It is a shame that Ganassi lured Franchitti out of Indy cars only to saddle him with cars that cannot qualify or win.  Franchitti has no explaining to do with why he could not make his cars more competitive.  The learning curve is very steep trying to make a 3500 pound Rhino go fast.  It is my hope that Franchitti will not see this as a setback, but as an opportunity to get back into cars that suit him better.  The lure of big money is really there for NASCAR, but the claim that NASCAR drivers are the best in the world is laughable.  Franchitti came for the money, not to be considered at the top of the sport.  He is already proven in two much more technical and sophisticated series that he is the best.  No failure in NASCAR, because the rules take it out of the driver's hands in most cases.  In any other series, as much time is spent on lightening the car while NASCAR keeps them heavy purposely.  Though I like Tony Stewart, he could not fit in an Indycar today, (literally).  When teams spend millions in R&D to find a way to lighten a car, it seems silly to have drivers who are packing it back in.  Dario can stay in NASCAR if he wants to get older and heavier, but my hope is that he will return to open wheel racing and put some interest back into a sport that soooo needs a hero!  Ganassi has Indycars too that are competitive! 

Every year since the Chase format arrived, a big name, former cup winner has failed to make it.  With only 12 spots, the race to the Chase becomes about skill, teamwork and a lot about racing luck.  A quick look at the top 12 drivers today shows several top teams and drivers on the outside looking in, and a few surprises as well inside the 12. Getting into The Chase is all about consistency. Winning the Chase is all about being the best at all aspects of NASCAR.  Except for a road course, each type of track is represented, so teams with good chassis but not dominant engines can win, and teams with extra horses can win.  Crews can win and pit strategy.  Those elements, along with racing luck will win the Chase.  In my view, luck has two sides, so it can help or hurt the effort a lot.  One thing is certain, each team wants to get multiple cars in the Chase, because teams operate much better than individuals.  Most people have already conceded the Manufacturers trophy to Toytooter, and one of the drivers who drive for them.  With 64 drivers starting the season, you only have a 1 in 5 chance of getting to the Chase.  Take out the single car teams and small team efforts and the odds steepin sharply.  In the next 6 outside of the Chase are 2 former cup champions.  In order for them to get there, the rest of their seasons are going to have to be better, better finishes, better consistency.  They cannot hope for another team above them to falter in the 2nd half so they can climb up.  The top 35 cars are not that different; 1 and 35; so they must make their own luck and even gamble a bit just to get there.  The next ten, 19-28 has another former cup champion.  There are 4 drivers, who seem vulnerable and even without a total collapse of their season, might make it hard to stay in the top 12.  My point in all of this is that the format, even though I personally hate it, was designed to keep fan interest in the waning races of the season.  For teams 8-16, the last races before the Chase will be agonizing.  First, they cannot afford a DNF.  Second they must finish well and lead laps.  Third, they must finish ahead of the others trying to also get in the Chase.  Who do you think will be the final 12?  You make the call!

:o)