FINALLY, THE WEEKEND ENDS...

Mr. Back-Flip wins the Sprint Cup race, and Smoke dominates in the Nationwide race at the Auto Club Speedway of Southern California...the Monday headlines as the weekend ends...

Gotta give props for Fox showing the race on a Monday afternoon...in the past, they've moved coverage to FX or Speed for a weekday race. Also, give them kudos for mentioning Dale Jarrett's new role for ESPN (I doubt the boys from Bristol would do the same). As for the race, it was just a question whether Jeff or Jimmie could stay out front, or if someone would take advantage of the much different track conditions which Carl Edwards did.

The Nationwide race was a Tony Stewart romp for the get-go...that's 2 in a row for Smoke. Curious to see if that changes his plans in upcoming weeks for the series, but I doubt it...

On to Vegas...glad they scrapped the week off between these two races...

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY...

It was somewhat prophetic I wrote those words in my previous post just after the final racing of the day, and credit Fox with staying with it till 9:30p...I think they knew we were done when they went to local programming.

Of course, I was shocked to read it wasn't until 2AM our time before they postponed the race until Monday. Of course, that was 11pm local time, which is SOP. I can't imagine anyone on the East Coast being up that late waiting for the race...I was asleep as soon as Homer J. Simpson hit the air...

This sets up a Monday of racing...with the finale of the Sprint Cup race at 1 and the Nationwide race following....

THE ENDLESS WEEKEND...

As good as Daytona was, California has been baaaddddd...The Truck race is the only thing that panned out...
As of this writing (8:30p), we've just endured another rain shower, and it seems like this race is destined to go on forever...Get ready to work and watch the Nationwide race tomorrow....I can imagine the folks at Fox can't be thrilled with the endless nature of the broadcast, especially against the Oscars.
The Junior nation is not happy - the 88 out early after a wreck with teammate Casey Mears. Up front, it's the 24 & 48 show.
Since the alarm clock rings early for me...I'll sign off and give you my thoughts Monday on whatever I end up staying up and watching...

CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME...

Daytona's in the rearview, California and Las Vegas ahead...

Race #2 on the Sprint Cup sked is Fontana...this race always turns into a gas mileage event with the Fords having an upper hand. Look for the Roushkateers to make a comeback from a disappointing Daytona Speedweeks...

Sand story about the International Race of Champions closing up shop...in Tinton Falls, no less. The series has been dormant since 2006 and with no sponsor on the horizon, they will auction off all their equipment and other items. I spoke to President Jay Signore and he hopes history repeats itself...the series shut down in the early 80's but made a comeback after GM jumped on board with a car you might have heard of - the IROC-Z Camaro. With another Camaro comeback in the offing, could they save the series once again?

WALL STADIUM UPDATE

I'm afraid my previous words about Wall Stadium may have been premature...a very informative article in the Sunday Star-Ledger casts some doubt on the future of racing at the long time venue. If you get a chance to read it, please do...

They still say there's going to be racing, but after the article, I'm wondering if my source was mistaken...

Here's a link to the article:
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1203226580272060.xml&coll=1

HELLO NEWMAN!!!!!

In the end, the Dodge Boys came thru...and the Captain gets his first Daytona win. Ryan Newman broke his long winless string winning the 50th Daytona 500. It was almost like we saw two different races - the Daytona 400, which had lots of green flag racing and only 2 cautions, and the Daytona 100, which came last, had 5 cautions, and lots of drama. Junior nation was disappointed as he lost his drafting teammates, Tony Stewart certainly could have won, but the Penske cars kept together and won the race.

Two personal comments - Love the new NASCAR HotPass in HD - but some of the announcers have to go...also, enjoyed FOX's coverage...maybe I'm just happy to have NASCAR to fill the Sunday void....

DAYTONA ARRIVES!!!!!!

I'm standing in a checkout line theother night and a mother says to her daughter "No more football, what are we going to do", and of course, I chime in "NASCAR". This is Christmas in February for racing fans....and for fans of the 42 drivers who don't win, a let down.

An interesting couple of days with the Duels, the Truck race Friday and the Nationwide race yesterday. Thursday's duels found Junior taking another win in his 88 mobile, and Denny Hamlin winning the nightcap. The biggest surprise was Dale Jarrett actually making the race. The former champ has had nothing but bad luck since joining the Toyota camp last year, and is making a abbreviated retirement tour before moving into the ESPN booth full time.

The Truck race Friday was another thriller with the 'Bald Headed Cue Ball' (my nickname for him) Todd Bodine winning. I enjoy watching the trucks even though I have no idea who half the drivers are. Same with the Nationwide series....Tony Stewart may be the latest driver to pull off the double - Harvick did it last year and Junior in 2004.

Today - tire issues might determine who wins - expect lots of stops for tires and the big one might be triggered by a tire failure. The new car seems more tougher to drive and that will make for some interesting action. I'm in a NASCAR fantasy league and we pick a driver a race and only use them once a season - I'm picking Smoke because he owes me - I picked him last year and got my season off to a 43rd place finish. Of course, I wouldn't be surprised if Junior won....as my ex said yesterday - anybody but Gordon. My buddy who's a die hard Gordon fan is coming over today and it seems like every race he's here for - #24 wins. This has got to stop!

ENGINE QUESTIONS AS DUELS DAWN....

There's an issue swirling around the garage on the verge of today's Gatorade Duels to set the starting lineup. A number of teams changed engines after finding problems. This does not violate the 'one engine' rule, but it does cause folks to question whether engine factors could determine Sunday's winner of the Great American Race....

Enjoy the racing today!!!!

PENALITIES ANNOUNCED!!!! BIG DEAL....

So, Kurt and Tony are on probation for six races...BIG DEAL!!!! This is a garbage penalty based on NASCAR's decree they will allow more personality from the drivers and be less heavy handed. From my perspective, Busch was totally wrong for using the car as a weapon and should have gotten a suspension. I guess Busch will have to hit someone before he's parked.

One more day of practice before the Gatorade Duels to decide the lineup for Sunday. NASCAR also needs to change the top 35 rule for the Daytona 500. Here's what tomorrow means - 15 drivers are racing for 4 spots...they need to open it up more...The Indy 500 doesn't guarentee anyone a starting spot and that's what makes for drama. It used to be exciting to see who got in based on finsihing position in the Duels...now, it's an exercise in seeing who can draft for Sunday. Put some drama back into the qualifying and Duels...eliminate the top 35 rule!

QUALIFYING OVER...DUEL DAY IS COMING!

The last 24 hours at Daytona have been interesting....the Junior Nation stood up and cheered as the new #88 took the Shootout...Hendrick dominance continued with Jeff Gordon Jr./Jimmie Johnson on the pole and Michael Waltrip outside on the front row. But, everyone is talking about Kurt Busch/Tony Stewart. I've always liked Tony and not had much respect for Busch (or his brother Kyle)...and in this case, I'll take Tony's side. Kurt showed his immaturity once again using his car as a weapon. Can't say I'm unhappy if the reports are true Kurt got slugged by Tony. Hell, I was applauding when Jimmy Spencer did it a few years ago. The Busch Brothers need to learn they are not above the law....both need to learn to grow up. I agree with Dave Rodman on NASCAR.COM - they should have sat Kurt last night. That would send a message on behavior....

Since I wrote my previous entry about 2 weeks ago, the situation at Wall Stadium has been resolved...they will run another year. That's one of the places they call NASCAR HomeTracks they have been pushing on the TV ads....

BTW - if you have DirecTV, make sure you watch or TiVO the Daytona 500 specials on channel 101. Great stuff. They are on all week.

Can't wait till Thursday - one of the 5 best weekdays for a sports fan every year, except on a day where a race gets rained out from Sunday and run on Monday.

GET READY FOR SPEEDWEEKS!!!!

A new year dawns for NASCAR fans - the 50th Daytona 500 kicks things off on February 17th with other racing action. I love Speedweeks...everybody has high hopes and expectations. The Junior Nation will be buying all new gear with Junior's move to Hendrick. UPS gets ready to pass the torch from Dale Jarrett to David Reutiman and Dale goes to the TV booth replacing Rusty for ESPN/ABC (Thank God!), and the Gibbs boys prepare to run Toyotas. It will be an interesting year....

Local race fans have some concerns as the possibility exists Wall Stadium might become a thing of the past...not sure where they are headed...rumors of a shutdown and a sale of the track have been floating around. This would be another tough blow for area race fans on the heels of John Blewitt. Jr's death last August...