Just HAD To Share This With You.......

I got an anonymous email from a NASCAR Fan, who really let me have it.  I just wanted to share it with you and see what you think:

Ross:

You are a loud mouthed redneck jerk, that don't know crap about racing.  You should keep your opinions to yourself and stop clogging up the Internet with your garbage. 

Well, as Dale Earnhardt, Sr,. said, it don't matter what they are saying, as long as they are making noise.  LOL  In further response to you sir/ma'am:

Kiss my ass.

THIS, Was A Freakin' Week OFF?!?!?

Hi Gang, sorry to have been away so long.  Been dealing with some issues at work, so I thought I'd catch a break this week, with it being a "week off."  Boy, was I wrong.

Carl Edwards Vs. Brad Keselowski is up and running again. If you didn't see what caused all the ruckus, here it is:



Now, NASCAR, with it's "have at it boys" policy, has stepped in. Jack Roush was docked 60 Nationwide Owner's points.  Cuz and Ski are both on probation for the remainder of the season.  Plus, Edwards got fined 25 grand, and docked 60 Nationwide Championship points, even though in my eyes, Keselowski threw the first punch.  Say WHAT?  Sorry, NASCAR, you got this one wrong.  Keselowski bumped Edwards FIRST.  Edwards retaliated and won the race.  Yeah, the wreck was bad, but you race to win. Was it intentional?  It sure as hell was, but,  If Edwards doesn't defend himself, he's nothing more than a target.  Not only that, you screwed up TWO series.  Let me explain that:

It is a common misconception, that drivers who are on probation in the Nationwide Series, are not so in Cup.  Folks, I've been doing this thirty years, and I'm here to tell you, that is WRONG!!!  As wrong as smoking in church!!!!  The penalties carry over to all series that the drivers participate in.  It's a NASCAR sanctioned event and it covers ALL series if you've been a bad boy.  So, NASCAR, has in effect, not only spoiled what would have been a pretty good battle and rivalry in the Nationwide Series for the Championship, it carries over to the Cup Series as well, which means we'll see a lot of "Big Picture" racing, and that's just plain boring.  NASCAR, I've supported you pretty much all year.  But you got this one dead wrong.  Ski started it, Cuz finished it.  End of Story.  Let them race already.

So, followers:  Who was right and who was wrong?  Have your say now, Beatin' and Bangin'.

Oh, by the way, on to Indy this week for the Mid-Season Classic, the Brickyard 400.  My pick:  Smoke will rise.

Credit Shout Out:  Video courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.

HELLO FOLLOWERS

Due to lack of interest and followers, this blog will close at the beginning of the chase.  If you guys can spread the word and get some more folks in here, I'll keep it open.  Thank you for following.

Ross

Chasing The Changes To The Chase

It's a little late to post a piece on the Chicago Race, and I'm sorry for that.  As I told you, I had some personal stuff to deal with.  But, it's all good, and we'll be back at Indy.  Now, I'm gonna gripe, and give you your shot to do the same.

Am I the only person in NASCAR Nation, who is sick and tired of hearing about the chase?  It was a lousy idea to begin with, and the tweaks they've made to it, are making it even worse.  "Big Picture" racing, IE: not going for a win, but salvaging points, is not only boring, it cheats the fans.  I can see you saying, OK, Mr. Big Mouth, do you have the answer?  I respond, Yes, I believe I do.

Dump the chase and the points, altogether.  The guy with the most wins at the end of the season is champion, period.  No points, no big picture racing, EVERY race all year long, is important, because wins are the only thing that matter. 

What do you guys think?  Have your say now, Beatin' and Bangin'.

Credit Shout Out:  Photo courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.

Chicago Cup Race

I'll get it posted ASAP, gang.  Had a personal issue to deal with.  Thanks for understanding, and sorry for the delay.

Ross

NATIONWIDE: Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Love A Parade.......

The Dollar General 300 Nationwide race at Chicago, was aptly named.  The show was worth about a buck.

Four cautions, all night long, and that's fine, it's not about the wrecks, it's about the racing.  But this one was about as intense as an Old Folks Home Bake Sale.  No contact to speak of, and no one seemed to want to lead, much less win, this race.  Two Green Flag runs of over 60 laps (out of 200) no passing, no nothing.  In fact, some of the most intense racing of the night, came from.......DANICA PATRICK?!?!?!?!

Yeah, it sure did.  She got her best Nationwide finish at 24th, but two things really impressed me about her run tonight.  1.  She finished the race.  2.  Veteran Mike Wallace was messing with her, trading a little paint.  Not only did she give it right back, she got the better of it and passed him.  Way to go, girl.

Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin led most of the night.  Brad Keselowski, ran out of gas before the green white checker restart.  Oh, that came about with another famous "debris caution" with ten laps to go.  Joey Logano, who was leading at the time, actually said on his radio, "Aw, come on.  Why don't we just fix the race."  Logano, who finished second, stormed off and did not talk to reporters.  Uncharacteristic of him.  You could just look at him and tell, he'd been robbed.  And he is right.  Kyle Busch, got his seventh Nationwide win of the year.  YAAAAWWWWNNNNN!!!!

That's literally it.  What a dull race.  Tomorrow night, the Cup Guys get their shot.  To hell with the beer, I'm stocking up on Red Bull.  I told ya'll this was a boring track.  See you after the race with this week's edition of the RJ's.  Have a great weekend!!!!

Credit Shout Out:  Photos courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.

Leftovers And My Bad!!

Well, folks, I got the comments fixed, and thanks for writing in!  But man, did I drop the ball on one of my predictions, that I made just yesterday.  Randy Pemberton of Sirius Radio, reported that Mark Martin would be driving for Red Bull in 2011.  Martin's business manager, Benny Ertel, shot back with this comment today:

Ertel called the reports "aggravating," saying his driver has grown tired of answering the same questions, week after week. "It's the same thing, over and over again," Ertel said. "We walk into the media center and someone immediately raises their hand and asks about where Mark will be racing next season. Mark has answered the question a thousand times and it's always the same answer. 'I will be driving the #5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports next season.' That's as simple as it is, but some reporters just don’t listen."  "Randy Pemberton went on Sirius NASCAR Radio the other day and said Mark will be driving for Red Bull next season," said Ertel. "There's not a shred of truth to that statement, and he never bothered to ask Mark, Rick Hendrick or anyone else about it. If he had asked, he would have been told -- in no uncertain terms -- that it was a load of hooey.  "I don't know what's so difficult to understand," said Ertel. "Mark Martin will drive the #5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports next season. Period."

I guess that settles that.

So where does that leave Kasey Khane for next season?  Who will Wal Mart Sponsor?  As they said on the old Soap Operas, tune in tomorrow.  I'm sure it will all change by then, again.

One noteworthy item I missed, is that Jeff Gordon will make his 600th career start at Chicago Saturday Night.  While Gordon sits second in championship points, he's only been to Victory Lane once, in his last 47 races.  There was a time in his illustrious career when Gordon couldn’t avoid victory lane, winning 16.1 percent of the time through the first 15 years of his career. But since 2008, that number has been reduced to 13.7.

It’s been 47 races since Gordon’s last win, and though he’s racked up eight runner-up finishes since then, he’s faced questions about his ability to close the deal. Even worse, after Gordon feuded briefly with Jimmie Johnson earlier this season, analyst and team owner Brad Daugherty said that Johnson’s success the last four years has made Gordon “almost irrelevant.”

I've long stated that Brad Daugherty has absolutely no place in this sport.  And I'm about to prove it.

• Gordon’s tied for third with Jimmie Johnson and stands behind only Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt in championships.

• He’s just three wins away from moving into third on the all-time victories list, with his 82 wins ranking behind only Petty (200), David Pearson (105), Bobby Allison (84), Darrell Waltrip (84) and Cale Yarborough (83).

• He has 68 poles, 12 victories in restrictor-plate races and nine on road courses. He has 12 combined wins at Bristol and Martinsville, seven at Darlington, and has won at every track on the circuit but one (Homestead-Miami).

In other words, he’s pretty damn good.

IRRELEVANT?  Brad, go get a job and leave us alone.

I love tossing out facts to a clueless jerk.  But, I digress.  Enjoy the Nationwide race from Chicago tonight, and we'll have the complete wrap-up for you here.  The Cup Race is Saturday Night, and I will stick with my pick of Jeff Burton to win it.  Have a safe and great weekend, and we'll see you here for more Beatin' and Bangin'!

Credit Shout Out:  Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press contributed to this blog.  Photos courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.

Reader Comments

I give you all my word, that I tried to publish your comments.  For some reason, blogspot ate them.  LOL  I'm trying to resolve the issue and get them posted ASAP.  Please keep writing in!!!

Thanks,
Ross

Halfway Home: Dollars And Hopefully, Some Sense.

Well, here we are, half-way through the 2010 season.  (Wasn't the Daytona 500 just last week?)  There have already been numerous stories to tell, rivalries to cheer, and some of the best racing we've seen in a long, long, time.

Jimmie Johnson and Elliot Saddler, and Carl Edwards, became first time Dads.  Jeff Gordon and Juan Pablo Montoya are expecting.  Kyle Busch is engaged, and everybody is pretty much pissed off at everybody else.

But there's some serious issues going on too.  Like will Jimmie Johnson get five straight titles?  I don't think so.  I'm thinking Kevin Harvick, is the real deal and will bring it home.  If not Harvick, Denny Hamlin.  Or possibly even Kurt Busch.  Kyle's just not ready yet, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., by his own admission, still has a lot of work to do.  Oh, and after 31 years, Daytona, gets a new track surface.

The economy, has played as much of a role in NASCAR this year as the cars themselves.  Several teams have closed up shop all together, and there have been some mergers.  Kevin Harvick, the points leader for most of this season, still doesn't have sponsorship lined up for next year.  It's not a done deal, but I'm betting the house, that Budweiser will be on the 29 next year.

The other thing we're hearing is that Mobil 1 will be Jeff Gordon's primary sponsor next year, with DuPont staying on in a lesser role.  Pepsi has been thrown into the mix.  And now, we're hearing that Wal Mart wants to play in NASCAR too.  Must be a tough problem to have.

Here's what I think is going to happen:  Mobil 1 and Pepsi will co-sponsor Jeff Gordon.  I've already told you what I think about Harvick.  Wal Mart will sponsor Kasey Khane in the 5, as Mark Martin will go to Red Bull.  That last part was painful to write, but I'm just calling it like I see it.

Old Spice is leaving Tony Stewart and Stewart-Haas racing at the end of this year.  That leaves both cars in that shop with only partial sponsorship.  I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see Miller Lite pull out of it's deal with Penske to help them out.  I just don't see Brad Keselowski and Miller Lite as a good sponsor/driver fit.

What do you guys think?  Have your say now, Beatin' and Bangin'.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.  These predictions and opinions, are based on my observations and years of covering NASCAR.  Please don't go wagering hard-earned money thinking I'm a know-it-all expert.

BREAKING NEWS: Hello, Daddy-O

Reigning four-time Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson, became a father for the first time Wednesday, when wife Chandra, presented him with a baby girl.

A Johnson spokesperson said, Mother and Daughter are both doing well, and no other details will be released.  Johnson, will not miss Sunday's race at Chicago.

Credit Shout Out:  Photo, courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.

Coke Zero 400 At Daytona: AKA Saturday Night Demolition Derby

After an hour and a half rain delay, the Green Flag finally flew at Daytona for one of the more anticipated races of the year.  It was pretty dull, up until about 25 laps to go.  And then, (picture the NFL Films guy's voice here) The Big One came.



20 cars were taken out, which brought out a twenty minute Red Flag.  Then, with a Green White Checker on the horizon, just about everyone pitted except Leader Clint Bowyer.  He didn't win the race.  He was involved in a last lap crash that cost him that chance.  Teammate Kevin Harvick, took the checkers, Kasey Khane was second, Jeff Gordon, third, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., was fourth, and Jeff Burton, rounded out the top five.

Burton, said he thought he had the best car on the track and was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Dale Earnhardt, Jr., said, and I quote, 'We were terrible all night long, and lucky to get what we got out of it.  I'd rather be good than lucky, but if someone wants to trade us off some luck, we'll take it.'  Oh, by the way, Junior is now eleventh in the point standings for the Chase.

Monday, workers will begin the first repaving of Daytona International Speedway, since 1979.  I kind of hate to see it, the track will lose some of it's character, but I totally understand why they have to do it.

Now, without further adieu, here is this week's edition of the RJ's:

THE WHAT THE @#$& DO YOU MEAN I FINISHED SECOND AGAIN? AWARD:  Jeff Gordon.  I'm beginning to wonder if he'll ever win another race.  He just seems to get them stolen from him again, and again.

THE WHERE THE @#$& WERE THEY? AWARD:  Tie.  Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch.  Both wrecked out and got DNF's.  Boo Hoo, Sniff, Sniff.  Yeah, Right.  LMAO

THE DANCES WITH WALLS AWARD:  Sam Hornish, Jr.  This guy, no matter how good he's running, hits the wall almost everywhere we race.  If I were paint on a track wall, I'd peel myself off just to get away from this guy.

THE HOW THE @#$& DID I GET WRECKED? AWARD:  AJ Allmendinger.  He was simply trying to avoid hitting Kyle Busch, and got taken out.  Period.  Allmendinger, also gets the YOU ARE A DUMB S#*T AWARD, for arguing in the garage with his boss, The King, Richard Petty.  You just don't do that.

THE WHAT THE @#$& WERE THEY THINKING AWARD:  The whole field.  This was nothing short of bumper cars at 200 MPH.  It's not about the wrecks, folks.  It's about the racing.

On to Chicago next week.  Nap time.  This one should be pretty boring, as most mile and a half tracks are.  My pick:  Jeff Burton.  He's got to get one this year.  He's just running too damn good.

Hope you are having a safe and great holiday weekend.  We'll see you here later this week for more Beatin' and Bangin'.

Credit Shout Out:  Photo, courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.  Video courtesy of NASCAR.com.

JUNIOR ACHIEVMENT

He did it.

He said this was absolutely the last time that he would ever run any race car with the #3 on the door.  And he took the mother@#$&er to victory lane.

Nice.

I have a bowling ball in my throat right now, so that's all I'm gonna say except for this:

Dale Sr., is smiling.  Dale Jr, did him (Sr.) and himself proud.

God Bless America.

BREAKING NEWS: NATIONWIDE AT DAYTONA

Brad Keselowski, has won the pole for tonight's Subway Jalapeno 250 Nationwide Race at Daytona. 

Driving a replica of his Father's famous #3 Wrangler car, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., qualified third.  In a class act, for the first time in the entire history of the Good Year Tire and Rubber Company, the tires sport a message other than Good Year.  The tires all say "Support Our Troops."  Now, that's class.

We'll see you here after the race, when we'll have the complete wrap up.  Enjoy, and Happy Fourth of July!

Credit Shout Out:  Photos courtesy of Getty Images, and Yahoo! Sports.

BREAKING NEWS: And The Nominees Are........

NASCAR has announced the 25 candidates for induction into the Hall Of Fame in May of 2011.  Ralph Earnhardt, much to my surprise it not among them.  Here's the list:

• Bobby Allison, 1983 Cup Series champion and winner of 84 races


• Buck Baker, first driver to win consecutive Cup Series championships

• Red Byron, first Cup Series champion, in 1949

• Richard Childress, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series

• Jerry Cook, six-time NASCAR Modified champion

• Richie Evans, nine-time NASCAR Modified champion

• Tim Flock, two-time Cup Series champion

• Rick Hendrick, 12-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series

• Jack Ingram, two-time Busch Series champion

• Dale Inman, eight-time Cup Series championship crew chief

• Ned Jarrett, two-time Cup Series champion

• Fred Lorenzen, 26 wins and winner of the Daytona 500 and World 600

• Bud Moore, 63 wins and two Cup Series titles as a car owner

• Raymond Parks, NASCAR's first champion car owner

• Benny Parsons, 1973 Cup Series champion

• David Pearson, 105 victories and three Cup Series championships

• Lee Petty, winner of first Daytona 500 and first three-time Cup Series champion

• Fireball Roberts, won 33 Cup Series races, including the 1962 Daytona 500

• T. Wayne Robertson, helped raise NASCAR popularity as R.J. Reynolds Senior VP

• Herb Thomas, first two-time Cup Series champion, in 1951 and '53

• Curtis Turner, early personality, called the "Babe Ruth of stock-car racing"

• Darrell Waltrip, winner of 84 races and three Cup Series championships

• Joe Weatherly, two-time Cup Series champion

• Glen Wood, as driver, laid foundation for Wood Brothers' future team success

• Cale Yarborough, winner of three consecutive Cup Series titles, in 1976-78
 
 

 
In other breaking news, David Reutimann, has signed a three-year contract extension with Michael Waltrip Racing, driving the #00 car.
 
Credit Shout Out:  Photos courtesy of NASCAR.com, Getty Images, and Yahoo! Sports.

BREAKING NEWS: Plus Two Juicy Rumors

Tonight, at 7PM Central, NASCAR will announce the 25 nominees for the 2011 Hall Of Fame ballot.  Of course, that will be narrowed down to only five actual inductees.  We'll have the complete list here for you tonight.

RUMORS:  The buzz in the garage is, Mobil 1 will be Jeff Gordon's primary sponsor next year with DuPont taking a lesser role, but staying on with the 24.

This Bud's for Happy?  Sources say that Richard Childress Racing and Budweiser, are very close to getting a deal done to sponsor Kevin Harvick next year.  Stay Tuned.