We have a little controversy in our 2nd to last race until the Chase, but NASCAR has presented a new scenario to us that isn't clearly covered in our rules with this whole encumbered win thing.
After a lengthy discussion on Doc Beef's Birthday, the Rules Committee has come back with a ruling on the Hamlin Encumbered win.
The 3 that chose Hamlin WILL get credit for the win, so congratulation to Dust, Skid and Chonk for all locking into the Chase this year! However, they will get the 25 point deduction and will not be eligible for the 3 Bonus Points that usually come with earning a race win. We will have a variance on the points standings on the site and reality so I hope you have all been paying attention.
You can bet that an encumbered win will not count next year, but this ruling in my opinion is fair and the right call for our League this year. Thank you Rules Committee and Happy Birthday Beef!
Where does that leave us going into the last race before the Chase???
LOCKED IN: CHASE HEALTH
Shepard Racing - 3 Wins, Tied for 1st, and 16+ Bonus Points. Shepard is a Front Runner for sure!
Spinning Wheels - 1 win, tied for 1st, 7+ Bonus Points, locked in the week and looking like a top contender!
Fast Wheels - 4 wins, Running 4th, and 20+ Bonus Points, these rookies are definitely in the mix and have to also be favorites to take this thing home!
Eat My Dust Enterprises - 3 wins, running 5th, 7+ Bonus Points, locked in this week and has plenty of top drivers left!
Skidmarks - 2 wins, running 6th, 12+ Bonus Points, 27 points ahead of 9th and locked in this week!
High Speed Pursuit - 3 wins, in 8th place by 18 points, 12+ Bonus Points, he will need to hold off some desperate teams who will no doubt be throwing everything they have to get into the Elite 8.
Chonk Motorsports - 3 wins and 36 points out of the Elite 8... locked in this week and the Hamlin penalty will make it tough for him to be eligible for Bonus points, but he is in the Chase!
Dr Beef Motorsports - 3 Wins and will be coasting into the chase with no Bonus Points but with plenty of top drivers left.
Ideal Racing - 3 wins and is also coasting into the Chase.
LOOKING LIKE A LOCK: CHASE HEALTH
Lets Go Racing Boys - 2 wins, running 3rd, 11+ Bonus Points, 54 points ahead of 9th it would take a very unfortunate but unlikely scenario to keep her out of the Chase.
Rusty Truck - 2 wins, running 7th, 13+ Bonus Points, 36 points ahead of 9th
STILL HAVE A PULSE: CHASE HEALTH
Kiss The Wall Racing - 2 wins and 23 points out of the Elite 8... 1 to go and still has 2 options on how he can get in... Needs a strong week in Richmond and some luck but it still could be worse.
Fat Penguin - 18 points out of the Elite 8... will need a strong showing in Richmond and a lot of luck.
NEED A MIRACLE: CHASE HEALTH
Graziano Motorsports - 0 wins and 56 points away from the Elite 8... he's not mathematically eliminated but he definitely needs a miracle.
OFFICIALLY ELIMINATED: CHASE HEALTH
Retired Rudd Fan - Tough season for one of this year's Rookies. She just never got it going this year, but we hope she'll be back again for another try.
Piston Pumpin' Racing - Team Piston had a good start this year but quickly fell behind and never regained their form.
Sexy Chicken - This rookie had it going on early but a back to back 1 point finish and DQ kicked him off track and he never recovered. Better luck next year you Sexy Chicken!
OTHER RAMBLINGS:
Richmond tomorrow night and our last race before the Chase!
We currently have 9 teams locked in and 2 not-locked-in teams occupying spots in the Elite 8. So it looks like we could have between 11 and 13 teams battling it out for all the marbles.
I personally will be hoping for a miracle to get myself in, but in reality even if I get it I won't have any top drivers to choose in order to move on. It will be fun to see what strategies everyone chooses at Richmond and how it will all play out in the final regular season race. There is still plenty to play for in Richmond, so strap yourselves in and drive until you hear glass and smell sh*t amigos!
Cheers!
Fat Penguin
