My NASCAR Dream

NASCAR - Dover

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 15:00:54 PDT

Dover Racing the best, fastest 1 mile track on the circuit. This race was not boring, passing was good. The biggest wreck this year (not what I like to see) 13 cars pulled in on just lap 9. Tony Stewart was the only driver in the 10 in points involved, but managed to fix his car and come back to a 25th place finish still pushing him up 1 position in the points..
Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon had the fastest cars. Jeff Gordon was the car to beat until a loose wheel on lap 249 forced him to pit. He eventually got back on the lead lap, but just not enough time to catch teammate Jimmie Johnson... finishing 13th he earned 1 position in the points to 21st.

Congratulation Jimmie Johnson!!! Chad kept the car fast all race... Car was fast and good on the restarts... This was good racing, saw lots of passing. Jimmie Johnson sports a very colorful wig in the winners circle, promoting the movie Madagascar 3. It was nice to watch a race and not fall asleep from the drop of the green flag... I love green flag racing if there is passing going on all the way around the track.. Dover is a great small track race...

Top Ten Recap
1. Jimmie Johnson - started 2 - remains in 5th
2. Kevin Harvick - started 6 - remains in 7th
3. Matt Kenseth - started 5 - remains in 2nd
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 17 - up 1 position to 3rd
5. Clint Bowyer - started 4 - up 2 position to 10th
6. Aric Almirola - started 12 - up 2 positions to 17th
7. Martin Truex Jr. - started 18 - remains in 6th
8. Joey Lagano - started 11 - remains in 16th
9. Kasey Kahne - started 13 - up 1 position to 14th
10. Marcos Ambrose - started 21 - up 1 position to 19th

Race to the Chase
1. Greg Biffle - finished 11th - remains Leader by 1 point
2. Matt Kenseth - finished 3rd
3 Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 4th - up 1 position
4. Denny Hamlin - finished 18th - down 1 position
5. Jimmie Johnson - WINNER
6. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 7th
7. Kevin Harvick - finished 2nd
8. Tony Stewart - finished 25th - up 1 position
9. Kyle Busch - finished 29th - down 1 position
10. Clint Bowyer - finished 5th - up 2 positions
11. Brad Keslowski - finished 12th
12. Carl Edwards - finished 26th - down 2 positions

Ryan Newman in 13th place 120 points behind has 1 win and would kick Carl Edwards, with no wins, out of the chase. Kasey Kahne, however, is in 14th only 1 point behind Ryan Newman and he also has a win...
Going to be close racing to get into the chase. We are half way to the chase now...

Next race - Pocono Raceway - Pocono 400 - Sunday, June 10, 2012 - 12pm EST.

Take Care All
Have a Wonderful Week
Barbara

NASCAR - Coca Cola 600

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Mon, 28 May 2012 09:34:01 PDT

The most welcome site of the day!!!
Took this picture from our seats at the Coca Cola 600!!!
It was very hot, roasting in the sun!!!

Kasey Kahne - Winner Coca Cola 600

Hello All!!! We were at the Coca Cola 600 this year... Actually enjoyed a whole weekend of racing this year... had a great time... Racing however was a little lame... The Nationwide Race had a little more excitement than the Sprint Cup racing, but both races were in line racing for most of the race, like the cars were qualifying right behind each other all race.... Jason Boyles had a little problem with a fire in his car after hitting the wall... Brad Keslowski was the winner in the Nationwide History 300 on Saturday...
Congratulations Kasey Kahne!!! We had seats on the back stretch for the Coca Cola 600 not my favorite place to sit at Charlotte Motor Speedway... the sun is directly in front of you for about half the race and with temperatures in the high 80's you pretty much cooked for 200 laps...The racing was pretty boring with the cars just riding around in single file for 111 laps before the first caution. The restarts kept you on your feet for about 10 laps and then again single file, very little passing until the next caution. which between Lap 111 (the first caution) and Lap 178 there were a total of 4 cautions, which kept you wondering on what the strategy of the teams would be.... Then they raced green flag again for 140 laps the longest run of the night. with the final caution (5) for debris coming on Lap 318... The rest of the race was all green flag racing with one green flag pit stop. That pit stop proved fatal for any win hope for Jimmie Johnson, who left his pit box with a piece of equipment and had to do a drive through plenty, putting him down a lap... Only 9 cars finished on the lead lap with seconds in between each place... There was no race to finish line. Kasey Kahne had a comfortable 3 second lead over Denny Hamlin coming to the checkered flag.

Top Ten Recap
1. Kasey Kahne - started 7 - up 1 position to 15th
2. Denny Hamlin - started 8 - up 1 position to 3rd
3. Kyle Busch - started 17 - up 1 position to 8th
4. Greg Biffle - started 4 - remains the Leader
5. Brad Keslowski - started - up 1 position to 11th
6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 12 - down 1 position to 4th
7. Jeff Gordon - started 23 - up 2 positions to 22nd
8. Kevin Harvick - started 14 - up 1 position to 7th
9. Carl Edwards - started 28 - remains in 9th
10. Matt Kenseth - started 10 - remains in 2nd

Race for the Chase
1. Greg Biffle - finished 4th
2. Matt Kenseth - finished 10th
3. Denny Hamlin - finished 2nd - up 1 position
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 6th - down 1 position
5. Jimmie Johnson - finished 11th
6. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 12th
7. Kevin Harvick - finished 8th - up 1 position
8. Kyle Busch - finished 3rd - up 1 position
9. Tony Stewart - finished 25th - down 2 positions
10. Carl Edwards - finished 9th
11. Brad Keslowski - finished 5th - up 1 position
12. Clint Bowyer - finished 13th - down 1 position

With the new format for the Chase this year as it stand now Clint Bowyer without a win so far this year, would be out of the Chase and Ryan Newman with 1 win in 13th position would be in. Kasey Kahne in 15th position also has a win, so the other 4 without a win that are currently in the top the ten in points, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (4th), Martin Truex Jr. (6th), Kevin Harvick (7th) and Carl Edwards (10th) need to secure their position and/or win a race.

I just have to say - NASCAR you have got to do something to get out of this single line racing!!! Racing is starting to prove NON race fans right... we just watch cars go around in a circle... a lot of races this year has been just that.... I for one would like to see "stock cars" back, get rid of the "COT cars"...

Next race - Dover International Speedway - FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks - Sunday, June 3, 2012 - 12:30pm

Take Care All
Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Barbara

NASCAR - All-Star Race

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sat, 19 May 2012 20:12:12 PDT

Segment 1 - Jimmie Johnson
Segment 2 - Matt Kenseth
Segment 3 - Brad Keslowski
Segment 4 - Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

WINNER Jimmie Johnson... Giving Rick Hendricks his owner a ride to wave to the fans...
Congrats Jimmie!!!

Two Rousch cars, Carl Edwards 99 and Greg Biffle 16, were the only two to blow engines.

Next Race - Charlotte Motor Speedway - Coca Cola 600 - one of my favorite races - Sunday, May 27, 2012 - 5:30pm

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR - Showdown for All Star

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sat, 19 May 2012 17:23:55 PDT

DALE EARNHARDT JR... takes the win in the Showdown... Leads all 40 laps...

A J Allmendinger take 2nd to get into the Showdown

Bobby LaBonte for the fan vote...

NASCAR - Darlington

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sat, 12 May 2012 21:52:06 PDT

To All the Mom's out there we wish you a very Happy Mothers Day! Especially my Mom and Mom-in-Law, who mean so much to me and my hubby and have both done so much for us, we love you.

Saturday Night Racing is always the best. Lady in Black was a little calm tonight. Good racing all the way through the pack. Lot's of green flag racing. Jeff Gordon's dumb luck continued again this race, cutting two tires within 10 laps, giving him a 35th place finish and dropping him a position in points to 24th. As always the Lady in Black gave at least 11 drivers their Darlington stripe, including Danica Patrick who finished 31st in her first Darlington start.

Congratulations Jimmie Johnson!!! Conserved enough gas to get to the finish. You proved track position was everything tonight. Tony Stewart lost a position to Denny Hamlin after have gas problems the last couple of laps.

Johnson's win gave Hendrick Motorsports their 200th win. FINALLY!!! Congratulation Rick Hendricks !!! You have a good eye on finding great talent. 200 wins are impressive and how wierd is it that your 100th was on Fathers Day and now your 200th is on Mothers Day. Good Racing!!!

Top Ten Recap:
1. Jimmie Johnson - started 2 - up 3 positions to 5th
2. Denny Hamlin - started 8 - remained in 4th
3. Tony Stewart - started 17 - remained in 7th
4. Kyle Busch - started 5 - remained in 9th
5. Martin Truex Jr. - started 6 - remained in 6th
6. Matt Kenseth - started 19 - remained in 2nd
8. Kasey Kahne - started 3 - up 3 positions to 16th
9. Marcos Ambrose - started 28 - up 3 positions to 18th
10. Joey Lagano - started 21 - remained in 15th

Race for the Chase:
1. Greg Biffle - finished 12th - remained the same
2. Matt Kenseth - finsihed 6th - remained the same
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 17th - remained the same
4. Denny Hamlin - finished 2nd - remained the same
5. Jimmie Johnson - WINNER - up 3 positions
6. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 5th - remained the same
7. Tony Stewart - finished 3rd - remained the same
8. Kevin Harvick - finished 16th - down 3 positions
9. Kyle Busch - finished 4th - remained the same
10. Carl Edwards - finished 7th - up 1 position
11. Clint Bowyer - finsihed 11th - down 1 position
12. Brad Keslowski - finished 15th - remained the same
13. Ryan Newman - finished 23rd - has 1 win remained the same

Ryan Newman has one win so far this year, and Clint Bowyer does not... this will be the deciding factor as to who should be in the race.,

Jamie McMurray lost the most positions after a Darlington Stripe and a 34th place finish. Dropping him to 20th in the points
Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne and Marcos Ambrose all gained the most positions with 3. Jimmie Johnson is now 5th with a WIN. Kasey Kahns moved into the 16th position with an 8th place finish. and Marcos Amobrose went to the 18th position after finishing 19th.

Next Race - Saturday Night Racing - Charlotte - Sprint All-Star Race - Saturday May 19, 2012 - 7pm
Gotta love this race... so much fun... should be there... so looking forward to it...

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care

Barbara

NASCAR - Talladega

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sun, 06 May 2012 16:31:34 PDT

TALLADEGA - The racing was good... I like pack racing, the two car break away was good to watch too, but the break aways were short lived cause you knew the rest would catch up soon.
NASCAR definately needs to address the overheating, having a smaller radiator so the cars get hot faster, is not the way to go, engines blowing up are not safe on a race track and to have the drivers constantly watching their gauges because they know from the get go that the cars will be overheating when running nose to tail is just NOT SAFE. All that is going to do is cause accidents. Matt Kenseth had the car to beat today, but the last restart he got out of the gate fast, but teammate Greg Biffle just couldn't keep up with Kenseth leaving him on his own and letting Brad and Kyle to fly by on the last lap, last corner.

Congratulations Brad Keslowski!!! The move you made at the end was awesome. You are so focused on your job, if you are dreaming how to win races. Sounds like you took the Silva Intuitive Mind course... LOL but all kidding aside you made the move everyone is going to remember for the next time.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Brad Keslowski - started 13 - up 1 position to 11th
2. Kyle Busch - started 21 - up 2 positions to 9th
3. Matt Kenseth - started 10 - up 2 positions to 2nd
4. Kasey Kahne - started 5 - up 4 positions to 19th
5. Greg Biffle - started 6 - remained the Leader
6. Clint Bowyer - started 24 - up 2 positions to 10th
7. David Ragan - started 32 - remained in 29th
8. Trevor Bayne - started 11 - down 2 positions to 51st
9. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 18 - down 1 position to 3rd
10. Jeff Burton - started 29 - up 2 positions to 18th

Race to the Chase:
1. Greg Biffle - finished 5th
2. Matt Kenseth - finished 3rd - up 2 positions
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 9th - down 1 position
4. Denny Hamlin - finished 23rd(crashed) - down 1 position
5. Kevin Harvick - finished 25th(crashed) - up 2 positions
6. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 28th(crashed) - down 1 position
7. Tony Stewart - finished 24th(crashed) - up 1 position
8. Jimmie Johnson - finished 35th(blowed up) - down 2 positions
9. Kyle Busch - finished 2nd - up 2 positions
10. Clint Bowyer - finished 6th - up 2 positions
11(13). Carl Edwards - finished 31st(crashed) - down 2 positions (no wins)
12(11). Brad Keslowski -WINNER - up 1 position (2 wins)
13(12). Ryan Newman - finished 36th - down 3 positions (1 win)

Ryan Newman is in the chase for his win at Martinsville, replacing Carl Edwards (who does not have any wins)
Michael Waltrip and Bill Elliott both gained 15 positions in the points putting them 34th and 38th in points respectfully, but neither of them race on a regularly basis.
Kasey Kahne gained 4 positions (the most of the regular cup drivers) to 19th position
Jeff Gordon lost the most positions with 6, pushing him down to the 23rd position after being involved in a crash and finishing 33rd.

The next race: SATURDAY NIGHT RACING!!! Love it... The Lady in Black!!!
Darlington Raceway - Bojangles' Southern 500 - Saturday, May 12, 2012 - 6:30 pm
My son Joe's 20th birthday!!!

Take Care All
Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Barbara

NASCAR - Richmond

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:10:19 PDT

Saturday night racing, I love em, Richmond was a pretty good race. Tony Stewart had a very strong car, but spinning his tires on the restarts was his down fall. Kyle Busch took advantage of the weak link in Tony's chain and took the lead with 9 to go. Dale Earnhardt Jr. gave it go to pass Kyle, but Kyle was just a tad bit faster. At least this race wasn't boring, there was passing, but once out front the leader was ahead by more than 3 seconds.

Congratulations Kyle Busch!!! Beating Tony out of the pits, giving you the #1 position on the restart, taking advantage of Tony spinning his tires on the restart, gave you a big lead, Dale Jr. just could overcome with only 8 laps to work with.
Carl Edwards had a great run until he jumped a restart, thinking he was the leader, and got black flagged. Leading the most laps, this was a heartbreaker for Carl, finishing 10th.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Kyle Busch - started 5 - up 2 positions to 11th
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 10 - up 2 positions to 2nd
3. Tony Stewart - started 22 - remained in 8th
4. Denny Hamlin - started 7 - up 2 positions to 3rd
5. Kasey Kahne - started 9 - up 3 positions to 23rd
6. Jimmie Johnson - started 27 - up 1 position to 6th
7. Clint Bowyer - started 23 - down 1 position to 12th
8. Mark Martin - started 1 - up 5 positions to 19th
9. Brad Keslowski - started 16 - up 2 positions to 13th
10. Carl Edwards - started 2 - remained in 9th

Race for the Chase:
1. Greg Biffle - finished 18th - remained the Leader
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 2nd - up 2 positions
3. Denny Hamlin - finished 4th - up 2 positions
4. Matt Kenseth - finished 11th - down 1 position
5. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 25th - down 3 positions
6. Jimmie Johnson - finished 6th - up 1 position
7. Kevin Harvick - finished 19th - down 1 position
8. Tony Steard - finished 3rd - remained the same
9. Carl Edwards - finished 10th - remained the same
10. Ryan Newman - finished 15th - remained the same
11. Kyle Busch - WINNER - up 2 positions
12. Clint Bowyer - finished 7th - down 1 position

Mark Martin finishing 8th, moved up to 19th in the positions gaining the most positions with 5.
Aric Almirola finishing 26th lost the most positions with 4, put him in 24th.

Next Race - Talladega Superspeedway - Aaron 499 - May 6, 2012 - 12 pm est

Take Care
Have a Wonderful Week
Barbara

NASCAR - Kansas

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 20:07:47 PDT

Not sure what is going on this year with racing, but today was yet another boring race. Very little racing, the only exciting parts were the restarts were for the first 2 laps, they would race 3 and 4 wide. Then they would spread out and that was the end of any racing until the next caution. The track was not easy on a few teams, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Gordon, and Mark Martin all had engine problems.

Congratulations Denny Hamlin!!! Some good racing between you and Martin Truex, Jr. at the end. Martin made that daring move with 3 laps to go, but it just wasn't enough, it did make the last couple laps exciting.

Top Ten Recap
1. Denny Hamlin - started 4 - up 1 position to 5th
2. Martin Truex Jr. - started 6 - up 2 positions to 2nd
3. Jimmie Johnson - started 15 - up 1 position to 7th
4. Matt Kenseth - started 18 - down 1 position to 3rd
5. Greg Biffle - started 17 - remains the leader
6. Kevin Harvick - started 2 - down 1 position to 6th
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 7 - down 1 position to 4th
8. Kasey Kahne - started 9 - up 1 position to 26th
9. Carl Edwards - started 21 - up 2 positions to 9th
10. Kyle Busch - started 25 - up 1 position to 13th

Race for the Chase Recap:
1. Greg Biffle - finished 5th - remains in first
2. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 2nd - up 2 positions
3. Matt Kenseth - finished 4th - down 1 position
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 7th - down 1 position
5. Denny Hamlin - WINNER - up 1 position
6. Kevin Harvick - finished 6th - down 1 position
7. Jimmie Johnson - finished 3rd - up 1 position
8. Tony Stewart - finished 13th - down 1 position
9. Carl Edwards - finished 9th - up 2 positions
10. Ryan Newman - finished 20th - down 1 position
11. Clint Bowyer - finished 36th - down 1 position
12. Joey Lagano - finished 15th - up 1 position

Jamie McMurray gained the most positions today with 4 putting him 19th
AJ Allmendinger and Mark Martin both lost the most positions today with 4. dropping them to 23rd and 24th respectfully.

Next race- Saturday Night Racing - Richmond International Raceway - Saturday, April 28, 2012 - 7 pm.

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR -Texas

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:31:34 PDT

Congratulations Greg Biffle!!! Your second win at Texas, good going. Can't talk about the race, only got to listen to a little bit of, about the last 50 laps or so. Was out working the weekend at a motorcycle rally. Was actually a pretty good time, good music and good people.
Anyway I won't give any opinions, don't really have any...

Top Ten Recap
1. Greg Biffle - started 3 - still #1
2. Jimmie Johnson - started 10 - up 2 positions to 8th
3. Mark Martin - started 4 - up 5 positions to 20th
4. Jeff Gordon - started 34 - up 4 positions to 17th
5. Matt Kensth - started 2 - up 2 positions to 2nd
6. Martin Truex Jr. - started 1 - up 2 positions to 4th
7. Kasey Kahne - started 5 - up 4 positions to 27th
8. Carl Edwards - started 20 - remained in 11th
9. Kevin Harvick - started 15 - remained in 5th
10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 16 - down 1 position to 3rd

Race for the Chase
1. Greg Biffle - WINNER - remains the leader
2. Matt Kenseth - finished 5th - up 2 positions
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 10th - down 1 position
4. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 6th - up 2 positions
5. Kevin Harvick - finished 9th - remains the same
6. Denny Hamlin - finished 12th - up 1 position
7. Tony Stewart - finished 24th - down 4 positions
8. Jimmie Johnson - finished 2nd - up 2 positions
9. Ryan Newman - finished 21st - down 1 position
10. Clint Bowyer - finished 17th - down 1 position
11. Carl Edwards - finsihed 8th - remains the same
12. Paul Menard - finished 18th - up 2 positions

Brad Keslowski fell out of the top 12 this week, with 36th place finished, dropping him to 15th.
Because of the "Wild Card" rule Carl Edwards and Paul Menard would not make the chase. Instead because of wins and best finishes, Brad Keslowski would fill the 11th position and Joey Lagano would be 12th

Next race - Kansas Speedway - STP 400 - April 22, 2012 - 12:30 pm est

Have a Wonderful Week!!!

Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR - Martinsville

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:35:32 PDT

Martinsville as always good racing... I didn't get to see the last half of the race, because it was my granddaughters 4th birthday "Happy Birthday Miss Carolina" and she is about the only person I would miss a race for.

Of course, typically Martinsville had a great finish. On the first try at a green, white, checker Ryan Newman tried to give Clint Bowyer a little helping hand to get by Jeff Gordon to go to the front, but it was just a little too much of a push and Jeff, Clint and Jimmie Johnson went for that little ride they had avoided all race.
Congratulation Ryan Newman!!! Hey that's racing and especially at Martinsville, why do they call it a bumper if you don't use it to bump!!! Stewart Haas Racing have now won half of the last 16 racing... they are on fire!!!

Top Ten Recap:
1. Ryan Newman - started 5 - up two positions to 8th
2. AJ Allmendinger - started 27 - up 6 positions to 20th
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 14 - up 1 positions to 2nd
4. Matt Kenseth - started 21 - up 2 positions to 4th
5. Martin Truex Jr. - started 13 - down 1 position to 6th
6. Denny Hamlin - started 3 - remain the same in 7th
7. Tony Stewart - started 15 - up 1 position to 3rd
8. Aric Almirola - started 19 - up 2 positions to 19th
9. Brad Keslowski - started 7 - up 4 positions to 12th
10. Clint Bowyer - started 4 - up 1 position to 11th

Race to the Chase:
1. Greg Biffle - finished 13 - remained the Leader
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 3rd - up 1 position
3. Tony Stewart - finished 7th - up 1 position
4. Matt Kenseth - finished 4th - up 2 psotions
5. Kevin Harvick - finished 19th - down 3 positions
6. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 5h - down 1 position
7. Denny Hamlin - finished 6th - remained the same
8. Ryan Newman - WINNER - up 2 positions
9. Clint Bowyer - finsihed 10th - down 1 position
10. Jimmie Johnson - finished 12th - down 1 position
11. Carl Edwards - finished 11th - up 1 position
12. Brad Keslowski - finished 9th - up 4 position

Mark Martin lost the most positions this week down 8 positions to 25th, but he didn't race so he had no control. Paul Menard dropped out of the top 12 to 14th with a 26th place finish.
AJ Allmendinger gained the most positions this week... up 6 positions to 20th

Not sure what Martin Truex Jr. has to do exactly, but again this week he finishes 5th, 5th mind you, and STILL he loses a position in the points... Clint Bowyer joined him this week also, finishing in the top ten (8th) and lose a position in the points.

Next week they are giving the guys the week off to spend time with their families for Easter...
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!

Next Race - Texas Motor Speedway - Samsung Mobile 500 - April 14, 2012 - 7pm est. Night Racing, LOVIN IT!!!

Take Care All
Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Barbara

NASCAR - Fontana

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:42:08 PDT

What can you say about Fontana... Same as every year, Boring 2 mile Flat track, except for the fact that this track is 2 miles long in no way should it be called a Super Speedway... Green flag racing (that I do like) but no racing... Kyle led, Tony took the lead, Tony led, Denny came close to taking the lead, but the rains came and that was the end... No doubt the race would be called. From the beginning of the race every one was racing for half way as if it was already decided that whenever the first rain came that was it...

Smoke in the Rain

So the question after the race is "Should NASCAR not declare a winner until all laps have been run in any given race?" I am on the fence for this one... being the passionate race fan I am, YES I would love to see every lap run... but also being the passionate race fan I am I also know how demanding it is on the drivers to have to run the extra day... So my answer is... If they can not get to half way on race day then they need to run the following day... but if they do get to half way on race day, then every effort should be made to get the whole race in up until midnight that day... If they cannot then declare a winner... But today they could have finished that race by 9 pm as the rains would have stopped by 5pm tonight Pacific time... 2 hours of drying time, back to racing by 7pm done by 9pm... Fontana has lights... this should not have been called so early... Also every track should be required to have lights...
Anyway getting off my high horse...

Congratulations Tony Stewart!!! Looking good... took the lead from Kyle and never looked back... Good move by most all drivers not pitting when the rain came... Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson took the chance of maybe returning to racing and pitted. For Denny it turned out to be the wrong move, but for Jimmie it turned out to be okay as he eventually blowed up and because they called the race he still finished 10th.
Top Ten Recap
1. Tony Stewart - started 9 - up 3 positions to 4th
2. Kyle Busch - started 2 - up 2 positions to 14th
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 14 - up 3 positions to 3rd
4. Kevin Harvick - started 7 - remained in 2nd
5. Carl Edwards - started 12 - up 3 positions to 12th
6. Greg Biffle - started 4 - remained the Leader
7. Ryan Newman - started 6 - up 3 positions to 10th
8. Martin Truex Jr. - started 13 - down 2 positions to 6th
9. Kurt Busch - started 23 - up 4 positions to 23rd
10. Jimmie Johnson - started 10 - up 3 positions to 8th

Race for the Chase
1. Greg Biffle - finished 6 - remains the Leader
2. Kevin Harvick - finished 4 - remains the same
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 3 - up 3 positions
4. Tony Stewart - WINNER - up 3 positions
5. Matt Kenseth - finished 12 - down 2 positions
6. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 8 - down 2 positions
7. Denny Hamlin - finished 11 - down 2 positions
8. Jimmie Johnson - finsihed 10 - up 3 positions
9. Clint Bowyer - finished 14 - down 1 position
10. Ryan Newman - finished 7 - up 3 positions
11. Paul Menard - finished 19 - down 1 position
12. Carl Edwards - finished 5 - up 3 positions

Joey Lagano lost the most positions, 4, dropping him out of the top 12 to 13th with a 24th place finished.
Kurt Busch and Kasey Kahne gained the most positions at 4. Kurt jumped to 23rd with a 9th place finish, and Kasey went to 28th with a 15th place finish.

This new points system certainly make the points race interesting. Martin Truex, Jr. finished 8th and lose two positions in the points. Who would have ever thought that even though you finish in the top 10 you still drop in points... The drivers have to be on their best every single race to have a chance to be in the Chase. I do believe I am liking this...

Next race - Martinsville Speedway - Goody's Fast Relief 500 - April 1, 2012 - 12:30pm EST

Have A Wonderful Week All!!!

Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR- Jimmie Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:20:25 PDT

The verdict came down on Tuesday on the Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus saga... Chief Appellate Officer, John Middlebrook, overturned Chad's and Ron Malec's suspensions and Jimmie's point reduction. He did leave the $100,000.00 fine imposed on Chad Knaus.
Jimmie moved into 11th in points, 36 points behind the leader Greg Biffle

I can't say I disagree... that is what the inspections are for... if a car does not pass the first inspection before the car hits the track, there should not be any penalities... tell them to fix it and come back through... now if they fail the second time, thats a different story, that is blatantly trying to cheat... If it happens week after week after week, that is also a different story.. anyway Fontana on Sunday.

Sorry it took me a while to get this updated, but was a rough week... my little puppy Bowzer died on Tuesday so it's been a rough couple of days..

ENJOY THE RACE SUNDAY!!!

Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR - Bristol Motor Speedway

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 16:54:02 PDT

It's Bristol Baby!!! Of course Bristol had it's typical mishaps, the long green flag run, with a green flag pit stop, and the small little bumps about everyone feels. Only 5 cautions riddled the race, the first one, however, took out many good contenders including Kasey Kahne (who started the mess), Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Marcos Ambrose. Kevin Harvick was also involved but stayed in contention. Ken Schrader, David Stremme, Jeff Gordan and Tony Stewart brought out the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th cautions all single car incident.

Congratulations Brad Keslowski!!! back to back wins at Bristol... Nice driving, almost involved in the first caution, squecking by unscathed. Matt Kenseth gave it his all, just didn't have enough for Brad.

Top Ten Recap

1. Brad Keslowski - started 5 - up 8 positions to 13th

2. Matt Kenseth - started 21 - up 2 positions to 3rd

3. Martin Truex Jr. - started 15 - up 4 positions to 4th

4. Clint Bowyer - started 16 - up 6 positions to 8th

5. Brian Vickers - started 25 - first race in position 37th

6. Jeff Burton - started 33 - up 4 positions to 11th

7. Jamie McMurray - started 17 - up 6 positions to 19th

8. Juan Montoya - started 30 - up 6 positions to 18th

9. Jimmie Johnsong - started 22 - up 6 positions to 17th

10. Paul Menard - started 11 - up 1 positions to 10th

Race for the Chase

1. Greg Biffle - finished 13th - remained the leader

2. Kevin Harvick - finished 11th - no change

3. Matt Kenseth - finished 2nd - up 2 positions

4. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 3rd - up 4 positions

5. Denny Hamlin - finished 20th - down 2 positions

6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 15th - down 2 positions

7. Tony Stewart - finished 27th - no change

8. Clint Bowyer - finished 4th - up 6 positions

9. Joey Lagano - finished 16th - no change

10. Paul Menard - finished 10th - up 1 position

11. Jeff Burton - finished 6th - up 4 positions

12., Ryan Newman - finished 12th - up 1 position

Three guys moved into the top 12 this week, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton and Ryan Newman. The 3 that made room for them and dropped out are Kyle Busch finishing 32nd, Carl Edwards finished 39th and Mark Martin who did not race.

Next race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana CA - Auto Club 400 - March 25, 2012 - 2:30 pm est.

Have a Wonderful Week All!!!

Take Care

Barbara

NASCAR - Las Vegas Kobalt Tool 400

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:13:16 PDT

Las Vegas, Kobalt Tool 400 was a green flag lap filled race, til the end of course. Clean air was the key to running well, anyone up front was mostly a second or two ahead of second. Tony and Jimmie made it a little exciting at the end. Tony definately was the restart expert today, making Jimmie look like he was sleeping on the first restart, not quite off guard the second time, but Tony could get that car going quickly.

Congratulations Tony Stewart!!! Awesome win. Great racing! Winning 6 of the last 13 races. Teammate Ryan Newman finished in 4th today, making today a great day for Stewart-Haas Racing. Matt Kenseth was running second, when something (no one is real sure what happened) happened to put him in the wall, putting back to 22nd place finish.

Top Ten Recap
1. Tony Stewart - started 7, moved up 8 positions to 7th
2. Jimmie Johonson- started 6, moved up 14 positions to 23rd
3. Greg Biffle - started 9, moved up 1 position to Leader
4. Ryan Newman - started 18, moved up 5 positions to 13th
5. Carl Edwards - started 21, moved up 4 positions to 6th
6. Clint Bowyer - started 5, moved up 3 positions to 14th
7. Paul Menard - started 26, moved up 3 positions to 11th
8. Jamie McMurray - started 19, moved up 11 positions to 25th
9. Trevor Bayne - started 25, moved up 2 positions to 46th
10.Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 4, moved up 1 position to 4th

Race for the Chase:
1.    Greg Biffle - finished 3rd - up 1 position
2.    Kevin Harvick - finished 11th - up 1 position
3.    Denny Hamlin - finished 20th - down 2 positions
4.    Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 10th - up 1 position
5.    Matt Kenseth - finished 22nd - down 1 position
6.    Carl Edwards - finished 5th - up 4 positions
7.    Tony Stewart - Winner - up 8 positions
8.    Martin Truex Jr. - finished 17th, down 2 positions
9.    Joey Lagano - finished 16th - down 1 position
10. Mark Martin - finished 18th - down 3 positions
11. Paul Menard - finished 7th - up 3 positions
12. Kyle Busch - finished23rd - down 3 positions

Dale Jr. had a very strong car at the beginning of the race, but just didn't keep up with track and his car stayed loose for about half the race.

Next race: Bristol Motor Speedway - Food City 500 - March 18, 2012 - 12:30 pm est.

Have a Wonderful Week All!!!

Barbara

Phoenix-Subway Fresh Fit 500

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 15:48:55 PST

Congratulations Denny Hamlin!!!

Not the best race, but any racing is good racing. If you kept your nose clean and didn't have any engine problems, you just hoped you had saved enough gas to make it to the end. Denny Hamlin won by more than 7 seconds over Kevin Harvick who ran out of gas with 1 to go and still finished 2nd over Greg Biffle...
Top Ten Recap
1.   Denny Hamlin
2.   Kevin Harvick
3.   Greg Biffle
4.   Jimmie Johnson
5.   Brad Keslowski
6.   Kyle Busch
7.   Martin Truex, Jr.
8.   Jeff Gordon
9.   Mark Martin
10. Joey Lagano
11. Juan Montoya
12. Aric Almirola

Race for the Chase
1.   Denny Hamlin - finished 1st - up 3 positions
2.   Greg Biffle - finished 3rd - up 1 position
3.   Kevin Harvick - finished 2nd - up 4 positions
4.   Matt Kenseth - finished 13th - down 3 positions
5.   Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 14th - down 3 positions
6.   Martin Truex Jr. - finished 7th - up 6 positions
7.   Mark Martin - finished 9th - up 3 positions
8.   Joey Lagano - finished 10th - up 1 position
9.   Kyle Busch - finished 6th - up 8 positions
10. Carl Edwards - finished 17th - down 2 positions
11. Bobby LaBonte - finished 16th - up 3 positions
12. Brad Keslowski - finished 5th - up 17 positions

Next Week - Vegas BABY
Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Kobalt Tools 400 - Sunday, March 11, 2012 - 2:30 pm est

Have a Wonderful Week!!!

Barbara

NASCAR - Daytona 500

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:14:23 PST

Unbelievable!!!

Brad Keslowski's tweet of his view of the fire!!!

Another Keslowski tweet

NASCAR - Daytona 500... This is the year to say "If it can happen, it will happen" There has been nothing ordinary about 2012 speedweek. So many firsts and now a strange bizarre twist. What are the odds Juan Pablo Montoya loses control of his car just as he is going past a jet dryer. Both Juan and the safety truck driver are doing fine. New age for sure, Brad Keslowski tweeting during the red flag. These are a couple of pics he tweeted.

What a Daytona 500. Run at night, action packed, Congratulations Matt Kenseth!!! Good driving.
The last 40 laps, where filled with 3 cautions, taking out numerous cars at a time. No first time winner this time. Second time winner Matt Kenseth makes it through all the mayhem to take that checkered flying.
One more first did occur, though, this is the first Daytona 500 run not only on a Monday but a Tuesday as well...

Let the season begin... Whoop Whoop... looking forward to it.
Good Night All

Daytona 500 -

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:35:05 PST

Start time is Scheduled for 7 pm

Monday February 27, 2012

Night race for the Daytona 500

Lot's of first's this year already, what is this season going to bring!!!

John King - Craftsman Truck Series - 1st win

James Buescher - Nationwide Series - 1st win

Danica Patrick - Pole for Nationwide Series - 1st pole (also for a woman)

First time the Daytona 500 was ever rained out

First time ever the Daytona 500 will be run under the lights.

Love night racing and the first one being the 500, this is going to be good!!!

Enjoy the race all

Bud Shootout 2012

noreply@blogger.com (babs03) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:07:11 PST

Hello All
First race of the season... edge of your seat racing again.... pack racing... glad to see it back... now the drivers got to get use to the pack draft again...

Kyle Busch put on an amazing show... almost losing it 5 times on two different occasions... and then to come back at take Tony Stewart by inches...

Hello racing glad you are back...

Congrats Kyle!!!

Good to see how well these cars are built. Jeff Gordon went for a wild ride and walked away.
Lots of action. Great pack racing, so much better than the tamden racing. The 500 should be really good racing...

February 19, 2012 - Daytona 500 Qualifing - 1:05 pm est
February 23, 2012 - Gatorade Duels - 2:00 pm est
February 24, 2012 - NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 - 7:30 pm est
February 25, 2012 - NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 - 1:15 pm est
February 26, 2012 - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500 - 1:00 pm est