Bermuda Triangle?

/ Trixie / 1 Comment

Kyle Busch will be attempting all three races this weekend.  This may not sound unusual, but all three series are in different locations so it will be a challenge to see how all that traveling will affect his on track performance.  But if anyone can pull it off, it would probably be Kyle.

First stop–Texas Motor Speedway.  Too bad I won’t get the chance to head on over to TMS tonight.  If I didn’t leave 6 hours away I probably would head out after work.  Also running in conjunction with the trucks this weekend are the Indy cars.  Not a bad way to start a race weekend.

2nd stop–Nashville–where he will try to keep to win yet another race.

And finally–Pocono on Sunday where he will be going back to back wins this weekend.

Whew…I just get tired thinking about how much he will spend flying to each desination.

Yes, I did.  I am now an offical member of the Kyle fan club.  It’s not too bad.  I have been a member of Tony’s going on my fourth year.  I good some pretty cool stuff with my membership fee ($35).  I got a key chain, autographed information card (you know the ones you can pick up at the track), mouse pad for my office, one of those wrist bands with his foundation website on it, a koozie, a lightweight fleece blanket, t-shirt, but most importantly little packets of M&Ms.  Not bad for my $35 bucks.

I am hoping Tony’s luck will change this weekend and he comes away with a win at Pocono.  If I can’t I really want him to win at Michigan…why?  IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!  That’s right the boys will be racing at Michigan on my birthday.  For those who might now that is also Father’s Day.  So to all those father’s out there, THANK YOU.  It’s kind of cool that all of you want to celebrate my birthday with me!

UPDATE…KYLE BUSCH FINISHES 2ND AT TEXAS.  He started at the back of the pack and came in second.  One race down and two more to go.

Got Dirt?

/ Trixie / Leave a comment

There was plenty of dirt to be had last night in Rossburg, Ohio home of Eldora Speedway.  Last night Eldora Speedway hosted the Prelude to the Dream.  Once again I ponied up the money to watch this event on pay-per-view since I wasn’t able to make the trek up to Ohio. Last year’s event was a blast to watch so I was expecting it to be the same this year and it didn’t disappoint.

Several of your NASCAR favorites were there (sorry Junior Nation, Junior wasn’t one of those in attedance).  You had the likes of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, along with Red Farmer, and two drivers from the NHRA , Cruz Pedregon and Ron Capps willing to step out of their prospective comfort zones to spend time getin’ all “dirtied” up for a worthy cause.  The proceeds were to benefit the Tony Stewart Foundation who regularly donates to the Victory Junction Gang camp.  This year Tony wanted to raise $1 million to kick start the 2nd Victory Junction Gang camp that will be located in the Kansas City area. 

Now on to the festivities…

I consider myself to a well informed blogger, but sometimes I just know things.  First we had a qualifying session where Dave Blaney beat out everyone for the pole and set a new track record at 15.436 seconds beating the old record held by none other than track owner Tony Stewart.  I don’t know what this was for to be honest.  I am going to assume it was to set the order for the three qualifying heats or the feature main.  I really don’t know.  So if any of my regular readers know, please explain.  Anyhow, once qualifying was over, there were three qualifying heats.  The top three transferred into the feature main, but I think everyone that was invited to the Prelude was in the race.  I was so confused by it all.  But even so there was quite a bit of racing…and not just driving around in a circle.

The first heat was the most action packed with JJ Yeley spinning and collecting Mark Martin and Aric Armirola.  Unfortunately that was all the racing Mark would be able to do.  They were unable to repair his car and get him back for the feature main.  The winner of the first heat was Clint Bowyer which is no surprise here.  He owns his own dirt track team and in fact owned the car Jimmie JOhnson was driving last night.  The second heat had what I called some of the heavy hitters.  Heat 2 lineup: Bobby Labonte, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Kenny Wallace, Bill Elliott, Cruz Pederegon, Kasey Kahne.  As no suprise to anyone, certainly not me, Tony Stewart won the 2nd heat.  The third heat winner was Robby Gordon.

Once the qualifying heats were over, it was on to the big race.  It was a 30 lap shootout for all the marbles.  There were only two leaders in this race, Kevin Harvick who lead lap one and Tony Stewart who lead the other 29 laps.  Even though Tony was giving a clinic on how to run on dirt, it was fun to watch.  I enjoyed watching Robby Gordon race.  You would have thought Robby raced quite a bit on dirt, but not the case.  He has raced on dirt, but not in a circle.  Last night was his first time to drive on a circle of dirt.  And where did Robby finish…that would be 2nd place.  Not bad for a first timer.  Robby wasn’t the only first timer at the Prelude.  Two-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson was on hand driving one of Clint Bowyer’s cars.  I couldn’t understand why he was driving a white car.  I mean a white car on dirt.  Doesn’t sound like a good combo to me.  I am pretty sure the car didn’t stay completely white after the race. 

Kyle Busch also raced, but didn’t do fair as well as he did last year.  He almost won last years event.  He still drove like he stole it though.  He did hit the wall during his qualifying heat, but the car’s crew was able to repair the damage car to get him ready for racing for the feature main.  He wasn’t just standing by either, he had hammer in hand pounding out sheet metal.

The racing was good, but the best part of the event were the drivers.  You could tell these boys were having fun.  This race wasn’t about points or a championship.  It was all for fun!  You got to see them in an environment where the racing was about having a good time.  The drivers were smiling and laughing with one another.  To me, this is what racing should be about.   Another highlight of the evening was driver introductions.  It was funny to watch them trying to get the drivers corralled–kinda of like herding cats.  Some of them looked like they had no clue they were being introduced to the audience.  They were to busy talking with other drivers, etc.  I can tell this wasn’t your typical NASCAR driver introduction.  The only resemblence to a NASCAR driver introduction were the boos I heard when they introduced Jeff, Jimmie, and Kyle.  Even in Rossburg, Ohio, these three get majority of the boos.

I don’t know if I mentioned it but Tony Stewart walked away with the trophy last night and Kyle Petty walked away with a $1 million check from Tony Stewart. 

I would have to give major props to Tony Stewart for all the work he has done with regards to the Victory Junction Gang camp.  I believe this is the 3rd million dollar check he has presented to the Pettys.  Say what you want about Tony, but he truly gives of himself with regards to his foundation as well as Victory Junction.  I don’t know Tony personally, I only know what I read about him.  I do know majority of us see Tony for his on track personality, but last night was what the real Tony is all about.  So if you didn’t get a chance to watch this year’s Prelude last night, check out when they show it on Speed later this year.  I definitely say it was worth my $25.

Halfway Point

/ Trixie / 3 Comments

The season is now at the halfway point so I thought it would be a good time to look how things have shaped up over the last 13 races.  I would have to say Kyle Busch is leading the pack both in standings and wins so far with 4 wins.  While researching some things this morning about Kyle, I wondered where all the heavy hitters were this year compared to last year so here we go.

2008 Standings (after 13 races) (2007 points standing in red at this same time last year)

  1. Kyle Busch            10th                  
  2. Jeff Burton             5th
  3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.  14th
  4. Carl Edwards         6th      
  5. Greg Biffle             18th
  6. Jeff Gordon            1st
  7. Jimmie Johnson     2nd
  8. Clint Bowyer          8th
  9. Denny Hamlin       4th
  10. Kevin Harvick        9th
  11. Tony Stewart         7th
  12. Kasey Kahne          29th

What a difference a year makes for some drivers.  This biggest jumper has to be Kasey Kahne.  This team struggled last year after coming off a 6 win season in 2006.  It has been refreshing to see Kasey back challenging for wins.  I would also have to give kudos to Greg Biffle as well as Junior for where they are compared to last year.  As you can see they were both outside the top 12 sitting 18th and 14th respectively.  I am surprised a little bit by Matt Kenseth’s fall from the top 12, but he has had some bad luck this year.  This wouldn’t be the first time Matt was out of the top 12 and had to fight his way in. 

While I was elbow deep in all of this statistical stuff, I thought I would see how the big teams are fairing compared to this time last year.  As we all know there were a couple of high profile changes at both Hendrick and Gibbs.  Kyle Busch stepped into the #18 after being vacated by J.J. Yeley while Dale Jr. stepped into Kyle’s car.  Gibbs also made a manufacuturer change as well.  So 2008 was going to be a tale of two drivers and to be honest this tale is not a disappointment (for the Kyle Busch fans) so far.  How it will end remains to be seen, but I have a feeling it is only going to get better.

One of the biggest surprises for me has to be the HMS drivers.  I was sure the team would have multiple wins from multiple drivers, but alas HMS has only win coming from Jimmie Johnson at Phoenix.  I was sure Junior would have his first win in almost two years and Jeff would have at least one maybe two under his belt.  And perhaps Casey would have a win as well.  This time last year, Hendrick had 9 wins (3-Jeff, 4-Jimmie, 1-Casey, 1-Kyle).  HMS was dominating the series last year, but as with anything the winds of change have blown through the garage. 

Gibbs who already has 5 wins this year (4-Kyle, 1-Denny) with Tony right there challenging for his first win of the season.  Gibbs made a big move from Chevy to Toyota and I am sure this isn’t a fact that has been overlooked by any of this.  Many thought Gibbs would struggle with the Toyota, but from this race fan’s point view this isn’t the case.  Gibbs had NO WINS this point in the season last year.  I belive Tony will win this season if he can’t stay out of trouble and out of the way of the #19 team (wink, wink).  The biggest question however that will come from JGR is will Tony be back in 2009?  It remains to be seen, but if I was a betting gal, my money would be on somewhere else.

I musn’t forget Roush who got caught watching the paint dry (movie reference-Hoosiers).  His teams were struggling and seemed to be behind with regards to the COT, however this is not the case.  Matt Kenseth was the only driver this time last year with a win compared to now where Carl Edwards is the only driver who has won from the Roush camp with three wins so far this season.  Even though Carl may be the only driver with a win, all the Roush cars seemed to be performing better.  Greg is back in the top 12 and sitting in 5th place at the moment compared to 18th a year ago.  David Ragan seems to be coming into his own as a driver.  He is still outside the top 12, however he has improved quite a deal of the last year.  Matt has been stuggling a little this season and that can be attributed to several things.  First and foremost this is the first year with his new crew chief, Chip Bolin.   This is going to take some time for Matt to get comfortable with him.  As for Jamie, I don’t look for him to be at Roush next year.  He looks good at times and others not so much.  If he does leave Roush, I would believe he could find another team to drive for.

I know there are several other teams who seem to be having great years including RCR.  All three RCR drivers are in the top 12 and are competing for wins every single week.  Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer have already nailed down wins this year for RCR.  This time last RCR had two wins including the fantastic finish at Daytona 500.  It has been a long road for RCR since 2001, but as history has shown, that which does not kill us makes us stronger.  I really thought DEI would be competitive.  Martin Truex had a phenominal year last year with his first win and making The Chase.  However, DEI has struggled.  Martin is currently sitting  15th in the points.  Paul Menard is 27th.  Mark Martin who shares the #8 ride with Aric Almirola is sitting 24th.  And I know Junior nation is probably smiling on all of this, but I think there will be changes with DEI in the future and DEI will shine once again.

One more thing…Kyle has won 10 races over the three series this year (4 in Cup, 4 in Nationwide, and 2 in Craftsman).  He is leading the Cup standings and sits 2nd in the Nationwide Series.  Could he pull off the double championship?  Time will tell, but if anyone has a legitimate shot this year it’s Kyle.

Whew..that was a lot of information, but worth it all.  I hope the next 13 races are as exciting as the first 13. 

A NASCAR Fan

/ Trixie / 3 Comments

I have been thinking a lot lately about why I am a NASCAR fan.  People who don’t follow NASCAR just don’t understand what all the hubbub is about.  Why would someone want to watch cars go around and around for hours?  There are times I wonder that myself (i.e. Dover this past weekend).  But let me tell you something about NASCAR fans. 

We are some of the most passionate people around.  We will endure heat and humidity, you know the kind, the kind that just wears on as the day goes on, just to watch a race.  We will endure a several hour rain and/or snow delay just to see the race.  We will even endure a 3 day rain delay to watch a race.  We tailgate for days not just hours.  We drive hundreds of miles to see a race despite the increase in ticket prices, food & beverage, and yes even gasoline.  This NASCAR fan has been known to reschedule family events around a NASCAR race.  And I am sure there are those out there who have had weddings, births, and I would hate to say it funerals rescheduled due to a NASCAR race.  We proudly wear the colors of our favorite driver even though orange really isn’t a good color on you.  We endure long lines with other NASCAR fanatics just to get a glimpse of your favorite driver and/or have your picture taken with him.  This NASCAR fan has stood on her feet for hourson a several race weekends just hanging around in the pits just to watch the cars come in and off the track.  All the time standing in solidarity with other NASCAR fans.  We scream at the top of your lungs cheering on our favorite driver from the stands as he drives by even though he probably can’t hear us over the sound of the engines roaring by.  And we even boo at times for that driver we love to hate.  We defend ourselves to those who stereotype us as a fan group and we even cry when we lose our heroes because we feel we have lost a part of our family.  We are love our country, love our family, and our fellow NASCAR fans.  We may cheer for different drivers, but we are all part of the NASCAR family.  And  I am proud to stand up and say…

I AM A NASAR FAN!

Don’t Go To The Concession Stand

/ Trixie / 2 Comments

That’s right folks!  You don’t want to go to the concession stand because you might miss something.  That is what could be said of today’s race.  

The race wasn’t even in it’s 20 lap and BAM…it was a gigantic meet and greet coming out of Turn 2.  From what I could tell of the numerous replays Fox showed over and over, Sadler came down while passing the #40 and was clipped by the #38.  Next thing we all know, Elliott decided to make his own demolition derby.  Tony had no where to go but into the side of the #19 car along with several other cars.  I know it looked like Denny didn’t slow down, but to be honest going at those speeds that car probably couldn’t get whoaed up in time.  Of course, I saw other cars running around Denny able to whoa up, but I wasn’t driving his car.  For me the race was pretty much a wash.  Tony did come back into the race about a 100 or so laps down, but none the less back on the track.   Tony finished 41st and fell three spots in the standings to 11th.  Oh in case we are keeping score this year, this is the 2nd time Sadler has been involved in a crash that has taken out Stewart. On a lighter note the hood on Sadler’s car was pretty much intact for him.  He was planning to auction off the hood to his car from today’s race to raise money for autism.  

The race for me was pretty much a snoozefest and it wasn’t because Tony was just driving around the track, I really thought it was a snoozefest.  In fact I did take a nap some time during the race.  The race was pretty much dominated by three different drivers–Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, and Kyle Busch not necessarily in that order with several green flag runs.  Congratulations to Kyle Busch for his 4th win of the season.  Carl finished 2nd with Carl’s teammate finishing 3rd after having voltage issues.

In case anyone wasn’t aware Dale Jr. has gone 74 races without a win.  Of course this statistic didn’t escape the Fox broadcast.  This little tidbit was flashed on the screen at 1:41 pm Central Daylight Savings Time.

One last thing..

Little Smoke was busy playing in the house today because it was way too hot for him to be outside (it reached over the century mark today).  He decided to build a race car using some interesting items sitting around the house.  Please notice the “paint scheme”.  He is such a wonderful little boy who is very creative and will tell you that Tony Stewart is his favorite driver…just ask.  Apologies to my dad who just happends to be a Junior, but there will be no Junior fan in this household. He was so excited when Fox was interviewing Tony before the race.  He stopped what he was doing to watch.   Looks like this #20 faired better today.

 

Just a few notes…

/ Trixie / 2 Comments

Just a few little tidbits from yesterday…

1.  Rain delay

2.  Carl Edwards has pole

4.  The Big Whiner…oops Denny Hamlin won.

5.  Joey Lagano qualified 8th and finishes 6th.  Way to Joey.  This guy my be the real thing, but the jury is still out on if he is the best thing to come along since sliced bread.

The Monster Mile

/ Trixie / Leave a comment

I am so ready for the weekend to get.  Work has SUCKED this week! 

The boys are at Dover International Speedway this week aka “The Monster Mile”.  I love short track racing.  Dover is a 1-mile track with 24 degrees of banking and you know with 43 cars, 43 egos, and several drivers hungry for their first win of the season or their first in awhile, this is going to be an interesting race. 

The drivers should have a little bit of handle on the car since the COT was raced at the track last.  However, this is the first race where the new rule regarding the “yaw” will be instituted.  It will be interesting to see what teams that have had the cars all “crabbed out” will do.  Some teams had their cars more crabbed than others.  

Of course the biggest story this weekend, is the debut of 18-year old, Joey Lagano, who some claim is the next best thing to come along since well, sliced bread. Joey will be driving the #20 Nationwide series car which has been a roll this year in the Nationwide Series.  So I will be watching this weekend to see if he is the next best thing since sliced bread.  With the introduction of Joey into the Nationwide Series this weekend, it probably won’t be long before we see him the Cup series.  If this kids has the chops to be the next Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart, I would like to see him run in the Nationwide series for a couple of years before moving to the Cup level.  This way he would get seat time and experience as well as a chance to build a fan base that he could bring up to the Cup level.  With the introduction of Joey this weekend, does this mean he is the “heir apparent” to Smoke if he decides to leave JGR either at the end of the season (which has been denied all over the place) or at the end of 2009?  Only time will tell.

Speaking of Smoke, tomorrow is June 1 and all of us Stewart fans know this is the time of the season that he gets hot.  This isn’t the first time Tony has gone winless in the first 4 months of the season.  In fact he has done it 7 times in his 10 years in the series.  Of course he hasn’t won since, Watkins Glen last year and after last week’s heartbreak, I look for Tony to be more hungry than ever.  I hope this is the week Tony gets his first win of the season.

Few other notes from this week…

  • Elliott Sadler resigned a multi-year deal with Gillette-Evernham Motorsports. 
  • Television ratings are up for NASCAR as a result of…I really don’t know, but all I know is there has been some good racing this year and perhaps this is the result of it or it could just be the price of gas is keeping everyone at home.
  • Fox will finish up their broadcast coverage this weekend.  TNT will take over for the next several weeks with ESPN taking over at The Brickyard on July 27.  Of the three networks, I like Fox and ESPN.  I am not a fan of TNT’s coverage, but I will survive.  I mean TNT only has 6 races.
  • Dale Earnhardt is still winless.  I wonder how many times will this fact be mentioned this weekend. 

And one more thing…

The Prelude to the Dream will be this coming Wednesday, June 4 at Tony Stewart owned Eldora Speedway. Don’t forget to place your order for the pay-per-view event over on HBO. I watched last year and I loved it. It was pretty cool to see all these NASCAR drivers as well as few others from other racing leagues take to the dirt for such a worthy cause. Tony is hoping to raise money for the second Victory Junction Gang camp which will be located in Kansas City, KN. It was interesting to see Juan Pablo Montoya race on dirt for the first time. And if anyone has doubt about Jeff Gordon’s ability should have seen him on the dirt. I for one will be tuning in this year.