Submitted by NASCAR Ranting and Raving Blog

I don’t have much time, on my way out to a suprise party, but I just wanted to chip in my 2 cents worth about today’s race.

For what I saw of it, it was pretty good.

I honestly don’t think that Kyle Busch could have blocked any better than he did without crashing himself and others at the same time. Although, I’m sure Kyle was worried about everyone around him, I get the feeling the only one he was really worried about was Dale Jr. Whenenver he was faced with a choice on which lane to block he always picked Jr’s.

If someone was willing to stick to Jr’s bumper I’m sure he would have been able to make the pass on both Busch and Stewart, but that wasn’t the case. It was cut-throat out there, everyone for themselves - except for Busch and Stewart that is.

I wonder if it comes down to Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart for the win tomorrow and it was up to Kyle to push one of them into victory which one would he choose. As much as I want to see Dale win, I think I might want to see that situation more.

Take Care.

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Submitted by NASCAR Ranting and Raving Blog

OK, I don’t claim to be an expert here, I’m just a passionate fan, but I have come up with my top 25 finishers in this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Some of you aren’t going to like it either, but none-the-less here goes:

1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Carl Edwards
5. Tony Stewart
6. Kurt Busch
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr
9. Kyle Busch
10. Martin Truex Jr
11. Denny Hamlin
12. Ryan Newman
13. Clint Boywer
14. Greg Biffle
15. Juan Montoya
16. Kasey Kahne
17. Casey Mears
18. Jeff Burton
19. Jamie McMurray
20. Bobby Labonte
21. Reed Sorenson
22. Elliott Sadler
23. Brian Vickers
24. Dave Blaney
25. David Ragan
26. David Reutimann

Now, before you all go off half cocked, let me explain that this list is the final standings, not the standings getting into the Chase.

Personally, I hope that Dale Jr does better, and I think he can certainly finish in the Top 5 – easily – but I have some reservations about his team still. I think next year he will be a Cup contender for sure, but this year will be a building year, which can’t be all that bad because he will finish better than last year and he will win a few races too.

The other two drivers I have reservations about are Carl Edwards, and Martin Truex Jr. I think I might have placed them too high on the list, but there is something about them I just can’t shake yet. Edwards is last year’s Busch Champ, and he is fighting to keep his spot at Roush as Jack has to cut a team at the end of the year, and Martin will struggle at being DEI’s number one guy. Sure Martin will be there, but it is Truex that will be at all of the races this year leading a bunch of drivers with less Cup time than him, and he hasn’t been at this for very long. Come to think of it, I probably should have switched him with the Biff, but oh well, I’ll leave it as it is.

Now don’t go making your fantasy bids based on this list because I don’t want to be the blame of you loosing, let that be your own fault.

So do you agree? Let me have it. Come on, I can take it – and if I can’t, I’ll just delete your comments. Oh the power I wield! Heh.
Update:
Thanks to Trish in pointing out that there was no Bowyer on my list. After I read her comment I went back and checked my ‘rough’ notes - I actually did do them, using stats no less - and noticed that I had Bowyer tied with Ryan Newman for 12th - that is probably how I missed him - so I put him on the list at 13th. Take Care.

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Submitted by NASCAR Eclectic

A beauty!
Click image for full effect…gorgeous paint job.

I’m still very much under the weather.

Nationwackers it is.

Link to an archived post.

Need New Name for Buschwhacker

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Submitted by NASCAR Eclectic

Well…. The Dark Horse came in and even though I am disappointed with his not so friendly way with his fans last week, I do feel very good about his victory. He’s still on my $&!t list, but a big congratulations goes out to Ryan, Chrissy and the whole Penske gang. Roger deserves this for sure.

Great finish! Thought Smoke had it and wow… Shrub was impressive. That kid can really get up on the wheel. There sure was an interesting mix of cars at the end, and “mix” they did. We all sit through 180 laps of boredom for the final 20 laps of excitement. Pattyjo got so excited she got the dogs howling again and things went flying off the end table… but her man Smoke was left behind… again.

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Submitted by NASCAR Eclectic

Wishing I were there this weekend instead of last, but I’m grateful for the awesome experience we had. It was almost as if we had the whole place to ourselves.

Toyota & Gibbs…. hmmm… who’da ever thunk!! ME!! Well I’m not blowing my own horn, it’s more of a case of logic and well… I have mentioned several times that Toyota will flex a lot of muscle this year. Joe Gibbs is no fool and Toyota has moola galore. That coupled with the likes of Stewart, Hamlin and Shrub is a recipe for success. Watching Stewart and Shrub dominate the opening Nationwide race was not surprising and Smoke walked away from the pack at the end like that Toyo had a rocket launcher attached to its spoiler. It’s all fine by me because Hendrick needs some competition.

Today could very well be another story and for some reason I am rootin’ for Jr…. although a dark horse winner is always cool. I’m sitting on the fence without a favorite driver. It’s hard for me to settle on “one” anymore. Five… yes. But not one. One of my top 5 fav’s has dropped down on my list due to what I witnessed at Daytona and that would be Ryan Newman. Sorry Mike the Newman fan…but I did not walk away from Daytona last week feeling good about one of my long time fave drivers. I base a lot on “Fan Friendliness” and Ryan proved he is not. On the other hand, several drivers climbed my list because of this and one is Clint Bowyer, another is Dale Jr. and another is Reed Sorensen. When these guys go out of there way to give autographs and put a smile on their faces while doing it, things are so much better. Jr. makes himself available.. I have photos … closeup’s.. of Dale smiling and waving at me and my camera. Reed Sorensen blushed when Pattyjo complimented him on his kindness plus he talked to my wife like she was a long time friend. Of course they have met on a few occasions. And Clint… he is just a good ole boy and is fan available. Being a great driver is one thing, but public relations, or “bad” public relations can kill a fan base. This is a huge part of Jr.’s popularity.

Okay..I’ve ranted enough. The big day!
I hope the fenders stay on for them and Kurt Busch doesn’t push Smoke into the wall.

Happy 50th Daytona!!

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