How big name bubble guys perform at Richmond

Is there such a thing as a driver being to good to miss the Chase? If you’re a Kyle Busch fan then the answer to you is YES. Being a realistic person the answer is an easy NO.

In 2005 Jeff Gordon won the Daytona 500  and won other races early in the season. Everything looked good for Gordon until about half way through the regular season. Gordon for whatever reason just struggled at the Intermediate tracks. When Gordon pulled into Richmond he had a chance of making the Chase but he brushed the wall and the handling was dead on his car for the rest of the race. I remember that race vividly. Gordon in that race said “Guys, its over. Were done” (not a word for word quote but you get the idea).

The very next year in 2006  Stewart also was off to a fast start.  They also suffered consistency problems. When Stewart pulled into Richmond that year they had every reason to be confident.  Some experts always think Stewart is a lock for Richmond. During practice that year at Richmond Stewart wrecked his primary car and raced in his backup.  The 20 backup never lived up to par and Stewart raced his way right out of the Chase.

In 2009 Kyle has had a terrific season. He’s won 4 races already (same number of wins Gordon won when he missed the Chase) but he’s also been highly inconsistent (just like Stewart in 2006). He may make the Chase, but he also might not. Remember drivers are in the circumstance there in at Richmond because of how they performed in the first 25 races of the season.