NASCAR NOTES

273. Steaming Forward
Posted: 5-14-2007 @ 1:26 pm EDT

A most satisfying end to another awesome Darlington race. How Jeff Gordon's engine didn't expire in the final laps of the race, 'we'll probably never know.

It seems to me that when a major curve ball is thrown at the sport, such as a new Monte Carlo or the COT...something that makes the notes from last year obsolete and has the drivers whining and moaning en masse, that's when Mr. Gordon shines.

His ability to keep his cool, keep working the problem and simply overcome the impediment through sheer determination is astounding. Send him to a new track, he has a record of beating the unknown.

What am I saying? It may not be that Jeff Gordon is the best driver to ever run in this sport, he simply is able to adjust faster to drawbacks and challenges.

This might be a tad boring, but at the same time it is enthralling!

Catch my commentary tomorrow at the Frontstretch Newsletter. Topic: Why can't we bury Dale Sr.? His son deserves better than driving a memorial stone (the black #3)

I shall catch ya'll later!

272. What now?
Posted: 5-10-2007 @ 6:13 pm EDT

All Dale managed to tell us today was that he won't be driving at DEI after the end of this season.

This leaves a bazillion loose ends for us to wonder and worry about. If you thought this racing season was about to get boring--think again. If you were missing Dale Jr's face recently in weekend TV coverage, wish no more. By the time that Dale Jr. takes his name off the free agent list, we'll be so sick of hearing 'Junior this' and 'Junior that' you'll be begging for the commentators to bring up the happy news of the birth of Jeff Gordon's child.

Will Bud go with Lil E? Oh probably. But that little drama has yet to play out. Will Jr. get the #8 where ever he goes? Or will all the Junior fans across America have to pay a visit to their tattoo parlor trying to eradicate the now defunct badge of honor? Who will DEI find to drive their good but not great equipment for an organization with no major sponsor left to pay the bills?

If you thought Silly Season was insane in years past...you ain't seen nothing yet!

For more of my thoughts, check out www.frontstretch.com tomorrow morning! I and my colleagues have prepared an issue full of reaction.

I am bored no more!

Later

271. Hold on to your hats!!
Posted: 5-9-2007 @ 8:43 pm EDT

Now, at this moment this is a whole bunch I heard from the guy who knows the guy who said in the men's room, but...

11AM EST tomorrow morning Dale Jr. will be holding a press conference at JR Motorsports (that's his own racing team). It's gonna be big. Conjecture says it means Truex Jr. and Dale Jr. will be driving in the Cup next year in JR Motorsports Chevys. The chassis and engines would be built by Hendrick, then sold to JR. Bud would go with Dale Jr.

And this would leave DEI...where?

All I can think of is that ad where Junior announces that they're making a change and he'll be driving the # 6.7 car from now on.

What is the world coming to? Can you feel the Earth shake? It's as close to Armageddon as you can get in this sport. We'll have fodder for the gossipmongers for weeks!

Dancing in the streets anybody?

Stay tuned...I'll be locked onto Speed tomorrow at 11AM.

Later!

270. Bored?
Posted: 5-8-2007 @ 6:19 pm EDT

I'm bored...are you bored? Find out how bored I am by checking out my article in the Frontstretch Newsletter today Tuesday 05/08/07

And let me know what you think!

Later!

269. Well, I get it
Posted: 4-30-2007 @ 2:15 pm EDT

This morning I enjoyed a conversation with a co-worker who just doesn't get it. I don't know Roy real well, but well enough for him to have nick-named me L.T. Grady for "Left Turn" We have a good chuckle each time we talk. He insists that watching cars go round in circles is for the birds and I refuse to see the intrigue in watching other people whack a tiny white ball over acres of tended lawn.

Anyway, I have to give Roy a star for effort. He spend 45 minutes yesterday afternoon watching a portion of the Talladega race. Now, you and I realize that the boys in 'Dega put on quite a show. Lots of three-wide, bump drafting and general mayhem. Roy lucked out and got to watch the 20 laps where all the rookies were up front and decided that running single file was just the thing.

Roy got bored! He got up and left before the cautions and wrecks gave us the kind of ending that we expect from Talladega. *shrug* This bothered him enough so that the very first thing he did upon arriving at work today was to pick up the phone, call LT and say, "I just don't get it. I tried. But it just didn't work for me."

LOL Don't worry, Roy. I won't hold it against you. NASCAR is still da bomb in my book. You can keep your hushed golf tournaments, which I just don't get

Later!

(Newsletter Article tomorrow! I'm a little upset with the way NASCAR bullied Stewart into issuing an apology...read all about it tomorrow at: http://groups.google.com/group/TheFrontstretch )

268. Racing with Bobby L.
Posted: 4-29-2007 @ 11:36 am EDT

Bobby Labonte took the checker flag yesterday at Talladega in the #77 Dollar General KHI car. While he demonstrated in the final laps that the Cup veteran has a fine understanding of drafting at NASCAR's biggest and baddest track, as usual, the spotlight landed on somebody else.

Tony Stewart, after spending the weekend kow-towing to the NASCAR gods, returned as his sunnier, happier self in pit road after the race. Giggling like a school boy, he appeared ecstatic that Bobby was able to breeze past the #33 Old Spice machine in the final 200 yards of the race. This was even after a debris caution had been thrown a couple laps before. How ironic.

Nonetheless, it was gratifying to see Bobby Labonte cracking open a can of Busch and teasing his teammate. The race was everything you expect out of a Talladega wreck fest. Bumpdrafting and impatience ruled the day. Expertise and rookie enthusiasm set up disaster after disaster.

Today will provide yet more entertainment. Yes, Talladega is unpredictable and difficult. And that is what makes every lap worth watching.

267. Yes, he's that good.
Posted: 4-27-2007 @ 12:27 am EDT

Jeff Gordon did a few things this last week, all of them great. He won the pole at Phoenix, he won the race, he acknowledged Dale Earnhardt in his moment of victory and he joined the Big E, ranking 6th in all time wins in the Cup division of NASCAR with 76.

After the race, fans booed Gordon and said that by carrying the black #3 flag he wasn't honoring the dead, he was thumbing his nose at him. Ridiculous. I can't begin to speak of my disgust with those in the stands throwing beer cans and at home sneering at the television. They appear to be incapable of recognizing an accomplishment in anybody else except their very own favorite competitor. That is just petty.

Next, came the slew of commentators and bloggers deciding in their ultimate wisdom that Gordon hasn't accomplished anything special. Silly comparisons of Gordon vs. Pearson are made. Apples and oranges are spoken of.

The fact remains, Jeff Gordon has won 76 races in the most competitive racing series in the world. Only five other men have ever managed to do this in NASCAR. All of those five men no longer compete, for a variety of reasons.

He has a bushelful of poles to share the mantlepiece with all those trophies. He has four Championship Cups as well. He alone represents nearly half of the wins Hendrick Motorsports has won in all of the series it competes in.

When speaking of these records, there are no "what-ifs". These are facts. It is futile to state that if Petty or Pearson or Allison were still driving, that things would be different. Of course they would be! What-if's don't change what-is.

Jeff Gordon is the top driver in the series at this time. He has achieved victory after victory. He is now recognized by the sport as the elder statesman, even though he has yet to see his 40th birthday.

If you don't like him, I can accept that. Just don't belittle what he has managed to achieve. That takes away from every other driver ever to have arrived in Victory Lane with a winning car.

Later!

266. Newsletter tomorrow!
Posted: 4-23-2007 @ 9:07 pm EDT

This week I tackled Dale Jr. and his contract negotiations. Find out what it's all about and sign up for the Frontstretch Newsletter today!

Just click here:
http://groups.google.com/group/TheFrontstretch

Later!

265. Springtime Glee
Posted: 4-22-2007 @ 8:42 pm EDT

It's been a good day. Not only did Jeff Gordon do all sorts of awesome things at Phoenix this weekend (like win!!!), but the hubby and I fed our thirst for live racing action by visiting Thompson Speedway in Thompson, CT and watched the annual Icebreaker race...which includes 150 laps with the Whelan Modified Series.

My ears ring, my face is sunburned and our memory card is full of awesome speed shots. There were rookies and veterans, luck and ill-fated laps...it was bliss.

We started the day early by visiting the Little "T" track located to the side of the Thompson 1/2 mile oval. We got to watch the Little League of NASCAR. Dads, Moms and kids shared in the excitement of getting the tiny sprint cars around the track, lined up to take the checker and practicing slowing for cautions. Wheels bumped, cars stalled and there was even a moment of a hard hit. The child was unhurt but he learned a lesson. Enthusiastic use of the accelerator can hurt when you don't have control of the car. LOL

Anyway, back with the big boys...Ted Christopher did not have a good day. They just kept wanting to wreck in front of him James Civali won the Icebreaker with a strong green-to-checker showing in his #28. Veterans had a rough time of it and the rookies looked strong, until tires began giving out with 20 laps to go.

For complete results for all series click on: http://www.thompsonspeedway.com/

And here's something to think about...the ticket price for the Icebreaker Weekend is $40 for an adult. That provides entrance for Saturday (practice, qualifying and some feature races) and Sunday. Sunday alone...the action on the track lasted from Noon to about 6PM. Bring your own cooler, bring the kids...have a great time.

Local racing action is an awesome deal and just as big an adrenaline rush as the big boys. Think about that the next time you're promising yourself you'll go someday.

Later!

264. Hopeful
Posted: 4-21-2007 @ 4:19 pm EDT

It seems to me that although Jeff Gordon still sits on top of the points, we haven't really seen him do what he needs to do this year...win.

Last week at Texas it really looked like he might beat the demon there, until the wall got the better of his car.

This week? Another pole and some mighty comforting words from the man. He thinks they have begun to get the setup right on the COT, allowing him to be more comfortable behind the steering wheel. But then again...

This is Phoenix. One of the three tracks that JG just hasn't managed to get the better of yet. He qualifies well here, he runs well here...but the boogey monster seems to have it in for him at this oddly shaped track.

Will it happen again? Or is this the night where Jeff will find that thing he needs in order to feel more confident about his ability to take home the Cup at the end of the year?

I've got my fingers and toes crossed. The #24 looks good and its driver sounds reasonably happy.

I like the odds.

Who do you want in Victory Lane tonight?

Later!

(and don't forget to sign up for my weekly commentary article by subscribing to The Frontstretch...link in the introduction part of the blog. It's free! Everybody likes free)

263. Shall we make something of it?
Posted: 4-16-2007 @ 8:49 pm EDT

Dale Jr. climbed out of his #8 Bud machine laps after Kyle Busch ran over him when Tony Stewart spun out for the final time. The media descended upon Junebug to discuss his disappointing day...then the strangest thing happened.

A member of the #5 car came over and asked Jr. if he would finish the race in their car. Apparently Kyle had given up on his vehicle after the wreck and left the track while his team proceeded to fix the car. Junior checked with the powers that be and obliged.

He managed to gain three precious championship points for Kyle..yes, that's right. He gained points for Kyle...the guy that wrecked him...in a competing stable's vehicle.

I could have understood the action if it was the #1 or #15 that Junior helped out. But it wasn't. What it was...

Could it be that Junior just did the right thing and helped out a fellow team just because they all had a bad day and something better could be made out of it if they just worked together?

I think our little boy grew up. This was the finest example of the racer's code of honor that you will find. My jaw dropped when I heard about this and then my heart grew three times that day.

Lil' E...you done me proud

Later!

262. Sign up for my debut article at Frontstretch
Posted: 4-16-2007 @ 8:15 pm EDT

Beginning tomorrow I will be writing a weekly commentary article for Frontstretch.com!

You can visit their daily web content at http://www.frontstretch.com

BUT in order to read my weekly articles you will have to subscribe to their newsletter. Click on this link to join:
http://groups.google.com/group/TheFrontstretch

Click on the 'Join this Group'

It's free and they only need your e-mail address. You will not read these articles anywhere else. It is exclusive content to the Frontstretch Newsletter on Tuesdays

I hope to see your familiar faces over at The Frontstretch!

261. Opinions...
Posted: 4-14-2007 @ 1:32 pm EDT

Despite the fact that trophys are awarded in this sport based on who crosses the finish line first, personalities are what fuels the endless hours of TV coverage, radio shows and numerous 'news' columns and blogs. And sometimes it's not even the personalities of the competitors.

As fans of the sport, we love to denigrate the guy that dumped our driver's car into the wall. It feels great! Anger flows through our veins and we create a fanciful world full of two-dimensional drivers who have personal vendettas taken out on their opponents. Nothing lights up the gossip lists like a thrown helmet or a speeding ticket. Our fingers fly, meatloaf is tossed across the dining room table and t-shirts are torn up in disgust.

And then the green flag flies on Sunday. Cars are tight entering the corner, loose out...lugs aren't tight and there's a terrible shimmy. Engines detonate. A piece of bumper bar pierces a radiator. A bit of fluid in the groove or that mysterious nugget of debris drops the caution flag.

We stay glued to the TV for five hours...waiting...waiting for the muscle move that wasn't called for, the pile of sheet metal left in Turn 4, and the opportunity to exercise our opinion.

Somebody will win, and chances are it won't be the guy that you're cheering for. Your voice is unheard in Victory Lane. Money is exchanged, interviews taken, accusations flung...and we're off!

The race was run. A winner declared. Our emotions didn't effect the outcome in the least. Still, come Monday we'll be chattering away again. Cheering, whining and prognosticating.

Without us, the fans, it would only be a mixing bowl of cars. We are what makes this insane sport fun. Whether we're right or wrong or simply nuts, our opinions drive the storylines and effect how others perceive the results of Sunday's race.

So speak up! Shout out! Share your enthusiasm with the world. NASCAR is your sport. Enjoy it.

260. New Engine...
Posted: 4-13-2007 @ 9:27 pm EDT

Just something to keep an eye on when the boys finally take to the track on Sunday.

For the first time in 50 years, the Chevys will be running an engine designed from the ground up specifically for racing. Sounds exciting. There have been some 500-mile tests done with solid results. However...

Something tends to happen to new equipment on raceday. It's usually not good. While most of the Chevy stables have opted to slide into the rollout by placing the R07 in only a single car this weekend. Gibbs, however, appears to have lost all sense and is running the engine in all three of his entries.

I could see trying it out on Yeley, but Stewart? Really?

This is one of those opportunities to grab greatness by the...he-hem...or possibly look like an ass. The odds?

I expect the latter will happen. I'm sorry, but that's they way I see it.

Catch ya later!

259. Hopping down the bunny trail...
Posted: 4-9-2007 @ 9:21 pm EDT

Or off of your winning car door. That does just as nicely.

For those of