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  • Kyle Busch Captures Third Consecutive Win of the Season

    Kyle Busch Captures Third Consecutive Win of the Season

    Kyle Busch scored his third straight victory of the year winning the Toyota Owners 400 in overtime at Richmond Raceway Saturday night. He dominated the field in the closing 30 laps of the race to capture his 46th career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win.

    It was his fifth triumph at the .75-mile short track and may have been his most challenging win at Richmond. Busch started in 32nd place but was able to maneuver his way to a sixth-place finish in both Stage 1 and Stage 2. It wasn’t until the closing laps of the third stage, however, that Busch began to make his presence known. He led three times (Lap 273, Laps 371-390, and Laps 392-402) for 32 laps) on his drive to Victory Lane.

    He spoke about his winning streak and the possibility of four in a row as the series travels to Talladega Superspeedway next week and the unpredictability of restrictor plate racing.

    “It’s definitely cool we’ve won three in a row,” Busch said. “We did it a couple years ago, and now I don’t know if you can shoot for four in a row. It’s hard to go to Talladega with that much of a winning streak and think that you can go to Victory Lane, but we’re going to go there anyway and give it a shot.

    “We’ll see what we can do … I think it’s easier to win the Power Ball than to win at Talladega.”

    Chase Elliott finished second, after taking advantage of the late-race cautions to gradually work his way to the front of the field for the final restart in overtime but he was unable to overtake Busch.

    “Yeah, just very fortunate circumstances there at the end for us, with the way the restarts went,” Elliott said. “Having a short run there at the end was definitely in our favor. So it was nice to be on the good end of things for the first time in a while.

    “Looking forward, we have to be realistic about how we ran tonight. I think the result shouldn’t weigh into how hard we worked this week because we have some work to do. I think that we have to keep that in mind.”

    Denny Hamlin took third place followed by a disappointed Joey Logano who finished fourth after winning Stage 1 and 2,

    “You know, we had a really good Shell Pennzoil Ford early in the race and got a couple stage wins early which was great. We maxed out those points which is awesome. We just lost the handle on the car and fell back to sixth or so. We had a bad pit stop and lost a bunch of spots and then had a really good pit stop and got them all right back and were able to come home with a top-five. I wish I could re-run that. I feel like we can do better if we tried again. I am sure the whole field would say that. I am proud of the speed we showed at Richmond. Just want to be a little better.”

    Kevin Harvick rounds out the top five finishers in the Toyota Owner’s 400.

    Busch retains the points lead after Richmond followed by Logano (-56), Clint Bowyer (-86), Harvick (-91) and Brad Keselowski in fifth (-112).

    Next week the action continues when the Monster Energy Cup Series heads to Talladega Superspeedway for the Geico 500.

    Follow @angiecampbell_ for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

     

    [pdf-embedder url=”http://www.speedwaymedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Richmond-Raceway-MENCS-Unofficial-Race-Results-Toyota-Owners-400-4-21-18.pdf” title=”Richmond Raceway MENCS Unofficial Race Results Toyota Owners 400 4-21-18″]

     

  • Hot 20 – Saturday night is an evening with the classic that is Richmond

    Hot 20 – Saturday night is an evening with the classic that is Richmond

    We truly are in a sweet spot in the NASCAR schedule. Last Sunday (and Monday) it was Bristol. This Saturday night they race at Richmond. We conclude April with the test that is Talladega. Action good enough to convince anyone who enjoys pure entertainment to become attracted to the sport. At least, until Dover. Then again, that is a pretty cool trophy they hand out there.

    Fans are talking about the Ford Fusion making way next season for the iconic Ford Mustang. There are few car models that instantly recall power and speed. There is a reason we again have the Chevy Camaro. We yearn for the Dodge Charger. Plymouth is gone, but we remember the Barracuda. It will be nice to see at least one more of those classic nameplates making a return to the sport.

    Fan voting for the All-Star race pass is open. Eleven full-time drivers are eligible for having won the Cup title or a previous All-Star event. Five more are in due to having won a race since 2017. That leaves those who have not yet qualified to win at Richmond, Talladega, Dover, or Kansas, or one of three segments in the Monster Energy Open qualifying race, or get the most votes from fans among those not yet qualified. Deadline for voting is May 18.

    Among our Hot 20, that leaves Aric Almirola, Erik Jones, Alex Bowman, Paul Menard, William Byron, and A.J. Allmendinger still seeking a berth. Outsiders on the outside of both include Darrell Wallace Jr., Chase Elliott, and Daniel Suarez.

    Maybe that might change Saturday night in Richmond.

    1. KYLE BUSCH – 2 WINS – 365 Pts
    The best driver ever? Talk to me in about 15 more wins.

    2. KEVIN HARVICK – 2 WINS (1 E.W.) – 290 Pts
    Nothing runs like a Ford…a Ford Mustang that is. See you in 2019.

    3. CLINT BOWYER – 1 WIN – 286 Pts
    If you are as wacky a fan as Bowyer is a driver, Ford’s Hall of Fans wants to hear from you.

    4. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN – 257 Pts
    Start 450…which ranks 50th all-time.

    5. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN – 183 Pts
    I thought Dillon was a good guy…and then I saw the color of his hat.

    6. JOEY LOGANO – 306 POINTS
    Adjustment to being a dad, “It’s a lot more than taking wedge out, I can tell you that much.”

    7. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 271 POINTS
    Sunday was good, Monday started well, but then came the fade, the tire, and the wall.

    8. RYAN BLANEY – 267 POINTS
    Considering what happened on Sunday, I wonder where Blaney spent his Monday?

    9. DENNY HAMLIN – 252 POINTS
    Best solution to the crap pit gun problem “is providing reliable equipment.”

    10. KYLE LARSON – 249 POINTS
    On Monday, he experienced one Kyle too many.

    11. KURT BUSCH – 241 POINTS
    Richmond has new garages and a media center but is probably more interested in Victory Lane.

    12. ARIC ALMIROLA – 211 POINTS
    The Cuban Missile invites Richmond fans to say hello to his little friend…as he drives off.

    13. ERIK JONES – 209 POINTS
    Erik. It is spelled the way a true Viking would spell it. A Viking from Michigan.

    14. ALEX BOWMAN – 190 POINTS
    Bowman. With a name like that he damn well better be driving a Chevy. No Bowties on a Ford.

    15. RYAN NEWMAN – 181 POINTS
    Team success is great, but personal success is even better… “this is a selfish sport, right?”

    16. PAUL MENARD – 170 POINTS
    His crew practices competitive frisbee tossing by catching tires…on rims.

    17. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 169 POINTS
    Now, if you want to talk about one of the best ever, we can start with him.

    18. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 162 POINTS
    Crew chief fined $10,000 for a loose lug nut. Can you buy a decent pit gun for $10,000?

    19. WILLIAM BYRON – 154 POINTS
    I don’t know. Billy Byron has a nice ring to it, but it is not near as stoic as William.

    20. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 150 POINTS
    Will be at the Kroger store at 9351 Atlee Road, Mechanicsville, Virginia today at 5:30 p.m.

  • NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Bristol

    NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Bristol

    Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

    1. Kyle Busch: Busch overtook Kyle Larson late to win the Food City 500, which concluded on Monday due to weather delays. Busch led 200 laps and picked up his second consecutive win.

    “Brad Keselowski’s spin with 30 laps to go helped me win the race,” Busch said. “But if he thinks I owe him gratitude, he can kiss it where the sun don’t shine, which is my ass, or Bristol on Sunday and Monday.”

    2. Kevin Harvick: Harvick finished seventh at Bristol, posting his sixth top 10 of the year.

    “The race at Bristol took 26 hours to complete,” Harvick said. “Other races this year have only felt like they lasted that long.”

    3. Ryan Blaney: Blaney was collected in a lap 117 crash and finished 35th at Bristol.

    “There was a lot of green and yellow seen during Sunday and Monday,” Blaney said. “I’m not even talking about flags; I’m talking about the weather radar.”

    4. Joey Logano: Logano finished ninth in the Food City 500, posting his seventh top 10 finish of the season.

    “We spent Sunday and Monday looking up to the skies,” Logano said. “The heavens opened up, and the few fans left said ‘What the hell are we doing here?’”

    5. Clint Bowyer: Bowyer finished eighth at Bristol and is now fourth in the Monster Energy Cup points standings.

    “Bristol Motor Speedway allowed school-aged children free admission to Monday’s race,” Bowyer said. “And there were quite a number of kids that showed up, thus making the crowd the most educated in NASCAR history.”

    6. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex was involved in an early crash at Bristol, suffering damage that led to an eventual 30th-place finish.

    “You probably saw me circling the track with no hood on my car,” Truex said. “That’s never good for speed, but I can assure you I was running ‘wide-open.’”

    7. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski won Stages 1 and 2, but spun with 30 laps to go and hit the wall.

    “That spin cost me a top-10 finish,” Keselowski said, “and likely gave Kyle Busch the win. That’s a brutal double whammy comparable only to what Kyle and Kurt Busch’s parents experienced.”

    8. Kyle Larson: Larson led a race-high 200 laps at Bristol, but fell short to Kyle Busch’s fresh tires. Larson finished second and is ninth in the points standings, 116 out of first.

    “Brad Keselowski’s accident was the break Kyle Busch and the No. 18 Skittles car needed,” Larson said. “If that doesn’t happen, I win. Victory was so close, I could taste it. All of a sudden, victory was so far away, I could taste the rainbow.”

    9. Aric Almirola: Almirola started 19th and finished sixth at in the Food City 500.

    “NASCAR-issued pit guns are still an issue,” Almirola said. “Denny Hamlin, among others, said these pit guns are accurate in only one instance—-shooting yourself in the foot.”

    10. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin finished 14th after a loose wheel cost him any chance of winning.

    “I place the blame squarely on these crappy pit guns NASCAR forces us to us,” Hamlin said. “And it probably cost me the win, which is not the first time I’ve had a problem with them. Personally, ‘I’m tired of getting screwed,’ which is one thing you’ll never hear a securely tightened lug nut say.”

  • The Final Word – Bristol was so exciting, they made it a two day event

    The Final Word – Bristol was so exciting, they made it a two day event

    Back in 1927, the Bristol Sessions marked what some call the “Big Bang” moment of country music. I bet you thought the city on the Tennessee-Virginia border was all about racing. Well, for a time over the past couple of days, it was. Here and there, at least.

    While Bristol’s bang from the past involved Jimmy Rodgers and the Carter Family, the one that took place Sunday finished the hopes of Chase Elliott and Martin Truex Jr. within four laps. It ended the 99 lap dominance of Ryan Blaney before the end of the opening segment when the leader got taken out. You could say the rain then took care of the rest before the mid-way mark. That brought us to Monday.

    Monday in Bristol was crap. It was cold and it was raining. They might as well have tried to run the sucker in Edmonton. At least we northerners are used to such nonsense. Hell, by the time we hit afternoon it was coming down heavy like Christmas morning up here. Oh, we think such weather in mid-April sucks, too.

    Down south, when they finally resumed, raindrops were all over the windshields and the camera lenses. Who says NASCAR does not run in the wet? When they finally hit the end of the session, the midpoint of the race, Brad Keselowski was again the leader. Kyle Busch was making noise, and even Jimmie Johnson appeared to be something of a challenger.

    Why not Kyle Larson? The gent got himself into the mix and look very sporty as he came up to run point. However, the point is to not go where someone has gone before, like on the inside. Ryan Newman was inside, Larson did not notice that fact until he got spun. The caution allowed him to stay third, with Keselowski and Busch on the lead row of the re-start, and Johnson beside Larson with 175 laps to run.

    They remained our main quartet, with others coming in for a quick guest spot before fading back. Darrell Wallace Jr. popped up to lead his first ever laps in Cup before surrendering top spot to Busch. With about 70 to go, Keselowski started to fade, while the likes of Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Newman, Joey Logano, and Austin Dillon poked their noses out to say howdy. With about 30 to go, Keselowski had drifted down a lap when he tagged the fence after his left front went down.

    However, it came down to the remaining trio of our former quartet to bring this one home. With a little bump and run with five to go, Busch took his second straight victory, the 45th of his career. Larson and Johnson also made the podium and enjoyed 40-plus point days. Stenhouse and Alex Bowman rounded out our Top Five. Neither Wallace or Dillon made the Top Ten in the end.

    Next Saturday night, another short track event as they move slightly north to Richmond. As Rodgers might say, time for a little “Moonlight and Skies”…weather permitting.

  • Hot 20 – Nothing like a good swig of Bristol to get the taste of Texas out of your mouth

    Hot 20 – Nothing like a good swig of Bristol to get the taste of Texas out of your mouth

    Texas. That may have been the worst NASCAR race I ever watched. If not, I hope I never remember a worse one. Indianapolis in 2008 might challenge it, but that was due to having to throw out a caution every 10 laps to prevent the damn tires from exploding. That race was a disaster due to the tires. Texas was a disaster all on its own. If you saw it and liked it, I envy you.

    Bristol. This is where all those bad feelings about horrid racing should all go away. It is where Darrell Waltrip won a dozen times, including seven straight. Nine times Cale Yarborough, Dale Earnhardt, and Rusty Wallace each shook the suds. It is where Kyle Busch will try to claim his second straight this year to up his own total to seven.

    Bristol is where they have been providing NASCAR thrills twice a year since 1961. Earnhardt and Wallace both won their first there. It was where Davey Allison edged out Mark Martin by inches in 1990. It is where Busch won over Jeff Burton in 2007 and then Martin in the fall race of 2009 by a combined margin of under two-tenths of a second.

    The former Southeastern 500 has had Food City as its sponsor since 1992. Wallace claimed this particular Bristol offering six times. Jimmie Johnson won it last year. Well, there is no time like the present.

    If you watched last week, come on back. This is Bristol. Things will be different this Sunday. I promise.

    1. KEVIN HARVICK – 3 WINS – 257 Pts
    A damn lug nut and some damn lug who could not even tighten a nut. That was Texas.

    2. KYLE BUSCH – 1 WIN – 316 Pts
    Finally got to walk down the aisle, but Harvick did his best to ruin the party again.

    3. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN – 250 Pts
    He coulda been a contender. He coulda been somebody, instead, a tire blew and he was done.

    4. CLINT BOWYER – 1 WIN – 249 Pts
    A win and averaging over 35 points per race. How sweet life is.

    5. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN – 159 Pts
    The only member of the Bowtie Brigade with a checkered flag.

    6. JOEY LOGANO – 278 POINTS
    So, this is a comeback year? If only his 2017 Richmond win had not been encumbered.

    7. RYAN BLANEY – 265 POINTS
    Fifth straight Cup guy to win a Xfinity race. I wonder what those ratings are like?

    8. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 237 POINTS
    Brad has nothing to say regarding the questionable air guns. When did that ever happen before?

    9. KURT BUSCH – 224 POINTS
    All I hear is how great Kyle is at this or how wonderful Kyle did that! Kyle, Kyle, Kyle!

    10. DENNY HAMLIN – 222 POINTS
    A pair of pit penalties could not do what that wreck early in the final segment accomplished.

    11. KYLE LARSON – 202 POINTS
    The wheels on the car get ground, ground, ground and then they make a terrible sound.

    12. ERIK JONES – 193 POINTS
    Thinks 400 miles at Texas would be enough. I think 40 feet is enough.

    13. ARIC ALMIROLA – 177 POINTS
    Texas was lovely for Almirola until it wasn’t.

    14. ALEX BOWMAN – 154 POINTS
    Wished he could have had a day like Almirola. Bowman’s was messed up by the second lap.

    15. PAUL MENARD – 146 POINTS
    30th in Texas and still on this chart. It gives you an idea how bad the day went for others…

    16. RYAN NEWMAN – 145 POINTS
    …like Newman. He was 27th after another tire left another driver hitting another wall.

    17. WILLIAM BYRON – 135 POINTS
    A Top Ten. See, Texas did not suck for everybody.

    18. CHASE ELLIOTT – 128 POINTS
    A brace that supports the rear window did not meet specs in Texas, at a cost of 20 points.

    19. DARRELL WALLACE JR. – 126 POINTS
    A new look driver, an old look number, and an old-time sponsor for Bristol.

    20. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 123 POINTS
    Okay, this is the Hot 19 along with a trio currently on simmer.

    21. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 123 POINTS
    Lose a couple of pounds, eat a chocolate cake. Gain a few points, then get wrecked. Same idea.

    22. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 123 POINTS
    Are drivers athletes? Well, just ask Kansas football coach David Beaty.

  • NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Texas

    NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Texas

    Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

    1. Kevin Harvick: Harvick started second and sported the best car for much of the day. But two pit road incidents, a loose lug nut and a penalty for too many crewmen over the wall, cost him the win. He still finished second and is fourth in the Monster Energy Cup points standings.

    “We obviously were the best car out there,” Harvick said, “but we had to settle for second. That’s frustrating. I don’t like settling any more than Tony Stewart does, but sometimes settling is the best course of action.”

    2. Kyle Busch: Busch took advantage of two Kevin Harvick pit road mishaps, capitalizing to take the win in the O’Reilly Auto Part 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. It was Busch’s first win of the year.

    “I figuratively threw a wrench into Harvick’s victory aspirations,” Busch said, “while NASCAR literally threw a wrench there.”

    3. Ryan Blaney: Blaney finished fifth at Texas and holds the third spot in the Monster Energy Cup points standings.

    “Texas was less about competitive racing,” Blaney said, “and more about an uncontrollable tire. I think it’s great for the sport, though. NASCAR hasn’t been blessed with something this round and with a mind of its own since Jimmy Spencer.”

    4. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex slammed the wall on Lap 80, leaving the No. 78 Toyota significantly damaged. Truex finished 37th, 254 laps down.

    “What made a greater impact?” Truex said. “Me hitting the wall, or Kevin Harvick’s car chief’s and a NASCAR official’s two fists bumping? Are Harvick and NASCAR ‘in bed’ together? If they are, I guess that means they’d be ‘bumping uglies.’”

    5. Joey Logano: Logano finished sixth at Texas, posting his sixth top 10 of the year. He is second in the points standings, 38 behind Kyle Busch.

    “NASCAR didn’t penalize Kevin Harvick for an uncontrollable tire on their final green flag pit stop,” Logano said. “Is NASCAR playing favorites? When Harvick’s crew chief Robert Smith found out there would be no penalty, he fist bumped a NASCAR official. That shouldn’t happen. This is NASCAR; the only thing bumping into a fist should be Kurt Busch’s face.”

    6. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski’s day at Texas ended abruptly when he was collected in a Lap 178 crash triggered by contact between Aric Almirola and Denny Hamlin. Keselowski finished 33rd.

    “That’s ‘Aric’ with an ‘A,’” Keselowski said, “and ‘Hamlin’ with an ‘H.’ Much like ‘All’ with an ‘A’ and ‘Hell’ with an ‘H.’”

    7. Clint Bowyer: Bowyer started third and finished ninth, earning his fourth top 10 of the season.

    “It was a good day for Stewart-Haas Racing,” Bowyer said. “Especially Kevin Harvick. I think it’s clear he has the best car this year. So there are about 39 other cars trailing him. In addition, NASCAR officials are ‘behind’ him, too.”

    8. Kyle Larson: Larson cut a tire on Lap 126 and slammed the wall hard, ending his day at Texas. He finished 36th and is now 10th in the Monster Energy Cup points standings.

    “Even before my crash,” Larson said, “I knew it was going to be a tough day. My No. 42 car failed pre-race inspection three times. I had to start at the rear of the field, and my crew chief David Bryant was ejected. As you know, they don’t hold back on penalties in Texas, and that includes more than just the death penalty.”

    9. Kurt Busch: Busch won the pole at Texas and finished seventh in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, as three Stewart-Haas Racing cars finished in the top 10.

    “SHR cars also took the top three spots in qualifying,” Busch said. “And Kevin Harvick already has three wins in only seven races. We’re dominating. Everyone is saying Stewart-Haas is the favorite, most notably NASCAR officials.”

    10. Erik Jones: Jones led 64 laps and finished fifth in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500.

    “It’s good to see O’Reilly sponsoring a race,” Jones said. “This sport needs all the Irish it can get. And if it’s not Conor McGregor tossing hand trucks through windows, then I guess we’ll have to settle for O’Reilly Auto Parts.”

  • The Final Word – Texas, where some raced, some participated, some tuned out

    The Final Word – Texas, where some raced, some participated, some tuned out

    If you are going to watch ‘em race in Texas, you better have a PVR in your hand. My God, that was boring. I mean, with more than half the field lapped in the opening segment and more than 12 seconds between first and second, we were sure not talking about racing wheel to wheel.

    Wrecks. If all you watched the race for was for wrecks, I guess it was salvageable. Not so for Alex Bowman, as he got turned on just the third lap and his day was all but done. It was like when your brother puts his finger up to your face and starts chanting “I’m not touching you, I’m not touching you” until you touch him in an unfriendly way and the fight begins. Bowman was not touched, but the car went around anyway. Paul Menard was caught up in the aftermath. Like Bowman, his day was ruined and his winless streak extended to 239.

    Martin Truex Jr. was riding second, with Kevin Harvick somewhere over the horizon, when he lost a front tire but found the fence. He was toast, with five laps remaining in the opening frame. Again, if not for the wrecks, Texas was all about endurance. Yours.

    Yours, and anyone associated with Goodyear. Midway through the second segment, Kyle Larson was sitting in fourth until the right front rubber shredded and the wall did a little shredding of its own. If a big reason they are in the sport is to advertise the durability of their product, Texas did them no favors. None.

    So, what happens to all those lug nuts that come flying off the tires, to bounce unattended on pit road? Well, they can bounce their way into the jacks to gum up the works. That is what happened to Harvick when he pitted after Larson’s misfortune and went from first to ninth. Then, after all that, he did not go 10 laps when he had to come back for a loose wheel. Unbelievable. That dropped him a lap down and out of the Top 20. Such things might cause a man to cuss. Hell, it could cause a nun to cuss. You have to believe somebody is slated to have his backside gnawed off in the very near future.

    So that left us with Kyle Busch taking the middle segment, Kurt Busch was next, with only 13 cars on the lead circuit. As for Harvick, he was the second among those a lap down in 15th. Things just might get interesting before this one was done yet. That is, if you had the endurance to wait it out.

    Maybe a wreck would keep us engaged. A handful of laps into the run to the flag, we got it. Adios Denny Hamlin. Sayonara Brad Keselowski. Goodbye Aric Almirola. Take a bow, Jimmie Johnson. Sometimes good things come to those who wait, even if your good things are someone else’s bad things.

    Harvick came back and was in the mix but still needed some help to close the gap. With under 50 go to, a tire rolled loose in his pits. NASCAR reviewed, and Harvick escaped without a penalty even NASCAR later admitted he should have been tagged with. Ryan Newman had a Top Ten car, then had a tire blow and he hit the wall. Bad news for Newman, more good news for Harvick. Good news for those poor sons of a gun watching this thing.

    However, leading is where it was at. You lead, you win, and Kyle Busch did…and did, by 3/10 of a second over Harvick. Finally, a victory after three runner-up finishes to give Rowdy his 44th career Cup decision. Jamie McMurray finished third, while 40-plus point days were recorded by Kurt Busch, Joey Logano, and Erik Jones, who brought it home in fourth.

    Bad days were realized by Goodyear, whoever supplies those air guns some say were responsible for all the vibration issues, and you, the fan. Ten cars concluded the day on the lead lap, just two more a lap down. You know, I’ve been waiting and waiting for my call to join NASCAR’s promotional department. I might have to wait a bit longer.

    Next Sunday, it is Bristol. We give thanks for what we are about to receive. Amen.

  • Hot 20 – Heading to Texas after a week off to ponder some stuff

    Hot 20 – Heading to Texas after a week off to ponder some stuff

    A week off with no races to forecast or summarize. Funny, I did not get the shakes or suffer any other negative reactions. That probably is not a good thing for NASCAR.

    The downtime means that some took the time to ponder how NASCAR might be made better, or at least more palatable. Some theorize that a shortened schedule might do the trick. They either have the attention span of a gnat, or they view much of the menu like some of us react to having to fulfill certain expected family obligations. You cannot wait for the damn things to be over.

    However, others believe more short tracks could be the answer. Maybe those folks are on to something. There are just 10 races on six tracks that feature events I really look forward to. While they include Talladega, Daytona, Darlington, Sonoma, and Charlotte, Bristol is always a joy to take in. In fact, I could be convinced to also include the presentations that are offered at Richmond and Martinsville. They usually provide a pleasant way to spend a few hours on the weekend. Good luck expecting the same from me for California, Texas, Michigan, Chicago, and Pocono.

    There are those who figure diversity will do the trick. Frankly, once they get into the car all I care about if that they have talent and the auto is competitive. A black Canadian woman with some aboriginal ancestry would not increase my excitement if the car is a dud or they remind me too much of Joey Logano. If the race bores the hell out of me, including my sister in the mix might help, but not by much. It does not matter who is doing what, but what they are doing and if it entertains me. If it does not, I care not.

    This month, we have Bristol, Richmond and Talladega to soak in. This weekend, we have Texas. There is a lot to love about Texas, but this venue is not one of them. Hopefully, the boys will prove me wrong on Sunday.

    Here are our Hot 20…

    1. KEVIN HARVICK – 3 WINS – 212 Pts
    A fourth win in seven tries this season would put ole Happy in very exclusive company.

    2. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN – 249 Pts
    Making Happy unhappy at Texas this year would make Truex…well…happy.

    3. CLINT BOWYER – 1 WIN – 210 Pts
    Last month, he went from low on gas to full throttle to pick up a grandfather clock.

    4. AUSTIN DILLON – 1 WIN – 148 Pts
    If nothing else, his sponsor will make some wonder as to just what exactly AstraZeneca is.

    5. KYLE BUSCH – 257 POINTS
    Has a closet full of bridesmaid dresses, but he wants his own white wedding moment.

    6. RYAN BLANEY – 233 POINTS
    Like Rowdy, still looking for that first win…but sitting damned pretty in points.

    7. JOEY LOGANO – 232 POINTS
    My favorite Cup driver named Joey.

    8. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 226 POINTS
    My favorite Cup driver named Brad.

    9. DENNY HAMLIN – 217 POINTS
    He discovered at Martinsville that it appears Harvick does not like having his backside patted.

    10. KYLE LARSON – 195 POINTS
    I love 3-year old Owen’s question to Bowyer, “Good job, Clint. How’s your hangover?”

    11. KURT BUSCH – 177 POINTS
    Last fall set the Texas qualifying record with 200.915 mph. Wants to top it this spring.

    12. ARIC ALMIROLA – 171 POINTS
    If team-mate Bowyer can end his winless streak, surely Aric can end his at 125.

    13. ERIK JONES – 152 POINTS
    I miss Matt Kenseth, but Jones’ performance is making that harder to do.

    14. ALEX BOWMAN – 145 POINTS
    Replacing the Most Popular Driver to become Hendrick’s best of 2018…thus far.

    15. PAUL MENARD – 139 POINTS
    Isn’t it about time for Menard to snap his 238 race drought?

    16. RYAN NEWMAN – 135 POINTS
    Before you criticize Dillon’s lack of performance since Daytona, he still has more points.

    17. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 121 POINTS
    Still cold as ice, and yet he keeps climbing the ladder.

    18. CHASE ELLIOTT – 115 POINTS
    If an Elliott cussed in a forest and no one is around to hear it, do they still make a sound?

    19. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 110 POINTS
    One eighth place finish can make all the difference.

    20. WILLIAM BYRON – 108 POINTS
    A 20-year old dissatisfied to be just among our Hot 20. I wonder how Bubba and Trevor feel?

    21. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 108 POINTS
    Wrecked his primary car at Martinsville and the replacement was a dud.

  • The Final Word – On Monday, Martinsville transformed to become Clintsville

    The Final Word – On Monday, Martinsville transformed to become Clintsville

    Martinsville, Virginia, was a place where a fan could go and learn a few things. First of all, NASCAR is not for snowflakes. Too many of them, and they have to move the race to Monday, as they did last week. Sunday was a happy time for those who refuse to accept the bounty a loving Mother Earth provides in the form of oil. Monday was happier for the rest of us mortals more than willing to accept her gifts.

    Two segments on Monday and 10 drivers who mattered, at least as far as running in the Top Ten was concerned. Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Denny Hamlin were hot, with Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer providing their own heat. Others in the conversation for the opening half included Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Joey Logano, Jimmie Johnson…and A.J. Allmendinger. Damned fine for a guy who came into the event sitting 25th in the standings.

    The Martinsville pole sitter was, ironically enough, Martin Truex Jr. Last week’s winner in California was still in the mix after 260 laps, but Daytona winner Austin Dillon had a pit penalty after the opening segment and sunk from view. A cut tire and additional trips to the car doctor sent Darrell Wallace Jr. to the bottom of the sea. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. had to start in a car in which he had no practice time in. Sadly, he quickly discovered that he needed a lot of it, as Stenhouse was under the waves before others even got wet. All finished outside the Top 30, while only 16 cars were still on the lead lap when they opened the final leg.

    Oh, one piece of advice. Do not get your air gun from a toy store. NASCAR now hands out identical pneumatic tools, but so far this season the brand they have adopted has the durability of cheap plastic. One actually had its handle snap off in the hands of a tire changer in the midst of tightening lug nuts. If some mechanic named Bob owned such a thing, Bob would need to do a little drywall work on his garage after using this fine quality product.

    Practice. Practice. Practice. Do it enough, and you might not make a misstep in the choreography of a pit stop. Bowyer’s gas man needs to practice a bit more. He backed out too early and waited too long in allowing the tire changer to slip by, and that cost our boy from Kansas a full can of fuel. That was about 12 gallons left behind. Sure, he was leading, but time was ticking before the error would cost him. That is unless Jamie McMurray spins to bring out a caution. After that, you would have to think Bowyer would consider McMurray to be just one hell of a nice fellow. Come to think of it, the replay showed that maybe Dillon deserved some of the credit.

    One final pit stop, with both cans of fuel going in, and Bowyer took care of the rest to end his 190-race drought. It was the ninth of his career and his first Ridgeway Martinsville Grandfather Clock. Rowdy Busch remains winless as he collected runner-up points yet again. That gives in three of the past four, with the other being a third-place finish. That is where Blaney wound up, with Truex climbing back up there to be fourth, as Harvick completed the Top Five.

    A good 40+ points day for Keselowski and Hamlin, who learned that if you tap-tap-tap on Harvick too many times, he will brake check you. That is not good for the nose of a car. As for Allmendinger, he finished a solid eighth.

    Johnson had to settle for 15th, but after a week of rest, they start April in Texas, where he has won seven times before. As for snow, none is expected in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

  • NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Martinsville

    NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Martinsville

    Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

    1. Kevin Harvick: Harvick finished fifth in the STP 500, posting his fourth top five of the year.

    “If there’s one thing we learned at Martinsville,” Harvick said, “it’s that Clint Bowyer loves beer. And he really wanted a beer after the race, but he didn’t have one. So, Clint had a ‘drinking problem.’ And that’s why fans love Clint Bowyer because he’s just like them.”

    2. Kyle Busch: Busch finished second at Martinsville and is still winless on the year. However, Busch took over the top spot in the Monster Energy Cup points standings.

    “Did you see the Stormy Daniels’ interview on 60 Minutes?” Busch said. “I didn’t. I just chalked it up to another missed interview.”

    3. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex took fourth in the STP 500 at Martinsville and is second in the points standings, eight out of first.

    “Stewart-Haas Racing looks like a powerhouse team right now,” Truex said. “Does their performance have something to do with the absence of Tony Stewart? Many think so. It seems that once you get rid of the ‘mo fo,’ you get your ‘mo jo.’”

    4. Joey Logano: Logano took sixth at Martinsville for his fifth top five of the season.

    “The race was postponed until Monday because of snow,” Logano said. “If Tim Richmond were alive to see a race delayed because of a white powder, he would no doubt have said, ‘That blows.’”

    5. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski started fourth and finished 10th at Martinsville.

    “It’s not often you can look into the stands at Martinsville and see snow,” Keselowski said. “Actually, that’s not true. You can look into the stands anytime and see all-white.”

    6. Clint Bowyer: Bowyer led 215 laps and won at Martinsville, snapping a 190-race winless streak.

    “Did you see my victory burnout,” Bowyer said. “It’s great to be able to intentionally spin and not be penalized.”

    7. Kyle Larson: Larson finished 16th at Martinsville and is now ninth in the Monster Energy points standings, 61 out of first.

    “I’m curious as to what Clint Bowyer is going to do with his grandfather clock,” Larson said. “I imagine that anytime that clock strikes ’12,’ it’s going to be ‘beer o’clock’ for him.”

    8. Ryan Blaney: Blaney led 145 laps and finished third at Martinsville.

    “Martinsville is famous for its hot dogs,” Blaney said. “I’m guessing that at November’s NASCAR awards banquet, the Martinsville hot dog will win the award for ‘Weiner Of The Year,’ edging out Austin Dillon and Joey Logano.”

    9. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin won Stage 1 at Martinsville and finished 12th in the STP 500.

    “I had a spirited battle with Kevin Harvick in the closing laps,” Hamlin said. “He had bumped me earlier, so I was just returning the favor. Then he brake-checked me. Now, I’m pissed. But I don’t think Harvick wants any part of me. How do I know? Because he told me to meet him in Victory Lane, and he knows I probably won’t be there.”

    10. Kurt Busch: Busch finished 11th at Martinsville, as all four Stewart-Haas Racing cars finished in the top 14.

    “My brother Kyle has three runner-up finishes this year,” Busch said, “but not a single victory. And he’s so frustrated. So, just to antagonize him this Sunday, I’m gonna dress as the Easter Bunny, tell Kyle to look in the win column, and see if he can find the ‘goose eggs.’”