Garrett Duke

Well this has little to nothing to do with NASCAR, but had to say that I now have complete sympathy for Jeff Gordon on Sunday's race when his brakes went out. Not that I didn't then, but now I REALLY know how he must have felt or somewhat. Halfway going to work today and had to step on my brakes in case someone walked in front of me (it was dark and couldn't see but a shadow...) and my brakes went out. Have never been so scared in my life and can't imagine how much worse it must have been going at the speed Gordon was going. I made it to my apartment fine (where I was to drop off my dogs at) due to having a little brakes. Turns out there was a hole in my brake line and now have to get it all fixed. Dang where is Cooter when I need him?!
But after I was home safely and got thinking of how much worse it could have ended, I found it sadly ironic that on the same week Gordon finishes as the last car left on the track due to his brakes failing on him, my own brakes fail on me. Was definately not a fun ride...

Well if y'all haven't guessed or saw it, we are under rain delay at Chicago. Have been waiting all day for it to get started. Though Chicagoland has lights so they may be racing under the lights tonight...which would be great with me. I just hope they get the race in tonight. Would hate to miss a Chicagoland race. RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY, COME BACK ANOTHER NON RACING DAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Well just wasted a Sunday by watching three hours of driver interviews...in between switching to watch my beloved Cubs game...only for them to cancel the race! The race will be at 10 on ESPN...looks like a great day to be calling in sick tomorrow. HA HA. Wish I could do that, would feel too guilty even thinking of doing that. So I guess I'll have to sit this race out. Very frustrated right now!

Race day today...now watching the prerace show. And guess what? It's raining!!!!!!! ERRR Wish it was raining here and not there!
Let's go JEFF GORDON and TEAM 24!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Once again...rain, rain, go away, come back another day...like tomorrow!!!!!!

They are going road racing tomorrow at Watkins Glen. Kyle Busch won his first pole of the season. Race is at 1 EST on ESPN tomorrow...that is if it doesn't rain. Looks like they are predicting rain, if so, they'll race on Monday. In which case, I won't be able to watch...because someone has to work for a living!
*Starts singing: Rain, Rain, go away, come back another none racing day!*

Well the race is not yet over but they are now red flagged for now about an hour due to rain. It is now not raining, but they said it would take two hours to dry the track. They are on lap 124 out of 200...over halfway through the race, meaning that if they don't go gree flagged again, it will be over. I hate rain come race day!
And since I am anxious for the green flag to drop again, I will write my review while I listen to the driver interview that they've been doing for an hour now. Now they are talking to Dale Jr who has been pretty good today and is now sitting fifth. Could probably move up again if it does go green.
Joey Lagano started from the pole today and as of right now, is sitting first. He had won his first race in the last rain shortened race...his team mate Denny Hamlin, who is known to be great at this track, led the most of the lap and is now sitting third.
First part of the race, Kyle Busch spun himself out and then was penalyzed for pitting early. Went from the thirties to second within a matter of minutes. Asked his teammate Hamlin if he could pass to lead which is what Hamlin had done, but Busch didn't give him the lead back as would be expected to be done. Hamlin took the lead back after a green flag pit stop.
David Ragen, who sits on the bubble of the chase and needed a great race, drove aggressive in the first several laps only to make it three wide and spun himself out into the wall. Was in the garage for fifty laps. Not the kind of race he needed.
But lucky for Ragen, Tony Stewart who sat nine or tenth before the race, had tire issues and at one point was a lap down. Dropping him to eleventh. And since this year the eleventh and twelveth place is devoted for drivers in points from 11th to 20th with the most wins, it would put Stewart out of the chase for the first time if the chase started next week (which it doesn't.). David Regan has a win so he would surpass Stewart...but they still have five races left til the chase.
Gordon started 31st and stgruggled with a loose race car for most of the race and they finally got the car fast and now sits sixth. Jimmie Johnson started 18th and now sits second.
Well here is the first top ten of the race as of now:
1. Joey Lagano
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Kyle Busch
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr
6. Jeff Gordon
7. Clint Bowyer
8. Carl Edwards
9. Mark Martin
10. Ryan Newman
They are still red flagged, but if they do go green flagged, I will add onto this post as of w hat happens until the end of the race.
Hard to believe Brad Keselowski broke his ankle on Wednesday and he is out there in his race car.
I am now highly hoping for no more rain despite them calling for more win. Gordon was moving up the field during the race as was Johnson and Earnhardt and they all could move up higher if the race would go green once again.
RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY, COME BACK ANOTHER DAY!!! (JUST NOT RAIN DAY!)

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

Once again, to me, no race is boring. Any race is a good race...but today's race lacked any real excitement to write home about. Pre Race show was all about Denny Hamlin who started 28th and well, he delivered for 'em.. He led the most laps and came home the victory at Loudon, NH. . .Hamlin ran out of gas at the end of the race at Chicagoland and had wrote on his Twitter account that he'd win at Loudon...once again, he answered his call.
Kyle Busch did lead some laps and was strong until his engine started having problems and he went back pretty fast.
Here is the top ten finishes of today's race:
1. denny hamlin
2. jimmie johnson
3. jeff gordon
4. clint bowyer
5. kasey kahne
6. brad keselowski
7. tony stewart
8. joey logano
9. brian vickers
10. ryan newman
dale earnhardt jr came home 13th. david ragen 29th.
Well Roger, you happy now? No one was capitalized at all...that should make your day.
Well we are onto the Monster Mile...Dover.

Wow roger you must've woken up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. First your baeball thread you attack me and now you are attacking me on my very own NASCAR thread. What have I ever done to you? Well I guess since just mentioning Ragen and his progress for you, perhaps I won't say nothing in my review tomorrow about how Ragen does...even if he wins, I will his spot empty. You can check up on his progress yourself...better yet, you can watch the race and see how he does.
As for his championships, well, I'll be happy for David if he won a championship. Truly I will be. He is deserving of it, but truthfully, if he is to win races to get to that championship, I feel like he needs to prove his talent and get a better ride. Right now he is driving for an underdog team that don't have the money to compete with the higher ranked drivers. He had that with Rousch last year before Rousch sadly let go of him. David is young, he still has time to prove himself. But he'll have to prove himself as Jimmie Johnson had done that day when JEFF GORDON saw him on the track and picked him up to join the Hendrick team...
Never knew I could so easily offend a friend in my NASCAR reviews or that roger is so sensitive about David Ragen that he would get offended. I apologize Roger and hope you may forgive my capitalizing on Gordon's name. Will try my best not to do that again...even if he wins tomorrow.
GO JEFF GORDON AND TEAM 24!!!! and david ragen!

Yeah it must be difficult on NASCAR to compete with the NFL...I will always take NASCAR over NFL.. So they have nothing to worry about with losing me...except for during commercial breaks.
You are welcome. You know I like talking NASCAR.
Oops...guess I forgot to mention the most important thing. Jeff was fine...just disappointed. Glad he is OK, that is the main thing.

Well this upcoming race for the Sprint Cup is Saturday night is at 7:30 on ABC...and is is a big one. It is the last race until the chase starts...the last ten races. And eight drivers are chasing to get into the chase's twelve car field. Drivers like: Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Paul Menard, Marcos Ambrose, and Joey Logano. Though just read an article that said that in reality the wild card chase (the last two spots of the twelve car roster) is really between Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch. Kasey Kahne is the only one with two wins (at this moment) as the rest only have one. For Jeff Gordon to get into the chase he needs to be 13 cars ahead of Kyle Busch (which would equal out to thirteen points...) As for Kyle Busch he needs to win the race or to finish 12 points ahead of Jeff Gordon. (Am sure the other drivers have a chance at the chase as well...but mainly have to do better than Kyle and Jeff).
That alone makes this 24 fan really nervous...but to add to it that Richmond, where they will be racing Saturday night, is a race that Kyle Busch is great at. Don't know Gordon's stat for this track, but do think he has won here before. Am hoping he will do it again. Dang...I wish Gordon was locked in on points right now, but with all the bad luck that plagued him earlier (hopefully all that bad luck is passed and he'll have all good luck for the rest of the season!) he is lucky to be in contention for the chase at all.
With all that said, I don't know how much of the race I will be able to watch if at all since I am going out. Hate missing a race...especially one this important, but oh well I guess. Perhaps this will help me not to get so crazy as I know I'll be nervous for the 24 team. Perhaps I'll remember to breathe again Sunday morning.
Though I will definately read up on it and see what has happened (especially if I don't catch the end of the race, but am hoping to at least watch that part!) and will write my review as well as the new points.
All that means, is there is ONLY ELEVEN MORE RACES of the season left...sigh. Already dreading the off season. LOL

Sorry to disappoint you Roger...if you know where I can apply, I'd be more than excited to apply. That has got to be the best job...either that or the person who drops the flags...

NOT A CHANCE, ROGER!
First of all, I don't have a second favorite baseball team. If I had to chose a second one, I would go for the Yankees I guess since they got Jeter and I know more players, but don't do the AL thing if I can help it. Baseball = Cubs...Cubs = baseball to me. And if you think I would ever trade them as my favorite team, especially the Pirates, you are sadly mistaken.
Second of all, JEFF GORDON will ALWAYS be my FAVORITE NASCAR driver. End of story. You and David Ragen are just outta luck.
Third of all, I only play the best of the best in my fantasy team. Especially facing YOU. Prepare to lose, Roger. . .
So I guess you can say that I am not interested in ending this nasty rivalry of your's...that is unless you have gained a better sense of taste in sports and go for the CHICAGO CUBS and JEFF GORDON. Sounds like a great idea to me.
(Oh by the way...tell your buddy Tim Lincecum a happy 28th birthday...since he is on one of my fantasy teams...)
Hope you know I say all that cause I care and hope only for the best for you...hurts me deeply that you go for such teams that you do. Perhaps some of my GREAT taste will rub off on you. I can only hope...
BTW...GO CUBS GO!!!!!! GO JEFF GORDON GO!!!!!!!!!

*Shakes hand* Well Roger, I do believe you need to get your eyes checked and your ears checked as well. His name is NOT Gordon Jeff. It is Jeff Gordon and he will finish better than David Ragen this weekend.

Well the Darlington race has just ended and JIMMIE JOHNSON has just won teamowner, Rick Hendrick, his 200th win! But boy that was a nerve wrecking finish with the caution that was brought out with Kurt Busch hitting the wall and taking Ryan Newman with him.
Though I am kinda jumping ahead in this...
Darlington has earned several stripes today as drivers bounced off the wall all night. Starting with Jeff Gordon. Another hard race for Jeff Gordon. He was in the top ten when his tire got cut, he got it fixed and five laps later it went flat again. He took it to the garage for 28 laps...and finished 35th. Am very disappointed with Gordon's finish, but am so happy JJ won. Rather it be Gordon, but if not Gordon, let it be JJ. (My biased opinion, of course.)
Kyle Busch had a strong race as had Biffle who went back and forth. Tony Stewart finished third and was a strong threat at the end despite having a clutch issue.
Though there was a few cautions, not the amount of cautions and accidents that Darlington is known for. Though that seems to be the trend as of late. As Darrell Waltrip has pointed out, thus far, everyone is playing nice. No rivalries. No fighting. Which is probably for the best though NASCAR likes it because it gains popularity with it.
Here is the top ten finishes:
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Tony Stewart
4. Kyle Busch
5. Martin Truex Jr
6. Matt Kenseth
7. Carl Edwards
8. Kasey Kahne
9. Marcos Ambrose
10. Joey Lagano
PS:Tony Stewart just said during his pre race interview that he ran out of gas on the last lap. Surprising since he pitted three laps closer to the finish of the race than Johnson who stayed out.
Well I just posted about no fighting...well Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch are now fighting with each other. One of Ryan's crew pushed an NASCAR official! Ironicly Kurt and Ryan seemed to be in agreement with each other with what had happened on the track...guess their crew don't feel the same way. Well DW got what he want...some fighting. A year after Harvick and Kyle Busch got into it. Found it kinda interesting when during the pre race show they tried asking Harvick about Kyle and he stated that he don't talk to Kyle nor talk about Kyle. Someone still seems upset...
Next race will be next Saturday night on SPEED...will be the ALL STAR race. No points are online but the winner will be taking home a million dollars. Y'all think there is any chance they'd share some of that money with me? LOL

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 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!

Well I got some good news to share with y'all...well I hope at least. Could change...
But the Daytona 500 has been delayed and rescheduled (again due to weather) to 7:02 PM EST on FOX...6:02 my time central time...in eighteen minutes!!!!!
NO MORE RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!! RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY COME BACK ANOTHER DAY!!!!!!!!! NO MORE RAIN!!!!!!!!!!

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.