2014 Season Preview: No. 6 Matt Kenseth

Welcome to From the Marbles' 2014 season previews. Here's how we think the Chase will shake out in this first year of 16 drivers and eliminations. Will we be right? Unlikely, but it's fun to think about our soothsaying possibilities until the green flag waves for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 23.

Driver: Matt Kenseth

2013 Finish: 2nd

2013 Highlight: Pick a win, any of the seven wins. Looking back, the "career year" questions about Kenseth's 2013 are fascinating. Here's a guy with a Cup title to his name and we're wondering if a second-place finish in the points standings was a career year. (Side note: the presence of this discussion is another reason why NASCAR needs to reward winning more.)

Entering 2013, the most laps Kenseth had led in a season was 1,132, which happened in 2006. He obliterated that last year, leading 1,783 laps. A possible reason? Kenseth had far fewer cars to pass to get to the front. In 2012, his average starting position was 13.3, the best of his career. In his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing, it jumped all the way to 8.7.

2013 Lowlight: Phoenix, but it's only a lowlight because of the man he was racing for the championship. Most other years, Kenseth has a chance to recover from the mistake and we've got ourselves a fight to the finish. But it was Jimmie Johnson. That wasn't happening.

Why is Kenseth here? Can the Joe Gibbs honeymoon continue? We feel that reality may set in, but it's a reality that's better than 30+ teams in the garage. Kenseth won't win seven races again, but he'll win multiple ones. Making the Chase won't be an issue at all.

How could Kenseth not be here? The year-after-second-place slump escalates to epic proportions and Kenseth assumes the role of Denny Hamlin 2013 at Joe Gibbs Racing and struggles mightily. If it seems quite farfetched to you, don't feel bad, we think so too.

However, if Hamlin and the No. 11 are back to full-strength, it will be fascinating to see if JGR can sustain three top-level teams. The last time that all three JGR teams made the Chase was in 2008, and they finished eighth, ninth and tenth.

Best Winter Olympic event: Matty Ice is from Wisconsin, so he can handle the cold weather. However, ice fishing and watching Packers games outside are not Olympic events. We'll go with the slalom. Kenseth seems shifty enough.

Worst Winter Olympic event: Does Kenseth look like a ski jumper to you?

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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/2014-season-preview-no-6-matt-kenseth-144120927--nascar.html

Jorge Daponte Anthony Davidson Jimmy Davies Colin Davis

Singapore swing hands Vettel the initiative

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/09/in_singapore_lewis_hamilton_cu.html

John CampbellJones Adriбn Campos John Cannon Eitel Cantoni

Hamilton's tough decision

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/09/hamiltons_tough_decision.html

Jose Dolhem Martin Donnelly Carlo Abate George Abecassis

Landon Cassill was hit by a car while riding his bike in Daytona

After racing his way into the Daytona 500 in the second Budweiser Duel on Thursday night, Landon Cassill revealed that he was hit by a car while riding his bike in Daytona on Saturday night.

"Unfortunately, it was the motorist's fault. I mean, I blame myself a lot for the position I put myself in. I was in the bike lane and had the right-of-way," Cassill said." It's really not funny, I could have gotten really hurt." (He said that with a smile)

"But yeah, I was in a bike lane. The woman was trying to cross the road from a side street and cleared herself to the right, kind rolled the stop sign I believe. T-boned me really. Destroyed my bike. Face plant, blood. But I made the Daytona 500 and she doesn't know that."

The bike accident came up when Cassill was asked about bruises on his face. He said that he was checked out and released from a hospital following the accident and was approved to qualify his car on Sunday by NASCAR's medical team.

Driving for Hillman Racing, Cassill didn't have the benefit of many owner's points or a good Sunday qualifying speed to fall back on if he didn't finish in the top 15 of his Duel race. It was no worry. He finished ninth and will start 18th in the Daytona 500.

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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @NickBromberg

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/landon-cassill-hit-car-while-riding-bike-daytona-181703145--nascar.html

Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto

FIA decision on new F1 team due on Friday

The FIA is due to make a decision on Friday over whether it will grant a 2015 F1 entry to Gene Haas or the Romanian project fronted by Colin Kolles. The FIA announced a ?call for expression of interest? on … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2014/02/27/fia-decision-on-new-f1-team-due-on-friday/

Luciano Burti Roberto Bussinello Jenson Button Tommy Byrne

Viva Zanardi!

Source: http://www.popoffvalve.com/2012/9/5/3294060/viva-zanardi

Eric Brandon Don Branson Tom Bridger Tony Brise

Saavedra Signs With KV AFS Racing

Source: http://www.16thandgeorgetown.com/2014/02/saavedra-signs-with-kv-afs-racing.html

George Constantine John Cordts David Coulthard Piers Courage

Bahrain names first corner after Schumacher

Bahrain International Circuit has renamed its first corner after Michael Schumacher as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations. The circuit notes that he ?was directly involved in the early stages of the BIC’s development, offering his own input into the … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2014/03/02/bahrain-names-first-corner-after-schumacher/

Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati George Amick Red Amick

Would Vettel or Alonso be more deserving champion?

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/11/benson.html

Chris Craft Jim Crawford Ray Crawford Alberto Crespo

INDYCAR: The Friday Setup (Fontana)

Source: http://www.popoffvalve.com/2012/9/14/3330856/indycar-the-friday-setup-fontana

Bill Aston Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer

Your handy cheat sheet for the 2014 Budweiser Duel qualifying races for the Daytona 500

The Budweiser Duel qualifying races at Daytona are unique, as it is the only occasion that NASCAR runs races to decide the starting grid for a race. But the ways drivers can make Sunday's Daytona 500 in the Duel can get a tad complicated.

So we're here to help. Or at least make it so that you may want to leave this post open for reference when the two Duel races are being run Thursday evening.

After Dave Blaney withdrew Wednesday evening following the vicious practice crash on the frontstretch, 48 cars are vying for 43 spots, so five cars will go home.

13 of those 48 cars are guaranteed not to miss the race. They are:

Austin Dillon (starting first in Daytona 500)
Martin Truex Jr. (starting second)
Greg Biffle (via Sunday's qualifying speed)
Carl Edwards (via Sunday's qualifying speed)
Ryan Newman (via Sunday's qualifying speed)
Brad Keselowski (via Sunday's qualifying speed)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (guaranteed provisional via 2013 owner's points)
Jeff Gordon (guaranteed provisional via 2013 owner's points)
Jimmie Johnson (guaranteed provisional via 2013 owner's points)
Matt Kenseth (guaranteed provisional via 2013 owner's points)
Clint Bowyer (guaranteed provisional via 2013 owner's points)
Kyle Busch (guaranteed provisional via 2013 owner's points)
Tony Stewart (guaranteed provisional via winning 2011 championship)

The top 15 cars in each Duel are guaranteed to start the Daytona 500. (the first Duel fills out odd-numbered positions 3-31, while the second fills out even-numbered positions 4-32.) With the final seven positions (37-43) reserved for provisionals, spots 33, 34, 35 and 36 go to the fastest cars. Hence why Biffle, Edwards, Newman and Brad Keselowski are already guaranteed spots.

Got all that? Because provisionals are based off of the 2013 owner's points standings, Kasey Kahne isn't in the same position as, say, Michael McDowell. To miss the race, Kahne would need to finish outside the top 15 in his duel, have four drivers ahead of him during Sunday's front row qualifying session also miss out on the top 15 in their respective duels and have six -- or seven, if the Past Champion's Provisional isn't used -- drivers in the 2013 owner's standings also not finish in the top 15 and require a provisional.

We told you it was complicated. Here are who we think are the drivers in the most danger of missing the 500 and that five of the names below will fail to qualify for the race.

Duel 1:
Reed Sorenson
Parker Kligerman
Cole Whitt
Michael McDowell
Josh Wise
Joe Nemechek
Alex Bowman

Duel 2:
Landon Cassill
Eric McClure
Terry Labonte (could get Past Champion's Provisional)
Bobby Labonte (could get Past Champion's Provisional)
Ryan Truex
Morgan Shepherd

Or will it be someone who isn't on the list? You can find the starting lineup for the first Duel HERE and the second Duel HERE.

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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @NickBromberg

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/handy-cheat-sheet-2014-budweiser-duel-qualifying-races-214546072--nascar.html

Bernard Collomb Alberto Colombo Erik Comas Franco Comotti

Gresini Press Release: Simeon And Baldassari's Crew Chiefs Analyze Moto2 Preseason Testing

The Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 team issued a press release reviewing progress in testing so far. The crew chiefs of Xavier Simeon and Lorenzo Baldassari talk about the steps made at the two tests in Spain, and look ahead to the season to come. The press release appears below:

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MOTO2 PRE-SEASON TEST DEBRIEF WITH TOMMASO RAPONI AND DAVID JABAL

Throughout February, the Team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 carried out the first major phase of winter testing in preparation of the 2014 World Championship campaign: despite being forced to miss both Almeria and Valencia test, due to the injury suffered last February 6, Xavier Siméon was able to make the most of the recent Jerez test. The Belgian rider, alongside his crew chief Tommaso Raponi, went down to business working on the 2014 Suter chassis set-up reaching soon a good feeling, confirmed by the ninth overall fastest time in the combined standings, but especially by a very steady pace over the long distance.

Year: 

2014

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/PcKPoIeY0ZU/gresini_press_release_simeon_and_baldass.html

Jimmy Bryan Clemar Bucci Ronnie Bucknum Ivor Bueb

PHOTOS: Rahal, Briscoe Run Successful IMS Test

Source: http://www.16thandgeorgetown.com/2013/09/photos-rahal-briscoe-run-successful-ims.html

Olivier Beretta Allen Berg Georges Berger Gerhard Berger

Williams finally confirms Smedley appointment

Williams has finally confirmed the arrival of Felipe Massa’s long time Ferrari race engineer, Rob Smedley. He will take up the newly created role of Head of Vehicle Performance. Williams says that he will ?strengthen the trackside team whilst also … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2014/02/25/williams-finally-confirms-smedley-appointment/

Franco Comotti George Connor George Constantine John Cordts

Bestwick To The Booth, Standing Starts Announced

Source: http://www.16thandgeorgetown.com/2014/02/bestwick-to-booth-standing-starts.html

Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood

Tyres more consistent and durable, says Hembery

Paul Hembery says that the teams made good progress with Pirelli’s latest tyres in Bahrain this week, and the conclusion is that they are more consistent and durable than last year. Pirelli admits that it has taken a conservative route, … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2014/02/22/tyres-more-consistent-and-durable-says-hembery/

Toni Branca Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon Don Branson

NASCAR Still Working Out New Inspection Process

The introduction of the Gen 6 car this season has brought with it some new equipment for the inspection process, namely the new laser measuring rig (see details and a photo here). The laser system helps NASCAR more accurately measure the chassis and things like where and how the rear end is located. But the [...]

TheNASCARInsiders.com

Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/aDp_tzepnag/

Paul Belmondo Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta

After Seattle?s Super Bowl win, Kyle Busch gets to wear Seahawks gear at Daytona

Kyle Busch will be looking like a Seahawks fan in Daytona.

He and Kasey Kahne had a bet on Sunday night's Super Bowl, and after Kahne's Seahawks won, Busch will be wearing Seattle gear in a couple of weeks. And he may even have a personalized jersey. After the Seahawks caught wind of the bet between the two drivers, the team's official Twitter account tweeted this picture:

@kaseykahne Thanks, Kasey. Next stop: Speedweeks! cc @KyleBusch pic.twitter.com/7riwPa3WHT

? Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) February 3, 2014

We'll give the Seahawks a pass on "Speedweek." After winning the Super Bowl, getting a NASCAR event's name right is probably not too high on the list of priorities.

Busch was at the game Sunday night wearing a Peyton Manning jersey. We'll avoid the joke asking if he could have played better than Manning. First, because it's preposterous, and secondly, have you seen Busch's performance when he's been in the Chase? (Yes, that's as low-hanging as asking if Tim Tebow would have done better last night.)

Almost game time folks... Getting ready to party w @snickers n the nfl tailgate party! pic.twitter.com/7aXOFFjQLZ ? Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) February 2, 2014

Congratulations to Kahne. Given that he was on the losing end of seemingly every encounter with Busch in 2013, he needed the win.

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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @NickBromberg

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/seattle-super-bowl-win-kyle-busch-gets-wear-185538277--nascar.html

Yannick Dalmas Derek Daly Christian Danner Jorge Daponte

Weekend Review? A Texas Ramble Edition

Instead of the usual five point rundown to review the weekend, I want to prose a bit on the current state of indycar at Texas. On a warm Saturday night last weekend, in front of a sparse looking crowd, indycar … Continue reading →

Source: http://anotherindycarblog.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/weekend-review-a-texas-ramble-edition/

Yannick Dalmas Derek Daly Christian Danner Jorge Daponte

Rosberg quickest as Raikkonen crashes in Bahrain | 2014 F1 season

Nico Rosberg underlined Mercedes' growing status as pre-season favourites by putting the W05 on top of the times sheets again on the final day of the second test in Bahrain.

Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/02/22/rosberg-quicket-raikkonen-crashes-bahrain/

Ernesto Brambilla Vittorio Brambilla Toni Branca Gianfranco Brancatelli