NASCAR’s Top Three Series Gets First “Check-Up” of 2012

The 2012 NASCAR season is only six weeks old, but for many this past weekend’s hiatus couldn’t have come at a better time. For those on the other side of the coin, the off-weekend could have waited a couple more weeks. For some of us race fans there is never a good time to have a weekend without NASCAR. Let’s break down these first half-dozen races and see who’s on the right path and who’s… well… “Off the pace.”

I think the quality of racing we’ve seen across the top three series this year has been by far the best in recent history. It is almost like some of the teams picked up where it left off at Homestead last November. Take Tony Stewart for example; he won five out of the final ten races last year en route to his third Sprint Cup Championship. In 2012 he picked up right where he left off by winning the one of the Gatorade Duels at Daytona, along with victories in both Las Vegas and California. Add in the fact that he’s working with a new crew chief in Steve Addington, and it is goes without question that Smoke is having the best start in his racing career. For someone who usually gets hot when the weather does, I think we are seeing another championship-worthy performance from the #14 team.

On the other hand, there are some teams who would like a “do-over” for 2012. Nobody else comes to mind other than Kasey Kahne. Since joining Hendrick Motorsports at the end of the 2011 season, his performance has been dismal at best. He has had fast cars and great equipment, but Lady Luck has not been on his side. In fact, the driver he replaced in the #5, Mark Martin, has two less starts than Kahne but sits six spots ahead of him in the Sprint Cup Series’ standings (Martin is 25^th in points and Kahne is in 31^st). I don’t see Kasey making this year’s Chase for the Sprint Cup, but I think he can salvage a decent season if he can shake the monkey off his back.

It’s hard to give out Checkers and Wreckers to some of these teams when we’re so little into the season, but it’s a tough job and someone’s got to do it. If your favorite driver is on here and you’re not happy about it, please don’t shoot the messenger... We still have a long way to go in the season… or do we?

Checkers (in no particular order):

• The Nationwide Series regulars- they’ve won four out of the first five races of 2012. There were only six races out of the entire season last year were won by NNS regulars, so obviously these teams are doing something right.
• Elliott Sadler and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.- The top two finishers in the Nationwide Series have won a combined three races already in 2012. I foresee another epic battle for the championship between these two, possibly going down to the wire in Homestead just like Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards did for the Sprint Cup last year. 
• Stewart Haas Racing- Let’s face it… these guys are flat dominating this year, winning half of the races the Cup boys (and girl) have run this year. Both Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman are in the top ten in points as well. I’m impressed.
• Michael Waltrip Racing- I have to admit, I was a little apprehensive when Clint Bowyer announced his move to MWR at the end of last season. With impressive runs by him and teammates Martin Truex, Jr., Mark Martin, and Brian Vickers, I am solidly a believer in this bunch. I would keep them on my radar if I were you.

Wreckers (again in no particular order):

• Hendrick Motorsports- With the exception of Dale Earnhardt, Jr., it has been a very dismal start to the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season for arguably the most dominant team in the garage. Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne are 21^st and 31^st in points, respectively, and after having the majority of his penalties vanished, Jimmie Johnson finds himself in tenth place. Better get crackin’ guys!
• Trevor Bayne- The 2011 Daytona 500 Champion hasn’t had a bad performance this year, but a lack of sponsorship has his Nationwide Series schedule up in the air from week to week. He isn’t even on the entry list for this weekend’s race in Texas, where he claimed his first NNS victory last fall. Somebody give this boy some money!
• Carl Edwards- After a historic battle for the Sprint Cup with Tony Stewart last year, poor “Cousin Carl” hasn’t had much luck at all in 2012. Then again, neither did Denny Hamiln after he finished in the runner-up spot to Jimmie Johnson in 2010. Maybe it’s a curse??

From here we go on to Texas Motor Speedway, where the Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series will be racing on Friday and Saturday nights. The Camping World Truck Series will be at the legendary Rockingham Speedway on Sunday for the first major NASCAR race held there since 2004. Hold on tight, because we’re in for a wicked weekend of racing!!

Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Ryan Newman takes the checkered flag at the end of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday in Martinsville, Va.