Garrett Duke

You are very welcome, Roger...thank you for reading them. Thanks to the Dukes and the General Lee, I love talking about NASCAR. Am grateful that y'all gave me the platform to talk about NASCAR and their races. I hope you enjoy your corn maze with your grandson . Perhaps you and your grandson can have a race to see who can make it through the corn maze the fastest. Am looking forward to watching the race tomorrow and hope to write a review of a great race...one with Gordon in Victory Lane. Fingers crossed. LOL. Either way, will make sure to write my un-biased review after the race.

The Sprint Cup Series will be racing at Kansas tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 PM EST on ESPN - well I should say the pre-race show will start at 1:00...pre-race show is normally an hour or so long with commercials, driver interviews, more commercials, some talk, more commercials...LOL. They will be driving on a repaved Kansas track, so track conditions and the such may be different than how it was before... Here is the top ten qualifiers: 1. Kasey Kahne 2. Mark Martin 3. Clint Bowyer (Kansas native) 4. Kyle Busch 5. Aric Almirola 6. Ryan Newman 7. Jimmie Johnson 8. Joey Logano 9. Denny Hamlin 10. Kevin Harvick

No problem, Roger. Was wondering if that was the same article or not. Doubt Jr will sit out the rest of the season...it's probably killing him (not literally, of course) to be sitting out these two races. Plus with fans and sponsors, he has a lot of people to keep happy. Guess there is a price to pay for being voted the most popular driver for nine years in a row... Thanks Roger...it is very disappointing to see how Gordon's season has gone this year. He has had his good races and has had very good and fast cars, just not the finishes he needs and deserves thanks to good ol' bad luck. There is a bright side to this year? Believe it or not, I do like David Ragen...perhaps not as much as I like my Hendrick drivers, but do wish him all the best in his racing career. But yeah I guess Gordon could be where David is in points and all that. My hope for the next five races is that Gordon can have great races with at least one win (is that too much to ask for?) and perhaps to finish lower than nineth in points...and that either Kasey Kahne or JJ will win the championship. Really don't think I am asking too much, am I?

"Show me the Meaning of being Lonely" Backstreet Boys

Roger I am so sorry you are this upset and having this problem. I know very little about astronomy - most I know is to fear the full moon in knowing that a week before and to the full moon the kids at the day care I work at begin to act up a lot more than normal and can get a bit more stressful. But do know how important hobbies can be and would be equally upset if someone ruined my writing...though my own muse has seemed to do that for me. I hope you can get this all worked out for you.

Yeah 18th hurt a little...very disappointing race for this 24 fan. Think his championship hopes are pretty much flat right now. Not giving up hope but sooner or later you got to face reality. But looking back at his season, am just thankful he made the chase. If he can't win the championship then a fifth or at least in the top ten would be great...top ten drivers in points get to go to the championship dinner or whatnot they call it. You telling me Roger that you know something about JG that I didn't know? I read an article that JG said he wouldn't have came forth with the concussion/headache if he was going for the championship, but have yet to hear him say that Dale should have kept his mouth shut about it. That has got to stir up some controversy - especially in Jr Nation. I will have to go look up at that and let you know if it went any farther. Did read an article that someone said this concussion COULD end Jr's career, but don't know how much I would put into that. Personally I think Dale needs to take care of Dale - even if it is sitting out a few races. Hate seeing him out of his car like this, but he needs to make sure he is healthy before going 200 mph. Heck...(it hurts me to say this, really it does. Dale is my third favorite and really am sad for Jr with all this) but it wouldn't hurt Dale to sit out the rest of the season to make sure he is all better. I mean we have five races left, he is out at least one more, and has no chance at all at making the championship this year - he has nothing to prove or to lose by sitting out and taking care of himself. Dale needs to do what is best for Dale...not for his fans, or for the sport. .But for himself.

Love this song...

Well, if you missed today's race, well, you didn't miss much of anything.. Personally, I hate missing any race, but today's race has left little for me to talk about. The race started off with a bang with Kenseth getting a flat on lap eleven (Tony Stewart got caught up in it), then on the restart David Ragen and Jeff Burton ran into each other to cause another caution. There was two other cautions after that throughout the race, but think they both were for debris. Jeff Gordon finished 18th...so no breakdancing tonight. Didn't have much of a car to begin with, but then got caught speeding in pit road...shame on him! Finished two laps down. This 24 fan isn't too happy as his championship hopes probably took a big hit tonight (Yep...from sixth in points to nineth. Fifty points down.) Ragen Smith was doing pretty great in Jr's 88 car, took it from 26th starting spot to tenth only for him to lose his engine and had to take it to the garage early. At the end of the race there was only six drivers on the lead lap...still don't understand how that happens. Has to do something with gas...once again, came down to a gas fuelage deal. Here is the top ten finishers of today's race: 1. Clint Bowyer (on my fantasy team this week ) 2. Denny Hamlin 3. Jimmie Johnson (on my fantasy team this week) 4. Greg Biffles 5. Kyle Busch 6. Mark Martin 7. Carl Edwards 8. Kasey Kahne 9. Joey Logano 10. Martin Truex Jr. (on my fantasy team) We are onto Kansas next Sunday...we are half way through the chase.

Well awhile ago I posted Eric Church's and this is another song from that album. Finally caved in and bought the album and love it!

Hope you enjoy your reception...but couldn't they have had it tomorrow when there is no race? Thanks Roger...hope Gordon can get the win tonight. If he does, he'll be doing some break dancing afterwards. Can't wait...only five races left after tonight.

Hope you had a great birthday Brian

NASCAR Sprint Cup will be racing TOMORROW night (Saturday) on ABC (not ESPN) at Charlotte...I think at 7 EST. Have some racing under the lights - love it! Though what I am not loving about tomorrow's race is the fact that Jr will be watching the race on the sideline or where ever he choses to watch the race and not in the 88. Nothing against Ragen Smith. He's a good kid and deserves the chance to prove himself with a top team...this his his chance to prove himself to the NASCAR world. But it will just seem wrong not to have Jr in the 88...in fact it will be just wrong not to have an Earnhardt in the race. Been YEARS since there was a race without an Earnhardt. (Read how long it has been yesterday, but can't remember exactly.) Before there was Dale Jr, there was Dale Sr...before Dale Sr there was Ralph Earnhardt (Dale Jr's grand daddy). And now two races, at least, without an Earnhardt. Though am glad Jr has stepped forward to take care of his health to get feeling better and not just go out there and race with it, he needs to take care of himself if he wants to be in the car for many more years. Just hate it for him and hope he will recover quickly and smoothly. Forward...LOL. Charlotte use to be named Jimmie's house due to how well he use to drive here...he still does, but not as dominate as he use to. Though read he has came in fourth in both practices, so he very well may have the car to beat tomorrow. Jeff Gordon on the other hand will have the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on his car (Leonardo on the hood for his son Leo) and has said several weeks ago that if he wins at Charlotte, he will break dance in victory lane. I for one, hope to see him breakdance again. He'll have turtle power on his side. Well here is the top ten qualifiers to tomorrow night's race: 1. Greg Biffle 2. Mark Martin 3. Ryan Newman 4. Clint Bowyer 5. Jimmie Johnson 6. Martin Truex Jr 7. Matt Kenseth 8. Kyle Busch 9. Denny Hamlin 10. Kasey Kahne

You are welcome, Roger. Of my list of favorite NASCAR drivers, Dale JR is my third favorite (after Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson) and if my news above didn't express it, I am pretty disappointed to see Jr sitting out for the next two races. Though am glad he was able to make the step forward to get the help he needs to get better...as he says, he still has a lot of racing to do and he needs to be healthy to do it. (Something like that.) Hate it for Jr...has to be rough for him to be facing this - hard couple of weeks for him and his team. Get feeling better Jr.

Well y'all I have got some devastatingly bad news...well OK to some I may be over exaggerating, but am I? Guess no one that I know have died and no one was SERIOUSLY hurt or injured, so one should be grateful. And I am grateful. With that huge wreck at the end of the Talledega race, everyone in the NASCAR world should be grateful for all the safety gear that is on the track, on the driver, and in the car. That wreck was ten times worse that Dale Sr's wreck in '01 where he sadly died in...so yeah, everyone is lucky and I am very grateful. But still...despite everyone walking away from that big wreck at the end of 'Dega, not everyone walked away without any harm. Dale Earnhardt Jr will be sitting out the next two weeks (this weekend's race at Charlotte and next week at Kansas) due to suffering an concussion in a wreck in August (that I heard nothing about, til now- was during a testing session at Kansas. Dale told his crew cheif Steve Letarte about it, no one else.) and thanks to the big wreck that his own buddy Tony Stewart caused by trying to block his lane, he suffered another concussion. After suffering with a lingering headache, he went to see a neurosurgeon that confirmed that he suffered a concussion in August and another one at 'Dega. Jr said he knew he got one after the wreck in August but was too stubborn to seek help for it in fear that he would be yanked from his car...well after having TWO concussions, he is yanked from his car for TWO WEEKS. After a stellar year...or well, at least one of his best years as of late, his wreck at 'Dega costed him four spots in the chase. If that wasn't a closer on the championship hopes, well this is. Ragen Smith, who use to drive the 78 car (last weekend was his last race with the team since Kurt Busch is taking over the 78 car) will be driving Jr's 88 car in his absense. Ragen Smith is said to be taking over Kurt Busch's 51 car, but while Ragen is driving for Hendrick, AJ Allmindinger will take the wheel of the 51 car - his first time back since being suspended. NASCAR checks for concussions when they take the drivers to the incare field center after a driver wrecks (mandatory) and said when Jr first got the concussion, that he passed all their concussion tests. (Dale didn't have to go to the incare center Sunday since he got his car started and drove to the finish line...) Dale's father, Dale SR was one of the drivers that got NASCAR's attention after he suffered a concussion, knew about it, but didn't say anything about it for weeks when he said he had one in an interview and how he had hard time communicating with his crew during the race as well as with focusing. So ok perhaps it isn't devastating that Dale got a concussion - it could have been a lot worse than what it is. Perhaps I exaggerated a tad bit in my reaction, but still hate it for Dale Jr that he is hurt and sidelined as he will be for the next two weeks. Worse yet, he got the news yesterday...on his 38th birthday. What a great birthday present...not. Get better soon Dale Jr!

You are welcome...I enjoyed writing that. I may not know much of anything else, but I do know a thing or two when it comes to NASCAR. Thanks Roger. That is a great way to look at it...one race will turn it around to him and he can prove Brad Daughtery wrong...again. But yeah, he'll need to keep it going right from then on out - but it can happen. Ah DR may be out of it, but he is still out there giving it all he has and they will be starting all over in February. Can't wait to play fantasy NASCAR too...even if it did entitle me getting beat by you. I understand where you are coming from...in my other fantasy sports I have been able to support my Chicago teams, but NASCAR, well I can only chose Jeff Gordon to start nine times out of 36 races...or any other driver. I think I have three or four more times for both JJ and JG on my teams ... while Jr and Kasey Kahne I have only one more turn left to use them. (They are in the B categories and in the B category you start two drivers. A category where JJ and JG are in you only chose one driver to start per race.) That is the hard part, but it also gives me other drivers to keep an eye on throughout the race - of course if it comes down to it, I'd much rather Jeff Gordon win it all whether or not he is on my fantasy team. It would be awesome to see Cale race...like to see how he would do with the cars they have today compared to the cars he drove. Or Richard Petty.

I am sorry for your loss Jamie. Dogs are quick to warm your heart and make themselves a part of your family...so hard to lose a dog or any pet. Sorry Jamie and MM...my thoughts are with you through this difficult time.

Well Roger, I am not ranking David Ragen out completely, but if he were to win, Talledega woulda been his best bet. Restrictor plate racing is anyone's race to win...just look at Trevor Bayne winning his first restrictor plate race last year at Daytona 500. 'Dega and Daytona the track is in control and it all depends on who can stay out of the big accidents to hang on to the end of the race - where as the other races the drivers' and the crew are more in control. Meaning talent (not saying David isn't talented, just doesn't have the experience that JG and JJ have) as well as the money they put into the car comes more into play. David Ragen is driving for an underfunded race team meaning he don't have the high price equipment JG and JJ have driving for Rick Hendrick who is the biggest team in NASCAR has. Ragen had that with Jack Rousch last year before they dropped his contract, he didn't do too much for Rousch which was why they dropped David, but always felt that he should have given David more time to learn and to gain the experience...but once again, he didn't ask me. Sorry Roger, know that is not what you wanted to hear about Davide Ragen. As for the rest of the tracks and Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon. Know you told me not to answer your question, but I will anyway. I would love to say Jeff Gordon has it wrapped up and that he can win his fifth championship this year. I am definately not giving up hope on Jeff Gordon or on the 24 team...if anyone can do it, it would be them. But it is looking very unlikely. Right now he is sixth in points (position wise) but still sits forty-two points behind Brad Keselowski who is in first place at the moment. Just as Ragen's chance at a win at Talledega, Gordon's best chance to gain in points was at Talledega. He finished second while other chase contenders did get wrapped in the wreck like JJ and Jr (Jr lost four position spots thanks to 'Dega...while Gordon gained four position spots thanks to 'Dega), but only gained six points on Keselowski who finished fourth or something like that. Know they are saying that the top three in points (Keselowski, Johnson, Hamlin) are in the best spots for the championship right now. As I said, I back Gordon and his team a hundred percent and refuse to give up hope just as he is. It is still possible, he just needs a couple of wins and the top five guys to have some bad races. So far Gordon has finished 35th, third, second, and third in the chase...it is that 35th finish spot at the Chase opener at Chicagoland (thanks to a broken throttle that stole a fifth place finish if not better in that race) that is haunting him right now. As for Jimmie Johnson, it may as well as be his to win...or to lose either way you look at it. They are racing at Charolette this Saturday which was or is known as Jimmie's house thanks to how good he runs there. The other tracks on that follow, do think Jimmie is good at...only tracks he isn't too good at is the restrictor plate races where he failed to finish or do well at any this year. Or Bristol or road races...though he finally got a win at Bristol and at a road race last year. And yeah, Brad Daughtery is too negative to say something that positive about JJ...my opinion. Am tired of hearing him say week after week that Gordon is done with... Anyway, yeah it may be JJ's championship again this year...though JG has a few tracks he is good at coming up with as well. Refuse to give up hope - but if JG doesn't get it, I want it to go to JJ or perhaps Kasey Kahne who is fourth in points right now. Would love to see JG to finish in the top five in points at least - with his season and how it had gone thus far, that would almost feel like a win. Great questions Roger...hope your Ragen will get another top ten Saturday night for you. Or perhaps a win....

Here is the official top twelve points after the Talledega race: 1. Brad Keselowski 2. Jimmie Johnson (-14) 3. Denny Hamlin 4. Kasey Kahne 5. Clint Bowyer 6. Jeff Gordon 7. Tony Stewart 8. Martin Truex Jr 9. Greg Biffle 10. Kevin Harvick 11. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 12. Matt Kenseth Well Talledega mixed up the Chase field a little bit, but not as much as I had thought it would. With Jeff Gordon in sixth place instead of eleventh, he is 42 points behind the leader...up six points than last week. Though have to admit it sounds better saying he is sixth in points than eleventh...my opinion of course...for what little that amounts to. As of right now (October 8th) there is six races left of the 2012 season...or should I say, six more weeks before my NASCAR withdrawl officially starts. Am sure the break is good for the drivers and their families, but personally, wish they would go back to how it was when Richard Petty raced...pretty much year round...and more than one race a week. Ah well, I guess I will enjoy the rest of the 2012 season while it is here and worry about the three month NASCAR drought when it comes...

Well I got to watch the first half of the race and just got to see the scary wreck. Wow...amazing how people can walk away from that. Know people watch Talledega for the big one, I for one can live without the big one. Today's big one There is a link to the wreck...never good to see the bottom of a race car...glad Tony Stewart and everyone in the BIG ONE is OK. Too scary to watch. The half that I did watch...only a couple of cautions due to smaller type accidents. Today was the last race for Kurt Busch as he will be taking over Ragen Smith's 78 car next week...he was leading the race when he ran out of gas and someone hit him from behind. He hit the wall...took his helmet off. It is requirement when the driver's car won't start up, that they have to be taken to the incare field center in the ambulance...well the ambulance came up and the paramedics placed their medical bag on top of Kurt Busch's car...then Busch got his car restarted and drove off. NASCAR kept yelling at Kurt to stop and since Kurt didn't have his helmet on (Driving on track) he didn't hear NASCAR. NASCAR then parked Kurt and his entire 51 team for the rest of the race... Well I apologize for not watching the entire race as I was hoping to, but got to go visit family and see the first half of the race. Talledega seems to always produce the big one and it did not disapoint today...sadly. I seen teh replay of the accident and even Stewart said he went down too early and Michael Waltrip was already there to create the big one. Here is the top ten finishes of today's race: 1. Matt Kenseth 2. Jeff Gordon 3. Kyle Busch (Roger you are going to LOVE this...) 4. DAVID RAGEN 5. Ragen Smith 6. Greg Biffle 7. Brad Keselowski 8. Travis Kvapil 9. Ryan Newman 10. Jeff Burton Talledega and Daytona the restrictor plate races is always good for shaking things up and seeing drivers up front you don't normally see. As they said in pre race, Talledega is out of the driver's control. Next race will be Charolette...we'll be going night racing Saturday night at 7:00 PM EST on ABC. 7.

I am so sorry for your loss MM . That is so hard...pets become part of your family and it is almost like losing part of your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers...having two dogs of my own plus a fourteen year old cat (almost fifteen) I know and understand where you are coming from. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help, even just to listen. Once again I am so sorry about Sadie...may she rest in peace.

Thanks Hoss for the great images...loved seeing all that 24 even if it is for golf. Loved the picture of Jeff Gordon himself the most. Though am deeply insulted at your implications of a little ol' golf cart being faster than his NASCAR Cup car. Never seen a golf car go two hundred miles before. . . Well he'll be going two hundred miles per hour tomorrow or around that speed as they are at one of the fastest tracks of the circuit...Talledega. Well, I am hoping to get to watch the whole race, but don't know if I will be able to or not. Either way I will do a write up on it afterwards or on Monday...so if it is not right away, it isn't that I forgot, but that I didn't have time. But fingers crossed that I will be able to watch the race and do my review afterwards... The NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Talledega will start at 1:00 PM EST (or the pre-race show) on ESPN. Here is the starting top ten: 1. Kasey Kahen 2. Ryan Newman 3. Clint Bowyer 4. Tony Stewart 5. Greg Biffle 6. Jeff Gordon 7. Carl Edwards 8. Trevor Bayne 9. Martin Truex Jr. 10. Sam Hornish Jr Once again, thanks for the images Hoss...love the 24s. Golf carts may not go as fast as Jeff Gordon's race cars, but ask Jimmie Johnson they can be just as dangerous. Think it was after his first championship he won, perhaps his second, during the off season Jimmie Johnson fell off of a golf cart and broke his arm. Though if my memory serves me correctly, he was goofing around when it happened so perhaps that had something to do with the broken arm more than that golf cart, but still, he broke it thanks to a golf cart.

So you saying we are safe to say you will not invade this great NASCAR thread with golf for another two years now? Thanks for the warning. Wow Hoss...your races are EARLY. Am sure glad my races aren't that early...think the earliest mine are is noon and that is just fine with me. Sounds like an exciting race to watch...must be an exciting racing weekend. Talledega gets pretty exciting...high paced and always producing the big one. Well not always a few years ago they cut down the restrictor plate size and the cars didn't go so fast...Tony Stewart acted as if he was sleeping in his car he was so bored with it. NASCAR musta got complaints about it and was pretty quick to change it back. Would love Talledega except for the constant fear of the big one...am just hoping my Hendrick team can stay out of trouble. (As well as everyone's favorite driver here...) Hope your driver does well for you Hoss at your race.

Thanks Roger...wasn't that the most beautiful score EVER? Still excited about the game...even if I didn't get to watch it. Thanks again.

Dang I really don't get no respect around here, now do I? First Roger hijacks my football thread with baseball and now Hoss is hijacking my NASCAR thread with golf. Roger is somewhat forgiven since I do love baseball and baseball is a great sport, though it has it's own thread. But golf? Now that is asking too much...sorry Hoss, but really? You just started talking about one of the slowest paced sports in a thread dedicated to the fastest paced sport...just don't understand. Yeah, I really don't get any respect around here... You better be getting all those golf carts and clubs outta here Hoss since Sunday they are visiting the fastest track on the circuit...your golf game just may get ran over by 43 of the fastest cars! LOL

Guess yesterday was themed with second place finishes for me...though you are the only one I know that would start talking golf in a NASCAR thread. But since you are talking golf and we all know who won yesterday's race, who finished first in your Ryder Cup?