NASCAR has reinvented this division as a feeder program, in the process chasing most of the local Northeast programs out. For the most part, the Northeast based teams that are left are uncompetitive against the developmental teams with the Sprint Cup organizations backing them. It's too bad, but it was a division that was pretty much on its way out when the locals ruled it. Others to keep an eye on are Matt Kobyluck, one of the last Northeast based driver/owners who is still competitive, and Jeffrey Earnhardt, just because he's an Earnhardt.

I am waiting for Jeffrey to make his appearance in Nationwide.

Waste Management, hmmmm? I have a connection in the corporate office. Maybe I can get VIP passes for Loudon.

I am going to watch the 295 series....... That's sitting next to the highway and watching the cars go by on the straight stretches.

I watched Kobyluck almost win a Winston West Series race a few years ago at Phoenix. It was kind of cool to see a Northeast team going well out there.

justracethecar

Kobyluck runs well out west. He is normally a player in the Toyota Showdown. It really surprises me that nobody has made a serious effort to field a truck or Nationwide ride for him.

That's all the view you'll get when you buy a cheap ticket, Sal.

Kobyluck does always seem to find a way to hit things right when he goes out to Phoenix or Irwindale (or whatever sponsornamehere Irwindale is called these days). Kobyluck unfortunately is a little up in the years to be attractive for many Nationwide or Truck Series teams. It's good to still have him around in Camping World East Series though, and he's still competitive to boot. He's matured into a quality ambassador for the division. It would be nice to see him win a championship this year and show that a local Northeast team (albeit a very well funded local team) can still compete against the money and technology that has poured into the division.
And I'm predicting it right now, Kobyluck and Ricky Carmichael get into it together dramatically on the track at some point this season. You heard it here first, should be fun.

is there some sort of history between Carmichael and Kobyluck?

Not that I know of, just a gut feeling. I just picture a scenario where Kobyluck may be protecting his turf from the rich guy trying to play in his sandbox.

Getting back to the Nationwide race this weekend: Tell me about the Mexico race scene. This is new to me. I will miss a cup race this weekend but plan to watch the Nationwide as there are a few drivers I am intersted in.

Why are there still problems with posting, Jen?

It's a road course. Lots of Sprint drivers will probably go and other drivers known for their road course experience will try to get in. Last year's was won by Montoya and I think alot of people felt it was a put up job even though Montoya is not Mexican.

I will probably watch though I am not a big road course fan. It's a little weird seeing a different nationality in the grandstands and not the usual Nascar fan. It seemed a little strange, too, when they raced in Japan.

When you get that error message, MsBoogity, just hit post again and it usually works.

The best part of the Nationwide road course races is qualifying. The Cup series should adopt the time delay system.

That about says it all,MsBoogity, when the single car qualifying is more exciting than the race itself.

Well, racefan, there is always next week!

Danica Patrick has won a race. Cool.

Next week, MsBoogity is what I'm waiting for. I am off to Talladega. You can't get any better racing than that.

Who are you routing for at Talladega, racefan?

A good guess would be Junior. His daddy taught him well.

Amen. I am waiting for the day when JR wins! Even though you told me he cheated. I guess that is the name of the game nowadays, but I don't agree with it. Have a good time and give us a full report when you get home.

I still wouldn't call what he did cheating. There are no "times outs" in Nascar so if you spin or throw something out the window when you need to pit that to me is the equivalent. I fault Jr with being dumb enough to radio his crew what he was going to do and then doing it. He probably has not done anything since, but if he has, he has learned to shut up.

Jr winning at Talladega would be awesome. It will be emotional as that was his Dad's favorite place. A few years ago Kerry no doubt had the best car in the field and kept driving to the front, but because no one would draft with him he kept getting shut out.That was hard to watch.

I will be leaving Wednesday afternoon, so everyone get their picks in early.I want to know so I can watch how your drivers do.

Who the devil is Kerry? Sorry, I only picked up the Nascar scene again about a year ago, when my very ill daughter really got into it.

Kerry is Junior's older brother. He is the father of Jeffrey Earnhardt.

I hope your daughter is okay now.

How about that Kyle Busch? And who knew Boris had such a temper?

Yeah, the race was ok. Do you think Kyle will go for the championship now? I was thinking of Jen when Boris mouthed off, knowing she is a fan of his.

From Jen: I was disappointed for sure. I think a lot of folks were. He has quite the following.

No, I don't believe he will. He's primarily a Cup driver.He may win the championship anyways, but I don't believe it will be his first choice. He is also point leader in the truck series and second in points for the Cup series. I say he'll try to be points leader in all three.

He should be really exciting to watch at Talladega. I don't think I paid much attention to him last year until near the end of the season.

I like Boris, too and I don't think I've ever seen him mad like that. They say Ambrose is one of the nicest guys around. It would be awful if Boris retaliates. He may not once he sees the replay.

Anyone know who or what Team Rensi is that Boris drives for? Never heard of it. Anyway, it's interesting that Boris always brings along Frankie Stoddard as his crew chief.

BTW, I may be meeting Ambrose this weekend. Want me to ask how he and Boris are doing?