Go fast…turn left…don’t crash!

IROC (International Race of Champions)
For those of you who don’t follow any kind of racing here’s a brief summary of what IROC Racing is...

IROC is kind of like an All-Star race where some of the world’s best drivers compete for the honor of being named IROC Champion.

According to irocracing.com, the premise, conceived in 1973, is amazingly simple yet effective: Take 12 of the world’s top drivers, from different types of racing, put them in identically prepared IROC race cars, give them a set of rules which virtually eliminates the variables usually associated with racing (no pit stops, no qualifying, no driver set-up of the cars, etc.) and wave a green flag at them.

Tonight is Race #3 of this year’s IROC race. And those NASCAR boys thought there road racing was over until Watkins Glen. It will be interesting to see an IROC road Race at Daytona. I am hoping Tony can make it two in a row in IROC races. He won Race #2 at Texas in April. I was fortunate to be at THAT race and let me tell you it was quite a race. POSTMAN was none too thrilled that Tony won (he’s a Mark Martin fan), but I didn’t care. It was some good racing that night in April. Tony wasn’t going to climb the fence, but how can he resist with all those Texans cheering him on. Thanks Tony!


Steve Kinser (#11)
Hopefully Steve Kinser will not end up as a “passenger” for this race. He has crashed out in both of the first two races. Hey Steve—the wheels go on the pavement.

Kinser’s view Race 1-DAYTONA


Kinser’s view Race 2-TEXAS
Take isn’t bad here, doesn’t look too awful bad, but then he decided to take a couple of flips and amazing enough landed right side up unlike the result as pictured above.

Race 1 Winner…Matt Kenseth
Race 2 Winner…Tony Stewart Race
3 Winner…???? (We will find out tonight.)

IROC Standings through two races
1. Matt Kenseth (NEXTEL Cup)
2. Tony Stewart (NEXTEL Cup) (2005 NEXTEL Cup Champion)
3. Ryan Newman (NEXTEL Cup)
4. Martin Truex Jr. (NEXTEL Cup)
5. Frank Kimmel (ARCA Re/Max Series)
6. Mark Martin (NEXTEL Cup)
7. Sam Hornish Jr. (IRL IndyCar Series) (2006 Indy 500 Winner)
8. Wayne Taylor/Max Angelelli (Grand American Road Racing Series)
9. Max Papis (Grand American Road Racing Series)
10. Scott Sharp (IRL IndyCar Series)
1. Steve Kinser
12. Ted Musgrave

This confirms what I have always known

You Are 60% Redneck

You’re just about as welcome up in town as a hair in a biscuit. Ain’t no hidin’ your redneck roots!

Go fast…turn left…don’t crash!

“Top Ten Signs You Watch Too Much NASCAR”–A must read over at NASCAR Gal

I nearly fell off my couch and dropped my laptop when I read it.

Very funny!!!

Moose, or better known as “Eddie” from the TV show “Frasier” has died at the ripe old age of 16. Moose also had a bit role in the movie “My Dog Skip” playing the older version of Skip.

Rest in Peace Moose.

Go fast…turn left and right (special Infineon version)…don’t crash!

Well, I would have to say yesterday was just in the words of Babs “CRAP”.

Jeff Gordon won the race. Yea..woo hoo…BIG FREAKIN’ DEAL! Oh by the way…ladies he is off the market—he got engaged to his girlfriend. WHOOP-DEE-FREAKIN’ DOO…I don’t give a rats butt.

The race didn’t even get to finish Lap one, when chaos broke out. Poor Ken Schrader…that hit looked vicious. They kept replaying it…and I must say “OUCH”.


Smoke Report
Tony was having a good run throughout the race until the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet went south. “We know we broke a lifter, but we don’t know exactly how it happened,” said Stewart. “We just know it lost a cylinder.” Tony kept driving despite the fact his car was crap towards the end of the race he complted the race and finished 28th. Earlier in the race Tony and Boris Said had a little meet and greet on the course. Tony ended up with a little left front damage, but kept racing. Of course I love the fact that Tony gave Boris the “You’re #1” salute.

From NASCAR.com,

“I’m not asking him to give me anything. But if a guy gets a run, don’t drive him across the racetrack,” Stewart said

“Yeah, this is a road-course race, but it’s also a NASCAR race. This isn’t European road racing where you block and run guys all over the racetrack. We’re not going to do that. They’re not going to do that to me. I don’t care if they do it to the rest of the field, but the one thing I think we established today was that they’re not going to race me that way.

“When Boris got a run on me, I didn’t change my line or anything. He got under me and got the spot. But both times I got underneath him it was squeeze, squeeze and run me across the racetrack and tear up the nose of my racecar and it ends up hurting the way the car drives all day.”

Tony’s finish dropped in 7th in the standings 422 points behind the leader–you all know who he is. Looks liks this year, drivers will have to be in the top ten to make the Chase. I don’t think the 400 points thing will even factor in this year.

Elliott Report
Congrats to Elliott! He finished 8th! Of course he didn’t hardly any tv time. Check out pictures of Elliott and “Claude” over at Rusty’s site. I wasn’t aware of this contest (NASCAR Pets Top Dog Contest) until…well yesterday when they annouced the winner. I think it’s because of my dislike for road racing. I usually don’t keep up on things during road race weekends. He looks soooooo darn cute and Claude isn’t bad lookin’ either.

Congrats to Larry McReynolds and Teddy!

I am glad Elliott had a good run yesterday. This is something he needed to boost his spirits. I hope Yates is trying to fix everything so Elliott will feel appreciated. If not, I think Elliott will go shopping and I for one don’t blame him.

Good News–Elliott on Trackside in the Month of July!

Everything Else
I know this is a road coarse, but there was quite a bit of off roadin’ going on as well. And I think #40 Coors Light car driven this week by one of those road race ringers, Scott Pruett, was dippin’ into the sponsor product (he he). He was ALL over the track and then some. I bet he was glad when the race was over.

On the pre-race show and Race Day, they kept talking about the road race ringers…blah, blah, blah…well let’s see how they fared.

9 Boris Said
30 Scott Pruett
36 PJ Jones
37 Ron Fellows

And to think some of the owners were worried about their regular, less exprienced drivers not doing so hot.

I’m not a huge Robby Gordon fan, but he can race those road races. I would not have minded if this Gordon had won the race. I thought he was going to contend, but he too had several issues. He finished 40th. Robby just can’t catch a break.

Major props goes out to Terry Labonte! I think if he didn’t have to worry about fuel, he would have made a race out it and I think there would have been a different winner. Of course, as a fellow Texan I am just a tad bit biased.

He is scheduled to run at Watkins Glen with his last race at Texas.

Bobby, he’s younger, brother didn’t fair as well. He was caught in late race crash. He looked mighty pissed. Bobby finished 35th.

Other finishers
4 Greg Biffle
17 Matt Kenseth
24 Kevin Harvick
26 Dale Jr.
32 David Gilliland (not too bad for his first NEXTEL cup start)

As stated in an earlier post, Brian Vickers will be joining Toyota’s Red Bull Racing Team in 2007. Well, I guess #88 and #42 is still available.

Next up DAYTONA!!! I am hoping for a repeat of last’s years race. In case we have forgotten…

Go fast…turn left…don’t crash!

Brian Vickers officially announced on “Wind Tunnel” tonight he will be with Red Bull Racing next year.

More about the race tomorrow.

Go fast…turn left…don’t crash!

Truck Report
That’s two in a row for Mr. Johnny Benson! Congrats!

Busch Report
Congrats to Paul Menard for holding off the rest of the field to win this week’s Busch race. I thought Kevin Harvick was going to give him a run for his money, but unfortunately Kevin got into the back bumper of Menard. Kevin got him hit from behind by JJ Yeley and got spun. After the race, Kevin came up beside Paul Menard to give him a “congratulatory” good job. Well…shortly after this Kevin was invited to a meet and greet with NASCAR officials. Of course, you gotta love the pit reporter…she asked Kevin about the meet and greet asking him if he was giving Menard congratulations…”of course” Kevin said. Of course, he said with a little smile on his face…or smirk if you want. Why do reporters ask such silly questions?? Gotta love Kevin! Anyhoo…congratulations to Paul Menard!

Cup Report
Well, Big Shurb is on the pole for Sunday’s race. That’s alright…he will soon be “Smoked” after the ran starts! Tony is starting 12th with Elliott starting in 24th. I am not worried about Tony’s starting spot. He won’t take him long to weave his way to the front. And remember…Sonoma was where Tony began his hot streak last year….Good Luck Tony!

From last year’s Sonoma race…

In My Own Opinion
I have never been a fan of the road races. For me they aren’t as exciting as those on an oval track. Of course we will see the “Road Race Ringers” tomorrow. I really don’t like the fact that teams bring in these ringers. I understand the sponsor thing and the 35 in owner points thing, but how are these guys supposed to get experience on road courses if you don’t give them a chance. It’s kind of like trying to get a job, but they won’t hire you because you don’t have experience, but you can’t get experience unless they give you a chance. Come on guys…give ’em a chance.

There are several double dippers this weekend. I don’t know really have much sympathy for them. I know driving a race is tough and having to juggle two different schedules can be tricky, but when you travel back from each race, it’s not like you have to fly like us regular people. I mean can you imagine these drivers flying back on Southwest Airlines? If they did, then maybe I would feel a little bit of sympathy for them. If you have ever flown on a Southwest flight, you don’t have assigned seats and you only get FREAKIN’ peanuts! I would love to be able to fly in a private jet and relax on the way back to a race. Such is the life of a NASCAR star.

I know pit reporters are trying to get infromation for the commentators and us viewers, but there are times I wish they would just leave it alone. I think it is funny when reporters ask questions that have obvious answers and the drivers give them a sarcastic remark. You ask a stupid question…you get a stupid answer. Come on people…get a clue! Of course I do feel sorry for those who interview the drivers after a crash or a run in with another driver especially when it is clearly a volatile situation. Then when things happen on or off the track, they tend to blow things out of whack! I know people are still interested in how Tony is feeling, but give the guy a break (no pun intended). Did you see last week’s race? He was in the garage banging out the dents of his car. I think his shoulder is just fine. He’s fine. Move on…the horse is dead…let it alone. Thanks.

Good Luck Boys!