2012 Sprint Cup Series race reviews and results

[Garrett Duke]

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.

[Garrett Duke]

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!

[Garrett Duke]

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.

[RogerDuke]

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.

Thanks for the update Garrett!

Go David Ragen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Garrett Duke]

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!

[TRPColtrane95]

yeah I know Tony need first win victory at Las Vegas bad because he never had win this track for since he had 2 time 2nd place last time... oh well finally he got go Smoke!. But hope what driver will win for Bristol.

[Garrett Duke]

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TRPColtrane95]

yeah, Garrett, for Jeff's but others drivers like Jimmie, Denny, Kyle, who been win bristol before. but not know for today to be. I am fan for Tony's as well.. but 2nd for Matt and Dale and Jeff is. Hope good drive and not lot cautions today to be hope so not to be bad.

[Garrett Duke]

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!

[Garrett Duke]

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!

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.

[TRPColtrane95]

yeah, sorry about Jeff's bad day as well but hope he get better next sunday to be so congrat for Brad's win victory so close to Matt 2nd wow. nice watching race on bristol. SO come up is Fontana hope for Jeff is. Fontana in California... big track next. oh well. hope who win next sunday. As standing currenting is

http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/4/data/results_unofficial.html

http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/data/standings_official.html

http://www.nascar.com/lap-by-lap/120318/bristcuplbl/index.html

as well nice.

[Garrett Duke]

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!!!!!!!!!

[Garrett Duke]

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!!!!!!!!

[Garrett Duke]

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...

[TRPColtrane95]

yeah Tony Stewart is winner this time when rain is. I happy for him for 2nd win this year for his new chief crew is. Congrat for him and good for Dale E. JR for 3rd as well.. but Tony in 4th place for Chase and Dale Jr for 3rd place for Chase point.. nice. but hope not be not bad wreck next sunday at Martinsville track unlike Bristol track is. hope not lot cautions on next sunday at lunch around time. Oh boy. Fontana is near Los Angeles that I see but bit far to San Diego where my uncle dave and cousin sarah live in... oh well. I happy for Tony's win.

[Garrett Duke]

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...

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

[RogerDuke]

I haven't been following NASCAR this year because I'm just too busy on the weekends. Besides, it looks like the #6 car isn't exactly going to have a stellar year. Oh well, if he wins even one race I'll be happy. Speaking of winning a race, I'm going to make the bold prediction that Junior's going to win two this year.

Hey Garrett, I'm going to start a baseball thread on the hobbies forum.

Correction: I went down and started up the old one.

Edited March 29, 2012 by RogerDuke

[Garrett Duke]

I haven't been following NASCAR this year because I'm just too busy on the weekends. Besides, it looks like the #6 car isn't exactly going to have a stellar year. Oh well, if he wins even one race I'll be happy. Speaking of winning a race, I'm going to make the bold prediction that Junior's going to win two this year.

Hey Garrett, I'm going to start a baseball thread on the hobbies forum.

Correction: I went down and started up the old one.

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.

[RogerDuke]

As for the baseball thread...I saw that and responded. Be prepared to hear the truth... HA HA.

You've been impressing me with your vast knowledge of NASCAR for so long I just had to find something that I can keep up with you on. Besides, This Cubs-Pirates rivalry we got going on has a lot more potential to be more exciting than a Jeff Gordon-David Ragen rivalry since it looks like it could be a bad year for my #6.

[Garrett Duke]

You've been impressing me with your vast knowledge of NASCAR for so long I just had to find something that I can keep up with you on. Besides, This Cubs-Pirates rivalry we got going on has a lot more potential to be more exciting than a Jeff Gordon-David Ragen rivalry since it looks like it could be a bad year for my #6.

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Garrett Duke]

The Sprint Boys will be doing some more short track racing tomorrow at Martinsville! The race will be on FOX at 12:30 EST.

Here is the top ten starting grid:

1. Kasey Kahne (Second pole for Kahne this year and his first at Martinsville!)

2. Kevin Harvick

3. Denny Hamlin

4. Clint Bowyer

5. Ryan Newman

6. Brian Vickers

7. Brad Keselowski

8. Kyle Busch

9. Jeff Gordon

10. Joey Lagano

Well Gordon is at least starting in the top ten and hope he will finish in the top ten...hopefully higher than he starts. Sounds like he has a pretty good car this weekend...

[RogerDuke]

You convinced me...I won't give up on David Ragen. So I guess we have two heated contests going on, which one of our baseball teams gets the most wins and which driver gets the most wins (not top 10 finishes, you're gauranteed of beating me in those)

[Garrett Duke]

You convinced me...I won't give up on David Ragen. So I guess we have two heated contests going on, which one of our baseball teams gets the most wins and which driver gets the most wins (not top 10 finishes, you're gauranteed of beating me in those)

You got it...Gordon has won 7 times at Martinsville where they are racing today...am hoping he'll get his eightth grandfather clock that they get as trophies when they win at Martinsville. HA HA.

[TRPColtrane95]

yeah and I like baseball sometime but more on hockey and nascar for me.. for St.Louis Blues and Cardinals and Royals myself for baseball.. So yeah i see Gordon hope get better on Martinsville but Clint and others get closer too.. Oh well... next sunday will be Texas what u think of this Texas's is? So first time for Kansas Speedway on my birthday weekend on 21 and 22 to be. earth day on 22 my birthday on 21 yay for first kansas on spring racing... since Hollywood Casino been opening on Feb 3th... hope who will win next on April racing after this Martinsville... I can't wait... I hope some drivers who need win today.

Funny what u think Michael Waltrip with Darrell Waltrip and Chris for fox broadcast talking?

[Garrett Duke]

Well I really don't know how I should start this write up. It was the longest race at Martinsville. Kevin Harvick led the first 21 laps until Jeff Gordon passed him. Jeff Gordon had a fast and great car today. He led over three hundred laps before being passed by his own car driven by Jimmie Johnson. They then fought for awhile...toward the end, Gordon had a better car and passed him just as the caution flew...thanks to David Reutimann who had brake problems for ten laps and didn't go in to pits until his car stopped on track. (A lot of drivers has expressed their dislike about this...including Jr on TV just now...) NASCAR has called Reutimann into the trailer after the race.

Then everyone but Gordon and Johnson went in and got two fresh tires and gas...so on the restart, Bowyer went to pass Gordon only to get bumped by Ryan Newman. Bowyer hit Gordon and then hit Johnson...Jr said he hit Gordon from behind. Ryan Newman went on to win the race.

Here is the top ten finishers of the race at Martinsville:

1. Ryan Newman

2. Dale Earnhardt Jr

3. AJ Allmindinger

4. Brad Kedelowski

5. Martin Truex Jr

6. Jeff Gordon (this is what NASCAR.com says, but Gordon says he finished 14th. Prefer the 6th place, but don't know who to trust.)7. Denny Hamlin

8. Matt Kenseth

9. Aric Almirola

10. Tony Stewart

Well we have an off weekend next Sunday for Easter. The next race will be April 14th for a Saturday night race at Texas. Love night racing!