As The Chase continues to narrow down competitors into the bracket, NASCAR drivers become more and more anxious over their placements. This past Sunday in Charlotte North Carolina, everyone fought hard for the first spot in the Eliminator 8, the next bracket in Sprint Cup Chase.
Although this race was not heavy with accidents, whatever did happen to drivers was trouble enough. Starting with Kasey Kahne hitting the wall around Lap 62, and then came Dale Earnhardt Jr. with his own hit to the wall after a nudge from Carl Edwards. Both of these troubles on the track caused the drivers to drop sports in the race, while more cautions were fanned out as the race went on.
Halfway through the race, Matt Kenseth drove into pit road, almost overshooting his spot in the stall, causing him to fall to 20th place. He was another driver whose luck was running out on him and Kenseth ultimately fell from the wanted first place to 42nd due to continuous difficulties during the race. After hitting the wall a few times, Kenseth’s car suffered quite some damage.
It was Jimmie Johnson who suffered the most – car trouble throughout the race caused him to ultimately have to exit and not finish. Everyone’s bad luck turned into a spot in the Eliminator 8 for Joey Logano, who took first place, with Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. trailing behind him to claim second and third. With a few big names having trouble in one race, it could be anyone’s game as The Chase continues to narrow down the competitors.
