Analysis

NASCAR Cup Loudon II

Too little, too late...

Ganassi Racing is the best little team outside of the Chase for the Sprint Cup

Lee Spencer

Edited: Sep 21, 2014, 11:43 PM

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Kyle Larson and Chip Ganassi

Jamie McMurray, Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

Jamie McMurray, Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

LOUDON, N.H. – Gee, if only Ganassi Racing could get those first 26 races back.

As strong as Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray are running right now, the Ganassi teammates must be asking themselves, ‘what if?’

What if…McMurray, 38, had not wrecked at Bristol in the spring, Kansas in May, Kentucky in June and Daytona in July? What if…strategy for the No. 1 Chevy had played out just a little bit differently?

It's a damn shame we aren't in the Chase.

Kyle Larson

"Good job guys," Larson said over the radio. "It's a damn shame we aren't in the Chase. I want to get a win with you here, damn."

For McMurray’s teammate Larson, 22, one can expect rookie mistakes. But the Daytona 500 ended badly, ditto Kentucky Speedway and Michigan in August. And yes, there was that brand new car at Chicgoland Speedway which had 46 laps on it before it turned to junk after a wreck in practice.

Sure, Larson soldiered on to lead 20 laps and score a third-place finish last week but after his second-place run at Loudon on Sunday – and a ninth and fourth-place result for McMurray in the first two races of the Chase, just imagine where this organization might be.

It's a little bit disappointing seeing how well we've been running and not being in the Chase.

Kyle Larson

“The only 'what if' I know is we'd be in the next round with the two finishes we had,” said Larson, who is currently 17th in the point standings followed by McMurray. “It's a little bit disappointing seeing how well we've been running and not being in the Chase. Really proud about how we've been running. Me and Jamie both. I guess there are a few other Chase guys that were contenders today. But me and Jamie the last two weeks have been really good.

“I know other teams that are in the Chase notice that and I'm sure they're worried about us for next season already.”

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