PHOENIX: ALMOST BORING? AND OTHER THOUGHTS

The race at Phoenix (one of my favorite tracks) this past weekend, just almost came up boring. I never thought I'd say that, but hey, the truth hurts. The extra 63 laps, while a good plan on paper, really made it longer than it should have been, and royally screwed up the TV coverage. I will continue to state and believe that FOX has the absolute best NASCAR coverage, bar none. Yeah, the announcers get negative sometimes, but a journalist is supposed to be objective. Again, the truth hurts.

Wasn't it cool to see Ryan "Rocket Man" Newman back in Victory Lane? Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Two tires was obviously a rotten call early in this race, but when the track cooled down, it was the perfect call. Newman won, and everyone who took four tires lost track position, and ultimately, the race. Pit Strategy is coming more and more in to play, no matter what the track. I don't know if it's the new spoiler, or what, but nowadays, it really is better to be lucky than good. I don't know if this is a good thing or not, but it's made for some pretty exciting finishes. Now, let us move on:

RANDOM THOUGHTS:

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: Another so-so weekend, but he's in the top 12 in points. Last year, he was De facto non persona. So, that's improvement, which is what Mr. Hendrick and Junior Nation wanted. Don't cry to me about wins and championships. They will come if this improvement continues.

Richard Petty Motor sports: Is in a barrel of financial trouble, again. 90 million bucks worth. They're talking about taking the Richard Petty Driving Experience to the MIDDLE EAST!!!! If the King allows his name to go with that, I'm gonna have to consider calling him names I wouldn't have dreamed of ten years ago.

Drivers Showing Respect: It appalls me, at the lack of drivers, their families, and crew members who do not show proper respect for our Country and our Flag during the National Anthem. I can count on one hand, the drivers I saw doing the right thing. You're supposed to me role models. Act like it.

Joey Logano: This kid is gonna be a superstar. And I mean SOON.

Denny Hamlin: That's one tough SOB, to quote me. He didn't turn the car over to Casey Mears when he had the chance as, in his words, "The car was so bad I would have been embarrassed to give it to him."

Texas Motor Speedway and The Spoiler: This is gonna be one whiz-bang, hang on to your hats, white-knuckle, hope your ass has a good bite on the seat race. Five to one says we see another first time winner there. I'm thinking, Joey Logano, or maybe even Scott Speed.

Jimmie Johnson: Hasn't won in the last two races (Thank God). Is this the end of NASCAR as we know it?

Jeff Burton: If it weren't for bad luck, he'd have no luck at all. Hang in there, Man.

Juan Problem....er...uh...Pablo Montoya: I plead the fifth.

Kevin Harvick: Great start to the year, but if he keeps this up, he'll be going, going, gone, by Indy.

Mark Martin: Come on, Man. Make your move!!!!!

NASCAR: Thank you for at least throwing real debris cautions. We actually got to see the debris on TV. Makes me feel better about you.

Again, I encourage you to write in and participate in the blogs. I'll even publish your stories if you wish to write one. See you all in Texas.