2 To Go

Two...that is the number of races left until the start of the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Playoffs.  Sunday night's race at Darlington should be a challenging one, especially for drivers who need a win to clinch a Playoff spot.  Currently, 13 drivers are locked into the Playoffs based on race wins.  If the regular season ended today, Chase Elliott, Jamie McMurray & Matt Kenseth would be in based on points.  However, drivers like Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Joey Logano, Clint Bowyer & Danica Patrick all are in the top-30, but still hasn't won a race either.  Kenseth has a Darlington win under his beat, as well as 2 Richmond wins.  Kenseth has shown speed lately, as Toyotas have been dominating the series as of late.  Logano's Richmond win earlier this year was encumbered, so he still needs a win, even though he's won at RR twice.  So, Sunday's race is simple.  Stay out of trouble and maybe a winless driver can lock a playoff spot.  Regardless what happens, next Saturday night's race at Richmond, a short track, will definitely see tempers flare and position battling all race.


INDYCAR
There are also 2 races left in the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series: both on road courses.  Will Power was back into the title hunt after his win on August 20th in Pocono, now found himself outside the battle after losing control of his car on Lap 6 last Saturday night at Gateway, resulting in a wreck, now 5th in points.  Josef Newgarden has definitely been the story this year, moving to Team Penske in the offseason, creating himself 4 wins this year: Long Beach, Mid-Ohio, Toronto & Gateway.  Newgarden is 31 points ahead of 2nd place Scott Dixon (finished 2nd at Gateway) and 42 ahead of Helio Castroneves.  Don't count out Simon Pagenaud either, since he's 43 points back in 4th.  Two races remain: Sunday at super-fast Watkins Glen, and 2 weeks later at elevation-changing Sonoma.  Both are unique road tracks, so look for someone to stand out and win.


FORMULA 1
The summer break was over, Lewis Hamilton won at Belgium, now trailing Sebastian Vettel by 7 points with 8 races to go.  Racing resumes this weekend at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix.