Garrett Duke

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)

Thanks Roger...way to go. Come and rain on my parade why don't you. How'm I to afford that much road salt? Hey Roger...you don't have that much road salt lying around, now would you?

We should take this idea to NASCAR CEO or president Mike Helton...think he'd approve?

Thanks for giving me the chance to use this song...love this song.

Well they could have it end November 18th as they are this year and the next season start up November 25th. Sounds great to me .

There is four races left of the season...last race is November 18. The season always ends the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Though if you ask me, I think the season should NEVER end...then again, that is selfish of me. So perhaps they can have the month of December off and begin racing in January.

Well guess I messed up about my fantasy teams...that is just how I am ranked in the play off section of the season. Did look at the league where I was ranked first in on the over all season, I am second and only forty or sixty points down. Have four more races to either gain on him or to lose...LOL.

It was chaos and heartbreak for some drivers. Had to feel bad for Almirola going for his first win with the best car he has ever driven only for the win be taken away from him due to his tires. Bet Goodyear is back at the shop working hard on getting a better and softer tire for the track when they visit it again in the spring. Newly repaved tracks do present challenge. The old track the drivers know what to expect, how to build their car to fit the track. A newly repaved track leaves everyone guessing and not knowing what to expect. Plus the track has NO grip at all, which leaves for the slippery conditions and what not. Don't know how often they repave tracks...want to say ten years or so sounds about right, but that would be a guess. Really don't know for sure. They are going to Martinsville, short track racing. Hope for less wrecks than last week...always leaves me holding my breath hoping it doesn't collect to one of my favorite drivers. Was going to post this in news, but will just post it here...DALE EARNHARDT JR has been medically cleared to RACE AT MARTINSVILLE this Sunday. I for one am excited and glad to hear Jr is back to racing shape. Don't know if I should say anything, don't want to jinx myself. I am in two NASCAR fantasy leagues in NASCAR this year. First half of the season I did horrible...think I cursed my drivers I chose for my team thoses weeks. Hung out seventh or nineth in both of them for a long while. Had no hope of ever really accomplishing much in either league. But with four races remaining to the season, in one league I have climbed three or so spots last week to be sitting in third...in the other league, I am currently proudly sitting FIRST for the second week in a row. Never expected to get this high and now holding my breath that I can pick the right drivers to get me a win in one of my leagues...but know that is probably asking too much.

Sorry to interrupt your lonely thread, but...

I think the highlight of today's race was that we had fourteen cautions...a new record for Kansas...newly repaved. Goodyear will have their hands full trying to find a softer tire since most of the issues were tire related...hard tires. Am proud of Jimmie Johnson and the entire 48 crew. They had led a lot of laps before getting shoved back mid pack due to a pit stop. Back there he spun out and hit the wall. They had talked about taking it to the garage, instead they fixed it on pit road. Took the car home nineth today...great example to never give up. Aric Almirola led teh most laps today. Was leading until he wrecked, he fought back, was going for the lead and spun again. Several laps later he spun out and hit the wall hard - car caught fire for a bit and knocked the air out of Aric. Bet Richard Petty was proud of his driver today for the fight he gave today. Tony Stewart who started towards the back due to a poor qualifing effort...was tagged with a pit road penalty when his crew left the wrench in the back of his window. Served that...then spun out. Came home with a fifth spot finish. Danica Patrick purposely spun out Iowa native Landon Cassill...they were fighting for space for a while. According to Danica Landon had hit her on the side for no reason...Danica spun Landon out and she ended up hitting the wall hard and taking herself out of the race. As Landon had said "Rule of thumb, you going to spin someone out, don't wreck yourself." Or something like that. Even Danica's own crew cheif called into her after the wreck and told her there was no call for that. (Something like that...) Kyle Busch had spun out towards the beginning of the race and had continued racing until Ryan Newman spun him out to end his night...took Newman out as well. They interviewed Kyle and he said that at least Newman took himself out of the race as well and that he'll have another one coming later on. Kyle was loose all race long, Ryan surely didn't help him any - or make him any happier. Greg Biffle was another good car that had spun out and later had taken himself to the garage...chase car as well. Kurt Busch had hit the wall towards the end of the race, but not hard enough to draw a caution... As I said earlier, it was a CRAZY race. With all the cautions going on and everyone spinning, one would think we were at Daytona or Talledega - just not going as fast...though they were going faster than normal for Kansas due to the new track. I was just glad Jeff Gordon was able to stay clear away from all trouble today...had a hard week before Kansas, started out mediocre, before gaining ten positions in pits and stayed in the top ten...came home tenth today. Here is the top ten finishes of today's race: 1. Matt Kenseth 2. Martin Truex Jr 3. Paul Menard 4. Kasey Kahne 5. Tony Stewart 6. Clint Bowyer 7. Regan Smith 8. Brad Keselowski 9. Jimmie Johnson 10. Jeff Gordon Was happy to see that Regan Smith finish seventh today -proving how good he can be with great equimpent under him. Bet Dale Jr was pretty happy himself as well. Rick Hendrick (Dale Jr's, Johnson's, Gordon's, and Kahne's car owner) said before the race that Jr was cleared to race next weekend, but later came out and said that Jr had an incar test tomorrow he had to pass and an office type test on Tuesday he would need to pass to get cleared. So far so good for Dale Jr, so if he passes the tests, he will be back in the 88 car at Martinsville next Sunday. Will know for sure on Tuesday afternoon.

Will write my review when the race is officially over, but had to stop by to say that if you are missing the race, well you are missing a CRAZY race. Into our eleventh or twelveth caution...83 more laps to go. Fingers crossed that Gordon will remain out of any problem. Just crazy...