Sunday, May 16, 2010
Live at Dover through 25 laps
Kasey Kahne starts out fast and has led the whole way. Is this Ford's day. But Johnson is coming fast. Johnson takes lead on 24th lap on pass in bottom of third turn.
Live at Dover
We've got a good day here. Mostly sunny and a little bit of a breeze. Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards were top three in final practice Saturday. We'll how that plays out today as the weather conditions are very similar. Smallest crowd I've seen here. It's too bad because it's a great place to watch a race, but these things aren't free either.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
They're bad and Nationwide
Some impressions from Saturday's Nationwide race at Dover.
When Kyle Busch has it all going like he did Saturday, he's a treat to watch. A couple of things you can't help but notice is that when he's going around and lapping the field, he's a bit of a stalker. There's no waiting a lap and then passing a guy, or catching up to someone and then laying back and waiting for the right opportunity to go around. It's more like here I am, I know I'm faster than you, you know I'm faster than you, so get out of the way. The other thing is that when Busch has a two- or three-second lead, he doesn't just coast around there and maintain what he has. He's looking to stretch that lead to say five or six seconds. He's just doing his job, driving that car as fast as he can.
As for the Bowyer-Hamlin incident. Bowyer doesn't easily lose his cool, so it was a surprising to see him head back out and take out Hamlin. It makes you wonder if there's been some history there over the last year or two and Bowyer finally had enough. I do believe Hamlin when he says he didn't clip Bowyer intentionally on that restart that caused a major accident. So, it will be interesting to see if there's any carryover into today's Sprint Cup race. My guess is probably not.
When Kyle Busch has it all going like he did Saturday, he's a treat to watch. A couple of things you can't help but notice is that when he's going around and lapping the field, he's a bit of a stalker. There's no waiting a lap and then passing a guy, or catching up to someone and then laying back and waiting for the right opportunity to go around. It's more like here I am, I know I'm faster than you, you know I'm faster than you, so get out of the way. The other thing is that when Busch has a two- or three-second lead, he doesn't just coast around there and maintain what he has. He's looking to stretch that lead to say five or six seconds. He's just doing his job, driving that car as fast as he can.
As for the Bowyer-Hamlin incident. Bowyer doesn't easily lose his cool, so it was a surprising to see him head back out and take out Hamlin. It makes you wonder if there's been some history there over the last year or two and Bowyer finally had enough. I do believe Hamlin when he says he didn't clip Bowyer intentionally on that restart that caused a major accident. So, it will be interesting to see if there's any carryover into today's Sprint Cup race. My guess is probably not.
Friday, May 14, 2010
What I like about Kyle Busch and picks
With Kyle Busch driving in the Trucks, Nationwide and Sprint Cup series this weekend, I was hoping we might see a first with a triple-weekend winner. And even though he dominated for much of the Trucks race, he was short on gas and had to pit causing a 16th place finish. But don't be surprised to see him win in the Nationwide race today, where he's been dominant.
While there are many fans who don't like Busch, you've have to respect that he's a race car driver first. He was asked by a national publication to do a weekly blog for them, but Busch refused, not to be rude, but simply because he felt it wouldn't be interesting. He's not into popular TV shows, or the hottest movie, or the latest big musical group or fashion trend. I doubt we'll ever see him on a soap opera or filling as a TV talk show host. Also, when he talks to the media, you know you're going to get a truly honest answer. What a concept. But above all, he's just really into racing, pure and simple and what's not to like about that?
Time for this week's picks
First, a look at last week, and the not so good results for me
Jeff Gordon, fourth. He led the most laps at 110 and very well could have won if not for missing the entrance to pit road late in the race.
Kevin Harvick, sixth. He's leading the points and has found the necessary consistency to be a champion.
Carl Edwards, 15th. Started poorly, but got back into the top 10, only to fade a little at the end.
Joey Logano, 27th. Was caught up in an accident, but was only running OK before that.
Jimmie Johnson, 36th. He had a top-five car at least, but another accident ruined his day.
The five picks for Dover
Jeff Gordon: He just needs to relax a little. He's had too many chances to win and he's going to run into one soon.
Jimmie Johnson: Too dominant on the concrete not to pick here.
Kasey Kahne: He's my Ford pick for this week. Maybe a good qualifying run is sign of good things to come.
Tony Stewart: He needs a good finish and nearly won at Dover last year.
Kyle Busch: I just wrote about why I liked the guy, so, yeah, he's gotta be one of my five this week.
While there are many fans who don't like Busch, you've have to respect that he's a race car driver first. He was asked by a national publication to do a weekly blog for them, but Busch refused, not to be rude, but simply because he felt it wouldn't be interesting. He's not into popular TV shows, or the hottest movie, or the latest big musical group or fashion trend. I doubt we'll ever see him on a soap opera or filling as a TV talk show host. Also, when he talks to the media, you know you're going to get a truly honest answer. What a concept. But above all, he's just really into racing, pure and simple and what's not to like about that?
Time for this week's picks
First, a look at last week, and the not so good results for me
Jeff Gordon, fourth. He led the most laps at 110 and very well could have won if not for missing the entrance to pit road late in the race.
Kevin Harvick, sixth. He's leading the points and has found the necessary consistency to be a champion.
Carl Edwards, 15th. Started poorly, but got back into the top 10, only to fade a little at the end.
Joey Logano, 27th. Was caught up in an accident, but was only running OK before that.
Jimmie Johnson, 36th. He had a top-five car at least, but another accident ruined his day.
The five picks for Dover
Jeff Gordon: He just needs to relax a little. He's had too many chances to win and he's going to run into one soon.
Jimmie Johnson: Too dominant on the concrete not to pick here.
Kasey Kahne: He's my Ford pick for this week. Maybe a good qualifying run is sign of good things to come.
Tony Stewart: He needs a good finish and nearly won at Dover last year.
Kyle Busch: I just wrote about why I liked the guy, so, yeah, he's gotta be one of my five this week.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Dover and Dover and Dover again
Some thoughts on this week's upcoming race at Dover, Del., the closest NASCAR's major series comes to Delaware County.
First, Dover, being just a one-mile track is a great place to watch a race. You can see the entire track from almost any seat, but just remember, as is the case with most races, the higher the seat the better. The only questionable seating area at Dover, by that I mean the only place you can't see the entire track, is in the third turn due to the bridge seating at the end of the backstretch.
Second, I like Dover because it's loud. You can't be an auto racing fan without liking loud engines can you? The sound echoes around the concrete track and while it's advisable to have some kind of earplugs, and essential if you're taking smaller children, even with that protection it's still plenty loud. The loudest places are the seats coming off the second and fourth turns, when the cars are accelerating.
Third, if you don't have the money to spend on Sunday tickets, Saturday is a lot less crowded and the tickets are cheaper for the Nationwide race which starts at 2 p.m. Some key guys in the Nationwide race this week are Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray. There are also special ticket deals for children for Saturday and that's always helpful.
And last for this post, the grand marshal this weekend is The King, a seven-time winner in his driving days at Dover, back when the races were 500 miles. You've got to love The King.
First, Dover, being just a one-mile track is a great place to watch a race. You can see the entire track from almost any seat, but just remember, as is the case with most races, the higher the seat the better. The only questionable seating area at Dover, by that I mean the only place you can't see the entire track, is in the third turn due to the bridge seating at the end of the backstretch.
Second, I like Dover because it's loud. You can't be an auto racing fan without liking loud engines can you? The sound echoes around the concrete track and while it's advisable to have some kind of earplugs, and essential if you're taking smaller children, even with that protection it's still plenty loud. The loudest places are the seats coming off the second and fourth turns, when the cars are accelerating.
Third, if you don't have the money to spend on Sunday tickets, Saturday is a lot less crowded and the tickets are cheaper for the Nationwide race which starts at 2 p.m. Some key guys in the Nationwide race this week are Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray. There are also special ticket deals for children for Saturday and that's always helpful.
And last for this post, the grand marshal this weekend is The King, a seven-time winner in his driving days at Dover, back when the races were 500 miles. You've got to love The King.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Good news out of Darlington and predictions
Apologies for not getting on here this week. Too much life happening.
But finally ...
Some good news out of Darlington. Car owner Richard Childress announced that he is close to signing driver Kevin Harvick to an extension. Harvick, the points leader going into tonight's race at Darlington, was rumored to be looking at other teams, specifically those who run Chevrolets. So, there had been speculation that he could become the third Stewart-Haas driver joining team owner Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, who drive Chevys. Stewart-Haas essentially uses the Hendrick team's engine and chassis information. So, there had been some speculation that eventually Hendrick would be controlling as many as eight cars. And you know Ford wouldn't stand by and just let that happen, so it wouldn't be out of the question to see Jack Roush do the same thing and you would have two teams controlling 40 percent of the field.
At any rate, it's good to see that Childress and Harvick are likely to stay together. Monopoly would be a bad thing for this sport.
The picks for tonight's race at the track many call too tough tame.
First last week's results: I gave you five guys and three finished in the top five, including the winner.
Denny Hamlin: Ran well for a while, but settled for 11th
Jeff Burton: Was strong all night and finished fourth
Tony Stewart: Was 23rd and needed to stay out an extra lap on a yellow to pick up the five bonus points for leading a race. Not a good sign.
Jeff Gordon: Was second, and really, he's been good all year.
Kyle Busch: The winner. My comment was: He's too good not to contend for the win at Richmond.
This week's picks:
Jeff Gordon: Yes, I'm picking him until he gets a win. The team has been strong all year.
Kevin Harvick: The points leader, has been very consistent and liked that winning feeling two weeks ago.
Carl Edwards: A Ford has got to win a race sometime soon and Edwards loves Darlington.
Joey Logano: A bit of a different pick, but he's a rare young guy who actually likes Darlington.
Jimmie Johnson: I try to avoid picking him every week, but on a difficult and physically demanding track like Darlington, it's impossible not to pick him.
And by the way, don't forget Mother's Day Sunday.
But finally ...
Some good news out of Darlington. Car owner Richard Childress announced that he is close to signing driver Kevin Harvick to an extension. Harvick, the points leader going into tonight's race at Darlington, was rumored to be looking at other teams, specifically those who run Chevrolets. So, there had been speculation that he could become the third Stewart-Haas driver joining team owner Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, who drive Chevys. Stewart-Haas essentially uses the Hendrick team's engine and chassis information. So, there had been some speculation that eventually Hendrick would be controlling as many as eight cars. And you know Ford wouldn't stand by and just let that happen, so it wouldn't be out of the question to see Jack Roush do the same thing and you would have two teams controlling 40 percent of the field.
At any rate, it's good to see that Childress and Harvick are likely to stay together. Monopoly would be a bad thing for this sport.
The picks for tonight's race at the track many call too tough tame.
First last week's results: I gave you five guys and three finished in the top five, including the winner.
Denny Hamlin: Ran well for a while, but settled for 11th
Jeff Burton: Was strong all night and finished fourth
Tony Stewart: Was 23rd and needed to stay out an extra lap on a yellow to pick up the five bonus points for leading a race. Not a good sign.
Jeff Gordon: Was second, and really, he's been good all year.
Kyle Busch: The winner. My comment was: He's too good not to contend for the win at Richmond.
This week's picks:
Jeff Gordon: Yes, I'm picking him until he gets a win. The team has been strong all year.
Kevin Harvick: The points leader, has been very consistent and liked that winning feeling two weeks ago.
Carl Edwards: A Ford has got to win a race sometime soon and Edwards loves Darlington.
Joey Logano: A bit of a different pick, but he's a rare young guy who actually likes Darlington.
Jimmie Johnson: I try to avoid picking him every week, but on a difficult and physically demanding track like Darlington, it's impossible not to pick him.
And by the way, don't forget Mother's Day Sunday.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
I'm not gonna take it anymore
The fact that Fox 29 in Philadelphia is showing a political debate instead of the NASCAR race is outrageous. Would they do this for a Phillies game? No. A Flyers game? No. A Sixers game ... well maybe. An Eagles game? Never even a thought.
Since this was done locally, there is no other channel to watch the race at Richmond.
This is a disaster.
No Boogity, Boogity, Boogity!
The late Dale Earnhardt would have rattled these guys cages by now.
I'd rather listen to Larry and DW during a rain delay than this.
Since this was done locally, there is no other channel to watch the race at Richmond.
This is a disaster.
No Boogity, Boogity, Boogity!
The late Dale Earnhardt would have rattled these guys cages by now.
I'd rather listen to Larry and DW during a rain delay than this.
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