“Playing off NASCAR’s old slogan, “NASCAR: How bad have you got it?”, come fall my answer tends to be “eh, I’m ok.” For some reason the Chase has sapped my excitement. At first I thought it was just me, but then my pal Revvin Jim noted the same thing. It makes sense to a degree. Most of the Silly Season has wrapped up, so there’s less news during the week. Maybe it’s too early in the Chase to weed out the key storylines There are other sporting options like college and pro football and baseball’s season beginning to matter (Twins fans in the house?), and in my case, even European soccer. Maybe it’s because there are other things to think about like banks, wars and climate change. Of course there have always been other diversions and issues to NASCAR, so why is this season different? Is it because people have already resorted to the fact that only two drivers have a legitimate chance at the title? Is it because the true lightening rods, Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart, have struggled lately? Whatever the reason, I think at least part of the solution is found in more competitive races. Get more cars capable of passing each other for the lead and that will help.

So tell me, where is your enthusiasm level at this fall? Greater or less than previous seasons? Am I on an island with this thought?”