NASCAR RACING SCENE

NASCAR needs to regain credibility

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:41:00 +0000

It is no secret, NASCAR has had some credibility issues over the years. Inconsistent calls from officials are almost expected. On Saturday, NASCAR's credibility came into question once again.

First, officials apparently gave Carl Edwards' spotter Jason Hedlesky inaccurate information when they supposedly told him that the No. 99 was the leader. The No. 99 was also shown as the lead on the leaderboard. Therefore, Edwards took off like a rocket ship on the 317 restart while Stewart, the real leader, appeared to have spun his tires. NASCAR black flagged Edwards, leaving the driver and his team utterly perplexed. NASCAR stated that Stewart was indeed the leader and Edwards was in violation of jumping the restart.

While I see Edwards' frustration, it did appear that Edwards restarted earlier than he should have, even if he was the leader. Nevertheless, NASCAR should at least acknowledge that they gave Edwards' spotter incorrect information. To my knowledge they have not owned up to it.

With 14 laps to go, NASCAR threw a fifth caution flag, this time for debris. Stewart was the leader and steadily sailing away from second place driver Kyle Busch. While Stewart could have still won the race had his pit crew not flubbed the final pit stop, the victory was not in the bank as it was prior to the caution. Busch's crew performed a swift pit stop, putting the No. 18 Toyota in the lead. He easily won the race.

Meanwhile, Stewart lost second place to Dale Earnhardt Jr. Following the race, Stewart was seething, claiming the a water bottle sitting outside the racing groove was the reason for the caution.

"(We) lost it on a plastic bottle on the backstretch," he said after the race.

While NASCAR officials stated that a piece of sheet metal was the debris, it was not confirmed by the ones who are the most important, and that is the fans.

I have always said that if NASCAR feels the need to throw a debris caution, they need to alert the camera guys and put it on TV for all to see. There are many times when the camera does focus on the debris, but all too often, we are left wondering, 'what's the real reason for the caution'? I mean, how many fans really trust NASCAR's judgement?

I understand that proof of debris will not fix all of NASCAR's credibility issues, but at least it will erase the notion that they manufacture cautions in order to bunch up the field. As far as becoming credible with the fans, NASCAR has a steep hill to climb.

Rockingham is still not safe

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:05:00 +0000

Sure, the Rockingham Speedway is back on the NASCAR schedule, albeit the Camping World Truck Series schedule, after eight long years. Fans everywhere, including myself, were pulling hard for Andy Hillenburgh to bring NASCAR action back to the place known to many as 'The Rock'.

However, let us not be naive. This does not permanently etch Rockingham back on NASCAR's schedules. Let us not grow to comfortable and content with watching this race from our couch. Fans who truly want Rockingham to remain a fixture on the Truck schedule, and possibly emerge into a strong candidate to appear on the Nationwide Series shedule, by all means, get to the track, of course, if circumstance allow for it. Obviously, not everyone who wanted Rockingham back in NASCAR cannot attend the race. Nevertheless, I believe many of the local fans have the opportunity to show their support for the 1.017-mile track that was once a fixture in the Cup series.

Rockingham is not in close proximinty to a major media market, but it is in North Carolina, the hub of NASCAR, and home to thousands upon thousands of race fans. I hope that many of these fans in the Carolinas will support the Truck race in Rockingham, and continue the quest to save Rockingham from once again fading from the NASCAR schedule.

If the grandstands show a clear lack of support, it is likely that Rockingham and the Trucks will be a one and done deal. I know if my circumstances allowed, I would be there.

Ex-NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield making a comeback?

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:20:00 +0000

Last week, the thought of former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield ever climbing behind the wheel of a race car seemed unfathomable. Mayfield's fall from grace has been well-documented over the past three years. From Chase for the Championship contender to rock bottom, we have witnessed the Mayfield soap opera.

Mayfield's lawsuit against NASCAR is verging on completely hopeless. He is facing up to nine felony charges that include stolen property and possession of methamphetamine. He has until April 30th to pay off nearly $3 million he owes towards his property, or it will be auctioned off. If your life sucks, take a look at Mayfield's and you will feel better.

However, there are reports that Mayfield is still planning on racing again. While he is suspended from NASCAR, he can race in any non-NASCAR sanctioned event upon approval.

Roger Carter, team owner in the ARCA series, has expressed interest in putting the troubled Mayfield in one of his race cars.

"I was there when he started his career. He's a heck of a good guy. He's made some mistakes, no question about it. I feel like he wants to redeem himself," said Carter.

Of course, Mayfield would have to pass drug tests administered by Carter's team, as well as ARCA. Additionally, ARCA officials would have approve Mayfield's entrance into the series.

Mayfield admitted that he is interested in the opportunity.

"There's a chance. Obviously, we want to get all this behind us, but if that opportunity came around, I'd definitely consider it," he said.

Mayfield's entrance into the ARCA series would generate much interest. Personally, I would love to see Mayfield back in a race car, ONLY if he passes the drug tests.

Time to understand David Reutimann's motives

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:53:00 +0000

Brad Keselowski called for NASCAR to park David Reutimann. Dale Earnhardt Jr said that any explanation Reutimann would have provided is laughable. Clint Bowyer did not know what the hell Reutimann was thinking when he stalled on the track, forcing a green-white-checker that triggered more mayhem.

David Reutimann was trying to stay on the race track as long as he could to finish as high as he possibly could. Why? Well, his team is in dire need of placing in the top 35 in the Sprint Cup standings in order to guarantee a spot in the starting field. Therefore, Reutimann was going to stay on the track as long as he possibly could.

Reutimann gave his explanation of why the events transpired the way they did late Sunday afternoon. A full explanation can be read on The Godfather's Blog, but here are some snippets of Reutimann's explanation.

"We had brake problems early and we were just trying to soldier on and get the finish we needed. Instead, we ended up getting right in the middle of a huge controversy...I wasn't trying to mess up anyone's day...Then with five or six laps left, I went down into the corner and the left inner tie rod failed. I don't know why...(teammate Dave Blaney) had pulled off the track a few laps earlier, and we knew if we could finish in front of him, we would end up staying in the top 35 in (the owner's) points, which was our only goal for the day...I tried to make it to pit road (after receiving the black flag), but couldn't make it the first time because of traffic. The second time down the back straightaway, we realized we needed one or two more laps, so we decided to try and push the issue."

Reutimann refrained from placing the blame on his car owner Tommy Baldwin Jr.

"It's my responsibility. I was driving the car. It's my fault."

So, it goes to show you, there is always more to the story. There is always more than meets the eye. There was no conspiracy theory. Reutimann and Baldwin did not strategically and methodically cause a caution to put Stewart Haas Racing's Ryan Newman in position to win. He was not trying to cause havoc for the leaders. Right or wrong, Reutimann was trying to keep his team locked into the starting field.

It was also refreshing to see Michael Waltrip come to the defense of the same driver that he left hanging last fall, the only driver to post a Sprint Cup win for MWR.

Ryan Newman continues SHR hot streak

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:34:00 +0000

Hendrick Motorsports, owned by legendary car owner Rick Hendrick, was gunning for the 200th organizational Sprint Cup win. Geoff Bodine began the dynasty back in 1984. Therefore, much of the talk revolved around one of the four drivers conquering NASCAR's shortest ovals. Jeff Gordon was the dominant car. Jimmie Johnson rebounded from an early speeding penalty. Dale Earnhardt, Jr, the fan favorite spent most of the day in the top 5. Kasey Kahne, the Hendrick newbie, won the pole, and was solid until his engine gave out.

Despite the attention that Hendrick Motorsports garnered this weekend, it was Stewart-Haas Racing who stole the thunder once again. SHR, the team co-owned by three-time champion Tony Stewart, is considered the satellite team to HMS. However, the team won their third race of the season, and 8th of the last 16 races dating back to last fall.

Ryan Newman stole the victory when Clint Bowyer drove underneath Gordon and Johnson on a late restart. Newman avoided the melee and held off a hard charging and hungry A.J. Allmendinger to win his 16th career victory.

Newman had a fast car, probably ranging from a 5th to 7th place car. He had to battle back from a speeding penalty, and a bad green flag run that dropped him a lap down. He had a fast car, was aggressive, and made the right moves at the end of the race. Oh yeah, he may have borrowed that golden horseshoe too.

"We were not a dominant race car. Clint (Bowyer) kind of cleared out Turn 1 for us and we were fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time," Newman said.

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Is the old Bristol coming back?

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:24:00 +0000

One of the primary topics throughout the weekend, and especially following the Sprint Cup race dominated by Brad Keselowski on Sunday was the fact that the fans, as a majority, simply prefer the pre-August-2007 style of racing at Bristol.

Let's face it, the Bristol Motor Speedway was the golden ticket, a hot commodity for any NASCAR fan, especially the night race in August. I myself spent well over double the face value in 2004 just to experience Bristol at night. Well, it was worth every penny.

According the many fans across the Internet, Bristol has morphed into 'just another track'. The lack of beating and banging, bumping and running, has turned fans away from their once lofty opinion of the World's Fastest Half-mile. While many blame the economy on the emptiness that was the Bristol grandstands on Sunday, it is only partly to blame. Of course, even the old Bristol would be a tough sell, especially when you have to pay nearly $4 a gallon on gas, as well as your arm, leg, and nose on a hotel room.

From what I have observed, the two-by-two racing is not what fans want to see at Bristol.

This is exactly why Bruton Smith may reverse what he did five years ago in order to appease the countless griping fans. According to the Associate Press, Smith is pondering changes to Bristol prior to the August event.

"We are going to take a very hard look this week. We have everything in our computers that shows us what the track used to be and what it is now, and we started working on that last night. I'll have an answer for you next week on if we alter the track...If I am going to do anything, I am going to guarantee we are going to do it before August," Smith said.

That statement is music to many fans ears.

I personally do not have a major compaint with the current racing at Bristol. I thought the Keselowski and Matt Kenseth battle for the lead was one of the best I have seen this year. There were other side-by-side battles that were exciting. However, I understand why people prefer the old style. It is what we are accustomed to seeing at Bristol, even five years later.

I have a feeling that the fans have spoken, as they did with the tandem racing, and they will once again prevail.

The Trevor Bayne Sponsorship Mystery

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:44:00 +0000

Trevor Bayne has earned many fans over the course of the last couple of years. His Daytona 500 victory in 2011 with the famed Wood Brothers was one of the most popular wins in recent history. Bayne is a breath of fresh air. He is not considered vanilla, nor is he a robot, however, he is far from a NASCAR bad boy.

He missed some time due to an illness, but returned to the track, even winning his first Nationwide Series race last fall at Texas by outrunning Carl Edwards. The kid has talent. Unfortunately, possessing talent simply does not matter anymore. Until late Tuesday afternoon, if you had glanced at the Bristol entry lists for both Sprint Cup and Nationwide, you would not have found Bayne's name. However, Jack Roush added Bayne and the No. 60 Ford to the entry list, allowing Bayne to compete at his home track.

Ten years ago, I could not imagine Ryan Newman, Jimmie Johnson, or Kurt Busch missing a race due to lack of sponsorship. In fact, Busch started the 2001 season without a sponsor. Jack Roush funded the car for a few races, and then Newell-Rubbermaid jumped on board. This was before Busch ever won a Cup race. The circumstances are completely different nowadays, and it is unfortunate for many of the young drivers who are endeavoring to hone their skills.

In 2001, Roush did not have any sponsorship woes. His other cars were fully funded. Fast foward 12 years, and he is still piecing together sponsorship for 2003 Cup champion Matt Kenseth, and 2011 Nationwide champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Bayne is evidently further down the totem poll.

Despite his fourth place showing in the standings, and despite being a strong championship threat, Bayne almost had to watch his Nationwide championship hopes all but completely fade away this weekend, and worst of all, at his home track. Now, the disappointment is put on hold. The inevitable awaits.

Unless a company or organization steps up quickly, Bayne's open weekends will become a reality.

It is times like this when I find it baffling that a guy like John Wes Townley, who had the Zaxby's sponsorship around his finger, would squander an opportunity in this sport. I bet Bayne wishes Zaxby's would cut Mr. Roush a check right about now.

Could Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports headed to Dodge?

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:58:00 +0000

In case you somehow missed the first breaking silly season news of 2012 last week, here it is...Roger Penske is bringing his organization back to the blue oval brigade in 2013 after nine seasons with Dodge. Penske became the top performing Dodge manufacturer rather quickly with Ryan Newman and Rusty Wallace from 2003 to 2005.

However, over the course of the last few years, the Dodge contingent continued to shrink. In fact, in 2009, Penske was virtually the only horse left in the Dodge racing stables. While they were the focal point of the manufacturer for the last few years, the time arrived for Penske to reunite for Ford.

This leaves Dodge with no contending teams. Robby Gordon, who occasionally start and parks, is, thus far, the only team owner planned to field the new Dodge Chargers in 2013.

That will likely change in the near future. While Dodge has experienced performance issues in the past, there could be some appeal to being the flagship team for the manufacturer with the launch of the new 2013 models. Penske Racing consistently won races, and in 2011, they placed two teams in the Chase for the Championship.

Hendrick Motorsports, Stewart Haas Racing, and Richard Childress Racing are staunch Chevrolet supporters, so it is extremely unlikely to see any of those teams to jump ship. Joe Gibbs Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing appear to be married to Toyota. Roush Fenway Racing is to Ford as what Hendrick and Childress are to Chevrolet. Roush will probably never field anything other than a Ford.

As far as the frontrunning teams are concerned, this leaves only Richard Petty Motorsports and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. RPM's contract with Ford ends in 2012, and Petty has previous ties to Dodge. EGR is currently in a crowded room with Chevrolet's three other championship contending teams. Like Petty, Ganassi has past ties to Dodge.

RPM and EGR are two teams that are capable of running up front, but there seems to be some missing pieces. Could becoming the faces of Dodge be the missing pieces? It did not work for them in the past, however, the circumstances of the two teams are completely different than they were four or five years ago. RPM is not even the same team as Petty Enterprises.

It would make sense for Dodge to court these two organizations.

The only thing that I see preventing this scenario from coming to fruition is the fact that neither RPM nor EGR have their own engine program. RPM uses Roush Yates engines while EGR uses Earnhardt-Childress engines. Would these teams be willing to spend more money developing their own engine programs? Would Dodge be willing to provide an engine program for these organizations? Those are some burning questions to be considered.

Other teams that could consider a move to Dodge include the up and coming Furniture Row Racing, Front Row Motorsports, BK Racing, JTG Daugherty Racing, and Germain Racing.

NASCAR's penalty on Knaus, 48 team harsh but necessary

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 02:36:00 +0000

Sure, NASCAR dropped the hammer on Chad Knaus and the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 team driven by five-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. I mean, Johnson will lose 25 championship points, dropping him to a grand total of negative 23 points. In addition, NASCAR suspended crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec for six races, and Knaus must pay out $100,000 in fines. Of course, there will be an appeal process, so it is likely that the penalties could be reduced. It is doubtful, however, that NASCAR will erase all penalties.

While the penalties appear extremely harsh on the surface, they are necessary. The No. 48 team has a history. And the penalties have not kept Knaus from pushing, I mean, aggressively shoving the envelope. Knaus' past transgressions have NASCAR on their toes when it comes to the No. 48 group. Last fall at Talladega, Knaus himself told Johnson to brush the wall if he were to win just to avoid any discrepancies NASCAR may have discovered in post-race inspection. NASCAR was none too thrilled about that.

They have kept a close eye on the No. 48 team, and they found something at Daytona that apparently crossed the line. Will NASCAR use arguably the best team in the sport as an example? It would really send a message to the rest of the garage.

If the penalty holds up, it will be interesting to see how Johnson and the No. 48 rebound. Can they use this as motivation to charge back towards the top of the standings? The race at Phoenix was a positive start for this team, as they posted a fourth place finish.

Could We See More Monday Night NASCAR races?

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:12:00 +0000

Many scoffed at the notion of televising NFL games on Monday night. Well, some forty years later, the Monday game is widely recognized as the premier game of the week. As NASCAR continues their quest to catch the NFL in popularity, which will likely never happen, perhaps they should consider giving the Monday night showing a try.

Last week, well, NASCAR really do not have a choice. The 54th running of the Daytona 500 started shortly after 7 pm. Actually, this could be a blessing in disguise for NASCAR. Of course, the preferred option is to run the race on Sunday afternoon as originally scheduled, but a Monday night race attracted many more viewers than a Monday afternoon race would have. In fact, reports state that this was the second most watched Daytona 500 in history overall, second to the 2006 show.

The race featured many memorable moments, most of which were courtesy of Juan Pablo Montoya's broken trailing arm that caused his car to spin and hit a jet dryer truck. Therefore, the truck and the track surface caught fire. Meanwhile, Brad Keselowski became the first driver in history to tweet from his race car. That caused quite a stir this week. We had fans who ridiculously accused Greg Biffle of blocking for his teammate, not shooting for the friggin Daytona 500 trophy.

Oh yeah, Matt Kenseth won his second Daytona 500. It may not have been the best Daytona 500 in NASCAR history, but it was one of the most memorable. Good or bad, NASCAR received much attention this week.

Could we see more Monday night Sprint Cup races? Well, I am for it.

Robby Gordon vs. Terry Labonte

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:54:00 +0000

Now, I am not going to promote a budding rivalry between NASCAR's villainous Robby Gordon and resident nice guy Terry Labonte. However, they had a bit of a difference of opinions following Thursday's Gatordale Duel race, one in which both drivers emerged from their cars with spots on the Daytona 500 starting grid.

The debate was not about what happened on the track per se. It was about a NASCAR provision that benefited the 1984 and 1996 champion Labonte, as well as the FASLane Racing team...the past champion's provisional.

Robby Gordon's take is as follows:

"When you look at it, besides pure speed, I think three guys make it on speed, obviously Terry takes a past champion (provisional), which I still disagree with that, I think that should be based if you were with that team when you won the championship...That takes a spot from teams that are working hard to get into the Daytona 500.

We made it fair and square to be fast enough...Obviously, I got a lot respect for Terry, this is not a Terry Labonte thing. He (just) takes one of those (Daytona 500) spots. I guess I should hire Kurt Busch and put my other car in the show too...Why take a free ride when the rest of us have to bust our butts to get into the 500? "

While Gordon did rejoice after his valiant drive into the Great American Race, his rant seemed to garner much attention.

Labonte did give a brief response to Gordon's lengthy rant:

"That's the only car we got (for the Daytona 500). That wreck was right in front of us, there, and we just couldn't take a chance on wrecking it. I think we practiced enough in a pack, and what little we did today, the car's really good but we just couldn't risk it."

I understand both parties to this debate. Gordon has labored for years running his own operation, and now that sponsorship and funding is scarce, his team has to work much harder to make it into the races. It can be rather frustrating to watch another driver and team ease their by into the show by virtue of a provision that NASCAR created years ago.

On the other hand, Labonte worked awfully hard to earn his two championships. Now that he has accomplished what he is going to accomplish in NASCAR, he is helping out other small teams like Gordon's. Not only with his past champion's provision, but his wisdom and experience. To a certain degree Labonte earned his way into Daytona after decades of success in NASCAR. Additionally, Mr. Frank Stoddard is brilliant by using Labonte's experience and provisional.

NASCAR Predictions- Top 40 Countdown (10th to 1st)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:51:00 +0000

So, I have reached the final installment of my 2012 NASCAR predictions. Here are the top 10.

10. 2-Brad Keselowski; Penske Racing Dodge

2 wins; 10 top 5s; 19 top 10s

The summer of 2011 will be remembered for the sudden emergence of Keselowski. We really were not surprised, as we all were aware of his talents. However, the timing was impeccable. After winning at Kansas, Keselowski still seemed to be less than Chase material. When he injured his foot in a practice crash, many wrote him off as a Chase contender. Nevertheless, he would embark upon a memorable late summer run, which included victories at daunting tracks such as Pocono and Bristol, as well as a runner up at the road course of Watkins Glen. In 2012, Keselowski will be healthy, and he has that swagger that champions possess. While I believe he is a year away from serious championship contention, he'll be back in victory lane on multiple occasions, and back in the Chase field.

9. 39-Ryan Newman; Stewart Haas Racing Chevrolet

1 win; 9 top 5s; 18 top 10s

It can be easy to overlook Newman sometimes. After all, his teammate is defending champion Tony Stewart, as well the media darling Danica Patrick. Many may forget that Newman was outperforming Stewart as the 2011 Chase began. Newman and his team faltered in the Chase, but were able to salvage a top 10 effort. This team is quietly dangerous and consistent. Very few consider them contenders, but at the end of the day, they usually find themselves near the front. If Newman can find some consistency in the autumn months, he could be a sleeper.

8. 17-Matt Kenseth; Roush Fenway Racing Ford

2 wins; 10 top 5s; 20 top 10s

If not for an untimely feud with Brian Vickers, Kenseth may have made the 2011 championship chase a 3-horse race. Kenseth, as usual, was quietly consistent in 2011, winning three races. Expect another solid season for Kenseth and the Roush Fenway group. Kenseth seems to have regained that comfort level with the guy on the pitbox. His best years were when Robbie Reiser was his crew chief. Now, several crew chiefs later, he has jelled with Jimmy Fennig. Expect another solid season for Kenseth.

7. 24-Jeff Gordon; Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

2 wins; 11 top 5s; 22 top 10s

Gordon responded to his winless season of 2010 rather well, winning almost out of the box at Phoenix by virtue of an aggressive pass on Kyle Busch. Gordon won three races, most in one season since 2007. He seemed to be an image of his championship-form...and then, the Chase began. Gordon stumbled in the Chase, was was never really a factor. Gordon and crew chief Alan Gustafson seem to have the a connection that is vital between driver and crew chiefs. Expect another multiple-win season for Gordon, and another Chase appearance.

6. 11-Denny Hamlin; Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2 wins; 10 top 5s; 21 top 10s

Hamlin was one of the major disappointments of 2011. After nearly winning the title in 2010, Hamlin and his No. 11 team fell flat on their faces in 2011. Therefore, a crew chief change highlighted this team's off-season. Darian Grubb, who led Tony Stewart to the 2011 title, will take over for Mike Ford atop the No. 11 pitbox. Hamlin should thrive under Grubb's leadership. Grubb was able to succeed with both Stewart and Jimmie Johnson as a driver. Hamlin's personality lands somewhere in between the fiery Stewart and collected Johnson. This pairing should put Hamlin back near championship contention.

5. 18-Kyle Busch; Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

4 wins; 13 top 5s; 21 top 10s

Has Busch finally learned his lesson? Will we finally see a kinder and gentler Busch? We should find out in 2012. Busch, as talented as he is behind the wheel, nearly lost everything after an ill-advised retaliatory hit on Ron Hornaday in a Truck race at Texas. The same pieces are in place for Busch that led him to four victories last year. Expect a similar season statistically for Busch. If he can keep his cool, he may have a say in this year's championship chase.

4. 99-Carl Edwards; Roush Fenway Racing Ford

3 wins; 11 top 5s; 24 top 10s

Edwards was the model of consistency in 2011. However, he was not rewarded with his first Sprint Cup trophy. Expect a more aggressive Edwards if he is put in a similar position this fall. Edwards will likely win multiple races in 2012, and should be one to watch when the season reaches its final stages. Nevertheless, I am not so sure he will put together another nearly unblemished 10-race run as he did in 2011. It will be interesting to see how Edwards and the No 99. team respond to the championship defeat. Will they fall like the No. 11 team in 2011, or will they rise like the No. 48 team in 2006.

3. 29-Kevin Harvick; Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

3 wins; 10 top 5s; 25 top 10s

Harvick has emerged as one of the most consistent drivers in NASCAR over the course of the last two seasons. I see no reason for that to change in 2012. Harvick has cleared himself from much distraction by selling off his Nationwide and Camping World Truck teams. Harvick appears more determined than ever to capture the first title for himself, and first for RCR since 1994. This could be the year for Harvick and RCR. Expect another stout year from Harvick and the No. 29 team.

2. 48-Jimmie Johnson; Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

3 wins; 13 top 5s; 26 top 10s

Johnson was finally hurled from his lofty throne in 2011. After five years, the dragon was slayed. The defeat, however, may motivate the tenacious duo of Johnson and Knaus to fight harder than ever to return to the top of the mountain. I know the anti-Johnson fans are celebrating, but try to refrain from counting them out. Expect them to emerge as consistent winners again, and be right in the thick of the championship bout.

1. 14-Tony Stewart; Stewart Haas Racing Chevrolet

4 wins; 12 top 5s; 23 top 10s

I do not know of any experts who are projecting Stewart to repeat his championship performance. They say that the loss of Darian Grubb could hinder this team. However, they are gaining Steve Addington, who Stewart has worked with in the past, as well as Greg Zipadelli, who teamed with Stewart for titles in 2002 and 2005. This team may be stronger than they were in 2011. That could be mean trouble for the rest of the field. Expect a more balanced season from Stewart, and another shot at a championship.

NASCAR Predictions- Top 40 Countdown (20th to 11th)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:07:00 +0000

And on with the countdown

20. 27-Paul Menard; Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

0 wins; 4 top 5s; 11 top 10s

Menard finally captured that Sprint Cup victory that had eluded throughout his career. The win gave Menard a shot at a Chase berth, but he fell just short. Menard's victory was a fuel mileage victory at Indianapolis last August. While I believe this team will improve, it will be marginal improvement, and another win would be a huge bonus for this group.

19. 42-Juan Pablo Montoya; Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

0 wins; 6 top 5s; 12 top 10s

It is no secret that the 2011 season was complete disaster for Montoya and the entire EGR contingent. Not only were the cars sluggish, but Montoya seemed to be involved in more conflicts than any driver without the last name Busch. This team made some wholesale personnel changes this offseason, so it will be interesting to see how much impact they have on this group. Montoya should improve upon his 2011 results, but I'm not sure if they are ready to consistently compete for victories yet.

18. 56-Martin Truex Jr; Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota

1 win; 6 top 5s; 12 top 10s

Truex Jr's move to MWR has seen few bright moments, and now that it is the third year of the deal, it is time for both parties to step on the accelerator. Truex ended the 2011 campaign with several solid performances, so there is hope that they can right this ship. While I believe that Truex has the tools to creep back into the win column, I believe that they are still on longshot to qualify for the Chase.

17. 9-Marcos Ambrose; Richard Petty Motorsports Ford

1 win; 7 top 5s; 13 top 10s

The amicable Aussie finally broke through with his first Sprint Cup victory last year at Watkins Glen. We all saw it coming for years. Now, Ambrose must take the next step and win on the oval facilities. When Ambrose figures out the ovals, he will become a dangerous threat to qualify for the Chase. As it is, he is the favorite each time the series visits Infineon and Watkins Glen. The odds are that Ambrose will win at least one road course race, so if he can pull out an oval win, he could position himself as a Wild Card in the Chase for the Championship.

16. 31-Jeff Burton; Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

0 win; 5 top 5s; 15 top 10s

Burton would rather forget the 2011 season ever took place, as it was his worst since joining Richard Childress Racing in 2004. A humbling season can only provide intense motivation for the veteran. Expect Burton and his RCR team to display dramatic improvement in 2012. He will contend for a few wins, and he will be one of the drivers battling for one of the final spots in the Chase. I believe he will fall just short of another Chase appearance.

15. 22-A.J. Allmendinger; Penske Racing Dodge

1 win; 8 top 5s; 16 top 10s

Allmendinger has all the tools at his disposal to engineer a breakout season. For the first time since arriving at the Sprint Cup level in 2007, he has stability. Allmendinger will likely become NASCAR's next first-time winner in 2012, and will be a factor when it comes to the race to the Chase next fall. Allmendinger should be able to do enough to earn an extension with Penske Racing, where he could emerge as a future star in this sport alongside teammate Brad Keselowski.

14. 15-Clint Bowyer; Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota

1 win; 7 top 5s; 17 top 10s

Many believe that Bowyer was taking a step down in quality when he opted to leave a championship caliber team to join MWR. On the surface that appears to be the case. However, Bowyer sees something in this budding organization, and it's not just the dollar bills. For years, Waltrip has maintained a solid organization that seems to be a step or two away from serious contention. Hiring Scott Miller should help elevate this team to the next level. Look for Bowyer to return to the winner's circle and compete for a spot in the Chase. The 2012 season will be similar to his years at RCR.

13. 88-Dale Earnhardt Jr; Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

1 win; 6 top 5s; 16 top 10s

This is the year I believe Earnhardt Jr will finally break into the win column. He came oh so close at Martinsville and Charlotte last spring. For the first time since 2008, Earnhardt Jr seemed to have shown more progress than decline, and much of that can be attributed to crew chief Steve Letarte. Look for another solid year for Earnhardt Jr. With that said, there are a few drivers that were behind Earnhardt last year that will improve, so in order for Earnhardt Jr to return to the Chase, he must significantly improve from 2011.

12. 16-Greg Biffle; Roush Fenway Racing Ford

2 wins; 9 top 5s; 18 top 10s

After a dismal 2011 campaign, many are willing to write off Biffle. After all, his most memorable moment of the season was his fight with Boris Said after the Watkins Glen race. I believe Biffle will bounce back in a huge way in 2012. The last time he missed the Chase was in 2007. All he did a year later was win two races and finish third in the championship standings. Look for Biffle to win multiple races and return to the Chase for the Championship.

11. 5-Kasey Kahne; Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

2 wins; 10 top 5s; 19 top 10s

Kahne is a trendy pick to enter his first year with HMS as a serious championship contender. While I believe he will win multiple races and qualify for the Chase for the Championship, I am not so sure that he will suddenly obtain the consistency it takes in order to run with Chase-masters such as Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson for 10 races. Kahne has always been fast, but consistency has never been his strong suit. Nevertheless, for the first time since 2006, he has stability in his program. Oh yeah, he won six races that season.

Are Bill Elliott and Terry Labonte ruining their legacies

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:50:00 +0000

Bill Elliott and Terry Labonte are future Hall-of-Famers, that is obvious to anyone who has followed NASCAR over the past three and a half decades. They are widley recognized as champions for their on-track accomplishments. However, Elliott and Labonte were more than just phenomenal wheelmen, they were, they are considered the good guys. While Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, and Darrell Waltrip were attracting press by ruffling feathers, Elliott and Labonte were quietly winning races, as well as the hearts of thousands of fans.

Labonte captured the 1984 and 1996 Winston Cup championships while Elliott earned the 1988 championship, as well as the 1985 and 1987 Daytona 500 trophies. These two drivers should be reminiscing their on-track success as they await their NASCAR Hall of Fame enshrinement.

Instead, their good guy qualities is shining through as they are determined to help the little guys. Labonte and Elliott are champions, meaning they own the champion's provisional, all but guaranteeing a spot in the Daytona 500. Labonte, who began competing part-time in 2005, will allow the #32 FASLane Racing team owned by former crew chief Frank Stoddard.

The upstart team debuted in NASCAR in 2011 with a host of drivers, and failed to crack the all-important top 35, which would guarantee a spot in the race. Labonte's champions provision will likely place them in the Great American Race.

Elliott stepped away from full-time competition in 2003 when he was a perennial frontrunner. Many felt that he would ease into full-time retirement after a couple of years of part-time activity. Instead, Elliott has spent several years assisting backmarker teams qualify for races by virtue of his champion's provisional.

This time, he will help guide Joe Nemechek's operation enter the Daytona 500. Nemechek spends most of his race weekends starting and parking, but occasionally he will go for the checkers. He also will field two cars every once in awhile. He was able to recruit Elliott to pilot the No. 97 Toyota for the 2012 Daytona 500. I am assuming by the NEMCO Motorsports report that Elliott is not planning on starting and parking...thank God!

I worry that these two drivers are blemishing their legacy by helping these teams. I mean, I cannot blame Elliott and Labonte for wanting to help the little guys, you got to wonder about their perception when it is time for the voters to consider inducting them into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Personally, I do not think they will be passed up, but their enshrinement is being delayed due to their good-nature.

NASCAR Predictions- Top 40 Countdown (30th to 21st)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:45:00 +0000

The countdown is on, and here is the second installment.

30. 38-David Gilliland; Front Row Motorsports Ford

0 wins; 0 top 5s; 1 top 10

Gilliland returns to Front Row Motorsports for a third season, second full season. This is a young team with limited funding, however, they have made some strides. It is doubtful they will suddenly creep up as contenders, but expect them to move closer to the top 25 bracket.

29. 13-Casey Mears; Germain Racing Ford

0 wins; 0 top 5s, 0 top 10s

It seems so long ago when Mears was employed by Hendrick Motorsports, and even Richard Childress Racing for that matter. Since his exit from RCR, Mears spent 2010 jumping from team to team before landing with the GEICO-sponsored Germain Racing. The team will switch from Toyota to Ford in 2012. Unfortunately, it does not appear that this team has sponsorship for all of the races, which could mean that Mears will be forced to start and park every once in awhile.

28. 36-Dave Blaney; Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet

0 wins; 0 top 5s; 2 top 10s

Blaney and the TBR outfit absolutely overachieved in 2011, even landing several sponsorship deals. This team is making positive strides, and Blaney is one of the reasons why. Unfortunately, Golden Corral pulled out of the No. 36 team this year, so there may a few races in which this team has limited funding. Hopefully, we will not see Blaney pull into the garage prematurely unless there is something legitimately wrong with the car.

27. 34-David Ragan; Front Row Motorsports Ford

0 wins; 0 top 5s; 2 top 10s

Ragan lost his sponsor UPS, which led to him losing his ride with Roush Fenway Racing. He was then passed up for at least four different rides before finally landing with the upstart Front Row Motorsports. Despite the seemingly constant rejection, Ragan appears quite optimistic about the 2012. Additionally, he understands that the expectation level will be much different with a third-tier team. It will be difficult for him to hold his head low if they place a 20th place finish.

26. 47-Bobby Labonte; JTG Daugherty Racing Toyota

0 wins; 1 top 5; 3 top 10s

I have nothing but high praise for the 2000 champion Bobby Labonte, but it is clear that is his best days are behind him. JTG Daugherty Racing struggled while working inside the Michael Waltrip Racing shop, and will likely struggle even more so in their own building. Labonte will likely enjoy a few solid performances, but this team is top 20 at best.

25. 43-Aric Almirola; Richard Petty Motorsports Ford

0 wins; 2 top 5s; 5 top 10s

When RPM introduced Almirola as the new driver of the legendary No. 43 Ford, I was taken aback just a bit. I truly believed that if they could not land Kurt Busch, they would settle on Ragan. However, The King crowned the young driver formerly of JR Motorsports. Almirola spent some time in the Sprint Cup Series with Ginn Racing, DEI, and Phoenix Racing, but is experience is still limited. Almirola will struggle for the most part in 2012, and patience on both sides will be crucial in order for this to last more than one season.

24. 78-Regan Smith; Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet

0 wins; 3 top 5s; 7 top 10s

Smith's win at Darlington last May was perhaps one of my favorite moments of the 2011 NASCAR season. It almost like David slaying Goliath as Smith drove his Furniture Row Chevrolet across the finish line with heavy hitters Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski in his rear view. The win was overshadowed by Harvick vs. Busch, but Smith made a bold statement that night. While this team is improving, and has accomplished much more than many anticipated, they still are small in comparison to the heavy hitters, and will only see superb results on a limited basis. Overall, they should be more consistent this year, but it will be difficult to back up the victory.

23. 51-Kurt Busch; Phoenix Racing Chevrolet

1 win; 5 top 5s; 11 top 10s

I'm going to stay away from Busch's off-season drama and strictly move on to the projection. While Busch will give this team some of their best runs in the team's history, the consistency will just not be there, and unless they can win two or three races, Busch will miss the Chase. The team will run like an underfunded single-car operation at times, probably on the downforce tracks. However, when true skill behind the wheel matters, look for Busch to put this car near or in the top 10. A win is feasible at one of the superspeedways, road courses, or perhaps a track like Martinsville.

22. 1-Jamie McMurray; Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

0 win; 5 top 5s; 9 top 10s

The 2010 season is a distant memory for McMurray and the EGR group. The 2011 season was undoubtedly a dismal one for the 2010 Daytona 500 champion. EGR made several personnel adjustments that are intended to elevate the level of competition for this team, so I believe that some improvement will be manifest. Nevertheless, I think this team fell so far behind last year that I would be surprised if they finish near the top 15 in the standings. Do not expect another miracle year for McMurray and the No. 1 team.

21. 20-Joey Logano; Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

0 win; 6 top 5s; 10 top 10s

I do not particularly care for the term 'make or break', but that seems to be the case for Logano. The kid is dangerously close to 'David Ragan territory'. Logano was promoted to Cup two years to early in 2009, and he has paid for it dearly over the last three seasons. The performance is less than desirable, and patience is wearing thin for JGR as well as sponsor Home Depot. There is hope for Logano as Jason Ratcliffe replaces Greg Zipadelli atop the pit box. However, if Ratcliffe and Logano cannot make the necessary strides that puts this team in victory lane and in the Chase, look for a driver such as Kurt Busch to replace young Logano.

NASCAR Predictions- Top 40 Countdown (40th to 31st)

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:37:00 +0000

It's been a long off-season, although an eventful one. With the Budweiser Shootout approaching this weekend, I believe the time is right for the annual preseason predictions. I traditionally post them towards the end of January, but with so many unanswered questions, I opted to wait it out a couple of weeks. I was hoping I'd know the driver of the #93 Toyota by now (likely Brian Vickers or Travis Kvapil), but I cannot delay any longer. Without further adieu, here is my forecast for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

40. 98-Michael McDowell; Phil Parsons Racing Ford

Phil Parsons merged his No. 66 team with Dusty Whitney's No. 46 team, changed the number to 98, and kept McDowell in the seat. McDowell, a talent behind the wheel, has spent most of his Sprint Cup days as a start-and-park driver. It is doubtful that status will change in 2012.

39. 87-Joe Nemechek; NEMCO Motorsports Toyota

Nemechek relaunched his Cup effort in 2009 after he left Furniture Row Racing. While Nemechek does not lack in effort and determination, he lacks in something just as vital...and that is funding. Lack of sponsorship has kept Nemechek from finishing the majority of races.

38. 55-Michael Waltrip; Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota

Waltrip is expected to run five races in his Aaron's Dream Machine, and the Daytona 500 driving for Mike Hillman. It's possible he may pick up a couple more races throughout the year. As usual, Waltrip will perform solidly on the restrictor plate tracks, but as usual, he will struggle everywhere else. With that said, he appears to be building a solid Cup team with his new 2012 additions.

37. 10-Danica Patrick; Stewart Haas Racing/Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet

Patrick is slated to compete in 10 Sprint Cup races, including the Daytona 500. While Baldwin's name is listed as the owner, it will be fully supported by Stewart Haas Racing. Like most logical analysts, I project the Cup series to be a struggle for Mrs. Patrick, though she will have her moments at Daytona where she is running with the leaders. I truly believe the full year in the Nationwide Series will work wonders for her, in regards to both confidence and experience. Whatever her results are, 99% of NASCAR Nation will be watching the Danica show.

36. 32-Ken Schrader; FASLane Racing Ford

Schrader is initially scheduled to compete in 9 races for Frank Stoddard's operation with Federated Auto Parts as the sponsor. Expect this wily old veteran to make the most out of the patch of races he runs. No matter who Schrader drivers for, you can expect him to overachieve on the short tracks. He may pull in a top 15 or two.

35. 93-(Brian Vickers?/Travis Kvapil?); (BK Racing?) Toyota

I was hoping to have more specifics as to the plans of the former Red Bull #4 team. Unfortunately, all I have the speculation that we have all read about. Vickers has been rewarded with better opportunities with Red Bull and Hendrick Motorsports, while Kvapil's best opportunity was a one-year stint with Penske Racing. Therefore, it is really difficult to determine which driver would be most beneficial to this upstart team. Whoever gets the ride will likely spend much of their time towards the back of the pack.

*Update- David Reutimann will pilot the No. 93 Toyota in the Daytona 500 with Kvapil taking over at Phoenix!

34. 21-Trevor Bayne; Wood Brothers Racing Ford

Bayne was the feel-good story in NASCAR last February when he crossed the checkered flag first in America's largest motorsporting event. He displayed flashes of potential in the Nationwide Series, even winning his first race for Roush Fenway Racing at Texas last fall. Bayne will compete in a similar schedule as 2011, and should show some steady improvement. Last season, an illness kept Bayne off the track for several weeks, which may have impeded his progress.

33. 10-David Reutimann; Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet

While it appears as if he is sharing this ride with Danica Patrick of Stewart Haas Racing, it is unlikely that SHR will be putting as much into the project when it is Reutimann's turn to strap into the No. 10 Chevrolet. After he was unceremoniously dumped by Waltrip late last season, Reutimann will scale back and compete in roughly 25 races for Baldwin. Reutimann typically overachieves, as he is (ironically) the only driver to win a Cup race in MWR equipment. Not even Mikey himself has won a race in his own equipment. Reutimann should enjoy a few solid runs in 2012, maybe a few top 15s at best, as he looks to re-establish himself as a force in NASCAR.

32. 83-Landon Cassill; (BK Racing?) Toyota

Cassill takes over the ride formerly owned by Red Bull Racing and driven by Vickers. The young driver produced some solid performances with Phoenix Racing in 2011, including a 12th place finish at Michigan. The former Hendrick developmental driver gets his first shot as a full-time driver in the Sprint Cup series, but as of now, this team is an enigma. It will be interesting to see how things play out for this group of investors, formerly of TRG Motorsports.

31. 55-Mark Martin; Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota

Martin, now 53, will continue his driving career, as he will compete in 26 races for MWR. Martin's arrival came at the expense of Reutimann, a close friend of Waltrip, so there will be some pressure for the ageless wonder. However, Martin tends to deal with pressure quite well. Martin will likely compete at a similar level as when he drove part-time for Ginn Racing and DEI. He will sporadically run in the top 5, but will spend quite a bit of time in the 11th to 17th range.

Silly Season Winners and Losers

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:23:00 +0000

Kurt Busch- It is no doubt that Busch came out a loser in this year's crazy rendition of silly season. After shooting himself in the foot, figuratively of course, he "mutually" parted ways with Penske Racing and the Shell/Pennzoil sponsor. Busch will pilot the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet in 2012. While the short term results will suffer, Busch will land on his feet, and probably in the Home Depot No. 20 Toyota in 2013. That is just my prediction.

A.J. Allmendinger- Allmendinger comes out a winner in this year's silly season, as he was selected to replace Kurt Busch in the No. 22 Dodge. It is a step up from Richard Petty Motorsports, and there are no sponsorship angst surrounding this ride. Look for Allmendinger to become the next first-time winner in Sprint Cup.

David Reutimann- It is safe to say the Reutimann got a raw deal from Michael Waltrip. The two were friends, which makes it difficult to believe that Waltrip hung Reutimann out to dry so late in the year. Reutimann gave MWR its first two, and thus far only wins in Sprint Cup. What a way to say thanks. While on the surface, going from MWR to Tommy Baldwin Racing appears as a downgrade, Reutimann may be more comfortable working with a smaller team that is a distance from the spotlight. He may pull off an upset win on one of the restrictor plate tracks.

Aric Almirola- As of the writing of this article, no formal announcement had been made regarding RPM naming Almirola as the driver of the No. 43, but all signs point to this taking place in the near future. Almirola was unable to produce Brad Keselowski-like results in the JR Motorsports Nationwide Series ride, but he still finished fourth in the standings. I believe he may come out a loser in this deal. I think this team has too many question marks, unlike the team he will leave behind.

David Ragan- Wow, if Ragan cannot land the No. 88 JRM gig in the Nationwide Series, he will be that kid that lost the game of musical chairs. He almost landed a solid ride with Phoenix Racing before the No. 22 became available. He abandoned the No. 51 possibility and aggressively pursued the Penske opportunity. Penske chose another driver, but hey, the No. 43 was now available. However, it appears that Almirola provides some needed sponsorship, so it's back to the Nationwide Series in the No. 88. According to Jayski, Cole Whitt is now the leading candidate for that ride. Ragan must be banging his head against the wall. Unless things change quickly and he lands the No. 88 JRM ride, he will come up a loser in silly season. It appears he may be forced to settle for TRG Motorsports, FASLane Racing, or one of the Front Row Motorsports cars.

Kurt Busch in Richard Petty's Ride?

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:12:00 +0000

I must say, I've followed NASCAR for decades, but this has certainly been the most bizarre of silly seasons. I mean, the dominoes are still falling nearly month after the 2011 Sprint Cup season ended. This Kurt Busch situation has dominated the NASCAR off-season headlines. Who won the title again? Just kidding Tony Stewart fans, as I've mentioned that his championship run was reminiscent to a Dale Earnhardt moment.

Anyway, the fact that a driver such as Kurt Busch is a free agent at this point in the year is an extremely rare occurrence. Of course, he only has himself to blame. However, if the rumblings coming from Sirius radio are accurate, his talent and proven resume will put him in a solid ride before Christmas Eve. Richard Petty Motorsports co-owner Andrew Murstein and Chief Operating Officer Robbie Loomis both admitted that they would love to put the 2004 champion in the legendary No. 43 Ford.

"I think he's a great competitor who just needs to take a step back and clear his head. Perhaps someone as well-respected, talented, and universally loved like the King (that would be Richard Petty in case you reside beneath a rock) could help him accomplish that," Murstein told Foxsports.

That sounds like a guy ready to put together a deal. Of course, RPM is hoping to retain Best Buy as a sponsor, and if they are able to get over Busch's past transgressions, it is doubtful that they would pass on a driver with the skill set that Busch possesses. RPM had to work hard in order to persuade Best Buy to remain with current driver A.J. Allmendinger, who has yet to win a race or qualify for the Chase for the Championship.

Where there is smoke there is fire, and I believe this is inevitable. Loomis and Murstein want Busch, and Best Buy wants a proven winner. Of course, there will be obstacles...starting with RPM's helpful neighbors at Roush Fenway Racing. Jack Roush has made it clear he does not care for Busch following their nasty divorce six years ago. Roush and RPM have a close alliance, with Roush providing most of the benefits. Roush may attempt to use his persuasive powers to block any deal that would include bringing Kurt Busch back to the Ford camp. Ultimately, Roush does not own RPM, and the decision will be based on Murstein, Petty, and Best Buy.

What about Richard Petty? He is a legend on the track, as well as off the track. He is a symbol of class in NASCAR. Basically, he is the polar opposite of Kurt Busch. Petty has a strong fan base that still exists nearly 20 years following his retirement. He is also very image conscience. Is he ready to add a self-destructive driver like Busch to his driver roster? Clearly, there will be a lot of backlash from the anti-Busch fans, and there is thousands upon thousands of them.

Is he ready to lose fans, because he will if Busch takes over the No. 43. Many will consider this as blasphemy. I know that is extreme, but some fans are downright passionate.

On the other hand, Petty wants to win now just as bad as he did during his driving days. He will enjoy many more visits to victory lane with Kurt Busch behind the wheel.

What happens to Allmendinger if this rumor transforms into reality. Here is a guy coming off his best season in Sprint Cup. He finished 15th in the Sprint Cup standings, scoring 10 top ten finishes. He seems to improve each year.

If this goes down, Allmendinger better hope that Penske Racing takes their time in the pursuit of Busch's replacement. In fact, Allmendinger would be better off if this happens now so he can make a case for the No. 22 ride. As of now, David Ragan is the leading candidate, and could be signed by the end of the week.

If this happens, it would completely shoot down my prediction, which was that Busch would sign with Phoenix Racing's No. 51 Chevrolet, but replace Joey Logano in the No. 20 Toyota at Joe Gibbs Racing by June of 2012.

Speaking of Phoenix Racing, James Finch is clearly going to get an upgrade behind the wheel. If he does not land Kurt Busch, he has options that include two-time winners David Reutimann and Brian Vickers. Allmendinger and Ragan could also be available. Nothing against Landon Cassill, who was actually impressive in 2011, but any of the five mentioned drivers would be an upgrade.

Tony Stewart was Earnhardt-esque in championship run

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:03:00 +0000

For those who never had the privilege to watch the late Dale Earnhardt race, well, I will say that watching Tony Stewart on Sunday night at Homestead was about as close as a driver can get to mirroring the Man in Black.

Stewart drove from the back of the pack twice after a hole was punched in his front grill. He reached the front despite the setbacks with a number of aggressive passes, especially on the restarts. Stewart was able to pass three, four, sometimes five cars following a restart. Thankfully, other drivers raced Stewart smart, understanding what was on the line.

Stewart drove with the dogged determination that we find in only the greatest drivers. He was aggressive and smart at the same time. Not every driver could have made some of the moves he made Sunday night. He simply outdrove Carl Edwards, who led the standings by a mere 3 points heading into the event.

Now, Edwards did just about everything right on Sunday. He did everything he was supposed to do, by winning the pole and leading the most laps. Edwards had the car to beat. However, the experience meshed with the sheer determination of Stewart conquered the speed of Edwards. Stewart was on a mission, and he was not going to leave South Beach without his third championship trophy in NASCAR's upper echelon of competition.

He joins an exclusive and elite group by winning his third championship. He matches Hall of Fame drivers Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Lee Petty, and David Pearson with three Cup titles. He trails only 7-time champions Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty, 5-time champion Jimmie Johnson, and 4-time champion Jeff Gordon. That is a group of 9 drivers in the history of the 64-year sport, where thousands of drivers have competed, that has won at least 3 champions.

Stewart's incredible drive on Sunday was reminiscent of several Dale Earnhardt moments, most notably the 2000 comeback at Talladega, and his aggressive charge through the field at Bristol in 1995, when he finished second to Terry Labonte before ramming him coming to the checkered flag. The determination in Stewart matched the determination of Earnhardt during the 1987 All-Star race at Charlotte. If you recall, Earnhardt refused to lose no matter what. Refusing to lose is exactly why Stewart won the 2011 Sprint Cup championship.

Why Kyle Busch did what he did

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:49:00 +0000

As of the writing of this article, no decision had been made regarding Kyle Busch's immediate future with Joe Gibbs Racing and sponsor M&M's. However, there has been a report that Nationwide Series sponsor Z-Line Designs wants to oust Busch from the seat for the Nationwide Series season finale. Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin is likely to replace Busch.

As of mid-day Thursday, the future of Busch was still in discussion. Is M&M's seriously about to part company with one of the most talented drivers in the garage? It appears that they are seriously contemplating it.

Busch has been the talk of the media since 2008. The media frequently refers to him as the most talented driver in NASCAR. Some folks in the media even compare Busch to the late Dale Earnhardt, which is absurd in my opinion. When Busch eases through a weekend or two without controversy, we constantly read about the new and improved Kyle Busch, the kinder and gentler Kyle Busch. Well, that does not usually last very long, does it?

As bad as the media has wanted Busch to become Earnhardt, he just cannot seem to keep him emotions in check long enough to earn the respect that Earnhardt had. Now, Busch's immediate future is clouded with uncertainty. Will he race again this year? Will he ever race for Joe Gibbs Racing again? If so, will M&M's be on the hood?

Those questions will be answered in due time.

Many wonder why Busch reacted so abruptly in his retaliation towards Ron Hornaday last weekend in the Camping World Truck race. Some may blame NASCAR for allowing drivers to police themselves on the track. They have allowed drivers to pay evil for evil with their cars. Look at what Carl Edwards got away with last year, not once, but twice. Look at what Brian Vickers got away with at Infineon. Juan Pablo Montoya hooked Ryan Newman towards the outside wall at Richmond. I could go on and on, but the fact is NASCAR has allowed this to escalate. But are they to blame? Nope. At least not completely.

They should have made the 'invisible line' more visible last year when Edwards hooked Keselowski on the frontstretch at Gateway in front of the field, damaging several and putting other drivers at risk. However, they let Edwards keep the win and he was able to race again the very next day and week.

Busch's retaliation may have never happened if Edwards faced some sort of discipline. But the fact of the matter is that Busch did retaliate, and it was worse than what Edwards did. Additionally, Busch is responsible for his own actions, and he has had multiple run-ins over the years, and NASCAR simply had enough. He hooked a driver towards the outside wall under caution traveling roughly 130 to 140 miles per hour out of sheer anger.

In my opinion, Busch believed that NASCAR needed him. He is a polarizing figure, and is often in the headlines. He wins frequently. He sells tickets. He draws a massive reaction from the grandstands, some positive, mostly negative. Off the track, he is generous in his charitable contributions. He is everything the NASCAR loves in a driver. Following his moment of anger, he may have thought that NASCAR would give him a 'free pass'. After all, he is Kyle Busch, winner of 104 NASCAR races. Well, NASCAR survived after the career of Richard Petty and the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt. They quickly reminded Busch that they could survive without him and his played-out antics.

Busch was put in his place. Hopefully, he finally becomes the kinder and gentler Kyle Busch we kept reading about. While NASCAR does not need him to thrive, it wouldn't hurt to have him around either.

Update: Kyle Busch will run the final two races with Interstate Batteries as the sponsor. M&M's has pulled out for the final two races, but expect to return in 2012 with Busch as the driver, but with the understanding that no further embarrassing and detrimental incidents will occur.

Did Drugs Keep Mayfield From Being a True NASCAR Star

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:49:00 +0000

Ever since the Jeremy Mayfield meth controversy surfaced two and a half years ago, I have been one of the few writers to give him the benefit of the doubt. I did not necessarily takes sides with Mayfield or NASCAR, but I refused to pass judgement until one side was proven guilty.

Well, unfortunately, it appears that Mayfield was guilty after all, and it pains me to say that. I have always liked Mayfield, and not just because we share the same first name. He was genuinely one of the most amicable and fan-friendly drivers in the garage area.

Not only was he friendly, but he appeared to be one of the up and coming drivers of the late 1990's. He displayed signs of top tier talent on a few occasions with Penske Racing, but just when we thought Mayfield was on the cusp of becoming a true championship contender, something would get in the way. A string poor performances or results, a rift with Penske Racing teammate Rusty Wallace, or even calling out his team owner seemed to keep Mayfield in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

His tenure at Evernham Motorsports also produced a few shining moments on the track, including two wins and two Chase for the Championship appearances. However, the tenure ended even uglier than five years earlier with Penske. So, twice in five years, Mayfield lost his ride before season's end.

His driving career entered a downward spiral, and in May of 2009, he failed a drug test, which, therefore got him suspended from NASCAR. Mayfield has doggedly denied the allegations, and has spent boatloads of money to clear his name. So many fans wanted to believe him.

After months of silence on the Jeremy Mayfield front, the saga resurfaced early in the week when the former driver was arrested for a plethora of violations including possession of meth, as well as stolen property valued at least $100,000. This pretty much erased all of the Mayfield believers, though there may be a select few who still believe in him.

Through his lawyer, Mayfield again denied the claims.

Looking back on Mayfield's driving career, I always wondered why he could never take that next step into NASCAR stardom. He was so close a couple of times. Was it simply lack of talent or determination? Was it lack of commitment? What did he lack that Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon and other stars his age possessed?

Or was it the fact that he was a drug addict? Was his alleged addiction and his intentions to hide the addiction more important than being a successful race car driver? After what took place on Tuesday evening, I will guess the latter. I believe Mayfield could have been a star in NASCAR if it were not for his drug habit. He had the natural talent and personality with some edge to it. It is a shame to see a career damaged due to drug addiction.

If Mayfield his indeed an addict, which the evidence supports, I truly hope that he receives extensive help.

Reutimann is not the first driver to lose a ride to Martin

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:54:00 +0000

The latest silly season development has Mark Martin replacing David Reutimann in the No. 00 Toyota for 2012. Martin, now 52 years of age, is expected to compete in a limited schedule, as the car is not fully sponsored for the season. This leaves 2-time Sprint Cup winner Reutimann in a little bind.

It appears that Reutimann was notified Tuesday morning, less than a month before the season ends, that he will not be in the ride he has occupied since his rookie season of 2007. While Reutimann never set the racing world on fire, he was competitive towards the end of 2008, and most of 2009 and 2010. He made a solid bid for a Chase for the Championship spot in 2009 and 2010 and won a race in each of those two seasons. He has proven that he a solid driver, but an array of tough luck and circumstances have marred his 2011 season, a year in which some thought he could finally break into the Chase.

Reutimann has struggled, but does he really deserve to lose his ride? After all, he has been the most competitive driver at MWR by far. Does one bad season warrant this kind of treatment?

Michael Waltrip came up a colossal winner when he signed 5-time winner, 3-time championship contender Clint Bowyer with sponsor 5-Hour Energy. Along with Bowyer, he had Martin Truex Jr partnered with NAPA. While Truex may not have the stacked numbers at the Cup level, he is a marketable driver with a solid fan base.

After signing Bowyer, we had no reason to believe that Reutimann would be the odd-man out. After all, he signed a multi-year contract with MWR last summer, just days following his win at Chicagoland. His sponsor Aaron's typically sponsors the car for the majority of the season, and Reutimann has been a great spokesperson for the company, alongside Michael.

This makes the recent news that Martin is taking over the No. 00 car for the races in which it has sponsorship somewhat surprising. Is this a case of Waltrip getting a little greedy with star power after signing Bowyer, so he goes after the next big name on the market? I certainly hope not. Reutimann has been loyal to the Waltrips, as they have been to him. The two seem to have the utmost respect for each other.

This leads me to believe that the sponsor may have dictated this move. Is Aaron's ready to move on to the ageless Martin? Or is there another sponsorship deal in the works, and Aaron's moves to Bowyer for the races in which the car has a sponsorship vacancy?

Whatever the case may be, this seems to be a trend that we saw in 2007 when Martin moved to MB2 Motorsports, later Ginn Racing and DEI, therefore moving Joe Nemechek to a sponsor-troubled car.

Two years later, Martin decided to return to full-time competition, which left Casey Mears looking for a new ride. Mears struggled in a one-and-out with RCR, and is now driving for a low-budget operation.

Of course, I am not blaming Martin by any means. The other drivers must take responsibility for their performance. Martin is still a coveted driver, and he is taking full advantage of the fact that he is still in prime shape and can still compete at a high level. I just really feel for Reutimann, because out of the three drivers that lost a ride to Martin, he is the most deserving of a Cup ride. It is too bad that he now has to struggle to find a job after a six years with MWR.

His best bet may be a return to the Camping World Truck Series, where he began his relationship with the Waltrips. However, it is so late in the season, it is doubtful that he can land a competitive ride in Cup, Nationwide, or the trucks.

Roush Prepares to Downsize, Ragan May Still Have Future

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:28:00 +0000

In 2006, Jack Roush appeared to have a NASCAR empire, as he fielded five Cup teams, five Nationwide Series teams, and I believe two, maybe three Truck teams. Landing a sponsor seemed effortless for Jack Roush and his organization. Five years later, the once powerful empire is not quite as powerful when it comes to sponsors.

Roush is not the only team with these problems. However, when you have a driver as talented, polished and accomplished as Matt Kenseth, and there are no sponsors lined up for the following season, it is quite bewildering. The No. 17 car lost DeWalt in 2009, but the sponsor resurfaced on RPM's No. 9 Ford driven by Marcos Ambrose. After two season, Crown Royal will cease sponsorship on the No. 17 Ford, as the company focuses its marketing efforts on the Brickyard 400.

Kenseth has had several small sponsorhip packages on the car throughout the season, and it is quite possible we may see a plain white No. 17 Ford in 2012 for a few races. Kenseth should not be a difficult sell, as he qualifies for the Chase for the Championship practically every season, and rarely has a winless season. As stated earlier, he is a champion. Additionally, he boasts the 2009 Daytona 500 trophy. Look for a series of sponsorship deals on the No. 17 in 2012.

Selling sponsorship for David Ragan is a bit more difficult. Ragan seems to be a nice guy, but his on-track performance has not lived up to the investment Roush and UPS have placed in him. While he has displayed flashes of talent over his five years in Sprint Cup, he only has one win to show for it, and that was at Daytona where he was pushed to the checkered flag. Trust me, people notice that. Grinding out a win at Bristol, Richmond, or Darlington is far more impressive than being in the right place at the right time at Daytona or Talladega. Fans notice, as do other drivers, car owners, analysts, and most importantly sponsors. Of course, UPS no doubt enjoyed the brief spotlight they received at Daytona in July.

Ragan's future with Roush may be fleeting, however, there is speculation on Mike Mulhern.net that he could land a ride with fellow Ford team TRG Motorsports. TRG Motorsports has been able to provide consistent sponsorship to driver Andy Lally, who is on the cusp of winning the Rookie of the Year title. TRG Motorsports hopes to field two cars for the remainder of the 2011 season, possibly prepping the ride for Ragan. So, it is quite possible that Ragan joins Lally in two-car outfit that will likely be closely aligned with Roush Fenway Racing.

Bowyer To Drive for the Worst Driver in NASCAR Period

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:52:00 +0000

Most of us recall the famous declaration by Clint Bowyer at Bristol in August of 2008. After Michael Waltrip triggered a wreck that involved Bowyer, who was fighting for a spot in the Chase for the Championship, he declared Waltrip as the 'worst driver in NASCAR, period'. He took it a step further and added 'I can't believe (sponsor) NAPA resigned with him'.

Waltrip's feelings were bruised a bit, but he responded by saying he was the 'worst driver to win two Daytona 500s and an All Star race'.

Clearly, that was a long time ago, and time heals most wounds. In a bit of irony, Bowyer will become employed by the man he publicly insulted.

Following a solid six-year tenure with Richard Childress Racing, Bowyer and his current team were unable to put together sponsorship package that would allow them to compete a full season in 2012 and beyond. Therefore, Bowyer was forced to look elsewhere for employment.

With 5-Hour Energy's support, Bowyer was able to talk to several teams, but it appears that Michael Waltrip Racing gave him the best opportunity from a sponsorship standpoint. After all, sponsors love Michael Waltrip.

On the surface, the move to MWR appears as a significant downgrade from RCR. Childress' teams have five wins this season alone. Waltrip's teams have two wins since 2007. Obviously, Childress has one of the elite organizations in Sprint Cup. Waltrip, on the other hand, is considered mid-pack. Martin Truex Jr and David Reutimann have displayed glimpses of speed over the years, but they have yet to really emerge as weekly contenders.

Can Bowyer give this team the spark they need in order finally get over that hump? I guess we will have to wait and see. Bowyer will have the luxury of working with a familiar face in Scott Miller, who will oversee competition aspects of MWR. Miller was a long-time employee for RCR. He could help ease the transition for Bowyer.

The announcement is expected to be for Friday at Kansas Speedway, which is considered Bowyer's backyard.

NASCAR's Most Underrated Drivers

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy Dunn) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:09:00 +0000

Everyone is talking about the Chase for the Championship, the sudden rise of Tony Stewart, the continuing emergence of Brad Keselowski, and the possible fall of Jimmie Johnson. Therefore, I will take a break from all of that and discuss some drivers who receive little to no recognition.

I will start with, who in my opinion, is the most underrated driver in NASCAR Sprint Cup. Regan Smith drives for an underfunded, single-car effort in Furniture Row Racing. The team is based out of Colorado, thousands of miles from the Charlotte-region, which is where all of the powerful teams reside.

Smith is 25th in points, which on the surface, appears less than stellar. However, he is performing far superior than previous Furniture Row drivers Joe Nemechek and Kenny Wallace. He placed the upstart team on the radar with a win at the often treacherous Darlington Raceway in May. Sure, luck and strategy were somehwat involved in Smith's seemingly improbable victory, but he was running sixth prior to the caution that ultimately resulted in his first Cup victory.

Smith has two top five finishes and five top 10 finishes, which happens to be more than Jeff Burton, Jamie McMurray, and David Reutimann, all of which drive for multi-car teams based in North Carolina. Smith's statistics are comparable to those of 'Sliced Bread' Joey Logano, who drives for an organization currently boasting three Cup championships.

We can only speculate how well Smith would be performing if he were to switch rides with Logano.

Additional drivers falling into the underrated category include A.J. Allmendinger and Landon Cassill. Allmendinger has yet to show his full potential based on the fact that he has driven for Red Bull Racing, a team that gave him no chance after bringing him to a sport in which he needed years of development. He joined Gillett Evernham Motorsports in 2009, and we all know the story regarding that organization, which is now Richard Petty Motorsports. Petty's team seems to be on stable ground, so this should bode well for Allmendinger. After all, he has spent the entire 2011 season in or near the top 15 in the standings.

Cassill, a former Hendrick Motorsports development driver, has brought Phoenix Racing, a former start and park team, into respectability. This kid is still young, and has given his team several decent performances in 2011.