Garrett Duke

Thanks everyone for filling in for me while I was gone and helping out. It means a lot to me. Just wish I came home to better results...LOL. Thanks again.

Well the deal has been made . Brian Vickers now has a two year contract with Michael Waltrip Racing...starting next season. Also... I have heard on Facebook, that Juan Pablo Montoya will not be returning to Chip Ganassi Racing next season... Ah the irony of it...one deal seals while another one opens. Will keep you updated if I hear any more on where Juan may land for next year or who will be taking his ride in 2014.

Well y'all they have finally announced who will be driving for Tony Stewart this upcoming race at Michigan...they had said his name yesterday, but it was only rumored, so I wanted to wait to see it official before posting it this time. Seeing how it is NOT Ragen Smith as I had said it was... Richard Childress (RCR - team owner of Richard Childress Racing) grandson Austin Dillon will be driving the 14 car at Michigan. Richard has two grandsons who are in the Nationwide Series...Austin and Ty. I believe it is Austin who will be moving to the Cup Series next year...in what is rumored to be the number three car. If Richard goes through with it and it isn't all talk and rumor...Austin will be the first driver to drive the number three car since Dale Sr died in 2001. Richard Childress owns the number three in the Spint Cup...Dale Sr use to drive for him before having his own team. But as I said the whole number three deal so far is only talk, will let you know if there is more to it. Also for more NASCAR news (as Rosco would say, I love it, I love it!) Brian Vickers will be driving FULL time for Michael Waltrip Racing with the Aaron's sponsor car. The past couple of years he has been forced to drive part time, sharing a ride with Mark Martin. Of the article I read, said that Martin has said he will not be returning to the team next year...though it has yet to be made official. Someone from MWR put out to the media that they had a big announcement that they would make on Tuesday... See where I stand in NASCAR? I know stuff before the media! Just forget the fact that I read about this in an article online that a friend of mine posted on Facebook...LOL. Brian Vickers MAY be racing full time next year So I guess we will see tomorrow to see if that turns OFFICIAL...will let you know...but I am thinking it is real due to the fact that there has been talk about it. Just nothing concrete until what seems to be now... I have nothing against Mark Martin and I hope him the best with his future whether he finds another ride for next year or if this his slow step back into retirement (that he said he was going to do years ago when Rusty Wallace retired...). But I am super excited to see that Brian Vickers has finally found a full time ride for next year! Also, I just read another article on Tony Stewart where Tony Stewart MAY be sitting out the rest of the 2013 season. I guess Stewart-Hass Racing competition director, Greg Zipadelli (use to be Tony's crew chief when he was racing the 20 Joe Gibbs car) and team are talking to Tony and they will come out on Wednesday with word on if Tony will return and who will be driving the 14 car at that time...if NOT Tony. As always, will keep you updated.

Hope you had fun at the wedding. You are welcome...and yeah, I wish I had better news to share. Onto next week.

Tony Stewart has been released from the hospital and is resting at home. They said they are wanting to pick an replacement driver by tomorrow...will keep you updated with the official driver. Get better soon Smoke!

I think you were reffering to the race on TNT...they had commercial breaks every other minute...or perhaps every other lap. ESPN is a little better. "Crank It UP" was a FOX feature...one that I love having. Then again, I love it when the races are on FOX. To me the announcers are more positive about everyone, less commercial breaks, and they are or seem to be excited to be there and know their stuff. I really wish all the races were on FOX. My opinion...of course. As for the roof flaps...well I better read more closely. I read that part of your post a couple of times and thought it said roof flaps...but doh me. Obviously Gordon was missing some safety there and didn't have all of his car. Trust me, Gordon wasn't happy about it. I don't know if you heard his interview after the accident, but that was the most disappointed and the most depressed I had ever heard him. It was very hard for me to see him so down, so disappointed, and so depressed about it. Normally he tries to put a smile on, tries to put some positive spin on it. There was none of that today. He was upset to have to race what is left of his car the rest of the race. All I know is that it had to be OK with NASCAR otherwise the officials wouldn't have let him back on the track, they would have back flagged him. Which they didn't...have seen other cars out there (not today) that looked like his car so I think as long as all the inside parts are working great and they can keep the car up to speed, they are OK to bring it back out on the track.

Am glad that you are a fan of F1, Hoss and that you like your coverage better than NASCAR. I am not a fan of ESPN's coverage but mainly due to the announcers who make comments like Rusty Wallace's today about how "Gordon was so upset with his car that he wrecked it." Hmmm, yeah sure, Rusty. Gordon May have struggled with his ill handling race car ALL weekend long, but I can guarantee you that Gordon didn't wreck it on purpose like Rusty made it sound like he did. Hoss...believe it or not, Gordon is NOT the first one to be out driving a car that looks like that. Or end a race with a car without the hood. I am sure he was perfectly well within limits of NASCAR's expectations. As long as he was able to keep it up to speed...which he was...there wasn't a problem. As for safety concerns, the only thing Gordon was missing was the hood and front side of his car. The roof flaps are on top of the roof...Glad you found so me humor in it. Max did a good job driving Stewart's car to fifteenth position. Am sure it isn't easy taking over someone else's ride in a series where he doesn't normally race in and have to work with a team he has never worked with before. Stewart is a great road racer, drives in that car every week, and works with his team week in and week out. I do believe Stewart would have a better shot at a better race in his car than Papis or anyone else.

Well the race at Watkins Glen has just finished...the last road race of the season. No more right turns for the Sprint Cup this year. LOL. Marcos Ambrose had won the last two Watkins Glen races and led from the pole to lead 51 of ninety laps before being shuffled towards the back due to pit road strategies. We had eight cautions today due to accidents and what not. Jeff Gordon had fought his car all weekend and started the race 28th which put him on the defensive end before he went to pass on lap fourteen and violently spun into the wall and he was forced to call for a wrecker to pull him to the garage. He later came back out without a hood and a sad looking race car to finish 36th. Later in the race Matt Kenseth spun Kasey Kahne out and into Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr was able to stay out, but both cars were pretty badly wrecked. Glad everyone is ok. Race came back to green and Marcos Ambrose who by now was in tenth had a hard time getting started and Kevin Harvick bumped Max Papis (who was racing for Tony Stewart) who wrecked Marcos Ambrose and Brian Vickers out of the race. After being wrecked out of a win last year at the last lap, Kyle Busch went on to win the race today. 1 Kyle Busch 2 Brad Keselowski 3 Martin Truex Jr. 4 Carl Edwards 5 Juan Pablo Montoya 6 Clint Bowyer 7 Joey Logano 8 Jimmie Johnson 9 Kurt Busch 10 A J Allmendinger 11 Jamie McMurray 12 Casey Mears 13 Kevin Harvick 14 Ryan Newman 15 Max Papis 16 Greg Biffle 17 Paul Menard 18 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 19 Denny Hamlin 20 Danica Patrick 21 David Ragan 22 Boris Said 23 Matt Kenseth 24 Owen Kelly 25 David Gilliland 26 Jeff Burton 27 Dave Blaney 28 Landon Cassill 29 Alex Kennedy 30 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 31 Marcos Ambrose 32 Brian Vickers 33 David Stremme 34 Kasey Kahne 35 Ron Fellows 36 Jeff Gordon 37 Aric Almirola 38 Michael McDowell 39 Brian Keselowski 40 Travis Kvapil 41Victor Gonzalez Jr. 42Tomy Drissi 43 David Reutimann We are back to turning left only next Sunday at Michigan. Heads up...I will be out of town next weekend so it is looking like I will miss the race (sadly) but w ill keep you updated once I read up on the race. On a positive note...before the race, they had said that Tony was hoping to be getting out of the hospital after he got done watching the race. A step in the right direction on Smoke.

Dang MM that has got to be rough. I am sorry to hear that you are still suffering from headaches and that your doctors haven't been able to figure out is causing them nor able to help you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtmEpltGGe4

Well I have another update on Tony Stewart. First off...he is still in the hospital after his accident on Monday night in Iowa that had broke his leg in two different places and had him go through two different surgeries. Still no word on when he will be getting out. And well, Hoss, it is starting to look as if we both won't get what we want...LOL. So far, this is only a RUMOR, and no real fact about it, and I will let you know when it does become an actual fact. But for now it is RUMORED that Nationwide driver...who drives for Dale Earnhardt Jr. . . . Ragen Smith will be filling in for Tony Stewart in the 14 car AFTER the Michigan race next weekend. (I think I read somewhere that Tony and team doesn't want a Nationwide driver driving for Tony at Michigan since Nationwide doesn't race at Michigan.) Greg Zippidelli...Tony's former crew chief who works within Tony's team...said they are working on finding a driver to take Tony's place while he is out of the car and want to find the driver by the end of the weekend. And since I had given y'all my opinion on Elliot Sadler or who I wanted to see take Tony's place while he was out, I will give you another opinion...no matter how wrong it is. I must admit, Ragen Smith would be a great choice to drive the 14 car of Stewart's too. Didn't even think of him. He currently sits second in points in the Nationwide Series and had experience in the Cup Series. As has Max Papis. So I do believe I will keep my opinions to myself. Tony and Greg seem to know what they are doing in finding another driver while Tony is out... But I do have to say that WHOEVER it is that takes over for Tony while he is out hurt, he has some big shoes to fill. Hope Max will take that 14 car from the back towards the front (behind my Hendrick drivers of course ). As I said, so far the whole thing on Ragen Smith taking the ride is only RUMORED. Will let you know when it becomes fact or who they will officially pick when it becomes known to the public. (On a side note...thanks Hoss for placing the qualifying order in the other thread. Had a day long seminar for work to go to today. UGH. Glad that is over and now can watch the race tomorrow...we get to turn right and left tomorrow! Thanks for covering.)

Roger - I was so glad to see you at the draft last night! Made my night...super glad your computer was able to work through it and that it seems to be acting better. Perhaps if you put Cubs and Pirate images on your computer, you would have a super fast and great computer. All them Steelers and Pirates are slowing it down... Though have to admit...doubt my computer is as bad as your's sounded, but my lap top seems to be going slower and slower and even had an "emergency" shut down a couple of days ago. My home computer is slow and has it's own issues of randomly shutting down too. URGH. I am starting to "want" a new lap top...but first off need the money to get it. LOL. Which reminds me of this song on Toby Mac's new album "Eye on it" (Toby Mac is one of my favorite Christian music artist...) in which he sings with his older son Truett...or better known as Tru Dog. "Mac Daddy (Tru's Reality)" Yep...is starting to be how I feel right about now. Though doubt I would get a Mac...would probably get another and newer Gateway.

Yeah I am sure CMT dropping the Dukes has a lot to do with it. Guess it is up to us to keep the great show alive. I am sorry to hear about your migraine MM...I hope that it has gone away and that you are feeling better. Not fun at all!

Thanks Roger that means a lot to me! Likewise to you...to be crowned if not me. I have been super excited for this draft...and now I am nervous now that we are in the draft. I do believe I should be able to pick out my players first since it is my league. HA HA. Best of luck Roger.

Hoss - I am sorry if you felt like I was arguing with you. That wasn't my purpose. If you think Max is more qualified than Elliot, that is perfectly fine. I knew Max raced in other series but perhaps not the full extent of his back ground. Like I said, I like Max and if he is the one in Tony's car until Tony's return, I would be happy for him. I was happy when I heard he was taking his seat this week...I was just trying to tell you where I was coming from with Elliot Sadler. Someone said on Facebook that a Nationwide Series driver would not take Tony's ride on the 18th when the Cup Series will be in Michigan. I guess Nationwide doesn't race there so may have to go to another series that does drive there. Either way or whoever takes Tony's ride while he recovers from his injuries, I will keep you updated. All Hendrick drivers will have a sticker on their cars wishing Tony a fast recovery.

Sorry Roger, I thought you knew, I don't plan on getting beat. I plan on WINNING!!!!!!!!!!! KHEE!

Hoss...I do believe you misinterpreted what I said or meant about Elliot Sadler driving in Tony's car. I do like Max Papis...got a kick out of him a month ago in the Nationwide Series Race where this other driver (can't remember who) got mad at another driver who ended up winning the race. The driver that got mad then took it out on Max Papis (which irritated me. Why take it out on another driver that has nothing to do with what happened? If I remember right, the driver he was mad at, really didn't even do anything to him...could be wrong. I don't watch the Nationwide Series races as I wish I could. I just saw this in a highlight) and spun Max out on the last lap or around the last lap. The driver that was mad was getting interviewed by one of the pit road reporters when Max walked up and in between the interviewer and the driver and patted the driver on the face with is palm...didn't slap or hit him, but his patted him on the face to let him know he was upset and yet had the restraint to control himself and his emotions. I do like Max Papis and do believe he is an PERFECT fit for Stewart's car this upcoming race at Watkins Glen. Max Papis normally shows up for the road races anyway in an unfunded team and now he will be in a well funded car with great equipment under him. Will be great to see what Max can do in Tony's car. But what I was referring to is the fact that no one as of yet has been named to Tony's car after this upcoming race. Yeah it would be good to see Max in it again and maybe if he does well this weekend he will be in it. I don't know. No one has said who will be in his car after this weekend. Personally I can't see them using Max on an oval track but then again, maybe they will. Just sayin' if they do use another driver it would be nice to see Elliot Sadler to get another shot at a Cup race and in a well funded car. Trust me, I am not trying to cut down Max's pedigree of racing or any of the sorts. I knew of Max Papis before any of this has happened. Watched him several NASCAR races. I am not saying he isn't qualified nor undeserving of it. I am sure he will do a good job for Smoke...just sayin' it would be nice for someone to give Sadler a shot. Had said that when Hamlin got hurt towards the beginning of the season. And yet for some reason, Hamlin didn't listen to me. LOL. And of course the whole Elliot Sadler thing is only my OPINION and I do have to say, Elliot is my favorite Nationwide Series driver, so perhaps my opinion is biased. And since you mentioned you looked up Max Papis...well here is Elliott_Sadler's stats.

You are welcome Roger...will keep y'all updated if I hear anything more.

Last call out y'all...tomorrow night is my online draft for my fantasy football league. It is all for fun and all for free. Let me know by eight or so if you are interested and I can send you an invite.

You know what Hazzardnet needs right now? A wake up button! I agree with Roger...it is sad to see this GREAT site be so quiet for so long. I mean come on, what's not love?! It even has a great NASCAR thread to help keep you up to date on all the fast and exciting things that are going on in the world of NASCAR... LOL Yep people sure don't know what they're missing...

Tony Stewart had his second surgery to his leg done today to insert a rod into his leg and as of now will be out of the number 14 car indefinitely due to his injury. Italian Max Papis will be driving Stewart's car this weekend at Watkins Glen...but no word on who will drive it afterward. (If it were me, I'd put Elliot Sadler behind the 14 wheel while Tony is recovering. Elliot use to drive in the Cup Series until he ran out of contract and didn't have a ride and went back to the Nationwide to work on his skills. He was runner up to the championship in Nationwide last year and has won several races in Nationwide. Would be great to see him in a great ride like Tony's and show up his skill. Perhaps earn a good ride next year in Cup...but of course, no one has asked me. YET! LOL) Tony Stewart has his second surgery on his leg - out indefinitely I may be a Jeff Gordon fan...a Hendrick team fan. (Though Tony Stewart and his team does have affiliation with the Hendrick team as they carry the Hendrick engine in all three of their cars. So perhaps he is an extended team mate of Gordon's. LOL) But I really hate this for Smoke...Tony is a race car driver through and through. This has got to be eating him up knowing he can't race this weekend or the next or for however long he is out. And watching the race, well, it won't be the same without Stewart behind the wheel of the 14 car. Tony is currently eleventh in points and holds a wild card slot for the chase with his win he had earlier this year. All that will go away now that he will be missing races and his hopes for the chase has now vanished. I had seen a video of his wreck and it was horrifying...rolled it five times. As horrible as this is for Tony with breaking his leg in two different places, two different surgeries, still in the hospital, and out of several races...well, he is lucky to still be alive. Especially after a sprint series driver died this past weekend in an accident. Those cars don't look safe at all and with all these accidents happening, they don't sound very safe either. Though I did read somewhere yesterday that Stewart saved someone's life in the accident. I guess his car was going towards the pits or was falling towards the pits and would have landed on someone in the pits...and probably would have killed him. Stewart took his car the other way and then wrecked. So if that is the case, Tony is somewhat a hero who is now paying the price I am praying and wishing Tony Stewart and speedy and well recovery and can't wait to see him back on track SOON!

Well, y'all, got some sad news for you. Tony Stewart has had some horrible luck when it comes to sprint car races (not to be confused by the Sprint Series in which is NASCAR's main series that Stewart drives in...) as a few weeks ago he went to pass a young female driver and got caught up in an accident that sent the young driver to the hospital to have surgery on her back. Last week Stewart was in another sprint car race and was in a bad accident...though Stewart seemed to generalize it as an average sprint car accident. And then last night he was in another sprint car race in Oskaloosa, Iowa and was involved in another accident...this one leading to him being air lifted to the nearest hospital with a broken leg. He will have to have surgery on his leg by the sounds of it. Tony Stewart accident Another article on Tony Stewart's accident Stewart now sits eleventh in points and is struggling to make the Chase that will start after five more races...one of the articles state that he will miss this upcoming Watkins Glen race (would think he would have to miss more...but I don't know) which will only make things worse for Stewart in the points. As we found out with Denny Hamlin when he hurt his back earlier this year, the drivers who don't start the race, don't get the points. I may not be a big Tony Stewart fan, but I do wish him a well and speedy recovery. Never want to see something like this happen...to anyone.

KHEE Roger! Good one!

Thanks Hoss for coming to my rescue...again. Switched your driver Stenhouse Jr on my starting list for Fantasy NASCAR and look how he repays me?! He wrecks on the first lap...thanks to JPM. Do believe Stenhouse Jr was just a bit upset at ol Juan if you ask me. Then again, he isn't the first driver to get upset at Juan Pablo and probably won't be the last...

Well I don't have a lot of time but did want to say something... Today's race was full of ups and downs. A lot of tire issues. Denny Hamlin who is known to be good at Pocono (his first two wins were his first two starts at Pocono) had tire issues that sent him into the wall and out of the race. He ended up dead last in 43rd spot. Towards the start of the race, Juan Pablo Montoya took out Ricky Stenhouse Jr... Jimmie Johnson had the most dominant car during the first half of the race...only for his tire to go flat and he hit the wall. He struggled with his car after that and hung out in 30th spot for a long time, but after a lot of work and a lot of fight, he came home thirteenth. Brad Keselowski had a fast car but when he took four tires, everyone took two tires and sent him back to fifteenth spot. He finished sixth today. Danica Patrick was probably having one of her better races when she got into it with another driver and then took out Jeff Burton who also was having one of his better races of the season. Kasey Kahne had a fast car towards the end of the race and one that was hard to catch. Though Jeff Gordon seemed to do just that and was able to pass him with a handful of laps to go until Matt Kenseth had some issues and hit the wall. On the final restart Gordon started on the inside and Kahne acted as if he had a bad restart but Kurt Busch was able to push him past Jeff Gordon. Kasey Kahne went on to win his second race of the season and Jeff Gordon came home second. Was a pretty exciting race...and am happy with second, but gotta admit, having the win right there like that, was kinda disappointing not to get the win. But second place is a great finish...especially after starting twenty-second today for Jeff Gordon.