Talladega thoughts and observations

Kyle Busch survivied a wild day Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway to win the Aaron's 499, his first win at the fastest track on the NASCAR circuit. Following him to the finish line were Columbian Juan Pablo Montoya and Busch's teammate Denny Hamlin.

Thoughts and observations

When I picked Kyle as one of my three possible winners on Thursday, it was based totally on his performance at Daytona in February. He proved that his performance at Daytona was no fluke Sunday, coming back from a lap down to win the race. That's an impressive performance if I do say so myself.

What a great job by second year drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and David Ragan. Both came home with impressive top 5 finishes. It's not like they just appeared at the front at the end of the race either, both drivers were regular faces at the front of the field most of the day. Montoya's run actually pushed him into the top 12 in points. Does anyone else wonder if he can maintain that position?

Another that-a-boy should go out to Yates Racing and driver Travis Kvapil. With sponsorship from Northern Tool + Equipment, Kvapil raced a smart, safe race and came home 6th, his best finish of the young season. More runs like that and he should have fulltime sponsorship on that car in no time flat.

Another bad week for Matt Kenseth. Another early crash ended any shot Matt had at being a threat Sunday. That wreck caust Matt another four spots in the standings, dropping him all the way to 19th in the points.

Other victims of bad luck (aka the big one(s)) this weekend: Martin Truex Jr., Joe Nemechek, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart (who led the most laps), David Stremme, Regan Smith, Kevin Harvick, Elliott Sadler, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, A.J. Allmendinger and i'm sure i'm missing a few.

I was highly impressed with Joe Nemechek and his pole winning run, until I remembered he had a qualifying setup in the car when most of the other field didn't. Still, that pole run will help the team and qualifies Nemechek for the Shootout (or whatever it will be called) in 2009.

Tough, tough break for Dario Franchitti and the entire No. 40 Chip Gannassi Racing team on Saturday. Incase you missed it, Franchitti broke his right ankle in a hard crash during the Nationwide race Saturday. It's likely he will miss as much as a month, maybe more, depending on the seriousness of the injury. Too bad they can't have David Stremme, who just signed a test driver contract with Roger Penske, drive the car like he did this weekend at Talladega. Before he wrecked on the last lap of the race Stremme was a threat to win the race (he actually pushed Montoya to second, where he ended up finishing).

Another woman made a big statement over the weekend in the world of motorsports. Ashley Force, daughter of NHRA Funny Car legend John Force, beat her own father to win her first NHRA Funny Car final, becoming the first woman to win a Funny Car final in the history of the NHRA. Ashley is not the first woman to have success in the NHRA, Shirley Muldowney won three NHRA Top Fuel drag racing championships (1977, 1980, 1982). She was the first woman to win any major racing championship (that i'm aware of) in the United States.

Not much change in the weekly Top 35 report. Everyone that was in entering this week stayed in. 61 points seperate Regan Smith's No. 01 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet from the No. 40 Chip Gannassi Racing Dodge in 36th.

Talladega Nights (Ok, so not really)

NASCAR is in Alabama this week, the home of Talladega Superspeedway and this week's race, the Aaron's 499. Talladega is an interesting track, speeds are fast and mistakes lead to wrecks seen no where else. So who is a likely choice to win this weekend? Well, lets see...

Tony Stewart, No. 20 Home Depot Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)

Last Week: 14th place finish in the Subway Fresh Fit 500

Career at Talladega: 12.6 Avg. Finish, 8 top 5's, 11 top 10's

Why he could win: Stewart has six straight second place finishes at Talladega. The phrase "Always a brides maid and never a bride" certainly fits the bill. I'd say he has the best chance to win out of anyone on the circuit.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 88 Amp Energy/National Guard Chevrolet (Hendrick Motorsports)

Last Week: 7th place finish in the Subway Fresh Fit 500

Career at Talladega: 14.3 Avg. Finish, 5 wins, 7 top 5's, 9 top 10's

Why he could win: Earnhardt Jr. is the modern day king of restrictor plate racing. 5 wins at Talladega is just scratching the surface. Could he finally end this winless drought?

Kyle Busch, No. 18 M&M's Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)

Last Week: 10th place finish in the Subway Fresh Fit 500

Career at Talladega: 31.7 Avg. Finish, 0 top 5's, 0 top 10's

Why he could win: I'm basing this pick totally on his performance at Daytona in February. If he is able to reproduce that run then I would hate to be in one of those other 42 cars on the track.

This week's underdog is a former winner at the track in the not to distant past:

Brian Vickers, No. 83 Red Bull Toyota (Red Bull Racing)

Last Week: 25th place finish in the Subway Fresh Fit 500

Career at Talladega: 21.3 Avg. Finish, 1 win, 2 top 5's, 3 top 10's

Why he could win: Everyone remembers Brian Vickers' lone win, he took out his own teammate at the time along with Dale Jr. to win here two years ago in the fall. But the fact is he got himself in that position by driving a smart race, so don't be surprised to see him running close to the front by races end.

Off weekend thoughts and observations

While the boys in the Sprint Cup Series took the weekend off (well, most of them anyway) the Nationwide Series was busy tearing up the streets in Mexico at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez during the Corona Mexico 200. Kyle Busch earned his third straight victory in the Nationwide Series, holding off Tazmanian Marcos Ambrose and roadcourse ringer Scott Pruett.

Off weekend thoughts and observations

Ok, we get it Kyle, you can win in anything that has four wheels. You've won in the Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Craftsman Truck Series this year. Let someone else win, would ya?

Was anyone else a little surprised at just how upset Boris Said got with Marcos Ambrose after Ambrose wrecked him on Sunday? Boris going over and actually apologizing to Ambrose's crew chief for the car he's gonna wreck in the future is mind blowing. If that actually ends up happening you know NASCAR will be mighty upset with Boris.

You've gotta think Carl Edwards is getting tired of all this double dipping. When's the last time Carl took a weekend off during the NASCAR season?

Speaking of Carl, him going into that Office Depot in Mexico and NO ONE knowing who he was, well that was just hilarious. I'm sure Office Depot was just a little embarrased by that little video.

Way to go Danica Patrick!!!! I'm a huge fan of women in racing, we need more of it, and Danica winning the Indy Japan 300 is a big step in proving that women can drive just as good as any man can.

Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy Talladega is next week!!!

Anyone wanna buy some NASCAR diecast? I've got a bunch i'm looking to get rid of.

If anyone can make it out to the ARCA Carolina 500 in Rockingham in early May, do so. If I could take the time off and go I would, because that is going to be one heck of a show. It will be the first major race at Rockingham since new owner Andy Hillenburg bought the track. Here's hoping with a little bit of work Andy can bring NASCAR back to the old oval.

Phoenix thoughts and observations

Jimmie Johnson earned his first win of the 2008 season and the first for Hendrick Motorsports Saturday by gambling on fuel mileage at Phoenix in the Subway Fresh Fit 500. He bested Clint Bowyer, the only other driver to take a gamble on fuel mileage, by over 7 seconds to earn his second straight win at Phoenix.

Thoughts and observations

I must admit, that was not the way I expected Hendrick Motorsports to earn their first victory of the 2008 season. Having to resort to fuel mileage is something Hendrick doesn't usually do with its top tier drivers (Johnson, Gordon and now Earnhardt Jr.) but they have done it with guys like Casey Mears last year (who was just trying to win a race).

What a heart breaker that finish must have been for Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Inc. That No. 8 team looked to have the car to beat in the late stages of the race but they just couldn't make it on fuel. That might have been Mark's best shot at winning another race before he finally calls it a career (whenever that may be).

An impressive Dodge front row turned out to be, well, not so impressive by the end of the race. Both Ryan Newman and Elliott Sadler ended up with DNF's after having engine issues. I wonder if Elliott Sadler will ever return to the form he had with Robert Yates those couple of years...

With Chip Ganassi threatening changes within his race teams if things don't change, what happens? Reed Sorenson wrecks, again. While probably not his fault, the fact is he has torn up plenty of equipment. I'm having a hard time figuring out why he still has a ride in the No. 41 frankly.

Another strong run for Jeff Burton as he continues to build a good points lead. If he keeps this up i'd have a hard time betting against him in the later stages of the season.

Speaking of strong runs, Dale Earnhardt Jr. just keeps racking up the top 10's. You've gotta know that a win is right around the corner for Jr. and the No. 88 bunch. Talladega is up next in two weeks, anyone wanna place bets on who the favorite is there?

Not a good week for Matt Kenseth and the No. 17 DEWALT Ford. He sits outside the top 12 in points and really needs a good run in two weeks at Talladega.

Oh, before I forget, FINALLY one of my picks managed to win a race! Am I just that good? No, not really. I just make educated guesses on the facts of the racetrack and who's been good their in the recent past.

Checking on the battle for 35th place in the points, a good run by David Reutimann gets him back into the Top 35 in owner points but punts J.J. Yeley and the No. 96 Toyota out of the Top 35. Everything else pretty much stays the same.

NASCAR in the desert

NASCAR ventures west to Phoenix International Raceway this weekend for the Subway Fresh 500. Phoenix has one of the more unique track designs in NASCAR with different turns on each side of the track, making it harder for drivers to conquer this desert track. It took Jeff Gordon more then 10 years to finally claim a win at Phoenix, he finally took the checkered flag here last year. So, who's gonna take it this year? My best bets are....


Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet (Hendrick Motorsports)
Last Week: 2nd place finish in the Samsung 500
Career at Phoenix: 6.6 Avg. Finish, 1 Win, 4 Top 5's, 7 Top 10's
Why he could win: Johnson picked up the win at Phoenix in the fall last year which all but locked up his Championship win in 2007. Plus look at that average finish! A 6.6 average finish anywhere is great, but at Phoenix that is amazing!


Kevin Harvick, No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet (Richard Childress Racing)
Last Week: 11th place finish in the Samsung 500
Career at Phoenix: 13.2 Avg. Finish, 2 Wins, 3 Top 5's, 5 Top 10's
Why he could win: Harvick likes tracks where he can manhandle the car and drive deep into corners. Phoenix is that kind of track for Harvick, and his resume at the track shows he knows how to get around it.

Kyle Busch, No. 18 M&M's Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)
Last Week: 3rd place finish in the Samsung 500
Career at Phoenix: 16.3 Avg. Finish, 1 Win, 1 Top 5, 4 Top 10's
Why he could win: Kyle has learned something this year I think, he has become more consistant and is patient much more often. I think this will translate well at Phoenix, where patience is oftentimes a needed trait.

And who is the underdog this week? Someone who is trying to earn a fulltime ride, that's who!


Johnny Sauter, No. 70 HAAS Automation Chevrolet (Haas/CNC Racing)
Last Week: Did not race in Samsung 500
Career at Phoenix: 22.2 Avg. Finish, 0 Top 5's, 2 Top 10's
Why he could win: Sauter has a lot to race for this weekend. With Mayfield removed from the No. 70 Chevrolet, Sauter is racing for a fulltime job. Phoenix is just the place for Sauter, of his three career Top 10 finishes he has two of them at Phoenix. I suspect he might be a big surprise come race day.

Mayfield out of No. 70?

Jayski.com is reporting (via Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway) that Jeremy Mayfield has parted ways with the No. 70 Haas/CNC Racing Chevrolet effective immediately. The same report indicates that Johnny Sauter, the driver of the car in 2007, will take over driving duties of the car starting next weekend at Phoenix.

It's been a rough couple of years for Mayfield. After making the Chase for the Cup in 2004 and 2005 and winning a race each year for Evernham Motorsports, his performance hit rock bottom which resulted in him losing his ride in the No. 19 Dodge in August 2006.

He signed with Bill Davis Racing in 2007 to drive the No. 36 360 OTC Toyota but only managed to make a total of 13 races in 32 attempts with the team. He was eventually let go by BDR and he replaced Jeff Green in the No. 66 Best Buy Chevrolet at Haas/CNC Racing late in 2007. He then was placed in the No. 70 for 2008.

In a total of 7 races in 2008 with Haas/CNC Racing, Mayfield has no top 5's or top 10's, with a best finish of 16th at Las Vegas. He has averaged a 31st place finish so far in 2008.

Texas thoughts and observations

Carl Edwards earned his third victory of 2008 on Sunday, winning the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway in dominating fashion, leading the most laps and cruising to victory following a green-white-checker finish. The win catapulted Edwards up four spots in the standings to 10th, once again making him chase eligible.

Thoughts and observations



Edwards' victory Sunday makes him the second driver to earn two victories at Texas Motor Speedway. The first? Jeff Burton, who won the inagural event held here way back in 1997 and last year's spring event.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Edwards become the king of the intermediate tracks (or as I like to call them, the cookie-cutters). Seven of Edwards' 10 wins have come on the "cookie-cutters" (two at Texas, two at Atlanta, one at Michigan, one at California and one at Las Vegas). The other victories came at Pocono, Dover and Bristol.

Jeff Burton continues to channel his inner Matt Kenseth, pulling in a solid sixth place finish Sunday. He still leads the Sprint Cup points standings by 59 points over Richard Childress Racing teammate Kevin Harvick, who has also been remarkably consistant this year.

I still believe their to be nothing wrong with Hendrick Motorsports. They are still producing strong cars and posting strong finishes. They just haven't won yet this year. Trust me, it won't last the entire season. It's just not possible.

Though speaking of Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon once again failed to figure out Texas Motor Speedway. I am honestly shocked by this, because if any one track was going to give him trouble I certainly would never have picked Texas (simply because it is so much like Charlotte and Atlanta, both tracks he has done very well at).

What happaned on the last lap between Clint Bowyer and Denny Hamlin? Bowyer got a heck of a restart on that green-white-checker, jumping as far up as fourth. However, coming out of turn four on the last lap Hamlin went high and clipped Bowyer, forcing him into the wall and religating him to a 10th place finish. I'm sure Bowyer wasn't too happy about that.

Speaking of Hamlin, I guess he wasn't feeling all that great at the end of the race. Apparently while talking to reporters he nearly fainted and was promptly taken to the infield care center for medical treatment.

Lots of teams got strong runs that they really needed, including David Ragan, Jamie McMurray (two in a row for Jamie), David Gilliland, Brian Vickers, Paul Menard and Travis Kvapil. All of those drivers finished between 13th and 18th, something each of them really needed.

On the other hand, several drivers had bad days (excluding Jeff Gordon). David Reutimann (who had one of the fastest cars all weekend) ended up 41st, Greg Biffle finished 39th, Jeremy Mayfield crossed the line 37th and Martin Truex Jr. finished 36th. Rough days all around for those guys.

Checking in on the top 35 battle, a few things changed after this week's Texas race. Jeremy Mayfield dropped out of the top 35, allowing rookie Sam Hornish Jr. to sneak back in for another week. Dave Blaney, David Reutimann, Dario Franchitti, Kyle Petty, Patrick Carpentier and Joe Nemechek are all on the outside looking in. The No. 84 Red Bull Racing Toyota and the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford are also still struggling.

It's a small world...

On Tuesday I used some of my free time to volunteer at WNCW 88.7 FM in Spindale and while doing so I heard a great story about one of my current favorite musicians that I just had to share.

While sitting in the hot seat (the first phone on the volunteer line) I was talking to Roland Dierauf, one of the DJ's at WNCW, about what i'd been listening to recently. I just happaned to be wearing my Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit shirt and he asked me if Jason's record from 2007 was my favorite from that year. I said no, that my favorite was Scott Miller & The Commonwealth's "Reconstruction," which I just kept returning to at least every other week no matter what new music I had just picked up. At this point Roland smiled and said he had a great story for me.

The story begins like many other great stories ... "While I was in college..."

No really, it did start just like that. Anyway, while Roland was in college he lived in a house with a bunch of other college students, mainly a way to save money. In this home lived a friend of Roland's who, at the time, was pursuing a girl that he went to college with. The problem was that this girl wasn't interested in him at all, she was dating "Some guy from William & Mary" as Roland put it. This "guy," as it turns out, was named Scott and he use to come down and play guitar in the living room of the house Roland lived in and the two would talk about music and books and other such things.

Well, after college, Roland moved on and never gave this fella named Scott another thought. A few years pass and Roland ends up as a DJ at WNCW in Spindale. One day he gets an assignment to interview a band, Scott Miller & The Commonwealth, who are playing live that day in WNCW's live studio, called Studio B. So its almost time for the interview to begin and Roland enters the studio to introduce himself. Scott Miller looks up and goes "I know you." Roland responds "Umm...no you don't." Scott Miller then proceds to remind Roland about the girl he was dating in college that went to Roland's college. Anyone thinking of the song "It's A Small World?"

Anyway, to finish off the story, the two got to talking and Roland asked Scott if he ended up following that girl and Scott said yes, "I followed her to graduate school and she dumped me..."

Hey fella, whatever your name is, if your out there that girl you wanted to date is single now. Maybe Scott can give you her number.

Texas Two-Step

After two straight short track races NASCAR returns to the big speedway's, hitting Texas Motor Speedway for the first time in 2008. The Sprint Cup Series will do battle this week in the Samsung 500, the first of two dates at Texas Motor Speedway this year. Here are my drivers to watch this weekend:


Jeff Gordon, No. 24 DuPont (Hendrick Motorsports)
Last Week: 2nd place finish in the Goody's Cool Orange 500
Career at Texas: 15.2 Avg. Finish, 5 Top 5's, 7 Top 10's
Why he could win: Texas is one of two tracks on the current Sprint Cup schedule that Jeff Gordon has never won on. That alone gives Jeff an extra reason to drive a little harder this weekend. Plus he has a little momentum after his 2nd place finish last week at Martinsville.


Jeff Burton, No. 31 AT&T Chevrolet (Richard Childress Racing)
Last Week: 3rd place finish at the Goody's Cool Orange 500
Career at Texas: 16.9 Avg. Finish, 2 Wins, 3 Top 5's, 6 Top 10's
Why he could win: Name the only driver with two wins at Texas. If you said Jeff Burton then you were correct! Plus, he is the points leader going into Texas this week. Great chance for him to extend his point lead.



Matt Kenseth, No. 17 DEWALT Ford (Roush-Fenway Racing)
Last Week: 30th place finish at the Goody's Cool Orange 500
Career at Texas: 10.3 Avg. Finish, 1 Win, 5 Top 5's, 6 Top 10's
Why he could win: In the last four races at Texas Matt Kenseth has finished 2nd three times. The man has got to be getting a little tired of being the bridesmade instead of the bride. Plus after last week he definatly needs something good to happen for him.



This week's underdog is a former winner at Texas, and his name is...


Elliott Sadler, No. 19 Best Buy/Garmin Dodge (Evernham Motorsports)
Last Week: 15th place finish at the Goody's Cool Orange 500
Career at Texas: 21.7 Avg. Finish, 1 Win, 1 Top 5, 3 Top 10's
Why he could win: After a gutsy performance last week at Martinsville (where Elliott was suffering from some serious back pain) I wouldn't be surprised to see Sadler and his Evernham Motorsports team come alive and surprise a lot of people. A top 10 or top 5 isn't out of the question and if the right things happen a win could too.