Garrett Duke

Yeah hopefully they can go without any incident for one race...as well as for the month they are not racing. As far as electronics in the car, I assume they mean radios and phones and unneccary electronics in the car. Brad had posted a pic on Twitter in Feb of Montoya' wrecking the jet dryer at Daytona and someone said he had been warned about it then. Well obviously he didn't listen and the consequences followed...

Well after the ugly incident that happened on and off the track between Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer yesterday at Phoenix (Bowyer wrecked Gordon - third time this year - Gordon intentionally wrecked Bowyer. Bowyers crew went after Gordon to cause a fight...everyone called into the NASCAR hauler after the race...as I said, ugly incident.) the NASCAR judges have sent out their penalties. Jeff Gordon has been fined $100,000 - 25 driver points, and on probation through December 31st. Alan Gustafson, Gordon's crew cheif (I liked Alan before, but I have the utmost respect for him after yesterday.) is on probation until the end of the year as well. Gustafson didn't do anything but supposedly the cc is responsible for the driver and his crew. Jeff Gordon's car owner, Rick Hendrick has been fined 25 car owner points. Brian Pattie, crew cheif for Clint Bowyer, has been fined $25,000 and put on probation until the end of the year. (OK I must vent. I am a tad biased here...I understand Gordon's penalty and I accept it. It is better than what I was expecting and am very relieved and grateful. What I don't understand why Bowyer didn't get nothing for running after Gordon...or perhaps his entire crew who ATTACKED (or tried attacking Gordon. Gordon's crew pulled him away before they could) got nothing. I think the penalties are lopsided a little more than they should be. . .but with all things considered, perhaps I should stick with being grateful. ) But on a side note . . . NASCAR has also fined Brad Keselowski $25,000 dollars and put on probation until the end of the year as well. He was fined for violating the rule that says no electronics in the car. During the red flag the TV showed Keselowski typing something on his cell phone...which had me checking Twitter since Keselowski is big on Twitter...he had posted a pic (that someone had sent him) of the fight onto Twitter. URGH...All I have to say is that Clint Bowyer better be staying FAR AWAY from Jeff Gordon on Homestead. Both Bowyer and Pattie (his crew cheif) had threatened to take revenge at Homestead on Gordon. If they do, at least, NASCAR has it on tape and hopefully be handing out penalties to them - but I really HOPE it doesn't come down that. One more race to go of the season, before the dreaded off season starts....

Yeah a lot of NASCAR drama today...drama I could definately live without. Thanks Roger.

Yeah poor Ragen...poor Roger. Guess I kinda over looked that with all that had happened. Still can't believe...

Well the Tallede...I mean Phoenix race just got over. Though by the looks of the end of the race, one would think it was Talledega. My emotions are all over the place right now - but will attempt to keep them under control. Jimmie Johnson came into the race number one in points but left number two in points due to a tire sending him into the wall...and to the garage for 38 laps. Phoenix was Kyle Busch's show as he led the most laps but came home third when Kevin Harvick won the race when he drove past him on a restart. But I don't think this race will be remembered by any of that. I think it will be remembered by Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer. Jeff Gordon had run top ten all day until with five laps to go or so Clint Bowyer (for the THIRD time this year) got into Jeff Gordon to wreck him. Two laps to go, Jeff gets black flagged before Jeff Gordon gets his retaliation and runs Bowyer into the wall (Joey Logano got caught up in it) and the race was red flagged to clean up - with only one lap to go. Race red flag...and Clint Bowyer's team runs over and starts attacking Jeff Gordon and his crew. Bowyer climbs out of his car and runs over to Jeff Gordon. Gordon was quickly escorted to his garage before they all were called to the hauler...hauler had to be guarded by the police who would later escot him from the hauler. Personally, I am not for retaliation...am still surprised that he did this...but after being wrecked by the SAME driver, (Jeff would've won at Martinsville in the spring race except Bowyer wrecked him and JJ on the last lap), well Jeff has had enough. As I said, I don't go for retaliation, but will back Jeff a hundred percent on this after how Clint has raced him this year. Clint was seven or so points behind Jimmie Johnson in points to be third in points when this happened. Now Kasey Kahne is third. Hate it for Clint for him to be taken out of the championship hunt like this and am sure NASCAR will take that into consideration when they hand out their penalties. If that wasn't enough, once they go green flag, Jeff Burton went up and wrecked Danica Patrick who leaked oil over the track.. But since they were white flag, NASCAR di dn't throw a caution causing a lot of good cars to wreck crossing the finish line. Here is the finish line up: 1 Kevin Harvick 2 Denny Hamlin 3 Kyle Busch 4 Kasey Kahne 5 Ryan Newman 6 Brad Keselowski 7 Greg Biffle 8 Kurt Busch 9 Paul Menard 10 Mark Martin 11 Carl Edwards 12 Juan Montoya 13 Jeff Burton 14 Matt Kenseth 15 Bobby Labonte 16 Aric Almirola 17 Danica Patrick 18 Marcos Ambrose 19 Travis Kvapil 20 Tony Stewart 21 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 22 Casey Mears 23 Jamie McMurray 24 Regan Smith 25 Landon Cassill 26 Dave Blaney 27 Joey Logano 28 Clint Bowyer 29 Timmy Hill 30 Jeff Gordon 31 Sam Hornish Jr. 32 Jimmie Johnson 33 David Ragan 34 David Stremme 35 Stephen Leicht 36 David Gilliland 37 Josh Wise * 38 Michael McDowell 39 Joe Nemechek 40 David Reutimann 41 Mike Bliss 42 Jason Leffler 43 Martin Truex Jr. Well we have one more race at Homestead next Sunday where the championship trophy will be handed out to the number one in points. Clint Bowyer wouldn't deny it and his crew cheif has said they will get back next week. Personally am worried about that...will let y'all know what penalties will be handed out when they hand 'em out or I find out about it. Probably Tuesday. All I can say right now...this 24 and 48 fan is NOT happy with today's race.

Gotta love Alan Jackson and his music...keeping Country music true. Sadly when he first came to Nashville to be a Country singer he was turned away...saying he was too Country. Don't understand how Country Music could turn someone away for being too Country...I mean isn't that what he is suppose to sing? Ah well, look at him now, twenty years later...

No favorite driver? Who ever heard of such a crazy thing? LOL - just joking. Though personally, don't know if I'd be a fan of NASCAR if it wasn't for Jeff Gordon or having a favorite driver(s) to follow. Being into fantasy sports, can see how it would be interesting to just follow the players or drivers in your fantasy teams. Guess that way you wouldn't have to worry about what to do when your fantasy team/driver/player play your team and what not...but personally, don't know if I could do that. I'll be a fan of Chicago Sports til the day I die (All except for the White Sox...too big of a Cubs fan to be a fan of their cross town rivals). As for NASCAR Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson will always be my favorite, when that dreadful day comes and both aren't in racing no longer, then my loyalties will probably go to another Hendrick driver. If Hendrick closes up ... well don't know what I'll do. As far as fantasy goes...love how it gives me more teams, players, drivers to follow. It broadens my following span -especially in NASCAR. Instead of just watching and worrying about where my Hendrick boys are racing, I am looking out where my fantasy drivers are at as well...though as in all other sports, I'd rather have Jeff Gordon or JJ or Jr or Kahne win than a fantasy driver (if they are not on my fantasy team.) My personal favorites are always #1 before my fantasy teams and players. Guess I am going to have to watch what I write on here when it comes to NASCAR info...Roger may just use it agaisnt me next year. LOL. I never knew anyone who's goal was to beat me... Should make for a great fantasy NASCAR season!

Thanks for the response Hoss .

Well the next to last race will be at Phoenix on Sunday at 2 PM EST on ESPN. Don't know about you, but am already starting to feel the sour taste of NASCAR withdrawl starting to settle in... Here is the starting up for Sunday's race: 1. 18 Kyle Busch 2 56 Martin Truex Jr. 3 11 Denny Hamlin 4 5 Kasey Kahne 5 43 Aric Almirola 6 78 Kurt Busch 7 27 Paul Menard 8 51 Regan Smith 9 14 Tony Stewart 10 55 Mark Martin 11 24 Jeff Gordon 12 39 Ryan Newman 13 99 Carl Edwards 14 2 Brad Keselowski 15 20 Joey Logano 16 15 Clint Bowyer 17 9 Marcos Ambrose 18 1 Jamie McMurray 19 29 Kevin Harvick 20 16 Greg Biffle 21 42 Juan Montoya 22 17 Matt Kenseth 23 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 24 48 Jimmie Johnson 25 13 Casey Mears 26 22 Sam Hornish Jr. 27 83 Landon Cassill 28 98 Michael McDowell 29 34 David Ragan 30 47 Bobby Labonte 31 38 David Gilliland 32 30 David Stremme 33 31 Jeff Burton 34 144 David Reutimann 35 33 Stephen Leicht* 36 119 Mike Bliss 37 10 Danica Patrick 38 26 Josh Wise* 39 93 Travis Kvapil 40 191 Jason Leffler 41 32 Timmy Hill 42 36 Dave Blaney+ 43 87 Joe Nemechek + Set by Owner Points * Denotes Rookie Well I decided to try to copy and paste from NASCAR.com...plus edited out the sponosrs and qualifying speeds. Let me know if you would rather me do it this way or keep it to my original top ten starting positions. Can try and do this for finishes as well if you would like. Let me know...hope it is alright to copy and paste like that. Well perhaps I should go and post this on the NASCAR news, but as of right now it is not news but only rumor. Rumor has it that when Kevin Harvick's contract expires after next year (he drives for Richard Childress Racing) he will be leaving RCR and will be driving a new fourth car for SHR...Stewart - Haas Racing (Tony Stewart owns half of the team...and drives for it.) Right now only Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman drive full time for SHR with Danica Patrick driving part time in the third car. As I said, it is only rumor since Tony Stewart is refusing to talk about it at the moment...

Well then Roger, perhaps I should say, WELCOME TO JUNIOR NATION! Though what is wrong with Jimmie Johnson who you went for last year or perhaps Jeff Gordon? Perhaps if you became a fan all of that nasty bad luck he has had this year will evaporate...LOL. Hopefully for Ragen's sake next year will be better for him, but the only way that I can see that happening is if he got a new ride. One with more money behind it. I am looking forward to fantasy NASCAR...espcially with you in it.

Roger - you will be missed around here...know you will be welcomed back with a smile whenever you feel it is ready to return to the computer. Hope all is well with you and everyone at your house... Though couldn't this break of your's wait a couple of weeks? I mean, afterall, there is only TWO races remaining of the NASCAR season...meaning you are going to miss out on two great and important reviews written by a die hard NASCAR fan. Seriously though, hope all is well with you and that you will be able to enjoy your break.

You are welcome...eh don't give up on poor David. He is driving for an unfunded team. Gordon and Johnson has the best of the best equipment in their car and on their suit...best of everything. David's team doesn't have the money to do all the testing and have the best of everything on their car. Though he kinda did have that with Roucsh before Rousch let him go...perhaps next year will be better for Ragen.

Well Roger you were pretty darn close in your predictions...and if Mark Martin didn't spin out you probably would have been right on. First half of the race nothing much had really happened...Jimmie Johnson dominated the first half but when it went on, he was passed and Keselwoski led a lot of laps. There was nine cautions...several for debris or for people wrecking. AJ Allmendinger wrecked as did Juan Pablo Montoya. Jeff Gordon who started in 16th was quick to make it to the top ten and was in second...and then he got a flat or something (had left for seven minutes or so and he was 25th when I got out to watch...was not happy) he ended up finishing 14th after he was involved in another wreck. Biffle was racing him hard and he got caught up with teammate Kasey Kahne to ruin Kahne's night. Last pit stop Keselowski went with two tires instead of four to get the lead with Johnson second. Johnson and him were racing hard when Keselowski tried wrecking Johnson to send Johnson back. Carl Edwards spun Mark Martin out to drag out the last caution and to even the racing field out again...Johnson was able to take the lead and go on to win the race. Here is the top ten finishers of today's race: 1. Jimmie Johnson 2. Brad Keselowski 3. Kyle Busch 4. Matt Kenseth 5. Tony Stewart 6. Clint Bowyer 7. Dale Earnhardt Jr 8. Kurt Busch 9. Kevin Harvick 10. Greg Biffle Talking about Kevin Harvick, he got his car ruined before they even started racing. They had parachutes going down in the infield of the track when one went down the sandbag hit the side of his car to dent his door. Didn't seem to affect him since he got a top ten out of today's race. With two races remaining...Jimmie Johnson is seven points a head of Brad Keselowski.

Jay Cutler / Bears commercial Being a HUGE Bears fan...love this commercial.

Oh Roger...where does Gordon fit into your prediction? LOL. You may be right...but personally am hoping Johnson will finish before Keselowski for the next three races. My opinion and we know how little that is worth. Thanks Roger for the post...

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be racing at the Lone Star state tomorrow at 2:00 EST on ESPN. I do plan on watching it and hope to watch the whole race, but will be watching my neice and nephew so my review of the race may be a day late or so...but will do my best to get my review of the Texas race as soon as I can. Here is the top ten qualifiers for tomorrow's race: 1. Jimmie Johnson (two poles in a row...first at Texas) 2. Greg Biffle 3. Kyle Busch 4. Clint Bowyer 5. Martin Truex Jr 6. Joey Logano 7. Trevor Bayne 8. Brad Keselowski 9. Carl Edwards 10. Matt Kenseth

Roger - I hope and pray that things will get better where you are at as well as with everyone affected by Sandy. Just how scary and horrible it must be for everyone there. Can't even begin to imagine.

Jaded Phoenix - I am so sorry to hear that you and your husband are having a hard time right now. It has to be hard when one of you are having a hard time, but both of you at the same time? Duke type luck if I ever heard of it. I hope and pray that your ankle will heal well and quickly and that your bad breaks will soon turn good.

Yeah...JJ has been strong as of late. Has had a pretty consistant run this Chase and today's win kinda let's them know just how serious he is. The way things looking ol' five time will turn into new six time when the drop the flag at Homestead. Of course that could be wishful thinking on my part... If Jeff Gordon can't win it, then I want JJ or KK (Kasey Kahne) to win it..then again, that is my opinion. For how little that is worth .

Dang it...I ment to put Denny Hamlin's name there. Was thinking of Denny...not Brad.

Well the Martinsville race has just ended and I am suspecting that it has put a dent in the chase points or a shake up in the points as well. Clint Bowyer, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon were the drivers who traded first place throughout the race. Jimmie led from the pole, Jeff started eleventh was quick to move to the front. Kyle Busch had at one point spun himself out ... but was able to contend for the win at the very end, only to come up a bit short to the winner. Kurt Busch got spun out to Kevin Harvick who later went to the garage with engine failure. The point shake up came with Brad Keselowski starting 32nd and came home sixth, but most of all with third points (before race) had some major problems. First of all he got caught speeding TWICE in pit road then his battery kept cutting in and out. He'd go fast and then go slow...NASCAR told him he had to take it into the garage due to n ot making NASCAR speed. He did take it to the garage and came back later. Martin Truex Jr got black flagged and had to take it to do a drive through penalty when he crossed lanes before getting to the green flag during a caution. Dale Earnhardt Jr came back today and was pretty good. At one point through the race Hendrick had four cars in the top five. At the end Jr held up Jeff Gordon during a restart to help Jimmie to the lead...Jr then got back to eleventh before getting turned by Carl Edwards. After leading 90 some laps throughout the race, at the end Gordon was racing against Clint Bowyer, hitting a few times...Bowyer finished fifth and Gordon finished seventh. Jimmie Johnson has joined Jeff Gordon andRusty Wallace with seven wins at Martinsville...third best. Jimmie Johnson got to take home the grandfather clock that the winners receive at the end of the race. Here is the top ten finishes of today's race: 1. Jimmie Johnson 2. Kyle Busch 3. Kasey Kahne 4. Aric Almirola 5. Clint Bowyer 6. Brad Keselowski 7. Jeff Gordon 8. Brian Vickers 9. Bobby Labonte 10. Greg Biffle We are onto Texas next Sunday, then Phoenix, and the final race at Homestead (Miami, Florida) where the championship trophy will be handed to the point leader...as of right now Jimmie Johnson is first in points by two points over Brad Keselowski UNOFFICIAL POINTS: (Official points come tomorrow) 1. Jimmie Johnson 2. Brad Keselowski (-2) 3. Clint Bowyer 4. Kasey Kahne 5. Denny Hamlin 6. Jeff Gordon 7. Martin Truex Jr 8. Matt Kensth 9. Greg Biffle 10. Tony Stewart 11. Kevin Harvick 12. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Happy birthday Val! Hope it is a GREAT one!

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be racing their thirty-second point race of the season at Martinsville tomorrow (10-28) at 1:00 PM EST on ESPN. Here is the top ten qualifying drivers for Martinsville: 1. Jimmie Johnson 2. Brian Vickers 3. Kyle Busch 4. Jeff Burton 5. Denny Hamlin 6. Matt Kenseth 7. Tony Stewart 8. Clint Bowyer 9. Paul Menard 10. Aric Almirola (Jeff Gordon 11 ... Dale Earnhardt Jr will be back and starting 20th)