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Tag: Ryan Blaney

  • The Final Word – Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more

    The Final Word – Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more

    Funny things happen in Kansas. One day things might seem normal, but then a twister comes, your house takes off, the neighbor lady goes from riding a bicycle to flying on a broomstick, your abode lands on a witch, and then you get a hung lug nut.

    One of those was the reason Martin Truex Jr., dominant throughout the evening, found himself down a couple of laps. Sometimes a removed lug nut bounces up where it does not belong and ruins your day. Those flying monkeys did bad things on his parade, though Truex managed to get back on the lead lap before it was over, with 14th his fate.

    Sometimes, you get a nice pair of ruby red slippers, and Kyle Busch took the fancy foot gear to the finish line, outdistancing Kevin Harvick, brother Kurt, and Matt Kenseth. All were among the supporting cast but got bumped up to main roles at the end. It marked the third win of the season for Rowdy, the 37th of his career, and now he boasts nine Top Fives in 11 contests. Somebody seems intent on working his way to the Emerald City for a second straight year, and now that Kansas and Martinsville have been removed to his to-do list, that only leaves Charlotte and Pocono for him to record his first win at.

    The Haunted Forest is real, my friends. Just ask Jamie McMurray, who thought things were going well until his car was attacked by a big jack man, who hip checked the auto into flaring out its skirt. NASCAR does not like that. Just like that, McMurray was a couple of laps down and stayed down to finish 26th. Tires went flat and, ding-dong, their hopes were dead. Carl Edwards (11th) managed to struggle back, but Trevor Bayne was left outside the Top 20.

    Denny Hamlin had a couple of speeding penalties but was rushing back into contention when he went between Brad Keselowski and Kyle Larson late in the game. The hopes of most melted quicker than a sorceress at a water park. Keselowski spun on his own, though he recovered to finish 10th. Hamlin did the same time, without any contact, until he contacted Larson against the wall while Joey Logano nailed Denny coming through the smoke. Brad, and Denny, and Kyle, oh my. The trio finished 35th and worse. However, a trio of munchkins did well, with Top Ten finishes recorded by Ryan Blaney, Austin Dillon, and Chase Elliott.

    The Yellow Brick Road continues next to Dover for a Sunday matinee, the place where champions go to win. The past 14 winners all have a NASCAR championship to their credit. Those eight drivers are Jimmie Johnson (7 times), Harvick, Kenseth, Keselowski, both Busch boys, Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart. Stewart won there just three years ago, and after a 12th place finish on Saturday night, maybe there is a glimmer of hope. One win and a gain of 59 points against the 30th ranked Regan Smith, between now and the conclusion of Richmond, would do the trick.

    Now, wouldn’t that be enough to make a guy click his heels in celebration if he only had the heart, the brain, and the courage to do so, along with a little luck?

  • Hot 20 – At least the Kansas race this year is not sponsored by SpongeBob or the Ninja Turtles

    Hot 20 – At least the Kansas race this year is not sponsored by SpongeBob or the Ninja Turtles

    Brand names, especially strong memorable ones, can truly make an event stand out. The Daytona 500, the Southern 500, and the Brickyard 400 have meaning or should, with proper marketing. The Firecracker 400, Old Dominion 500, Mason-Dixon 500 all had a ring to them, not the ka-ching ring they were tossed aside for.

    The GoBowling.com 400 this Saturday night in Kansas is a case in point. In fact, it is the very same name of a race held in Dover in 2013 and 2014, tradition be damned. To be fair, it could have been a lot worse. Remember, last year this race was known as the SpongeBob SquarePants 400, a time no doubt when more than a few veteran fans said to hell with it and started tuning in for rhythmic gymnastics for their sports fix.

    Even more iconic corporate monikers, such as the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, which has gone by variations of that theme for thirty years, fail to cut it. As was the case with the Coca-Cola 500 at Pocono, one day the corporation will move its money elsewhere. The smart play would be to forever let it be known as the World 600, as it was known for its first 26 years. Even the Coca-Cola World 600 of 1985 remained true to the heritage of the sport while retaining the brand name of the event and still recognizing the corporate support. Today, even the sponsor loses. You tell me what has more substance; the GoBowling.com 400 or the GoBowling.com Kansas 400?

    College football had wandered off the traditional path, and even today the Gator Bowl, around since 1945, has been the Taxpayer Bowl since 2014. However, the academic folks were smart enough to realize its season-ending playoffs would be best served by embracing tradition. This is why we have millions tuning into the Rose, Orange, Sugar, Cotton, Peach, and Fiesta Bowls, with a title sponsor attached. For eight years we had the Chick-fil-A Bowl, but the “Peach Bowl” name was restored as a condition of joining the College Football Playoff rotation. You know, sometimes those schools have some bright people among them. NASCAR could use some of them.

    What they do have are some pretty good drivers, with one of them about to win another (Place Sponsor Name Here) 400 event. Again, it could be worse. While SpongeBob and NASCAR team up for a new apparel line, just wait until September when we have the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400 in Chicago. I kid you not.

    Our Hot 20 heading to Kansas include…

    1. KYLE BUSCH – 2 WINS – 342 PTS
    I must admit I am not a big Skittles fan, but if Kyle ever gets a Smartie’s cake, I am in.

    2. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS – 337 PTS
    Damn near hit the wall last weekend. Thankfully, Junior got in the way.

    3. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS – 329 PTS
    Won it for SpongeBob last spring and maybe now he can win it for the bowlers of the world.

    4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS – 300 PTS
    Should be wearing an “I survived Talladega” fire suit.

    5. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN – 351 PTS
    On Sunday, he aborted take-off…and that was a good thing.

    6. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN – 269 PTS
    Did not have a banner day last week, but as he already has a win, no big deal.

    7. JOEY LOGANO – 316 PTS
    My guess is if Logano caught fire, his peers would be lining up to help put it out.

    8. KURT BUSCH – 312 PTS
    When push comes to shove, Kurt has been pushing hard…and then the wrecks happen.

    9. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 279 PTS
    Replacing the steering wheel with handlebars Saturday night.

    10. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 274 PTS
    When times got tough, Truex simply got tougher…and wiser.

    11. AUSTIN DILLON – 272 PTS
    Seventeen pit stops, four wrecks, and yet a third place finish at Talladega on the Intimidator’s 65th birthday.

    12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 271 PTS
    If you thought the world loved young Chase, you were not listening to the in-car audio.

    13. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 261 PTS
    I thought he was having a good season, but he trails Harvick by 90 points and is yet to lead a lap.

    14. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 232 PTS
    Talladega might have been a trying day, but he is back in a Chase place heading into Saturday.

    15. MATT KENSETH – 231 PTS
    Thinking of driving a bus at Kansas. The wheels on a bus go round and round, not up and over.

    16. TREVOR BAYNE – 228 PTS
    Last four starts have seen a rise in Bayne’s fortunes.

    17. KASEY KAHNE – 224 PTS
    Wants to lead a lap…any lap…anywhere…at some time this season.

    18. RYAN BLANEY – 219 PTS
    Twenty-ninth in Texas, 11th at Bristol, 28th in Richmond, and ninth last week seems to show inconsistency.

    19. RYAN NEWMAN – 219 PTS
    Ten races, one ninth place finish and another in 10th, might be better than most, but not good enough.

    20. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 218 PTS
    Within 10 of Bayne, and still has a 17 point bulge over Paul Menard in 21st.

  • The Final Word – Talladega; what could possibly go wrong?

    The Final Word – Talladega; what could possibly go wrong?

    Bad things happen at Talladega. If you are not barrel rolling or wall smacking, you just had yourself a nice, pleasant day in Alabama. That kind of thing, in fact, can get you a win, as was the case with Brad Keselowski on Sunday. The White Deux actually looked pretty good at the end, as the 2012 champ won his 19th career race, and second of the season. When all the smoke had cleared, the driver leading the most laps was leading the last one.

    For some, things did not quite work out. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is always seen as a favorite, but after the 50th lap, not so much. He lost control, collected teammate Kasey Kahne, and they went back to check out the snacks available in the garage.

    Tony Stewart, under doctor’s orders to protect his back, used the caution to crawl out and let Ty Dillon take that ride home. A seventh place finish proved that they had a plan that worked. Most planned to stay on all four tires, but that idea went tumbling down the track for Chris Buescher who did a few barrel rolls after being caught up in some four-wide racing.

    Good news for Junior and Kahne fans, as both returned. Maybe that was bad news. Earnhardt actually had his steering wheel come off under caution and did some shaft driving before he reattached it. This is after he helped Carl Edwards avoid the wall when Edwards shot up the track and sandwiched Junior to a merciful conclusion. A few laps later, Kahne could no longer handle his car, which also shot up into the outside wall and he was finally done, too. At least both Hendrick boys got, not just one but, two post-wreck interviews. You got to keep them sponsors happy.

    With less than thirty to go, we managed to rid ourselves of yet another Hendrick car. Kurt Busch influenced Jimmie Johnson to move up to take out fellow Top Ten driver Paul Menard in a mishap that involved 17 drivers. Yet, a less numerous yet more spectacular meeting of the metal took place about 20 laps later when Danica Patrick got turned to the inside and invited Matt Kenseth to space camp, who exposed the bottom of his car to the television viewers as it launched. Patrick, meanwhile, made some solid contact with the wall to feel the agony of de fence. Both were done as another half dozen cars got bent out of shape to some degree in that one.

    If you thought we were done, you were just ignoring your inner Ricky Bobby. As Keselowski thundered to the line, with Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott, and Jamie McMurray behind him, more boys were beating the stuffings out of their boogity boogities. Kevin Harvick, who almost went wheels up, A.J. Allmendinger, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Martin Truex Jr. were among those making mangled metallic memories.

    Seven of the Top Ten at Talladega currently hold down a Chase place. Ryan Blaney is just nine points out while Stewart returns to the driver’s seat this Saturday night in Kansas. Thanks to his relief driver, he only has to make up 61 points and pick up a win, to claim a Chase place. Clint Bowyer had a Top Ten and a win still gets him in, or he has 68 points to make up on 16th place. When you think on it, the odds still might favor Stewart. Bowyer has gone winless in 15 attempts in Kansas, and considering the quality of cars he has been blessed with this season, his odds are definitely not terribly high on Saturday.

  • Hot 20 – NASCAR gives Tony grief last week, and now some relief at Talladega

    Hot 20 – NASCAR gives Tony grief last week, and now some relief at Talladega

    Just a week after Tony Stewart criticized NASCAR for its rather lax rules regarding tightened lug nuts, and having to cough up a $35,000 fine for doing so, guess who is once again mandating that all lug nuts be tightened? Apparently there are no “whistler blower” provisions in effect when it comes to spotlighting stupidity. Look at the shock on this ole face. At least a few of  Stewart’s peers were outraged enough to go in together to pay the fine for him. Sure, NASCAR could just say “thanks” to Tony and move on. Actually, based on what we have seen over the year, no, they could not. They just do not have it in them.

    Coming to Talladega, I doubt many fans have forgotten the fine handed out to Dale Earnhardt Jr. after he won there in 2004. When asked about taking his fifth career victory at the big track, Junior responded on television with “It don’t mean shit right now. Daddy’s won here 10 times.” That cost him $10,000 and a few points. Hell, it is a good thing I am not a driver. I would be broke by June.

    Try as they might, they just cannot seem to do what is right. While Stewart looks at his fine as an investment into the safety of the sport, NASCAR spouts off about how its drivers cannot question the integrity of the sport, even if its integrity is sometimes suspect. Their response to a host of issues has been found wanting, both on the track and off it. You would have thought that by now they would know if something could pose a danger, one day it will for someone. A lack of lug nuts, exposed concrete walls, seating too close to the action are among them.

    NASCAR has done some good things. The safety of the car is the biggest one, in my opinion. Despite my initial misgivings, I do like the Chase, I do like the new points system, and I do like having wins have more meaning. That said, do you really think Stewart should make the Chase if he cannot complete a race? Ty Dillon will relieve him at some point this Sunday, with Tony getting credit for the points picked up, and even a victory should that happen. Really? Those have long been the rules, but I think time and recent rule changes have made that archaic. If you have to get out of the car, you park the car. No exceptions. Poor NASCAR, even when they try to be understanding, they either fail to understand or they are misunderstood.

    You would think NASCAR would even have a team in place to quickly address social issue controversies, especially in these times. When we are actually having unisex changing rooms at swimming pools, washrooms of the same design were not far off. They do not have to buy into what everyone is selling, but NASCAR should at least be prepared to respond one way or the other in terms they are willing to stand by.

    Hiding attendance figures is not exactly the response of an open, transparent, people friendly outfit, either. NASCAR even has its own way of eliminating the question of whether a glass is half empty or half full by just tearing down grandstands and calling the smaller configuration a better glass. Some like to think they and their sport or favorite team are in it together. NASCAR does not allow that. That is not helpful when one is going through tough times.

    Shooting the messenger, then immediately acting on the message, does not help much either. Having Talladega on tap for our Hot 20 does.

    1. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS – 331 PTS
    Loves, loves, loves to love tap his teammate.

    2. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS – 310 PTS
    Stewart got fined, but Jimmie, Junior, Kyle, Brad, Denny and Kevin paid it…and happy to do so.

    3. KYLE BUSCH – 2 WINS – 302 PTS
    If Kyle does not pay Carl back, Samantha just might.

    4. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN – 324 PTS
    His sponsor promotes drinking beer and going fishing. What possibly could go wrong?

    5. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN – 258 PTS
    From the Drivers’ Council: NASCAR, you did Tony wrong. Love, Denny and friends.

    6. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN – 255 PTS
    Tony will pay his own fine, but thanks to Brad and company a donation goes to fight autism.

    7. JOEY LOGANO – 299 PTS
    Would love to see what happened last fall repeat itself this spring.

    8. KURT BUSCH – 279 PTS
    Maybe he could start a Formula One race, and have Lewis Hamilton sub for him.

    9. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 278 PTS
    Junior loves Talladega, and the fans there love him right back.

    10. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 246 PTS
    Top 10 in the standings, more than likely a top 10 on Sunday.

    11. CHASE ELLIOTT – 234 PTS
    When does this racing thing get hard?

    12. AUSTIN DILLON – 234 PTS
    Having a good year, yet everyone is talking about brother Ty coming into the weekend.

    13. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 224 PTS
    Five mph above the speed limit is his street limit. Considering radar is now a cash cow, good thing.

    14. KASEY KAHNE – 222 PTS
    A career revival constitutes making the Chase and doing well once he gets there.

    15. MATT KENSETH – 212 PTS
    Having the worse kind of season 25 other drivers can only dream of having.

    16. RYAN NEWMAN – 205 PTS
    Second-best average finisher at Talladega the past two years. That has to count for something.

    17. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 204 PTS
    Some drivers do well with one-car teams. Others are named Clint Bowyer.

    18. TREVOR BAYNE – 196 PTS
    With an average Talladega finish outside the Top 25, he could see a lot of Danica on Sunday.

    19. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 193 PTS
    Richmond penalty costs the team Crew Chief Nick Sandler this weekend.

    20. RYAN BLANEY – 187 PTS
    Here partially in thanks to Paul Menard, Kyle Larson, Greg Biffle, and Bowyer

  • Hot 20 – Excitement at Bristol, more expected for Richmond, but does anyone give a damn?

    Hot 20 – Excitement at Bristol, more expected for Richmond, but does anyone give a damn?

    One hundred forty thousand backsides can be parked around the coliseum that is the Bristol Speedway. Nobody releases any official figures these days, as NASCAR would rather try to keep its head, or yours, buried deep in the sand. However, when less than 100,000 show up, and some think this was a stadium only half full at a track guaranteed to showcase action, something is terribly wrong.

    You can blame the economy only for so long. Maybe people are just sick and tired of high ticket costs, concession prices, and what one has to lay out for accommodations. Money is tight, and you better not come across as a robber baron if you want any of it. I mean, $300 a night hotels with a three-night minimum. Really?

    Writing this column ensures I watch nearly every event. No one else in my family does any longer. When was the last time a celebrity asked, “How bad have you got it?” No more do the All-State girls stalk Kasey Kahne, no one drives a Big Brown Truck, NAPA is long gone, and we have long since said goodbye to Goodwrench. Maybe it was just a fad, some phase we went through. I guess some just last longer than others. The NFL seems to be doing alright, and there is no better way to spend an afternoon than catching a ball game at Fenway.

    I am not going to take the opportunity to slam NASCAR. Not this time. Sure, I still enjoy doing so, but I still enjoy the product. Maybe not with the passion I once had, but I want to see Jimmie Johnson make it seven championships, Dale Earnhardt Jr. to chalk up just one, to watch Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Blaney succeed. There are so many to cheer for, a few I would rather not and probably for no good reason other than it is fun to jeer them. I mention this because I am concerned. Bristol once was sold out for over 25 straight years, both races each year. Sunday’s attendance came as almost a shock. Not so much that there were fewer fans, just the fact there were fewer fans at Bristol. That just should not happen.

    Six of our Hot 20 are champions, one a former six-time title holder. Richmond has been on the schedule since the 1950s. Does it matter? It still does to me.

    1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS – 271 PTS
    Winless streak hits three. I doubt anyone is panicking just yet, other than maybe the opposition.

    2. KYLE BUSCH – 2 WINS – 262 PTS
    Damn tire. Damn wall. Damn penalty. Damn tire. Damn wall. Damn, I am sorry, lady.

    3. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN – 287 PTS
    I watched Harvick win from the Daytona backstretch. It no longer exists, same with Richmond’s.

    4. CARL EDWARDS – 1 WIN – 286 PTS
    Where in hell did all my teammates go last week?

    5. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN – 224 PTS
    Three Top Tens, including a win, in his last four Richmond starts.

    6. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN – 222 PTS
    Dear Carl: Love your car. Hey, I have an idea…

    7. JOEY LOGANO – 266 PTS
    If the past two years mean anything, Joey is going to love being back in Virginia.

    8. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 250 PTS
    Let me understand this. They wave the green flag and we go? Does the car know?

    9. KURT BUSCH – 247 PTS
    Showed last Sunday he is not just another pretty Busch. He was the one with inflated tires.

    10. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 214 PTS
    A single Top Five in twenty starts does not exactly make him a sure thing at Richmond.

    11. AUSTIN DILLON – 213 PTS
    Camping World and XFINITY champ continues to show he is more than someone’s grandson.

    12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 205 PTS
    The way things are going, soon Bill Elliott will be best known for being a dad, not a racer.

    13. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 199 PTS
    Might not win, but a Top Five is certainly not out of the question this weekend.

    14. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 188 PTS
    He can turn right, he can turn left, and now he seems able to just go round and round.

    15. KASEY KAHNE – 185 PTS
    Won at Richmond more than a decade ago, but no sure bet for a Top Ten this weekend.

    16. RYAN NEWMAN – 182 PTS
    Odds indicate a Top Ten on Sunday for the Rocketman.

    17. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 178 PTS
    Had a long day last week after being spun right round, baby, right round like a record, baby.

    18. MATT KENSETH – 177 PTS
    After watching the movie Major League, he has an idea. Does anyone have a chicken?

    19. RYAN BLANEY – 174 PTS
    A quick learner with XFINITY success, but Sunday marks his first Cup appearance at Richmond.

    20. TREVOR BAYNE – 172 PTS
    Roush Fenway cars still in the mix, with Stenhouse just ahead and Biffle not far behind.

  • Rookie of the Year: It’s a Two-Way Battle

    Rookie of the Year: It’s a Two-Way Battle

    It’s no secret that the 2016 rookie class was one of the most talked about subjects prior to the start of the season. With hype comes expectation and many times with expectation comes failure to deliver. However, that hasn’t been the case so far for two rookies this season.

    We all knew that Chase Elliott would have speed, after all, he’s racing for one of the top teams in NASCAR, but would that speed translate into good finishes? The answer is an astounding yes.

    In fact, he’s already posted six top 20 finishes, two of those being top fives. If it hadn’t been for a late rate race caution at California, he might have even captured his first checkered flag. From what it seems, Elliott isn’t phased by the pressure of taking over such an iconic ride. Expect to see the 24 back in victory lane this season.

     

    Photo Credit: Rachel Myers
    Photo Credit: Rachel Myers

    Then, there’s Ryan Blaney. Blaney and the Wood Brother’s both went full time in the Sprint Cup Series this season. Blaney has posted a respectable two top 10 finishes in eight races, his best coming at Las Vegas placing sixth. Each race Blaney has shown that he has the speed and poise to contend not only for rookie of the year but for wins at NASCAR’s top level.

    The other rookies in the field haven’t been posting the impressive numbers, nor have they shown they have what it takes to contend each week with Elliott or Blaney. Brian Scott and Chris Buescher have each posted only one top 20 finish apiece while Jeffrey Earnhardt’s best finish is only 32nd, matching his car number.

    Bottom line, this rookie battle is clearly only between two guys, Elliott and Blaney. Much like the rookie battles between Newman and Johnson, Kenseth and Junior, Harvick and Kurt Busch, Gordon and Labonte; it’s going to be an entertaining battle to the end. Don’t be surprised to see both of these drivers in The Chase this season.

  • Blaney Says ‘There’s Really Been No Rivalry’ with Elliott

    Blaney Says ‘There’s Really Been No Rivalry’ with Elliott

    BRISTOL, Tenn.– Despite being neck and neck in the Rookie of the Year battle, Ryan Blaney says there’s no rivalry going on with Chase Elliott.

    Speaking before the media during his press conference this morning, the driver of the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford was asked if there’s a rivalry in the making with the driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet with the two of them controlling the rookie battle after seven races of the 2016 Sprint Cup Series season.

    “There’s really been no rivalry between us,” Blaney said. “It’s been pretty fun to race with Chase every single weekend. I haven’t really had the opportunity to do that, ever. We never really raced together every single weekend. Even growing up in late models, we were never around each other that much. So it’s nice to do that and have fun with your friends on the race track.

    “They do a great job over there (Hendrick Motorsports), so it’s been fun and we’re just trying to get our cars better. But you notice where they’re running. I like to know where my teammates are running and where some friends of mine are running on the race track. But at the same time, you have to go back and worry about your own deal and try to make your car better. It’s great that they’re running good, but we have to make sure our car is better and just worry about our program.”

    Elliott currently leads the rookie battle with 87 points. Blaney sits in second place, 13 points back.

    During the availability, he also addressed working on his conditioning with the longer races in the Sprint Cup Series.

    “I feel like I haven’t really changed that much, to be honest with you, as far as preparation or anything like that,” Blaney added. “I got a small taste of it last year running half the schedule and we were able to do a handful of 500-mile races. We did the (Coca-Cola) 600 in Charlotte, so not a lot of that has changed. I feel like the biggest thing is it’s not really physical for me, it’s more mental and trying to keep mentally focused for 500 miles. I think that’s what most of the drivers fight and that’s something I’ve been trying to work on and make better. That’s helped out a lot. I had a great opportunity to kind of train with DeAngelo Williams, who plays for the (Pittsburgh) Steelers now, but he was in Charlotte and I was hanging out with him a little bit and he kind of told me his preparation and what he does mentally.”

  • Hot 20 at Bristol, where everyone will wind up hot at one time or another

    Hot 20 at Bristol, where everyone will wind up hot at one time or another

    I get it. Some folks watch NASCAR for the wrecks. They probably do not watch often, maybe taking in the action from Daytona or Talladega, where one bad move causes a whole lot of bad tidings. I love those tracks, too, but I love watching people doing exciting things that I simply cannot. Even if I got sponsored by Depends, it probably would be a good idea if I just let the opportunity pass me by. Now, if I there is any race I watch due to the prospect of mayhem, that would be Bristol.

    You have all these nice shiny race cars, all 40 of them, placed on an oval just over a half-mile in distance, and let them have at it for 500 laps. Sometimes, you just have to use the fender horn to make your way, and most times that will leave a mark. It also is likely to tick off the driver just moved out of the way, and then the fun really begins.

    Hot 20? Hell, more like a hot forty by the time Sunday’s action is completed.

    1. KYLE BUSCH – 2 WINS – 259 PTS
    One driver who could have stopped Kyle’s winning streak is currently 78-years old.

    2. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS – 253 PTS
    A true magician. Now you see Austin, now you don’t.

    3. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN – 252 PTS
    Raced at Texas and saw a pair of holes-in-one at Augusta…and that is just what he did last weekend.

    4. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN – 201 PTS
    Points? Who needs stinkin’ points after Daytona’s victory?

    5. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN – 201 PTS
    Some folks he’ll always remember never had money or fame. They were simply great people.

    6. CARL EDWARDS – 241 PTS
    Screw lugnuts. He is switching to velcro.

    7. JOEY LOGANO – 234 PTS
    Just imagine how he would be doing with just a bit of consistency.

    8. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 211 PTS
    After driver introductions joins some guy named Peyton in the back of a truck circling the track.

    9. KURT BUSCH – 208 PTS
    Ex-girlfriend was not a trained assassin. She says so. Taking no chances, Kurt should just agree.

    10. AUSTIN DILLON – 198 PTS
    Texas is the Lone Star State, but Austin was anything but alone when things went sideways.

    11. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 187 PTS
    Best little race car in Texas…on fresh rubber.

    12. MATT KENSETH – 171 PTS
    For all his hard luck, still treading water and comes to Sunday’s race as the defending champion.

    13. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 171 PTS
    Not exactly thrilling the crowds, but if one can quietly hold down a Chase place, that works.

    14. CHASE ELLIOTT – 168 PTS
    The kid is hungry, as even fifth is not good enough.

    15. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 166 PTS
    You can not go wrong with BUSH Beans. Actually, I think I have.

    16. KASEY KAHNE – 161 PTS
    Sponsor is a big supporter of garage bands. These days I prefer a nice quiet book. I’m getting old.

    17. RICKY STENHOUSE, JR. – 153 PTS
    After six attempts, has the best average finish (11.2) among active Bristol drivers. Hey, look it up.

    18. KYLE LARSON – 152 PTS
    Failing inspection last week costs Kyle and Brad practice time at Bristol. Bad boys, bad boys…

    19. RYAN NEWMAN – 150 PTS
    Since 2002, has just a pair of Top Fives at Bristol, but the last time was just one year ago.

    20. RYAN BLANEY – 144 PTS
    Last weekend he kept picking up bad vibrations. That gave him bad excitations.

  • Hot 20 – If you’re going to play in Texas, you got to have a Biffle in the band

    Hot 20 – If you’re going to play in Texas, you got to have a Biffle in the band

    The voting begins, and there is nary a Trump, Cruz, Clinton, or Sanders to be found. Of course, I am referring to NASCAR’s all-star event coming up in May. While Danica Patrick and that neat gimmick of her’s attracts lots of interest, my pick based on performance would be A.J. Allmendinger. It is not easy for teams to gain relevance. Stewart-Haas picked up a star and that worked for them. Furniture Row had Kurt Busch and Martin Truex Jr. to allow them to turn the corner. A.J. is doing it for JTG Daughterty. That is great to see.

    With the pipes on Chase Elliott, I am wondering if the guy can sing. We have had Merle Haggard, Randy Travis, and Josh Turner, to name a few, but if Chase can sing, we got another potential star on our hands. If not, broadcasting is in his future, but we might have to wait a long, long time. That is a hell of a lot of Boogity-Boogity-Boogities we might have yet to endure in the meantime.

    A three-part series on NASCAR is coming to CMT next month. It looks good. Now, will it show up north of the line? Sometimes I fear that somebody built a wall on the wrong damn border.

    This Saturday night, the boys and girl head west. The way I hear it, if you are going to play in Texas, you got to have a Biffle in the band. That may be true, and it may be a fact this weekend, but sadly such edicts do not include our Hot 20. Greg sits 16 points shy. Maybe the following week.

    1. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS – 216 PTS
    Three straight at Texas, five of the past seven. Jimmie does not share easily, except for tweets.

    2. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN – 220 PTS
    Still stands tall, despite less than stellar finish last week.

    3. KYLE BUSCH – 1 WIN – 215 PTS
    After winning a Cup and truck grandfather clock last week, he should never be late ever again.

    4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 1 WIN – 178 PTS
    Took some time off in Birmingham to see some humpy backed camels and some chimpanzees.

    5. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN – 172 PTS
    Collected a win at Daytona and a wall at Martinsville. Still, he had a better day than Almirola.

    6. CARL EDWARDS – 206 PTS
    When one struggles and still places in the Top Ten, you know you are having a good season.

    7. JOEY LOGANO – 196 PTS
    11th is not bad, but it sucks when you had hopes of finishing first.

    8. AUSTIN DILLON – 176 PTS
    A small issue with teammate Menard, but I understand he has connections with the ownership.

    9. KURT BUSCH – 176 PTS
    Must have the odd Jan Brady moment hearing how wonderful Kyle was…Kyle, Kyle, Kyle.

    10. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 172 PTS
    Junior loves banana and mayo sandwiches. I prefer tuna and sandwich spread. Discuss.

    11. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 150 PTS
    Other than for that loose wheel and speeding penalty, Martinsville was great. Just great.

    12. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 147 PTS
    What Kurt and Truex did for Furniture Row, A.J. is doing for Daugherty.

    13. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 143 PTS
    For Jamie, the STP 500 stood for Stupid Tire Problem.

    14. MATT KENSETH – 140 PTS
    Does not always take the high road, but when he does, he loses a lot of spots late in a race.

    15. RYAN BLANEY – 132 PTS
    Not David Pearson just yet, but at one time even Pearson was not that David Pearson.

    16. CHASE ELLIOTT – 131 PTS
    Jeff who?

    17. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 128 PTS
    Sunday he was undone when he got spun.

    18. KASEY KAHNE – 128 PTS
    I think he needs to get All-State back as a sponsor. He was in good hands back then.

    19. RYAN NEWMAN – 126 PTS
    According to the Internet, Newman is a driver, an actress, and manager of the minor league Birmingham Barons. Busy guy.

    20. KYLE LARSON – 125 PTS
    Along with Dillon, Blaney, and Elliott, the kids are making their presence known, with more great talent on the horizon.

    21. PAUL MENARD – 125 PTS
    Should Dillon and Menard have issues, I am sure Paul would retain the support of his sponsor.

  • Blaney: Bubba’s First Mistake was Being a Vols Fan

    Blaney: Bubba’s First Mistake was Being a Vols Fan

    MARTINSVILLE, Va.– Critiquing Bubba’s performance with the Vols, Ryan Blaney said his first mistake was “being a fan of the Vols.”

    During his media availability at Martinsville Speedway yesterday, the driver of the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford was asked if he had gotten around to analyzing Darrell Wallace Jr.’s performance with the Tennessee Volunteers when he was practicing with the team in Knoxville, Tennessee the previous week.

    “The first thing he made a mistake on was being a fan of the Vols,” said Blaney, who is an adamant fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes. “I haven’t critiqued him yet. I saw a video of him completely miss a pass. I don’t think he got a hand on the ball or it went right through his hands, so that was funny – how terrible of an athlete he is (laughing). No, he’s a pretty good athlete. That’s cool. I saw him do that and I’m like, ‘Man, I’d like to do that with Ohio State,’ so maybe that will kind of sway me to go do it, but I haven’t critiqued him yet. I haven’t given him too hard of a time for it.”

    During the session, he also spoke of what it was like for the Wood Brothers to be back at the track for the first time since 2011.

    “It’s nice to be back at Martinsville with the Wood Brothers team. It’s nice to be back at pretty much their home track. Stuart, Virginia is only 20 miles away from here, not even, so it’s cool to be back here and with those guys and kind of have everybody out and see everything. I think Glenn (Wood) is gonna be able to make it on Sunday, which it’s really gonna be nice to get him to another race, so hopefully, that will go well for him.”

    Speaking on his two top-10 finishes this season, Blaney said he “set a goal at the beginning of the year to run all the laps and that hasn’t come true, so that goal is kind of out the window. It’s good to have a couple top-10’s and have some strong runs. I always say there are some races you wish you could take back, like Atlanta and Fontana a couple of weeks ago. We blew a tire, but those are just problems you have to minimize and it stinks; you have two of them early off in the year, but you try to learn from them as much as you can and try to grow from them and try to not have those happen again. We’ll do our best to try to make that happen, but it’s nice to know we have fast race cars.”

    “We’ve had fairly good cars every single weekend,” he continued, “and we’re just getting better every single weekend. As we work together, as this team kind of bonds – this is a fairly new team. We brought on a handful of new guys in the beginning of the season. We kept most of the Wood Brothers personnel that has been there for a long time, but we brought in some new people just to help out with the full-time gig because it’s a lot more work. They’re just kind of getting acclimated to each other. They do a great job of working together already, but just the more they work together the stronger that relationship is gonna be and I think it will get a lot smoother from there on out, but it’s been a good start to the year so far.”