Tony Stewart. One guy crashes up and the rest of racing gets shaken up. At Watkins Glen, Max Papis was yanked away from his Grand-Am ride to pilot the #14 of Stewart. At Michigan, Austin Dillon was pulled away from his Nationwide duties to drive the #14.

At the center is a focus on non-traditional NASCAR racing. Stewart crashed while racing sprint cars on dirt. The next two weeks had drivers taking attention away from road course racing to drive the #14 and one of those (Papis) was taken from one road course to another. Dillon took attention away from his #1 points position in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the race at Mid-Ohio (road course) to drive for Stewart at Michigan.

Dirt tracks and road courses. Dillon had earlier won the Camping World Series truck race at Eldora which is a dirt tack owned by Tony Stewart. Timing may not have suited Dillon as he stepped away from Mid-Ohio and his first in points position to drive for Stewart but it was an opportunity not to be skipped.

Even if he did have to start at Mid-Ohio in the back for missing qualifying…

Even if he’ll eventually be competing against Stewart as he moves to his own Cup ride, likely to be #3…

(Yes – The #3. He’s in it for Nationwide and will likely have it again. Sorry, Dale Sr. fans… No use boo-hooing so you might as well start pulling out some cheers…)

And even if his grandfather (Richard Childress) is losing Kevin Harvick to Stewart-Haas in 2014…

Stewart crashing out set in motion a bit of a spiral from the #14 out pulling in Max Papis and Austin Dillon which, in turn, put ripples in their own series. It is possible yet another driver could be tagged to handle the seat of Stewart’s car.

Perhaps NASCAR and Parker Brothers can issue a “Tony Stewart” edition of “Jenga”…

It is an odd coincidence that Stewart’s wreck came at a “road course” focal point in the NASCAR schedules. Sprint Cup one week and Nationwide the next. However, the winding of road racing in NASCAR for 2013 doesn’t end at Watkins Glen or Mid-Ohio as the development series of K&N East is putting rubber on the course at Virginia International Raceway this month. It will be a “first” for the Eastern series (the West Series has already run on road courses). The youngest guns of NASCAR are in the spotlight at VIR the weekend of August 23rd and 24th.

Recently, during a visit to Richard Childress Racing, we had the opportunity to speak to Jeff Burton (#31 Caterpillar Chevy) about “The Chase”, Richmond, Martinsville and, as it happens, the K&N Series at VIR. Burton is from South Boston which is just minutes away from VIR so he is familiar. He said it’s always good to gain experience and the K&N drivers coming up can only benefit from the Southside VA road course. He also eluded to other events, not just related to NASCAR, “we have some big events in Virginia, even with what goes on at VIR when NASCAR isn’t there… some huge events.”

Burton’s lament, however, is for the local short tracks. He mentioned South Boston by name but referenced the state of local “weekend warrior” racing in general. It’s where it all started. Trucks on dirt at Eldora showed the attraction of racing big events on short tracks. Burton went so far as suggesting the All Star race be set at places like South Boston or even Hickory. He commented on the economy for it, the close attraction of it and the potential excitement of having the biggest names in NASCAR that close instead of spread out over a super speedway.

Oval racing and left turns is a standard for stock car racing. The road courses have held domain for sports cars. The crossover of NASCAR to road courses places a skills test on the drivers but also creates some variety for fans. Virginia and short track racing have been a hallmark for NASCAR. Bristol (the actual track is in Tennessee, but Bristol crosses state lines) puts a squeeze on “The Chase” in August. Richmond is where they race for those final points to set “The Chase” in September. Martinsville brings the history and close quarters of bumper racing into “The Chase”. Now, with the K&N Series East hitting the hills at Virginia International Raceway, Virginia can claim a road coarse in the NASCAR scheme.

Buckle up, Virginia. The race is on. Tony Stewart’s absence leaves a hole that must be filled for “The Chase”. He wasn’t a lock at the time of his accident but he was 11th in points. That open position near the cut, plus the wild card racers, created a possible scenario for multiple drivers that otherwise may have had no shot. The Cup schedule rolls through the state of Virginia more than any other giving Virginia fans a true feel of the evolution of “The Chase”.

Bristol, Richmond, Martinsville… And VIR. Go racing!