MEXICO...

It's the Nationwide series from and center this Sunday as the Sprint Cup boys take a week off. The Mexico City race should be interesting...ESPN has the coverage...

Interesting to note - Danica wins a race...maybe she's worth the hype....

SATURDAY NIGHT COMEBACK FOR #48

Finally, Hendrick breaks into victory lane...Jimmie Johnson wins at Phoenix. The end was suspenseful as the question of fuel mileage surfaced...it was a shame Mark Martin couldn't stay out...would like to see him win a race. But, seeing the 8 race the 88 brought some smiles to race fans as Junior deals with his past and present.

Gotta give Fox a smackdown for the way things started Saturday night...the switch from baseball was soooo abrupt. I understand they were trying to please everyone, but they should have dumped the baseball earlier....for a playoff game, that's another story...instead, you could have had another Heidi game...

MR. BACKFLIP WINS...AGAIN

Carl Edwards did another backflip yesterday after another win - his third this season. The #99 team is the class of the field so far this season. Afterwards, Edwards said they wanted to make a statement after the California oil tank cover incident.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Jeff Gordon - 43rd yesterday...talk about embarrassing. Junior fans had high hopes after winning the pole, but Junior faded as the afternoon wore on.
I'm sure by now you've seen the wreck that Michael MacDowell walked away from in qualifying. If there was ever a commercial for the COT and how much safety is improved, that was it....amazing.
Gotta dump on Fox for a sec...the end of the race was a disaster, as the announcers were describing a wreck involving Clint Bowyer while camera were focused on Carl Edwards in-car reaction...It would be nice to see the first 10 or so finishers before switching away from the finish line. I'm not the only person who noticed...fans have been screaming about this at a great blog I recommend about NASCAR coverage....The Daly Planet.

Get ready for a Saturday night race at Phoenix...

MARTINSVILLE...

Another win for Gibbs as Denny Hamlin takes the checkers in Sunday's race. Hendrick teams had a good day. I have to say...as much a NASCAR likes those mile and a half cookie cutter tracks...I love the short tracks like Martinsville, Bristol and Richmond. There's a place in this sport for the short tracks.

MARTINSVILLE

Off we go to the place renouned for their hot dogs and a paper clip shaped track...Martinsville. This is a place where the Hendrick boys could turn it around. This season has been a struggle, but Gordon and Johnson have owned this place the last couple of years. Could this be where they make it back into the winner's circle?

WELCOME WEEK OFF!!!!

I, for one, was glad NASCAR changed the schedule and moved the first open week to where it is this year...after race 5. It's the point of the season where the top 35 begin to be determined by this season's points. Plus, I never understood why take a break between two West Coast races...run them back to back without a break and maybe save some travel.

But, that having been said...I'm ready for a return to racing this weekend at Martinsville.

BTW - looks like Darrell might have to keep quiet this weekend...after how he sounded the last race, one more week's rest might be best...

IT'S BRISTOL...

A good quick race yesterday...once again, the Gibbs boys dominate, but come up short. Thought Tony would blast Harvick for the wreck that cost him the win, but I'm guessing they spoke. It's always nice to see Jeff Burton win...he's certainly revitalized his career with RCR.
Thought Fox had the right touch dealing with Dale Jarrett's departure...

The extended post race coverage certainly covered all the angles...with the current points standings now determining the top 35, interesting discussions on the teams swapping owners points. Rumors are Petty and Waltrip might do a mid season swap, but in my opinion, that's not fair....it's a rule NASCAR will have to look at...

Enjoy the week off...Martinsville is next....