FYI WIRZ: NASCAR Driver Intensity Up as Season Shrinks to Two Events

After 34 NASCAR Sprint Cup point events in 2014 the season is down to two events at Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. Driver and team intensity is up owing to the new elimination playoff format during the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. More friction is likely with the final two races.

Only four drivers of the eight qualified teams will leave PIR on Nov. 9, to compete for the coveted Sprint Cup crown at HMS.

Recent increased intensity has erupted into track retaliation and post-race fisticuffs. It seems that past champion Brad Keselowski has been a part of the friction more than any other driver. He took the brunt of Hendrick Motorsports team members when he angered Jeff Gordon in Texas with a questionable track maneuver that cut Gordon’s tire.

Four team members were fined and suspended and two crew chiefs were fined as well for a pit road melee. The action at PIR is expected to be as intense. It’s not certain if NASCAR’s reaction will put a stop to the fighting. Drivers don’t forget regrettable track moves that cause them to crash.

Keselowski doesn’t seem to be sorry for his aggressive actions that cause damages during races. Some would argue his attitude is not good for his future NSCS laps.

Driver Denny Hamlin explained the situation in a recent teleconference.

“The challenge a lot of drivers probably have right now with Brad is there's no remorse,” he said. “When there's no accountability, they're going to be upset with you. It's tough to win a championship if nobody likes you. You always have to watch your mirror.” 

NASCAR is a competitive sport with expensive rewards and consequences. It will likely always have angry drivers after track action, but the sanction will always try to control overreactions for safety reasons.

Drivers with a chance to advance from PIR to HMS with a shot at the big prize shared their thoughts prior to the next green flag. The 1-mile D-shaped tri-oval track with 11-degree banking at PIR awaits them.

Joey Logano and team have had a great year and presently hold the point lead. He spoke about his team.

“This is the best team I’ve ever worked with for sure,” Logano said. “They believe in me and I believe in them. We’ve pulled together in the good times and in the tough times this year. That is the kind of attitude that allows teams to go for Championships.”

Ryan Newman talked about his team as well.

“We've all been having a lot of fun because we get to go out there and do what we love to do.” Newman said. “It's been a lot of fun for me, so I think it's helped with our consistency. I think it's helped with our performance and I think I have stepped it up.”

Jeff Gordon concentrated on the technical aspect of PIR.

“Track temperature plays a huge role at Phoenix,” Gordon said. “The track was repaved several years ago but we’re now starting to see the groove widen out and we’re seeing a lot more passing. Qualifying is still going to be very important, though.”

Carl Edwards likes PIR and the championship possibilities.

“There's no better place for us to go than Phoenix to lock ourselves into the final round,” Edwards said. “This is the most fun stuff you can do as a race car driver is to go to the racetrack and have all the pressure and the excitement of a championship battle."

Brad Keselowski was optimistic and proud of his winning team.

“If this team is in the race then we are more than capable of winning,” Keselowski said. “We’ve demonstrated all year long that we can contend for wins and that we are a viable threat to win. We are going into the Phoenix race with our heads up.”

Kevin Harvick explained the nature of the fast track at PIR that all teams face.

“The track has definitely changed since the repave a couple of years ago,” Harvick said. “The weather really helps wear the track. Extreme temperatures have helped to age the asphalt. It’s more exciting now, and most of that comes from having the design right.”

Fans without tickets to the sellout at PIR can catch the action on ESPN at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Credit: Dwight Drum

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Unless otherwise noted, information and all quotes were obtained firsthand or from official release materials provided by sanction and team representatives.