Blog Index
November 2008
November 17, 2008
Homestead thoughts
Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson for winning his third-straight Sprint Cup Championship. He's only the second driver to win three Cup championships in a row. Cale Yarborough was the first to do so back in 1978, 30 years ago.
I have one beef about the post-race festivities. You would think that after such a long season for us devoted race fans that sit down each week to watch racing, that they would have allowed us viewers at home to see Johnson's burnout. But they didn't. We got back from commercial break to see him standing up on his car. Thanks a lot.
Congratulations to my man, Clint Bowyer, for winning his first Nationwide Series Championship. Seriously, did NASCAR just want Carl Edwards to win the championship with that late-race caution flag? With 9 laps to go, they threw the caution and said someone got into the wall but never showed who or how bad it was. Or maybe they did and I just missed it.
All I've got to say is thank God for teammates. Scott Wimmer was behind him on the restart and helped a lot in staving off the cars behind Bowyer.
Twice a bridesmaid this year for Carl Edwards. Despite his nine wins in the Sprint Cup and seven wins in the Nationwide Series, he managed to finish second in the point standings in both series. He was so close to winning the championship in each though. He's probably the only person wishing that there were one more weekend of racing.
Here are some other random thoughts of the weekend:
-- Dale Earnhardt Junior is his own worst enemy. He stalled the car on pit road and had to be pushed to get it restarted. On the restart, he had to start last car on the lead lap. Then, with about 18 laps remaining in the race he had a brake caliper break, ending his day and also a visit at the Waldorf Astoria in New York for the NASCAR banquet. Junior finished the race in 41st position. Hopefully he will have a better season next year.
-- After the amazing first half of the season that Kyle Busch had, I am happy that he made it to the top-ten in the point standings. I am looking forward to his speech at the NASCAR banquet.
-- It's fitting that Kurt Busch blew more tires for the season finale race. At least he and his team are consistent. On top of blowing tires, he got penalized for a commitment cone violation, too fast entering pit road, too fast exiting pit road and pitting too soon. I guess if you're going to break a rule, you might as well go big.
What did you think of the racing/results of this past weekend?
November 14, 2008
Chaser stats, Homestead preview and my pick
Here's a look at the Chasers going into the race this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway (stats provided by NASCAR):
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1 - Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet) 6561 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Seven wins, 15 top fives, 22 top 10s
• Average finish of 10.4
• Led 28 races for 1,953 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 85.0
• Two top fives, five top 10s; one pole
• Average finish of 13.4
• Finished seventh last season
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2 - Carl Edwards (No. 99 Office Depot Ford) 6420 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Eight wins, 18 top fives, 26 top 10s
• Average finish of 9.7
• Led 20 races for 1,125 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 107.2
• Two top fives, three top 10s; one pole
• Average finish of 7.8
• Finished fifth last season
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3 - Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford) 6358 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Two wins, 12 top fives, 17 top 10s
• Average finish of 12.7
• Led 20 races for 465 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 111.0
• Three wins
• Average finish of 12.7
• Finished 13th last season
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4 - Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet) 6292 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Two wins, seven top fives, 18 top 10s
• Average finish of 11.7
• Led 11 races for 140 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 84.4
• Three top fives, four top 10s
• Average finish of 13.1
• Finished eighth last season
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5 - Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet) 6233 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Six top fives, 18 top 10s
• Average finish of 12.7
• Led seven races for 191 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 88.4
• Two top fives, five top 10s
• Average finish of 10.1
• Finished 19th last season
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6 - Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet) 6266 points, 2008 Rundown:
• One win, six top fives, 16 top 10s
• Average finish of 14.3
• Led six races for 188 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 84.4
• One top 10
• Average finish of 24.5 in two races
• Finished 39th last season
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7 - Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet) 6151 points, 2008 Rundown:
• 12 top fives, 18 top 10s
• Average finish of 14.8
• Led 19 races for 431 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 92.8
• Four top fives, seven top 10s
• Average finish of 10.6
• Finished fourth last season
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8 - Matt Kenseth (No. 14 DEWALT Ford) 6091 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Nine top fives, 20 top 10s
• Average finish of 16.2
• Led 18 races for 531 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 115.6
• One win, two top fives, three top 10s
• Average finish of 20.0
• Won last season's Homestead race
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9 - Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota) 6090 points, 2008 Rundown:
• One win, 12 top fives, 18 top 10s
• Average finish of 15.5
• Led 15 races for 766 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 81.8
• Two top fives
• Average finish of 13.0
• Finished third last season
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10 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrol) 6087 points, 2008 Rundown:
• One win, 10 top fives, 16 top 10s
• Average finish of 13.3
• Led 22 races for 896 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 68.7
• Average finish of 21.3
• Finished 36th last season
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11 - Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M's Toyota) 6080 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Eight wins, 17 top fives, 21 top 10s
• Average finish of 12.3
• Led 23 races for 1,673 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 76.6
• Average finish of 33.0
• Finished 20th last season
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12 - Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota) 6059 points, 2008 Rundown:
• One win, 10 top fives, 15 top 10s
• Average finish of 15.1
• Led 14 races for 622 laps
Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 81.0
• Two wins, three top fives, four top 10s
• Average finish of 12.2
• Finished 30th last season
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Continue reading "Chaser stats, Homestead preview and my pick"
November 10, 2008
Phoenix thoughts
Before I start with my usual congratulations, let me start by saying that I was scanning nascarmedia for my pictures for the blog and happened upon this picture that stopped me right in my tracks:
David Reutimann and Phil Harris
It's Captain Phil Harris folks! He's only the BEST captain on the series, The Deadliest Catch. I love the whole crew on his fishing vessel the Cornelia Marie. By far the best, period. All I'm saying is this, if I had seen him in New Hampshire, it wouldn't have been pretty. I love this man.
Speaking of men that I like, how about Clint Bowyer in the Nationwide race? Seriously, I thought he was done for. He got involved in a wreck that sent him back to somewhere around 30th position, putting Carl Edwards in the point lead. I don't know how he did it but Bowyer managed to pull off a fourth-place finish and keep his lead in the point standings. Way to drive the wheels of it, Bowyer!
Okay, so now on to the Sprint Cup race from yesterday.
Congratulations go out to Jimmie Johnson for yet another victory...big yawn. I'm so sick of him winning though. This means that he only needs to finish 36th or better next week and the championship is his. It will finally be over.
Here are a few random thoughts during the race yesterday:
-- Is anyone surprised that Sam Hornish Jr. brought out the first caution? It looked like Hornish went into the corner a bit too hot and slid up and hit Elliot Sadler.
-- Martin Truex Jr. had to end his day really early because he ran out of water in the radiator. It was hot for too long and his engine blew up.
-- Scott Speed cracks me up. Did you see his interview after his wreck? Somebody needs to help him with his interviewing skills. And for God's sake, get rid of that damn flat-rimmed hat. Ridiculous.
-- If there has to be a rain delay, the one yesterday is the type that I like. Short and sweet. The rain delay was only 26 minutes.
-- I'm liking the facial hair on Dale Earnhardt Junior. Just sayin.
-- Jeff Gordon had some bad luck. The engine of his car started skipping and a valve spring broke. The engine finally quit. Gordon did not finish the race and had a 41st place finish. This was his 6th DNF of the season.
-- With about 7 laps to go, AJ Allmendinger shoved the nose of his car under Matt Kenseth who was stuck in his spot because Tony Stewart was on the outside of him. Allmendinger and Kenseth bumped and it sent all three of them spinning. The one who made out the worst in it was Tony Stewart who couldn't get his car fired back up. Stewart went a lap down, finishing 22nd.
-- Can you say, intentional? Clearly, Kenseth was all about wrecking Allmendinger after taking the checkered flag in retaliation for the earlier incident with him on the track. Only, he wrecked several other drivers as well. Juan Pablo Montoya, Joe Nemecheck, Bill Elliott and Tony Stewart all had damaged cars in the end because of Kenseth.
What did you think of the race? I would like to hear some of your observations.
Continue reading "Phoenix thoughts"
November 07, 2008
Chaser stats, Phoenix preview and my pick
Here's a look at the Chasers going into the race this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway (stats provided by NASCAR):
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1 - Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet) 6366 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Six wins, 14 top fives, 21 top 10s
• Average finish of 10.7
• Led 27 races for 1,736 laps
Phoenix International Raceway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 118.0
• Two wins, five top fives, eight top 10s
• Average finish of 6.0
• Won April's Phoenix race
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2 - Carl Edwards (No. 99 Office Depot Ford) 6260 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Eight wins, 17 top fives, 25 top 10s
• Average finish of 9.9
• Led 20 races for 1,125 laps
Phoenix International Raceway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 103.3
• Three top fives, five top 10s; one pole
• Average finish of 14.5
• Finished fourth in April
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3 - Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford) 6223 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Two wins, 12 top fives, 17 top 10s
• Average finish of 12.8
• Led 19 races for 458 laps
Phoenix International Raceway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 102.4
• Two top fives, three top 10s
• Average finish of 16.4
• Finished ninth in April
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4 - Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet) 6154 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Two wins, seven top fives, 17 top 10s
• Average finish of 11.8
• Led 11 races for 140 laps
Phoenix International Raceway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 85.2
• Two wins, five top fives, 10 tops 10s
• Average finish of 11.1
• Finished sixth in April
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5 - Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet) 6111 points, 2008 Rundown:
• 12 top fives, 18 top 10s
• Average finish of 14.1
• Led 19 races for 431 laps
Phoenix International Raceway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 104.0
• One win, eight top fives, 15 top 10s; three poles
• Average finish of 8.5
• Finished 13th in April
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6 - Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet) 6099 points, 2008 Rundown:
• One win, six top fives, 16 top 10s
• Average finish of 14.4
• Led six races for 188 laps
Phoenix International Raceway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 84.4
• Two top fives
• Average finish of 15.8
• Finished second in April
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7 - Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet) 6087 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Six top fives, 17 top 10s
• Average finish of 12.8
• Led seven races for 191 laps
Phoenix International Raceway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 106.7
• Two wins, three top fives, five top 10s
• Average finish of 13.7
• Finished 19th in April
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8 - Matt Kenseth (No. 14 DEWALT Ford) 5973 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Nine top fives, 20 top 10s
• Average finish of 16.2
• Led 18 races for 531 laps
Phoenix International Raceway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 88.1
• One win, five top fives, six top 10s
• Average finish of 18.8
• Finished 38th in April
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9 - Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota) 5962 points, 2008 Rundown:
• One win, 10 top fives, 15 top 10s
• Average finish of 14.9
• Led 14 races for 622 laps
Phoenix International Raceway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 101.6
• One win, six top fives, eight top 10s
• Average finish of 9.8
• Finished 14th in April
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10 - Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M's Toyota) 5938 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Eight wins, 17 top fives, 20 top 10s
• Average finish of 12.4
• Led 23 races for 1,673 laps
Phoenix International Raceway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 90.3
• One win, five top 10s; one pole
• Average finish of 15.4
• Finished 10th in April
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11 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet) 5937 points, 2008 Rundown:
• One win, 10 top fives, 15 top 10s
• Average finish of 13.5
• Led 22 races for 896 laps
Phoenix International Raceway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 89.1
• Two wins, four top fives, six top 10s
• Average finish of 18.0
• Finished seventh in April
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12 - Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota) 5935 points, 2008 Rundown:
• One win, 11 top fives, 17 top 10s
• Average finish of 15.8
• Led 15 races for 766 laps
Phoenix International Raceway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 94.1
• Three top fives; one pole
• Average finish of 12.0
• Finished third in April
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Continue reading "Chaser stats, Phoenix preview and my pick"
November 03, 2008
Texas thoughts
Carl Edwards is closing the gap in the point standings between he and Jimmie Johnson. Congrats to Edwards for his win yesterday.
Here are a few random observations of the race:
-- I've been really impressed with Jamie McMurray these last few weeks. He's been right up there in the top five.
-- Did you notice how many empty seats there were during the race? Wow.
-- This was turning out to be quite the boring race. I was grateful for the first debris caution as I was falling asleep. As we all know, cautions breed cautions and that was the case yesterday after that first caution was thrown.
-- Two weeks in a row that Juan Pablo Montoya has been a top-ten car and had bad luck. This time, it was an intentional wreck by David Gilliland who was a cry baby about JPM's bump on the track a lap earlier. So Gilliland took him out. I'm glad NASCAR parked Gilliland for the remainder of the race. They should consider doing so this coming weekend as well.
-- Dale Earnhardt Jr. looked as thought he was going to have a top-ten finish but ran out of gas and wound up in 20th place.
-- A solid run by Clint Bowyer all day long. He finished fourth.
-- The biggest loser in the point standings was Kevin Harvick who fell two positions in the standings to seventh, while Kyle Busch gained two spots, moving up to tenth place.
What did you think of the race? Any observations you would like to share?
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Jennifer is the newsroom
administrative assistant and
executive
assistant to the editor for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. She is married, lives in Pownal with her husband and son, and has been following NASCAR for many years.
About this blog:
I am hopeful that this will be a place where people can air their two cents' worth about a race, catch up on the gossip and share their opinions on the rules and regulations of NASCAR. I have always felt that there has been a need for such a place in Maine and that this blog helps to fill the void.
E-mail Jenn
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