Garrett Duke

Thanks Roger...I may not know much about much else, but I do know a thing or two about NASCAR. As well as baseball, too. HA HA. My two favorite sports. Cubs and Pirates rivalry may end up being more exciting than Gordon-Ragen rivalry, but I wouldn't give up on poor ol' Ragen as of now. He just got a whole NEW team, car owner, garage...everything. He went from Roucsh racing to a lower class racing as well. A lot of the success in NASCAR does come from talent, from t he driver and pit crew. But a lot also comes from who owns their cars and how much money they have or are willing to dish out for their team/cars. Like Hendrick (Gordon, Johnson, Jr, and Kahne) is the top team in NASCAR. Meaning only the best under the hood and in the car and in the shop. Rousch I think is like second...can't recall who Ragen is racing for at the moment, but it is for a lesser team that isn't as well funded as Rousch is - who Ragen use to race for. If that makes any sense. In other words, Roger, don't give up on Ragen. Give him a year or two to adjust to his new team, new car, and new owner. Perhaps next year he will be more promising. He is a talented driver and a great guy. With that said... GO CUBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dang Roger...you are missing out on some exciting racing. Well perhaps not so much since Gordon has been plagued with Duke bad luck thus far this season. But am looking forward for him to pull out of that and go for the win this Sunday at Martinsville. As for Junior...you may be right. He is the best Hendrick driver thus far. As for the baseball thread...I saw that and responded. Be prepared to hear the truth... HA HA.

Wow Roger...it looks like you came ready to fight. Well since you are ready for a fight, I'd say you came prepared to lose. You supposedly precious Pirates may have one more win last year than my Cubs did last year, but that is only because your little Pirates got on that lucky streak the first half of the season. Obviously you didn't know the Cubs have a new coaching staff...and they are coming into the season ready to WIN! Just as the Cubs have came to win...I also came to win in fantasy baseball...prepare to lose! As for believing...I am a die hard Cubs fan whos motto every year is this is our year...so I will say it loud and clear for you THIS IS THE CUBS YEAR! THEY'RE TAKING HOME THE WS RING HOME IN OCTOBER! (If not my motto will then turn into "next year is their year"...LOL) I am sorry Roger...I am going to DISAGREE with you. I know a lot about baseball...only been a Cubs fan for 26 years now. (Way longer than I have been a NASCAR fan...) I know who the best team is...the CHICAGO CUBS. You've just got to learn and accept it Roger...sometimes, the truth hurts a bit. You want me to leave this board? That only means you're afraid that I am RIGHT. HA HA. Well as I said, your post sounds like you are ready for a fight. So here I am to say: CHICAGO CUBS ARE NUMBER 01!!!!!!!!!

Well after telling Hoss how good Gordon's crew is...they gave the race away and thanks to the rain shortened race... Gordon comes home 26th. Am not happy right now. And since they called the race due to rain, Tony Stewart is the winner. 1. Tony Stewart 2. Kyle Busch 3. Dale Earnhardt Jr 4. Kevin Harvick 5. Carl Edwards 6. Greg Biffle 7. Ryan Newman 8. Martin Truex Jr 9. Kurt Busch 10. Jimmie Johnson

Well bad news, bad news, bad news...it is raining now in Fontana. So far no big news has been going on. Kyle Busch led a lot of laps, Tony Stewart is now leading with 71 laps to go...and raining. Hendrick boys (Gordon, Jr, Johnson, and Kahne) were all doing good for the first half. There has been a few speeding penalties as well as penalities with equimpent leaving their stall...as in Jeff Gordon. .Fifth in spot and his gas can got stuck and he left and the gas can man fell outside of the pits. He had to go back to pit road.. Took him a lap down. AM NOT HAPPY RIGHT NOW. Definately not helping his points. Jimmie Johnson was having a good but once the rain started his car started smoking and another driver let them know oil was dripping... If it goes back to green (WHICH I HOPE IT DOES!) I will let you know how it goes down the last 71 laps...

Love Fox's NASCAR Intro that is sang by Dierks Bently!!!!!!! It is Dierk's "Sideways" song... Well the pre race show is on right now and as of now, no rain. Darrell Waltrip said on Facebook this morning that they were predicting 80 percent rain...but then said they are wrong a hundred percent of the time. Hope he is right! Hate rain shortened races or even worse when they race on Mondays when I can't watch it.... GO JEFF GORDON GO!!!!!!!!

They are racing at Fontana California tomorrow at 2:30 EST on FOX...that is if it doesn't RAIN...rain is in the forecast, at least it was yesterday .... got a link to it on Facebook. Am really hoping for it NOT to rain...as always. And despite what I said earlier, will be able to watch it since my plans got postponed... Anyway, qualifying was last night...am not too happy since Gordon qualified 21st. Don't know why he is having so much bad luck lately...one would wonder if he was related to the Dukes or something. HA HA. Guess it is better for him to start there and not finish there...so am hoping he has a car he can move up through the pack with. He's gonna need it! OK...sorry, had to vent a little. Been looking forward to this season to start, as always, and the only word that comes to mind from the first four races...and the shoot out, is disappointing or frustrating for this 24 fan. Anyway, know you all aren't big Jeff Gordon fans as I am...so I will stop my complaining. For now. HA Here is the top ten starting positions for tomorrow's race: 1. Denny Hamlin 2. Kyle Busch 3. Mark Martin 4. Greg Biffle 5. Kasey Kahne 6. Ryan Newman 7. Kevin Harvick 8. Joey Lagano 9. Tony Stewart 10. Jimmie Johnson Once again...will be praying for NO rain in Fontana tomorrow. It can rain in Iowa all it wants, just not there!!!!!!!!!

Well I got the best news today when I turned on the computer, but then again, my opinion on this is biased...after all Jimmie Johnson is my second favorite driver (after Jeff Gordon, of course ). And it does affect Jeff Gordon as well since Gordon owns most of Jimmie Johnson's car... Jimmie Johnson went onto the final stage there is for appealing NASCAR's penalities against him that was given to him after the Daytona 500 race for failing car inspection BEFORE the Budweiser Shootout race. He was fined 25 owner points, Gordon was fined 25 car owner points, his crew cheif was fined $100,000 dollars...and both crew cheif and car cheif was to be put on probation for six races. Last week they went forward to the first option to appeal and lost against NASCAR. They took the appeal to National Stock Car Racing chief appellate officer John Middlebrook, who use to work for General Motors and has faced three other appeals prior to Johnson's. In all three he has reduced the penalties. Middlebrook has reduced Johnson's penalties in a BIG way...he took away the points fined against Johnson and Gordon (HUGE sigh of relief...) as well as the suspensions for crew cheif Chad Knaus and car cheif Ron Melec. Knaus and Melec will be on probation until May 9th...and Knaus' $100,000 fine still stands as is. Which means two things. One...Jimmie Johnson no longer is 17th in points where the 25 point fine had put him...he is now 11th in points! Two...he will have his crew cheif supporting him this weekend. Know there probably is a lot of people who don't agree with this since there seems to be a lot of people against JJ, fan wise that is. But I for one am excited and relieved about this. I agree punishments should be handed out if something is wrong or done wrong, but that was harsh for someone who didn't even take that car on the TRACK! Now if only Gordon could find a way to climb up in points...really hate seeing him stuck in 23rd in points due to BAD LUCK!

The race just got over and it definately didn't go my way. Gordon always has a good attitude when they interview him after something like that. Stewart hit the wall, but rebounded to finish 14th. Jr later got caught speeding in pits and went home fifteenth after leading a couple of laps. Have to admit was frustrated with him cutting Gordon's tire, but do have to agree with him, that it wasn't done on purpose. Always glad to hear them apologize for wrong doing. He was quick to send an apology to Gordon after it happened. Here is the top ten finishes: 1. Brad Keselowski 2. Matt Kenseth 3. Martin Truex Jr 4. Clint Bowyer 5. Brian Vickers 6. Jeff Burton 7. Jamie McMurray 8. Juan Pablo Montoya 9. Jimmie Johnson 10. Paul Menard Well we are onto Fontana California next week...don't know if I'll be home in time to watch it but will do my best to do a write up.

Well we have ninety laps to go at Bristol...Kahne got in an early wreck that took him out with Edwards and Kyle Busch. Brian Vickers who is racing part time with Waltrip racing is in his first race of the season and led a lot of laps. Gordon had a great car and was in the top five for most of the day until racing for position with Dale Jr. Dale Jr tale pipe hit his tire to give him a flat tire and into the wall. Which shattered Gordon's Bristol race. Very frustrated about it right now...can't believe the rotten luck he has had this year so far!

We're racing at Bristol baby! The pre-race show is on right now and here is the top ten starting drivers... 1. Greg Biffle 2. AJ Allmindinger 3. Ryan Newman 4. Jeff Gordon 5. Brad Keselowski 6. Regan Smith 7. Aric Almirola 8. Carl Edwards 9. Joey Lagano 10. Kasey Kahne Well y'all know I am a Jeff Gordon fan so this is not going to be any surprise to any of you, but REALLY hope that Gordon has a better race today than he has all season long. Hope his run of BAD LUCK is all over and he can go for the win today. Am really excited for this race...love Bristol racing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TRPCOltrane...sorry you haven't been feeling the best. Hope you are feeling better. Hopefully Stewart's win helped you feel better as well. Didn't watch the end of the Daytona race...saw the jet dryer wreck and watched for the red flag but went to bed when the drivers were sent to their car. I get up at four AM so had to catch at least a little sleep..especially since BOTH Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson were out by then. Though was hoping Jr would have won it...came all so close. Love Bristol racing. One of my favorite tracks and love it when they got there. Especially for the night race in August. Jeff Gordon is great on this track and hope he will turn his BAD LUCK around this weekend. THat is if he isn't collected up in one of them accidents that is bound to happen at Bristol. Fingers crossed for a top five...or a win from team 24 this weekend. Glad to see you back online TRPColtrane and hope this is a sign that you are feeling better.

Thanks Hoss. Me too. I heard online that JJ's crew cheif's reputation has a thing or two to do with the harshness of it. Back when this car was new...they had it in a few races first before going full season with it. Well in one race they were using COT (Car of Tomorrow) both Gordon's and Johnson's car was found with illegal measurements on it...cc's were suspended, points taken. I didn't understand them being so harsh to them back then and still don't...you make them drive a new car, it's bound to take 'em awhile to get everything right. (BTW...Darian Grubb (who was Stewart's CC last year) was JJ's replacement during the races Chad was suspended and JJ won the first two races with him...) I know JJ's crew cheif Chad Knaus has been known to push the envelope so to speak a time or two...but as he said when he was suspended with Gordon's cc...they are paid to push the envelope as far as it will go. Sometimes it goes too far. But still feel like they should penalize him according to what was wrong and not what had happened SEVERAL years ago. Feel this is too harsh for what the crime is and really hope that the penalities will at least get reduced...

Well Rick Hendrick took the charges against the 48 team (Jimmie Johnson) to apeal this afternoon and it didn't do nothing. There is one last option to take it to another level...which he is going to do. Good for Mr. H. I agree if the part was out of proportion according to the rules that some penalties should be applied...but 25 driver points? Suspending BOTH car cheif and crew cheif for SIX races? Fining cc Chad Knaus a hundred thousand dollars?! Just WAY too much for what the charge is. JJ didn't even put it on the track, didn't even race in it...not even in practice! How can they fail the same car that they passed inspection at least four times last year? URGH just frustrated right now. Am really hoping the last stop will be the right stop for team 48...

Never got into horse racing, but that is awesome that one is named the General Lee. Hope he has a great career!

Here are the official top ten in points after the Las Vegas race on Sunday: 1. Greg Biffle 2. Kevin Harvick 3. Denny Hamlin 4. Dale Earnhardt Jr 5. Matt Kenseth 6. Carl Edwards 7. Tony Stewart 8. Martin Truex Jr 9. Joey Lagano 10. Mark Martin After the horrible year Greg Biffle had last year...he may not be a Hendrick driver...but am glad to see him finding success early on this year. If not one of my Hendrick boys or Carl Edwards...am glad to see "the Biff" up there.

Well the race at Las Vegas just got over. Dale Earnhardt Jr took the lead on the first lap and led more laps today than he had last year. That is until he took four tires and most everyone else took two and he fell back to 16th. Think he rallied on to finish tenth. Jimmie Johnson got sent to the rear due to a crash on first lap of practice and he was fast to move to the front. Led some laps and came home second. Kyle Busch also had to start at the rear of the pack due to a crash and had first started up the track fast, but wasn't his day today. He ended up hitting the wall at one point and then he hit the pitroad cone that spun him out and ended his day early. (Right after big brother Kurt Busch spun out and hit the wall due to a flat tire...both were due to flat tires.) Tony Stewart dominated the race and went on to win his first race at Las Vegas. Here is the top ten finish of today's race at Las Vegas: 1. Tony Stewart 2. Jimmie Johnson 3. Greg Biffle 4. Ryan Newman 5. Carl Edwards 6. Clint Bowyer 7. Paul Menard 8. Jamie McMurray 9. Trevor Bayne 10. Dale Earnhardt Jr (Sorry Roger...David finished 21st today. Though it is better than his 34th starting position. He is starting with a new team, new car this year. Am sure it will take awhile to get everyone on the same page and get things working up to par.) We are onto Bristol next Sunday...one of my favorite tracks. Am excited to leave this race behind and move onto Bristol baby!

As I said, NASCAR Sprint Cup is racing at Las Vegas. The track that took Dan Wheldon's young life. RIP Dan! Am hoping for a safe and fun race. Jeff Gordon also got into a scar accident at the end of the race several years ago...hoping all the drivers will return home tonight safe and healthy.

A Christian rock group...got their new CD "Believer" with this song on it yesterday. Great album!

Well they are racing at Las Vegas today...Pre race show starts at 1:30 CENTRAL time on FOX. Kasey Kahne has won his first pole position with Hendrick so he will be starting up front while team mate Jimmie Johnson crashed in practice and will be sent to the back of the pack with a new car. He is just having horrible luck to start the 2012 season...but if anyone can overcome it all, it is JJ. Will be writing the review after the race... Carl Edward won at Las Vegas last year...meaning it has gone a full circle since his last win. A year...perhaps he will break his win-drought to win again or will it be one of the Busch brothers since they are from Las Vegas...will know by this afternoon. Weather permitting...am hoping only but sun and warm weather in Las Vegas!

This is where I will post the point position after every race...or later on in the week. Points aren't made official until Monday after the officials review everything. Here is the top ten in points after yesterday's Phoenix race: 1. Denny Hamlin 2 Greg Biffle 3. Kevin Harvick 4. Matt Kenseth 5. Dale Earnhardt Jr 6. Martin Truex Jr 7. Mark Martin 8. Joey Lagano 9. Kyle Busch 10. Carl Edwards

Well the race has just gotten over and Denny Hamlin is taking home the trophy from Phoenix. It was a pretty good race for most drivers...except for a few who had problems. Kasey Kahne hit the wall at the beginning of the race, Clint Bowyer had a couple of flat tires back to back. Dale Jr didn't have the best car and didn't have that good of a finish to show for it...Gordon had an on and off again car. Going from good to bad. To good it seems. Johnson has rebounded from last weekend's race. There was also a few engine problems...Marcos Ambrose had engine problems as did Jamie MacMurray. Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards both ran out of gas on the last lap,, but Harvick was able to hang on for second place finish. They also found there is a problem with the new fuel injection that they started to use this year when Stewart turned his car off to save gas and couldn't get his car started. Disappointing for the former champ from going to a good race to two laps down. Here is the top ten finishes of today's race: 1. Denny Hamlin 2. Carl Edwards 3. Greg Biffle 4. Jimmie Johnson 5. Brad Keselowski 6. Kyle Busch 7. Martin Truex Jr 8. Jeff Gordon 9. Mark Martin 10. Joey Lagano We are off to Las Vegas next Sunday. Don't know about you, but sure am glad that NASCAR is officially back.

What's so bad about me wining? I tend to think of it is a good thing... Besides (since I am watching the pre race show) since my guys had such a hard time in Speedweeks and in Daytona, feel I deserve a win somewhere. Right? I am thinking or hoping positive...am hoping the Cubs can at least win ninety games this year. If not more...I can always hope, right? Talking baseball...Cubs has their first Spring Training game against the A's today. GO CUBS GO!!!!!!!!!!

The pre-race show has just started on FOX. The Sprint boys are racing under the dessert sun in Phoenix today. Mark Martin has won the pole...while Jr starts 29th...and Gordon 30th. Will make sure to keep you all updated either throughout the race and or after...Hope you all get to watch.