Category: The Final Word

So, what did we learn from Texas?

Well, we learned that if you were going to have an old fashioned wild west shootout, there was no better place to decide matters. Who represented the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly on Saturday afternoon was determined simply by who you liked best, who you wanted to get the gold when it was all over. So we watched as Blondie, Tuco, and Angel Eyes took up their positions.

We learned that, unlike in the original, the bad man sometimes wins. In this version, it was Blondie and Tuco lying in the dust when the credits rolled. Denny Hamlin came alive late and roared off into the sunset to pick up his 8th win of the season, 16th of his career. At least I didn’t have to stick around to watch his post-race interview. There are some drivers I like, some I don’t mind, and a very few I just can’t stand. You can guess where Angel Eyes, er, Denny stands with me. I’m not saying he would not be deserving. I am just saying that I would not be happy about it.

We learned that sometimes unhappiness comes in the form of bad things happening to nice people. Jeff Burton made a mistake and tried to drive beside Jeff Gordon to let him know that. In doing so, he made another mistake, destroyed both cars, got Mr. Gordon upset, got into a slight physical confrontation with the aforementioned Mr. Gordon, and generally gave us all something to talk about it. Bad for the Jeffs, good for us stiffs.

We learned that one man’s misfortune is another man’s new pit crew. Jimmie Johnson’s boys were, well, the pits, costing their driver positions on the track. Right after his team-mate got Burtonized, and faster than you could say Donald Trump, the Lowe’s boys got fired and the Dupont lads got hired. Things went better for Johnson, while his old crew took care of the custodial duties in cleaning up the #24 pit box. Johnson still finished 9th, three spots behind Kevin Harvick. Hamlin is our new series leader, Johnson 33 back, and Harvick 59.

We learned that Greg Biffle was the star of this movie, but after losing a couple of gears his fate would be 5th. Meanwhile, with Gordon’s tough experience, Carl Edwards is now fourth. Should Hamlin finish last the next two races, with the other two contenders just about as unfortunate, and if Carl wins by leading the most laps the final two races, he would be our new champion. Then again, a rose could bloom from my butt. Hey, it could happen.

We learned that in this old world there are few things as traumatic as seeing a guy give the finger to another guy. Kyle Busch got caught speeding, got parked a lap and, after saluting the official with one certain digit with his in-car camera rolling, got parked for another two laps. Oh, the humanity! Sure, there may be those who have lived such a sheltered life, who have such tender sensitivities, that they may view the punishment as deserving. For such people I can only say [middle finger extended].

We learned that NASCAR is still trying to figure out how to keep Cup drivers from winning the Nationwide series. Here is the solution. You take away from any driver’s Nationwide point total the number of Cup points they have earned that season. That should do it…and you are welcome. By the way, that would have given Justin Allgaier the honor, as it should be.

Two races to go as we head to Phoenix where Hamlin has never won, though has finishes between third and sixth in six of his previous ten starts there. It is where Harvick as claimed a couple of victories over the years. However, it is also where Johnson has won four of the last six held there. It is a track on which he has chalked up eight straight top fives, a dozen top tens in 14 tries, and a worst finish of 15th. I wouldn’t exactly count out his drive for five just yet. You could see Blondie rise up yet again as they go for a few dollars more this Sunday. Enjoy the week.

So, what did we learn from Talladega?

Well, we learned it still provides the most exciting racing in NASCAR. Forget about the PVR, I watch every minute, every lap, and every lead change. Who is going to win? Watch the final corner of the final lap and just maybe you might have an idea. You might even watch the end and still need a replay to figure out who finished first.

We learned that was exactly what needed to happen Sunday afternoon as the big wreck on the final lap froze the field, but where and when? We watched as A.J. Allmendinger took flight and laid an all mighty dinger on the wall before coming to rest. We watched to see if Kevin Harvick was still in front, but when they checked the tape it was Clint Bowyer a third of a car length ahead when the caution came out.

We learned that Bowyer didn’t need no replay to be sure he was going to be shaking the suds in Victory Lane. As the officials watched the tape, we watched Bowyer burn his donuts. For the 31 year old, it marks his fourth career win and second of the season. Sure, it may be too late for this season, but it comes as a reminder that he promises to be in the hunt again in 2011.

We learned that Dale Earnhardt Jr could drive the big track like the Junior of old. We also learned that sometimes even masters of the bump draft can screw up, as Junior ruined his day, that of Jeff Burton, as well as Jamie McMurray’s. Oops.

We learned that David Reutimann has become a darn good driver. He has been one to notice most of this season, and he had a whole lot of television exposure during the race last weekend. He wound up fourth, right behind Juan Pablo Montoya and the two leaders.

We learned a cut tire early can finish you. The lack of cautions kept Tony Stewart from getting back on the lead lap until the end, where he finished 31st.

We learned that, unless you are Stewart, you can lose the draft, fall off the lead lap, yet still manage to get things back together in the end to be ninth, two positions behind Jimmie Johnson. Denny Hamlin falls 14 points behind the defending champ, with Harvick 38 away, but things could have gone much worse for the Pied Piper. Just ask Tony.

We learned that two car drafts was the way to go, and go they did. It provided the push that determined the top four on the day. It could have helped Johnson move further ahead, but team mate Jeff Gordon begged off, citing his engine was blowing up. It didn’t. Jeff would wind up between Johnson and Hamlin, in eighth, when it was all over.

We learned that one may qualify 13th for Talladega, but when things get started, they get the heck out of Dodge. As they came to the line, Jeff Fuller yanked his Toyota out of line and faded to the back before the green flag waved. The Joe Nemechek owned entry only lasted two laps, leaving due to a rear end problem. Sure, I believe that. Don’t you?

We learned that Talladega is the bull riding event of this rodeo. It is the Australian rules football game of NASCAR. It is where, when asked if they would like to participate, grown men look at each other and exclaim, “Hell no!” There is something about watching people do things we don’t have the guts to do ourselves. I’m not sure I would like to run those high banks in a go-cart all by my lonesome, never mind in the middle of a 43 car field going 200 mph with my competitors within a yard from each of my fenders. I’m just content to watch.

We learned that you should not drive your pick-up truck with your new Speed Energy drink logos upon it to an event sponsored by Amp Energy drink. Robby Gordon did and his truck got towed off. It should be a fun time for all those Chevrolets, Dodges, and Toyotas that pull into Homestead for the Ford 400. Load ‘em up boys!

Happy Birthday to my sons, who turn 16 on Wednesday. They have started taking their turns behind the wheel. Neither are ready yet for Talladega, but neither is their dad.

Three races to go to determine a champion. When they were in Texas this spring, Hamlin won, Johnson was second, Harvick seventh. A year ago, Hamlin was second. In the spring of 2009, Johnson was the runner-up. Something tells me we will still have a lot yet to figure out after they get done with Texas this Sunday. Enjoy the week.

So, what did we learn from Martinsville?

I learned I like what I saw from that short track. Even though we had some long runs for leaders, there seemed to be a lot of ebb and flow for position all over the track. We had some beating and banging, some who bumped and others who bashed, and tires that went down and cars that went around. It was like watching Talladega in miniature.

We learned that the fat lady has quit warming up and returned to her dressing room. She won’t be warbling anytime soon after Denny Hamlin got back to the front in the late going to snap up his seventh win of the season, and 15th of his career. Now, only six points seperates him from Jimmie Johnson in the standings. Not even 30 years old, there is no denying how good Hamlin has been during his five full seasons. One day, he might not even irritate me.

We learned that even though Kurt Busch has tried to be a model citizen, he can still be an irritating SOB. Just ask Jeff Gordon. He comes in a little hot and gives Busch a shot, who returned the favor by wrecking that other four-time champ. Over the radio Kurt said he was trying to stay off of him. Kurt was lying.

We learned that, unlike F-1, no team mate is just going to pull over for another. Kevin Harvick was third on Sunday, just 62 points out, but Jeff Burton didn’t exactly pull over to give his mate a free pass. They did more rubbing than a pair of freezing boy scouts trying to light a fire. I’m guessing Mr. Childress had a few things to say on Monday to his lads.

We learned that Mark Martin doesn’t need a car out of a showroom to do well. In a car beat to junk, one that had hit the fence, ripped off its rear bumper, and had its tail shoved up into the air, Martin came alive late to charge to second. Most seem to think the radical redesigning of the auto is what actually did the trick. Today, it looks like something Greg Biffle might take to his little track in the bush for some racing with the boys.

We learned that despite a few dud announcers out there (Rusty, Brad) we can still find a few excellent pre-race features on the tube. The feature on Biffle and his little dirt track for junk yard cars and the one on crew chiefs and their drivers were real highlights. It is interesting what one can come up with when you have competent people running the show. Folks who just might actually be race fans.

We learned that sometimes being a focal point in a race doesn’t mean you’ll be there at the end. Marcos Ambrose (cut tire), David Reutimann (turned into the wall), and Ryan Newman (rear end gear) had their moments in the sun before they got their parade rained on.

We learned that Dale Earnhardt Jr could lead a race. For 90 laps Junior Nation saw their man in front, finishing seventh. Heck, even Kenny Schrader led for a few caution laps before being turned into a pinata. Mind you, in his first Cup race in nearly two years, the 55 year old managed an 18th place result. Man, I sure miss that Inside Winston Cup program.

I am not available to answer anything but a call from nature this Sunday afternoon. It is Talladega, baby! Harvick would love to take the sweep, but this is a track where 1st can be 25th from one lap to the next and back again. It is the one to watch even if you don’t know a Petty from an Earnhardt. It is a race where even Rusty and Brad can’t take away from the action. It is Talladega. Enjoy the week.

So, what did we learn from Charlotte last Saturday night?

Well, we learned that NASCAR’s home track for most teams still provides us with good racing that keeps us watching. Kyle Busch has never won a Cup race there, but he once again was the class of the field most of the night. He might have wound up second, but after leading nearly two-thirds of the way he was the star of the evening.

We learned that nice guys can finish first. You sure get the feeling that Jamie McMurray is a nice guy, one who is thankful for where he is and what has happened to him this season. From not being sure where, if anywhere, he might be driving this year, he has claimed wins at three of the circuits most revered venues.

We learned that Jimmie Johnson can get loose, go for a slide, fade back to 37th place, and still wind up third on the day. Now only two drivers, fourth place finisher Denny Hamlin (41) and Kevin Harvick (77), remain within a hundred points of the defending champion with only five events left in the season. You can almost hear the fat lady warming up.

We have learned that there remain those who believe having a driver seek a fifth straight title as being something of a bad thing. What nonsense. We are in a special era that will be long remembered, just as we presently honor the New York Yankees of the 1950’s and the 1960’s Boston Celtics. True dynasties both, yet neither faced 42 competitors as Johnson has faced each race week. Five straight crowns is something to be celebrated and remembered. I hope we get the chance to do just that.

We learned how important an alternator can be, as did Jeff Gordon. No power, no go, and if that wasn’t bad enough, a late speeding penalty in the pits really put this one to bed. He finished 23rd, and while Gordon remains fourth in the hunt, the 156 point deficit has curtailed any celebrations he might have been planning.

We learned that even in North Carolina, the outside lane made more than a few feel like they were on an Alaskan ice road. Kurt Busch was an early victim, as was Ryan Newman. In fact, the Rocket’s problem became that of his boss when Tony Stewart got run into when the boys hit the brakes. None would be a factor.

We learned that it does not matter how many cars you have in the Chase, you might not win if they come together. Clint Bowyer found Jeff Burton cutting across his bow, and hit ramming speed. Neither would be in the top fifteen, though team mate Harvick managed to finish eighth.

We learned that things are not getting better for Dale Earnhardt Jr, and doubtful they will anytime this season. Charlotte found him 29th, the thirteenth time he has been outside the top twenty this campaign. I wish I knew what the problem was and its solution. Whoever does probably could wind up with a lifetime of free drinks at Whiskey River.

Next up is Martinsville, where legends have been known to win a bunch. Those who have won three straight or more there include Fred Lorenzen, Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Rusty Wallace, and Jimmie Johnson. Denny Hamlin could join them, having won the last two. As he could soon be the only legitimate challenger left for Johnson’s title, this would be the time. Enjoy the week.

Okay, so did we learn from Fontana?

Well, we learned that with the palm trees lining the track and the mountains in the background, it can be a picturesque place to watch a race. It could also provide some action that was actually entertaining to watch, even on ESPN! I usually combine watching a race from Fontana with nap time, but that was not the case this time out. See, I can be wrong! Just not often.

We learned a guy named Smoke would win when during the same race the likes of Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, and maybe even Matt Kenseth saw their engines go up in smoke. Yah, eerie I know! Stewart’s auto came alive in the latter half of the event as he won his first in California, the second of the season and 39th of his Cup career. Now the two-time champ is back in the hunt for a third, just 107 points behind with six to go.  

We learned that Dale Earnhardt Jr can still lead a few laps. At one time he actually led a three train Hendrick parade for three whole circuits. I’m trying to be a glass half-full type of guy here. Okay, he led because his crew chief tried to scrimp on tires, and Junior paid the price for it. At least he fought back to finish 16th on the day.

We learned that Jeff Gordon could get tagged for speeding and still manage to recover for a top ten. We learned that Jimmie Johnson could fail to win in California, though finishing third did not seem much of a heart break. Heck, even Mark Martin was sixth to make most of the Hendrick boys feel all warm and fuzzy.

We learned that if it doesn’t blow up or start to blow up, a Roush car could just up and quit. Carl Edwards had distributor problems and sat in the back for a few laps before coming home 34th. His title hopes took a hit, but the car looked nice.

We learned that even though Judge Roy Bean grabbed 150 of Clint Bowyer’s points, there is no quit in the boy. He could have won last Sunday, settling for second, though he could use some help digging out of the 247 point hole he finds himself in. Having another of those myterious debris cautions coming out late when Bowyer was in front was not exactly the kind of help he was looking for.

We learned that David Ragan did not help Kurt Busch when he pinched the Chaser into the wall with a half dozen laps to go. The 21st place finish dropped the contender 140 points out to bruise his title hopes a tic.

We learned that Jeff Burton can tick off team mate Kevin Harvick. The boys got close early in the event, making Harvick rather unhappy. I’m sure they hugged when it was over and all is now swell. Too bad, as a Burton-Harvick tiff could have been exciting. More so than, say, Harvick-Edwards turned out to be. That was the biggest disappointment since Danny Partridge beat down Greg Brady.

The next date is at one of my favorite tracks as the boys return home to Charlotte. Half the Chasers have won there, with Johnson and Gordon already boasting rich histories at the venue over the years. As to who will be the big winner this Saturday night, I’m guessing that it will be you and me for tuning it in. Enjoy the week.

So, what did we learn from Kansas?

Well, we learned that Kyle Busch and David Reutimann won’t be exchanging hugs anytime soon. Shrub was behind Reutimann in the early going, who seemed to lift in a corner which caused Busch to nail him from behind to ruin his day. It made Reuity a tad upset.

We learned later by just how much. With Kyle in the top ten and Reutimann laps down, the dream machine took aim and became the #18’s biggest nightmare. If they do a modern re-make of Ben-Hur, that is what the chariot scene would look like.

We learned that the best decision by a crew chief on the day might only result in a 21st place finish. With his rear end a mess, Kyle’s crew had a choice to make. They could go behind the wall, lose a ton of laps, and fix it right, or come up with some kind of fix on pit road. Dave Rogers’ decision to stay out there, to do the best they could with what they had, probably saved his driver at least 40 points. Instead of 120 points out, Busch is down 80. With seven races to go, that is doable.

We learned that if you do something wrong in the eyes of a competitor, don’t expect any favors even if you happen to be in the Chase. Reutimann felt wronged, and Busch found himself on the business end of a front fender. Having a reputation as being something of a gunslinger doesn’t help when someone takes a few shots back at you. If Busch had hoped NASCAR would ride to his rescue, he was wrong. No sanctions seem forthcoming over the incident.

We learned that Greg Biffle still has something to prove and the ability to do so. In the latter stages the Biff was the guy to beat, but nobody could pull it off. It was his second win of the season, and 16th of his Cup career. He remains 85 points back, which is close enough if this is a sign of what is to come.

We learned that the cream rises to the top. In recent years, we have called that cream Jimmie Johnson. He was second on Sunday, and first in the points by eight over Denny Hamlin, 30 ahead of Kevin Harvick. Could it be, in the words of Yogi Berra, deja vu all over again?

So, now they are off to California to that track that seldom entertains. Maybe this time will be the charm. Mind you, Mr. Johnson does not seem to mind it. Winning four of the last six races run there might have something to do with that. Maybe the only way to keep Jimmie away from another title is to get David Reutimann mad at him. I’m just saying. Enjoy the week.

So, what did we learn at Loudon?

Well, we learned that with no gas, you don’t go. You don’t go, you don’t win. Just ask Tony Stewart. Just ask Jeff Burton. Stewart was just one caution away from being able to save enough go-go juice to get there. It did not come, he wound up on fumes, and he got to the finish line by coasting as the winner was doing his burn out right behind him. Even Fred Flintstone would have been faster than Smoke.

We learned that Clint Bowyer had just enough fuel to get there. Just. His burn out lasted only until his car coughed and quit. With his first win of the season, and just the third of his Cup career, Bowyer moves to within 35 points of Denny Hamlin after round one of the Chase.

We learned that some would do well. Hamlin had gas, and finished second. Non-chasers such as Jamie McMurray and Dale Earnhardt Jr managed top fives, as did Kevin Harvick. Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch came through with top tens. Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch were also in the top 15, still in decent shape for this Sunday’s run at Dover. For some, the result last weekend was down right indecent.

We learned that sometimes the risk isn’t really worth the reward. Stewart went from first to 24th, just one spot ahead of a snake bit Jimmie Johnson. It has been said a finish outside the top 15 in any Chase event could finish one’s championship chances. Well, Burton was 15th last Sunday, while Roush drivers Greg Biffle (17th) and Matt Kenseth (23rd) have even bigger holes to climb out of. Kenseth is now in twelfth place, 136 points away. He is not out, but he has had his mulligan.

We learned that a track like the one at Loudon provides more televised entertainment than the one at Richmond. They raced close, they bumped, they spun, and some tried to win in the end carrying the same amount of fuel as a soap box derby auto. The ESPN boys and girls were even informative and entertaining. What more could you ask for? Okay, Rusty and Brad were once again all hat and no cattle, but let’s accentuate the positive.

We learned that when Kevin Conway and his sponsor, Extenze, left Front Row Racing for Robby Gordon’s outfit, it may have stunted the financial growth of their former associates. So, Front Row is suing both driver and sponsor, no doubt to either extend their relationship or be compensated for denying them a potentially enlarged economic situation. Maybe another solution could be to firm up a new deal and return Viagra to NASCAR.

Johnson swept Dover last year, with Kyle Busch taking this spring’s event. In fact, all of the Chasers were in the top twenty in May. Maybe good things do come to those who rate. Of course, having gas in the tank doesn’t hurt. Enjoy the week.

So, what did we learn at Richmond?

Well, we learned that it isn’t exactly a track conducive to providing riveting televised sports excitement. To be blunt, Saturday night’s race was as boring as blazes. I actually nodded off more than a few times during the dullathon. The ESPN crew simply does not have it takes to conjure up a silk purse from such a sow’s ear. Toss in Rusty and Brad and I’m sure the boys and girls did not convert any novice viewers into becoming die hard NASCAR fans. It was like watching soccer on wheels. Still, all was not lost. At least it ended with me feeling well rested.

We learned that Denny Hamlin, who has been cold as ice the past couple of months, still has enough left in the tank to contend when it counts. Between Atlanta and Richmond, the Pied Piper went from worst to first, collected his 6th win of the season, and enters the Chase ten points better than Jimmie Johnson. Whether his lead will hold up or not will be answered soon enough this weekend.

We learned that Clint Bowyer was not going to be denied a shot at the title. Rather than falling out in Joe Nemechek fashion early, which would have given some others a chance, the Kansas driver was near the front the entire evening, finishing 6th when all was said and done. Ryan, Jamie, and Mark can always dream that 2011 will be their year.

We learned that while Johnson and Jeff Gordon will be racing for the roses this fall, their Hendrick team-mates Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr will not. For Junior, starting in the top ten was as good as this night would get, as the rest turned out to be like so many others this season. Junior was 34th on Saturday night.

We learned that before we write off the son of the icon, the superman who was, we should check a few of the facts. Since he last made the Chase, Junior has led more than 1500 laps, averaged an 18th place finish over the past 134 events, collecting more than 110 points, on average, each race. Those figures are better than those of Juan Pablo Montoya over those same time period. Sadly, instead of being like the Columbian, Earnhart was supposed to be what Jimmie Johnson has become. In truth, the one guy Earnhardt fails to really measure up to is himself and the type of results he had enjoyed through 2006. Where he once won 2.4 races per year, he has won just once in the nearly four seasons since those glory days. Junior is still good. His misfortune is that what his fans want is greatness.

We learned the final lineup as to who will challenge for the crown, beginning this Sunday in New Hampshire. Five of them have already won the title, combining for a dozen championships between them. Johnson and Jeff Gordon seek their fifth, Tony Stewart his third, with Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth hoping for a second trophy for the mantle. Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton, Carl Edwards, and Clint Bowyer would love to be part of their circle.

If history means anything, don’t expect Edwards or Kenseth to lead the way after Sunday. Neither has ever won at Loudon. The other ten have, with Burton with four to his credit. However, the smart money would be on the current leaders, as both Johnson and Hamlin appear to be heating up at about the right time at a track both seem to do well at. It should be a good one to watch, unless you were hoping to doze off in front of the television set Sunday afternoon. The action might prove too exciting for that. Enjoy the week.

So, what did we learn at Atlanta?

Well, we learned that Clint Bowyer doesn’t fight fair. You got all those boys waiting for him to crash so they might catch him for the final Chase place, and what does he do? He rides around just outside the top ten and finishes seventh. That lad has no sense of drama.

We learned that if Richmond is going to provide any excitement in the standings, Bowyer will need to beat Joe Nemechek back to the garage to open up the door. What are the odds of that happening? As it is, if Bowyer finishes 39th Saturday night, Mark Martin is done. 31st puts Jamie McMurray to bed, while 28th is all it will take to eliminate Ryan Newman. It is at least a hope, which is more than what Greg Biffle gave them. All he needs to do is start at Richmond and he is in.

We learned that Kasey Kahne is a brave man. Am I the only one who notices that Newman does not have a neck? You don’t kick sand in his face, or he might remove your own. The good news was that he was smiling when he had his post-race chat with Kahne. Then again, I remember that Carl Edwards was smiling, albeit in demented fashion, when he was doing his Muhammad Ali impersonation around Matt Kenseth a few years back. Maybe a smile isn’t a good sign, after all.

We learned that Newman’s boss, Tony Stewart, had the best car last Sunday. Smoke picked up his 38th career win and now has at least one victory in each of his dozen Cup seasons. In Chase parlance, he is currently just 40 points behind the leaders that matter, Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin.

We learned that Hamlin had the second best car at Atlanta. Then it blew up and finished dead last. Yes, even behind Nemechek. So, if it can happen to Denny, it could happen to Clint. Maybe there is cause to retain some hope.

We learned that there is something special about those Busch boys. Sure, there are times you want to beat them with clubs, but they can sure drive. Kyle speeds through the pits, gets penalized, then drops by twenty laps later with a loose wheel to find himself down a circuit in 36th. He would finish fifth. Kurt had a car that was junk most of the day, saved both himself and Kahne in the late going, and still wound up sixth.  

We learned that Rusty Wallace can make us laugh. No, really. Johnson goes by Juan Pablo Montoya, a single digit waving in the breeze toward the Columbian. Rusty, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, commented that when Johnson went sideways the wind must have “sucked his hand out of the window.” That, my friends, is comedy. Now we want more.

It was quite a week. Stewart wins at Atlanta, Manny joins the White Sox, and the Eskimos beat the Stampeders in their Labor day football tilt in the CFL. Okay, Calgary actually crushed Edmonton 52-5, but one needs to keep the faith even when there really is no justification for doing so. Just ask Mark, Jamie, and Ryan as they head to Richmond for this Saturday night. Enjoy your week.