Martinsville thoughts and observations

Native Virginian Denny Hamlin took the checkered flag at Martinsville over the weekend, winning the Goody's Cool Orange 500, his fourth career victory and first at the famed Martinsville Speedway. He bested the dominant Hendrick Motorsports trio of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. with a little pit strategy and a little bit of luck.

Thoughts and observations:

Never, ever underestimate the power of pit strategy. Denny Hamlin didn't have the fastest car in the field but with a little bit of brains, rather then brawn, Hamlin outwitted the field and took home the coveted grandfather clock that Martinsville gives away every year.

Did anyone notice Michael McDowell getting in EVERYONE'S way at the end of the race? If Denny Hamlin wanted to thank anyone he should thank him, he probably held up Jeff Gordon longer then anyone else on the track. Carl Edwards certainly let McDowell know how he felt once the cars in front of him got past McDowell, giving the rookie a shot in the left rear as if to say "MOVE IT ROOKIE!"

While half of Roush-Fenway Racing was strong this weekend, the other half struggled mightly. Jamie McMurray, Carl Edwards and David Ragan all had strong cars from the drop of the green flag but Matt Kenseth & Greg Biffle could hardly keep up with the guys running around 20th.

What was Matt Kenseth thinking when he spun out David Gilliland? Did he mean to do it? Maybe. Fact is that caust him two laps and he ended up finishing well off the pace, which cost him his slot in the top 12 in points.

Good strong run for Regan Smith and the No. 01 DEI Chevrolet. While he didn't finish in the top 10, his 14th place finish was more then acceptable under the circumstances.

Save of the race goes to Jimmie Johnson who somehow got stopped when everyone, including teammate Jeff Gordon, wrecked in front of him on the frontstreach Sunday. How he saw anything to make his way through that wreck, which blocked most of the track, amazes me to no end.

A big that-a-boy to Elliott Sadler who was in serious pain all weekend after tweeking something in his back earlier in the week. Somehow, despite all the pain he was in, he fought back and finished 15th and on the lead lap. Guess he didn't need Dennis Setzer, who was standing by incase a relief driver was needed.

With Kyle Busch's struggles this week that allowed Jeff Burton to sneak his way into the points lead over RCR teammate Kevin Harvick. Burton's been one of the most consistant drivers in the Sprint Cup series in the last few years so its no surprise to see him at the top of the standings.

In the weekly Top 35 race a few drivers moved into the Top 35 while a few dropped out. Thanks to strong runs at Martinsville, Jamie McMurray and Regan Smith moved into the Top 35, bumping out the No. 44, now driven by David Reutimann, and the No. 77 driven by rookie Sam Hornish Jr. Reutimann and Hornish will now be forced to qualify on time for next week's race at Texas.

Rock Report: Drive-By Truckers @ The Orange Peel

So yesterday I took a day off of work and, along with my twin brother who came in from Wilmington, made the trip up to Asheville to enjoy a night of loud music. The Drive-By Truckers were finishing up the second leg of their "Home Front" tour and I was very much looking forward to the show. I ordered tickets to the event in January and i'm glad I did, the place ended up selling out. Needless to say I really enjoyed myself! My brother and I left before the encore, my back was killing me (I shouldn't have worn my cowboy boots) and my twin was tired (he had been out the previous day mountain biking, he rode over 30 miles in one day). It's fine though, we had a rip roaring good time anyway! Here are a few pictures from the show:

Patterson Hood, guitar & vocals, getting really involved in one of the songs.

John Neff, left, guitar and pedal steel, and Patterson Hood tear it up for the Asheville crowd.

Shonna Tucker, bass and vocals, sings one of her two songs during the show.

Mike Cooley, guitar and vocals, plays a solo for the rowdy crowd.

Needless to say Patterson Hood was having one heck of a time in Asheville, as you can see by his huge grin.

Patterson screamed at the top of his lungs a few times during the show.

This was one of the best shots I got from the entire show, don't you think?

Old school racing at Martinsville

Week six in the NASCAR season and the Sprint Cup boys are packing up all their gear and heading to Martinsville, Virginia to the only track that has appeared on the Sprint Cup circuit every year of NASCAR's existance. Martinsville Speedway is the sight of this weekend's Goody's Cool Orange 500 and here are my picks for the men to beat.

Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet (Hendrick Motorsports)Last Week: 18th place finish in the Food City 500

Career at Martinsville: 6.2 Avg. Finish, 4 wins, 8 Top 5's, 11 Top 10's

Why he could win: Johnson has been the man at Martinsville for the last year and a half. He has three straight wins at the track and has been basicly unbeatable. The last time he didn't win at Martinsville he started on the pole and finished 3rd at the spring event in 2006. Odds on favorite anyone?

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

Last Week: 5th place finish in the Food City 500

Career at Martinsville: 14.8 Avg. Finish, 7 Top 5's, 7 Top 10's

Why he could win: Anyone remember a few years ago at Martinsville when Dale Jr. had half of his front end missing and he was still one of the fastest cars on the track? Yeah, that's why i'm picking him this week.

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

Last Week: 14th place finish in the Food City 500

Career at Martinsville: 12.3 Avg. Finish, 2 Wins, 6 Top 5's, 10 Top 10's

Why he could win: The last man to win at Martinsville before Jimmie Johnson became dictator at the track, Stewart has always been good at Martinsville. Seeing him run up front will be no surprise to anyone this weekend.

And this week's underdog is....(insert drumroll here)....

Ken Schrader, No. 49 Microsoft Small Business Toyota (BAM Racing)

Last Week: 41st place finish in the Food City 500

Career at Martinsville: 17.2 Avg. Finish, 1 Top 5, 18 Top 10's

Why he could win: Before being involved in a wreck not of his doing last week Schrader was poised for a great finish. I expect the same of Schrader and BAM Racing this week, who oddly enough picked up sponsorship from Microsoft and switched to Toyota this week in association with Bill Davis Racing. Is this a sign of good things to come for Schrader and BAM Racing???

Off weekend thoughts and observations

I get so bored on NASCAR off weekends. I have nothing to watch on TV and I feel like i'm missing something.

Before you ask, no, i'm not a huge basketball fan so i'd much rather have my NASCAR over the NCAA tournament.

Of course, that's not true, but I can't help it. Most drivers took the weekend off, like Ryan Newman, who probably went fishing (just guessing from this photo I found on the net, at left). Either way, here are my weekend thoughts and observations regardless:



When do you think Ryan Newman caught that fish and what kind of bait did he use? I bet fellow Copy Editor Hugh Koontz knows.



It was good to see Scott Wimmer win the Nationwide race this weekend at Nashville, he was long overdue for a victory. My little brother would be jealous of that Gibson Guitar that he gets to take home as his prize.

Speaking of the Nationwide Series, i'm so glad one of the Cup regulars didn't win the race over the weekend. They win enough races as it is and they frankly shouldn't be allowed to race in the Nationwide Series as much as they do. I'd say more about this but I think this is going to be the topic of my column this week, so i'll leave it alone for now.

Kyle Busch got over aggressive in the Nationwide race and crashed, again. He has gotten to know the safer barriers at several of the tracks on both the Sprint and Nationwide circuits lately. Oddly, he still leads the Sprint Cup standings after wrecking at Bristol.

Umm.....that's about all i've got. I'll be back next week with my regular predictions and such. I'll also be adding a special blog about my trip to see the Drive-By Truckers in Asheville at The Orange Peel on Saturday. My twin brother is driving in from Wilmington for it and i'm looking forward to attending the rock show. Everyone have a safe and happy Easter!

Bristol thoughts and observations

Jeff Burton picked up his first win of the 2008 season yesterday by winning the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. It was the first win for a Chevrolet in 2008 (a shocking statement to say the least). Burton also led a contigent of Richard Childress Racing cars to the checkered flag, with teammates Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer following Burton across the line in second and third.

Thoughts and observations:

That finish yesterday is exactly why you never count anyone out at Bristol. With 5 laps to go Jeff Burton wasn't even in the picture to win the race, then all of a sudden when Harvick punted Stewart there Burton was, in prime position to capitalize on Denny Hamlin's misfortune. As they always say, the key to winning at Bristol is to survive the first 400 laps.

How about Aric Almirola coming home in the top 10 in his first start in 2008? Great run for the rookie in the U.S. Army No. 8 for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. If he can have more runs like that then the 2008 season might be very interesting over at DEI.

Also worth mentioning is David Gilliland, sneaking in to the Top 10 at the end of the race. If Gilliland and Kvapil keep having solid runs like that then the pair of them will soon end up with fully sponsored racecars. At least one can only hope.

A few drivers had good runs go bad yesterday, namely Paul Menard & Ken Schrader. Both had cars that, by the end of the race, could have easily cracked the top 10. However they got caught up in someone elses mess and ended up wrecked. Menard wound up 32nd and Scharder 41st.

Another outstanding run for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his No. 88 team over at Hendrick Motorsports. That run places Earnhardt Jr. 5th in the standings going into the off weekend. The most shocking thing about that is NONE of the other HMS cars are in the Top 12 right now. Jimmie Johnson is 13th, Jeff Gordon is 14th and Casey Mears is 33rd. I don't expect this to keep up, but what if it does?

Such a disapointing day for Tony Stewart at Bristol. For Tony Bristol seems to be just about as hard luck as Daytona. To dominate all day and end up not going to victory lane is heartbreaking, no matter what track your racing on. The ending to the day was probably that much harder for Tony, ending up wrecked while racing with one of your best friends (Harvick).

It is now time for our weekly Top 35 watch. Lots of teams are in serious trouble heading into the first race under the 2008 points in two weeks at Martinsville. The most surprising of which has got to be Jamie McMurray and the No. 26 Crown Royal Ford out of the Roush-Fenway stable. Who would have thought McMurray would be fighting to qualify for races at all this season? Also being forced to qualify on speed next week are Dave Blaney, Dario Franchitti, Regan Smith, Kyle Petty, Ken Schrader, Joe Nemechek and Patrick Carpentier. Also outside the Top 35 are the No. 84 Red Bull Racing team and the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing team.

Since the Sprint Cup series is off next week i'll have to come up with something else to do on my blog. Any thoughts? I'm thinking of showcasing some of my NASCAR collectibles I have stashed away at home.

It's Bristol Baby!

Besides Daytona, I think Bristol Motor Speedway is my favorite race track on the Sprint Cup circuit. Tight racing, bumping, banging and tempers flaring have long been part of NASCAR visiting Bristol and something tells me this week may not be an exception. Several drivers have had lot success at Bristol, but i'm gonna limit my choices down to a handful. And here they are:

Kurt Busch, No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge (Penske Racing)

Last Week: 11th place finish in Kobalt Tools 500

Career at Bristol: 14.5 Avg. Finish, 5 Wins, 5 Top 5's, 9 Top 10's

Why he could win: In the last few years Kurt Busch has been almost unbeatable at Bristol, earning 5 wins at a track many consider to be one of the toughest in NASCAR. Betting against him would be like betting against the late Dale Earnhardt on a restrictor plate track, you just don't do it.

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

Last Week: Won the Kobalt Tools 500

Career at Bristol: 13.5 Avg. Finish, 1 Win, 2 Top 5's, 4 Top 10's

Why he could win: It could be a brotherly affair this week at Bristol between Kurt and Kyle Busch. While Kurt has more experience at Bristol, Kyle won the first ever Car of Tomorrow race at Bristol one year ago, besting Jeff Burton to pick up the checkered flag. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kyle win it again considering the hot streak he is on.

Matt Kenseth, No. 17 DEWALT Ford (Roush-Fenway Racing)

Last Week: 7th place finish in Kobalt Tools 500

Career at Bristol: 12.5 Avg. Finish, 2 Wins, 7 Top 5's, 9 Top 10's

Why he could win: Much like Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth has seemed most at home in Bristol over the last few years, earning two trips to victory lane (including sweeping the fall races here only a few years ago). He's had a bit of bad luck as of late but Bristol could be just what he needs to get going in the right direction.

Choosing an underdog at Bristol is hard because anyone could end up in the fence at any time, making it that much more difficult to choose someone who could surprise. But, i'm gonna give it a shot anyway:

Scott Riggs, No. 66 State Water Heaters Chevrolet (Haas/CNC Racing)

Last Week: 18th place finish in Kobalt Tools 500

Career at Bristol: 24.4 Avg. Finish, 1 Top 5, 2 Top 10's

Why he could win: I don't suspect anyone else is going to pick Scott Riggs, but i'm willing to take that chance this week. This team, with Jeff Green behind the wheel, finished 6th in this race one year ago and Riggs has had mild success here. While they are a long shot to win, a top 10 or even a top 5 could be within reach.

Atlanta thoughts and observations

Kyle Busch picked up his first win of the 2008 season yesterday by winning the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Busch dominated much of the race, leading a race high 173 laps in route to taking home the checkered flag. It's the first victory for Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing, not to mention the first victory for Toyota in the Sprint Cup series.

Thoughts and observations:

I take back what I said last week, Kyle Busch is still the hottest driver in NASCAR. Had it not been for a blown tire on Saturday Kyle Busch likely would have picked up three trophies over the weekend at Atlanta. He leads the Sprint Cup and Craftsman Truck standings and is third in the Nationwide Standings. That, my friends, is getting it done.

Anyone else curious how the race would have played out had Carl Edwards not had a transmission issue?

Several drivers made strong impressions during the race Sunday. First, Dale Earnhardt Jr. dominated the early stages of the race, making it look like he was going to just run away with the race before Kyle Busch took over. Next, Clint Bowyer ran up front for awhile, passing Kyle Busch and leading 52 laps of the event.

Matt Kenseth had, for lack of a better term, a Matt Kenseth like day. Started out back, struggled early, but eventually him and his team got the car figured out and he ended up with a top 10 finish. How often did he do that when he won the championship in 2003?

What a difference a year makes for Brian Vickers and the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota. Last year at this time Vickers was 40th in the standings after missing two races. This year he sits 9th in the standings and a legit contender to make the chase. Is anyone else not really surprised?

Question: Who is second in Sprint Cup points right now? Answer: Greg Biffle. Wait, huh? How did that happen? He has two top 5's and three top 10's, that's how.

With one race left for teams to lock themselves into races, several world class drivers are in serious trouble. Sam Hornish Jr., Dave Blaney, Dario Franchitti, Regan Smith, Kyle Petty are all in serious trouble.

Speaking of serious trouble, I think now would be a good time to hit the panic button for the Wood Brothers Racing team. They've missed three out of four races (only making the race in California thanks to the help of some rain) and that doesn't look to be improving. On the plus side after Bristol Kurt Busch will be locked in the field and Dale Jarrett will be retiring, allowing Bill Elliott to use the Past Champions Provisional. That might help the team, but they need more then that to get the ship righted.

Hot 'Lanta

Week 4 in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season and its time for the teams to visit one of the fastest tracks on the schedule, Atlanta Motor Speedway. Atlanta is known for close, emotional finishes that can stop your heart in an instant. Drivers like Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt have won races in unbelieveable fashion at Atlanta and I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen again this weekend. So, who is got the best shot to win this weekend? Well i'm so glad you asked:

Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet (Hendrick Motorsports)

Last Week: 29th place finish in UAW-Dodge 400

Career at Atlanta: 9.4 Avg. Finish, 3 Wins, 8 Top 5's, 9 Top 10's

Why he could win: Let's see, well besides the fact that Johnson won both races here at Atlanta last year, he is due for a rebound after his awful finish last week at Las Vegas.

Carl Edwards, No. 99 Office Depot Ford (Roush-Fenway Racing)

Last Week: Won the UAW-Dodge 400

Career at Atlanta: 8.7 Avg. Finish, 2 Wins, 4 Top 5's, 6 Top 10's

Why he could win: Carl picked up his first career win at Atlanta back in 2005, besting Jimmie Johnson to take the checkered flag. He is also the hottest driver on the Sprint Cup circuit, despite the massive penalty he received from NASCAR this week.

Kevin Harvick, No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet (Richard Childress Racing)

Last Week: 4th place finish in UAW-Dodge 400

Career at Atlanta: 24.4 Avg. Finish, 1 Win, 2 Top 5's, 2 Top 10's

Why he could win: Kevin also picked up his first career win at Atlanta, beating Jeff Gordon back in 2001 after replacing the late, great Dale Earnhardt. He hasn't had a lot of luck at Atlanta since then, but I feel like that bad luck is about to come to a close.

And this week's underdog is.......

Bobby Labonte, No. 43 Cheerios Dodge (Petty Enterprises)

Last Week: 17th place finish in UAW-Dodge 400

Career at Atlanta: 16.4 Avg. Finish, 6 Wins, 12 Top 5's, 13 Top 10's

Why he could win: Bobby Labonte leads all fulltime Sprint Cup drivers in wins at Atlanta with 6, almost all of them under the current configuration (he has one victory under the old configuration). With 6 wins under his belt its hard to call him the underdog, but considering he'll be going up against teams with a lot more backing I have no other choice but to call him the underdog.

Las Vegas thoughts and observations

Carl Edwards picked up his second win in a row this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, outlasting a couple late caution flags and a hungry Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win the UAW-Dodge 400. The victory is the sixth for Roush-Fenway Racing at Las Vegas. The win pushed Carl Edwards to the top of the Sprint Cup points standings, though that will likely change on Tuesday. The car Edwards drove to victory failed post race inspection. The infraction, the lid of the oil tank reservoir was off, has received 25 point penalties in the past, which would drop him to second in the standings, four behind Kyle Busch.

Thoughts and observations:

If Kyle Busch was the hottest driver in NASCAR entering Las Vegas, what does that make Carl Edwards now?

While Carl Edwards hit the jackpot in Las Vegas, it appears Tony Stewart rolled snake eyes over the weekend. Stewart crashed hard in both the Nationwide race on Saturday and the Sprint Cup race on Sunday. Reports indicated he had to be helped from the racetrack following his second hard hit in as many days. Lets hope he doesn't get hurt like he did in 2006 after crashing hard twice at Lowe's Motor Speedway, fracturing his right shoulder blade.

Speaking of crashing hard, Jeff Gordon took one heck of a shot when he and Matt Kenseth wrecked late in Sunday's race. The front end of his car just went everywhere. Yet, Jeff Gordon walked away unharmed, probably a little tender, but otherwise fine. Following the wreck Gordon let it be known that he wasn't happy with how the lower wall that he hit was constructed. For those that don't know, that lower wall has a big lip in it which allows emergency personnel to get on and off the track quickly. However, if a driver hits that wall, it turns nasty quick, just ask Gordon.

What in the world happaned to Jimmie Johnson this weekend? The three time defending champion of the UAW-Dodge 400, Johnson looked like a field filler this weekend, coming home a disappointing 29th. That's not normal for Johnson, so don't expect to see him do that again anytime soon.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has got to be getting more and more hungry after that second place run. I wouldn't be surprised to see him win in the next two or three races.

How about Travis Kvapil coming home a strong eighth. Yates Racing needs more strong runs like that from his two car team if they hope to lock down sponsorship for the full season.

Poor poor A.J. Allmendinger, the guy just can't catch a break. He has missed all three races thus far in the 2008 season and now word is spreading that Team Red Bull Racing might take him out of the No. 84 car and put a veteran driver behind the wheel to help them determine what the issue is with their team. They claim they aren't giving up on Allmendinger, but I've seen this sort of thing before. If Allmendinger doesn't turn it around soon he could end up sitting alongside Jacques Villeneuve, on the outside looking in.

Good runs for Jeremy Mayfield and Ken Schrader, both of whom finished on the lead lap and ran on the lead lap consistently all day long.

As the standings are right now, several drivers are on the outside looking in to the top 35 in points. Among them are rookie Dario Franchitti, Robby Gordon, rookie Sam Hornish Jr., Regan Smith and Kyle Petty. They've got two more races to get their acts together and they'd better do it quick, otherwise this season could be a rough one.