NASCAR.com has become Micheal Waltrip Racing!

Just got through reading Nascar.com's power rankings, and lo and behold...a Doobie Brothers reference right out of the gate! Dang thiefs, I tell you! Of course, it was about Burton and McDowell's little dustup. Here's the excerpt: "What a Fool Believes: After Sunday's race, Jeff went home and was going to throw out all his Doobie Brothers albums, until somebody mentioned that the keyboard player's name was McDonald, not McDowell." That's infrigement on Rowdy's right to the Doobie Brothers jokes. Well, at least they didn't come up with it first, or that they didn't expose it to the public first. Nascar.com is so yesterday, they need to get with the times......or listen to Rowdy. Or maybe they do listen to Rowdy, and they stole the joke like Waltrip stole Roush's sway bar! Haven't they learned anything from the past week? I'm now going to wait and see if Buck and Bass start spewing off like Jack Roush. If you do guys, make sure you are wearing your "Cat in the Hat" hats. God, I hate it when people refer to him with that stupid moniker. In fact, I just can't stand the Cat in the Hat himself.

• 2 Comments
• Doobie Brothers, burton, McDowell, ROUSH, Waltrip, Cat in the Hat

NOW IT SEEMS WEIRD

I don't know why, but seeing this picture, for the first time it really seems strange seeing Jr. in Hendrick garb. I know, I know, he was wearing it when introduced at the big press conference, and at the Atlanta test, and probably some other time, but for some reason, looking at him and Jeff talking with him sporting the Hendrick cap, it just seems odd. But it will get normal pretty quick, I guess - or maybe it won't. If I had to list the most improbable moves, his jump to Hendrick would be at the top. So maybe I will never get used to seeing him amongst the Hendrick clan. I can't wait for Speedweeks, that will be quite the sight with him along side Jeff and Jimmie.

• 7 Comments
• Jr., Hendrick

CONGRATS TO THE 17

I've never been a Kenseth fan, with my feeling for him ranging anywhere between strong dislike and reluctant "rooting." This year, in particular the Chase, I have found myself on the latter end of the spectrum, rooting for Matt to win as he battled the 48. If he would have won any of those times (prior to Homestead), it would have been satisfying in the aspect of the championship standings. But yesterday I was more than satisfied with his win, I was truly happy that he was able to pull it off. I've always had a respect for Robbie Reiser, a quiet and humble guy who was good at what he did. So for him to get the win in his last race as crew chief for Matt, that was alright by me -- in fact, he would have been my second pick for victory (behind numero 24), which won't come around too often. So, with that, I give my heartfelt congratulations to the whole 17 team, and the fans of that team as well.

• 5 Comments
• Kenseth, Reiser, Homestead

FAVORITE 2007 RACE MOMENT

Well, it's been about a week since I've been able to get on this beloved website and check things out, mostly due to a swell of circumstances coming to a head at the same time (just too dang busy, basketball season is starting up, and nascar season is winding down, with of course the championship going to the wrong driver). Anyway, I have enjoyed this season a lot, probably one of the best. There's been a lot of stories going on to keep it interesting off the track, and then there has been the whole Hendrick (specifically JJ lately) domination on the track. I just thought I'd poll the peeps to see what your favorite racing moment was this year. Mine, obviously since I'm a 24 fan, was when Jeff passed the aforementioned 48 for the win at Talladega. It was kind of a messed up scenario at home, though, since I had to control my jubilation, as I had my wife and daughter #2 taking their respective Sunday afternoon naps. Jumping up and pumping your fists in silence is harder than it seems, but the win was just as satisfying nonetheless. Alrighty, whats y'all gots?

• 11 Comments

TOP 35 AND OTHER THINGS

I was watching NASCAR Now last night, and they had this whole "changes for the better" thing going on, with a panel of three. The panel consisted of Jeff Burton, Marty Smith, and David Poole, with this new lag as the host (where did this guy come from?). They discussed several issues, like length of schedule (which as a fan I love), length of races (I really don't have a problem with most of the races' lengths, except for Pocono -- I could fall asleep to those, they should be shorter), how to make the Busch (Nationwide) seriess better (I don't care), and then to the two that were more important to me: points structure and the top 35 dealio. I'm going to apologize right off the bat here, because I have a feeling this blog will be long. Okay, here goes...

Now this new host guy that seemed to pop up out of nowhere, he had the most insane idea on the points. His whole argument was how most people will sit down to watch the beginning of the race, tune out for the middle part, and then come back for the end. He wants to revamp the points structure to make every part of the race more important, because it seems the viewing public doesn't seem interested in the whole race. His idea: divide the race, points, and purse into quarters, and at each quarter dole out the corresponding amount of points and money according to how the drivers are running at the current time. This, he says, would give the drivers incentive to race hard for the whole race and not lolligag around until the end (his example was Talladega, with the whole Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson hanging back until the end). And this would in turn create more excitement for the fans to watch the race in its entirety. All I got to say is...........WHAT THE FRICK??!!?? I was greatly amused when Burton shot him down like all the hunters here in Texas are doing to the deer. Of course, the logical answer to keeping the viewing audience tuned in to the race is back to one of the previous issues -- shorten the length of the race.

And then there's the whole top 35 thing. And of course, this host fellow shot out his opinion, which isn't different than a lot of others: the fastest 43 make the race. But I was surprised by Burton's take, which was to increase the number of lock-ins from 35 to 40. Maybe I haven't heard all of the different scenarios people have been shooting out the past year, but this is the first time I had heard this particular one, and from Burton no less. What he said was interesting, how people are saying that with the influx of new owners and teams there should be less guaranteed spots to give them more of a chance to make the races. Burton said the opposite should apply, and that owners who have been a part of the sport for a long time (such as Morgan McClure) should be protected and rewarded for their commitment to the sport. And the new guys, who know the rules beforehand, should have to fight their way in. And another point he made about how you hear all these drivers and owners complain about how they can't make the race, and that if it was the 43 fastest make the race then some of the top dogs would be going home, was a bunch of bull. Because if you had that rule in effect, then you know for dang sure that the top dogs would be putting all their effort into qualifying and then it would be back to the same scenarios, the weak/new teams would be going home. I read an article a few months ago, and Brian Vickers was saying how he calculated some different scenarios during previous races, and how if there was no top 35 rule, then Jeff Gordon would have missed 3 or 4 races. Yeah, if you took the same speeds and applied it to a different standard. Because I guarantee you that if these jacks knew they had to qualify on time with the rest of the bunch, that they would still be at the top of the leaderboard. Man, I've got to stop. Okay, I'm done. I hope I didn't bore everyone to death.

• 2 Comments
• top 35, Jeff Burton, NASCAR Now

WILL THE REAL JR FANS PLEASE STAND UP!

Here's my shpeel on all the Jr. fans out there -- and just so you know, I'm not trying to hate on you......too much. So it happens every track you go to: the sea of red stands and frantically gyrates their bodies around every time the holy one makes a pass, specifically for the lead. You see it on tv (because the networks make darn sure you see it), but it is more annoying to see it in person. Every time I have the pleasure of attending a race (such as this last one at Texas), I get to witness first-hand the mania that is Jr. Nation. I got no problem with supporting your driver, and getting pumped when they seem to be going to the front. My problem is this, when it's the first quarter or fifth of the race, why get worked into a frenzy when he starts to pass people? If I were not paying attention to how far into the race it was, I would swear he was making passes to the front in the last 30 laps of the last run of the race. But here we had 'em all up in a wad, acting all victorious as Jr. makes his way to the front, and it hadn't even gotten to lap 75! And where were they the last 100 laps? Oh, right, sitting on their butts as he waddled around in 15th place. All that wasted energy for nothing. Oh, wait, I take that back. It just occured to me why they feel the need to do this. It seems Jr. has the knack for starting off strong and fading late, so I guess the fandom has to get some excitement out of the race sometime. Might as well take advantage of it while they can.

• 8 Comments
• Dale Jr.

I GOT THE JIMMIE JOHNSON BLUES

Okay, to start off, I'm no JJ hater. Actually, it's almost the opposite, but given the fact that I'm a Gordon fan foremost, Jimmie gets #2 billing. Due to this recent streak that Mr. Eyebrows is on, I don't feel the love for him that I used to. In fact, I found myself rooting on Mr. Cheesehead for the win, a rarity in my nascar life. But lately I have come to the realization that Son of Pretty Boy is forcing me to cheer drivers to victory that in the past I swore I would't. Why has it come to this?

I also have another dilemma that has risen because of this recent on-track championsip rivalry between JJ and JG: my brother is now my enemy. We started watching nascar the same year (2001 for those who are interested -- I know, you're not), and we both became Hendrick fans, particulary Gordon. But then Jimmie comes along, and for some unknown reason, my brother gives allegiance to him over Gordon. I think all along he wasn't as much as a fan of Gordon as I was, which he knew, so when JJ entered the picture, that gave him an excuse to dump Jeff to the #2 status in his book so we wouldn't have the same favorite driver. Well, no big deal back then, although that's when Jeff's struggles started and Jimmie took off. But he wasn't winning championships yet, so there was no real need to feel challenged. Fast forward to the present, and BAM! We have a bonified rivalry amongst each other. Last year I was happy for Johnson, but this year is a whole new ball of wax. So not only is my driver losing, I'm losing to my brother, which is of way more importance. Just like I hated to lose to him in any sport we played growing up, I hate to lose to him in this "Favorite NASCAR Driver" sport. So, what this insanely long blog was trying to say is this: I got the Jimmie Johnson blues. Ughhh...

• 4 Comments
• Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon

The Rowdy-Busch Connection

Okay, I just realized something, and I'm not sure why it took me so long (and if this subject has been previously talked about, well, I'm going to write anyway). Quick question for the hierarchy of Rowdy (and anyone else so disinclined to the lad): Why the hate for the fellow named Kyle Busch? If I'm not mistaken, he uses the same name in his side racing as the community -- ROWDY. If anything, he should be accepted, his goofy looks and stupid statements included. Who cares if he pisses you off with his asinine comments and poor attitude, he bears the holy moniker! Who cares if he has the face not even a mother could love, he embraces the blessed title! ROWDY!! He should be lauded and praised as the crowned prince and official driver of ROWDY!! Can I get a witness? Does anyone out there concur? Buck? Bass? Cutler? No? Well, I gave it my best try. Sorry Kyle.

• 8 Comments
• Rowdy, Kyle Busch

NASCAR JUNKIE

Okay, Jason from Utah inspired me to write my conversion story, so hear goes. I've always been a big sports nut, but never a racing fan, NASCAR or anything else for that matter. But I was drawn to the sport, as probably a lot of other people, when Dale Sr. died at Daytona. That's a big story, and any sports nut would pay attention to that, even if they didn't follow NASCAR, because he WAS NASCAR. So, I got mildly interested after that, but nothing major. The only names I had really known up to this point were Earnhardt and Gordon, and I almost always favor the less popular star, team, etc., so I leaned more toward Gordon. Well, it was July 4th week and all, and we had a family get-together on the Pepsi 400 night. My brother was fresh into NASCAR, and his brother-in-law was a big fan, so naturally the race was on that night. This was the first race I would watch from start to finish, and from that point on I was hooked.

As I watched, I would listen real close to my brother and his in-law talking and explaining things, and picked up rather quick on a lot of the goings-on of a race. And I think that's what really draws me to this sport, all of the little things, or the less magnified things, that really make up what a race is all about. Now this race was obviously won by Dale Jr., who I didn't want to win being the son of THE MAN, who as a Gordon fan you are not supposed to root for, which I'm not sure why I even new this being a newbie, but nevertheless I did. Anyway, Gordon had also wrecked in this race, so I was 0 for 2 in terms of good things happening to draw me into the sport, yet the whole spectacle had me in a sports fan trance, and ever since then I pretty much haven't missed a race. And of course, Gordon won the championship that year, so my first half-year as a fan yielded good fruit.

And then I got to attend my first race (Texas Motor Speedway) in 2003, and that only made me that much more addicted. I'm a junkie, and I'm proud to admit it. Give me NASCAR, or give me death!

• 3 Comments