Kapalua Preview's Chase Contenders With Chicagoland Upcoming!

Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 July 2010 13:37 Written by Mwils1 Tuesday, 06 July 2010 13:36

After a rediculously exciting and controversial week in the NRL. We've got some shakeups going on in the Chase! So let's hop to it!

#1 - DaleReynolds24 -

The "Champ" came out of Daytona with a controversial 2nd place finish. A League ruling trumping out his debated win. But the 2nd place finish is still a strong showing but it will be interesting to see if he maintains his point lead in this portion of the ceiling. He himself said this is the part of the season last year where he hit a "Glass Ceiling" He ran real well last year at this track. Took down the Pole, Track Record and Led a hefty 188 laps. Alas he came home in 3rd though and with the competition level up this season. Expect it to be more difficult to dominate like that this week.

#2 - Kelley1968 -

"The Professa" ran solid all day at Daytona and took home a 3rd place finish behind the two controversial top finishers. He's put together 5 top 2 or 3 finishes in the last 8 races. 6 Top 10's. If you look at this point last season, it was the point where Kelley was getting scorching hot though he only came home in 4th place here last year. Expect him to be at Chicagoland in form to compete for the win this week!

#3 - xX Chuck1979 Xx -

This was a bit of a down day for our #3 in the standings. Chuck wound up stuck on Track B this week and pretty deep in the qualifying field as well. Starting 21st overall. He worked his way to the front and finished 3rd on Track B. 11th place overall but ends his run of 3 straight top 5's. Not to say that he's suddenly cooled off by any stretch. His two prior finishes at Chicagoland are 5th and 7th. The 7th place being last year. He definately wants to keep it rolling as he's in danger of dropping to 4th in the points. Though certainly no threat of his spot being in danger. He could take three races off and be safe.

#4 - metsrule2000 -

Another tough finish as Mets couldn't make the actual field on Saturday and had to settle for a 17th place out of the makeup race on Sunday. This continues the trend this driver has been on. Somewhat floundering since his fever pitch start to the season. 1 Top 5 and 6 top 10's in the first seven races. Only 5 Top 10's from there haven't cemented a statement that he's here to win a championship. The rookie has to gain more consistency and compete for those wins before he'll be considered a threat to the Champ

#5 - Kapalua2483 -

The biggest mover of the week, up three spots in the standings to 5th. The other half of the controversy this week. Awarded the victory for the Coke Zero 400 and a statement from the winner "We're not satisfied with this, we want more starting at Chicagoland" makes the statement that he's coming for more than just solid finishes. The interesting stat is that this is only the 2nd time in his career he's had back to back top 5's. But this win sends the message that this driver can now compete for the Championship too! 5th through 7th in the points are seperated by 11 pts total though and can flip flop on a weekly basis possibly. Which brings us to.

#6 - Bitten Buns -

Finally a race where this driver backs up his strong qualifying effort. His 3rd pole of the season and 3rd in 4 races but this time he takes home a top 5 finish at 4th place. He still loses a position in the pts but trails 5th by just a single point. He matches his career best finish at 4th place. This driver needs to still get more consistent to compete as well. It's his first top 5 since Dover. That won't get it done come Chase time!

#7 - Mwils -

Our leader shows us why he belongs in the discussion when it comes to the Chase. He's one of only now four drivers who have a career win in the Chase right now. He's also rattled off 5 consecutive top 10 finishes. Only 9 on the season so he's getting hot at the proper time and if he continues it through the summer. He will contend in the fall!

#8 - PeeWee Suggs 55 -

Kind of a ho hum day for PeeWee as he reaches his highest on the points standings in his career at 8th. He finishes 13th at Daytona, completed the race and now simply needs to work on getting stronger. He's getting better each week but definately has to put it up on the scoreboard so to speak. He's got 300 pts ahead of 13th but KahneKid9 is coming on strong and with other challengers down out of the chase right now. Got to build the points up while he can!

#9 - xo Twenty ox -

Twenty gained a spot in the points due to the Sinnerslikeme week off. He had a midpack finish at 12th. Nothing really to note from this race. Another of our rookie's that are again high in the points standings this season but have not shown enough to be taken seriously for the Championship. We're waiting for one of the rookie's to please stand up! Twenty is a little under 300 pts safe but in the same position that PeeWee is. Chicagoland will be an interesting track for those two drivers!

#10 - Sinnerslikeme -

This was a very tough portion of the season last year for Sinners. Finishing in the 20's with a DNF at Chicagoland last season and didn't record another top 10 until Bristol and Richmond. If he runs poorly for that long again this year. The 260 pts cushion he has on 13th may evaporate and he'll need the 3rd he recorded at Bristol and the Runner up at Richmond last year to keep him in the Chase. We're begging to see some strong finishes from this fan favorite. Everybody roots for this clean and respected driver. We just want to see the good finishes we know that can be had!

#11 - bb3537 -

BB lost some points this week and endured a damaged car, winding up a lap down and finishing 16th in the race. Scoutchuck and Kahnekid9 both gained on our 11th place driver. He's definately going to have to perform stronger to keep his spot in the chase. 1 Top 5 and 2 Top 10's is the least in both categories of any driver in the chase and right now holding a 170 point advantage over 13th. He will HAVE to step it up to retain his spot. If he can slow the bleeding of the cushion he has. Maybe he can hold on and see what damage he can do in the Chase!

#12 - Scoutchuck -

Our final Chase spot is beginning to heat up! A top 10 at Daytona and still loses some points to the 13th place in the standings Kahnekid9! As the race for the win on Track B was between these two and Scoutchuck came up a little short against the challenger. The issue becomes that it's known that Scoutchuck will miss Chicagoland due to a pre-planned vacation. The reigning RoY will have to scratch to get back by the impressive rookie run of KahneKid9!

Outside Looking In!

#13 - KahneKid9 - 2nd straight top 10 for the rookie this week and a Track B victory, guarentees him a spot on Track A at Chicagoland. If he can back up the strong finish at Daytona with even a stronger job at Chicagoland. This time next week this driver could be in the Chase! Honestly though Speedways have not been this driver's strong suit. 8 Career starts and 2 Top 5's but only an average finish of 15th. He'll need to have one of his strong runs to get into the top 12 this week but what seemed unlikely a month ago. This driver can be in the Chase next week!

#14 - Socalman - A top 10 finish last week, one of his only 2 this season. He will have a shot as well this week of jumping into the Chase. He will have to step it up as he has to make up points on not only Scoutchuck but KahneKid9 as well! Uncle Mo is always good to have and coming off his first top 10 since Texas. He may be in a position to make a move. But he does Trail KahneKid9 by 56 pts and will need to close that ground to jump in!

#15 - buddy8836 - This driver hasn't been mentioned yet on the countdown but with his 5th finish inside the top 20 in the last six races. He's in the running. His team definately needs to get behind him and help this rookie's program. Trailing the Chase by 160 pts but if he can come alive here in the last eight races. He can make it too!

#17 - ROWDYbowler - 260 pts back from the final Chase spot. He has a Pole this season, 3 Top 5's and 6 top 10's. 3 Straight top 10's. 2 Top 5's and 4 Top 10's in the last 5 races. This driver has been coming on strong in the last month and can definately be an impact in the coming weeks but he has to close alot of ground right now!

#18 - thegift3399 - 3 Poles, 2 Wins and 4 Top 5's overall but this driver is 450 pts out after missing the last four races and he has not ever performed well at Chicagoland. Career he has no top 5's and right now that's the only thing that will get him into the Chase. Top 5's and wins. If he does not show up at Chicagoland, he will be eliminated from contention!

#22 - StevenTyler 324 - This is the last driver that even on the outest reaches can be considered a threat to make the Chase. Just under 500 pts out of the final Chase spot. This week will allow him to make up ground on Scoutchuck and the 12th spot. Minimum of 50 pts which is huge. After a top 5 at Daytona, which was what was absolutely needed after dissappointing runs at Infinion and Loudon. He will have to gain an average of 60 pts per race in the next 8 races to make the Chase. A Tall order but this driver has a Win and was Runner up at Martinsville and Phoenix. This driver is a threat if he makes the Chase. The only other real Championship threat in the league right now is him and Gift that aren't in the Chase!

Preview of Chicagoland

Last season this race was won by the Wily Veteran Abbottazz. In fact this race has never been won by a driver not named Abbottazz. So can DaleReynolds or Kelley1968 better their finishes from last year and pull out the win in our nation's heartland? Will the old guard of Mwils and X Chuck get their first win of the season and for Chuck his career this week to put a stamp on the Chase and say "We are here for the Title!" Will up and coming drivers like Bitten Buns make a statement this week and put up a big finish to show the league that his 1st full season that he's a threat or will Uncle Mo carry the Coke Zero 400 winner to a 2nd straight?! These questions and more will be answered on Saturday Afternoon, though there likely will be more questions after that!