Every NASCAR fan on the planet is still buzzing over the final lap last Sunday at Charlotte. It was one lap, not even a full lap, that kept Dale Earnhardt Jr. out of victory lane, handing the win to Kevin Harvick.
Some people think there's a conspiracy that gave Junior the opportunity to win the race because the caution did not wave after the last incident in turn 1. But, that is in the past, and fans of the No. 88 can't keep hanging their heads on what could have been.
It's now time to refocus and get in gear for the next week, and it's in an area that has seen it's fair share of action long before the haulers arrived.
We all know the devastation that the Great Plains have seen with the recent outbreak of tornadoes, especially in Missouri and Kansas. Homes destroyed, lives lost, and many people just trying to rebuild what they once had.
Maybe seeing the NASCAR teams come to the area is more of a welcome relief, as everyone knows the NASCAR community is big on helping out their fans in times of need.
Now, those same drivers and teams that have donated their time to help the fans rebuild will now get the chance to perform in front of those same fans. The 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway plays host to the Sprint Cup Series on Sunday.
One writer got a victory thanks to the last lap drama, but will the same happen this time? Here's the writers' picks for the STP 400:
Misan Ayuka (SB Nation): Jamie McMurray
I was going to go with Carl Edwards until the Jopin, Mo, tornado happened. That is Jamie McMurray's home town. Jamie raced with a lot of heart Sunday and was 2nd when he blew up.
Heart goes a long way in NASCAR and that could get him a victory in Kansas right next to his home state.
James Broomhead (The Checkered Flag): Greg Biffle
It’s an intermediate track, which this year has meant one thing – Ford, Ford, Ford. So, the question is which blue oval brother to pick. I’m tempted by Marcos Ambrose – a win would be the perfect way to rubber stamp a return to form with Petty.
Carl Edwards is always a candidate for a win (and I’d wager a popular pick this week) but I’ll have Biffle for the weekend. When ever the Fords have been good, Biffle has been there, and after troubles at Charlotte, a Kansas win would do so much good.
Kelly Crandall (Speedway Media): Greg Biffle
No good reason why and not even sure it's a good pick. But he's a two time winner, including last season and showed he can come back from controversy at Charlotte to nearly win the thing. Kansas suits the Biff so it won't be surprising to see him in contention.
Summer Dreyer (Next Time By): NO PICK SENT
No pick sent by posting time.
Billy Fellin (Richmond Times-Dispatch): Jimmie Johnson
The guy just doesn't have two bad races in a row. He's been really strong at Kansas in the past and will probably be even more motivated after the blow up last week.
Michael Hirshbein (Fan Vs. Fan): Kyle Busch
No reason given.
Christopher Leone (On Pit Row): Greg Biffle
In the past seven races at Kansas, Da Biff has finished worse than third only once. That was a 12th-place finish, back in 2006. The next year, he won the track’s only race. We’ll see if his strong showings every October will translate to June as well.
Kara Martin (Speedway Media): Tony Stewart
I'm going out on a crazy limb this week.
Ryan O'Hara (Speedway Media): NO PICK SENT
No pick sent at posting time.
Dustin Parks (All About Horsepower): A.J. Allmendinger
There are not many opportunities to go out on a limb for the summer races, so this could be my only chance. But, I'm going to take the biggest chance I can right in tornado alley.
Yes, Allmendinger does not have the greatest stats here, only averaging a 12th-place finish. But, last week at Charlotte he ran extremely well, leading laps and finishing in the top-five. This track is the same length, and Allmendinger has got more motivation this week to get a victory.
If you remember, last May he ran his No. 43 car with a tribute paint scheme to his car owner, Richard Petty, for his Hall of Fame induction. He ran extremely well in that race. Now, his car is going to have STP on the hood, and be painted like Petty's car from 1972.
If driving the famed No. 43 with STP on the hood is motivation enough, I'm willing to take that bet.
Sal Sigala Jr. (3 Wide and 1 To Go): Jeff Gordon
No reason given.
Rob Tiongson (The Podium Finish): Jeff Gordon
Ten years ago, Kansas Speedway held its first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and emerging from Victory Lane in the winning car that day was Jeff Gordon. A lot has changed since that September race in 2001, but what won't change this Sunday for the inaugural running of the STP 400 is the fact that Gordon will win but not by the biggest of margins.
An encouraging performance (although a sub-par 20th finish) at Charlotte could translate to a summer of improvements for the No. 24 team at the intermediates and this track certainly fits into the bill.
Standings following Charlotte:
Kelly Crandall (444) Matt Kenseth finished 14th (2)
Sal Sigala Jr. (416) Kyle Busch finished 32nd (2)
Christopher Leone (400) Joey Logano finishes 3rd (2)
Billy Fellin (396) Kasey Kahne finished 22nd (2)
Misan Ayuka (394) Tony Stewart finished 17th (2)
Rob Tiongson (390) David Ragan finished second (1)
James Broomhead (380) Kevin Harvick WON (1)
Dustin Parks (373) Kasey Kahne finished 22nd (0)
Kara Martin (368) Jimmie Johnson finished 28th (1)
Michael Hirshbein (354) Kyle Busch finished 32nd (2)
Ryan O'Hara (348) Kyle Busch finished 32nd (1)
Summer Dreyer (334) Jimmie Johnson finished 28th (0)
Final Thoughts: Kansas is in the heart of Tornado Alley, and this area has been ravaged in recent months. But it will be a different kind of twister on Sunday when 43 cars take the green flag.
It's now a matter of who will survive all the twists expected at the track to take a victory.
Sunday's race is the final broadcast for FOX this season, with coverage at 1 p.m.
Summary of Picks:
Greg Biffle-3
Jeff Gordon-2
A.J. Allmendinger-1
Kyle Busch-1
Jimmie Johnson-1
Jamie McMurray-1
Tony Stewart-1
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