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ATTENTION RACE FANS: Are You Ready for Some Serious Fun? Two Nights Under the Lights at Bristol
Here it is, summer’s fading fast but one of its great last hoorahs is NASCAR weekend in Thunder Valley, Bristol, Tennessee, right where I-81 crosses into Tennessee from Virginia, where enough fans to fill three Yankee stadiums will pack the small, bowl-like short track, one of the most unique and wildly competitive venues on the entire schedule.
The Craftsman truck series ran last night, and BOO-HISS, Kyle Busch, BOO-HISS, won another one. It would be one thing if the Shrub were just so darned good, he dominated everything, but he just has a horrible way of getting under everyone else’s skin like the eternal neighborhood punk that nothing short of a two-by-four with a spike through the end for a good whack would seem adequate rewards. The kid needs to learn how to win graciously. Even some of T.O.’s and Chad Johnson’s end zone antics aren’t as irritating as this rising star’s antics. This commentator doesn’t have much use for burn-outs at the end of races, got it?
We can’t look forward to this weekend’s activities without one ugly bit of unfinished business, the Joe Gibbs Racing penalties after as yet unidentified crew members installed magnetic stents that would inhibit full accelerator response that would lower post race dynamometer test results. This is serious business, intentional interference with the NASCAR inspection process. It’s bad to not pass the tests. It’s far worse to screw around with the tests. As such both JGR Busch teams are in the hot seat for the rest of the year. First, both teams are stripped of 150 drivers and owners’ points, the crew chiefs and engine tuners are suspended for the rest of the year, both teams are on probation through the end of the calendar year, and significant fines assessed. Neither team owner, Joe Gibbs nor his son, JGR President, J.D. Gibbs, are offering any excuses of defense for the action. They are contrite accepting absolute responsibility and promising severe in house sanctions as well. Joe Gibbs has long been known for his squeaky clean image but also a guy who is a ferocious smart competitor who will maximize every benefit available to him to win with in the rules. Given the extent to which the JGR Toyota program has dominated Nationwide competition this year, these infractions are particularly noteworthy. They also cast shadows over the Saturday series racing for Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, and star of the future, phenom, Joey Logono. This kid’s rising star reminds fans of what Kyle Busch has just recently accomplished by so far Logono exhibits charm, tact and maturity for such a young talent.
Some quick news setting the stage for this weekend’s big races: Reed Sorenson’s crew chief, Donnie Wingo, car #41, was fined $25,000 for an improperly attached weight. Do these guys ever learn or are they just so ignorant of specifics that NASCAR will not allow any hanky-panks with their new Car of Tomorrow set-up. It’s much more like the old IROC series than stock car racing of yesteryear. Aside from a few cosmetics and the engine packages, all cars, Chevy, Dodge, Ford, and Toyota are essentially the same. Don’t mess with the package or else.
Ken Schrader whose been missing in action from all NASCAR prime series for a few weeks will be racing the #96 Hall of Fame racing entry. Welcome back Kenny! Sam Hornish, #77 Dodge, will have a new chief barking on the radio at the Saturday night demolition derby. Penske racing announced Travis Geisler is in; Chris Carrier is out. Geisler was team engineer for the #12 Daytona 500 winner. Aric Almirola, not Mark Martin will race the #8 US Army DEI entry.
Getting ready for Cup action, 47 cars will be looking to squeeze into the 43 car field. The #21 Motorcraft Ford slips in #21 using Bill Elliot with a Past Champion’s provisional in play to secure a spot for the free-falling Wood Brothers operation, (oops, failed to note “legendary” Wood Brothers, sorry. –ed.) Here’s the “go or go home gang,” the nervous numbers include: #45, Kyle Petty making his first race appearance in weeks. Does anyone suspect the investors in Petty Enterprises are suggesting the pony-tailed errant prince retires for the broadcasting profession where he seems to be such a natural? #08 finds Johnny Sauter racing the John Carter Dodge. In the #66, Scott Riggs races the State Water Heater around the track with a Chevy bow-tie on board. #84 finds A.J. Allmendinger in the Red Bull Toyota, a team that’s starting to really gel. Hall of Fame racing is studying for the future as it hopes its #96 car makes the show with veteran driver, Ken Schrader as previously noted, #78 is Joe Nemechek a good qualifier but no so fortunate race in the Furniture Row Chevy. In the #00 Mike Skinner attempts to stabilize the floundering Michael Waltrip Toyota effort. For an open wheel guy attempting to mature in his NASCAR rookie season, Patrick Carpentier in the #10 Valvoline Dodge encounters an experience that has no parallel in any IRL racing. The #70 team is in lame duck status awaiting the dynamic duo of Stewart and Newman next season limiting the #70 with Tony Raines a Pizza Delivery for Haas Racing. #34 finds Jeff Green resurfacing as he attempts to go “Front Row” in a Chevy. Wow look at this, #09 Sterling Marlin attempts for a stunning comeback performance in the James Finch Chevrolet, and finally in #50 Stanton Barrett races the NOS Energy Drink Chevy for Chris Lencheski.
We’ll be focused on the chase to get in the Chase, but here’s the scary underside of the competition, 99 points separate position 29, the DEI #01 car from position 35, Haas racing’s #66 only 13 points ahead the possible “go home gang” with the up and coming #84 Red Bull ride whose recent run of success makes them look more and more likely to secure a top 35 spot. The following cars are all in this bunch, #41 (Sorenson), 7 (Robby Gordon), 22 (Blaney), 55 (Mikey), and 77 (Hornish).
The quietest part of the owner standings are positions #15 to #28 where only a series of incredible calamities would knock them from the top 35 but on the upside, the chances of chase action are essentially impossible. Drivers and crew chiefs in this zone are fighting for new contracts or to keep their jobs, but the action is not as frantic as what’s going on at the top and bottom of the pile.
The stage is set for an all out explosion of flying fenders, twisted steel, and shattered fiberglass with shreds of rubber everywhere as 43 drivers take the green flag where only a fortunate few will be around to see checkers. In the past, NASCAR fans used to speak of short track specialists like Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip, but more recently the drivers who dominate Richmond, Martinsville, and Bristol vary significantly, and truthfully, the racing challenges are quite different between the three shortest tracks. In the spring Bristol race, Kurt Busch has been the dominant driver with Jeff Burton winning in the spring; however, the Saturday night brawl has found Jack Roush drivers winning four out of the last five races, Matt Kenseth the last three.
This would be a great race for Kenseth to dominate. He is still right in the thick of the struggle with only a 74 margin securing his spot. Beneath him, Kasey Kahne and Denny Hamlin are in; David Ragan and Clint Bowyer are out with only a 47 point margin between moving closer to a final safe spot after Richmond or wait until next year for two competitors who wind up in 13th and 14th spot. Only pure hell would seem capable of knocking Tony Stewart or Greg Biffle from the chase at this point, but life is not so good for Kevin Harvick, 39 points ahead of Kenseth, thus 113 out of oblivion, and four time series champion, Jeff Gordon, is in even worse danger, 8 points ahead of Kenseth, 82 points from “see you later.”
Way up top, the show is all about Kyle Busch, 222 points ahead of Carl Edwards with 8 wins to Edwards’ 5. Only third place, Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne have two victories. Only six other drivers have reached victory lane with Penske drivers Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman way out of Chase contention. 13 out 23 wins, 56% of the wins belong to two drivers, hardly as dominant as JGR in Nationwide, but still a dominant showing.
The smart money is on the Roush drivers to bring home to goods from the Sharpie 500. Carl Edwards is on a roll but recently Bristol has been teammate, Matt Kenseth’s track. Meanwhile, the top driver least likely to win most popular driver, already has a truck victory, Kyle Busch comes in hot off a truck victory.
Rest assured, the Bristol field quickly spreads out, lap traffic is everywhere, and races with in the race are everywhere to be found around the tiny half mile surface. The banging and slamming will destroy the fortunes of major competitors and cellar dwellers who will find the ladder out of the basement knocked out from under them. ESPN best have the seven second delay in good working order as tempers explode and some times fists fly as fast as speeding race cars. Still, this is fun racing. There’s no letup in the action from stop to finish. The instant a fan observes, “Gee, it’s been a long time since a caution.” BANG!! Trouble!!! Yellow flag, yellow, flag. Any lucky dogs out there?
The Friday night Nationwide Race is always a great opening act for the Saturday night demolition derby at half the length, it would be hard to say the Friday night fights bring half the excitement. A huge of dare devils, Nationwide regulars, and Sprint Cup invaders shows 24 Chevy’s, 9 Dodge’s, 12 Fords, 7 Toyotas filling 52 entries to make the 43 car field. Cup chase contenders: Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, David Ragan, Greg Biffle, and Denny Hamlin will use the event to warm up for Saturday night’s glory. While nine drivers will go home disappointed not even getting a starting spot before having to pack up and go home, it’s hard to imagine a no-name snatching the trophy. Betting money would best go to a driver with previous Bristol experience, probably a Cup regular. While there’s is no “Chase” for the Nationwide contenders, right now Clint Boyer leads Carl Edwards by 113 points with Brad Keselowski 132 points in arrears as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s billion dollar baby and possibly a rich future ahead of him in Sprint Cup racing in 2011. Below those competitors, Mike Bliss (-359) and David Reutimann (-363) appear to be far out of championship expectations. A big factor as summer transitions to autumn in the Nationwide Series and even the Craftsman Truck Series is seeing what young drivers are emerging as possible competitors at the senior level as surely with the shuffling going on at the top level could provide opportunities for some fresh faces.
Come Sunday morning, while some will be boasting, other teams will be nursing bruised egos, twisted metal and broken dreams. It doesn’t get much better than this!
Here it is, summer’s fading fast but one of its great last hoorahs is NASCAR weekend in Thunder Valley, Bristol, Tennessee, right where I-81 crosses into Tennessee from Virginia, where enough fans to fill three Yankee stadiums will pack the small, bowl-like short track, one of the most unique and wildly competitive venues on the entire schedule.
The Craftsman truck series ran last night, and BOO-HISS, Kyle Busch, BOO-HISS, won another one. It would be one thing if the Shrub were just so darned good, he dominated everything, but he just has a horrible way of getting under everyone else’s skin like the eternal neighborhood punk that nothing short of a two-by-four with a spike through the end for a good whack would seem adequate rewards. The kid needs to learn how to win graciously. Even some of T.O.’s and Chad Johnson’s end zone antics aren’t as irritating as this rising star’s antics. This commentator doesn’t have much use for burn-outs at the end of races, got it?
We can’t look forward to this weekend’s activities without one ugly bit of unfinished business, the Joe Gibbs Racing penalties after as yet unidentified crew members installed magnetic stents that would inhibit full accelerator response that would lower post race dynamometer test results. This is serious business, intentional interference with the NASCAR inspection process. It’s bad to not pass the tests. It’s far worse to screw around with the tests. As such both JGR Busch teams are in the hot seat for the rest of the year. First, both teams are stripped of 150 drivers and owners’ points, the crew chiefs and engine tuners are suspended for the rest of the year, both teams are on probation through the end of the calendar year, and significant fines assessed. Neither team owner, Joe Gibbs nor his son, JGR President, J.D. Gibbs, are offering any excuses of defense for the action. They are contrite accepting absolute responsibility and promising severe in house sanctions as well. Joe Gibbs has long been known for his squeaky clean image but also a guy who is a ferocious smart competitor who will maximize every benefit available to him to win with in the rules. Given the extent to which the JGR Toyota program has dominated Nationwide competition this year, these infractions are particularly noteworthy. They also cast shadows over the Saturday series racing for Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, and star of the future, phenom, Joey Logono. This kid’s rising star reminds fans of what Kyle Busch has just recently accomplished by so far Logono exhibits charm, tact and maturity for such a young talent.
Some quick news setting the stage for this weekend’s big races: Reed Sorenson’s crew chief, Donnie Wingo, car #41, was fined $25,000 for an improperly attached weight. Do these guys ever learn or are they just so ignorant of specifics that NASCAR will not allow any hanky-panks with their new Car of Tomorrow set-up. It’s much more like the old IROC series than stock car racing of yesteryear. Aside from a few cosmetics and the engine packages, all cars, Chevy, Dodge, Ford, and Toyota are essentially the same. Don’t mess with the package or else.
Ken Schrader whose been missing in action from all NASCAR prime series for a few weeks will be racing the #96 Hall of Fame racing entry. Welcome back Kenny! Sam Hornish, #77 Dodge, will have a new chief barking on the radio at the Saturday night demolition derby. Penske racing announced Travis Geisler is in; Chris Carrier is out. Geisler was team engineer for the #12 Daytona 500 winner. Aric Almirola, not Mark Martin will race the #8 US Army DEI entry.
Getting ready for Cup action, 47 cars will be looking to squeeze into the 43 car field. The #21 Motorcraft Ford slips in #21 using Bill Elliot with a Past Champion’s provisional in play to secure a spot for the free-falling Wood Brothers operation, (oops, failed to note “legendary” Wood Brothers, sorry. –ed.) Here’s the “go or go home gang,” the nervous numbers include: #45, Kyle Petty making his first race appearance in weeks. Does anyone suspect the investors in Petty Enterprises are suggesting the pony-tailed errant prince retires for the broadcasting profession where he seems to be such a natural? #08 finds Johnny Sauter racing the John Carter Dodge. In the #66, Scott Riggs races the State Water Heater around the track with a Chevy bow-tie on board. #84 finds A.J. Allmendinger in the Red Bull Toyota, a team that’s starting to really gel. Hall of Fame racing is studying for the future as it hopes its #96 car makes the show with veteran driver, Ken Schrader as previously noted, #78 is Joe Nemechek a good qualifier but no so fortunate race in the Furniture Row Chevy. In the #00 Mike Skinner attempts to stabilize the floundering Michael Waltrip Toyota effort. For an open wheel guy attempting to mature in his NASCAR rookie season, Patrick Carpentier in the #10 Valvoline Dodge encounters an experience that has no parallel in any IRL racing. The #70 team is in lame duck status awaiting the dynamic duo of Stewart and Newman next season limiting the #70 with Tony Raines a Pizza Delivery for Haas Racing. #34 finds Jeff Green resurfacing as he attempts to go “Front Row” in a Chevy. Wow look at this, #09 Sterling Marlin attempts for a stunning comeback performance in the James Finch Chevrolet, and finally in #50 Stanton Barrett races the NOS Energy Drink Chevy for Chris Lencheski.
We’ll be focused on the chase to get in the Chase, but here’s the scary underside of the competition, 99 points separate position 29, the DEI #01 car from position 35, Haas racing’s #66 only 13 points ahead the possible “go home gang” with the up and coming #84 Red Bull ride whose recent run of success makes them look more and more likely to secure a top 35 spot. The following cars are all in this bunch, #41 (Sorenson), 7 (Robby Gordon), 22 (Blaney), 55 (Mikey), and 77 (Hornish).
The quietest part of the owner standings are positions #15 to #28 where only a series of incredible calamities would knock them from the top 35 but on the upside, the chances of chase action are essentially impossible. Drivers and crew chiefs in this zone are fighting for new contracts or to keep their jobs, but the action is not as frantic as what’s going on at the top and bottom of the pile.
The stage is set for an all out explosion of flying fenders, twisted steel, and shattered fiberglass with shreds of rubber everywhere as 43 drivers take the green flag where only a fortunate few will be around to see checkers. In the past, NASCAR fans used to speak of short track specialists like Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip, but more recently the drivers who dominate Richmond, Martinsville, and Bristol vary significantly, and truthfully, the racing challenges are quite different between the three shortest tracks. In the spring Bristol race, Kurt Busch has been the dominant driver with Jeff Burton winning in the spring; however, the Saturday night brawl has found Jack Roush drivers winning four out of the last five races, Matt Kenseth the last three.
This would be a great race for Kenseth to dominate. He is still right in the thick of the struggle with only a 74 margin securing his spot. Beneath him, Kasey Kahne and Denny Hamlin are in; David Ragan and Clint Bowyer are out with only a 47 point margin between moving closer to a final safe spot after Richmond or wait until next year for two competitors who wind up in 13th and 14th spot. Only pure hell would seem capable of knocking Tony Stewart or Greg Biffle from the chase at this point, but life is not so good for Kevin Harvick, 39 points ahead of Kenseth, thus 113 out of oblivion, and four time series champion, Jeff Gordon, is in even worse danger, 8 points ahead of Kenseth, 82 points from “see you later.”
Way up top, the show is all about Kyle Busch, 222 points ahead of Carl Edwards with 8 wins to Edwards’ 5. Only third place, Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne have two victories. Only six other drivers have reached victory lane with Penske drivers Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman way out of Chase contention. 13 out 23 wins, 56% of the wins belong to two drivers, hardly as dominant as JGR in Nationwide, but still a dominant showing.
The smart money is on the Roush drivers to bring home to goods from the Sharpie 500. Carl Edwards is on a roll but recently Bristol has been teammate, Matt Kenseth’s track. Meanwhile, the top driver least likely to win most popular driver, already has a truck victory, Kyle Busch comes in hot off a truck victory.
Rest assured, the Bristol field quickly spreads out, lap traffic is everywhere, and races with in the race are everywhere to be found around the tiny half mile surface. The banging and slamming will destroy the fortunes of major competitors and cellar dwellers who will find the ladder out of the basement knocked out from under them. ESPN best have the seven second delay in good working order as tempers explode and some times fists fly as fast as speeding race cars. Still, this is fun racing. There’s no letup in the action from stop to finish. The instant a fan observes, “Gee, it’s been a long time since a caution.” BANG!! Trouble!!! Yellow flag, yellow, flag. Any lucky dogs out there?
The Friday night Nationwide Race is always a great opening act for the Saturday night demolition derby at half the length, it would be hard to say the Friday night fights bring half the excitement. A huge of dare devils, Nationwide regulars, and Sprint Cup invaders shows 24 Chevy’s, 9 Dodge’s, 12 Fords, 7 Toyotas filling 52 entries to make the 43 car field. Cup chase contenders: Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, David Ragan, Greg Biffle, and Denny Hamlin will use the event to warm up for Saturday night’s glory. While nine drivers will go home disappointed not even getting a starting spot before having to pack up and go home, it’s hard to imagine a no-name snatching the trophy. Betting money would best go to a driver with previous Bristol experience, probably a Cup regular. While there’s is no “Chase” for the Nationwide contenders, right now Clint Boyer leads Carl Edwards by 113 points with Brad Keselowski 132 points in arrears as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s billion dollar baby and possibly a rich future ahead of him in Sprint Cup racing in 2011. Below those competitors, Mike Bliss (-359) and David Reutimann (-363) appear to be far out of championship expectations. A big factor as summer transitions to autumn in the Nationwide Series and even the Craftsman Truck Series is seeing what young drivers are emerging as possible competitors at the senior level as surely with the shuffling going on at the top level could provide opportunities for some fresh faces.
Come Sunday morning, while some will be boasting, other teams will be nursing bruised egos, twisted metal and broken dreams. It doesn’t get much better than this!
Gentlemen and Kyle Busch: Start your engines!!! Pit Crews: Inflate your tires!!!
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