Garrett Duke

Well my favorite race of all races was last night...the Bristol night race! Bristol is my favorite track...and I love night races (except come Sunday when there is no race to watch ). I have to admit, it wasn't the normal Bristol race that I am use to. There was no major accidents. No heated tempers. The only cautions came for when tires blew and a couple of cars ran into the wall. Not that I am a fan of heated tempers and big accidents. I am not. But Bristol is known for that...so it was just different. The announcers I felt were set upon talking about the top three drivers most of the night. On how Matt Kenseth needed a win and how he was going to be out of the 20 car after this season and how Erik Jones was going to take over the 20 car next season and how Kenseth and other drivers wouldn't be happy if Jones won his first race last night and how Kyle Busch won the truck, Xfinity and if he won last night he would have the sweep...the only driver who has done it at Bristol was him in 2010. Kyle Busch ended up winning to sweep at Bristol. I have nothing against Kyle Busch. Now. A few years when he was having anger issues I wasn't a fan, but now he is OK. (My opinions) I just got tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. I mean Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s last Bristol race and he finished in the 20s...no word on that. I just feel like the announcers at NBC need to spread their view some and not talk about the same stories over and over again. Yes the fight for the win is the main focus and should be talked about...but there is also more going on behind them and it'd be nice to know what is going on. With that being said, we have two more races until the playoff's start and there is several drivers who need to a win to get in. Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano to name a couple of them. Joey Logano has a win, but it was taken away for the playoffs for some rule he broke (Can't remember what). Personally I hope Matt Kenseth will get a win to get in...his deal has me a bit upset. I mean he is 45 years old (oldest driver on the track) and it is known that sooner rather than later he will be ready to retire. But instead of letting him do it on his own time, Gibbs (team owner) is kicking him out of his car and giving it to Erik Jones who is 21. The same is going on at Hendrick by pushing Kasey Kahne out of the 5 car one year short of his contract to put a younger driver in his seat. It's all about youth coming up. I get it...they are the future. But its drivers like Matt Kenseth who made NASCAR what it is. Seeing on how Kenseth is being treated, I see why Gordon and Stewart decided to step out. That and the changes NASCAR has put into play the past few years. NASCAR has taken away the racing aspect of racing by putting in the stages and going for playoff points. I say take that all away and let them race. All that is my opinion...of which no one asked for. LOL So congrats to Kyle Busch on his Bristol sweep...second of his career.

Yay Roger! You must have better luck than I...I jinx all my drivers. And apparently Jimmie Johnson who wrecked in second practice and will have to go to a back up car for Michigan tomorrow. Glad to see HNet coming back to live...it is sad to see it not as active. But I can't say much...life is busy for everyone.

Well y'all...thank you for your kind words and warm welcome back. I did get a new lap top...so if you all are interested, perhaps once I get familiarized with my lap top, I will write at least a small summary for the races. As for Watkins Glen...I am not a big fan of road course races. I liked them when Jeff Gordon was racing, because Jeff Gordon was good at them (he didn't get the nickname of King of Road Races for nothing ) but now that he is retired and Jimmie Johnson isn't very good at them, it kinda takes the excitement away. As for NASCAR news...Kasey Kahne will be out of the 5 car at the end of the year and will be replaced by William Byron. Really don't know where Hendrick is going with this. I am aware that he is all about the youth movement in NASCAR. But Kasey Kahne still has another year on his contract...Byron only has one year in the truck series and one year in the Xfinity Series. Why not give him another year of experience in Xfinity and let Kahne fulfill his contract? Just my two cents worth on the topic. Hendrick next year will be of three young drivers and Jimmie Johnson (not that he is old. He is only 41.) As for fantasy Roger...I am so with you on that. It does make it hard. I usually go for the Bears no matter what. My fantasy teams come second. Hope you have a great Friday!

Oh Roger I miss writing them. Perhaps if I ever get another lap top I will try for it. I guess I never knew if anyone read them or if they were helpful to anyone. I don't think I could even think to do that on my tablet here. It's messing up what I write here alread...urgh. Fantasy baseball....hmmm. I'm doing almost as bad as I am in my fantasy auto racing. (NASCAR...don't know why Yahoo has to call it auto racing. LOL) I swear I jinx all my drivers and players I pick! Congrats on being first in a couple of your leagues. I am in too many baseball leagues. That's my problem. I wasn't going to do that this year but now that they do the auto renew...i fell back into the same trap of last year. Hey talking about fantasy sports...I got an opening in my fantasy football. It is free and fun. Please come and join me...we'll have fun and I promise not to be too hard on you or anyone who wants to join.

Dale Earnhardt Jr is going to be in the NBC broadcasting booth next year...kinda like Jeff Gordon is on Fox, but Dale Jr will be on NBC. Though he didn't leave out the possibility of racing Daytona 500.

Well y'all...I am still breathing. Just haven't been here lately. My laptop decided to stop working, life is busy...you know the normal excuses. But I am here. And just got done watching the Pocono race...JJ got taken out by Kasey Kahne...who won Indy last week. Kyle Busch finally won a race after leading a whole lotta laps this season...just not the lap that counted the most - the last one. Until today. He had the dominant car last week until Martin Truex Jr wrecked them both out of the race (Truex's car caught on fire and was lucky to escape!) . Though a couple of his crew members got suspended for a few races when they got in a fight with Kyle Busch's crew chief. As I felt they should have been. Sadly I have no idea where I left off on this page...I tried reading through this thread last night, but HNet kept closing on me. I am on my tablet right now, so please excuse my ramblings. I just wanted to put a post something to let you know I am still here. As you all probably know by now, this is the last season for Dale Earnhardt Jr...NASCAR is losing everyone. First Jeff Gordon. Then Tony Stewart. Then Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle. Now Dale Jr. And who knows where Matt Kenseth is going now that Joe Gibbs is giving his car to a younger driver next year (his name eludes me right now...). All I have to say is...Jimmie Johnson better stay in NASCAR for like forever. And what about this stage racing? I haven't heard anyone say a positive thing about it. Have to say I am not a fan of it. I say let them race and stop interfering with it. But they didn't ask me. Sorry for this horrible post. I am still here. Still watching NASCAR and still love the Dukes. Though I haven't watched an episode in like forever. Sadly. Sadly wasn't able to go to Cooter's Last Stand. Either. Hope some of you all did. Anyway...keep it between the ditches y'all.

Well Atlanta is done and in the books. Always hate to see a race end...that means I have to wait another week for the next one. LOL. I am so impatient! I am not a Kevin Harvick fan, but he got robbed today. . .but it by his own doing. Got to feel bad for him. He DOMINATED the race up until 13 laps to go when he got nabbed for speeding in pit road which sent him back to the line. He finished nineth. Brad Keselowski ended up winning the race. That being said...I'd rather have seen Harvick win the race than Keselowski. I am definately not a Keselowski fan...at all. But I did have Keselowski on my fantasy team, so he did give me much needed points to beat Roger. (Sorry for all you Keselowski fans...congrats to you and him. Was just stating my opinion. All two cents worth...) Kyle Larson came in second...was leading for a while after Harvick got caught speeding, but he went up on the track when he was better on the lower track in his attempt to block Keselowski who was better on top. Keselowski passed him to win eventually run the race. With that being said Kyle Larson's and Chase Elliott's wins are bound to come...sooner rather than later. Those two kids have a lot of talent. Jimmie Johnson came home a lap down and in 19th position as he was tagged with TWO speeding violations in pit road ...after a rotten Daytona and a rough Atlanta he is bound for the win in Las Vegas next week. Jimmie is too good to stay down for too long...(once again, my opinion. For the two cents it's worth. ) Onto the home track of the Busch brothers...Las Vegas. Oh Roger...I thought of you. You have another driver to go for. Reed Sorenson is from Georgia as well as David Ragen.

I am still not happy with Daytona...or Jamie McMurray. I mean, four wide...at Datyona? Really?! Well the race at Atlanta is winding down. The race should be called the Kevin Harvick Race as he has been in lead and not a very eventful race. Except for all the speeding penalties that they have been handing out...so far nine. Two of them going out to Jimmie Johnson. ERRRR. Oh well we are early in the season...I am just glad NASCAR is back.

Well y'all...I am here. I tried posting the other night when I didn't have much time and somehow ended up deleting what I wrote and gave up due to how late it was. Roger...I can't believe you discriminate drivers that are not from Georgia. But then again, you did say that Dale Jr was your second favorite driver...and he's from North Carolina. Sorry to let you down Roger. Did you happen to see who won the championship last year? (His seventh, I might add. . .) Yep...Jimmie Johnson. And he's from California. As is Jeff Gordon. Those California boys know a thing or two about racing. Then again, Kevin Harvick is from California too. Sadly I missed the Clash last week because my nephew and niece were over. Mostly when they are over and Blue Bloods or the race is on, they know to turn the TV over to me or I will let them know when I get the TV. . .but my niece wasn't feeling good, so I decided I should probably be nice. I missed qualifying as well as the races on Thursday night...but I will watch Daytona 500 tomorrow. I am so looking forward to it! I am glad that the races are back on FOX...love when the races are on FOX. First of all, yeah, Jeff Gordon. Second of all, Darrell Waltrip and Mikey Waltrip. Personally feel that they are more open and not as biased as some of the other announcers on the other stations can get. MY OPINION. Though it will be odd to NOT see Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, and Greg Biffle NOT out there... OOooo I almost forgot to let y'all know the exciting news I heard about yesterday...guess who's driving the pace car for tomorrow's race!!! JEFF GORDON!!!!!!!!!!!! I am beyond excited...for at least a couple of laps my guy will be on track and leading the race! I have to admit...I really miss Jeff Gordon behind the wheel of the 24 car. NASCAR hasn't been the same since he retired. I do really like Jimmie Johnson and love watching him race...but it's just different not having Jeff Gordon out there. He was the one I liked since I got into racing in '97 (like Roger...thanks to the Dukes and the General Lee) and I got to liking Jimmie Johnson because of Jeff Gordon (Gordon pointed him out to Hendrick...Hendrick told him to put his money where his mouth is...and owns half of Johnson's car. ) Talking about who I like...be interesting to see who everyone else likes... My list is: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards. I do like Chase Elliott...still having a hard time accepting someone else in the 24 car. Y'all's turn...

Five minutes in the garage? Really? Should make for a boring race come Daytona when half the cars are out of the race because they can't fix them in the garage like they use to. I love my NASCAR (y'all should know that by now...) but really...Brian France seems content on ruining a great thing. Stuff like this makes it loud and clear to me on why Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards as well as Tony Stewart has stepped away from the sport they love. As for the driverless car...I am sure it would be of great technology and science, but I do believe that would be the day I stopped being a NASCAR fan. I need a person to root for...I don't just go for a car with 48 on the doors. But for Jimmie Johnson. His style of racing. His character. And so on. General Lee is my only exception to that rule...afterall, General Lee has his own personality and story. Well not saying that the 48 car doesn't, but Jimmie Johnson is the reason I like the 48 car. Then again, The General Lee and the Duke Boys are the guilty ones who got me addicted to NASCAR (before them, racing was a waste of money and time. . .you might as well as watch your dog chase his tail...) now it's so much more to me. LOL

Well Hoss...you can have your driverless racing. NASCAR many benefit from a few of the drivers having driverless cars out there, but without drivers, all it is, is well, cars. As much as I love cars and all...I need someone to follow and support. Guess take out the people or drivers, it would end all the fighting and the drama...which is what NASCAR wants, so I don't think that will happen. I think if that ever did happen, I'd have to throw it all down and walk away...I need Jimmie Johnson to root for. Well, I see y'all beat me to the horrible and nightmarish news. I keep telling myself that I should give it a chance, but I just don't like it. The segments work in the All Star Race because that's the All Star Race. One race. One race without any points on the line. But every race? Yeah they are making it more complicated than what it has to be. Whatever happened to racing being about the race? Brian France just needs to step down and let me take over. I'd throw the whole Chase idea out the window and go back to the old point system. You know, when racing was about racing and not seeing how much drama we could put in the sport. Ah well, that won't happen so I will keep my day job, but still... With that said, I will continue to watch and attempt to give it a chance. I don't have much other option. Just had to give my two cents worth in on the topic. As for Roger...you are going down! I had a horrible fantasy season last year...all my drivers I picked decided to have horrible races when I picked them. Not this year. I will be crowned champion just as JJ takes home his 8th championship at Homestead in November. (If anyone else wants to join, let me know. It's fun and free to play. ) GO JIMMIE JOHNSON!!! Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

Where have you been Roger? My Cubs did WIN the World Series this past season...and it was no fluke! They had 102 wins...they earned that World Series trophy! Ironically, this past weekend I bought a WS Cubs sweatshirt that was on sale for $18. When I bought it, with tax...I kid you not, it was $19.08. The last time the Cubs had won the WS. But OK back to the topic on hand...I do believe that the screen and the news had gotten it all wrong. No way the Patriots won when they weren't playing...it was the Bears in disguise! LOL. (I will admit, I was torn on what team I wanted to win. I wanted the Falcons to win since they haven't won it before and they are in GA, but was also wanting the Patriots to win it for Donnie Wahlberg. LOL) Despite the Falcons being in Georgia...we all know the Dukes are die hard Chicago Bears fans. Yep...they love their Bears and Cubs.

I haven't watched enough Coy and Vance episodes to pick any of them out. I think I only watched that season once to give them their credit...so I can't say anything about them other than that I am not a fan of Coy and Vance. Sad thing is, they could have made it work a lot better if they didn't have them dress like Bo and Luke and make them someone they are not. The poor actors didn't stand much of a chance, in my opinion. But even if they did do them differently and had their own personalities, I'd probably still prefer Bo and Luke. As for Bo and Luke episodes..."Strange Visitor in Hazzard" ranks at the top of my short least liked episodes. It'd be nice if they at least kept some sort of reality in Hazzard (my opinion). Second would be "Luke's Love Story". I have to admit I loved the fight with Bo and and the bad guy in Cooter's garage...thought that was great! But I really didn't like how they portrayed Bo or Luke in that episode.

Spike -Where did you hear that at? I haven't heard about it being switched like that. That format works for the All Star Race because it's a different race. It's not a points race...and it's only for one race. I really hope that that rumor is wrong. Brian France has done enough to ruin NASCAR with this horrible Chase format (that's my opinion...) and then to add onto it. Personally, I don't blame the older drivers for dropping out like they seem to. To me with this format now, they seem like they are just asking for drama that doesn't need to be there and focusing more on the drama than on the racing...my opinion once again. Yeah...I really hope that rumor is blown a way real quick like. Thanks Roger. Have missed this place and would love to do a review for NASCAR. Sadly with events that happened last year, I didn't get to watch a lot of the races, but am hoping to watch more this year. I need to support my driver...ol' seven time! I like Chase Elliot and I think he has a lot of talent and I can see him winning a race or two this season. It's coming. But I am still having a hard time having him drive the 24 car. 24 will always be Jeff Gordon to me. Always.

Well y'all..I am out of hibernation. For now at least. Thanks to Roger. Life is just busy with two jobs and two dogs . . . and well life. I am beyond devastated to see Carl Edwards retire...Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart was predictable (whether I liked it or not...) but Edwards? Edwards is only 37 years old...and him and Jimmie Johnson are probably the most fit out of all the other drivers on the track. I was kinda predicting Dale Jr to be the next one to retire after this concussion like symptons he had. Reportedly his fifth concussion. (Trust me, I love Dale Jr...so am glad to see him hang around, but he also has to look out for himself and his health.) But Carl Edwards? Not at all. As for me, Carl Edwards was always my favorite driver outside of the Hendrick camp. He is always positive, has a smile on his face...and who doesn't like his backflips? So yeah...I am bummed. First Gordon, then Stewart...and now Edwards. I am just glad that Jimmie Johnson is hanging around...I would be beyond devastated if he was the one to retire - especially with no warning. So I guess it could be worse and for that I am thankful. Well if y'all forgot how much I love NASCAR, let me tell you...I am BEYOND ready for Daytona. Six more Sundays...

I predict the Chicago Bears will win the Super Bowl this year. Say what you wanna say, but that trophy is going home to Chicago...whether you like it or not. Chicago Bears...there's my prediction and I am sticking with it.

I am not a fan of the Chase either and could go on and on with how I feel about that as well as with other issues NASCAR seems to have...but despite that, will always love NASCAR and seeing how I doubt NASCAR will get rid of the Chase...might as well as accept it for what it is. Talking of which...I finally got to watch a race yesterday. Most of it at least. I think I turned it on on lap 86 or something like that. Martin Truex Jr owned that race. Started on the pole and led 588 out of 600 laps to win the race. Never seen a driver be that dominant before. Jimmie Johnson was the only driver to pass him during green flag, but it wasn't for long. It's was a story book ending kind of story for Martin Truex Jr with all the rotten luck he's been dealt with. Not just this year either...was happy to see him win as he did. Onto Pocono next weekend...

I really miss out on a lot of stuff by not stopping by as much as I use to. Didn't even knew Ben was having issues...that is rotten for him. But on a positive note, that would be awesome to go see and to attend. I went to several Dukefests and had a great time. Highly doubt I will be able to go to this one, but we will see. Hope you have a great time Roger and all who does get to go.

Yeah, I hope he don't get in trouble for it either. Just found it cool. I am a huge DOH and NASCAR fan so I love it when the worlds collide like that. I don't have cable either due to money issues so if the races are on cable, I have to watch it at my parents' house. Frustrated last week...was home expecting it to be on FOX and it was on FOX Sports 1, so I missed it. Really wish all races would be on FOX. But that is just me. As for NASCAR and Brian France there is a lot that they do that upset me...like fining Tony Stewart for speaking the truth a couple of weeks ago. But they will do what they do I guess. As for Kyle Busch...NASCAR owed him a chance to earn his way into the Chase. Yeah he should work for it and he got the wins and the points to make it into the Chase. But the only reason Kyle Busch missed those races was because they didn't have the walls at Daytona safe enough. NASCAR by now should have every wall of every track with safety barrier on them...no reason not to. Especially after that hard hit Jeff Gordon took at Las Vegas several years ago that got that track's walls to be surrounded by safety barrier...every track should have changed right then to have the highest protection as possible. I am glad to see NASCAR give Tony a chance to make the Chase as well...hope can make it. Well that is my two cents worth, for how little it is worth.

Sadly due to life's circumstances, I have missed most of the races this year. I have been reading up on them...but did watch Talladega and was disappointed with the accidents. I know Talladega is known as the big one and for the accidents, but it got ridiculous. I felt like a lot of them could have been avoided if the drivers used common sense...such as Kurt Busch wrecking Jimmie Johnson. Just lucky no one got hurt. Anyway...I found this on Facebook and thought of y'all. I know James Best helped Ryan Newman with his animal charities as well as lived down the road from James. And now looks like he owns a General Lee. What a lucky girl to be picked up in The General Lee...;) http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/ryan-newman-richard-childress-racing-dukes-of-hazzard-general-lee-performs-dad-duty-051116

Hoss- I don't know if that would work in NASCAR...but if that was in NASCAR, the driver and team would be punished for having too many people over pit wall. Can't recall how many members can be in the pit area...think it is seven, but that seems high. Know there is a number set of how many can be on the pit wall. That is one fast stop!

Believe it or not, I am still here. Just been quiet and busy. Life is busy. In fact, I haven't watched a whole race since Daytona this year. Sad, I know. I did watch part of Bristol last week...Bristol is my favorite track/race. Sadly I missed the last half of the race though. LOL. I do have some great news though...Tony Stewart will be returning to the number 14 car this Sunday. Stewart suffered a back injury before the season started and has been sitting out. Thursday he came forward saying he has been cleared by his doctors and NASCAR to drive this weekend. YAY. This is Tony's final season and will be retiring after this season. NASCAR will not be the same without him. NASCAR has also said that they will give Stewart a pass to allow Stewart into the Chase this season IF he can be in the top 30 in points and/or gets a win or two. NASCAR did the same for Kyle Busch last season after Kyle broke his leg and foot at the Xfinity Series Daytona race . . .Kyle made the Chase and won the NASCAR Sprint Cup title. So Smoke (Tony Stewart) still has hope... Though just as I was congratulating NASCAR on their right choice of giving Stewart the pass...they came back and fined Stewart $35,000 for some violation over what he had said earlier this week or last week. Stewart had criticized NASCAR's lug nut policy. Up until the beginning of last season, all cars had to have ALL lug nuts tight or else NASCAR would give them a drive through penalty. Well the beginning of last season NASCAR took the policy away allowing the crews/drivers to decide if they want to tighten all lug nuts or save time on pit road and leave some lose. Stewart said how dangerous that NASCAR is giving the teams the choice on leaving lug nuts lose...and he is absolutely RIGHT! Those lug nuts are what are keeping those tires on. As Stewart said, there will always be teams willing to push the envelope when it comes to see how they can save time on pit road and to get back out on track faster. Someone can get seriously hurt or worse if a tire falls off during the race or even if they are coming onto pit road and it falls off. NASCAR penalizing Tony for speaking his opinion...which is absolutely right...is beyond ridiculous and frustrating. Teams will be penalized if they lose control of the tires when they take them off on pit road, and yet they are allowed to test fate by not tightening the lug nuts? Just don't make sense to me that it is an option to leave them lose...thought that last year when they changed the rule. Welcome back Tony...here is your $35,000 fine for speaking the truth...:( Though of what I saw on Facebook, other drivers are chipping in to help Tony pay his fine. Which never should have been given to him to begin with. I am beyond done with NASCAR's punishment policy where they will fine a driver like Stewart for something petty and yet will allow others go by with a lot worse without saying anything. It has been like this for a long time...they really need to stop looking at who the driver is when they hand out the fine, and look at the deed and punish despite who the driver is. Don't get me wrong...I will always love NASCAR despite all this, just makes me mad and frustrated.

LOL Hoss...you are probably right. But his nickname is Superman. And this weekend he will be driving his Superman car...while Jr will be driving Batman.

Another reason to love Chase. He has done great so far and am looking forward to seeing how far he will go this season. Still have a hard time accepting him in the 24 car, but other than that, that he is great. But I am sticking with Jimmie Johnson...the man of steel.

Well I am glad you are finally going for the 24 car...guess it is better late than never. Chase is a great and talented driver...he has a lot to prove. I like Chase...though will admit that I do have a hard time accepting him as the #24. 24 will always be Jeff Gordon for me. Double that 24 number you will get the number of the driver of my favorite current driver. Will definitely follow Chase and see how he does and maybe in the future he will be my favorite driver once my current favorite driver retires...which will be never. LOL. Glad to hear you have found a driver to follow and one that will bring home the checkered flag in the near future.