Garrett Duke

Thanks Hoss for covering for me once again. Well, I have heard that Gordon pitteded when he did because he didn't pit the last time everyone pitted and that he had a tire going down or something like that. Glad to hear there is a reason for pitting when he did. Was sure there was a reason for it, but glad to know what it is after hearing people accuse him of going in because NASCAR told him to in order to help the Chase contenders. I can't see Gordon or any other driver obeying such orders even from NASCAR...and keeping quiet about it. And for Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus. I find all this a bit odd. I guess Johnson was having tire issues or his lugnut was falling off, so Chad Knaus put spacers on his tire to keep it on. Mike Pemberton (one of the NASCAR head honchos) told him not to do it. He did it anyway and that was the directive or whatever they called it that he didn't listen to. So they met afterwards and Pemberton laughed about it and said it was no big deal and how he should have asked about it...guess they parked Koch for not obeying earlier in the race? I don't know. Personally I don't know why Pemberton made a big ordeal about calling Hendrick brass to the hauler after the race only to laugh about it once the race was over and say it was no big deal. And it wasn't like Chad was doing something that would better his car above everyone else...last I knew, you had to have tires on the car in order for it to run properly. Just find all that a bit odd...but am GLAD that no penalties are coming out of all that as I was fearing. I was even guessing Gordon would get something since he owns half or over half of JJ's car. (NASCAR just needs to back off and leave my guys alone!!!! ) Pemberton also said that they were going to take Ricky Stenhouse Jr's car or something on his car that he didn't like and look at it today...thought of you Hoss when I read that. I haven't heard anything else about that, just in one article I read. So maybe it is nothing. If it is something, am sure it will come out tomorrow. Thanks again Hoss for covering for me and for all your pre-race previews as well as post. For someone who watches the wrong form of racing, you do a great job at keeping tabs of the best form of racing. (Have to make a side note here...Chase Elliot who races in the Nationwide Series...this is his first year - he's only 18 years old - won the Nationwide Series Championship this year, plus rookie of the year and the most popular driver of the year.. NOt too bad for his first season!!! He is Bill Elliot's son...and he drives for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chase will drive in a few Sprint Cup races next season for Rick Hendrick) And...Kyle Larson has won rookie of the year in the Sprint Cup Series. He had an awesome year this year...that win is bound to come sooner or later.

I really hope that is all that it is...though did hear that she is a writer in Washington DC so she would have her own money...but some people aren't happy with what they have. There was a congresswoman I think from California who had wrote to NASCAR and to Stewart-Haas saying that Kurt should be sat out for Sunday's race. Which obviously they didn't listen to as Kurt raced on Sunday. Which I am glad. First off, don't know why she is putting her nose in NASCAR's buisness...as if she don't have anything other better to worry about. And secondly, whatever happened to being innocent until proven guilty????!!!! Right now, the police are just INVESTIGATING Kurt Busch. No charges has yet come forth out of this of what I have heard and he has yet gone to court. So why punish him for something he has yet to be proven???! Someone said that is her strong point is violence upon women and so forth...fine, great for her. But her of all people should know that he is innocent until proven guilty. Not guilty until proven innocent. Maybe she needs to be reminded??? Just glad NASCAR has done the right thing. I am sure if he is proved guilty of what he is being charged with, NASCAR will do something or step up with something...then again, I am not sure. A couple of years ago, Travis Kvapil had been accused of about the same thing...but nothing ever came of it. Or at least publicly. Or what I know of and usually if something comes forward, I hear about it. I will keep you all updated if and when anything comes of this.

Well as I said, I didn't watch the race and I don't know all that has happened. I know Gordon led a lot of laps...sounds like maybe the most. I don't know that for sure. But with ten laps to go he pitted under caution when no one else did...have no clue why, but I am assuming they had a reason. So instead of getting his win I was hoping for, he finished tenth. Jimmie Johnson finished nineth...but it sounds like him and his team are in trouble and have been sent to the NASCAR hauler after the race. Something about Chad Knaus (his crew cheif) gluing spacers on his tires??? Don't know why he would do that for or what the purpose that would be. It isn't like anything they did would get them the championship...but the entire Hendrick brass has been sent to the hauler. Oops. As a fan, I really don't want them to get in trouble. This season is already ending on a sour note for me...that will only make it worse. And the best way to win your first championship is to...win the race. Kevin Harvick has won at Homestead...and has won his first championship!!! So happy for him and his team...and especially for Tony Stewart who owns half of Kevin's car and is close friends with Tony. Has to mean so much to him...to them both. So it may not be Gordon or anyone else at Hendrick taking the big trophy home, but at least someone who is associated with Hendrick is taking it home and is someone who deserves the cup. Sounds like it was a close race amongst the four championship contenders as three of them finished 1-2-3. I assume the one out of the mix was Joey Logano because I read someone say he didn't want his numbers on the side of the car any more...which I took it that he rubbed the wall or something. Know Ryan Newman led some laps as well as Denny Hamlin. Sorry this is lacking a lot of info right now...but this is what I know so far. As I said, I didn't watch the race, but did keep up with it on Facebook and through what others has said as well as NASCAR pages I have liked. The official standings will come out tomorrow and if I have time, will post them too. Sorry that this isn't a full review, but just wanted to post y'all on the more important info as it came out.

Well I just wrote all this, but apparently I didn't do a good enough job since it didn't post. Well I am writing to let y'all know that I am unable to watch today's race at Homestead. That's right...one of NASCAR's biggest fans is unable to watch the final race of the season. And it is killing me. I know a lot of fans on FB say they weren't going to watch today's race or some say even Daytona and I do believe some say ever again due to how Gordon is being treated with this new Chase format and a couple of drivers who didn't race clean. And part of me, don't blame them and see where they are coming from. But I am a too big of a Gordon/Hendrick/NASCAR fan to just not watch it due to all of it. Yes I am disappointed. Yes I am upset. Yes I want changes for next year. But I am not missing the race due to the last couple of races...because as much as it all hurts, feel Gordon needs our support. Deserves our support. And as silly as it sounds, I feel like I am really letting him down by not watching today. It just hurts to hear him sound so disappointed after the last couple of races and I don't blame him for feeling that way...because I feel that way myself. I am missing today's race because I am a chicken. It snowed yesterday and last night and I really hate and fear driving in it. It isn't snowing now and I don't think it is suppose to snow today. But I am still worried about driving in it...especially when it gets dark. (I don't have cable, so I have to watch the races at my parents' house to watch the races when the races is on cable. Luckily...next race will be on FOX. LOL) So because I am a chicken, I am missing the last race of the season. And instead of watching NASCAR, I watched my Bears football game instead. At least my Bears got win after a couple of painful losses. And their first win at home of the season. But still...not the same as watching NASCAR to me. NASCAR and baseball will always have priority over football...no matter how much I love my Bears! And it is killing me. As of several minutes ago, Gordon was still leading on lap 66.I really hope he gets the win today...and that Kevin Harvick will win the championship since Gordon can no longer win it nor any of my Hendrick drivers. Harvick has Hendrick power under his hood so he is somewhat connected plus Tony Stewart deserves something good to happen to him this season. (Stewart owns half of Harvick's car.) So with that said, my review will be from what I read online afterwards...unless if someone on here does watch the race and write it up. Dang I have failed y'all big time the past few weeks. Won't blame y'all if you fire me after today. 98 more days til Daytona 500...my NASCAR withdrawal has started early. HATE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :(

Well, first off, I didn't forget my duties as to review the race...after the race was over, I turned my computer off ...and well, I don't think you would want my review. I will admit, I was highly disappointed with how the race ended. Don't get me wrong, Jeff had an awesome race with a great finish...but that wasn't enough. Thanks NASCAR... Anyway... This race was the race that has set the Chase field for the very last race of the season...meaning after this race only four of the eight Chase drivers would advance to Homestead to duke it out for this season's championship. While the other four drivers would get eliminated and join the previous eight eliminated Chase drivers. Denny Hamlin started from the pole and led the first thirty or forty laps, but after that, it was the Kevin Harvick show as he led the most laps ( am pretty sure he led all the laps after that, except the laps he was in the pits. He had an awesome race car and he did what he had to do to get into the Chase. Joey Logano had problems early on in the race where he left the pit road with his gas can still attached to his car and it left pit road while his gas man landed on his face as he drove away. NASCAR penalized him and he had to do a drive through which put him a lap down. But NASCAR gave him his lap back when they threw a caution out and gave him the lucky dog. Denny Hamlin seemed like he had some issue with his car, but he too over came his issue. I do believe all eight Chase drivers ffinished in the top eleven or fifteen. I will admit, this was a hard race to watch, knowing Gordon may be eliminated after the race. Especially when it became clear as to where Ryan Newman would end the race. Gordon was in second for most of the race and if finished second, Ryan Newman would have to finish 12th or worse. As the white flag flew, Gordon was in second and Newman in twelveth. That is until he went alongside Kyle Larson and sent him into the wall...so Gordon finished second. Newman finished eleventh. Kevin Harvick went on to win the race. Here is the four drivers that will be racing for the championship on Sunday (all four has yet to win a Sprint Cup Championship...) KEVIN HARVICK DENNY HAMLIN JOEY LOGANO RYAN NEWMAN Here is the final result (sorry, will be posting a link.) http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/sprint/races/23/results Once again, sorry for a real review...will try to do better on Sunday. Hope you all are having a good week.

This will be short...I am on my phone, but found a more detailed article on Kurt Busch to share with you. http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/kurt-busch-ex-girlfriend-thought-sprint-cup-series-driver-was-in-distress-110814 I hope that works and I apologize for this being so short as well ad for no review of Sundays race. May be Wednesday before I can get to it. I'm sorry. As for Kurt, I am not a fan of his, but really hope there is no truth in her accusation. Once again, I am sorry.

I really didn't know where to put this, so I will put it here. Actually I have a couple of things to bring up, so I guess this is as good as a spot as any to post it at. Perhaps next season, I will have a Nationwide Series thread...oops, I guess next year it will not be the Nationwide Series...it will be Xfinity Series. (Could think of a better name, but then again, I am not handing over the big bucks for them to use the name, so I will not complain. LOL). But before I go into my Nationwide Series news, I will go over the more sad and disturbing news that had started to circulate yesterday. The Dover police are now investigating Kurt Busch (the older Busch brother...#41) for domestic assualt over his ex-girlfriend. I guess the incident happened in September, but his ex is just now coming forth with it...something about how she wanted to get through an other issues before doing that. According to his ex-girlfriend, Kurt was verbally abusive as well as physical. Said he wished he could have a gun to shoot himself with, accused her of having spies or spy cameras on him. Of what I read, she said he threw her against the wall of his motorhome and choked her. Of the first article I read, said this happened right after he had a bad race and a few days after they broke up. Right now, it is a more she said, he said type of thing. According to Kurt's lawyer, she is going going after his money and is having a hard time letting Kurt go. She also had a lawyer go to Kurt for money a ffew days after this happened, but that lawyer has quit since then. Kurt is giving the police his full cooperation in the matter. Right now, there really isn't enough evidence or enough info to really know what happened. Kurt does have a temper on the track, but to treat his ex in that matter? I really hope not. If this is a fake story to make Kurt look bad and to get money, well she can't stoop much lower than this. I will be honest, I am not a Kurt Busch fan...but do find this hard to believe and really hope this is a bunch of garbage that can be taken out ASAP. I will let you all know when more info has been known...or if I can find a good article on it. I should have posted this yesterday when they were all over. It just sickens me with all the negative news stories that NASCAR has gotten this year. Some of it, they brought it upon themselves, but not all. Seems like a lot of sad stories has went through NASCAR this season... On a happier note... Nationwide Series driver, Chase Elliot has clinched the 2014 Nationwide Series Championship! Chase is Bill Elliot's son (Awesome Bill from Dawsonville!!!) and drives for Dale Earnhardt Jr. This kid is scary good...he is sooo amazing. I have followed him through Facebook through the past few years and he has a lot of talent...as he is showing. He is now the first driver to ever win the Nationwide Series Championship on their FIRST year...as well as the youngest driver to win it (he is only 18 years old)...also the youngest driver to win Rookie of the Year in the Nationwide Series. Chase Hendrick is and has been the past few years in the Hendrick organization . . .he was slated to take over Jeff Gordon's car whenever he retires. But I have been hearing that he will be taking over the 5 car of Kasey Kahne when Kahne's contract ends at the end of next year. Just read that Hendrick wants him in the Nationwide Series for another year before being moved up full time, which would corrispond with Kahne's contract. (Also Jeff Gordon has a new sponsor that will start next year...3M (they are and have been with Greg Biffle the past few years, but now moving on to the better .... I mean to Jeff Gordon. ) and I guess 3M's contract is for three years. Which gives Gordon at least three more years of driving. Personally I hope it is for another twenty or a hundred yeares..but I will take what I can. ) So congrats go out to Chase Elliot on his amazing championship win...he has yet to graduate from high school (will do so in May) and yet has a championship to his name already. But then again, look who his dad is. Who he drives for...which organization he has been in. He is deemed for success. Now if only Jeff Gordon will go on and win the Sprint Cup championship...my year will be made!!! (Being a die hard Cubs fan and how sad my Bears have been this year and the past couple of years...I do believe I deserve Gordon to win this championsip. I'm just sayin'... ) Anyway, with all that said...there is only 106 more days left til the 2015 season opener at the Daytona 500 race. Not that I am counting or anyting....

Well Hoss...thanks for your view of what happened as well as Lizzy. Obviously I don't agree completely with you, but do see where you are coming from. Also know that I am biased seeing how I am a huge Jeff Gordon fan. But there is more to it than just being a Gordon fan that has made me upset. See where you thought Gordon went down...I thought that too and did look into it. They were going in the turn where they have to go down at, Keselowski knew that and went for it anyway and got into Gordon. But I guess that is a racing incident and is OK with NASCAR. Truth is of what I heard, Keselowski got into both Gordon and Johnson. Well y'all can guess how I feel about that too...just glad JJ won the race. OK, I already said more than what I was going to say. When I read Hoss's reply had thought of coming back with what I thought, but feel like there is no need. You know where I stand. I stand with Gordon all the way. As I said, thank you for you both for weighin in on how you feel about it. And also as I said, I see where both of you are coming from and respect it. I don't agree with Gordon fighting or anyone...but this is what NASCAR wants. Or at least what they are asking ffor with this new championship format...and their lack of a punishment towards Keselowski a couple of weeks ago also expresses it to everyone, that NASCAR won't step in and punish Keselowksi themselves...well... Not saying I agree with it, but when as much is on the stake for everyone, stuff like this is going to happen. Despite the penalties, I am sure NASCAR is loving all this attention. It was even on the ffront page off Yahoo that someone sent a picture on FB of. With all that said, I am and always will be a Jeff Gordon fan and supporter. He don't get mad at just anything or at nothing...just like Kenseth a couple of weeks ago when he went after Brad. Kenseth and Gordon are pretty laid back and don't cause much trouble or say anything about anyone...so when they react, well, you know there is a reason behind. OK I will shut up...I came here to report the penalties that NASCAR has FINALLY handed down. Hated this long wait knowing something was coming. Especially after all that has been on FB from sitting Gordon out at Phoenix this weekend to docking points. Which I doubted they would do that, but with NASCAR you don't know what they will do. Especially when they reported over and over that Keselowski did nothing wrong. So... Crew members from Gordon and Kahne has been punished. Jeremy Fuller from Kahne's crew with Dwayne Doucette and Jason Ingle ffrom Gordon's has been fined $25,000 and suspended from NASCAR through six points races. Their offense is actions against or to stock car racing as well as behaviorial penalty for their altercation in the fight. Dean Mozingo from Gordon's crew was ffined $10,000 ands upsended through the completion off the next three Sprint Cup point racesfor about the same thing. Kenny Francis, cc for Kahne, and Alan Gustafson cc for Gordon has been ffined $50,000 and placed on probation through the the next six point NASCAR races. Which is the ones I don't really agree with. It comes down to it that they are fined because they are suppose to have complete control of their entire team...as well as the same as as their actions being against NASCAR and for behavior penalty. So far, I see nothing against Gordon or against Harvick. So I guess, this is better than what I was expectingf and am somewhat happy for. But sad to see their crew members suspended and fined...and their crew cheifs. I just hope this is the end of it and that we don't see anything more in Phoenix and Homestead. Nothing for the 2 team...which doesn't surprise me. Though does make me wonder why Gordon's crew got punished for punching as well as Kahne's when whoever punched Gordon got away with nothing. That kinda irritates me...because obviously Gordon got punched out the whole ordeal. I have seen different angles of the fight and I don't think either driver punched anyone...which leaves the crews. So I am not really saying Keselowski should be punished, but whoever punched Gordon, should have gotten something. My opinion...I know it isn't worth much. I'll just shut up for now and be grateful Gordon wasn't penalized or Kahne for that matter. Never was a Kevin Harvick fan, but have to say he gained some respect from me Sunday night and am glad he didn't get fined. Though do wonder if all this would have been avoided if it wasn't ffor his shove, but also see where he he is coming from. I don't agree with fighting, but am proud how my Hendrick teams support each other and are there for each other. As I said...I just hope this is over for Gordon and that he can race his way into the Chase at Homestead with a chance at his fifth championship. http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/11/4/nascar-sprint-cup-series-texas-motor-speedway-penalties.html This isn't the article I read, but it is ffrom the same site with most off the info, if not more so. I hope y'all aren't mad at me for expressing my opinions. I probably should never have said anything, but was just really upset at it all. Still am. but am ready to move on and get to Phoenix...fingers crossed for a drama free and great race!

Landon Cassill had engine failure that ended his race early. Thanks Hoss for posting the final result.

I guess we feel differently about it. No need to run people over to get the win like that. Gordon was going for the same thing as Keselowski and didn't run anyone over. Not saying what he did was right and I am sure NASCAR will have a thing or two to say about it. I think all in all, everyone is getting tired of Keselowski and the stunts he has been giving this past season or so. Just my opinion. Sorry you are disappointed in Jeff Gordon. I don't agree with what he did, but do understand that. He has to stand up for himself and will always be a proud Jeff Gordon fan.

Well never mind about that idea of writing this during the race seeing how my computer just closed the window up after writing it up three fourths of the race. .URGH. Dang thing. I really don't know where to start now that it was deleted and now that the race is over and I am beyond upset right now. Kenseth led the first fifty laps or so before Jimmie Johnson passed the race and led a lot of laps. Gordon led a lot of laps. Urgh...I really did have all this wrote up and waiting for the end and I pushed some dang button and it closed out everything. And now after all the drama, I can't think beyond the end of the race. So...I guess I will write about the end. I apologize. They had a restart where Tony Stewart helped pushed Gordon back to the lead after JJ retook the lead. After a few laps of Gordon pulling away from everyone with seven laps to, Clint Bowyer decides to spin out. (After his intentional spin out last year and his feelings towards Gordon, it's hard to know if it was on purpose or not. I will try and give him the benefit of the doubt here...) So they went to another restart...and on the restart, Jimmie had a better restart seeing as Gordon chose the outside line and he went back only for Brad Keselowski to come up and side slam Gordon to cut Gordon's tire. Gordon hit the wall to bring out another caution. (At which point, I left the room to take care of laundry. I'll admit, I was a little upset. Sad to see anyone have such a good and strong race only for someone to ruin the race.) They went to W-G-C and I guess Jimmie Johnson held Brad Keselwoski off and led the race. Keselowski came in second...while Jeff Gordon finished 29th. And then after the race ended... Gordon parked alongside Brad Keselwoski's car and got out and walked around where Keselowski was getting out of his car. He had a crew member standing in Gordon's way. Well Kevin Harvick came behind Keselowski and shoved Keselowski forward where Gordon hit him and it started an all out fight between the crew and the drivers. Both Gordon and Keselowski stepped away from the fight with a bloody lip. Keselowski more so. Keselowski doesn't seem to think he did any wrong and Gordon had some pretty strong words towards Keselwoski in his interview. I have a feeling, that y'all know which side I am in all of this. I am not for fighting and I had told Gordon when he parked next to his car not to sink to his level...but at the same time, don't blame him for being upset and doing what he did either. If you ask me, NASCAR had asked for things like this to happen by putting this new Chase format in and had predicted it before the season even started. Though had hoped Gordon wouldn't be involved. Also feel like NASCAR promoted all this by not punishing Keselowski or too much at least a couple of weeks ago when Keselowski was wrecking people for no reason. I am beyond upset right now. Gordon had that race won...if not a decent finish up until Keselwoski got into him. And now we are one point into the Chase if we were to go to Homestead right now. I am just glad that Jimmie Johnson won...well I would have anyway, but am glad Johnson won over Keselwoski. We have two races left of the season. Phoenix next Sunday where they will eliminate four more drivers to leave four drivers going for the cup at Homestead on November 16th. Going into today's race, I felt Gordon had a good chance at winning his fifth championship. Now I am not so sure. Which is sad, because I feel like of all drivers, Gordon has had the best season. I say that as a fan, but also because he had. I am pretty sure that above all drivers right now, Gordon has the best average finish...should account for something. I apologize for my bad review...I had it all planned out that I would write it as it went along so I wouldn't forget it something, but then I had to go mess that up and with how it ended, well, that is all that I can think about. I am sure NASCAR will have a thing or two to say about this...but when they do, I really hope they remember how they felt about Brad a couple of weeks ago when they only fined him ten thousand dollars and four race probation. They will come out on Tuesday if with anything and I will make sure to let you all know. I am sorry for putting my opinions on here...just right now I am just upset about it all. About how it ended. The fight. Everything. As I said, I don't condone the fight, but do understand where Jeff is coming from and why he did what he did. I will always support Jeff and his team. Proud of them...no matter what. NASCAR wanted drama by this new Chase format...well they got what they wanted. Hope they are happy...

Hey Hoss...thanks for paying tribute to Landon Cassill. Have I ever mentioned that he is from Iowa...actually only a half hour a way from me. Sadly I don't know him personally or his family, but he has been fun to watch. Love seeing him run so well. His dad owns a car dealership in his home town...Landon's car got stolen from the shop a couple of months ago, but think they did find it. Three races left, including Texas, and I am so nervous that I can't hardly stand still. I hope you are right that Gordon is sitting in the right spot. It would have been super nice if Jr would have let Gordon pass for the race, but at the same time, like Gordon said, you don't want to win that way. THat has been a big conversation this week. People saying Jr should have let Gordon win...after all, Gordon has more to gain and lose than he does, and others saying that Jr did the right thing. As much as it hurts being so close to being locked into the Chase, each driver is out there for the win, whether or in the chase or not. There was even a Jr fan page on FB that insisted that Gordon was mad after the race last week. I don't see that. I saw Gordon being disappointed at being so close, but not mad at Jr for doing what he is suppose to do. Win. With that said, they ran a good piece on Gordon on Race Day on Speed Channel before the pre race started. Good seeing Gordon so happy and confident. Hopefully it pays off. Everyone seems to be paying Ryan Newman respect with being this far without a win. Am sure James Best is happy...I talked to James Best the last time I saw him about Gordon. He had just got done doing some project or something with Gordon. He said Ryan Newman was his favorite driver. They live close to each other and James helps with Ryan Newman's pet charities, if I remember right. Though despite that, I am still going for Gordon to win it...feel like he has had the better season than those that are currently in the Chase. That should play out for a win, right? I think it should. Well the race is about to go Green...I am going to attempt to write my review as the race goes on. Not promising perfection, but should do better, right? With that said...lets go JEFF GORDON AND TEAM 24!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well before I start, I have to thank Hoss and Roger for the laugh. LOL. Well Roger, I may have beat you last week...but seeing how I picked Jimmie Johnson this week and well...he didn't do too well today...you may just have kicked me out of first place. That is unless you picked JJ as well or perhaps Harvick or Keselowski. Please don't be too mad...or if it does become violent, I may be forced to delete your team off my league. Or better yet, I'll just hide behind Hoss for protection. Then he'll be forced to take action...unlike NASCAR. :roll: OK...now to get serious.... As for my race review of Martinsville...I really don't know where or how to start. I should really have this window open and write it as it goes on that way I won't forget anything. Because I really do feel like I will forget something big today. Because well, the ending has overshadowed the race itself. HA. Jamie McMurray started the race from the pole and led over eighty laps...he dominated the first quarter of the race but after a rough pit stop and fighting his car, he slid back from the front. Where my man Jeff Gordon stepped up to plate and I believe, led the most laps today. He had a rocket of a race car...if I say so myself. After Brad Keselowski got caught speeding on pit road...Jeff Gordon got caught speeding on pit road. Where he went from first to thirtieth! (I wasn't very happy. LOL) But he proved he had a fast race car when it didn't take him very long to get to the front again. Martinsville lived up to it's high caution rate...though I can't remember how many. I think the announcers said that last time they had 17 yellow flags. Don't know if we lived up to be that high...but we did have two red flags that lasted ten minutes. Brian Vickers and Kasey Kahne got upset at one another...it started when Kahne got into Vickers when Vickers wouldn't give him any room on the track. Vickers went to the garage and when he came back out, he intentionally wrecked Kahne. Though according to Vickers on the radio his car just veered into him. Kahne went to the garage and when he came back out he got back into Vickers. NASCAR then called down to both their crews and told them that was enough from them two. Brad Keselowski, who won last week, had some sort of issue that sent him up the track and got hit from behind by Casey Mears. Kahne somehow got connected in that one and hit the wall hard. It went to red flag for ten minutes before Keselowski took his car back to the garage. Can't remember if they said what was wrong with his car. Know they thought it was one thing but it wasn't that. Do know that it was a rough day for Kasey Kahne today. It was also a rough day for Jimmie Johnson who went to his pits out of turn due to a tire issues. They came back out only to go back to the garage due to some oil leak or something. He came back out but only finished 32nd today at a track that he normally dominates at. Matt Kenseth checked up and got into Kevin Harvick and sent Harvick to the garage for several laps with lots of damage. Harvick came back out not understanding that it wasn't done on purpose and had shown Kenseth his displeasure by bumping into him. Kurt Busch had a pretty good day until his car went up in smoke during a pit stop and he parked it out in the garage area and when they opened the hood his engine was on fire. Not a Kurt Busch fan, but will give him a lot of credit that during his interview he had a positive attitude about it and had a smile. Danica Patrick spun out during one of the accidents and Marcos Ambrose was involved in another two or three car accident. Sorry I don't have much info on that...I actually forgot about them until I was writing the results down. As I said, I should have started this review as the race started and wrote it as it went along. Tony Stewart led a few laps today as did Clint Bowyer. Denny Hamlin led a lot of laps and also had a car to win. At the end Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the guy to beat once he got out front. Gordon was running second and almost got to him when the red flag came out after another accident...can't remember who or why at the moment. But with seven laps, the top cars pitted for fresh tires and maybe gas. When the race went green, there was like four laps to go and Jr and Gordon were quick to get up to the front. Gordon raced Jr. to the checkered flag, but came in second to Dale Earnhardt Jr who won his first Martinsville race and grandfather clock. It was kind of an emotional win for Hendrick...ten years and two days ago, Hendrick's plane crashed in Martinsville killing ten people including Rick's son, two nieces, someone who worked for Stewart...and maybe a brother? Am not sure about the brother. But I remember it like it was yesterday. Jimmie Johnson won the race that day and afterwards before he could celebrate, he was walked off with no post race celebration. What a sad day that was. Know JJ and other drivers were close to Ricky Hendrick (Rick's son). It will be something always remembered and they will be forever missed. It was great to hear Jr play tribute to them (as did Gordon) during their post race interviews...Jr wasn't part of Hendrick at the time that happened, but am sure he was close to Ricky and was upset about it. Here is the official results: 1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2. Jeff Gordon 3. Ryan Newman 4. Tony Stewart 5. Joey Logan0 6. Matt Kenseth 7. Clint Bowyer 8. Denny Hamlin 9. AJ Allmendinger 10. David Ragen 11. Kyle Busch 12. Austin Dillion 13. Greg Biffle 14. Paul Menard 15. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 16. Jamie McMurray 17. Justin Allgaier 18. Cole Whitt 19. Landon Cassill 20. Carl Edwards 21. Aric Almirola 22. David Gilliland 23. Marcos Ambrose 24. Michael Annett 25. Josh Wise 26. Mike Wallace 27. Brian Vickers 28. Kyle Folwer 29. Alex Bowman 30. Kyle Larson 31. Brad Keselowski 32. Jimmie Johnson 33. Kevin Harvick 34. Danica Patrick 35. Reed Sorenson 36. Kurt Busch 37. Casey Mears 38. Martin Truex Jr. 39. JJ Yeley 40. Kasey Kahne 41. Travis Kvapil 42. Timmy Hill 43. Clay Rogers As much as I like Dale Earnhardt Jr...I really do...I was really wanting Gordon to win this race. Well I would like Gordon to win every race, but also, if he won this race he would be automatically in the Chase come Homestead in three weeks. But at least it is Earnhardt Jr. that won (Congrats Roger...bet you are on cloud nine right now. As you should be. ) If the Chase were to go to Homestead right now...it would look like this: 1. Jeff Gordon 2. Ryan Newman 3. Joey Logano 4. Matt Kenseth Well...we have two more races before we can worry about Homestead. Texas is next Sunday (Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick will be swapping crews next week) and then Phoenix after Texas...and then Homestead. And if you are bad at math...that means we ONLY have THREE more RACES left of the SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As for me, I am really hoping Gordon gets his fifth championship this year. Who y'all going for? (Better be Gordon...LOL)

Well before I start, I have to thank Hoss and Roger for the laugh. LOL. Well Roger, I may have beat you last week...but seeing how I picked Jimmie Johnson this week and well...he didn't do too well today...you may just have kicked me out of first place. That is unless you picked JJ as well or perhaps Harvick or Keselowski. Please don't be too mad...or if it does become violent, I may be forced to delete your team off my league. Or better yet, I'll just hide behind Hoss for protection. Then he'll be forced to take action...unlike NASCAR. :roll: OK...now to get serious.... As for my race review of Martinsville...I really don't know where or how to start. I should really have this window open and write it as it goes on that way I won't forget anything. Because I really do feel like I will forget something big today. Because well, the ending has overshadowed the race itself. HA. Jamie McMurray started the race from the pole and led over eighty laps...he dominated the first quarter of the race but after a rough pit stop and fighting his car, he slid back from the front. Where my man Jeff Gordon stepped up to plate and I believe, led the most laps today. He had a rocket of a race car...if I say so myself. After Brad Keselowski got caught speeding on pit road...Jeff Gordon got caught speeding on pit road. Where he went from first to thirtieth! (I wasn't very happy. LOL) But he proved he had a fast race car when it didn't take him very long to get to the front again. Martinsville lived up to it's high caution rate...though I can't remember how many. I think the announcers said that last time they had 17 yellow flags. Don't know if we lived up to be that high...but we did have two red flags that lasted ten minutes. Brian Vickers and Kasey Kahne got upset at one another...it started when Kahne got into Vickers when Vickers wouldn't give him any room on the track. Vickers went to the garage and when he came back out, he intentionally wrecked Kahne. Though according to Vickers on the radio his car just veered into him. Kahne went to the garage and when he came back out he got back into Vickers. NASCAR then called down to both their crews and told them that was enough from them two. Kahne was later taken out by the first red flag accident...my memory is a blank right now on who started it and why. Kasey hit the wall hard as did Casey Mears. They were both OK. Just a rough day for Kasey Kahne today for sure. It was also a rough day for Jimmie Johnson who went to his pits out of turn due to a tire issues. They came back out only to go back to the garage due to some oil leak or something. He came back out but only finished 32nd today at a track that he normally dominates at.

Well the race is over...so I guess I should write my review. I will be honest with you, I am not very happy with how this race has ended and I go back to that I don't agree with this elimination they put in the Chase. At all. For Talladega it was pretty calm...for the most part. I think they had five or six cautions. Two was for debris and three for accidents. Though the accidents happened to be pretty big ones. The first one involved Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart who both were collected in the accident (sorry...I can't recall who started it right now). Tony was able to stay out while Kyle Busch was in the garage for forty laps before coming back out. Though with how bad his car was, I was surprised he was able to get up and running again. That accident may have been one with Joey Logano and Keselwoski...but both Logano and Keselowksi didn't get affected much by it. I know there were a couple other accidents, but at the moment, can't think of it. This race got me so upset, I can't even think right...LOL. Jimmie Johnson led the most laps today, but didn't lead the lap that counted the most...the last one. He was leading at the end, but with no teammates up there to help him, he was shuffled back after a restart. Jr. hung out in the front of the field for awhile but with thirty laps or so fell back to mid pack...and with four laps to go, Junior got wrecked with the 38 got into the back of Greg Biffle who got into Jr. Which produced a green and white and checker finish and had Ryan Newman to the lead. . .until NASCAR threw a caution for debris once again and they were all back to a final restart for two laps. On the last restart Keselwoski passed Newman...Newman tried to get past him on the last lap, but failed to do so and Keselowski went on to the win the race. As for Jeff Gordon...because I know y'all are curious about him...hung out in the back all day. Didn't do much of anything...other than he just missed getting caught up in the first wreck and Jr almost wrecked him and Hamlin out on the last wreck. So at least he was able to finish the race...even if it was 26th place. Here is the final results: 1. Brad Keselwoski 2. Matt Kenseth 3. Clint Bowyer 4. Landon Cassill 5. Ryan Newman 6. Travis Kvapil 7. Kurt Busch 8. Marcos Ambrose 9. Kevin Harvick 10. Casey Mears 11. Joey Logano 12. Kasey Kahne 13. Austin Dillion 14. Reed Sorenson 15. Cole Whitt 16. Michael Waltrip 17. Kyle Larson 18. Denny Hamlin 19. Danica Patrick 20. Brian Vickers 21. Carl Edwards 22. Ryan Blaney 23. AJ Allmendinger 24. Jimmie Johnson 25. Greg Biffle 26. Jeff Gordon 27. Martin Truex Jr. 28. Josh Wise 29. David Gilliland 30. David Ragen 31. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 32. Trevor Bayne 33. Terry Labonte 34. Tony Stewart 35. Jamie McMurray 36. Paul Menard 37. Michael Annett 38. Mike Wallace 39. Aric Almirola 40. Kyle Busch 41. Michael McDowell 42. JJ Yeley 43. Alex Bowman And since this is the elimination race...four drivers have left the Chase and we are down to eight chasers for the next four races. Here is what the new Chase grid looks like: 1. Joey Logano (won at Kansas) 2. Kevin Harvick (won at Charlotte) 3. Brad Keselowski (won at Talladega) 4. Ryan Newman (+27 points ahead of ninth) 5. Denny Hamlin (+10) 6. Matt Kenseth (+9) 7. Carl Edwards (+9) 8. Jeff Gordon (+3) Drivers who were eliminated: 9. Kasey Kahne (-3 to Gordon) 10. Kyle Busch (-7) 11. Jimmie Johnson (-40) 12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-48) I am very happy to see Gordon make it onto the next round...even by three points. But am very sad to see Johnson, Jr, and Kahne out of the Chase due to things that were beyond their control. Meanwhile, Brad Keselwoski, who threw his fit last week and caused all that drama, wins the race and gets into the Chase. Something does not add up to me and it has left me upset. Onto Martinsville next weekend ... where I am glad to be back to a normal track where drivers have a say over their race and in more control. I like Talladega...just not in the Chase. Super glad Gordon has made it...but frustrated to see my other three drivers get the boot...

I'm sorry Hoss...I thought of you when I saw Ricky didn't make it. If it makes you feel any better... my man Jeff Gordon was thirteen seconds away from not making it as well. Though I think he could rely on past championship points to get him in. But still...I really hate this new qualifying they have now. Especially for restrictor plate races. Don't understand why NASCAR is intent on making things worse this year...they are just asking for drama and wrecks and what not. Whatever happened to watching the race to watch them actually race? Just frustrating.

Well OK then. This is the third time of trying to write this message...perhaps that means I shouldn't post it. Thanks for the laugh Hoss. That is exactly the car that Keselwoski should be given to drive for the rest of the season. But with the target sign that is bound to be following him, I bet he already feels like he is in one of those cars. I just hope he stays far away from my Hendrick drivers.... The only part of NASCAR's penalties that I agree with is that they didn't penalize Kenseth or Hamlin. I don't condone fighting at all, but with what they were dealt with, I don't blame them for being upset. Just like I don't blame Stewart for being upset. I understand with all that is going on this year with Stewart, that he probably shouldn't have done what he did. But at the same time, what is he suppose to do? Just let people run into him for little to no reason? I mean, Stewart fnished the race. His car in one piece. Was parked on pit road. When out of no where and with little to no warning, Keselowski runs into him. And for what? And why? It really makes me upset at NASCAR for even thinking of fining Stewart.. He just gave back what was given to him! To me, he was fined for doing NOTHING wrong. At all. Just so wrong. And then Keselowski...he is just given a little tap on the wrist for what he did. To us fifty thousand dollars is a lot of money, but he probably gets that for every race he races...if not more so. And on probation for four races? You know what NASCAR did...they made it so the very last race of the season, he will NOT be on probation. At all. There is no reason at all for Keselowski's behavoir or for any of what he did! Wrecking cars on pit road...who don't have their HANS on or seatbelted in? Ok Kenseth should still have had them on, but the race was over, he was going to the garage! One doesn't expect to get wrecked going back to the garage AFTER the race is OVER! Not only that, but Keselowski did burn outs in the garage area. He ran over a part and sent it flying across the sidewalk! All along, fans and crew members are walking around. Kesleowski and NASCAR are lucky no one got hurt...or worse! Forget fining him money and probation, I think they should have parked his car for a couple of races...if not the season! If not that, then take away a LARGE chunk of points. Make him think twice before he acts up again..If this was Keselowski's first time of acting up, I'd say fine, whatever. But it isn't his first time. He is known to act up. And yet NASCAR looks away. NASCAR has always been and always will be inconsistant with their punishments and it makes me upset. Their punishements seem to favor the hot head ones, the drivers who normally act up...they seem to give a light punishment, but for those who don't normally act up? They throw the book at them! For example, back when Dale Jr was driving the 8 car, he won the race, was excited...happy...and he said the "s" word on TV. NASCR fined him 25 points. So I guess in NASCAR's eyes Dale using the S word on TV is worse than what Keselowski did Saturday night that could have seriously hurt people??? That is just an example...I can think of others. But I guess it is what it is. But still...NASCAR needs to rewrite their punishments for each crime and give it accordingly to who does it no matter who it is. Though, as much as this has upset me, I can't say I am too surprised. Sadly, I had predicted something like this happening at the start of the year when NASCAR made the eliminating format known. NASCAR has pretty much been asking for stuff like this to happen by the Chase format, especially now with the elimination factor. They are know boxing the Chase drivers up and expecting them to fight for ten perfect races...knowing no one can have ten pefect races. There is always going to be some sort of car failure or an accident either their own or someone else's that is bound to happen...and what? Because of a couple races of bad luck, they are eliminated? NASCAR is just adding pressure upon pressure with this format and is having everyone stressed out and acting out...I even heard that JJ had uncharacteristically gotten upset during the race at his crew cheif. Johnson is a pretty laid back and care free guy and now the fact that he is about to be eliminated is adding onto the pressure all drivers have at the start of each race. I am NOT giving Keselowski a reason to do what he did...there is no reason or excuse for what he did. But at the same time, there is a known select few drivers who are hot headed and NASCAR is pretty much asking them to act out when things don't go their way. And why? For the viewers? The attention. If you ask me, if people are tuning into the races to watch a fight and people wreck each other, well they are watching for the wrong reasons. Then again, if you asked me, I would say that they should get rid of the Chase all together and go back to the old point system where you could have a lot of great races and get the championship. Not get the championship because you had a mediorcre season with a couple of wins. Yes, each driver should be getting into their car to win the race, but shouldn't they already want that to begin with and not because of the fear of being eliminated? And with Talladega coming up this Sunday...the track that produces all the big accidents...Keselowski has chosen the wrong time to make new enemies. I am not for retaliation, but you can bet Kenseth, Hamlin, and Stewart will be getting into their cars on Sunday, still upset by what happened last Saturday. They don't forget or forgive that quickly. And with NASCAR's lack of a punishment on Keselwoski, they just painted that target sign all that much bigger on Keselwoski. All I have to say is that I really hope Keselwoski is no where near my Hendrick boys or your favorite drivers any time this weekend...or for the rest of the year for that matter. All of this is MY OPINION and MY OPINION ONLY. I apologize for my rant. But you all know how important NASCAR is to me and how much I love it...so when something like this happens, I tend to get upset and frustrated about it. I will be a NASCAR fan til the day I die...as well as Cubs and Bears. That is just who I am and how I work. But NASCAR has really messed up with how they are handling this. . .and they should be ashamed of themselves. But as I said, once a fan, always a fan. I will leave saying the same words Jeff Gordon said in his interview after the race...am really glad Gordon (or any one from team Hendrick) was not involved in what happened.

Wow leave it to NASCAR to punish a driver for doing what they asked them to do... I am sure HMS will solve the problem or find out what it is that is causing all this. Personally, I understand Hamlin/Kenseth/Stewart being upset. No call for how Keselowski had acted last night and then act like he did no wrong just seems to make it worse. Personally I think the fines/punishment should fall on Keselowski's shoulders and would like to see him parked, but I doubt they will do that. My opinion...

Here is the final results: 1. Kevin Harvick 2. Jeff Gordon 3. Jamie McMurray 4. Joey Logano 5. Kyle Busch 6. Kyle Larson 7. Ryan Newman 8. Carl Edwards 9. Denny Hamlin 10. Kasey Kahne 11. Kurt Busch 12. AJ Allmendinger 13. Austin Dillion 14. Martin Truex Jr. 15. Justin Allgaier 16. Brad Keselowski 17. Jimmie Johnson 18. Greg Biffle 19. Matt Kenseth 20. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 21. Tony Stewart 22. Aric Almirola 23. Landon Cassill 24. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 25. Marcos Ambrose 26. Danica Patrick 27. Reed Sorenson 28. Cole Whitt 29. Michael McDowell 30. Alex Bowman 31. Casey Mears 32. David Gilliland 33. Michael Annett 34. David Ragen 35. Corey LaJoie 36. Timmy Hill 37. Brian Vickers 38. JJ Yeley 39. Black Koch 40. Brett Moffitt 41. Josh Wise 42. Paul Menard 43. Clint Bowyer Well we are moving on to Talladega next Sunday...also the cut off date of this round in the Chase. Drivers will be eliminated after next week and right now, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson are in danger of getting eliminated. :( I think someone said last night that they will have to have a great race, great finish and those above them to have a bad race. Which leaves me torn...because above all else, I want Gordon to continue on in the Chase, but I also want Jimmie Johnson and Dale Jr. to move forward as well. I guess we will see next week... If you want my opinion, I really hate the fact that they have Talladega in the Chase. Talladega is a race known as providing the "big ones" as in accidents. One could be having a great race and someone else's small mistake to wreck them out of the race and out of the Chase. I know it adds so called excitement to it, but I'd rather see drivers move forward due to their talent or out of the Chase due to others being better than them. Not because one of the Chase drivers are involved in one of the big ones. Also...I really hope there is no retaliation of last night's fight at Talladega...

Well y'all...I am sorry to say that I missed most of the race last night since we had family over. I turned the race on as they were getting ready to leave with like fifty laps to go or so. If that. So, I don't have much info about the race. I apologize for my lack of a review...I will write what I know. If someone knows more, feel free to add onto it. I heard that Danica Patrick was running in the top ten when Joey Logano got into her and she got upset saying she was going to wreck him...though don't know if she did or not. Seems like I saw somewhere where she and Newman got in an accident? Also heard that Dale Earnhardt Jr. shifter? broke. Which explains why he was like 23rd when I turned the race on. Matt Kenseth was in third place when Brad Keselowski went to block him...Kenseth was already there and Keselowski got into the front of Kenseth's car. Later Keselowski and Hamlin got into each other...can't really see what happened other than it being a racing deal. With ten laps to go a caution is thrown...I can't remember for what now...but that with five to go, Jimmie Johnson who was in fifth place, pits...and comes home seventeenth. Kevin Harvick came home with the win with Jeff Gordon came home second. I am sorry for my lack of a review today...of what I remember most of last night's game came AFTER the checkered flag flew. After the race was over, Brad Keselowski wrecks Denny Hamlin, before running into Matt Kenseth and running into the backend of Tony Stewart who was parked. Stewart got mad and reversed his car into Keselowski to wreck the front end of his car. Denny Hamlin was so mad after the race, it took all his men to keep him away from Brad Keselowski, and Hamlin was still fighting his own crew to get to Keselowski. (someone said that Keselowski did burn out in the garage area. Did see pictures of it, but didn't understand what they were talking about...or why.) Later the camera showed Matt Kenseth running down between two haulers and shoving/hitting Keselowski who didn't know he was coming. Kenseth's crew (I even saw one of Kyle Busch's crew in the mix) shoving Kenseth away from Keselowski. Needless to say, Keselowski once again didn't make any friends last night. They interviewed Kenseth right after wards and he said that he had his HANS devise off and was unbuckled when Keselowski ran into him going fifty miles per hour. Meanwhile Brad Keselowski found a way to place blame in everyone, but himself. I have my own opinion of all of this, but instead, I will just say that Keselowski was called into the NASCAR hauler after the race...and penalties will be handed out on Tuesday as they normally are. I will keep you updated when I find out about what they are. Here is the video of the fight/interviews...will be glad to hear what you think.

That would be great Hoss. I can tell you who won and where my Hendrick boys finished...that is about it.

Well, Hoss, your pre race write ups put mine to shame. I have some sad news....well sad to me anyway. My parents' cable is not working today....well it is off and on. I just gave up with n it and the race....was ready to throw the remote at it if I didn't. So needless to say, my review is going to be worse than normal. Sorry y'all.

Ah Roger....I am about to show you how well I can multitask in sports. I am going to beat you in fantasy football and watch Jeff Gordon win...all at once.

Well Hoss, guess you put it in the right place. I just didn't see it since this was the thread that was on the front page. I should've known someone would have beat me to the verdict...I just was too happy to write about it at first. Though it seems that Kevin Ward Jr's family is seeking for something in turn of it. As for now, am happy to see Tony dropped of any charges. Onto today's race at Dover... Well as Hoss said, Harvick started from the pole for the seventh time this season and led the majority of the laps until he had tire issues that messed up his splitter and sent him to pit road and the race into a caution. I do believe that is the only "action" caution on the race as the other one or two was for debris. Today was a big race for the Chase drivers as it determined who will progress and who would be on the outside looking in. Kasey Kahne was one of the drivers who was at risk of not making the Chase, but made the Chase. He suffered from tire issues and had to make a couple of unscheduled pit stops that put him a couple of laps back. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. hit the wall during the first half of the race...sorry Hoss. Hopefully 2015 will be kinder to him. Brad Keselowski was a strong contender as was Jimmie Johnson who is known to be strong at Dover. Not a whole lot happened at today's race...I think the highlight of the race came with thirty laps to go when Jeff Gordon took the lead (he had been running strong all day) and he held on to drive away to win his fourth win of the season! His 92 win of his career. And...the last time he won at Dover was in 2001 when he went off to win the championship!!! And y'all will be happy to hear that, that he won in his orange Drive to End Hunger car!! Whoop whoop! As for the Chase and who will continue...AJ Allmendinger was only two points out of making the Chase and Aric Almirola finished 28th today to miss out as well. Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle has also been eliminated. It was sad to see them all pretty disappointed and frustrated. Kurt took responsibility for missing out and AJ said that he wasn't disappointed on missing out just on how poorly they ran today. Said they don't deserve to be in if they run like that. Believe AJ finished 23rd today. Here is the official results of Dover: 1. Jeff Gordon 2. Brad Keselowski 3. Jimmie Johnson 4. Joey Logano 5. Matt Kenseth 6. Kyle Larson 7. Martin Truex Jr. 8. Ryan Newman 9. Clint Bowyer 10. Kyle Busch 11. Carl Edwards 12. Denny Hamlin 13. Kevin Harvick 14. Tony Stewart 15. Brian Vickers 16. Paul Menard 17. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 18. Kurt Busch 19. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 20. Kasey Kahne 21. Greg Biffle 22. Jamie McMurray 23. AJ Allmindinger 24. Austin Dillion 25. Danica Patrick 26. Marcos Ambrose 27. Casey Mears 28. Aric Almirola 29. Justin Allgaier 30. Cole Whitt 31. David Regan 32. Reed Sorenson 33. David Gilliland 34. Alex Bowman 35. Landon Cassill 36. Mike Bliss 37. David Stremme 38. Travis Kvapil 39. JJ Yeley 40. Mike Wallace 41. Michael Annett 42. Josh Wise 43. Timmy Hill Here is how the new Chase will look with twelve drivers: 1. Brad Keselowski 2. Joey Logano 3. Kevin Harvick 4. Jimmie Johnson 5. Jeff Gordon 6. Kyle Busch 7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 8. Matt Kenseth 9. Ryan Newman 10. Carl Edwards 11. Denny Hamlin 12. Kasey Kahne We will be going to Kansas next week for race one of the Challenger series...or whatever they call it. LOL. Personally...my Bears may have lost to their rivals the Packers, the Cubs just played their last game of the season...but Jeff Gordon won the race today and all five of my drivers get to advance (Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kasey Kahne (Team Hendrick!) and Carl Edwards). Yep, this has got to be a great week! Hope you all have a great week too. 35.

Thank you Hoss for covering for me....I missed the race so I guess I didn't think much of the review or writing it. I'm sorry and thank you. Though I do have news...the grand jury has found not enough evidence to charge Tony Stewart and the DA has said Stewart was going straight and didn't veer towards Kevin Ward Jr. In other words Tony will NOT be charged. Not only that, but Ward Jr.s toxicology showed he had marijuana in his system. Enough that would impair his judgement. Though by the sounds of it, Ward Jr's dad is upset and is looking at punishing Stewart by other means. I assume a civil suit...though with weed in the kid's system I don't see how he could win and I hope he doesn't. Ward Jr and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. I can only imagine what they are going through and I am sure it is only natural to find guilt in someone else, but still Stewart is not at fault here. The whole situation is incredibly hard and sad. Am really glad that Tony will not be charged... On another news....NASCAR has changed a few rules for next season. Can't recall them all right now. One was no more independent track testing...and (Hoss is going to LOVE this one....) They will have rain tires at the road courses. Hoss may like it, I'm not sure how I feel about it. Of what I take on rain tires from the Nationwide Series is that they go slower with them...and they already go slower on road courses...as well as it is harder to pass. But I will wait and see... Onto the Monster Mile on Sunday and if all goes as planned, I will be watching it. This will be the end of the first round and Chase drivers will start to be eliminated... Four drivers. I know with Gordon who now sits seventh in points, he has to have a top fifteen finish to be in. Or if he leads a lap, in the top sixteen. Or if he leads the most laps, a top seventeen. So he better have all his tire issues and bad luck out of the way...better yet, he can just win the race! LOL