday, Sep. 01, 2011
It’s like a slimmed-down version of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
There could be a $1 million bonus awarded to the winner of Sunday night’s AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but only if the winner is one of four drivers eligible.
Among the other differences: Not only would the driver win $1 million, so would his designated charity and at least one fan.
The Sprint Summer Showdown began with last month's Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Over the course of five races, the four winning drivers became eligible, along with fans participating in the promotion.
Paul Menard, Brad Keselowski, Marcos Ambrose and Kyle Busch would be eligible for the big payout should they win Sunday night. Keselowski won twice during that span, so two fans would split $1 million should he win again Sunday.
Here’s a look at the four drivers.
Brad Keselowski, winner at Pocono and Bristol
ODDS: 12-1
There isn’t any driver hotter in NASCAR than Keselowski.
Since the Showdown races started, he has finished ninth, first, second, third, and first and that includes driving the last four races with a broken ankle after a testing accident.
“I’m sure there’s a lot of guys at Atlanta that are going to give us a run for the money,” Keselowski said. We’re proud of this, proud of the opportunity to win the Sprint Summer Showdown.”
While Keselowski’s recent stats have been impressive, he isn't taking anything for gr anted.
“Stats are easy. They want to put stats in a box," Keselowski said. "They want to say, ‘We’re going to this race and this is the guy to beat. This is the guy that’s going to run 33rd.’ Stats make that easy for people.
“Much like everything else I do, I’m not that easy to label.”
Marcos Ambrose, Watkins Glen winner
ODDS: 150-1
Ambrose's victory at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International was his first in 105 starts. Showdown eligibility is a bonus.
The Australian has had an up-and-down five races, with the win, a 10th last weekend at Bristol, Tenn., and three finishes of 20th or worse.
In five starts at Atlanta, Ambrose has one top-10 finish, a 10th last September. He has not led a lap at the track.
Kyle Busch, Michigan winner
ODDS: 7-1
Busch’s victory at Michigan two weeks ago was his fourth of the season, the best among Cup drivers. He is also currently tied atop the series standings with Jimmie Johnson.
Busch has been stout during the Showdown run, with a win, a second, a third, a 10th and his worst performance was 14th last weekend at Bristol.
In 13 starts at Atlanta, Busch has one win (in 2008), three top-five and three top-10 finishes. All of his top-fives have come since his victory.
Paul Menard, winner at Indianapolis
ODDS: 50-1
Like Ambrose, Menard qualified for the Showdown with a career-first victory. His came in last month’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Menard is having his best season in Cup, but he remains wildly inconsistent. In the last five races, he’s finished first, 10th , 32nd, 26th and 30th.
In nine starts at Atlanta, Menard has one top-five and two top-10 finishes. Last season he was fifth and 35th at the track.
C/P Thats Racin
By Jim Utter - charlotteobserver
Thursday, Sep. 01, 2011
It’s like a slimmed-down version of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
There could be a $1 million bonus awarded to the winner of Sunday night’s AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but only if the winner is one of four drivers eligible.
Among the other differences: Not only would the driver win $1 million, so would his designated charity and at least one fan.
The Sprint Summer Showdown began with last month's Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Over the course of five races, the four winning drivers became eligible, along with fans participating in the promotion.
Paul Menard, Brad Keselowski, Marcos Ambrose and Kyle Busch would be eligible for the big payout should they win Sunday night. Keselowski won twice during that span, so two fans would split $1 million should he win again Sunday.
Here’s a look at the four drivers.
Brad Keselowski, winner at Pocono and Bristol
ODDS: 12-1
There isn’t any driver hotter in NASCAR than Keselowski.
Since the Showdown races started, he has finished ninth, first, second, third, and first and that includes driving the last four races with a broken ankle after a testing accident.
“I’m sure there’s a lot of guys at Atlanta that are going to give us a run for the money,” Keselowski said. We’re proud of this, proud of the opportunity to win the Sprint Summer Showdown.”
While Keselowski’s recent stats have been impressive, he isn't taking anything for gr anted.
“Stats are easy. They want to put stats in a box," Keselowski said. "They want to say, ‘We’re going to this race and this is the guy to beat. This is the guy that’s going to run 33rd.’ Stats make that easy for people.
“Much like everything else I do, I’m not that easy to label.”
Marcos Ambrose, Watkins Glen winner
ODDS: 150-1
Ambrose's victory at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International was his first in 105 starts. Showdown eligibility is a bonus.
The Australian has had an up-and-down five races, with the win, a 10th last weekend at Bristol, Tenn., and three finishes of 20th or worse.
In five starts at Atlanta, Ambrose has one top-10 finish, a 10th last September. He has not led a lap at the track.
Kyle Busch, Michigan winner
ODDS: 7-1
Busch’s victory at Michigan two weeks ago was his fourth of the season, the best among Cup drivers. He is also currently tied atop the series standings with Jimmie Johnson.
Busch has been stout during the Showdown run, with a win, a second, a third, a 10th and his worst performance was 14th last weekend at Bristol.
In 13 starts at Atlanta, Busch has one win (in 2008), three top-five and three top-10 finishes. All of his top-fives have come since his victory.
Paul Menard, winner at Indianapolis
ODDS: 50-1
Like Ambrose, Menard qualified for the Showdown with a career-first victory. His came in last month’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Menard is having his best season in Cup, but he remains wildly inconsistent. In the last five races, he’s finished first, 10th , 32nd, 26th and 30th.
In nine starts at Atlanta, Menard has one top-five and two top-10 finishes. Last season he was fifth and 35th at the track.
C/P Thats Racin