Garrett Duke

Well it has been rain delayed...but the good news is is that they have put the jet dryers out on the track. So hopefully it is about done raining...though Danica just said it is really raining now. :(
RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY, DON'T COME BACK ANOTHER DAY!!!!

Pre-race show is on NOW on FOX...anyone else excited?
Am hoping for a fun and safe race today and to see all four Hendrick boys in the top ten today...with JEFF GORDON coming home number 1.
That is if it doesn't rain...RAIN RAIN GO AWAY COME BACK ANOTHER DAY! Am hoping the sun will start to shine on Daytona and on the drivers!!!!!!

Well NASCAR.com has finally put up the final lineup for the Daytona 500...the top two positions were locked in with the qualifying runs on last Sunday. While the rest of the field was placed as to where they finished today. Carl Edwards won the pole and Biffle got second place from qualifying...
HERE IS THE TOP TEN STARTING POSITIONS FOR SUNDAY:
1. Carl Edwards
2. Greg Biffle
3. Tony Stewart
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr
6. Regen Smith
7. Marcos Ambrose
8. Jimmie Johnson
9. Jeff Burton
10. Elliot Sadler
Well I for one liked the qualifying run line up better since Gordon qualified sixth or seventh but since he finished eightth today, he will now be starting sixteenth. Oh well, sometimes it seems like he does better when he starts mid pack like that. Have to say am glad to see Elliot Sadler back in a cup race...don't know if it is for the season or if it just Daytona. After not doing so well and his contract ending (I think) he dropped out last season and had just concentrated on the Nationwide Series...which he did pretty good at.
Anyone planning on any big Daytona parties? I'm not ... unless hanging out with four dogs and a cat classifies as a party. HA HA.
GO JEFF GORDON GO! GORDON'S DRIVE FOR FIVE IS ON IN 2012!!
(Just in case y'all forgot who I am going for... )

Thanks Roger. I was excited last night when I logged in and saw that we got ten members in my league! Would like a few more, but if this is all that I will get for my league, I will be happy. Thanks for your help...without your help, there probably only be four or five in my league.
Sixteen more days til the Daytona 500...a week from tomorrow is the Sprint Unlimited. Use to be the Bud Shootout. Though if you ask me, I think they should have stuck with the Bud Shootout. But then again, no one asked me. So next Saturday is the beginning of Speedweeks! I will be making a new thread for the upcoming 2013 NASCAR season soon...

What guilt trip and accusations, Roger? I was just laying down the facts. You can't argue the facts, can you?
Ah well...was just giving you a hard time. I wouldn't get all upset about it. Jr is a good guy and a great driver. Can't go wrong by going with Jr...though you could do better to.
Like going for JEFF GORDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry to say but Johnson, Kenseth, or Harvick is NOT in Austin, Hoss. Meaning you are definitely watching the WRONG race. Don't worry, I will make sure to let you know how the real race ends today. JK but will write a review after the race is over...

Well for some reason Hnet is not letting my post show when I refresh the page...see if this helps. Hoping you can see this...don't feel like retyping it all. HA.

I am pretty sure that the race will start at 10:00 EST on ESPN2. I will have to write my review tomorrow afternoon after work and I get home. Sorry for letting y'all down, but I doubt I will be up to see the end. Not happy about this but perhaps Gordon will do better without me...let's go team 24!

I am hearing rumors the race may restart 8:00 central time or 9 central time...hmmm doubt I will be able to stay up to watch the whole thing. I have to get up at four tomorrow morning. Dang work anyway!

If the race goes green later tonight...it will be on ESPN 2. ESPN has said they will report at six to see if anything else is planned. Will keep you updated.
Dang...what a lousy way to start the Chase.

Race command has been said and the cars are on the track...it is cloudy over the track. Expecting more rain later on...hoping it will hold off until AFTER the race is over.

We are currently under rain delay...surprise.

As Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane would say...I got some baaad news, baaadd news.
The boys...and Danica are racing at Chicagoland tomorrow/today which is the closest track to where I live...and all week they have been predicting rain/thunderstorms this Sunday (which we need...just wish it wasn't race day...) and after hearing talk on Twitter, I finally looked it up for Joliet Illinois where Chicagoland is at. They have a SEVENTY percent chance of rain on Sunday. Just read someone say on Twitter that the rain is suppose to start in the morning and end around nine or ten at night!
So if it rains it will mean hours of delay before they cancel it and race on Monday around noon...when I have to be at work.
Bet you can guess who is NOT happy with this, right?

Well I just got done watching the Advocare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway and didn't see one person from Hazzard County. Perhaps they were camera shy or something. LOL.
It was a fun race to watch for the most part...and with two races (now one) race to the Chase, it added a lot of drama to the mix.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr won his first pole in his short NASCAR Sprint Cup career but seemed to fall back rather quickly and do believe he finished sixteenth. NASCAR had thrown a competition caution on lap twenty due to rain earlier today and when they came back, Jeff Gordon had a hard time going and then Matt Kenseth bumped him (bet y'all can guess who wasn't too happy with that move...) which in turn forced a pile up as Jeff Burton got into the back of Jimmie Johnson and spun out Kasey Kahne. (Also bet you can guess who wasn't happy with all of that.) Kasey took his car behind the wall for 31 laps while JJ stayed out but ended up spinning out later on in the race as well. Believe he ended up three laps down.
Jeff Burton had fought hard from the accident and was thirteen at one point before he lost a tire and it forced him up into Austin Dillon and the wall.
I don't know what exactly had happened to Matt Kenseth, think it was some sort of car issue, but it sent him back to thirtieth for a long time in the race but he held on for a twelve spot finish.
Clint Bowyer who led a lot of laps before reported that he thought he was having engine problems (which no one seemed to believe him since it was a new engine he was trying out...) before his engine finally did blow and he had to exit the race early. Later Brad Keselowski was leading when he too suffered from engine problems, but Brad was able to hold on and stay out for a long time before having to end the night early. Clint who is locked into the Chase it was a big deal, but not as big of a deal as it was to Keselowski who is trying to race his way into the Chase.
Kyle Busch went on to win his fourth race of the season with Joey Logano second, Martin Truex Jr, and older brother Kurt Busch fourth.
Here is the official results of the Advocare 500:
1. Kyle Busch
2. Joey Logano
3. Martin Truex Jr.
4. Kurt Busch
5. Ryan Newman
6. Jeff Gordon
7. Juan Pablo Montoya
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
9. Kevin Harvick
10. Brian Vickers
11. Jamie McMurray
12. Matt Kenseth
13. Marcos Ambrose
14. AJ Allmendinger
15. Greg Biffle
16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
17. David Gilliland
18. Carl Edwards
19. Austin Dillon
20. Aric Almirola
21. Danica Patrick
22. Casey Mears
23. David Ragen
24. Paul Menard
25. Mark Martin
26. Dave Blaney
27. Travis Kvapil
28. Jimmie Johnson
29. David Stremme
30. JJ Yeley
31. Timmy Hill
32. David Reutimann
33. Mike Bliss
34. Jeff Burton
35. Brad Keselowski
36. Kasey Kahne
37. Landon Cassill
38. Denny Hamlin
39. Clint Bowyer
40. Joe Nemechek
41. Josh Wise
42. Michael McDowell
43. Scott Speed
As of now the top six drivers in points (will update the points tomorrow) is set in the Chase while the others do have a chance to fall out as well as others to work themselves into the top ten in points or to earn a win into the wild card chase. After next Saturday NIGHT race at Richmond, the Chase field will be set. And this 24 fan is nervous...LOL.
On a side note...there was some excitement in the truck series race today which was the inaugural race in Canada. I don't watch the truck series nor really keep up with it that much but do hear about it from time to time. Well Hendrick up and coming driver, Chase Elliot (who is Bill Elliot's son) and is only 17 years old, won his first truck race at the truck Series inaugural race in Canada. Sounds like he did something to wreck Ty Dillion (didn't see what happened...) but what has gotten my attention was what happened to Max Papis. I guess him and this 19 year old driver wrecked, both trucks had damage. Well the 19 year old's girl friend got mad about it and started chasing Max yelling at him before she slapped him. Max now says that she has dislocated his jaw by the slap and that he is still hearing ringing noises in that ear. He is seeking the director of the truck series to take action towards the girl friend for what she did to him...if that was to happen out on the streets, she would have assault charges placed on her and yet NASCAR didn't do nothing? No need for that to happen no matter what. (I know this isn't the regular NASCAR Sprint Cup Series that I normally talk about, but did think I should mention it...add onto the drama. LOL)

Thanks Hoss for covering for me...it has been a busy week/end.
Race is tomorrow...August 4th. On JEFF GORDON's BIRTHDAY. Gordon will turn 42 years YOUNG and guess what...this is Gordon's 42nd time of racing at Pocono. Hopefully it ends up as a win. My opinion...of course.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF GORDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I said...he finished too far ahead of Gordon.
Though why would you trust a site that has Crash in it's title? LOL

LOL...thought it looked wrong when I wrote it out. DOH me!

Well the Daytona race has gotten over. And well...it was a typical Daytona race. Though I think the big story is that Jimmie Johnson is the first driver since 1982 to win both February's Daytona's race AND the July's Daytona race.
First half of the race was pretty uneventful. Carl Edwards ran over his tire changer's foot...the tire changer was taking the tape off of Edwards' grill and when the guy who holds the car up for the tire change, dropped the car, Edwards went. ( That is the driver's sign that it is time to go when they drop the car) So he dropped the car and Edwards went to run over his tire changer's foot that got caught on the splitter...luckily it was his shoe that broke to save him and not his foot.
And well things got a bit eventful towards the end of the race...and am sure will forget something. So please forgive me. LOL.
Martin Truex Jr got spun out by Denny Hamlin who in turn took out Juan Pablo Montoya.
Jeff Gordon came to pit road on a yellow third...going out of pits he tried to get passed Joe Nemechek and got into the grass which took him back to twelfth. A few laps later "the big one" came about with Denny Hamlin, AJ Allmindinger, Matt Kenseth,...and Jeff Gordon.
Kasey Kahne went up to challenge Jimmie Johnson only to get into Ambrose and slung out into the infield and out of the race.
And on the last lap...(if they wreck on the last lap, the race is over if the caution drops) two big accidents happen at two different places, but NASCAR keeps it green and Jimmie goes on to win the race. Tony Stewart came home second.
Daytona's final results
Sorry to tell you this, Hoss, but Ricky Stenhouse Jr was taken out on the last lap by his own girl friend...

Sorry Hoss but at least on my computer your picture didn't come through...but do have to say I love Jeff Gordon's car that he will be racing tomorrow! I agree . . . it does make it hard to find them sometimes when their cars are different, but it is nice to see different paint schemes every once in awhile.
And yeah, the sponsors would NOT be happy if they would stick with only one paint scheme. And at a time like this when sponsors are dropping left and right and are getting more hard to find, I think it would be wise if they would do all things possible to keep them HAPPY.
As for the time... I do the best that I can. Sorry if that is not satisfactory for you Hoss...went out for lunch and church. Got to it when I got home afterwards. I didn't know you were an impatient NASCAR fan...that it was only me who got impatient to see who starts where.

Worst fantasy NASCAR player? I think you are doing pretty good especially for your first year...keep positive. Plus I can't punish you when I am not doing much better.
To many Chicago Blackhawk palyers on my team? Never heard of such a thing!

Well, OK, so perhaps the salesman was an actor and perhaps the driver wasn't Jeff Gordon. I still like it and still think it was funny.
Logically speaking, if it was a true prank, they'd risk getting sued or what not if the "salesman" had an heart attack or something went wrong or what not. And they tend to put a stunt driver during any stunt...
All the same, I did like the video. Sorry Hoss you ain't gonna rain on my parade - especially when Jeff Gordon is in it even if it is only outside of the car.

Hey...owe! What was that for? I was just speakin' the truth...first televised race and Cale goes and steals the show away from Richard Petty who went on to win the race. While he won the race, Cale was fighting the Allison brothers which grabbed more attention than the King winning the race. Poor Richard...
Not fault you chose to like a trouble maker.
Thows the nerf football back at you to hit you in the shoulder.

I will try not to take any offense to you speaking negatively about my second favorite driver. You're just lucky you are picking on my all time favorite driver...then I would definately take offense to it. Personally don't understand why or how so many people don't like Jimmie Johnson...but then again he is my second all time favorite NASCAR driver, so my opinion on the matter is a tad biased.

Well y'all...I got some happy news for you. NASCAR SEASON IS FINALLY HERE!!!! I am beyond excited about it...but also a sad. Excited because life isn't complete without NASCAR...but sad that this is the last year that Jeff Gordon will be driving the 24 car. Can't imagine NASCAR without him. But am sure NASCAR will continue without him...
Today was the Superbowl of NASCAR...the biggest race of the season. The race everyone has been waiting for.
Jeff Gordon started the race on the pole with Jimmie Johnson starting besides him. Jeff Gordon had a fast car and led several laps on the opening of the race. First caution is for Landon Cassill as his engine or something broke. Second caution is for Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart who hit the wall with heavy damage. On the restart Joey Logaono took the lead and Johnson second.
Jeff Gordon has led the most laps at Daytona in his career and at the moment...Gordon has led 84 laps with 92 laps to go. They are just getting ready for a restart from a debris caution. Johnson got penalized for his crew getting over the wall too early and Edwards along with few other drivers got caught for speeding on pit road. (Sorry...am trying to type this as the race goes to see if I can remember more. Let me know if this is better or not...) Gordon had gotten the lead back but has slid back and Dale Jr. took the lead to lead several laps and now Joey Logano is now back in lead.
We have 45 laps to go and they are on their final green flag pit stop and Logano is still in the lead. And now with 40 laps go go we are under caution because Brad Keselowski's car smoking up...a second caution due to engine failure. Jamie McMurray slid on Kesleowski's oil and went into the wall, Ryan Nemwan ran into the back of him. Gordon and a few drivers are pitting for fuel. Jimmie Johnson is now leading on the restart.
Jeff Gordon has clinched most laps led today.
Clint Bowyer has helped Carl Edwards past Jimmie Johnson after the restart.
And now caution number five for Ryan Blaney as his engine blows as well... and now Joey Logano is voicing similar problems as his teammate Brad Keselowski.
And now with seven to go, Joey Logano's car is still staying within and he is leading the race. Behind him cars are three wide. And with three to go Justin Allgaier and Ty Dillion get in an accident to bring on the yellow flag. And now they are red flagged as they are trying to clear the track of Allgaier's car off the track.
They restart with Logano in the lead and on the last lap, Austin Dillion got in the back of Jeff Gordon to cause a big wreck to bring out the yellow flag and end the race. Joey Logano has won his first Daytona 500.
Official results:
1. Joey Logano
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Jimmie Johnson
6. Casey Mears
7. Clint Bowyer
8. Martin Truex Jr.
9. Kasey Kahne
10. Greg Biffle
11. David Gilliland
12. Sam Hornish Jr.
13. Michael Annett
14. Austin Dillion
15. Aric Almirola
16. Regan Smith
17. David Regan
18. Johnny Sauter
19. Matt Crafton
20. AJ Allmendinger
21. Danica Patrick
22. Cole Whitt
23. Jamie McMurray
24. Carl Edwards
25. Michael Waltrip
26. Bobby Lagonte
27. Paul Menard
28. Ty Dillion
29. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
30. Trevor Bayne
31. Michael McDowell
32. Reed Sorenson
33. Jeff Gordon
34. Kyle Larson
35. Matt Kenseth
36. Mike Wallace
37. Justin Allgaier
38. Ryan Newman
39. Ryan Blaney
40. JJ Yeley
41. Brad Keselowski
42. Tony Stewart
43. Landon Cassill
Well...race one in the books. We are off to Atlanta next Sunday...perhaps Bo and Luke will be there. LOL

Another reason to love Chase. He has done great so far and am looking forward to seeing how far he will go this season. Still have a hard time accepting him in the 24 car, but other than that, that he is great. But I am sticking with Jimmie Johnson...the man of steel.