Two Weeks In: A Champion Crowned Already???

Only two weeks in to the Chase in the Sprint Cup and we've already got front runners in this year's championship hunt. The one driver I picked to win the title is on a hot streak, going two for two at Chicagoland and New Hampshire. Matt Kenseth just pulled the same trick that fellow driver Tony Stewart did in 2011, the same year he took his 3rd championship. The big question is, can Matt Kenseth follow this line of good momentum going into Dover this weekend, a track that has shown him success.

TOP: Matt Kenseth celebrates his win in the Geico 400

Bottom: Matt Kenseth goes back to back at Loudon

I watched the Chicagoland race from the comfort of my own computer and even waited out the 5 hour and 40 minute rain delay to see if the race could resume. At 1:13 AM on early Monday morning, the checkered flag flew with Matt Kenseth as the winner. Although some chase drivers managed to walk out of Joliet, Illinois with high hopes and a higher momentum run (Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, and Ryan Newman), there were some drivers that were not so lucky. Both Dale Earnhardt Jr and Joey Logano experienced engine issues that ruined both of their races. After the Geico 400, fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr found himself 13th in the point standings, 44 points back from point leader Kenseth, but even the fans and drivers can tell you that any driver can win the championship with one bad finish. The big question remains: "Can you afford another bad race?" The answer is no. With one more driver added to the chase and a championship field that contains the most consistent drivers, you can't afford to have more than one bad finish. If Dale Jr or Joey Logano have anything left in this championship, they need to have solid top-10 (at most top-15) finishes from here on out. 

Thankfully, I got to see Kenseth's second win first hand by going to the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon. My third-straight year of going to the race and each year, the action has never failed to disappoint a single fan, including me. I've got to admit, the past few years at the Sylvania 300 have not been as action packed as this year. There were more cautions than previous years and more side-by-side racing, which always makes for a good show!

A picture I got to take from our seats in between turns 1 and 2. 

As I was saying, consistency is key right now in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Two races have gone by and the same two drivers have finished first and second. Matt Kenseth and his teammate Kyle Busch. Now, for Kyle Busch, this is a make it or break it year. He's made the Chase numerous times in past years, but there has always been some sort of issue that would kill his Chase hopes, and they would always come out in the opening few races of the Chase. Not this year, though. Could this finally be the year Kyle Busch comes through? I know his fans like to think so!

New Hampshire Motor Speedway Pics I took over the weekend:

The spot every driver wants to be standing in: Victory Lane!

Great view from our seats.

The 2012 Sprint Cup Series Championship trophy on top of 2012 champion Brad Keselowski's car.

Even got to see a few drivers including driver of the #39 Quicken Loans Chevy, "Rocketman" Ryan Newman!

New Hampshire Motor Speedway is famous for their pre-race festivities. This year included driver intros and an O.A.R. concert.

Another benefit of our seating position: Seeing the wrecked cars roll by. This picture consists of the 47 of Bobby Labonte being taken back to the garage area.