Speaking of racing, does anyone think there might be some Sprint Cup drivers sneaking in for a little Preakness action and a nice crab cake platter Saturday afternoon? For those who don't have a roll to play with the Nationwide race, why not?
The monster stands poised to twist up and devour machinery this weekend as the qualifying order is set for Sunday’s Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway. Having Dover come right after a race at Darlington provides a race fan with an incredible level of excitement with two of the series toughest, most dramatic tracks back-to- back. Remember this when it’s one brand new 1 ½ to 2 mile track after another later on in the season.
The field is set and some teams that needed a boost surely must be breathing a brief sigh of relief knowing full well what lies ahead on Sunday.
Mike Waltrip racing needed a break. Their performance in 2010 has been way below expectations. Martin Truex sits on the pole. Fords have not qualified well and Richard Petty Racing’s top driver, Kasey Kahne, stands from the chase. His Budweiser #9 Ford will start on the outside of the front row. Mark Martin, looking for more of the magic that made last year so special, starts 3rd.
Next in line are two formidable racers who seek to assert themselves in the championship chase. Kyle Busch commands five consecutive top ten finishes after a lackluster start. His intentions became clear with his win at Richmond. His 4th place starting position speaks of some darned rowdy desire. Jimmie Johnson never lets one week’s misfortune bleed over to the next. Those who’ve felt relieved to see Johnson fall out of the top spot in the standings, let us not forget after some terrible races including a DNF last week, he is still in second place, a bad race by the frontrunner away from reclaiming the top spot and tied for the lead in victories with Denny Hamlin, he still would be top dog were the Chaser to begin today. Speculation has been buzzing around media circles that could the #48 team have not been prepared properly for the spoiler. Forget it! Knaus and Johnson have probably analyzed more angles to the new aerodynamics than anyone.
Looking to get their seasons into a good groove, Ryan Newman starts 6th and Clint Bowyer lines up 7th. The final positions in the top ten must be matters of tremendous relief for those involved, all three of whom need a break to get their seasons headed in the right direction. A.J. Allmendinger puts the #43 Ford in 8th. Carl Edwards #99 is feeling ducky in 9th. How important is it to have two more Fords in the top ten given their dreadful qualifying recently. In 10th, the forgotten man in the Penske garage, Sam Hornish Jr. Just outside the top 12, #11 is where Jamie McMurray, one of this year’s brightest surprises stands ready to hit the concrete while Kurt Busch seeks to solidify his spot in the top ten on the outside of the 6th row.
Ford needs a win. It would surely help give the new structure and switch to Ford some credibility in the Richard Petty operation. Roush/Fenway always a factor in the chase might have three of its four cars in the top 12, but they have not gotten there in spectacular fashion. How often have we heard of a Roush driver pushing toward the front of the field in the last ten laps?
A vicious pack of Fords can be found from 19th to 24th with only Brad the Brat in 20thin his Penske Dodge in 20th. The Ford pack has car #19 in 19th, Elliott Sadler, then Matt Kenseth, David Ragan, Paul Menard, and Greg Biffle line up ready to go.
Brian Vickers is out ill. Casey Mears starts his #83 Red Bull car in 39th.
Still looking to silence critics that the problems of last year’s problems are over, Dale Earnhardt Jr. only manages a 27th start. Likewise, Kevin Harvick who’s attempting to prove he belongs atop the standings managed only a 30th slot. Thankfully for the true competitors, there are no drivers below 30th who’d be given any shot of winning. We’ll see which ones peel off the track early. Dover’s the kind of track that can wreck the sissies before they can head to the garage. Don’t mess with the monster if you’re not prepared to fight.
Todd Bodine and Max Papis failed to qualify. Kevin Conway and Robby Gordon report to the 41st and 42nd spots on the basis of owner points. With the start and park slugs already toward the back of the field, their shameful presence on the track barring a Dover style mishap is minimized though the marginal #13 operation is out despite having GEICO sponsorship. We’re through trying to rationalize “start and park.” We don’t like what it means to racing, and we just want them gone. They add nothing to the sport other than a nice picture of 43 cars at the beginning. They suck up some of the race’s purse that could go to a team that is financing itself to honestly compete. Should the Monster gobble them up like a redneck chomping down Slim Jims would hurt few feelings for sure.
The weather should be ideal. The Mid-Atlantic fans are primed for the action. Bring it on!
The field is set and some teams that needed a boost surely must be breathing a brief sigh of relief knowing full well what lies ahead on Sunday.
Mike Waltrip racing needed a break. Their performance in 2010 has been way below expectations. Martin Truex sits on the pole. Fords have not qualified well and Richard Petty Racing’s top driver, Kasey Kahne, stands from the chase. His Budweiser #9 Ford will start on the outside of the front row. Mark Martin, looking for more of the magic that made last year so special, starts 3rd.
Next in line are two formidable racers who seek to assert themselves in the championship chase. Kyle Busch commands five consecutive top ten finishes after a lackluster start. His intentions became clear with his win at Richmond. His 4th place starting position speaks of some darned rowdy desire. Jimmie Johnson never lets one week’s misfortune bleed over to the next. Those who’ve felt relieved to see Johnson fall out of the top spot in the standings, let us not forget after some terrible races including a DNF last week, he is still in second place, a bad race by the frontrunner away from reclaiming the top spot and tied for the lead in victories with Denny Hamlin, he still would be top dog were the Chaser to begin today. Speculation has been buzzing around media circles that could the #48 team have not been prepared properly for the spoiler. Forget it! Knaus and Johnson have probably analyzed more angles to the new aerodynamics than anyone.
Looking to get their seasons into a good groove, Ryan Newman starts 6th and Clint Bowyer lines up 7th. The final positions in the top ten must be matters of tremendous relief for those involved, all three of whom need a break to get their seasons headed in the right direction. A.J. Allmendinger puts the #43 Ford in 8th. Carl Edwards #99 is feeling ducky in 9th. How important is it to have two more Fords in the top ten given their dreadful qualifying recently. In 10th, the forgotten man in the Penske garage, Sam Hornish Jr. Just outside the top 12, #11 is where Jamie McMurray, one of this year’s brightest surprises stands ready to hit the concrete while Kurt Busch seeks to solidify his spot in the top ten on the outside of the 6th row.
Ford needs a win. It would surely help give the new structure and switch to Ford some credibility in the Richard Petty operation. Roush/Fenway always a factor in the chase might have three of its four cars in the top 12, but they have not gotten there in spectacular fashion. How often have we heard of a Roush driver pushing toward the front of the field in the last ten laps?
A vicious pack of Fords can be found from 19th to 24th with only Brad the Brat in 20thin his Penske Dodge in 20th. The Ford pack has car #19 in 19th, Elliott Sadler, then Matt Kenseth, David Ragan, Paul Menard, and Greg Biffle line up ready to go.
Brian Vickers is out ill. Casey Mears starts his #83 Red Bull car in 39th.
Still looking to silence critics that the problems of last year’s problems are over, Dale Earnhardt Jr. only manages a 27th start. Likewise, Kevin Harvick who’s attempting to prove he belongs atop the standings managed only a 30th slot. Thankfully for the true competitors, there are no drivers below 30th who’d be given any shot of winning. We’ll see which ones peel off the track early. Dover’s the kind of track that can wreck the sissies before they can head to the garage. Don’t mess with the monster if you’re not prepared to fight.
Todd Bodine and Max Papis failed to qualify. Kevin Conway and Robby Gordon report to the 41st and 42nd spots on the basis of owner points. With the start and park slugs already toward the back of the field, their shameful presence on the track barring a Dover style mishap is minimized though the marginal #13 operation is out despite having GEICO sponsorship. We’re through trying to rationalize “start and park.” We don’t like what it means to racing, and we just want them gone. They add nothing to the sport other than a nice picture of 43 cars at the beginning. They suck up some of the race’s purse that could go to a team that is financing itself to honestly compete. Should the Monster gobble them up like a redneck chomping down Slim Jims would hurt few feelings for sure.
The weather should be ideal. The Mid-Atlantic fans are primed for the action. Bring it on!
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