Garrett Duke

Well the Martinsville race has just finished and it was packed with excitement. And for once in the past two weeks...Logano wasn't involved. We have had thirteen cautions flags throughout the five hundred laps today. Most of them had to deal with tires going flat and drivers spinning out. Jr was strong early in the race but after he got involved in a couple of accidents he fell way back. First major accident was right after a restart when Kahne got a bad restart and Jr got into the back of him and I think Vickers got into the back of Jr. Several other drivers down the track kinda got accordianed into the wreck as well. Matt Kenseth led a lot of laps where he isn't known to be good at Martinsville but now with Toyota instead of Ford...who knows. Denny Hamlin watched the race from his pit box...they had a great interview with him on prerace show. Had to have killed him to watch from the sidelines. Mark Martin drove his car and had a heck of a time with the set up and all that. During one pit stop while they were changing tires Martin started to go before they put the tire on! As Darrell Waltrip said, his crew must have said woah and he thought they said go...which is why they should c ome up with other words that don't sound a like for commands. Ah well. So then since he was outside of the pitbox after he stopped to finish the tire, he got penalized for pitting outside of the box. Not his day...Brian Vickers will be in the 11 car next week. Talking about Brian Vickers, seems like he was in the majority of the wrecks. He was in the one mentioned above then later on he got into Danica which in turn wrecked Jr. Gordon started the race strong but during a pit stop, he over shot his pit box and had to get shoved back. Went from second place to like twenty where he had a hard time fighting with his car and set up. Though I am happy to announce that they got the car tuned in and he got to passing car and he came home third. Have to say it feels like a win! And then there is Ryan Newman...he had a flat tire and came to a halt on the track to bring out the caution. Well just as soon as the caution dropped, he got his car started and brought it down to the pits...NASCAR parked him for three laps for purposefully bringing out his wanted caution.. Newman had other tire problems later on in the race as well...though was quick to go to pits. (David Reutimann brought out the same type of caution last year and didn't get penalized...ah well I guess.) I remember years ago when Jr still was in the 8 car driving for his step mom, one race he was leading and was losing the lead so he purposely spun out to get the caution. During the post race party or something was bragging about it when an official overheard him and had to penalize him for it... Kurt Busch who has had a pretty good season thus far was also plagued by tire issues. First he had flat tire, got it fixed, spun out later and took it to the garage. Came back out and with thirteen or so laps to go...his breaks went out and he hit the outside wall hard! His hood went up in flames...luckily he got out and was checked and is ok. It was way scary. Brought out the red flag so NASCAR could clean the track and get his car moved. Brad Keselowski had an up and down day today and got penalized for pitting outside of the box, though it was very questionable. Officials checked out the footabe though it was too late even if they changed their minds. The announcers know how to bring upon the pressure or to make some excitement. This was the race last year where Clint Bowyer started the whole rivalry between him and Jeff Gordon. Last year on the last lap, final restart with Gordon and Johnson on the front line, Bowyer came up and wrecked both of them into the wall (that race would have brought Hendrick his 200th win - but as the announcers had said, neither one got it.). Well Clint Bowyer and Jeff Gordon raced each other off and on today. Especially at the end. Bowyer even bumped Gordon...and had the nerve to blame Gordon for it. Ah well, it didn't cost anyone anything, still annoying that he pointed the finger at Gordon though. And of course the announcers played it up about last year and the such...luckily it never came to much of anything. Jimmie Johnson went on to get the ultimate points today by starting from the pole, leading the most laps (I think), and then winning the race! Clint Bowyer came in second, and Jeff Gordon third. (This JG/JJ fan is HAPPY! lol) And of course they make it through the whole race pretty much conflict free only for Kevin Harvick to spin Brian Vickers out at the end of the race and then get side by side afterwards...for supposedly not liking how Vickers raced Danica. Like that has anything to do with Harvick? I fail to realize why it even happened. Harvick will be on Danica's and Stewart's team next year, but still...it had nothing to do with Harvick. Am sure no one will say anything and it will go by without much attention, but it is the whole concept...only my petty opinion... Here is the finishing order of the Martinsville race: 1 Jimmie Johnson 2 Clint Bowyer 3 Jeff Gordon 4 Kasey Kahne 5 Kyle Busch 6 Brad Keselowski 7 Jamie McMurray 8 Marcos Ambrose 9 Greg Biffle 10 Mark Martin 11 Brian Vickers 12 Danica Patrick 13 Kevin Harvick 14 Matt Kenseth 15 Carl Edwards 16 Casey Mears 17 Tony Stewart 18 Jeff Burton 19 Paul Menard 20 Aric Almirola 21 Bobby Labonte 22 Regan Smith 23 Joey Logano 24 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 25 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 26 Juan Pablo Montoya 27 J.J. Yeley 28 David Gilliland 29 Dave Blaney 30 David Ragan 31 Ryan Newman 32 Ken Schrader 33 Landon Cassill 34 Joe Nemechek 35 Josh Wise 36 David Stremme 37 Kurt Busch 38 David Reutimann 39 Travis Kvapil 40 Martin Truex Jr. 41 Scott Speed 42 Scott Riggs 43 Michael McDowell Well y'all...next week is Texas where they will be racing under the lights Saturday night. In case y'all have forgotten...I love night racing! Well I love all of the races, but there is just something speciall about racing at night! I will try to post the points tomorrow when they become official...

Well there is thirteen laps left of the race to go and we are just sitting here under the red flag due to Kurt Busch hitting the wall hard. Kurt Busch's hood caught fire big time...luckily he got out of the car and is taken to the incare center and released...he is OK. Which is the main thing. Very hard hit. Jimmie Johnson has led the most laps so far and is sitting first, Clint Bowyer second, and Jeff Gordon third. This is the race last year that started the whole rivalry between Gordon and Bowyer when Bowyer wrecked Gordon and Johnson on the last lap last year. So far, everyone has raced clean Will write my official write up after they drop the checkered flag...just had to write something as they clean the track!

The Martinsville race is about to start in a couple of minutes...a couple more hours we will see who will be going home with a new father clock that the winner gets at Martinsville. (They just tol' 'em to start their engines!!!!!!!!!!!!! So excited!!!!!!!!!!!!) They had a great interview with Denny Hamlin who is out with a back injury. Some talk amongst the announcers of retaliation...time will tell. If so, they better stay away from all Hendrick drivers! (Just sayin...) LET'S GO RACING BOYZ!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sprint Cup will be racing at Martinsville tomorrow afternoon on Fox...the pre race show starts at 11:30 central time. (Have I mentioned how frustrating the new NASCAR.com site is...can't find a single thing. Really wish they would go back to the old ) Here is the starting lineup (have to say this JG/JJ fan loves the starting line up ) 1 Jimmie Johnson 2 Marcos Ambrose 3 Brian Vickers 4 Joey Logano 5 Kasey Kahne 6 Jeff Gordon 7 Brad Keselowski 8 Matt Kenseth 9 Carl Edwards 10 Ryan Newman 11 Kyle Busch 12 Martin Truex Jr. 13 Jamie McMurray 14 Juan Pablo Montoya 15 Clint Bowyer 16 Paul Menard 17 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 18 Regan Smith 19 Kurt Busch 20 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 21 Kevin Harvick 22 Greg Biffle 23 David Ragan 24 David Stremme 25 Travis Kvapil 26 Tony Stewart 27 Michael McDowell 28 Scott Speed 29 Jeff Burton 30 David Gilliland 31 Bobby Labonte 32 Danica Patrick 33 Landon Cassill 34 Aric Almirola 35 Mark Martin 36 Ken Schrader 37 J.J. Yeley 38 Scott Riggs 39 Dave Blaney 40 David Reutimann 41 Casey Mears 42 Josh Wise 43 Joe Nemechek 44 Mike Bliss Just a reminder...Mark Martin will be driving Denny Hamlin's 11 car tomorrow...Vickers will be in it after that until Hamlin returns. Will be interesting to see if the week off has cooled Stewart off any from his fight with Logano...

M & M's (my FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!! YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!! )

Ah K-Duke I have faith in my Cubs that they will win...after all, they haven't lost yet this 2013 season. Sorry I have to say that while I can. Either way I am looking forward to the game. Last year when I went to Wrigley they played the Detriot Tigers. My first interleague game I went to. Was great to see Verlander pitch and to see Prince Fielder in person. The Cubs did lose but it was a good game... I hope Baker will still be the manage. I always liked him and was sad when he left Chicago. Sorry to hear they lost for you yesterday.

CDoherty I am so sorry to hear about your Granda and all that you have and are going through. Cancer is such a horrible and ugly thing...especially when it attacks someone you love. Wish I could do more but please know I am thinking and praying for you, your Granda, and your entire family as you go through this difficult time.

Well hopefully your Reds did as good as the Cubs. My Cubs beat Roger's Pirates 3-1. GO CUBS GO!!!!!!!!!!!! Thought of you K-Duke. In June I am going to a Cubs game in Chicago and they will be playing your Reds...GO CUBS GO!!!!!!!!!!!! After Dusty Baker's health scare last year, is he still their manager? Hope and pray he is better. Still miss him in the Cubs dugout.

Oh I had some, but it didn't help much. LOL. I respect and understand them too. And despite going through withdrawals am glad they stick with their values. Just missed not having a race to watch as well as missed cheering on Jeff Gordon. Sundays are not the same without NASCAR. But as I said, am glad they honored Easter as they did...

Thanks Lizzy . I did see somewhere that Vickers would be driving the 11 car but they didn't give any detail about it.

Just a reminder...no race today.

Thank you. You too. Hope all of HNET will have a blessed, fun, and special Easter today.

Well, I just read on Twitter that Mark Martin will be driving the 11 car of Denny Hamlin's while Hamlin is out with his injury...up to six weeks. Which will make an reunion of sorts since he use to drive for Rousch several years ago and was Matt Kenseth's team mate at the time. Kenseth now drives for JGR (Joe Gibs Racing) as does Hamlin...for at least five races, they will be team mates again.

Thanks Hoss for reminding me...if you won't use it, I will. I love this song! This song has always reminded me of the Dukes for some reason. Perhaps it is just me...

Thanks Hoss for giving me this opportunity to play this song...Love Kenny Chesney's music! Love this song/video! After today, think I needed a song like this!

Ah Roger you are too funny. But who was it the Dukes were talking about on "Repo Men" or did you forget? A mention has to be worth something to you, right?

Very true Roger...feel like Stewart and Logano are in the wrong here. Am frustrated with this whole thing. Understand it draws attention, but the drama and excitement should be in their talent behind the wheel and not fighting each other. Yep...am disappointed with this. I have been praying for Hamlin and will continue to do so. He won't need surgery but still has got to be painful. And frustrating for Hamlin. His accident looked so much like Gordon's accident several years ago at the last lap in Las Vegas. He hit the inside wall hard like that...Gordon's engine was sent up the track! Gordon sat in his car for a long while with the window net down before getting out...said that was the worse wreck he ever had. The inside wall did not have the safer barrier where he hit at LV...does now though. Where Hamlin hit didn't have the safety barrier either...bet it will next time they go to California...hopefully they put it on all inside walls at the track. (They put the safety barrier on the outside wall of the track and part of the inside track that is hit the most. Other inside walls are just concrete where Denny had hit Sunday and where Gordon hit in Las Vegas several years back.) There shouldn't be room for hard hits like that no matter how unlikely a driver will hit there...because as Hamlin had shown, it can happen. Just hope and pray for a speedy recover for Hamlin...a full recovery.

Well I am here to announce that NASCAR has decided NOT to hand out any penalties to either Hamlin, Logano, nor Tony Stewart for their role in all the drama at the end of the California race. Which, personally, makes me frustrated as all get out. I understand the whole Hamlin thing and not penalizing him...as well as Logano for his role in the ACCIDENT. But the fight? I am sorry...but NASCAR NEEDS to be consistant with their fines, penalties and what not. Which to me, really seems like they are NOT consistant at all. It seems like they look at who the driver is that has made the offense before deciding on whether or not to penalize that driver. I do understand the fight and the drama collects attention and audience and what not. Understand they have the boys have at it rule. But where will they draw the line at? Of course all that is my opinion...of which I would love to vent my frustrations out on here, but am sure y'all would rather me not. On a side note...just read where someone said on Twitter that Denny Hamlin will be out at least six weeks with his injuries. So far, no replacement driver is listed. I will let you know when it is more official but so far the two people that has tweeted it has been NASCAR writers, so I am guessing there is some truth behind it all...six weeks has got to seem forever to Hamlin. Wish him a well and speedy recovery.

Thanks for the smile Hoss with the Jeff Gordon being one of the voters...you say that as if it's bad thing. I do believe after being in the Sprint Cup Series for twenty years, he should have a say or two on who is on what list and what not. Or is that just me? You've learned a few things...like what? Nothing I put down is anything new or anything. Was just wonderin' is all... I think I may have learned a few things myself...

Wow...I really didn't mean for all of this be going back and forth as to who is right and who is better and what not. I posted earlier today to give Roger a hard time. That was it. Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Jr, Kasey Kahne may be my list of favorite drivers, but I am not blind. I may jokingly say they are the best, but I know they aren't on the all time best list or the all time favorite or what not. Guess my list isn't "statistically" correct or match ESPN's list or any other list. Sorry...guess that is how I am. So I give you credit, Hoss, to know your racing. My knowledge is in NASCAR and NASCAR alone...never before had I pretended otherwise. I wish I had time to follow all sorts of racing and broaden my knowledge, but I don't. So I stick with what I know. NASCAR. As I said before, when I made my first post today, it was according to NASCAR. Not Indy, F1, or any other form of racing. I don't know enough to include them to any list. And only giving Roger a hard time...never thought all this would come of it. So that is great that all those drivers make ESPN's list of all time greats...am sure they are great drivers, talented drivers. As for my last post, I knew what I put didn't put them on the great list or ESPN's list or any other list. Just trying to put a list out there. And despite not making it into the top 25 in ESPN's list...five championships in a row is pretty darn impressive. Then again, that is my petty opinion. So thank you Hoss on the racing lesson...

Well Hoss...I was only speaking NASCAR since that was what Cale raced in. Wish I had time to follow all sorts of racing, but I don't...as I said, a lot of those names I knew and even some of 'em I knew what they looked like and would be able to recognize them. But really? Dale Sr is the only NASCAR driver you think deserves to be on your list? I am not saying Jeff Gordon is the greatest...OK so I did, but my opinion is slightly biased on that point, but do have to point out what I pointed out earlier. Dale and Richard may have seven championships but that was on the old point system and before the chase...as was Gordon's four championships. Under the old championship system, Gordon would have at least six championships right now if not seven or what not. Gordon too is pretty good on restrictor plate races...well not as of late, but in general he is. Also use to be known as the king of road races. And that is just Gordon. Who else has won five championships in a row? JJ is the only one in NASCAR to do such a thing. Shouldn't that be recognized in your list of greats? Or what about Darrell Waltrip winning his championship in my birth year...now come on that has got to be on your list of greatest achieviements. Or what about Dale JR being recognized as the most popular driver for nine years in a row? Where does that fall in your list? Or who else does a backflip off their drivers window after a win as Carl Edwards does before he goes INTO the grandstands to celebrate with the fans? Or who else climbs the fence after a win as Tony Stewart use to do? ( By the way looked up to AJ Foyt and now holds his number on his car.) And for Roger's sake...who else attacks another driver with their helmet on the first televised race as Cale had done? So my knowledge may be stuck in NASCAR, but there are other GREAT NASCAR drivers than just one... And you call yourself a Ricky Stenhouse Jr fan...you didn't even mention him on your list. See Roger...what you gone and done...you went and started a NASCAR fight. This better be some party you are planning at YOUR house. (BTW did you mean March 27th as his birthday...you said January. If that is right you are a couple of months late...either way am looking forward to trashing your house with this huge party you are throwing! )

Dale Earnhardt Sr was good but Jeff Gordon still has more wins than he has...granted Earnhardt Sr and Petty both have more championships than Jeff (both with seven. Gordon has four.) But if it wasn't for this "new" point system that NASCAR set in place in 2004, Gordon would at least have six championships if not more. So with the change, you can't really compare championships any more... A lot of those names sound familiar, but if it is outside of NASCAR, I know littlel about 'em. Sorry to disappoint you Hoss.

Hey Roger...I do like Cale and think it is great that Cale was on the Dukes...but really? The greatest driver in history? I think I would have to disagree with you on the greatest...what about Jeff Gordon? Jeff has more wins that Cale. HOw about Johnson? Or what about the King who has two hundred wins...the most of all time?! Or what about Darrell Waltrip? Think Cale is great, but the greatest? Though I do agree on the party...party at Roger's house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me see who I can invite...all of Hnet. Cale. His crew. Richard...Darrell. I really hope Roger has a HUGE house and A LOT of food to feed all of us!

Well Roger, I really wish I had that problem to deal with...but sadly Gordon didn't win at Fontana so I guess it is hard to see if it is I that is causing him such rotten luck. Though it does sound like he fought through some troubles to finish eleventh...with JJ right behind him. So I guess with all things considered, he did well yesterday. Just not the win I was hoping for. I may not have missed Jeff Gordon winning yesterday, but it does sound like I missed A LOT of drama. Ah the drama of NASCAR . I am assuming the last few laps of the race yesterday is the highlight of the race yesterday since that is all that I am really reading about, hearing about, and seeing online. If you remember from my last week's review of the race that Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin had gotten into it (plus a few petty remarks towards one another on Twitter) after Hamlin wrecked Logano. (Logano then attempted to "talk" to Hamlin after the race before getting shoved away by Hamlin's crew.) Well Logano and Hamlin wrecked each other on the last lap of the race (according to what one of the announcers had said in the video I watched of the accident, it was a racing accident and not retaliation.) Despite that Logano went on to finish third while Hamlin's car went down the track and hit the inside wall...HARD. His car lifted from the track! He threw his window net down (a universal sign in NASCAR that the driver is OK) got out and collapsed or bent forward. He was air lifted to the hospital...just read that Hamlin has compression fracture in lower back - which I guess means that his first vertebra in the lumbar section of his spine collapsed. He will be seeing a specialist for it this week sometime so it is unclear on how much he will miss. Whether or not Logano meant to wreck Hamlin, he sure doesn't seem to feel too bad about what happened (my opinion) as he made the comment that "Hamlin shouldn't have done what he did last week so that is what he gets." Whether or not Hamlin was in the right or wrong last week, do think that was a very low blow on Logano's part...and childish. I am not a Hamlin fan at all, but that remark was very uncalled for. And that is not the end of it either...so not only did Logano make Hamlin mad at him last week, he has managed to get Tony Stewart mad at him yesterday after the final restart when Logano blocked Tony. Tony went to the pit road and made Logano know he was upset and the two drivers began pushing and punching at one another. Logano threw a water bottle at Tony. Just a warning though, in his interview withe the reporter Stewart had a few choice (bad) words about Logano. Interesting though I just read or was reminded that a few years ago at Talledega Stewart blocked Regan Smith at the end of the race- forcing Ragen down the past the double lines (Talledega and Daytona you can't go over the inside line) so instead of Regan getting the win as he should have, the win went to Tony Stewart for the same type of block that Logano gave Stewart. Only reminding me of the old Tony Stewart who would fight and wreck people. (Once again, that part is of my own little opinion. For how little that is worth.) To me they both seem to be in the wrong...and come tomorrow, I am willing to bet the hand of NASCAR will land upon them giving them some kind of penalty or fine. As I said...the end of the race yesterday was jam packed with NASCAR drama... Here is the finishing order of the race: 1. Kyle Busch 2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 3. Joey Logano 4. Carl Edwards 5. Kurt Busch 6. Greg Biffle 7. Matt Kenseth 8. Paul Menard 9. Kasey Kahne 10. Ryan Newman The complete results of the Fontana race Official points: 1 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2 Brad Keselowski 3 Jimmie Johnson 4 Greg Biffle 4 Carl Edwards 6 Kyle Busch 7 Kasey Kahne 8 Paul Menard 9 Joey Logano 10 Denny Hamlin Complete full standings Well I will keep you updated if anything does unfold from the fight between Stewart and Logano... Sadly, next weekend is an OFF weekend for NASCAR (no race) for Easter...meaning two whole weeks for me between races. Dang am already starting to feel that horrible NASCAR withdrawal starting to kick in... (I have gotten the info from this post from Yahoo! Sports in their NASCAR section. )