Backstretch Motorsports

This is a primer of sorts, directed mainly to those that may be watching their first Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, but also a reminder for those that think they’ve seen it all before.

As has been said so many times: You ain’t seen nothing yet.

Although the title of this writing maybe makes you think of corporations, small businesses, stocks and bonds, it has nothing to do with that.

It’s all about drivers, teams, upcoming schedule and racing to secure NASCAR’s coveted Sprint Cup Championship title.

These guys are at the point where fatigue experienced in the long 26 race build-up is replaced with renewed energy for the final 10 races and the road to Homestead-Miami.

The cars, for all intents and purposes are prepared, with few exceptions. At the very least, in final stages of prep.

Have no doubt the when these teams got the clear vision of the post-season being in grasp, they were working with every with every tool in the box.

Focus.

These teams are putting every .10 shaving find in their existing cars or any new cars built, the bodies components are being shaped and hung with greater attention to detail, smoothed to the sleekest, finding most aero-potential possible.

The engine builders are finely tuning to find the ‘bullet-proof’ capacities; capable of resisting failure and capable of performing, a delicate balance.

Chassis set ups are being thought out carefully, with adjustability galore, contingencies of all varieties considered.

Over-the-wall crews and pit coaches are practicing and reviewing every step, each measure of movement, every means of maneuver that can save a thousandth of time here and there.

And it’s not like they haven’t been doing this all season, but there’s just something else driving them to get just that much more.

That something is this: as of Saturday night at Richmond, these teams were installed as the twelve best teams in NASCAR racing. These 12 teams live to race for the Cup in the post-season.

These are teams that pulled out all the stops, did everything they needed to do.

They planned.

They executed those plans with as much precision as is humanly possible.

The reacted to the difficult situations that were thrown at them.

They minimized the short-comings. They adapted and rose to the occasion.

As a team.

Welcome to NASCAR Racing.

Any arguments for varying degree of success by each is a moot point. As is these being the teams with the most resources behind them making the difference. It is what it is.

And no matter how much cash-flow you have, you have to perform.

At this moment in time, with the last-second heroics, the hurdling of statistics and being there in the end show the Chase 12 to be the hardest fought; the best invested in competitive capital.

Competitive capital is human capital.

Team.

Yes. There are the sponsors. The brandings that go to NASCAR’s highest level of premium exposure.

Isn’t that why they are there?

You betcha.

And there’s the spoiler to be considered. The “thunder-stealers”.

A couple of years back it was Tony Stewart on the outside looking in of the championship field.

He was winning the Chase races and sending a message, leaving the ones in the hunt to fight for the scraps in his wake.

This year, look for that role to be filled by Kyle Busch.

He’s had the brief moment of feeling sorrowful, the pain of not making the field of 12.

Just as Brian Vickers got his momentary respite from the battles to come.

There’s so much competitive fire to go around that could make this Chase one of the best since it’s inception.

Any driver will tell you - you are only as good as your last race, and there’s another one next week.

Trying to make predictions of who will prevail in this is - before the first lap has been run at New Hampshire? - the acme of foolishness.

Right now, it’s anybody’s to win or lose for the reasons presented above - and that will change by the laps counted.

Some will see their chances at the Cup evaporate quickly, happens every year.

But every one of the 12 will be determined that doesn’t happen to them.

That’s how they got here. Spending every bit of what they have for 26 races, and determined to do the same in these final 10 - Risk and reward, investment and return.

Competitive capital.

Stay tuned.