Hello, motorsports enthusiasts! Welcome to another edition of Seven Points with Kobe Lambeth and Kenneth Lee Jr. We will provide weekly commentary, discussing various topics in motorsports. The majority of our content will focus on NASCAR but other disciplines will be discussed as well.
Lambeth is a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, who is a Communications major (mass media concentration) and minor in Journalism. In addition, he contributes to motorsports coverage at The Podium Finish. Lee is a graduate of Tuskegee University with a bachelor's degree in Communications, an alumnus of the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program and an Associate Producer in Content Development for the Motor Racing Network. 1. With Formula 1’s Monaco Grand Prix set to take place a week before Memorial Day weekend next year, do you think this move could open the door for active F1 drivers to take on the Indianapolis 500 a week later? Lambeth: Assuming that another Formula 1 race is not slotted for Memorial Day weekend next year, I think we may see a current F1 driver or two make the trip to Indianapolis. While I will miss the tradition of Monaco, Indianapolis and Charlotte happening on the same day, I am open to this change to the F1 schedule if teams allow their drivers to participate in the 500-mile oval race. After having a blast racing with the IndyCar drivers on iRacing, I predict that Arrow McLaren SP will field an entry for Lando Norris down the road. The British racing driver admitted that he would be interested in being a part of the race in the future. Lee: Many people have wanted drivers to be able to participate in the Monaco Grand Prix, Indy 500 and the Coke 600. Previously, it wasn’t possible due to time, but this should open Pandora's box for someone to do it. If I could pick a person from Formula 1, I would think Daniel Ricciardo might try it. 2. On the final lap of Stage 1, in The Real Heroes 400, Jimmie Johnson crashed out of the lead while trying to put Chris Buescher a lap down. This incident ultimately ended Johnson’s day, resulting in a disappointing 38th-place finish. On Wednesday night, Johnson rebounded to an eighth-place result in the Toyota 500. After recovering from a heartbreaking crash last Sunday, will Johnson continue to display a strong form in his final full-time season? Lambeth: As I previously predicted, I expect Johnson to produce a strong showing in his final full-time season as a NASCAR Cup driver. With Hendrick Motorsports improving their cars and Johnson’s competitiveness, it would not surprise me if he wins multiple races and makes a deep playoff run one final time. Lee: There was something different about Jimmie Johnson last Sunday when he finally got back to the track. I think there was a bit more confidence in his driving again, but I think that eighth-place finish should have him pretty upbeat as NASCAR moves on to Charlotte. As for the rest of the season, I believe he should have a strong season that ends with a playoff berth. 3. Before Mother Nature decided to prematurely end the Toyota 500, there was some drama between NASCAR's most popular driver and the most polarizing one. While battling for position, Kyle Busch made contact with the rear of Chase Elliott, sending the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE into the inside wall on the frontstretch. Following the race, Chase Elliot’s crew chief Alan Gustafson had an animated discussion with Busch on pit road. Do you think Elliott will retaliate? Lambeth: I do not expect Chase Elliott to retaliate this weekend at Charlotte, but he definitely will not cut Kyle Busch any slack if they are near each other on track. However, I suggest keeping an eye on these two at Bristol and Martinsville as short tracks are the perfect place for payback. Lee: Midweek racing under the lights brought out the best of the best. Overall, it was a pretty solid race. Of course, things ended under a dramatic fashion with Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott having an on-track tangle. Well, “The Bounty” is still on. I think Elliott might not wreck him but he will probably make Busch’s life difficult. 4. Chase Briscoe put together the drive of his career, holding off Kyle Busch to score an emotional NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Darlington Raceway. Given the difficult situation that Briscoe and his wife Marissa just experienced, how hard do you think it was for him to focus on the race and defeat the mighty Kyle Busch? What were your immediate thoughts when Briscoe took the checkered flag? Lambeth: This produced one of the most emotional, powerful moments that I have seen in NASCAR in quite some time. I cannot imagine the pain felt by the Briscoes during this difficult time. For most of us, we probably would not be able to focus on the task at hand. However, Briscoe performed at his highest level yet and beat the Xfinity legend Kyle Busch. It is amazing how people are given the extra strength to do extraordinary things during tough times. While putting journalistic integrity on the backburner for a moment, nobody deserved to win that race more than Chase Briscoe. He was my pre-race pick because I felt that we would witness something memorable. Hopefully, this will give him and his wife a little boost in the healing process. Lee: In the last week, it’s been quite a ride for Chase Briscoe, after what he’s been going through off the track. When he took the checkered flag, the first thing I’m thinking is that he drove a hell of a race and ultimately beat the best driver of our current generation. Along with that, I knew he’d be really emotional. It was a well deserved win. 5. Yesterday, the entry list for Tuesday night’s NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway was released. 47 trucks filed an entry but only 40 trucks will be allowed to race. Were you shocked by the high number of total entries? Lambeth: Typically, under normal circumstances, NASCAR only allows a maximum field of 32 trucks. For the time being, the field has been expanded to 40. It truly shocked me to see 47 trucks on the entry list. I completely agree with Kenny on qualifying. If we can find time to qualify for the Coca-Cola 600, then the trucks who did not make the cut should get an opportunity to get in the show. Due to the current situation, the likes of Erik Jones and Parker Kligerman will not be able to race at Charlotte. Lee: Honestly, I’m not the only one to say it but if we have enough time to qualify Cup cars on Sunday before the race, it should be the same way for the Truck Series. It’s been quite some time since we’ve had this many entries for a solo event. 6. The Toyota 500 at Darlington Raceway received 2.087 million viewers on FS1. How would you rate the success of the NASCAR Cup Series race on Wednesday night? Could midweek racing become the norm, in the future? Lambeth: I would consider it a success. Getting 2 million viewers on a Wednesday night is something to be proud of. It probably would have been slightly higher if the race was shown on FOX instead of FS1. Nevertheless, NASCAR should be pleased with the numbers. I am not sure why some folks are upset that more people did not watch. Honestly, what did you expect? Setting realistic expectations can decrease the chance of being disappointed. If all goes well with the unexpected, midweek Cup races, it would not surprise me if we see more of them on the schedule in future seasons. However, I think midweek racing is something that can work best during the summer. Lee: I think that was a pretty solid evening to grab 2 million viewers in the middle of the week in the evening. Based on the reaction, it disappointed many for some reason. But my question to anybody is: What was the expectation? Obviously, this is a sample size and we need more data to gauge how well it can perform. 7. With the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway taking place at its typical time on Sunday evening, how odd will the entire day be without the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500? Lambeth: To be completely honest, I am sad that the greatest weekend in motorsports will not be happening in 2020. I will miss the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 dearly. It does not feel the same without the two prestigious events, joining the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend. However, NASCAR’s longest race is the start of four consecutive days of racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway. That is something to look forward to. Lee: When thinking about this weekend, I’m usually all pumped up ready for a full day of racing. Not having the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 is a strange thing to me, but I’m glad we have some type of racing this weekend to make it feel somewhat normal.
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Hello, motorsports enthusiasts! Welcome to another edition of Seven Points with Kobe Lambeth and Kenneth Lee Jr. We will provide weekly commentary, discussing various topics in motorsports. The majority of our content will focus on NASCAR but other disciplines will be discussed as well.
Lambeth is a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, who is a Communications major (mass media concentration) and minor in Journalism. In addition, he contributes to motorsports coverage at The Podium Finish. Lee is a graduate of Tuskegee University with a bachelor's degree in Communications, an alumnus of the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program and an Associate Producer in Content Development for the Motor Racing Network. 1. Last Friday night, Kyle Larson returned to the track for the first time since using the n-word during a live stream of an iRacing event hosted by NASCAR driver Landon Cassill called “Monza Madness.” As a result, Larson was dropped by his sponsors and fired by Chip Ganassi Racing. Then, he was suspended indefinitely from NASCAR and forced to complete sensitivity training. While he remains suspended from NASCAR competition, the World of Outlaws allowed him to compete in a sprint car event at Knoxville Raceway, following his completion of the sensitivity training. In the A-Main, Larson started 18th and ultimately ended his night in 10th-place. Have we seen the last of Kyle Larson in NASCAR? Or will there be a path for him to return to the top level of stock car racing? Lambeth: Although I do not think Kyle Larson's NASCAR career is necessarily over, he will have to overcome some steep hills if he wants to return. Using the n-word in the first place was totally unnecessary and uncalled for. In my opinion, nobody should ever say that word. As a result, he was punished significantly by losing his sponsors and Cup ride at Ganassi. Without question, it will take time for him to repair his image for a new team and sponsors to take a chance on him. In all honesty, I think he will have a path to return to the NASCAR Cup Series at some point. However, the road there will not be an easy one. Lee: Despite Larson being cleared to race in the World of Outlaws, the biggest question to many is when will his NASCAR return happen? Honestly, I don’t think there’s a proper timetable for him to return. Losing Chevrolet was a huge deal but being a major image liability to companies is going to be the biggest harm. He must be “clean” in the eyes of sponsors for him to return to a competitive ride. 2. Formula 1 silly season started with a bang as it was announced that Scuderia Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel would part ways at the end of 2020. What’s next for Vettel? Lambeth: At this point, I am not sure if Vettel has any options unless he is interested in going to Mercedes. It would be odd to see him being teammates with Lewis Hamilton. If he does not join the Silver Arrows, then he could always sign with a midfield team, but it is hard imagining that he would be content riding around in uncompetitive equipment. At age 32 and four titles on his resume, Vettel does not have anything else to prove. If he wanted to retire from Formula 1 at the end of 2020, he would still be considered one the most successful drivers in the sport's history. Lee: After the fallout with Ferrari, I’m not sure if it’s going to be a simple road for Sebastian Vettel, due to all the drama that transpired. The four-time world champion is currently 32 years old. Regarding his age, it isn’t a nail in the coffin for his career but his options are limited. With Daniel Ricciardo signing with McLaren, it seems pretty grim at the moment for Vettel to be in a Formula 1 car next year. This one will be tricky for him moving forward. 3. Following the news of four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel’s tenure at Ferrari ending later this year, Maranello was quick to name Carlos Sainz as Vettel’s replacement for the 2021 season alongside young star Charles Leclerc. Did Ferrari make the right move to pursue Sainz, instead of promoting Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi from Alfa Romeo Racing? Lambeth: No one can deny that Ferrari is planning to build the team around Charles Leclerc. They gave him a contract extension, locking up the young talent for the foreseeable future. I think Sainz is a safe choice by Ferrari. He has always been a prospect with tons of potential. For any driver, having the opportunity to race for Ferrari is quite a blessing. As for Giovinazzi, I am not surprised that he did not receive the promotion from Alfa Romeo. When Leclerc drove for the same team, he put together dazzling performances that left many impressed. I have not seen the same from Giovinazzi. However, when the 2020 season starts, the Italian driver will get his chance to show Ferrari they made a mistake. Lee: Carlos Sainz moving to Ferrari was a move that I wasn’t thinking about at all, if I’m being honest. I thought Antonio Giovinazzi was going to be the next up in the order. It will be interesting to see the 25-year-old driver paired up with the even younger Charles Leclerc. This one remains questionable in my eyes. In a year, we may come back to this and say it was a great move. 4. With Carlos Sainz leaving for Ferrari, McLaren chose to sign seven-time Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo to a multi-year contract, beginning in 2021. Ricciardo joins Lando Norris as the entire team continues its march up the grid. Is Ricciardo the right fit for McLaren? Lambeth: I think McLaren really fits Daniel Ricciardo. He almost signed with the team a few years ago, before ultimately deciding to join Renault. Him and Lando Norris should be an interesting pair. His Formula 1 experience will be important for the McLaren operation, hoping to keep rising up the grid. Ricciardo can be a team leader and young Norris will have an experienced and race-winning teammate to learn from. Lee: It’s been quite the road for Daniel Ricciardo moving along in his Formula 1 career. I’d imagine off the jump Ferrari would be a better fit but that team has had a lot of drama recently. Same thing along the line of what happened at Red Bull, being an understudy to the younger driver. For a change, this might be a solid move for him but we shall see. 5. If the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans occurs as scheduled (Sept. 19-20), GTE-Pro will lose four entries from IMSA’s GTLM class. Two factory Porsches fielded by CORE autosport and both C8.Rs from Corvette Racing have been withdrawn recently. Given the current state of the world, are you shocked by the decision? Lambeth: Given the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, tough decisions must be made for these teams to survive financially. It does not shock me at all to see Corvette withdraw their entries and Porsche pull their IMSA GTLM cars from Le Mans. Without cash flowing during these unprecedented times, teams have to do whatever it takes to survive until racing resumes. Lee: As time continues to move along, I’m not surprised. We see more and more teams drop out of events. Money is more than likely really tight and efforts are going to have to be changed throughout time in racing. I’m sure the large travel effort was a big component of their withdrawal. 6. After the firing of Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing chose 2003 NASCAR Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth to drive the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE for the remainder of the 2020 season. Given his experience and success behind the wheel, why is Kenseth the right choice at Ganassi? Lambeth: Kenseth is the perfect choice for the 42 car. While most expected Ross Chastain to fill the seat, it sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community when Ganassi brought the 2003 Cup champion back to the grid. Kenseth holds years of experience as another veteran alongside Kurt Busch. After receiving a waiver, it would not surprise me if Kenseth makes the playoffs. Ganassi brings fast cars to the track and the 48-year-old still has the fire burning inside to be competitive. Lee: I think Kenseth is the right choice in this situation for Chip Ganassi Racing, especially with the way the season is going to resume. Having a veteran, championship-winning driver is going to be crucial without practice or qualifying in these events. I think he should have a good run at Darlington in both races. 7. With NASCAR returning on Sunday afternoon with the Cup Series at Darlington Raceway and a set schedule through June 21, will this serve as a much needed distraction from the coronavirus pandemic? What are the chances that new viewers starving for sports will turn to NASCAR for entertainment for at least the next month? Lambeth: Many folks all over the country are hungry for live sports on television. Luckily, NASCAR returns in a few days. During tough times, sports have always been a way to escape problems in the real world. NASCAR should serve as a nice distraction for some while others may be intrigued for the first time. I agree with Kenny about not seeing a massive blow up, like the one that put the sport on the map nationally. However, we will likely see a good number of people watch the race, who do not typically follow racing. Lee: I think a lot of people are looking for live sports to return in some form. I don’t think this will be the original blow up that helped NASCAR out decades ago, but it will be a good chance for eyes that normally wouldn’t watch. As long as everything goes according to plan, I think this will be quite entertaining especially with limited time to set up the cars. Bonus Point: During NASCAR’s hiatus, virtual racing took spotlight on the national stage. In general, what did you think of the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series? Lambeth: I think it was a good way for NASCAR to take advantage of the unique circumstances. While we could not watch real racing on the track, virtual racing was the next best thing. In my opinion, showing iRacing on television was better than having no racing at all. NASCAR, FOX and iRacing deserve credit for putting together the Pro Invitational Series. As we got closer to the end of the series, I honestly lost some interest, on a personal level. As Kenny mentioned, they should have taken advantage of being able to host races at tracks that NASCAR does not go to in real life. In addition, it disappointed me that we never got to see Formula 1 driver Lando Norris or IndyCar drivers get an invite. I think these two factors would have been helpful. However, that does not matter now because NASCAR returns to real racing at Darlington in two days! Lee: With the hiatus, I think they took advantage of something that most people would’ve never expected to blow up. After a ton of debates about why people don’t like iRacing (particularly boomers), yet it became the forefront of attention. I think it was cool to see it on the national stage for someone who is an online racer himself. The one thing I wish NASCAR took advantage of was to go to “fantasy” venues on iRacing during this time. Hello, motorsports enthusiasts! Welcome to another edition of Seven Points with Kobe Lambeth and Kenneth Lee Jr. We will provide weekly commentary, discussing various topics in motorsports. The majority of our content will focus on NASCAR but other disciplines of motorsports will be discussed as well.
Lambeth is a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, who is a Communications major (mass media concentration) and minor in Journalism. In addition, he contributes to motorsports coverage at The Podium Finish and works with the UNC Charlotte Social Media Team. Lee is a graduate of Tuskegee University with a bachelor's degree in Communications, an alumnus of the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program and an Associate Producer in Content Development for the Motor Racing Network. 1. Last weekend’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race produced some solid results for a few underdogs. Who stands out to you and why? Lambeth: Josh Williams. He scored the second top-10 finish of his Xfinity career. In my opinion, he is one of those drivers that can maximize his equipment. It would be interesting to see what he could do in equal equipment, competing against the top Xfinity teams. However, Williams can punch above his weight and get respectable results for his current team. Without a doubt, his result was a good day for Mario Gosselin's operation. Lee: Ryan Sieg. He finished in the top-five at Las Vegas and kept the momentum going into Fontana. After finishing fourth, in Saturday’s race, I think it was great to see the RSS Racing entry put together another solid finish. His team has trended in the right direction so far this season. It’ll be interesting to see how this progresses in 2020. 2. After failing to make the playoffs last season or win a race, in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, Harrison Burton scored his first career Xfinity win at Auto Club Speedway. How do you think he will fare with Joe Gibbs Racing’s NASCAR Xfinity Series program and beyond? Lambeth: Despite a disappointing 2019 season, I believe that Harrison Burton has a bright future in NASCAR. His first Xfinity win last weekend in Fontana will be followed by more trips to victory lane. Honestly, I do not think that his Kyle Busch Motorsports tenure was any indication of his talent or potential. I feel the same way about Todd Gilliland, who is now driving for Front Row Motorsports in the Truck Series. In all honesty, I think Burton is in a good position to be successful for years to come. Lee: Harrison Burton picked up a big time win at Fontana, after having a rough 2019 season in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. He moved up to the Xfinity Series to join Joe Gibbs Racing. In just the third race of the season, he was able to capture his first career win. I think the lack of immense pressure is going to help the young driver develop moving forward. There’s a long way to go in the season but I don’t think it’ll be a single win season for Burton. 3. Alex Bowman dominated the Auto Club 400, winning his second career NASCAR Cup Series race last Sunday at Fontana. In a contract year, do you think we will see a more determined Alex Bowman? Lambeth: With this being a contract year for Bowman and many others, in the Cup garage, there will be obvious pressure to perform. Winning races is definitely a good way to start building a case to stay. Bowman's victory at Fontana was a huge statement. When given a competitive piece, he can go out there and dominate. So far, I have seen a different Alex Bowman. He seems more determined and locked in. If he can have more races like Fontana, it would not surprise me if we eventually see a contract extension. However, as we all know, you need sponsorship to compete. That could be a factor in determining the driver of the No. 88 car next year. Lee: Heading into 2020, Bowman was already facing pressure after Nationwide departed as a sponsor. Doubling down on that, it is a contract year. He had a fast car all weekend from practice to the race itself, leading a total of 110 laps. An early win isn’t always an indicator for long-term success but it’s good to get a win on the board early. Hendrick Motorsports, in general, looks good so far. It’ll be interesting to see how the remainder of the year goes. 4. As a new addition to the Next Gen car, NASCAR confirmed the switch to a single lug-nut design, which is a departure from the longtime use of five lug nuts on each tire. Based on some fan reactions on social media, this move will not please everyone. Do you think the switch is a good move for NASCAR? Lambeth: If you look at other disciplines, they use the single lug-nut design and have been doing it for numerous years. NASCAR is finally catching up with times. Personally, I do not have a problem with it at all. As we know, a good number of fans have expressed their displeasure about the change. In general, folks are not always open to change when it occurs. My best advice is for NASCAR fans to appreciate the pit stops all year long, and the skills that tire changers must possess to hit all five lug nuts, getting them tight during each pit stop. This will be the last year that we will see the "traditional" pit stop in the Cup Series. When 2021 arrives, we will enter a brand new era with the Next Gen car. Ready or not, this move is going to happen and there is nothing we can do to change NASCAR's decision. Lee: A lot of people knew it was coming, but it has finally been made official to the public. Of course, in the long history of NASCAR, a multi-lug wheel has always been the design but that will change heading into 2021. While the choreography of a pit stop will remain, it still left many people mad. My thought initially as much as people want the cars to appear like each car's respective counterpart is another step closer. Down to the style of the BBS rim, this should be the last thing people should be vexed about. Most of those people should’ve been gone when template bodies, electronic fuel injectors and digital dash came around (@ me I’m serious). 5. Multiple Cup drivers have accepted Kevin Harvick’s challenge to beat Kyle Busch in any NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race that he enters. While some folks do not agree with Cup drivers entering Truck or Xfinity races, is “The Bounty” a good thing for NASCAR, in terms of exposure for the Truck Series? Lambeth: I guess you could say that we are set to have some "Buschwackers" enter the Truck Series, in the next few weeks. Any full-time Cup driver has an opportunity to win $100,000, if they can beat Kyle Busch in a Truck race. While it is awesome watching the regulars form their own identities, this could be a great way to further expose the Truck Series to fans missing out on the action. I know that some folks primarily focus on the Cup Series only. Having drivers such as Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson in the field provides potential to bring more eyes to the series. I cannot wait to see if any Cup driver or regular can take down the mighty Kyle Busch. Lee: I think it will bring some extra attention to the Truck Series for the next few weeks. This is also good for the series since they are coming off their small break after the Las Vegas race. All of the names involved are already household names in NASCAR and should draw some extra eyeballs to the series. I wish there were more things like this being done just like the old Winston Million and the No-Bull 5. 6. Recently, Carlin Racing completed a successful IndyCar test session, with drivers Max Chilton and Felipe Nasr posting solid lap times at Sebring International Raceway as the team prepares for the upcoming NTT IndyCar Series season. Focusing on Nasr, do you think his impressive testing numbers will earn him IndyCar seat time throughout the year? Lambeth: After reading the story of Nasr's unique journey to the most recent Sebring test, it is quite evident that he truly wants to be an IndyCar driver. According to RACER, team owner Trevor Carlin called him at the very last minute and Nasr made his way to the bumpy Florida circuit. On such short notice, Nasr arrived at Sebring and put up decent lap times. It is hard to question the Brazilian driver's talent behind the wheel. I feel that he was robbed of showing his true potential in Formula 1. Then, he arrived in America and won the IMSA DPi title with Action Express Racing in 2018. All Nasr needs is an opportunity and his testing performances during the offseason is a strong case for him to get some IndyCar starts. Lee: Nasr has had quite a journey alone just to get to IndyCar as it is. He’s clearly a talent that the series would appreciate over time and his lap times from Sebring are a clear indication of his pace. 7. The opening round of the 2020 Super Formula season at the Suzuka Circuit has been postponed, due to the worldwide Coronavirus outbreak. Other races around the globe have been called off as well. In addition, we could see more auto racing events face potential cancellations if the virus continues to spread. As members of the motorsports community, should we take this stuff seriously? Lambeth: For starters, I do not have the expertise to speak intelligently about this subject. However, I can recommend that folks in the motorsports community should pay attention to the Coronavirus outbreak. Some racing events overseas have already been postponed as a safety measure to prevent the virus from spreading. Will it eventually impact NASCAR, IndyCar or IMSA races in the United States, since the virus is beginning to spread across the country? We do not know yet. But I will advise that race fans educate themselves about the virus, be prepared for the worst possible outcome, avoid panic, do not completely dismiss the threat and WASH YOUR HANDS! Lee: Personally, I don’t have the expertise either to speak fully on what to do and not do in this situation. However, I think it should be something to pay attention to for any racing series across the globe. Of course, I think it will be interesting to see if it has an impact anywhere else. If you aren’t washing your hands for some reason, please do as you move around from one place to another. Bonus Point: Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart will come out of his stock car racing retirement, entering the NASCAR Xfinity Series road course race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Stewart-Haas Racing is set to field an extra Ford Mustang for the Indiana native alongside Xfinity regular Chase Briscoe. Despite being out of a stock car for a while, do you think Smoke will be a contender for the victory? Lambeth: Since nobody can rely on a notebook, it should make things interesting when Tony Stewart returns to NASCAR competition. Stewart has remained active on the dirt racing scene, so he has not completely stopped racing yet. However, 2016 was the last time he competed in a NASCAR race. A lot has changed since then, but I am confident that we will see a competitive “Smoke” at the Indy road course. Fans in Indiana are probably planning a trip to the Brickyard to see their hometown driver race in NASCAR for the first time in a few years. Lee: On Wednesday morning, we got a surprising announcement that Tony Stewart would participate in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis this summer. I think the Indiana native will perform well on the road course at Indy. It should be a fun rave and adding “Smoke” to the show should make it more fun. Bonus Point: Beginning in 2021, the Busch Clash will no longer run on the Daytona oval as NASCAR switches to the same road course layout as the Rolex 24 endurance race. In addition, Speedweeks will transition into a single-week event. What are your thoughts on the changes? Lambeth: Given the recent nature of the Busch Clash, I think most people would agree that a change was necessary. It is quite refreshing to see NASCAR decide on using the Daytona road course for the exhibition race. I have always wondered what a stock car race would look like on the road course and it will finally become a reality. In addition, it will be the first time we have seen a road course race under the lights in NASCAR history. As for Speedweeks transitioning to a single-week event, I think it will take some time getting used to, but I think there are definitely some positives. From Tuesday through Sunday, there will be on-track activity. I like the idea of an Xfinity/ARCA doubleheader on Saturday. I bet the 2021 schedule will be full of surprises. Lee: It was quite a shocking development. Honestly, I thought the tweet dropping the news was from a parody account. But heading into 2021, NASCAR will use the road course for the Busch Clash on a Tuesday night. I think it’s quite a shakeup that people have been asking for, since it seems to be a wreckfest during the Clash. Perhaps, this gives it a bit more meaning for drivers to be the first group to compete on the road course. With just a month before the 2021 schedule is set to be announced, it should make fans wonder what other changes will happen soon. Hello, motorsports enthusiasts! Welcome to another edition of Seven Points with Kobe Lambeth and Kenneth Lee Jr. We will provide weekly commentary, discussing various topics in motorsports. The majority of our content will focus on NASCAR but other disciplines of motorsports will be discussed as well.
Lambeth is a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, who is a Communications major (mass media concentration) and minor in Journalism. In addition, he contributes to motorsports coverage at The Podium Finish and works with the UNC Charlotte Social Media Team. Lee is a graduate of Tuskegee University with a bachelor's degree in Communications, an alumnus of the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program and an Associate Producer in Content Development for the Motor Racing Network. 1. Kyle Busch won his seventh consecutive NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race last Friday night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Later on, Kevin Harvick had a little fun on Twitter, offering $50,000 to any full-time Cup driver, who can defeat Busch when he competes in the Truck Series. If you had to pick a Cup driver to beat Rowdy in a Truck race, who would it be? Lambeth: I think Christopher Bell could take the fight to Kyle Busch in the Truck Series, if this little bet were to become a reality. During his time there, Bell won seven races and earned the 2017 series championship. If there is one driver, who could threaten Rowdy’s winning streak, I strongly believe that Bell would be his toughest competitor. Lee: I think the bounty is a pretty cool deal. It reminds me of the “No Bull” from the Winston Cup days. If I had to pick a driver that could do it, I’d go with the young gun John Hunter Nemecheck. I’ve always thought he was a solid driver and when given the right equipment, I think he could take Busch down and claim the cash prize. 2. Chase Briscoe was victorious over Austin Cindric in last weekend's NASCAR Xfinity Series race in Sin City. With last year's Big Three off to Cup, which drivers could effectively become the next trio of dominant Xfinity pilots? Lambeth: Previously, I predicted that Chase Briscoe would be the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion. I truly believe in his ability to take the next step in his career this season. Without a doubt, he should solidify himself in the conversation as one the top full-time Xfinity drivers. In addition, I would include Austin Cindric and Noah Gragson as the next young talents poised for a breakout season. I think Cindric, who is an incredibly gifted road course racer, will finally win an oval race. As for Gragson, 2020 should be a significant improvement over his rookie campaign. Lee: It was a huge win for Briscoe to kick the season off as he’s now locked into the playoffs. He’s certainly one of the most talented guys in the field. I think this could be the start of a great 2020 season for him and the No. 98 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang team. If I could add two more drivers to become the next trio of dominant Xfinity drivers, I would add Noah Gragson and Austin Cindric to be in the mix. 3. Ryan Sieg finished third, in last weekend's Xfinity race, which proved to be one of the best drives of his racing career. Sieg's No. 39 Chevrolet Camaro SS was very competitive, mixing it up with top notch organizations such as Joe Gibbs Racing and JR Motorsports. Should we expect more performances like this from Sieg throughout the season? Lambeth: Ryan Sieg was one of the top storylines of the Xfinity race. His family-owned team displayed a strong performance against multiple race-winning organizations. 2019 was a career year for the Georgia native. It would not surprise me if he shows more improvement this season. Over the years, he has progressed naturally up the grid. If his Las Vegas form is any indication of things to come, Sieg is a driver that could continue to turn heads moving forward. Lee: Ryan Sieg picked up a solid finish for his team at Las Vegas. Running in the same car that Austin Dillon won with previously at Las Vegas truly paid off. He’s always been a strong driver and makes the most out of his equipment, so I don’t think this will be the last time you see his name in the top-five. 4. The NASCAR community is planning multiple tributes for the late Kobe Bryant this weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others, who died in last month’s tragic helicopter crash will be honored. A very classy gesture, right? Lambeth: I really appreciate the NASCAR community for finding multiple ways to honor Kobe Bryant, Gianna and seven others in the deadly helicopter crash. Personally, Kobe was a childhood hero of mine, which makes this gesture a very special one to me. Looking at the bigger picture, honoring him in southern California makes perfect sense. This is the region where he found most of his success on and off the court as a Laker. Fontana is not too far from Los Angeles. In addition, I am sure that plenty of fans are looking forward to the Kobe tribute cars, set to be driven by William Byron and Ryan Blaney. Imagine if Byron or Blaney goes to victory lane this weekend, driving such a special paint scheme. Lee: I’m super happy to see the NASCAR community doing something to honor Kobe Bryant, Gianna and seven others that were involved in the helicopter crash. While it still feels unreal, I’m glad teams have come together to do an honor like that. I’ve grown up a huge basketball fan. In my generation, Kobe was my Jordan as a kid. It would be something if either Byron or Blaney won, so I can’t wait for the weekend to get underway. 5. NASCAR Cup Series organization Rick Ware Racing earned an invite to the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans, due to capturing the 2019-20 Asian Le Mans Series LMP2 Am title with driver Cody Ware. What does it mean to be a team based in North Carolina, representing the entire country at Le Mans? Lambeth: Having the privilege of being invited to Le Mans is quite an honor, regardless of where you come from in the world. Many teams and drivers dream of participating in the twice-around-the-clock French endurance classic. After earning an invite, the dream of going to Le Mans is a few months away from becoming a reality for Rick Ware Racing. I am sure that some folks in the NASCAR community will pay closer attention to the crown jewel endurance race with RWR on the grid. Lee: Rick Ware Racing has made some interesting moves in the last year and I think what tops everything is getting an invite to Le Mans. I think it will turn some heads in the NASCAR community, so it will be interesting to see how they perform. 6. The 2020 Virgin Australia Supercars season got underway last weekend, with a pair of races at Adelaide. Seven-time champion Jamie Whincup took the opening race of the season, while back-to-back champion Scott McLaughlin won the second race. Opening weekend produced two competitive races throughout the field. Given the new rule changes, do you think we will see greater parity this season? Lambeth: Last year, Scott McLaughlin and DJR Team Penske dominated the championship. McLaughlin scored 18 wins, 15 poles and an average finish of 2.3 to score his second consecutive Supercars title. Nobody could stop him last season. It was truly Scotty Mac’s show. However, with changes to the rules, I think he will have a tougher fight on his hands this season. While I do believe that McLaughlin stands a good chance of accomplishing the three-peat, his competitors will not make it an easy ride to the championship. Looking ahead, I think the parity will improve in 2020, in comparison to last season. The drivers definitely know how to put on a competitive show Down Under. Lee: Last weekend, there were two competitive races to kick off the Supercars season with champions Scott McLaughlin and Jamie Whincup winning the opening rounds. I think the new rule changes will produce more parity throughout the field. While rule changes will never completely knock off the cream of the crop, it should make for some great battles. 7. Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso will return to the Brickyard, attempting the Indianapolis 500 with Arrow McLaren SP. In his third attempt, he seeks to compete in the race for the second time. Alonso is set to drive the No. 66 Chevrolet as a teammate to rookie drivers Pato O’Ward and Oliver Askew. Do you think his years of experience as a racer will benefit the young McLaren drivers? After getting bumped from the field of 33, in 2019, will Alonso face any dangers of missing the race for a second consecutive year? Lambeth: Fernando Alonso and McLaren are joining forces yet again for this year’s Indianapolis 500. His experience as a driver should be very beneficial for young McLaren teammates Pato O’Ward and Oliver Askew. Alonso has so much knowledge that is waiting to be passed down to the next generation of racing drivers. O’Ward and Askew have tons of potential to be a pair of special talents. Despite failing to qualify for the 2019 Indianapolis 500, I think Alonso can rest easy this time around. Instead of McLaren coming as a solo team, they partnered Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson, who have years of IndyCar experience. Joining forces with a current team that already discovered success was a smart move on McLaren’s part. Altogether, I believe that Arrow McLaren SP will be perfectly fine on when qualifying rolls around. However, as they say on Big Brother, “expect the unexpected.” Lee: I’m sure getting bumped humbled him to some degree, at least most people would likely believe that. I think he may approach making the field a lot differently than he did in 2019. To McLaren’s benefit, partnering up with Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson was a smart move, given their success in IndyCar. However, we can't get complacent at all, knowing that Indy 500 qualifying is a beast of it’s own and it won’t be an easy task. Hello, motorsports enthusiasts! Welcome to another edition of Seven Points with Kobe Lambeth and Kenneth Lee Jr. We will provide weekly commentary, discussing various topics in motorsports. The majority of our content will focus on NASCAR but other disciplines of motorsports will be discussed as well.
Lambeth is a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, who is a Communications major (mass media concentration) and minor in Journalism. In addition, he contributes to motorsports coverage at The Podium Finish and works with the UNC Charlotte Social Media Team. Lee is a graduate of Tuskegee University with a bachelor's degree in Communications, an alumnus of the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program and an Associate Producer in Content Development for the Motor Racing Network. 1. The Busch Clash was _______. Lambeth: Chaotic. I have seen some silly moments in my years of watching races. However, I do not believe that anything will come close to topping this year’s Busch Clash. After looking at Erik Jones’ car, it would be hard to convince someone that he won the race. The No. 20 looks like something you would find at a Saturday night demolition derby! Lee: Shocking. I couldn’t believe some of the moves that were made in the race. It shocked me for the amount of veterans in the field. While it is an exhibition race, I didn’t think there would be that much carnage last Sunday. Somehow, Erik Jones and his beat up car managed to get into victory lane. Try explaining this to people who don’t watch racing and convince them that wrecked car won the race. 2. After the wild action in the Busch Clash, do you think it is time for some changes to the event? Lambeth: For starters, Dale Earnhardt Jr. posted an interesting idea on Twitter. A 20-lap exhibition race would likely lead to intense action from start to finish. At the same time, it makes me wonder if we could see some of the same craziness from last Sunday afternoon. While I do agree that shortening the event could be a good change, there are others who want to see the Busch Clash disappear for good. My solution? Move it to New Smyrna Speedway and join the short track fun over there. You cannot go wrong with short track racing. Lee: I think the Clash has lost some of its luster as the field has been expanded further and further with lower requirements to get into the race. I think it needs to just be an event lasting between 20 and 25 laps. Keep it short and sweet; I think you can still achieve the same results. 3. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and JTG Daugherty Racing obtained pole position for the 62nd running of the Daytona 500. After spending his entire career with Roush Fenway Racing, do you believe that switching to a new team could change the course of his Cup career? Lambeth: While Stenhouse enjoyed great success over at Roush, I believe that both sides will benefit from the change. Stenhouse and Chris Buescher (replaced Stenhouse in the No. 17 Ford Mustang) basically swapped rides. Roush took full advantage of the opportunity to get Buescher back in the program. Ultimately, this left Stenhouse looking for a new ride. In the end, he landed at JTG Daugherty Racing alongside Ryan Preece. Reflecting on his Roush tenure, Stenhouse won back-to-back Xfinity titles and two Cup races. Unfortunately, he was never able to compete for a Cup title with Roush. With Buescher presenting plenty of upside, I guess it made sense for Roush to bring him back into the stable. For Stenhouse, I think moving to a new team could definitely be a good thing. Winning the pole for the biggest race of the season is a solid start for both team and driver. You never know, this could very well be the turning point for Stenhouse, potentially taking his Cup career to the next level. Lee: Stenhouse is a driver I wouldn’t have picked to win the pole off the jump, given the performance of the Hendrick cars over the last few years on Daytona 500 pole day. Certainly, in any sport, I think some athletes just need a change of scenery, after spending a long time with one team. Sometimes, the right place and scenario brings out the best possible outcome. While there is a long way to go in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, I’m sure this is a dream start for him and JTG Daugherty Racing. 4. Justin Haley and Brendan Gaughan solidified their spots in the Daytona 500, due to setting the two fastest lap times of the “open teams.” Haley, the winner of last July’s Coke Zero Sugar 400, will make his first start in the Great American Race. It is also Kaulig Racing’s Cup debut. Meanwhile, Gaughan is set to compete in his final Daytona 500. The longtime NASCAR driver will run both races at Daytona and Talladega, then call it a career in stock car racing. While these two drivers will sleep well during the week, there will be restless nights for those who must race their way in during the Duels. Notably, Daniel Suarez is among the drivers in non-chartered cars. Unfortunately, he was unable to get Gaunt Brothers Racing in the big show, based on speed. Therefore, everything will be up for grabs on Thursday night. With the popular driver facing possible elimination, how much pressure will be on him to get into the Daytona 500? Lambeth: There will be tons of pressure on Suarez and Gaunt Brothers Racing to get into the Daytona 500. Unfortunately, the team does not have a charter. They must beat the other open teams in their Duel or they will load up and go home. After getting replaced by Cole Custer at Stewart-Haas Racing, Suarez was left rideless and searching for a new home. The deal with GBR came together late in the game, but I know that they will give it their best shot on Thursday night. Suarez will have to control what he can control and let everything else fall into place. Lee: It’s been quite some time since the Duels have had this type of meaning. No longer are the days of 60 cars trying to make the big show, but this year we have a few drivers that could go home on Thursday night. Suarez, in particular, facing this type of pressure has to be something for him. After his deal came along with GBR, it now appears to be nothing but an uphill battle for him to make the Daytona 500. It will be tough but a bevy of Toyotas are in his Duel and it could be a good thing for him. 5. Hailie Deegan finished second in the ARCA Menards Series season opener at Daytona, behind race winner Michael Self. What are your expectations for the development driver’s debut season with Ford and DGR-Crosley? Lambeth: While it would not surprise me if Deegan wins one or two races, I think the main thing this season is completing as many laps as possible and getting valuable track time. Ford has a solid driver development program. In addition to giving its drivers opportunities to improve their stock car skills, they also give them seat time on road courses with the IMSA Ford Mustang GT4 program. Ford cares about developing well-rounded drivers. Deegan has tons of upside as she progresses through the ranks. I think the new relationship between Deegan and Ford has potential for great success among both parties. Lee: A very solid second-place finish for Deegan last Saturday; I think it was quite the composed performance from her. Ford is taking the right approach with her for the season and the near future. Having a plethora of track time in the last two months will be crucial to her development. I think she has the talent to progress through the ranks and the “slow” process Ford is taking should pay off tremendously. 6. Sam Mayer held off pole sitter Derek Griffith to win the ARCA Menards Series East season opener at New Smyrna Speedway. Griffith led a race-high 144 laps in the 175-lap event, after starting on the pole. Chad Bryant Racing had the No. 2 Ford Fusion dialed in from flag to flag. Despite coming up short, should the Super Late Model ace receive another opportunity to compete in ARCA? Lambeth: Without a doubt, Derek Griffith proved that he is the type of deserving talent that should be competing regularly at this level. Griffith has impressed in the Super Late Model ranks and he wowed everyone by his strong performance in the ARCA East race. Chad Bryant Racing provided him with the equipment to showcase his skills. He held off the field during the first half of the race on older tires while everybody else had fresh tires. In the end, it was a solid debut for Griffith and he should be proud of his drive, despite coming up short to Sam Mayer. Lee: Griffith put on an excellent performance during the ARCA East race. It seemed apparent he was going to win the race, just based on his dominance in the first half. Unfortunately, for him, Sam Mayer outdueled him for the win but it was still a solid debut. 7. Who will win the 62nd running of the Daytona 500? Lambeth: I think we will see a first-time winner. In his third full season, William Byron will score his first NASCAR Cup Series win in the biggest event of them all. The morning after the race, Byron will wake up as the 2020 Daytona 500 winner. Lee: I can’t believe it’s the 62nd running of the Daytona 500! Since it’s been quite some time since we've had a repeat winner, I’m going with Denny Hamlin to win back-to-back Daytona 500’s. |