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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