2008 Camping World RV 400 at Kansas Speedway

2008 Camping World RV 400 at Kansas Speedway:

Kansas Speedway witnessed a controversial finish last year as Greg Biffle crossed the finish line out of fuel and unable to maintain pit road speed. In 2006 Kansas Speedway saw more great racing as there was two and three wide racing all day long.

Kansas Speedway has overcome its early cookie-cutter issues and can now claim to have hosted some great NASCAR Sprint Cup racing.

Tickets:

Speedway ticket office 913-328-RACE

Buy online from TicketsNow (direct link)

The Track:

Kansas is a 1.5 mile with 15 degrees of banking in the corners. Only around since 2001 Kansas Speedway is just beginning to distinguish itself having hosted good races in 2006 and 2007. Now that it hosts one of the final ten critical Chase for the Sprint Cup races true NASCAR history will be coming soon.

Race Distance:

267 laps = 400 miles

The Big Picture:

Greg Biffle's two Chase wins in 2008 has him in a tie for second with Jimmie Johnson. Those two are ten points behind Carl Edwards who is now in sole possession of the top spot.

At the bottom of the Chase Kyle Busch's second bad finish in a row puts the final nail in his Chase dreams. At this point Kenseth, Hamlin and Busch are all essentially finished for 2008.

1. Carl Edwards -0
2. Jimmie Johnson -10
3. Greg Biffle -10
4. Jeff Burton -82
5. Kevin Harvick -101
6. Clint Bowyer -106
7. Tony Stewart -113
8. Jeff Gordon -118
9. Dale Earnhardt Jr. -129
10. Matt Kenseth -167
11. Denny Hamlin -193
12. Kyle Busch -210

Storylines:

The current Chase standings show three different groups of drivers in the top twelve. At the top Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle are all within just ten points waiting to see who will blink first.

The middle group of six drivers range from 82 to 129 points behind the leaders. These drivers are still in contention but need to start chipping away at the lead if they are going to contend for the title.

Then the final three hapless Chasers of Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch have seen misery during the 2008 Chase. These three are effectively eliminated from 2008 Chase contention.

Media Coverage:

TV: ABC Sunday, September 28th, 1:00PM Eastern.

Radio: MRN and SIRIUS Satellite

Actual Race: 2:00PM Eastern

Recent Events:

2007 Winner: Greg Biffle

2007 Polesitter: Jimmie Johnson

Last Year:

The 2007 event Kansas Speedway helped define the 2007 Chase for the Cup. Coming into the race there were six drivers within 28 points of the lead. After the race in Kansas three drivers were separated by less than ten points for the lead while seven Chasers found disastrous luck on the tricky 1.5 mile oval.

After dodging weather all day this race came down to fuel mileage. Leader Greg Biffle was out of gas as the field came to the checkered flag. Biffle was not able to maintain pit road speed and was passed by Clint Bowyer at the line. Biffle was still credited with the win in a controversial NASCAR decision.

Predictions:

Jimmie Johnson was the car to beat in 2006 until he fell victim to fuel mileage and he was forced to take the cautious route and pit. Johnson again had the fastest car in 2007 but lost out to a fuel mileage gamble.

Kansas Speedway owes Jimmie Johnson a win after the last two years. Even though Johnson has never won at Kansas he still makes a great pick for this weekend's race.

My backup this week is Kevin Harvick. Harvick had a fast car here in 2007 and has quietly taken up residence fifth in points just 101 behind the leader. Harvick hasn't seen Victory Lane since the 2007 Daytona 500. This week could be his 12th career visit.