NASCAR Blogs

The Nationwide Series, rain delayed and timed for the convenience of West Coast TV fans, ended well after midnight. If you couldn't stay awake long enough, Kyle Busch won for the ninth time this year in the auxiliary series. The race was crash-filled but mostly uneventful at the front. Jeff Burton finished second and couldn't mount a challenge even through a rash of caution periods at the end.

Yes, the track has lights. No, the track doesn't pass out free No-Doz.

The race ended too late to make today's Gazette, which reminds me of a conversation many years ago with a short-track public-address announcer.

I expressed the view that local racing was the most undercovered sport but that there were reasons for it.

The announcer listened as I recited a litany of hours too late to make the morning paper, lights that most photographers shun and a lack of security that sometimes results in ugly post-race scenes (on at least one occasion, while yours truly was interviewing the winner, the runner-up showed up on the scene brandishing a tire iron).

"Why should we cater what we do to the needs of of the press?" the P.A. man asked.

"You shouldn't," I said. "You should do it for the paying customers. You can't tell me that these folks want to be out on Saturday night until way past midnight. It would be good for business to make sure that things move along so that folks can get home. Churchgoing folks don't even think about coming out here 'cause they've got to get up in the morning."

That's still my view. Sure, it's easier to stay up late to watch a race on TV, but there isn't much of a traffic jam after races at Carolina Speedway. Tonight my nephew is coming to his first race, and I hope it's something special for him. But he and his folks are going to have to drive all the way back home to Columbia, S.C., afterwards.

I'll be busy until the traffic clears out. I don't envy them. Time in traffic is time wasted, and it's going to be a long ride home.

Expectations don't always reach fruition. Most of the time, people fall short of them. Still, it's impossible to preview Saturday night's Bank of America 500 without concluding that this is likely to be a big night for two-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson.

He's won five races at Lowe's Motor Speedway -- and this is just from 2002 to the present -- is starting out front. Those closest to him, Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle, seem a bit distracted. A year ago, Johnson left Charlotte trailing teammate Jeff Gordon (who won the Bank of America 500) by 68 points. This year he arrives with a 72-point advantage over Edwards, 77 over Biffle.

Edwards is coming off a race in which he inadvertently (trying, uh, too hard to help Biffle) touched off a major crash. He clashed on Thursday with Kevin Harvick, who had criticized him harshly after that crash.

Meanwhile, Johnson is like he always is: forthright, friendly, seldom controversial. Johnson's cool efficiency is tough to beat. He is to stock-car racing in the 2000s what Rick Mears was to Indy-car racing in the 1980s.

What a mess. It was satisfying, apparently, to the fans here, many of whom have been won over by Tony Stewart, who had come so close so many times at Talladega Superspeedway.

Once Stewart made some remarks that offended the Talladega faithful. He had the audacity to suggest that the red-neck quotient was a bit high, which led many fans to make unsavory gestures when Stewart was introduced.

Way to prove those remarks wrong.

Regan Smith -- could there be a bigger surprise? -- passed Stewart, though he was beneath the yellow line when he did it. NASCAR officials disallowed the move. Not only that, but they relegated Smith to 18th place for doing it. Then they contradicted themselves, with Jim Hunter, the Vice President of Corporate Communications, officially saying one thing and Ramsey Poston, the Managing Director of Corporate Communications, unofficially intimating, reportedly, another.

What an unheard-of concept. Anything goes if a driver can see the checkered flag. Well, apparently not literally. Apparently it's anything goes if a driver can see the flagstand, since the flag doesn't wave until just before the cars pass the finish line.

Still ... when a driver can do anything depends on how good his vision is? Shouldn't it be a bit more specific than that? On the straight leading up to the finish? Well, the Talladega front straight is bent. Only from the tri-oval exit? Smith wouldn't pass that criterion. From off the fourth turn? That one he passed ... in terms of when he "passed" Stewart.

Since Stewart was declared the winner, that pretty much makes it all moot.

Or does it? Does it depend on who it is?

As usual, qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday had almost nothing to do with what will happen in the actual race.

The beginning of the race could well be thrilling. That's because the front of the field is probably going to switch places with the back of the field pretty rapidly.

It's nice that Travis Kvapil can celebrate his first pole. Maybe he'll hang around at the front for a while. But suffice it to say that the 39th starter, Kevin Harvick, has a considerably better chance at winning the Amp Energy 500 than the pole winner.

The favorites, obviously, are the drivers in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. One of them, Carl Edwards, is actually starting 12th. He's best in class, but usually that phrase isn't used in regard to the best class.

Here are the top 10 starters in order: Kvapil, Casey Mears, Aric Almirola, Regan Smith, Paul Menard, Mike Wallace, Joe Nemechek, Tony Raines, Brian Vickers and Martin Truex Jr. Altogether, they account for zero victories this year. Only Vickers has ever won a Cup race at Talladega.

The contenders, i.e., Chase drivers, are starting12th, 15th, 17th, 20th, 22nd, 26th, 31st, 34th, 35th, 36th, 37th and 39th. Most of the pretenders -- Casey Mears, Brian Vickers and Martin Truex Jr., being the exceptions -- are outside the top 10.

It's also going to be a big race for rookies. Exactly one, Smith, made the field. Rookies Sam Hornish Jr. and Patrick Carpentier were the only drivers here who didn't make it.

This is called an impound race. That means the cars must start the race with the same setup used in qualifying. Most drivers go out and qualify in what they have determined is a setup effective for the maneuverability needed in traffic. Those who concentrate on qualifying are those who are either desperate to make the field or desperate for some publicity.

I just got off my radio show. It's called "Monte Dutton Unplugged" and it's at racetalkradio.com at 9 Eastern every Thursday.

I began the show talking about how I think any scenario that would lead to a Dale Earnhardt Jr. championship has to begin with a victory on Sunday at Talladega.

One of the early questioners -- they can call in, but most people either e-mail or IM -- took me to task for talking about Junior. One of her points was "not everyone likes Dale Earnhardt Jr."

Well, that's reassuring. I'd hate for there to be complete unanimity in the grandstands and in front of the TV sets.

I pointed out that this was my fourth show, and it was the first extended discussion of Dale Earnhardt Jr., but I also made a case for balance. I said that part of what we do is give people what they want, and part is to give them what they need. We should try our best to be fair, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't recognize that there is a market out there and that Earnhardt Jr. is clearly the most popular driver and the desire of his fans to hear about him has to be satisfied, too.

I've got a pretty simple rule. I write and talk about people, places and things that interest me, and operating under the assumption that I've got a fairly balanced view, undoubtedly there will be people out there who share that interest.

There's really no need to make it complicated.

Jimmie Johnson won the Camping World 400 at Kansas Speedway, but it was his rival for the Sprint Cup championship, Carl Edwards, who laid it on the line.

Edwards said he'd rather win in Kansas City -- Missouri is his home state, and the speedway is across the Missouri River -- than anywhere else, and he proved it.

Having lost the lead on pit road, Edwards tracked down Johnson furiously in the waning laps. A victory seemed impossible, but somehow Edwards' Ford materialized on the rear bumper of Johnson's Chevrolet. It still seemed impossible when Johnson wisely blocked the outside line Edwards had discovered.

In the final turns of the final lap, Edwards drove his No. 99 too hard into turn three, and he knew it. He roared past Johnson but then slid into the wall.

"I planned on hitting the wall, but I didn't plan on it slowing me down that much," said Edwards.

Quite a show. Johnson now leads Edwards by 10 points in the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Seven races remain.

Several blogs back -- isn't it frightening that I would describe time in terms of blogs? -- I wrote that I didn't expect NASCAR to do as much as it ought to in reference to chairman/CEO Brian France's declaration that a new drug policy would be forthcoming. Here, in part, is what I wrote:

I expect whatever, if anything, happens will be, like most everything else championed by NASCAR's Dear Leader, more show than go. It will rely on a leap of faith by everyone since there wil be no assurance, no transparency ... only the subtle indication that we're on top of this and you can trust us. ...

... France himself needs desperately to prove me wrong by doing something ... that isn't designed more for public relations than practical effectiveness. ...

Fair enough. As best I know, NASCAR has proved me wrong. What I consider important about any drug-testing procedure is that safeguards be in place to ensure that everyone is treated fairly. Having everything done in-house, as has been done in the past, creates the suspicion -- and possible reality -- that analysis, judgments, etc. are conducted arbitrarily.

France himself didn't prove me wrong, but those operating under him did, as far as I know. The men who represented NASCAR at the Dover press conference, Jim Hunter and Steve O'Donnell, apparently proved me wrong by announcing that all testing will be conducted by reputable outside sources and through certifiable, respected laboratories. O'Donnell also said that, once results were verified, all punishments and decisions will be publicly disclosed.

We will have to see how well NASCAR upholds this avowed intention. For now, though, it's only fair that I offer my approval (and, yes, surprise) for a program seems to have been developed in a fair fashion.

At Joe Gibbs Racing, when someone passes Kyle Busch in the hall this week, he or she is going to be tempted to say, "Hey, things could be worse."

Uh, actually, no, they couldn't.

OK. How about, "Things are bound to get better"? That works. They can't get any worse.

Forget words of encouragement. Busch is going to have a hard time finding anyone willing to make eye contact.

The odds-on favorite for the Sprint Cup championship ran into the Chase and discovered it was a brick wall.

Boom. Something's wrong with the sway bar. Crunch. NASCAR says you gotta do a drive-through. Burp. That's not smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes, is it?

That Chase is popular at the box office. No one told Busch it was a horror flick. No one told him Freddie Krueger was a NASCAR fan. No one told him the popcorn would make him queasy.

NASCAR has coughed up the cash for a drug-testing program. It seems to be pretty reasonable. It's all going to be done through an independent agency, thus lessening the concern that it might be applied arbitrarily. Time will tell how open and aboveboard it is, but it all sounds fair.

There's not much privacy left in the world. Apparently folks aren't capable of taking care of their little corners of it. Everything's got to be done for us. Homeland Security has to make sure we're safe. Wal-Mart has to provide one-stop shopping. Blackberrys enable us to work while we're eating and write while we're driving. TV tells us what to think so we don't have to do something as boring as read.

Amazingly, though, some people still tie their own shoes, so that's something. I'm mildly surprised shoestrings aren't automatic, mechanized or maybe even microwaveable ... yet. (The difficulty must be differentiating between micro-tying and micro-untying.) Food is fast. So is the Internet. People used to write letters. Now they send e-mails with smiley faces. They used to call. Now they text.

Writers used to write. Now they blog. (See?)

Stock-car racers used to come up through the ranks, from dirt tracks to pavement to, if they were good, the Daytona By Gosh 500. Now they become legends right away, or else why would those little miniatures be Legends cars?

People don't grow up anymore by making mistakes and learning from them. They still make mistakes, though, and that's one of the reasons why NASCAR has to insist that all its best and brightest, who sometimes act like its worst and dumbest, go into a little cubicle with a little cup and do their little business. Then the business is analyzed.

No one has a chance to grow up, and a person ought to grow up before he has to start up a foundation in order to lower the tax burden. He ought to grow up before he has to pick a supermodel to take home. He ought to grow up before he has a motorcoach he doesn't even have to drive. He ought to have enough sense to answer a question without a committee of handlers telling him what to say.

But he doesn't. So something big -- NASCAR, AEGIS Sciences Corporation, PR agency, corporate sponsor, tinker, tailor, candlestick maker -- has to keep him straight.

Remember back when that's what friends were for? Friends have disappeared, too. Mostly they're just yes men.

For as long as I've covered racing, fans (and, yes, journalists) have listened to the radio transmissions of drivers and their crews. It's always been a bit controversial because it affords access and insight into all parties that would be unthinkable in other sports.

Imagine if everyone in the ballpark could listen to what the coach said to the pitcher at a meeting on the mound. If fans could steal the signals of opposing coaches, it would make them all like, well, Bill Belichick.

Invariably, race drivers say things in the heat of the battle that they wouldn't write in a letter to their mothers. Invariably fans -- mostly fans who don't happen to like the driver in question -- hear things that upset them. For years I've gotten letters that said something along the line of "he claims to be a Christian, and yet he uses that kind of language on the air."

For gosh sakes, he's going 180 mph bumper-to-bumper and on the edge of disaster! I'm not sure that, say, the Pope would use a bad word if the Popemobile got run over on the Talladega back straight at 190 mph, but it's only because the Pope has more wisdom than to put himself in such a situation. I'm confident, though, that most church deacons would let fly the occasional expletive if placed in such perilous situations.

A decade or so back, PR operatives would claim that such transmissions were "privileged" and that journalists had no right to report what they heard. Journalists would then point out the absurdity of that claim, noting that a health percentage of the fans in the grandstands heard it, too.

Now, of course, there's a lot of grousing about television spreading drivers' less-than-all-American words to the viewing public in living rooms, which have a great deal more capacity than even the vast grandstands of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

I sympathize with their concerns, but this didn't happen because of some vast network of eavesdropping spies. This whole phenomenon came about as a result of the one word that defines most everything else that happens in this sport: money. People pay money to hear the drivers, crew chiefs and spotters talk. Team make money off the access. That's why it's in place. It's the same reason drivers roar around the track in sleek billboards. It's why they consider no paint scheme ugly if it comes with a paycheck.

It's a monster they created and a monster they have to live with.

My view from pit road at Talladega

Talladega is Like Christmas:
I say that because you never know what you never now what you are gonna get. Some times you get an I-pod, some time you get socks. Today's race looked like it might be socks. But it end up that Tony Stewart got the I-pod and Regan Smith got a lump of coal. Evan as I write this, the folks in the car with me are still arguing about who the winner is. Now I like Smoke, he is one of my top 5 drivers.  But I LOVE a good underdog more. And I feel that Smith really got a raw deal. In my opinion he was forced below the yellow line. And to take the win away the win from the 01 and then to take away a lap and drop him to 18th is a crime. Take a look at this photo:

Johnny Benson is clearly below the yellow line and yet he was not penalized, he was awarded second in this race. Back in 2007, when this truck race happened, NASCAR said that all beats are off when it comes to passing below the yellow like when the checkered flag is in sight. I guess unless you are a no name like Regan Smith racing a legend like Tony Stewart.  Too bad. I think it would have been good for Smith and just what DEI needed.The kid got robbed in my opinion. Period.

Stewart and Regan on Last Lap/Auto Stock

A Tired Subject:

Checking Tire Pressures/Autostock

Okay seriously. I am getting tired(pun intended) of Goodyear playing a role in the out come of races. First Junior blows a tire in practice and sent about about a half a dozen racers to back up cars. Then there was the Brian Vickers blown tire that caused the mini big one and perhaps most frightening, the tire blown on the 11 as it ran at the front of the pack, that sent Denny Hamlin to the hospital. Why can't  Goodyear get this right? You know the saying it's only funny til someone gets hurt. Well Hamlin got hurt and it's not funny anymore.

Hamlin is helped from his race car/Associated Press

JD Gibbs Talks About Up and Down Day:

Four for Four for DEI:

Aric Amirola, Regan Smith, Paul Menard and Martin Truex, Jr./Getty Images

So all four of the DEI teams will start Sunday in the top 10. A much needed boost for an organization that has not shown any signs of life this season. Sure Martin Truex is one of the most talented young drivers in the garage area, sure Regan Smith looks to be on his way to rookie of the year honors and yes Aric Amirola has shown flashes of potential when he has had the chance to get behind the wheel of the number 8 this season. But only Truex has a sponsor for 09 and Paul Menard is leaving DEI for Yates Racing in 09. So this group desperately needed something good to happen for them and this looks like a good start.

Kudos for Kvapil:

Travis Kvapil puts his car on the pole/Autostock

Travis Kvapil is a kid I have always pulled for a little bit. Tons of talent, never been in the right situation. Yates Racing has a long way to go. They still need some big time sponsors to make this thing work. But if it doesn't, it would be because of anything they have done. Yates is doing very well, with very little, keeping both cars securely in the top 35 a head of cars that belong to teams like Hendrick, DEI and Ganassi. And now their first pole since this season's restructuring.

Travis Kvapil Talks About His Fast Lap:

A Chorus of Boo's:

Boo Weekly in Talladega/Getty Images

Ryder Cup Hero Boo Weekly will be the honorary starter this weekend in Talladega. You may remember Weekly played in the Chattanooga Classic a few years ago an nearly won the thing. That tournament tees off one week from Monday at Black Creek Golf Club.

(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

Five Wide in Turn Three Always Makes it Fun:

Talladega Spring 08/CIA Stock Photo

The wild card in the chase is defiantly Talladega. 500  laps of 5 wide "hold your breath excitement" that only a true fan can sit through in person. Lets face it you have to let people bring beer to this race or else they would get board. I know it is great to look at in person, but in person it is not much to see until the last 50 laps or so. Don't get me wrong I am absolutely amazed that 43 drivers can run around at 200 miles per hour that close. But one the novelty of that wears off, it's just not that great to watch. That's why the track is the biggest party in NASCAR, they have to have something to do.

Denny Hamlin on the Other Hand Loves Talladega:

Not So Happy Hour:

So 9 Laps into the first practice, Junior blew a tire and took about 6 of his friends with him. He also blew an engine in the first practice. Though timing to have trouble. Talladega is an impound race. So there will be some cars on the track with little if any track time. Brian Vickers was the fastest in both practices.

NewsChannel 9 Meteorologist David Glenn's Talladega Forecast:

(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

It's TIme to Play Stump the Blogger:

Can you keep up with all the changes this season? Seriously, I have been a fan now for about 5 years and each year there seems to be more changes and many for no good reason. The latest move- fresh of a career best 9th place finish at Kansas- AJ Allmendinger was told thanks for your services but we won't be needing you for the rest of the season. I actually like Red Bull Racing and all of the drivers up and down the line up including Scott Speed. But I can not for the life of me figure this one out. This Allmendinger kid was just starting to get it. I just hope he doesn't decide he has had enough go back to open wheel. That would truly be NASCAR's loss.

Do You Know Your 2009 Teams?

I will give you a number, you give me the driver (no cheating- the answers are at the bottom of the blog).

1. Hendrick Motorsports #5

A.Casey Mears        B. Ryan Newman         C. Mark Martin               D. Bobby Labonte

2. The DEI #8

A Marcos Ambrose   B. Robby Gordon         C. Aric Almirola                D. Regan Smith

3. Gillette Evernham Motorsports #10

A. Reed Sorenson   B. Scott Riggs                 C. Kasey Kahne.          D. Patrick Carpentier

4. Penske Racing South #12

A. Ryan Newman    B. Joey Logano           C. David Stremme         D. Denny Hamlin 

5. Stewart-Haas # 39

A. AJ Allmendinger    B. Jeremy Mayfield        C. JJ Yeley                 D. Ryan Newman

We will try to do a few of these every once in a while to make sure you are all up to speed come Daytona 2009.

Questions, Questions Who Has Questions:

I am headed to Talladega this weekend and if there is a question that you are dying to ask a driver, leave it at the bottom of the blog and I will try to get it answer for you and have it up here next week.

I Have Some Answers, Too:

To the best of my information the answers to my little quiz are.

1.(C) 2. (C). 3. (A) 4. (C) 5.(D)

(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, the Lion and your Little Dog Too:

Jimmie Johnson celebrates a Kansas Win/Getty Images

This race had it all. Jimmie Johnson and his methodical group showing they have the brains to make a third straight title. Carl Edwards and his fiery bunch proving they have the heart to contend for their first title. Greg Biffle and his team putting forth the courage to position to themselves be a chase spoiler. And then there is Joe Gibbs racing dogging it through the chase. What drama! The first three chase races really have been incredibly entertaining. The finally lap in this Kansas races was like watching to prize fighters who refuse to go down.

Jimmie Johnson Talks About his Battle With Carl Edwards:

NASCAR the 80's Movie:

Since we are on the subject of movies, what if NASCAR was an 80's movie? Who would some of the main characters be?

From Sixteen Candles:

Jimmie Johnson is Jake Ryan

David Ragan is Farmer Ted

Sam Hornish, Jr. and Joey Lagano as Bryce and Cliff

From the Breakfast Club:

Carl Edwards is Andy Clark

 Tony Stewart as John Bender

Kevin Harvick as Carl the Janitor

And Jeff Burton as Principal Vernon 


This is fun, humor me through a few more

Top Gun:

Kasey Kahne is Maverick

Jaime McMurray as Iceman


How about Back to the Future:

Casey Mears and Borris Said as Marty McFly and Doc Brown

Greg Biffle has to Be Biff

And David Reutimann is George McFly

Man how did I get off on this tangent anyway? Oh yeah, Kansas, Wizard of Oz, Movies. I totally digress.

Picks, Picks I got Picks:
Time for the wild card in the chase. Wild Card or not there are just some guys that run well at Talladega and some that don't. Jeff Gordon, Dale Junior and Jimmie Johnson run well. Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle don't. But forget Hendrick vs Roush which is what the chase has really come down to. I am going Gibbs. Thinks have been sooo bad for them in the chase in the words of Howard Jones (yes more 80's) "Things Can Only Get Better." I am going Kyle Busch, so rain on me cans of Bud (or AMP or what ever Junior fans drink now)

Busch Celebrates his Win in Talladega this Spring

(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)
 

The Giants, the Patriots and Greg Biffle:

Greg Biffle celbrates a Dover Win/ Getty Images

I wish every race could be like this weekends tangle at the monster mile. What a race! it was by fare the most racing we have seen since the new car hit the track last season. Watching Roush teammates Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards battle bumper to bumper was so much fun, I almost didn't care who came out on top. And it's just part of what I love about the playoffs in sports. Some people just season to be able to come out of no where and turn it on. No one saw the New York Giants as the ones who would knock off the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl last season. The Packers maybe, the Cowboys, maybe but not the GIANTS. And just a few weeks ago Kyle Busch was the Patriots and maybe Jimmie Johnson or maybe Carl Edwards could knock off the favorite, but not Greg Biffle. Where did that guy come from? This is getting go itsn't?

Points Leader Carl Edwards Thinks So:

Say it Ain't So Joe:

JGR Drivers Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch/Harold Hinson

And while we are on the topic of Kyle Busch's chase implosion, what has happened to Joe Gibbs racing as a whole? Sure all three teams made the chase, with their performances in the first two races have been pretty uninspired. I can understand some trouble in the 20 camp, but that team is actually running the best of the three. Maybe it's ego, maybe it arrogance, but I said months ago that this would be a tough balancing act of personalities for thecCoach (The Backstretch Blog: The Gibbs Boys). It will interesting to see if the addition of Joey Logano helps or hurts the balance at JGR. 

Time For Picks:

So far chase contenders have dominated the first two races in the chase, but history tells us that is not usually the case at Kansas. From Greg Biffle to Joe Nemechek, this race is usually full of surprises, much like my pick this week. Not because people think this driver cant win, but because any one who knows me, knows I don't like this driver. I really don't have a good reason, other that last he spend most of last season bouncing it off of some of my favorite drivers while riding a lap or more down. But to his credit, he has had one of the most impressive one year turn-a-rounds that I have seen.And while Chasers unusually don't win at Kansas, near chase misses like Tony Stewart and the aforementioned Biffle do. That is why I am taking...David Ragan this week in my hometown.

David Ragan is 14th in the Points Standing/Getty Images

(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

Greg Biffle Throws the First Punch:

Biffle Celebrates New Hampshire Win/Getty Images

Just when you thought it was going to be a three horse race, here comes the Biff. Greg Biffle takes the checkered flag in New Hampshire and we all know he can string together a championship run (see 2005). And to make it evening more interesting, former points leader Kyle Busch showed the first signs of being human and not one of those Matt Kenseth droids from the old Nextel commercials.He plummeted all the way from first to 8th with a 34th place finish.  Now everyone is playing catch up to Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards who are tied a top the points standings.

Biffle Talks About the Chase Has Changed the Points Race:

The King and the Man that Would be Chief:

Politics and NASCAR collide for the first time this election season as John McCain makes a stop at the race this weekend. The republican presidential candidate was th guest of the King Richard Petty and spoke at the drivers meeting.

Listen to McCain Address the Drivers Before the New Hampshire Race:

Hamlin is Still My Man:

So After this week's race, I still like my standing that Denny Hamlin could be this year's chase spoiler. He finished 9th this past weekend is now just 72 points out of first. But he is not my pick this week. That's because when you head to the concrete tracks (like Dover) there is really only one pick: Cousin Carl Edwards. I know that will make it hard for Denny to catch him, but I think luck may soon catch up with Carl, like it did Kyle Busch in New Hampshire. 

Carl Edwards Celebrates a win at the Monster Mile/Getty Images

(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

A Boring Race, Sets Up an Interesting Chase:

The 12 Drivers in the Chase Celebrate at Richmond/Getty Images

So we had to wait one extra day because of Hanna's rains and I can honestly say, it was not worth the wait. What a boring race. But the Jimmie Johnson show not with standing the chase is gonna be an interesting one. Of course Kyle, Carl and Jimmie are the favorites. But there are some real wild cards int he bunch. Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart are all capable of putting together a two or three win chase and although wily old champs Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon have been flat heading into the chase, but both are capable of putting together the kind of consistent chase that can turn into a championship. And then their is the RCR trio of Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer. Probably all long shots, but still Bowyer was right there at the end last year. Am I forgetting some one? Oh yeah just kidding. Then there is Junior, if he can regain his early season form he will be a force at the end. By the way there are only 2 drivers to make all 4 chases, Johnson and Kenseth. Here is how the points look after the drivers are seeded based on wins:

Kyle Busch Talks About Being the Top Seed in the Chase:

Mears, Stremme and Other Random Movements That Few People Care About:

Casey Mears is named RCR's 4th Driver two weeks ago in Bristol/Getty Images

So beside that whole Tony Stewart buying Haas CNC, what an uninspiring Silly Season. Now dont get me wrong, I like Casey Mears and David Stremme and I think both can be successful drivers at their new teams. That being said, all the Mears and Stremme and Reed Sorenson and Joey Logano movement is not exactly the kind of stuff that excites the NASCAR masses. It really was a weak year for free agents and those 4 in particular will reap the benefits. Good for them, bad for teams like Ganassi , Wood Brothers and Hall of Fame Racing that will have to continue to recycle the Ken Schraders, Bill Elliotts and Terry Labontes of the world because the is no young talent for them to scoop up.

Chased Out of the Top 25:

Kasey Kahne was uninspiring 19th place finish in Richmond, leaves me in 53rd place out of 140 Media Members in the Race to the Chase Game. Even thought that Game is over, I think I am going to keep picking for the rest of the season (but I reserve the right to pick a driver more than once). So to start the chase in New Hampshire, I am going with.... Denny Hamlin. For some reason, I really think he can be a wild card in the chase and this would be a good way to start.

Denny Hamiln Celebrates a Summer 07 win at New Hampshire/Getty Images

(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

California Win Makes Defending Champ Look Like a Contender:

Jimmie Johnson wins at California/Getty Images

Okay, not to say I told you so, but....(Indy Was Tired). This is Jimmie's time and as much as I would enjoy seeing Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards slug it out for the cup championship. I wouldn't at all be surprised if Johnson ran off about 5 wins and ran away with his 3rd straight title. He's done it before.

Johnson Talks About His California Win:

One Final Chance:

To make my case for the chase in the NASCAR Media pickem' and this felt like a much better choice 10 weeks ago then it does today. The guy that can help me break into the top 25 for the final standings, is....Kasey Kahne. Wa wa waaaaaaa. I know it's not good, it's not sexy and If I had to do over I would take Edwards or the Bif. But I am stuck and so, Kahne it is.

Kasey Kahne Celebrates a Win at Richmond in 2005/Getty Images

(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

But Who is Wearing the Black Hat?:

Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards battle for the lead at Bristol/Getty Images

NASCAR has needed this for a LONG time. Finally a rivalry, between two drivers battling for something . Sure there have been other rivalries but real other that the physical David vs Goliath twist, Kurt Busch vs Jimmy Spencer is not THAT interesting. But here it is, Kyle vs Carl. Both young, both hungry, both capable of racking up wins in bunches. They don't seem to like each other and neither seems to be phased by the criticism and boos that come with mixing it up. And now here we sit, two races til the chase. Busch has 8 wins, Edwards 6. It isn't that far fetched that BOTH could have 8 wins when the chase begins.

Carl Edwards talks about this scuffle with Kyle Busch at Bristol:

Disappointing Second:

Edwards and Busch have accounted for 14 of the 24 race wins this season, but I am the guy who picks when they DONT win. Edwards gave me a disappointing 17th earlier in this game, this week I pick Kyle on one of the few weeks he doesn't make it to victory lane. Still second is strong and I am now within 4 points of breaking into the top 25 (again this is against 150 or so of my fellow media members). On to California, and one of the picks I feel the least secure about. Come on wonder boy, right the ship and get me in the top 25!

Jeff Gordon Celebrates a 2004 win at the Auto Club Raceway

Silly Season Getting Less Silly (or Not):

The race team line ups are starting to clear up when it comes to who will be in what car for 2009. Casey Mears was introduced as RCR's 4th Driverover the weekend at Bristol. He will jump into the 07 Jack Daniels car and Clint Bowyer will slid into the 33 Cheerios Chevy (a move mostly driven because Mears currently drives for a General Mills cereal rival). We know what Stewart Haas racing will be lead by Hoosiers Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman and that it is just a matter of hours until Joe Gibbs racing names Smokes successor in the 20, 18 year old prodigy Joey Lagano. Then what? Rumors are it could be Patrick Carpantier out, Reed Sorenson in the number 10 at Gillette Evenham. Good Luck with that. That would put Ganassi in the market for a driver and possibly two sponsors (Texaco will not return to the 42 next year). Penske has an opening but no sponsor.Outside of Aric Amirola and Martin Truex, the rest of the DEI team could look completely different. One of them, Paul Menard could be headed to Yates Racing (and bringing his built in sponsor with him). Roush has to be down to 4 teams by 2010, so one of their teams could be sent to Yates soon as well. Bill Davis racing still needs a sponsor. And who knows what is going on at Hall of Fame Racing? Talk is they could soon be turning to Jeremy Mayfield. Again, good luck with that. The Race to 2009 is almost as compelling as the race for the chase.

(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)