Always remember…

The Chase is here. I for one am glad to get things going. Finally the reporters can stop discussing whether or not Dale Jr. will make the Chase. Those 100 points that were taken away from him earlier in the year didn’t come into play. He has not had a good run this year to challenge for the championship. He can now focus on just racing, just like Tony did last year.

Now let’s look at who has made the coveted 12 spots.

1. Jimmie Johnson–He has the momentum going into the Chase. He has won the last two races, but it’s not always where you start that matters. One of only two drivers to make each of the Chase races since it’s inception.

2. Jeff Gordon–I think he and the next driver are the ones to watch out for. Jeff has a good year. I belive his life outside of racing is good and that reflects on the race track.

3. Tony Stewart–He’s had good runs over the last couple of races. His pit crew needs to step up to Chase standards. Every time I looked up on Saturday, Tony lost spots coming out after a pit stop. It may have been 2 or 3 spots, but when it comes to winning a race that’s vital.

4. Carl Edwards–I have to admit I didn’t know he had been in the top 12 until a few weeks ago. I do have to defend myself on this one. I don’t keep up with Carl. I mean he does have a chance to win both championships this year, but with the three amigos above him it’s going to be rough.

5. Kurt Busch–He lost 100 driver points, got a new crew chief and raced his way into the Chase. I am not a fan of Big Shrub, but I have to give him props and say you can overcome a loss of 100 points and make the Chase.

6. Denny Hamlin–Two years in NASCAR and this is his second time in the Chase. Watch out.

7. Martin Truex Jr.–Congrats for making the Chase for the first time. I have always believed Truex was a good driver and he would make the Chase. He has had a quiet season this year. Who would have thought he would be the ONLY DEI car in the Chase.

8. Matt Kenseth–The only other driver besides Jimmie to make the Chase every year since it’s inception. I think Matt isn’t given enough press some times. He can drive the wheels of his car, but he has had some bad breaks throughout the year.

9. Kyle Busch–This kid can drive. He is growing on me. I think he will be a force in the Chase, but I am not sure he will win it all. He has to race over some of his future teammates as well as current teammates to get to the top.

10. Jeff Burton–Way to go Jeff. He was my dark horse pick last year, but had trouble late in last’s year Chase. I would like to seem him win one. He has the elder statesman of the group this year since Mark is not in the Chase this year.

11. Kevin Harvick–He started of the season on a high note with Daytona, but he has had some runs that almost cost him a spot in the Chase. I think he can challenge for the championship, but he has to bring the “A-game” every race.

12. Clint Bowyer–The only driver in the Chase who didn’t win a race during the “regular” season. I don’t think he will have a shot at the title, but it will be good experience for him. It’s nice to see all of the RCR teams in the Chase.

My pick: Tony Stewart.
My dark horse: Kyle Busch.

I do want to thank David Ragan for finishing third. He won me some dough in the driver’s pool I thought Carl Edwards was going to be the one to win me some cash, but that blew up when his engine let go.

I am looking forward to this year’s Chase. I think it will be interesting with 5 of the races being COT races.

Now on to some things I didn’t get a chance to comment on last week.

1. Toyota and Gibbs–I guess it doesn’t really matter to me. Tony Stewart can drive the wheels off anything he sits behind and the Camry will be the same. Winning championships is the name of the game in NASCAR. If this gets Gibbs to where they need to be, then so be it. And yes, I am excited about Kyle coming over to JGR. I believe JGR will be one to watch in 2008.

2. Junior and The Chase–This is a moot point. It just seems there’s not fight left in him this year. I am not saying he doesn’t have the fight in him, it’s just this year is pretty much a wash. He can just race and think about next year.

3. Dale–I loved the movie. It gave me a deeper understanding of what Dale meant to the sport and what the sport meant to Dale.

4. NASCAR in Primetime–I thought last week’s episode was interesting. I belive the last episode is on Wednesday. It’s been somewhat of an eye opening experience to me especially with regards how the NASCAR life can take a toll not only on the drivers but their family and loved ones as well. It’s all about the sacrifice and what one is willing to give to achieve the ultimate.

5. I saw that Dario Franchetti is coming over to NASCAR to drive for the #40 team. I guess NASCAR is the where everyone wants to be.

6. Robert Yates–Good luck and enjoy your retirement. Welcome aboard Travis.

7. Interesting to see how JJ ended up at Hall of Fame racing. Isn’t this a psuedo-JGR team???

On to Race #1–New Hampshire. GOOD LUCK BOYS!

Non-NASCAR–aka Football
1. If you told me both Michigan and Notre Dame would start off the season 0-2, I would have asked you what you were smoking.
2. Major props to Fresno State for taking Texas A&M to 3 OTs. Too bad A&M won. That’s ok–the Ags have to still play us and Tech has owned them over the past 10 years.
3. Dallas won. There were glimpses of years past, but that’s it–glimpses.

Have a great week everyone!

NASCAR
First things first…congratulations to the winner of the California race–you know who you are.

I wasn’t too upset where Tony finished. He got a top 15. Still no win at California…maybe next Smoke.

Hey Michael…next time you have a fender rub…bring it on in. The crew will take care of it for you.

I don’t think Ricky Rudd is rethinking his retirement after this weekend.

I have to give major props to Brad Keselowski to walk away from that crash.

I hate to say it, but the door is closing on Junior for making the Chase. He is going to have race the race of his life and have a few above him to have a disastorous night.

News alert…JJ Yeley to Hall of Fame Racing and Eury Jr. to go with Junior to HMS.

FOOTBALL
This marked the first weekend of college football. I love this time of year.

A big WOO HOO goes out to Appalachian State! You went into The Big House and BEAT MICHIGAN!!! Sorry for all you Wolverine fans out there…I’m, after all, a BUCKEYE fan. I was SHOCKED, to say the least, that Michigan went from being #5 in the nation, to not even in the Top 25. I would have figured lower 20s, but not even in. WOW!!!

Another WOO HOO for Georgia Tech. I caught most of this game and I have to say…was that Notre Dame I was watching.

My Red Raiders rustled up some Ponies this weekend. The broke SMU…49-9. Next up for the Red Raiders…UTEP.

And finally…the NFL season begins on Thursday! Go Colts and Cowboys!

Bristol was different. I like the new surface and the two wide racing. I am not much on following the leader. Of course it was the Kasey and Carl show on Saturday. It was nice to see Kasey have such a good run. It has been a rough year for him. To be honest, I really didn’t know Carl was in the top 12 in points. I know it sounds bad, but I really don’t follow what he does. I am usually watching what Tony does on the track and in the points and with everything else.

Congratulations Carl!

Two more races and the Chase will be here. I don’t know if Junior will make it. Junior did finish above Kurt, but Kurt also had a good run. I think Kurt would have to have a complete meltdown over the next two races and Junior would have to bust out with a win.

The third installment of NASCAR in Primetime is on tonight. Don’t forget to watch.

California race–not a favorite of mine. But I will be watching to see how those trying to remain in the Chase will do.

Non-NASCAR stuff
1. Tom Brady’s ex-girlfriend, Bridget Moynahan, names son John Edward Thomas Moynahan–that’s J-E-T. I find it very funny. Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots, has a son with the initals of his heated rival the New York Jets. Bridget = 1, Tom = 0. Laugh amongst yourselves.

2. Michael Vick–enough already.

3. Football season just around the corner–woo hoo! I have to gear up for Sunday’s to see who will win the coveted spot in front of the big screen TV…Postman or me…and who will be delegated to the back room TV.

And finally…I would like to say CONGRATULATIONS to the Lubbock Westerners! You guys played your hearts and souls out during the Little League World Series. You might not have made it the finals, but you are the 3rd best little league team in the WORLD! You made us all proud with how you handled yourselves on and off the field. You guys rock!!!

What’s a NASCAR fan to do?

The truck race was on last night plus the 2nd installment of NASCAR in Primetime was also premiering.

I watched the truck race until 8:00 and then flipped over to the NASCAR show. I flipped back between commercials. I really like watching the trucks race, but I wanted to watch the ABC show more.

The second installment was even better than first. It was a little painful to watch Mark Martin watch racing from his home. Even though he was at home, part of him was still at the track. It was clearing obvious where his mind was when he was at the dinner table and he was watching race coverage. But I think Mark has made peace with his decision. If he hadn’t he wouldn’t have stepped out of the car at Bristol. He is going out on his terms and at the top of his game. How can you fault the man?

Johnny Sauter’s segment was intriguing. You can tell this guy wants to be successful in NASCAR. It eats at him. Plus you get to see what it is like for those “Go or Go Home” guys every week. The pressure they are under to put our two fast laps. And when they don’t make it how it affects their lives and those around them. I can even begin to understand how it feels.

I am still not warming up to Juan Pablo. I know his racing aggressive comes from the previous racing leagues. He was an F1 driver and from what I understand drivers in that league are aggressive. It probalby was a matter of survival. I would agree he is a breath of fresh air for NASCAR.

I liked the fact they showcased the Texas race. I wasn’t able to go back in April for lack of better excuse than money. Jeff Burton one the race. He was the first repeat winner at TMS. And if you are going to have a repeat winner, then Jeff should be the one. After all, he won the first race at TMS. Will I be at TMS in November? I don’t know. Money is still an issue, but this NASCAR fan will find somewhere to raise the dough. You do whatever it takes to get there right my friends.

Well…it’s Bristol weekend again. Congrats to Johnny Benson! And lookie there…is that Mark Martin there who finished 3rd? Man that dog still has some fight left in him.

Finally after two days of rain and just downright yuckiness, the race was able to get underway. I was able to watch some of the race today even though it was at work. NASCAR.com was streaming ESPN broadcast online today. It was rather difficult to keep my mind on my work with the race going on in the background. I was a good girl today as you can tell…I did go to work.

Congratulations to Kurt Busch today! With Kurt winning the race today, it looks like Dale Jr. still has a lot of ground to make up. Junior did finish 12th and moved one spot up in the standings to 13th, but I think Kurt has the momentum going into Bristol and the remaining pre-Chase races. I know Earnhardt nation will be very disappointed if Junior doesn’t make the chase, but I think there has been a lot of things waying on his mind over this season. The decision to leave his father’s company, I belive, is probably the hardest decision he will ever have to make. But I can understand his decision. I think I can step back because I am not part of the Red Army. I can take an objective view of things. I think going to HMS will benefit him greatly. I think he will have more success at HMS. And now with the #8 staying with DEI, this all has to be in the back of his mind. Even though he is probably focused every week, sometimes it’s the little things that bubble up to the top. Maybe not making the Chase will help him. Look what happened to Tony last season. He could just race. There wasn’t any Chase pressure. Tony was able to have fun.

Tony finished 10th after starting back in 35th position. I like it when Tony does qualify towards the front, but I don’t fret when he qualifies in the back. I know he will make his way to the front of the pack.

On to Bristol for some Saturday night racing! I love the Bristol night race. Lots of beatin’ and bangin’ and tempers flaring! Watch boys…

Just a reminder…the second installment of the ABC show NASCAR in Primetime is on. I can’t wait. I rewatched part of the last’s week show this evening. I like the fact the drivers featured aren’t necessarily the high profile ones (i.e. Tony, Jeff, Junior). I am looking forward to seeing how Mark handles watching a race from my point of view…the recliner.

Have a great week!