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NASCAR QNA: You still like OT after Nashville? Can SVG defend on the streets of Chicago?

Was Nashville any way to end a NASCAR race?

The inability to complete a lap and get to the white flag without crashing might be intriguing the first time, and some might say the second time, too. But goodness, five attempts before success is a rough look.

And while fuel mileage is part of the race-day equation, no one builds the possibility of five overtimes into a game plan. So all of that stinks, of course.

But you know what’s worse? Ending a race under yellow without even attempting to finish it at speed.

Denny Hamlin had Nashville in the bag before running out of fuel in the tank. He wasn't alone.
Denny Hamlin had Nashville in the bag before running out of fuel in the tank. He wasn't alone.

A lot of longtime fans miss a lot of things about “the good ol’ days,” but yellow and checkers flying together shouldn’t be one of them.

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Shane Van Gisbergen goes to Chicago as defending champ. Can lightning strike again?

It struck twice last year, both literally (horrible weather) and figuratively (SVG).

But the extended forecast says things should be better this time, and Mr. Hunch thinks one of NASCAR’s road-course aces (Tyler Reddick or William Byron, perhaps) will prevail this time.

Also, van Gisbergen isn’t likely to get any favors in traffic Sunday.

Maybe Chase Elliott will find his old road-course playbook. This week marks three years (and 16 races) since his last road win, back when he'd won six of eight at one point. Yikes.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR | Too much OT in Nashville? More lightning coming in Chicago?