Pedal to the Metal

Remember a few years ago when Mark Martin said he was "retiring" from NASCAR? Then it was that he would drive "a few limited races". Then we heard that it was the end and there were some people who were giving Martin a Favre-esque sendoff. If you bought into the whole "I'm retiring" scheme that Mark Martin put out a few years ago...then you probably also bought into the whole "I'm retiring" scheme that Brett Favre laid down back in March too! So...just like Favre, Mark Martin has announced that he will not only NOT be retiring next season, but he's looking more and more like a man who is moving away from calling it quits as he will begin a new part of his career with Hendrick Motorsports in the #5 car. Now, this week....as we prepare for the race at Watkins Glen in New York (which, so happens to be the new home for Brett Favre) we are hearing that Martin's tenure with DEI and the #8 car may come to an end prematurely THIS season...and he might start driving the #5 car for DEI the last month or so of this season. I am sure there is more to follow...and I'll let you know what I hear.
As I said, this weekend it's a road course at Watkins Glen! While I'm not a huge fan of the road courses, I don't mind them because it's a whole nother ballgame....err race.
 
Who's good to watch at turning left AND right this weekend?
 
* You always have to talk about the "ringers" when it comes to race courses - and I'm talking Boris Said and his sad clown hair, and Ron Fellows. Neither will win, but at least one should make it Top 10.
 
* Carl Edwards could continue his stellar season here. He finished 8th at the race last year.
 
* Jimmie Johnson might have another Top 5 in him this weekend. He finished 3rd at this race last year.
 
BUT...my Checkered Flag Champ this week is still looking for his first win of the season and he'll get it here. When he wins, he will be the first person to EVER win five races at Watkins Glen, He's had six road course race wins - including 3 in the last 5 years. As sure as I am that Brett Favre will NOT be retiring this year...I can say...Tony Stewart WILL WIN THIS RACE!

It’s that time of the week!  Time to give you the latest news and rumblings in the world that is NASCAR…oh yeah…and then it’s time to flex my NASCAR muscle, and once again defeat one of the listeners in the Checkered Flag Champ!  Ahhh….I’ve gotta tell ya…it’s good to be back baby!

 

The biggest news this week came from the newly announced and still developing Stewart Haas Racing Team.  (Is it just me or does Stewart Haas sound like the name of the kid who always used to get teased on the playground in 4^th grade because the legs of his pants were too high?  Maybe it’s just me…I don’t know).  Anyway…an apparent “verbal agreement” has been struck between Stewart Haas Racing and Ryan Newman.  The details are still being hammered out, but for now we know that Tony Stewart will be driving the #14 car next year for the team and it looks like Ryan Newman will be behind the wheel of the #4.  More details to follow in the next month or so.

 

The joke that was the race at Indy last week is being investigated and probed…but YOU can actually see the events as they happened TONIGHT at 5pm on the Speed network.  The behind the scenes documentary “NASCAR Confidential” will show (IN REAL TIME) what was going on behind the scenes as the tires were falling apart ON the track.  It should be a very interesting show.

 

It’s the tri-oval at Pocono this weekend! 

 

• Kurt Busch won here last year, but it might be his younger brother who finishes better than Kurt when all is said and done.
• Jimmie Johnson could’ve and should’ve won the race here in June…but a gamble by Chad Knaus cost him.  Look for Johnson on “Live! with Regis and Kelly” this morning.  He’s going to be appearing on a special “grilling out” segment.  If he can get all the barbeque sauce off of his hands by race time, he could also be appearing near the top of the pack on Sunday as well.

 

But…my checkered flag champ this week has been excellent at this track over the last 5 races…and this weekend I expect him to be even excellenter (??).  In the last five starts here, he’s got 4 top 5’s including TWO wins.  It’ll be three this weekend.  Denny Hamlin WILL WIN THIS RACE!   

First…some news and notes from the world of NASCAR.  As much as this whole “Kyle Busch is great” streak is leaving about as bad a taste in my mouth as an ashtray sandwich – I do have to give the kids props as he attempts to do something this weekend that HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE – it’s called “the Triple”.  Busch is planning on running in the Craftsman Series race tonight in Texas, the Nationwide race tomorrow in Nashville, and the Sprint Cup race on Sunday at Pocono.  If he can do this and finish respectably in all three…I MIGHT be impressed.

 

If you watched last week’s race on Fox, you know that the network wrapped up it’s NASCAR television season.  So no more “boogity, boogity, boogity” until next year’s Daytona 500.  TNT picks up the TV rights starting this weekend and will have races for the next month and a half.  So if you go to Fox on Sunday, hoping to see the race and it’s an infomercial for the Jack LaLane Power Juicer…don’t freak out…just go up the dial to TNT.

 

Now…we head to Pocono this weekend.  Recent winners at this track include Jeff Gordon (who I would’ve bet money would have a win by now – but doesn’t), and Carl Edwards – who will probably have a good showing this weekend.

 

Who else do I like for this race?

 

-         Kyle Busch…that is if he’s not jet-lagged and burned out after his weekend of racing.

-         Jimmie Johnson has also had two wins here…so I like his chances.

 

BUT…my Checkered Flag Champ this week has GOT to be Denny Hamlin!  Hamlin is good on flat tracks – which is what Pocono is.  In four race, he’s won here twice, and had two poles.  Hamlin is MY MAN this week.  Denny Hamlin will win this race!  

It looks like Greg Biffle might be staying put after all.  After some speculation that the driver of the #16 car would be shopping his wares and get behind the wheel for a competitor next season, comes word from Roush Racing that they fully expect Biffle to sign a new deal sometime in the next couple of weeks.  ESPN is reporting that Biffle's agent sent over a detailed contract proposal this week and the two sides will begin hammering out details soon.
 
 
In other contract news..."Enter Sadman".   Elliot Sadler has signed an extension with Gillett Evernham Motorsports.  Sadler join the GEM team two years ago and everyone seems happy with how he's been performing.  The length of the contract extension hasn't been released yet.  And DuPont will continue to be "blazened" across the #24 car for sometime to come.  Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday that they've signed a new contract that will keep DuPont as a sponsor through the 2010 season.  The DuPont/Hendrick sponsorship is the longest running sponsorship in NASCAR.  DuPont has been a sponsor for Jeff Gordon for the past 16 years!
 
 
Could Juan Pablo Montoya be looking to jump off the Chip Ganassi ship?  Sources say Montoya and Ganassi met this past week and Juan Pablo was muy en fuego about the direction his team has been going and the frustrations he's felt.  Some sources say JPM might be looking to move to a different team next year.  If Tony Stewart ends his run with Joe Gibbs racing...that MIGHT be an option.
 
 
It's Dover this weekend!  The "Monster Mile"!  Who could come up big?
 
-  Martin Truex Jr won this race last year.  I don't think he'll repeat...but I don't get to say his name all that much, so I wanted to here.
 
-  We talked earlier about Greg Biffle earlier.  He'll continue his impressive 2008 run with a solid finish this weekend.
 
-  Jeff Gordon has GOT to win sooner or later.  It might be sooner.
 
But...my Checkered Flag Champ this week is Matt Kenseth.  Not only did he win here in 2006.  But, at Dover, pit crews play an essential role as the pits are tight and a good pit stop is key.  Kenseth has a terrific crew and that will help get him the flag.  Matt Kenseth will win this race!

When NASCAR brought on the Car of Tomorrow last season, it was supposed to make everyone even and equal.  So far, I think we've witnessed the "evening out" of some of the teams that were dominant last year <cough, cough, Hendrick, cough>.  Now NASCAR has had to make their first adjustment to the rules after some teams were making TOO MANY adjustments on their cars.  NASCAR issued a statement this week that will limit teams from "crabbing" their cars.  Apparently some teams were adjusting the rear wheels of their cars to help them enter the turns with more speed.  Some of these adjustments were so severe that the cars couldn't be manuvered when going about pre-race inspections.  So NASCAR has put a limit of 1 degree of adjustment to the cars.
 
 
First Juan Pablo Montoya...then Sam Hornish Jr and Dario Franchitti...those IRL drivers have made the jump to NASCAR and had some success so far.  The question has been, "will Helio Castroneves be the next to make the move."  We got an answer this week and it's a NO....for now.  The LA Times had run a story that said Castroneves would be making the move to NASCAR in 2009.  Now...ESPN is reporting that Helio says the reporter who wrote that story for the newspaper must've mis-heard him or perhaps his English isn't that good.  Castroneves says he is NOT making the move to NASCAR any time soon.
 
 
We didn't have far to go for the Coca Cola 600 this weekend.  We're back at Lowe's in Charlotte for another week of racing.  This is the LONGEST race of the year - starting around 2pm on Sunday and ending shortly before Memorial Day actually begins.  Can Kasey Kahne carry over his momentum from last weekend's All-Star race?  Will Jeff Gordon finally get his first win of the season?  Will someone FINALLY get fed up with Kyle Busch's scare-tactics and remind him he's just a human being like the rest of us?
 
-  I do like Kasey Kahne this weekend.  Not only did he win last weekend's race here, he also won this race in 2006.
 
-  Jimmie Johnson OWNS this track.  I'd say he should win...but I have a feeling he won't.
 
-  Casey Mears is the defending race winner...so I have to give him a mention.
 
But...my Checkered Flag Champ this week will not surprise many and will surprise some.  Hendrick Motorsports has won the last 7 out of 10 races at Lowe's.  He's due folks...OVER DUE.  Jeff Gordon will win this race!

It’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race weekend!  Lowe’s Motor Speedway is the track, of course, and the field is pretty much set…with the exception of three drivers.  The first race tomorrow will be the Sprint Showdown.  The winner and 2^nd place finisher of that race will advance to the All-Star race around 8pm.  The third and final driver that will get a spot in the All-Star race will be voted on by the fans.  The rest of the field will be set by these criteria:

 

-         Drivers and car owners who have won a race in the 2007 and 2008 season are eligible.

-         If a driver has won the Cup in the past 10 years, he is eligible.

-         If a driver has won the All-Star Race in the past 10 years, he is eligible.

 

If you want to vote for a driver to be included in the field, you can place your vote www.nascar.com

 

I’ve got to be honest, this “All Star” format is a lot of fun and something I look forward to every year.  There’s lots of flash, loud music, pyro, and new this year – THE BURNOUT COMPETITION!  As far as the voting is concerned, sources say it’s a close race and the vote leaders include Kasey Kahne,  Robby Gordon, and Elliot Sadler.

 

No Checkered Flag Champ pick this week.  Enjoy the race and we’ll get back at it next weekend for the Memorial Day weekend Coca Cola 600 from Charlotte!    

You’re sitting there watching the price at the pump continue to go up and it hits you...how does the price of gas affect NASCAR? Well...I’m glad you asked. First of all, the gas that is PROVIDED for the NASCAR races costs $6.25/gallon. That gas is provided - per a sponsorship - by Sunoco. Teams still have to pay for fuel for any practicing. Then, they’ve got to actually get the cars and equipment from track to track - and that means diesel for the semi-trucks. Add in any jet trips to get teams back and forth and you’re looking at THOUSANDS of dollars PER WEEK. Some teams are actually trying to cut back on "luxuries" and are beginning to become a little more frugal.
 
Can NASCAR do anything about this? Not really. However, something I found interesting in checking my sources was that back in the 1970's - when the U.S. was going through it’s gas shortage and prices were skyrocketing, NASCAR actually shortened the length of races. Will they do that again? Probably not. But I’d look for NASCAR to pursue the "alternative fuel" avenues a little more seriously - especially this off season.
 
Just a couple of newsworthy notes as we head into Darlington this weekend. First, Sterling Marlin will get behind the wheel of the familiar #40 as Dario Franchitti takes the week off to nurse his injuries he suffered in last week’s crash at Richmond. Also, Michael Waltrip will be making his 700^th NASCAR start this weekend. Even though it;’s been years since MW has won a Sprint Cup Race...that’s a pretty cool achievement.
 
Now...we go back under the lights for the Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington tomorrow night!
* Greg Biffle has two wins at this track. He started hot and I look for him to be sniffing the Top 5 when the checkered flag falls.
 
* The afore-mentioned Sterling Marlin has been impressive here as well with a pole, a win and 3 Top 5's in 15 races.
But...my Checkered Flag Champ this weekend is Jeff Gordon! Jeff has come out this week and apologized to any of his fans who have had the "track pass" and been able to hear his comments on his radio lately during races. He says he’s been frustrated...and this weekend, that frustration will give way to a win! Jeff Gordon will win this race!

Could the price of gas and a sluggish economy be having an impact on NASCAR races?  Some tracks are reporting tickets sales for races already run and those yet to be run are DOWN this year.  Some track officials say they are seeing almost a 10% drop in ticket sales.  To combat this drop, some tracks are bring in rock and country concerts before and after races to help bolster attendance.  And then there’s the “ALL YOU CAN EAT” packages.  Because if you ask me…there is NOTHING better than watching cars turn left all day while cramming down as much hotdogs, hamburgers, nachos, and beer as a person can handle!

 

While we tend to bash New England Patriots Wider Receiver Randy Moss for the things that come out of his mouth….one thing that was a pleasant surprise this week was Moss’ announcement of the creation of Moss Motorsports.  The team will run a partial Craftsman Truck series schedule this year and plans on running a full schedule in 2009.  Moss said at a press conference that he’s been a fan of NASCAR for several years, and he plans on using Moss Motorsports to compete at another level.  Moss also sponsors a dirt track near his hometown and wants to focus on getting youth involved in racing.

 

This week….back at a short track.  Who’s looking good at Richmond?

 

• Kyle Busch could have another strong showing here.  He’s on a roll and I like that roll to continue tomorrow night!
• Tony Stewart has had three wins here and is in desperate need for a win.

 

But…my Checkered Flag Champ this week is #88….Dale Earnhardt Jr!  He has three wins and finishes in the Top 10 over 50% of the time when racing here.  Look for Hendrick Motorsports to get their second win of the year this weekend – under the lights at Richmond.  Dale Earnhardt Jr WILL WIN THIS RACE!

So yesterday I told you about the rumor that Tony Stewart was looking to get out of his last year of his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing.  And yesterday…”Smoke” spoke.  Stewart told reporters that he has NOT asked to be let out of the final year of his deal with Gibbs Racing.  Rather, he says he’s asked Gibbs “what if” he’s made an offer for the 2009 season.  Rumors have it that there are offers out there for Stewart – including one that could include him OWNING his own team.

 

Major League Baseball has the “Home Run Contest” and the NBA has the “Slam Dunk Contest”…and now NASCAR has “The Burnout Contest!”  NASCAR has announced the contest will take place at the All Star race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.  The media gathered for the announcement this week and Clint Bowyer was going to showcase his “burnout” skills for the press conference.  However, Bowyer took the car he was loaned for the vent by the Richard Petty Driving Experience and promptly WRECKED it in the pits. 

 

Speaking of wrecks…it’s Talladega this weekend!  Always waiting for “THE BIG ONE” makes it even more exciting at Talla-Dangerous!  Here’s who could do well on Sunday.

 

·                    Jeff Gordon won this race last year.  He needs a win badly and might do it.

·                    Dale Earnhardt finished 7^th at this race last year.  He’s good Talladega….but hasn’t won a points race since 2006!

·                    Carl Edwards was 42^nd here last year.  But that was last year…this is THIS year!

 

But…my Checkered Flag Champ this week is Jeff Burton!  Burton is THE ONLY driver to complete every lap so far this season.  He’s your points leader…and this week he’ll be a winner!  Jeff Burton will win this race! 

Not a lot of NASCAR news to give you this week.  But what I do have is pretty interesting.  We’ll start with some driver news.  Now, about the only time I watch Indy car racing is when I want to take a nap and I’m having a hard time falling asleep. But, if you’ve paid any attention to the Indy Car Series over the past couple of years you know the names Dario Franchitti and Sam Hornish Jr.  They are the last two winners of the Indy 500 if you didn’t know.  They’re also two of the new faces of NASCAR…and THAT is where they are apparently staying.  Word out of both camps is that both Franchitti and Hornish will NOT be competing in the Indy 500 this year!  Instead, both drivers will focus on the Coca Cola 600…the REAL auto race that will be held later that day at Lowe’s Motorspeedway!  Good call gentlemen!

 

Every week when NASCAR news is slow and there’s no racing, someone starts talking about “alternative fuels” for NASCAR.  Chevy seems to be the one really making the push for “going green” is NASCAR.  Would NASCAR embrace it?  I would hope so.  How soon can something like this be done?  A spokesman for GM says if everyone worked together, it could be done in 3 years.  We’ll have to see.

 Last week, Sprint Cup Points Champ Jimmie Johnson FINALLY got Hendrick Motorsports into the winner’s circle at Phoenix.  More importantly though, Jeff Burton had another good finish and now has an 80 point lead over Kyle Busch in the points standings.  Will Hendrick start to make some noise now that at least ONE of them has won?  Will Carl Edwards continue his hot streak?  WILL I WIN A CHECKERED FLAG CHAMP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ALMOST TWO MONTHS?        Stay tuned next week as we head to Talladega