Is Consistency Still Key?

Champions are in the battle for the long haul.

Gathering race wins when they can; staying near the front when they can't; minimising bad days; getting the most from the good days...this is how Winston Cups were always been won... now in the "Chase for the Sprint Cup" era consistency gets you in the Chase, but out and out performance in the last 10 races gets you the Championship.

Kevin Harvick led the points standings at the end of the regular season by being consistent, and is now moving his way closer to the front again, by doing the same.

I have previously stated... "If Harvick or Hamlin want to beat the 48 at the end of the year, they need to start beating the 48 now" and of the last two races Martinsville was won by Hamlin, and Harvick very nearly won at Talladega, were it not for a badly timed (for Harvick) caution flag ending the race early and putting him in second.

While the point's race is now nice and close with only three races remaining, is consistency enough? I still think the 48 needs to have a really bad finish for anyone to claim the top spot at the end of the year, and the two challengers need to keep winning!

Regardless of the Championship points battle, the last two races were good' uns. Martinsville was full of bumping, bashing, two wide racing, and a winner who overcame a bad car in the middle and fought his way to the front. Talladega also had lots of side by side racing (as you would expect), lots of bump drafting, slingshot overtaking, wrecks, and a close finish. Let's hope Texas, Phoenix, and Homestead produce racing that's equally as good.

One thing NASCAR has got right is the aero / restrictor plate relationship for Talladega, not only for the Cup Series but for the Trucks as well. If you want drafting, a drag race, slingshots, and a close finish watch the end of the truck race...

NASCAR Truck Finish 

I am looking forward to the 2011 Daytona 500 with the current aero/ plate setup but with the new surface!

Go Harvick!!