Submitted from NASCAR Ranting and Raving Blog

OK, Saturday’s Cup race wasn’t nearly as exciting as the Busch race the night before. Who all agrees with me? Thought so.

Then the next question must be, why was the race so boring? Look at the finishing order, about half of the top 10 started deep in the field - shouldn’t that have been good reason to be excited?They had to race their way to the front after all.

If it wasn’t for Robby Gordon spinning himself out a couple of times, I don’t know what else would have entertained me, except that this race was Denny Hamilton’s second ever DNF in his whole entire career of racing. Wow, and he was coming on strong until his motor went South.

Don’t blame the quality of the race entirely on the re-surfacing of the track, the track after all allowed for several different grooves and tons of passing, but because of this the cars were able to pass better and not get into each other to make a pass stick thus causing less spins etc. With the Chase coming down to the wire for those not yet locked in, and those near the bottom of the Chase list, everyone was more cautious out there Saturday night. Those who might have stuck their nose in certain situations might have been more conservative Saturday because they are either fighting to stay in the Chase, get into the Chase, or simply to stay out of Chase contender ways since they are not in the Chase hunt themselves.

You look at the Busch race on Friday, see how many Busch Chase contenders were fighting for the lead vs. those who are Busch regulars. That is why the Busch race was more exciting, you had guys going for the lead, who aren’t even contending for the Busch Series Championship, driving like they have nothing to lose, because they had nothing to lose.

That is the real difference between Friday’s race and Saturday’s race.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Wade Payne

Submitted from NASCAR Ranting and Raving Blog

I just finished watching the Busch Bristol race. It was on a time-delay so I can barely keep my eyes open while writing this (it is 2:00 am right now). In a way I’m fortunate that it was on a time delay because I would have missed it otherwise because I spent most of the evening at the hospital with my son (possible broken foot - we’ll know more in the morning).

You know, as a parent it is difficult to see your child in any pain and the only thing you want to do is take it away for them. My Mom used to say to me when I was a kid, “Honey, if I could take it away and give it to myself I would” and I would think, “Ya, right who you foolin’?” But you know, now that I’m a Daddy I can see that she really meant it, because if there was any way that I could take his pain/injury away from him and give it to myself I would in an instant.

Anyway, back to Bristol. Tonight’s race was a good one. Did you see the passing? The side by side racing? The fender rubbin’? Wow, if I knew racing was going to be this good I would have been lobbying for a resurfacing of the track a while ago. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s race.

Congratulations to Kasey Kahne on his win tonight. I thought it was a good race for the lead, with Kahne, Newman, and Leffler going toe-to-toe-to-toe, with David Reutimann and a hard charging Kyle Bush coming close at the end. Even with all the cut down tires and spinning cars, they raced each other fairly clean and that is a very positive note. It would have been interesting to see what Kyle would have done if he had caught Kahne at the end, we were just a few laps short in finding out.

Speaking of Kyle Busch, he got the raw end of NASCAR’s policing policy, but you know, it is kind of hard to feel sorry for him. I think that he handled himself nicely on the track, as well as his crew. What goes on behind closed doors though might be a different thing. I expect that it there is anything involving a close call with Kyle in tomorrow’s race (including bumper tag with Harvick) I think NASCAR is going to look at Kyle a little more favourably - not because they like him but because they owe him.

I’m sorry I haven’t posted much this week, but I spent a few days up North with my family and we had a great time, until we got home and my son hurt himself. I really had more to say about my Michigan experience, as well as write up one solid rant. I still aim to do those things over the next week so stay tuned - especially for the rant and I think you’ll have something to add to it when I’m done.

Speaking of Michigan, here is something funny:

I turned my cell phone on today and it immediately started buzzing with a text message, from Tuesday. You see I very rarely have my cell phone on and I only use it when the kids are at school/daycare in case someone there needs to get in touch with me, otherwise I only use it very sparingly - I’m not important enough to have it on all the time. Anyway, it was some of my friends asking me if I was still in Michigan for the race, and that they were just leaving Alabama, where they were visiting relatives, and headed to Bristol for the races.

They even called me today from the track just after qualifying to see if I wanted them to pick me up anything - I wasn’t home at the time of the call (see above for why). Apparently they are headed to Martinsville after Saturday’s race because there is a special thing going on there on Sunday where you can actually drive your own car on the track.

I really hope they have a good time this weekend, but I still hope it rains on them - at least for a little while (sorry Lena)! Bitter, bitter, bitter, bitter, that’s me!

Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Submitted from NASCAR Eclectic

After a somewhat restlest sleep, I’m happy it’s a day later and one day less that ESPN/ABC will be broadcasting NASCAR. The Sharpie 500 last night, according to NASCAR.com’s schedule, was the last for ESPN, but the rest of the season is ABC which has me wondering if we will still be subject to TV ad bombardment. ABC owns ESPN so it’s likely things will not be pretty. I’m not a big fan of NBC’s broadcasting of the races either, but they are better than these clowns. Why can’t we have the Fox Network exclusively?

It was cool to hear Dale Jr’s words of defense. Teresa is still family and she owns DEI… period.

The point standings barely changed after last nights race at the coliseum. Amazingly, the 10th - 13th place drivers all had good finishes, which left things pretty much equal as they were going into the race. I was hoping for a mix up… oh well, and with only 2 to go it’s looking more and more like the current 12 will be the contenders… but then again, anything can happen.

It was good to see Pretty Boy Kahne have a good weekend. Poppa Ray must be happy having some Canadian money to help his struggling teams. And Bobby Labonte… wow!! The Dodge’s are strong.

Mikey was funny in his #55 Toyo fighting with the leaders. One of the commentators stated that he was trying to get TV exposure… like he doesn’t get enough! In the next moment came yet another ad and it was one of those stupid NAPA one’s with Mikey reading his fan mail… although I like the fan that said his head is you know where… not on his shoulders.

Submitted from NASCAR Eclectic

The lineup for the Sharpie 500 is so different. Seeing the Dodges of Kasey Kahne and Monty on top, especially Monty at Bristol, is bizarre. In fact, there is not a Chevy in sight until 9th where Queeny sits and the naked #31 sits in 10th. And another odd ball, David Ragan in the 4th spot??

I watched some of the practice runs and the Busch race last night, which by the way was not A-Typical of Bristol. The new surface is “tire saving”. I almost thought Ryan had the win on tires that should’ve been down to the wheels. Of course he was overpowered in the final laps by Kahne with some typical Bristol fender banging and tire rubbing which took what little life Newman’s tires had right out of them and into the wall he went. Nice try though!! Newman’s CORN Dodge is starting 7th tonight and he normally runs well at short tracks. It’ll be interesting to see if things can be mixed up a bit for those near the fence line of The Chase.

Back at the Cottage… below is a shot of my next project. Coming off of the gable end of the area where the sliding door is will be a 16′x 20′ family room. To the left is the backside of the garage… the addition will have a 12′x5′ extension there that will serve as a stairwell leading down to a full finished basement from inside the garage. This was my client’s idea. I will post photos of the progress.

Submitted from Freshrubber.com

Carl Edwards picked up another 10 bonus points to use in his pursuit of the Nextel Cup title with a dominating victory Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway. Edwards passed Kasey Kahne for the lead with 166 laps to go and wasn’t challenged the rest of the way as he drove to his second victory of the season. He beat Kahne to the line by 1.405 seconds, then did his trademark backflip on the finish line to celebrate.

“This is the biggest win of my career,” said Edwards, who has six career victories. “It means the world to win this race.”

The top 12 drivers in the standings will run for the Nextel Cup title, and Edwards clinched his spot with the win.

“We’re back,” declared Edwards, who made the Chase and finished third in the standings in 2005 but failed to make the field last season.