Good Equipment+Kasey Kahne + Red Bull Racing = No Surprise.

I was watching NASCAR Race-Day on Sunday, and Kyle Petty said something that quite frankly pissed me off. If you watched it, you’ll know what he said that pissed me off, but for those who didn’t. He said that “Kasey Kahne, has surprised him, with how well he’s doing, over at Red Bull.” I thought to myself, he’s kidding me right? No he wasn’t, he actually said that.

I’m not sure why he’s “surprised”. Did he expect Kasey to go over there, and suck? Honestly? Then again, if I were him, I wouldn’t want to admit that my father’s company held him back either, he’s an amazing talent, and has the ability to drive the wheels off of a car, not matter how terrible it is, that is when parts on the car aren’t breaking every other race, like they were last year.

At Sunday’s race in Fontana California,  Kasey had a 20th place car, all day, until the last few laps, when he cracked the top ten and stayed there for a 9th place finish. Which gives him only 1 finish of 25th or worse, and 1 finish worse than 10th place. I think all things considering, they are pretty good stats.

But you know what, that’s okay, because I’ve come to realize that some people just get jealous when they realize that they are a has been.

The smartest thing Kasey Kahne ever did was leave RPM, they focused on AJ, how’s that working out for them? Not so well.. Looks like they screwed theirselves on that one.

Down But Certainly Not Out: Denny Hamlin

   Driver of the number 11 FedEx Toyota Camry, for Joe Gibbs Racing, Denny Hamlin, and crew chief Mike Ford, had a successful season, in 2010, although failing to win the championship.  Denny finished second to Jimmie Johnson. 

   After the disappointing end to a great season, Denny Hamlin went under the radar. Fans didn't see a tweet from him for quite a while, after the race. The loss, lit a fire under him, he's on a mission to prove to everyone that he is a champion, and he's going to be the one to dethrone Jimmie. 

  Even though Denny's season isn't starting out the way that everyone thought that it should, for the guy finishing second in points last year. He's just one of those drivers who seasons don't start out spectatular, but by the end of the season he'll be a contender for the championship again. We are just 4 full races into the season, and Denny is sitting 17th in points. However, Denny has some really strong tracks coming up. His home track of Martinsville. 


  The season hasn't started out the way the 11 team wanted it to, but everyone knows to expect the unexpected when it comes to racing, so be expecting to see the 11 in Victory Lane quite a few times. Denny might be a lot of things, but a quitter isn't one of them.
 

Who Am I?

  I have very dedicated readers, who will ask me, hey did you do another post, for your blog yet, and most of the time I can say yes I did, and there are times when I have to say no. I give you my input on the happenings of NASCAR, but you really don’t know anything at all about me.
  Well I’m going to change that, right now. Twitter has this 100 things about me, thing going on right now, So that’s what I'm going to do. I might get to 100, and then again I might not, who knows. So let’s get started.
1. Although my first name is Brittany, I’m not a big fan of it, I’d rather be called Britt.
2. I was born on September 12, 1985.
3. I was born in Lewistown, Pa.
4. I have a sister Brandy, and a Brother Aaron.
5. I have 3 wonderful nephews they are : Kenneth Lynn, Kaige Alan, and Zaine Gilbert.
6. I’m left handed, just like my dad.
7. Lime Green is my favorite color.
8. I love going to the local dirt track races, on Saturday night.
9. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a nurse.
10. I have very few close friends; if you’re one of them, consider yourself lucky.
11. If I tell you I Love You, I mean it.
12. I trust everyone, until they give me a reason not to.
13. I’m very opinionated, and if I don’t like you, trust me you’ll know.
14. I believe in God, and I’m not afraid to admit that. He’s the reason I’m alive.
15. I get annoyed really quick.
16. I love Breaking Benjamin.
17. Country music is my favorite.
18. I love NASCAR.
19, I’ll always be a Kasey Kahne fan.
20. I can’t stand AJ Allmendinger, I think he’s a joke, to the sport of NASCAR.
21.  Some of my closest friends, are from twitter.
22. I miss my Grandfather every day.
23. I hate MTV, VH1, all they do is show trashy tv shows anymore. It’s annoying.
24. I believe in second chances, everyone makes mistakes. It what we learn from them that matters.
25. I would love to move to North Carolina.
26. I have cousins that I hate, and cousins that I love.
27. If there is something wrong, I will tell you that there is nothing wrong.
28. I have an intense fear or being rejected.
29 . I can be as sweet as pie, or as cold as ice.
30 . I believe that being happy is one of the greatest joys of life.
31. I'm a twilight nerd.
32. I’m really lame. 
33. I love knock-knock jokes.
34. I graduated high school.
35. I got accepted to college, but didn’t go because of my boyfriend at the time.
36. I try to be perfect.
37. I try to make it to church every Sunday.
38. I’ve been to 6 NASCAR races.
39. I sometimes lack common sense.
40. I cry a lot.
41. People think I’m heartless, when I give them actual opinion about something.
42. I’m always cold.
43. I have to sleep with the TV on.
44. I’m terrified of the dark, and will try to avoid it at all costs.
45. I say that what people think of me, doesn’t bother me, but the truth is.
46. I’m Pro-Life.
47. I think Barack Obama is a joke.
48. Yes, I’m a republican.
49. I believe the Bible should be put back in schools.
50. If I could live at the beach, I would.
51. I do not like, Jennifer Jo Cobb, or Danica Patrick.
52. I love the Atlanta Braves.
53. Chipper Jones is my favorite player.
54. I don’t like any Pa team, but Penn State.
55. I have an addiction to shopping.
56. I’ve believe that cheating is unacceptable, always.
57. I have severe insomnia.
58. I love, love.
59. There is a guy that’s always on my mind, even though I’m not on his.
60. My middle name is Elizabeth, it was after my Mom's Aunt "Lizzy", and my Aunt Joy.
61. I'm a big fan of shows from the 50's through the 90s; mainly "Newhart", "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", and "I love Lucy."
62. I've met Jerry Mathers (Beaver from Leave it to Beaver,".
63. I've been fortunate to listen to Kirk Cameron, minister.
64. I hardly talk to anyone that I went to high school with.
65. I've been to a Phillies baseball game, and I hated it.
66. I'm a fan of New Kids On The Block, Hanson, Backstreet Boys.

Sadly, that’s all I could think of. I’ll add more as I think of them.

"Daddy's Money"- Paul's Talent

  Is Paul going to be a serious contender this year? Since the start of his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career, he's been from DEI, to Yates Racing, then to Richard Petty Motorsports, finally landing himself at Richard Childress Racing.

  If you would have told me last year that, Paul Menard would be having a "breakout season" this year, I would have thought that you were crazy. Although, I don't dislike him, he's not my favorite either.  He's one of the guys that if my other drivers were out of the race, and he was running up front, I'd pick him.

  For Paul Menard last year started off pretty good, although he was sitting in 9th after the Bristol Race, but he would quickly fall out soon after that, unfortunately for him. From then on, they would struggle for the rest of year, from slow cars, to part failures, and wrecks, and then came the whole, will they race next week or won't they? Paul was happy to finally be able to get a stable ride, however that wouldn't happen until the following year. Homestead couldn't come soon enough for him, I'm willing to bet.

 So, as Homestead came, and went, as did the winter months, it seems as if Paul has transitioned nicely in with the drivers and people at Richard Childress Racing, as he's the highest RCR driver in points right now, and he's having a really good season, for the first time, in I couldn't tell you how long, he led a race on Sunday. Everyone knows that Richard Childress Racing, has put together a stellar team, who has proven that they can contend for wins, and championships. 

 Alot of people say "well they had 4 teams a few years ago, and that didn't work so well". You're right they did, but you know what else, they've had time to re-evalutate what they did wrong, and correct it. So if you ask me, I think Paul will have a pretty good season, based on results thus far, but then again we are only 4 races in. So who knows, we shall see. After all we are only 4 races into the season.

Bristol Motor Speedway : Jeff Byrd 500

*Starting position, Car Number, Driver, Manufacturer, and Sponsor*

1. 99 Carl Edwards Ford Scotts EZ Seed
2. 16 Greg Biffle Ford 3M
3. 78 Regan Smith Chevrolet Furniture Row Companies
4. 27 Paul Menard Chevrolet CertainTeed / Menards
5. 6 David Ragan Ford UPS "We Love Logistics"
6. 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's / Kobalt Tools
7. 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Pepsi Max
8. 56 Martin Truex Jr.Toyota NAPA Auto Parts
9. 5 Mark Martin Chevrolet GoDaddy.com
10. 4 Kasey Kahne Toyota Red Bull
11. 17 Matt Kenseth Ford Crown Royal Black
12. 18 Kyle Busch Toyota M&M's
13. 14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet Office Depot / Mobil 1
14. 9 Marcos Ambrose Ford Dewalt
15. 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Budweiser
16. 47 Bobby Labonte Toyota Bush's Baked Beans
17. 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Caterpillar
18. 20 Joey Logano Toyota The Home Depot
19. 21Trevor Bayne Ford Motorcraft / Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center
20. 22 Kurt Busch Dodge Shell / Pennzoil
21. 39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet Tornados
22. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet National Guard / Amp Energy
23. 2 Brad Keselowski Dodge Miller Lite
24. 1 Jamie McMurray Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops / Tracker
25. 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota FedEx Express
26. 00 David Reutimann Toyota Aaron's Dream Machine
27. 33 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet BB&T
28. 43 A.J. Allmendinger Ford Best Buy
29. 34 David Gilliland Ford TMone / Taco Bell
30. 83 Brian Vickers Toyota Red Bull
31. 09 Bill Elliott Chevrolet Security Benefit / Rydex / Billboard.com
32. 60 Landon Cassill  Toyota Big Red
33. 7 Robby Gordon Dodge Speed Energy / Food City
34. 87 Joe Nemechek Toyota NEMCO Motorsports 
35. 38 Travis Kvapil Ford Long John Silver's
36. 42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet Target
37. 36 Dave Blaney Chevrolet Accell Construction
38. 46 J.J. Yeley Chevrolet  Red Line Oil
39. 66 Michael McDowell Toyota HP Racing LLC

40. 192 Dennis Setzer Dodge K-Automotive Motorsports
41. 37 Tony Raines Ford Front Row Motorsports
42. 71 Andy Lally+* Chevrolet Super Eco-Fuel Saver
43. 13 Casey Mears Toyota GEICO

*The Jeff Byrd 500, starting line-up was found at www.nascar.com *

Is Racing Really Like Falling In Love?

    I’ve heard some sprint car drivers say that, racing is a lot like falling in love. I, personally can see why they say that. Just remember back to last November, when Denny Hamlin, was the points leader headed into the last race of the 2010 season, and he left there a disappointing second place, allowing Johnson to have his fifth consecutive championship. I can’t just imagine how heart-broken Denny really was, he was so close, but in his mind he was so far.

  When you first meet someone that you really like, you get that rush, where you think that your invincible, and that nothing is going to bring you down, and racing is a lot like that, believe it or not. When people get behind the wheel for the first time, they want to see how “fast this puppy can fly”, paying no regard to safety, which can cause people their lives, but that goes into the whole, being invincible thing, they think they know everything that there is to know about it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a sprint car, late model, pro-stock, or a NASCAR Truck or Car.

  Then comes the second part, where they have good and bad days, they realize that they aren’t invincible, and they to, can get hurt, and hurt really bad. So they realize that they are are going to have days together that are great, and that they’ll remember for a long time, and then they will have bad days, where they will remember those also, and much like relationships, they tend to remember the bad times more so, just to learn from their mistakes, and it makes them a better person, and a driver, because they aren’t out there purposely wrecking someone.

  Then comes the falling in love, when all you think about is that person, and for these drivers is about getting back in their car, and racing. Racing to prove to everyone that they belong there, they are there because they know how to drive, and they know how to win races, and believe it or not that’s just like falling in love, because for a lot of these drivers that’s all they think about. Is being in a car, and doing what they love to do, but with falling in love also comes heartbreak. .

  Heartbreak, can change everything that you thought you knew. Imagine being Denny Hamlin last year, headed into Homestead Miami, the last race of the 2010 Chase for the Sprint Cup as the points leader, for the first time in 4 years, only to have his hopes of being the sprint cup championship taken away from him. As I watched that race last year, my heart broke for Denny, he worked so hard all year for that, even battled back after having knee surgery, during the season. After the race, you could just see the disappointment and heartbreak in his eyes, and everyone’s heart went out to him, he even took a hiatus from twitter, and that’s a lot like falling in love, because when you get your heart broken, you fall back on friends and family for support, however. Denny knew that his fans would be there waiting for him with open arms when he was ready to come back, and he knew that his fans would stand behind him regardless of if he won or not, because that’s what fans of NASCAR do, they are loyal to their driver, just like family and friends are for you.

  I never thought that I would be writing about, falling in love, and racing, but after looking at this, I can now see why people think that falling in love is a lot like racing, because even after that person that you love the most hurts you, you might be down for a while, but you' get back up and brush the dirt off, and go back at it, just like these drivers to. Sure its not all rainbows and sunshine, but without it, they would go crazy.

Kasey Kahne Racing God.

    I'm a huge Kasey Kahne fan, as everyone that reads this blog knows. I've never hidden that fact, and nor will I ever. 
   
   However, some people seem to question my motives as to why I like Kasey Kahne, the 30 year old from Enumclaw, Washington. They will say that it's because he's "cute". Well, I would agree with that, but he's not a little puppy, or a little kid. So, cute doesn't do him justice. Words like handsome and gorgeous, fit more.  But they aren't the only reasons that I like him. 


Kasey is one of the most respectful drivers out there; he doesn't wreck his own team-mates like AJ Allmendinger; he doesn't throw temper tantrums like Tony Stewart, and Kevin Harvick, and occasionally Kyle Busch (as much as I like him, he still throws temper tantrums). Kasey doesn't deliberately wreck people for payback, like Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski. He may not have championships like Jimmie Johnson, and Jeff Gordon. He may not be the most popular driver like Dale Earnhardt Jr. He doesn't insult drivers wives like Joey Logano. He may not win alot of races like Denny Hamlin, but all that doesn't matter to me. He could go winless for the rest of his career, and I would still be a fan.

 Why? Because of the way that he carries his-self not only on the track, but off the track. He's active in sprint car races for the world of outlaws, it dedication to the sport that brought him that fame that he now has. That fame that hasn't gone to his, he still remains loyal, to who he is and where he's from. How many other drivers can and do remember that. If you would see him, at the track, he'd more then happy to stop and sign some autographs, not all drivers are like that. 

How many drivers, can say that they've moved the driver of their sprint car into their house, and paid for all the medical expenses? Kasey Kahne can, last year driver Cody Darrah, was on his way to Daytona International Speedway to watch Kasey practice for the Daytona 500, when he was involved in a car accident, that resulted in injuries for young Darrah, who was then sidelined for the rest of the year. To make sure Cody, recieved proper medical care, Kasey moved him into his home, and paid all medical expenses, stemming from the accident. 


So if you ask me, why I get so pissed off whenever, people say that we only like Kasey for his looks, and his blue eyes, I'll tell you. Kasey is an amazing talent, not only in the Sprint Cup Series, but in the Camping World Truck Series, and Nationwide Series, also. He's well respected in the garage area, and the pits at the local dirt tracks around Pennsylvania. The work that he does for the Kasey Kahne Foundation, is selfless, he wants to give children who have less, more. But that's okay, over look all that, then you go ahead, but don't you dare, question my motives for liking Kasey Kahne, because I will question yours as to why you don't. 

AJ Who?

 A lot of people are claiming that AJ Allmendinger is the "real deal". I automatically ask them if they are kidding me, or being serious. Then I often laugh, when they tell me that they are being serious. 


 I've never hidden my dis-taste for AJ. I don't think that he has to be a cup driver. Last year, he had a few good runs in the beginning of the year, then every race after, he was constantly wrecking someone, or wrecking himself. There is a reason that he's never made the chase, there is a reason that Red Bull Racing, released him from his contract. Truth be told, he's a driver that, if his ride at Richard Petty Motorsports, is taken from him, he'd be in a start and park car, or not in a race car at all. 
  Does no one remember the wreck that he caused when he purposely wrecked Kasey Kahne, on the backstretch, on the last lap, in Pocono? No, they don't. If they did, they would clearly realize that all the raving that they are doing about him, is going to be pointless. There is a reason that he hasn't made the chase, there is a reason, that whenever he's on the track, people tend to stay away from him.. I'm not sure if I'm the only one that's noticed this or not. Oh and how about the following race, AJ, wrecked another teammate, this time is was Elliott Sadler, who led the race and could have possibly won it, but yes, let's over look that, while you're singing praises to this guy. . . 
  Everyone jumped aboard the Kasey Kahne Hate Train, as I like to call it, when he did an interview post-wreck, in Pocono, stating that, " I never talk to AJ hardly ever, and I certainly won't be talking to him about this". They would come off with stuff like, what kind of team-mates, don't talk, well here's a little tidbit of news for you, Elliott Sadler didn't talk to him either, neither did Paul Menard, and as you know, there is only one of those drivers that are still at Richard Petty Motorsports. So, what does that tell you.  Kasey, and Elliott are friends, off the track, they talk every chance they get. So, they weren't the problem, that much is clear. 
  Kasey got sick of carrying all the weight on that team, so when an opportunity presented its-self for Kasey, he took it. Can you really blame him? Shortly after that, he started getting junk cars, stuff was breaking on them every race. You can say that Kasey left RPM, because he did, but they left him way before, and expecting AJ to be the start, and make the chase, good luck with that, he might want to go to the King's driving school for lessons, before your dubbing him as the next big thing. 

Bristol Entry List

*Forty Four Drivers have been entered to race this weekend in Bristol.*  (Its listed as follows; Car Number; Driver; Hometown; Manufacturer; Sponsor; and  Car Owner.)

00
David Reutimann
Zephyrhills, FL
Toyota
Aaron's Dream Machine
Rob Kauffman

1
Jamie McMurray
Joplin, MO
Chevrolet
Bass Pro Shops / Tracker
Teresa Earnhardt

2
Brad Keselowski
Rochester Hills, MI
Dodge
Miller Lite
Roger Penske

4
Kasey Kahne
Enumclaw, WA
Toyota
Red Bull
Dietrich Mateschitz

5
Mark Martin
Batesville, AR
Chevrolet
GoDaddy.com
Mary Hendrick

6
David Ragan
Unadilla, GA
Ford
UPS "We Love Logistics"
John Henry

7
Robby Gordon
Orange, CA
Dodge
Speed Energy
Robby Gordon

9
Marcos Ambrose
Launceston, Tasmania
Ford
Dewalt
Richard Petty

09
Bill Elliott
Dawsonville, GA
Chevrolet
Security Bene
fit / Rydex / Billboard.com
James Finch

11
Denny Hamlin
Chesterfield, VA
Toyota
FedEx Express
J D Gibbs

13
Casey Mears
Bakersfield, CA
Toyota
GEICO
Bob Germain

14
Tony Stewart
Rushville, IN
Chevrolet
Office Depot / Mobil 1
Margaret Haas

16
Greg Biffle
Vancouver, WA
Ford
3M
Jack Roush

17
Matt Kenseth
Cambridge, WI
Ford
Crown Royal
John Henry

18
Kyle Busch
Las Vegas, NV
Toyota
M&M's
Joe Gibbs

20
Joey Logano
Middletown, CT
Toyota
The Home Depot
Joe Gibbs

21
Trevor Bayne
Knoxville, TN
Ford
Motorcraft / Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center
Richard Petty

22
Kurt Busch
Las Vegas, NV
Dodge
Shell / Pennzoil
Walter Czarnecki

24
Jeff Gordon
Pittsboro, IN
Chevrolet
Pepsi Max
Rick Hendrick

27
Paul Menard
Eau Claire, WI
Chevrolet
CertainTeed / Menards
Tom Pumpelly

29
Kevin Harvick
Bakersfield, CA
Chevrolet
Budweiser
Richard Childress

31
Jeff Burton
South Boston, VA
Chevrolet
Caterpillar
Richard Childress

32
Ken Schrader
Fenton, MO
Ford
VA Mortgage Company
Frank Stoddard, Jr

33
Clint Bowyer
Emporia, KS
Chevrolet
BB&T
Richard Childress

34
David Gilliland
Riverside, CA
Ford
TMone / Taco Bell
Bob Jenkins

36
Dave Blaney
Hartford, OH
Chevrolet
Accell Construction
Tommy Baldwin

37
Tony Raines
La Porte, IN
Ford
Front Row Motorsports
Brad Jenkins

38
Travis Kvapil
Janesville, WI
Ford
Long John Silver's
Bob Jenkins

39
Ryan Newman
South Bend, IN
Chevrolet
Tornados
Tony Stewart

42
Juan Montoya
Bogota, Colombia
Chevrolet
Target
Chip Ganassi

43
A.J. Allmendinger
Los Gatos, CA
Ford
Best Buy
Richard Petty

46
J.J. Yeley
Phoenix, AZ
Chevrolet
Red Line Oil
Tommy McMillan

47
Bobby Labonte
Corpus Christi, TX
Toyota
Bush's Baked Beans
Tad Geschickter

48
Jimmie Johnson
El Cajon, CA
Chevrolet
Lowe's / Kobalt Tools
Jeff Gordon

56
Martin Truex Jr.
Mayetta, NJ
Toyota
NAPA Auto Parts
Michael Waltrip

60
Landon Cassill
Cedar Rapids, IA
Toyota
Big Red
Michael Hillman

66
Michael McDowell
Phoenix, AZ
Toyota
HP Racing LLC
Phil Parsons

71
Andy Lally*
Northport, NY
Chevrolet
Super Eco-Fuel Saver
Richard Petty

78
Regan Smith
Cato, NY
Chevrolet
Furniture Row Companies
Barney Visser

83
Brian Vickers
Thomasville, NC
Toyota
Red Bull
Dietrich Mateschitz

87
Joe Nemechek
Lakeland, FL
Toyota
NEMCO Motorsports
Andrea Nemechek

88
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Kannapolis, NC
Chevrolet
National Guard / Amp Energy
Rick Hendrick

99
Carl Edwards
Columbia, MO
Ford
Scotts
Jack Roush

192
Brian Keselowski*
Rochester Hills, MI
Dodge
K-Automotive Motorsports
Bob Keselowski

*Entry List found at www.nascar.com

Earnhardt Jr. Looking For Redemption with LeTarte

 Will having a new crew chief, help Nascar's most popular driver? After a rough few years, and a long winless streak, this driver is looking to get back to his winning ways. 

  Dale Jr, is turning a lot of heads, early in this year's Nascar Sprint Cup Season, in positive ways.  Jr is closing in on a 100 race winless streak, which he is hoping to end very soon. As the Nascar Sprint Cup Series, heads to Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend, where he hopes to close the deal on the long over due win. 

Steve LeTarte, former crew chief of sprint cup champion Jeff Gordon seems to have re-lit, the fire of the 88  team, a fire that had gone dim. Old crew chief Lance McGrew (who moved to the 5 team, with driver Mark Martin.), didn't work out for the 88 team the way that owner Rick Hendrick wanted it to. So about three days after the season ended, Hendrick then began reorganizing personnel. To make all 4 teams as strong as possible, in hopes of all 4 teams making the chase this year. 


 In the first few races of the 2011 season, it looks as if Mr. Hendrick's call was the right one, it seems as if there is renewed hope, within all the teams from Hendrick Motorsports. Last year, it almost felt as if, Lance McGrew, and Dale Jr, had given up on each other. Now, I'll have to give credit to Jr. because there were a few times, when that car was un-driveable, yet he drove it. He had fast race cars through out the season, he had good ones too, however bad luck always seem to be standing in the way.  


  Steve Letarte, is known for keeping his drivers calm, inside the race car, and Jr is known for shouting profanity when things aren't going the way that he wants them to, whether people in front of him are driving like crazy, or his car just isn't the way that he wants it. 


 Will Steve LeTarte, be Dale Jr's key to getting back into Victory Lane? Jr Nation sure does hope so. 

My Reasons I love NASCAR

Whenever people find out that I not only have a love for NASCAR, but a passion for it, they often ask me why. And for the longest time, I could never really come up with an answer that seemed to make any sense at all, and to some, it still may not. To me, however, it does. They’ve often asked me why I like Kasey Kahne as much as I do. and have even gone to the point where they told me I was crazy, for even liking him. 

If I could pack up tomorrow, and follow the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, I would. No questions asked, no answers told. There are forty three drivers out on the track every week trying to prove that they belong there, and they deserve to be there. Trying to beat all the competition, at all costs. Maybe, that’s just me. But you know what? I’m proud of that fact.

I’m also proud to be part of a sport where, the fans are put first. Low ticket prices, kid friendly atmospheres, at track activities, many tracks have opted to put in “family” sections, and run ticket deals, all make for an enjoyable day at your favorite NASCAR race. NASCAR values the input of fans, so in order to be able to give the fans more of what they want, they’ve implemented what is called “The NASCAR Fan Council”.The NASCAR Fan Council, is designed specifically to get fans input on how to make the sport better, what we would like to see change, and what we would like to stay the same.

  Luckily this year, I’ve been invited to join. Refresh my memory for me, how many other sports have something like this?  You would never in a million years see, a “lock-out” in NASCAR. Why? Because NASCAR drivers aren’t greedy, like other sports. In-fact, almost all of the drivers have their own foundations, for giving giving back to the less fortunate, or something they are very passionate about other than NASCAR. Pretty incredible if you ask me.

  Kasey Kahne, one of those drivers who has a foundation for under privilege children. Is my favorite, hands down. I don’t like him him just because of his good looks, that’s part of it, I won’t lie, and trust me, if you follow me on twitter you know that I love Kasey Kahne. He’s not only an incredible Sprint Car driver, but he’s also, an amazing talent in the NASCAR Series. He’s low key, doesn’t like to draw much attention to himself. However, when he announced that he was joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2012, all the haters seem to come out of the wood work. Most of these people where fans of Richard Petty Motorsports, they called him a traitor, and everything else. When I asked them the question “how’s he a traitor, his contract with Richard Petty Motorsports is concluded at the end of the year?’’ Not one, could give a valid answer. I’ll defend my driver, just like Jr fans, defend Jr. It’s called loyalty. I’m proud to be a Kasey Kahne fan. I don’t care if you don’t like him, or not. Chances are you don’t like him because you want to be like him, and you will NEVER be like him. 

  That’s not the only reason that I’m a Kasey Kahne fan, he’ll sign autographs for anyone, he’ll talk to you if you talk to him, he’s an all around nice guy, and after a season like last year, he needed to know that his fans were behind him 100 percent, and we were, because that’s how we roll.  He’s so committed to the sport that he loves, its amazing. It wish other drivers had his passion. 

So here’s to 2011 and Beyond! Go get em’ Kasey! You’re fans got your back!

Photos From Darlington

Kasey Kahne in the garage during practice.



Kasey in the garage area of Darlington Raceway

The Truck Kasey Drove to Victory at Darlington

Sweet Victory Lane

Victory Lane Part 2

The Happy Boss Man! After Kasey drove the 18 to Victory Lane

The picture of Kyle is courtsey of Samantha Busch.

Other photos found at http://www.zimbio.com/

Kasey Kahne driving the Number 18 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

   Saturday Night, Kasey Kahne fans around the world, were excited when Kasey Kahne, driver for Red Bull Racing in the Sprint Cup Series, but tonight he was the driver of the number 18 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

   Kyle and wife Samantha, watched the race in spanish from CanCun, Mexico. Owner Kyle Busch tabbed Kasey Kahne to drive his truck for him. What a great choice Kyle Busch made, in choosing a driver. Kasey who has 4 career starts, in the Camping World Truck Series, always seems to be a force to be reckoned with when he's behind the wheel of a truck, let alone one from Kyle Busch Motorsports. With 3 wins, and 1 second place finish, that gives Kasey an average finish of 1.25. Pretty damn impressive.

  I'm not sure, if any one realizes this but, Kasey's wins don't just come in ones. For example, he won the All-Star race, Coke 600, and then followed that up with a win at Pocono Raceway in 2008. In 2009 he won the Toyota Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway, followed by a win at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Just a few examples.

 

 Kasey is looking for redemption after the horriffic year that he had last year. With his car falling to piece, and mechanical failures, plaguing him throughout the 2010 season. It has been a long time since his fans have seen his beautiful smile. There is not a better look for the 30 year old from Enumclaw, Washington. 

  So Congratulations Kasey! You deserved this, and your fans love you!

NASCAR VS. NFL

        Apparently we are hours from an NFL ‘Lock Out’, whatever that means. From some followers I have on twitter, its where the football players refuse to play until they get more money.

        This is a joke right? Sadly, no it’s not. Apparently these guys, want more money. Of course they do, they are money hungry. Who cares that the worst quarterback in the history of the NFL gets paid 102 million dollars, over the course of his contract with the Pittsburg Steelers? Not me, that’s for damn sure. What in the heck do they do that’s so awesome they deserve to make millions? It’s not like they are NASCAR drivers!

     Yes, that’s right I said it. You would never see NASCAR drivers bitching about wanting more money. They are there to race, to drive a car, and drive it the best they can. Some drivers go to the track every weekend, even if they don’t have sponsors for their cars, because its their passion. If you ask me, NASCAR drivers should be paid more then they are.

     They drive cars around tracks at upwards of 150 miles and hour. Football players just throw a damn ball back and forth, and if your Ben Roethlisberger, you get paid 102 million dollars just to get a concussion, and throw a ball, and get sacked. Big Effing Deal.

      To the NFL Player : Grow a pair and drive a Race Car, then we’ll see who’s bitching about making more money.

1.5 Million for a hearse? You’re clearly Crazy

     A decade ago, we lost a very influential member of the NASCAR community. It’s a loss that, many still haven’t got over the loss. It didn’t matter if you hated him, or if you loved him. You respected him.

     Imagine looking around on E-Bay one day, and coming across a hearse that is said to have carried Dale Earnhardt Sr. to his final resting place, on sale for 1.5 million dollars.

      Now in the world that I live in, nobody is going to buy a hearse for 1.5 million dollars, now this sounds like nothing but a get rich quick scheme. Honestly. How can you prove, that it did actually have Dale Sr. in it? I don’t think that there is any possible way that you can, because if you take pictures there is something mentally wrong with you. I don’t care if he was famous or not. That’s just wrong and disrespectful.

     I’m not the only one that is clearly pissed off about this, but there are other members of NASCAR Nation mad about it. In my opinion, is very disrespectful. I don’t care if it had Dale Sr in it, or the guy down the street, in my book selling a hearse at all is very disrepectful.

      Clearly this clown on E-bay has no idea, how pissed off NASCAR nation really is about this whole thing.. Wonder how many bids it has? Probably none. Because if you pay 1.5 million dollars for a hearse then there is something clearly wrong with you also. I don’t care if you can afford it or not. It’s still ridiculous.

Is being a NASCAR FAN A BAD THING?

  It’s okay to like football, baseball, basketball, and soccer. But if you tell him you’re a NASCAR fan, you’ll get looked at like you’re crazy. But why? Because, some people don’t classify NASCAR as an actual sport.

  To not only me, but for many other members of NASCAR nation,  we don’t care. NASCAR is known for having the most dedicated fans, collectively among all sports, which surprises me; because most people will criticize you, and chances are make fun of you. They’ll say stuff like “oh wow, look another left turn.” , or “Wonder what would happen if they would throw a right turn in there some where.”

   I know that personally, I get sick of defending the sport that I love, but I’ll always defend it. I mean think about this, how many of the football, basketball, baseball or soccer players would have enough guts to get in a car, and go anywhere from 100-200 miles per hour? My guess would be not many of them. Now I’m not saying that I can go climb behind the wheel of a car and go that fact, because I can’t, and when you bring that up to these critics, they have nothing to say, in response to that.

   If you ever go to a NASCAR race,  take a look at the garage area if you get the chance. You’ll notice that all the drivers that are in either the truck series, nationwide series, or the cup series, they are all pretty physically fit, and they have to be. To be able to sit in a car and go that fast, with G-forces against your chest so hard that you can’t breathe.

Personally, I think that NASCAR is a great sport, with a lot of great people involved, and a lot of great drivers. A lot of my really good friends, are friends that I can sit down and discuss a race with, what we liked, what we didn’t, and what we believe that NASCAR should change to make the sport better. 

  So if NASCAR is a bad thing, Oh well. It’s still my sport, and I still love it. If you don’t like that, well then maybe you should just move along and keep your comments to yourself, because you will be proven wrong.

You’re Grown Men, Act Like It.

  I’m not the biggest fan of either Robby Gordon or Kevin Conway, as most of you that follow me on twitter know, and I would not blog about them otherwise. However, over the recent developments of the past few days, I think it’s blog worthy.

  Believe it or not when you are a professional athlete, your expected to carry yourself in a professional manner, regardless of the situation. Regardless of the situation, that exists off track, but how can you do that if you’re pushing and shoving fellow driver in the garage area at Las Vegas Motor Speedway? You can’t. It doesn’t matter if you’re the worst driver there, some little kid some where looks up to you, as a role model, and seeing their role model, make the headlines by being in an altercation, doesn’t really do anything for your image.  Believe it or not, image has a lot to do, with whether or not you get sponsorships, because why would a company want to be associated with a driver who is constantly making the headlines in a negative way? If I owned a business, I know for a fact that I wouldn’t. 

    Imagine being a little kid, walking through the garage area at a NASCAR race, and seeing 2 of what could possibly be your favorite drivers, pushing, shoving and screaming at each other? Would you want to still remain fans of theirs? Probably not, believe it or not fans like you or dislike you because of how you ‘carry’ yourself, not only on the track but off. Like I said previously.

   People ask me why I’m a Kasey Kahne fan, and most people laugh when I tell them, that it’s because he quiet, shy, nice, and he’ll take time out of his busy schedule to stop and sign autographs for fans. Regardless of what he’s doing, if you see him at a dirt take some where and walk up to him, he’ll talk to you, sign an autograph, and possibly take a picture with you if you ask. He never says a bad thing about anyone, and he fulfill all of his commitments. Plain and simple .

    We all were shocked last year when Jeff Gordon shoved Jeff Burton. That’s not the kind of person that either of those guys are. Tempers were flaring, and NASCAR understands that. When they said ‘boys have at it’ they weren’t kidding. However there is a difference, in the situations if you ask me.

     What’ makes them so different? Well, honestly the background  between the two, one occurred because of an on the track accident, and the other one happened because of sponsorship money.

    My take on this whole sponsorship money thing, if Robby is owed the money then Extenze should pay up, however if Conway is also owed money, then Robby should pay up. Plain and Simple. Don’t pull any of this : “Well when he pays me my money, I’ll pay him his.” That’s lame. Be the bigger person.

  You’re grown men, you need to act like it. Don’t go running to the police, when ever he “punches” you, if he even did, which that’s under speculation. Many different reports are going around, one says he punched me and the other one says no I didn’t. 

  Well how about this, you both shut the hell up, and settle this in court and quit acting like you’re five freaking years old. Grow up.

Conway vs. Gordon : Grow up already.

  Using words like ‘hard’ and ‘stiff’, isn’t always the best way to start out a press release, especially if your sponsor is Extenze, a male enhancement product. However, I’m pretty positive that Kevin Conway didn’t get that memo.

      Monday night, Conway issued a press release stating that Robby Gordon assulted him, and then apparently shoved car owner Joe Nemechek.

   Honestly guys? You’re really going to act like your five years old? Although its rumored that the two drivers are in lawsuits with one another over sponsorship and rookie of year award money. Regardless of that, your still 2 ‘grown men’ and I use the term lightly.

    Grow up, plain and simple. Chances are this whole ordeal is about the lawsuits and the money. Well here’s a news flash, hash this out in the court room, and not in the garage at a racetrack. In my personal opinion both are ridiculous and they need to grow up.

NASCAR ON TWITTER

Who in the NASCAR world is on Twitter. Well by my research, here’s your list.

NASCAR:

The Official NASCAR- @Nascar

Nationwide Series - @NNS_Nascar

Truck Series - @Nascar_Trucks

NASCAR Tracks

Daytona International Speedway : @DISUpdates

Phoenix International Raceway : @PhoenixRaceway

Las Vegas Motor Speedway : @LVMotorSpeedway

Bristol Motor Speedway : @BMSUpdates

Auto Club Speedway : @ACSUpdates

Martinsville Speedway : @MS1947

Texas Motor Speedway : @TXMotorSpeedway

Talladega : @TalladegaSuperS

Richmond International Raceway : @RIRInsider

Darlington Raceway : @TooToughToTame

Dover International Speedway : @MonsterMile

Charlotte Motor Speedway : @CLTMotorSpdwy

Kansas Speedway : @KansasSpeedway

Michigan International Speedway : @MISSpeedway

Pocono Raceway : @PoconoRaceway

Watkins Glen International : @WGI

Infineon Raceway : @InfineonRaceway

Atlanta Motor Speedway : @AMSUpdates

Chicagoland Speedway : @ChicagolndSpdwy

Richmond International Raceway : @RIRInsider

New Hampshire Motor Speedway : @NHMotorSpeedway

Kentucky Speedway : @KySpeedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway : @IMS

Homestead Miami Speedway : @HomesteadMiami

NASCAR CUP DRIVERS :

David Reutimann - @DavidReutimann

Jamie McMurray - @JamieMcMurray

Brad Keselowski - @Keselowski

Kasey Kahne - @KaseyKahne

David Ragan - @David_Ragan

Robby Gordon - @RobbyGordon

Marcos Ambrose - @MarcosAmbrose

Denny Hamlin - @DennyHamlin

Tony Stewart - @TonyStewart

Greg Biffle - @GBiffle

Kyle Busch - @KyleBusch

Joey Logano - @JLogano

Trevor Bayne - @TBayne21

Kurt Busch - @KurtBusch22

Jeff Gordon – @JeffGordonWeb

Kevin Harvick - @KevinHarvick

Travis Kvapil - @TravisKvapil

Kevin Conway - @TheKevinConway

David Gilliland - @DGilliland2010

Ryan Newman - @RyanNewman39

Juan Pablo Montoya - @jpmontoya

AJ Allmendinger - @AJDinger

Bobby Labonte - @Bobby_Labonte

Jimmie Johnson - @JimmieJohnson

Martin Truex Jr. - @MartinTruexJr56

Michael McDowell - @Mc_Driver

Regan Smith - @Regan_Smith_

Brian Vickers - @BrianLVickers

Scott Speed - @ScottSpeed

Elliott Sadler - @Elliott_Sadler

Joe Nemechek - @FrontRowJoe87

NASCAR SPRINT CUP TEAMS

Michael Waltrip Racing - @MWRTeam

Richard Childress Racing - @RCRacing

Red Bull Racing - @RedBullNascar

Hendrick Motorsports - @TeamHendrick

Penske Racing - @Penskeracing

Richard Petty Motorsports - @RPMotorsports

Joe Gibbs Racing - @JoeGibbsRacing

Front Row Motorsports - @FrontRowNascar

Furniture Row Racing - @FR78Racing

Germain Racing - @GermianRacing

JTG Daughterty Racing - @NASCAR47

Roush Fenway Racing – @RoushFenway

Stewart Haas Racing - @StewartHaasRcng

Tommy Baldwin Racing - @TBR_Racing

TRG Motorsports - @TRGMotorsports

Whitney Motorsports - @WhitneyMotor

Wood Brothers Racing - @WoodBrothers21

 

*More will be added when more become available.

Point Standings Following the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

1. Tony Stewart

2. Kurt Busch

3. Carl Edwards

4. Juan Pablo Montoya

5. Ryan Newman

6. Paul Menard

7. Martin Truex Jr.

8. Denny Hamlin

9. AJ Allmendinger

10. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

11. Mark Martin

12. Jimmie Johnson

13. Kasey Kahne

14. Kyle Busch

15. Bobby Labonte

16. Matt Kenseth

17. Marcos Ambrose

18. Clint Bowyer

19. Jeff Gordon

20. Kevin Harvick

21. David Gilliland

22. Bill Elliott

23. Brad Keselowski

24. Brian Vickers

25. David Reutimann

26. David Ragan

27. Robby Gordon

28. Regan Smith

29. Jamie McMurray

30. Joey Logano

31. Greg Biffle

32. Jeff Burton

33. Casey Mears

34. Andy Lally

35. Dave Blaney

36. Terry Labonte

37. Tony Raines

38. J.J. Yeley

39. Michael McDowell

40. Michael Waltrip

41. Brian Keselowski

42. Trevor Bayne

43. Steve Wallace

Las Vegas Motor Speedway : Kobalt Tools 400 Results

1. Carl Edwards

2. Tony Stewart

3. Juan Pablo Montoya

4. Marcos Ambrose

5. Ryan Newman

6. Martin Truex Jr.

7. Denny Hamlin

8. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

9. Kurt Busch

10. Brian Vickers

11. Matt Kenseth

12. Paul Menard

13. David Reutimann

14. Kasey Kahne

15. Clint Bowyer

16. Jimmie Johnson

17. Kevin Harvick

18. Mark Martin

19. AJ Allmendinger

20. Trevor Bayne

21. Jeff Burton

22. David Ragan

23. Joey Logano

24. Bobby Labonte

25. Casey Mears

26. Brad Keselowski

27. Jamie McMurray

28. Greg Biffle

29. Mike Skinner

30. Bill Elliott

31. Robby Gordon

32. Andy Lally

33. Travis Kvapil

34. Dave Blaney

35. Tony Raines

36. Jeff Gordon

37. David Gilliland

38. Kyle Busch

39. Regan Smith

40. J.J. Yeley

41. Michael McDowell

42. Joe Nemechek

43. Landon Cassill

Las Vegas Motor Speedway : Kobalt Tools 400 Race Line Up.

1. Matt Kenseth

2. Marcos Ambrose

3. Carl Edwards

4. Greg Biffle

5. Kyle Busch

6. Joey Logano

7. AJ Allmendinger

8. Ryan Newman

9. Martin Truex Jr.

10. Mark Martin

11. Jamie McMurray

12. Regan  Smith

13. Jeff Gordon

14. Jimmie Johnson

15. Tony Stewart

16. Trevor Bayne

17. Denny Hamlin

18. Paul Menard

19. Brian Vickers

20. Brad Keslowski

21. Jeff Burton

22. Kurt Busch

23. Juan Pablo Montoya

24. Bobby Labonte

25. David Reutimann

26. Kevin Harvick

27. Casey Mears

28. Clint Bowyer

29. Mike Skinner

30. Kasey Kahne

31. Joe Nemechek

32. J.J.Yeley

33. Dale Earnhardt Jr

34. Dave Blaney

35. David Gilliland

36. Landon Cassill

37. Bill Elliott

38. Robby Gordon

39. Travis Kvapil

40. Andy Lally

41. Tony Raines

42. David Ragan

43. Michael McDowell

Should The Nationwide Series Get A ‘Chase’?

      The nationwide drivers have failed to win any of the 2011 season races, so far this year. Tony Stewart won Daytona, Kyle Busch won Phoenix, Mark Martin won  at Las Vegas. Did you take notice that the winners of these races are cup drivers?

      As much as I love the Cup Series, I also have love for the Nationwide Series. Over the last several years, the Cup guys have been dominating the Nationwide Series. A series designed for up and coming drivers, to showcase their talent, and land cup rides, or it’s for former cup drivers, without a cup ride, trying to rebuild their confidence levels. Although, there is no ‘chase’ type format, personally speaking I think their should be.

      With the new points system, it’s really anyone’s game. Here is my idea for the Nationwide Series : Use the old chase format. Plain and Simple. Even though drivers have to choose what series they are going to accumulate points in, it still allows Cup drivers to drive in both Nationwide and Cup, and in some cases Trucks.  I personally think that a chase format for the Nationwide series is a good idea, because, most of the time drivers like Justin Allgaier, Reed Sorenson, Jason Leffler, and Brian Scott, get pushed to the back burner, because the Cup drivers like, Kyle Busch (as much as I like him, he’s the Jimmie Johnson of the Nationwide series), Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, and Carl Edwards are constantly, dominating the field.

    I personally think a chase format, would be beneficial to them, that way when they get to the cup series, and make the chase they are used to the pressure being on them, to perform and perform well. . . That’s just my opinion though. What’s yours?

Kyle Busch : Friend or Foe?

   As NASCAR heads to Las Vegas this weekend, so I thought it was only appropriate to spot light a drives who calls Las Vegas Nevada, home.

  This driver is a driver that the fans love to hate. He hates to lose, but he’s getting more gracious about it. When he wins, he’s nice enough to take a bow. He’s also arrogant enough to know that he’s better than a lot of the competition out there, yet he’s sweet enough to bring the less fortunate children to the track, and let them experience the joy’s of attending a NASCAR race.

   Do you know who it is yet? If you guess Kyle Busch you would be correct. Kyle Busch 25, is one of the most well known drivers, in the sport. Although, we are not sure exactly if that’s good or bad. Whenever you ask him something, expect nothing but the brutal truth. He’ll race you clean, and he’ll race you dirty, it all depends on how you race him. He’ll flip officials off, he proved that last year in Texas.

  It’s rumored that people don’t like him because he’s more like the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. than his own son is. Honestly, there’s proof to that. Kyle Busch is one of those drivers where if you don’t move out of his way, and your just blocking him, he’ll move  you, and he’s not afraid of doing so, where as Jr. just kind of rides around, not really being all that aggressive. Kyle knows how to win, he’s shown that time and time again. Maybe that’s why people don’t like him.

  A lot of people don’t like him, because he acts like a “crybaby” or he’s immature. I don’t necessarily believe that, his emotions prove one thing to not only myself, but fans of his, he’s there to win and anything less than a win is unacceptable.

He seems to have settled down this year, maybe marriage has something to do with that, but then again it is only the beginning of the 2011 season, so I guess only time will tell, but let’s just say that he’s having a bad start to this season. Possible chase contender? You decide.

Is NASCAR ‘Fixed’

    Many people have claimed that since Jimmie Johnson has won a 5th consecutive championship that NASCAR is “fixed, or rigged”. What does that mean? Well, it’s actually quite simple, people think that the sanctioning body of NASCAR, sits down before the season, and say’s okay, here’s who’s going to win, and who’s not.

    If NASCAR is fixed, why would they pick Trevor Bayne, to win the Daytona 500 on the 10th anniversary of the death Dale Earnhardt Sr, and why not choose his son? It would make more sense, as a fan favorite, and sentimental pick? You would think that they would, the fans would love it, even if your not a Dale Jr fan.

    Another point in the is NASCAR fixed debate is, how can they decide who is going to have an engine blow up? They don’t. There is not way, they would be able to make that happen. Period.

   Factor number 3, is how can they decide who is going to wreck and who isn’t. In my opinion, no one is going to be part of a sport where, they are told who’s going to win, and when they are going to win, and if and when they are going to wreck. Another question I have is, how exactly would they know if you’re going to be involved in a wreck or not? There are different variables in this, for example, how can they tell how drivers are going to come off of pit road, after pit stops. 

Why would sponsors and drivers want to be part of a sport in which the winner is already determined before it even starts? They wouldn’t be. Each driver out there has a drive to win.

Final point is: Why wouldn’t NASCAR pick the fan favorite to win?

  I Personally get offended when people who don’t even watch the sport claim that it is fixed, because Jimmie has won 5 championships. Maybe just maybe Jimmie is a great driver, who knows how to go out there ever week, and race as hard as they can.

  If you ask me? I’m going to tell you, it’s not. NASCAR cares too much about it’s fans to be fixed.

Bristol Driver Intro’s According to Itunes

Instead of the traditional blog, I’m going to do something that could possibly be a lot of fun. Bristol, does something that’s actually pretty cool, they allow the drivers to pick a song specific to them, for when they get introduced. So what I’m going to do is put the Itunes on shuffle, and go down the point standings. . should be interesting to see what some come up with.

1. Kyle Busch – “Give Me a Sign” – Breaking Benjamin

2. Kurt Busch – “What Lies Beneth” – Breaking Benjamin

3. Tony Stewart- “ Back at One” – Brian McKnight

4. AJ Allmendinger – “ Turning Home” – David Nail

5. Jeff Gordon- “4 Seasons” – Boyz II Men

6. Mark Martin – “Cleaning Out My Closet” – Eminem

7. Bobby Labonte – “Pocket Full Of Sunshine” – Natasha Beddingfield

8. Ryan Newman- “When the Devil Gets the Best of Me” – Big and Rich

9. Juan Pablo Montoya – “ Shotgun Rider” –Tim McGraw

10. David Gilliland – “ Love in this Club” - Usher

11. Paul Menard- “ Sometimes I Feel” – Hootie and the Blowfish

12. Carl Edwards- “Praise You in This Storm” –Casting Crowns

13. Jimmie Johnson – “ If I Had Only Known” – Reba McEntire

14. Denny Hamlin – “ Another Side of You” – Joe Nichols

15. Kasey Kahne – “You’re the love I wanna be in “ –Jason Aldean

16. Martin Truex Jr. – “ Maybe” –Sick Puppies

17. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – “American Friday Night” – Bucky Covington

18. Bill Elliott- “Run to You” – Bryan Adams

19. Regan Smith – “Ain’t Killed Me Yet. “ – Eric Church

20. Brad Keselowski – “ Touch of Heaven” – Richard Marx

21. Clint Bowyer – “Guys Like Me” – Eric Church

22. Kevin Harvick – “It aint Easy” – Jason Aldean

23. Matt Kenseth – “ Not Afraid” – Eminem

24. Robby Gordon – “ On Fire” – Eminem

25. David Ragan – “ Take this Heart" – Richard Marx

26. Jamie McMurray – “Sunshine” – Lil Flip

27. Marcos Ambrose – “ Break my Fall” – Breaking Benjamin

28. Greg Biffle- “Believe” – Breaking Benjamin

29. Joey Logano – “Let it Go” – Tim McGraw

30. Terry Labonte – “I got a Brand New Girlfriend” – Steve Holy?

31. David Reutimann – “The Truth” – Jason Aldean

32. Jeff Burton – “When the Water Runs Dry’’ – Boyz II Men

33. Brian Vickers – “That’s Beautiful to Me” – Jaron and the Long Road to Love

34. Casey Mears – “ Heat of the Night” – Brian Adams

35. Andy Lally – “As She’s Walking Away” – Zac Brown Band & Alan Jackson

36. Dave Blaney – “ 25 to Life” – Eminem

37. Tony Raines – “ The Best Of Me” – Jason Aldean

38. J.J. Yeley – “ How He Loves Us” – Logan Martin Band

39. Michael Waltrip – “It’s Good to Be Us” – Bucky Covington

40 Michael McDowell – “Talking 2 Myself” – Eminem ft. Kobe

41. Brian Keselowski – “Riptide” – Sick Puppies

42. Trevor Bayne – “Love Like Crazy” – Lee Brice

43. Travis Kvapil – “The Heart Won’t Lie” – Reba McEntire and Vince Gill

44. Landon Cassill – “Someday” – Nickelback

45. Joe Nemechek –”End of the Road” – Boyz II Men

 

**Of course this isn’t the drivers actual intro songs!

Clap-Gate 2011

    When your a sports reporter, you’re to remain ‘neutral’. That is very understandable, how are you supposed to write articles subjective, if you have a favorite team, player or in this case, driver and team.

    Picture your self sitting in the press box watching the Daytona 500, better yet picture yourself sitting there watching history being made, as the youngest driver crosses the finish line, first in what is just his second race in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series. In all honesty, if I were there, I would have clapped also. Not because it was my favorite driver or because it was my favorite team, but because of getting The Wood Brother’s back into victory lane. Racing Icons.

Now many of you might be asking what does this have to do with NASCAR? Well Tom Bowles a former reporter for Sports Illustrated, recently got fired from his job, because he clapped when Trevor Bayne, crossed the finish line taking the Wood Brothers back to victory lane, really understandable in my opinion. Young Trevor Bayne put on one heck of a show, as did the other drivers. Even though it was packs of 2 cars, it was still interesting to watch.

  Now after you watch a play or a movie, its respectable that you clap if it kept your attention correct? So what makes clapping at the conclusion of the race, any different? It’s not like your decked out in driver gear, hootin’ and hollerin’ around for a certain driver. You know? Which brings me to my next point, how is it acceptable to say “Wow” after a race? If clapping is not acceptable neither is saying “wow”.

  I’m not going to mention any names, but there is one reporter who I feel is very hypocritical about others, and he fails to see his own faults. For one, he reports about Dale Jr, more then any other reporter there is, and not to mention half the stuff that he writes about, isn’t even news. Plain and simple. To me his opinion isn’t worth the document that he typed it in. So how is singling out one driver being neutral.. In my mind its not, and the thing is, this ‘reporter’ has the nerve to write a blog about how wrong it was. Well let me tell you something, that’s not very ethical now is it? No. How is it okay for you to say ‘wow’ and it is not okay for him to clap. You still spoke an opinion. Thought the press box was to be quite, my suggestion to you is that you take serious look in the mirror, and see if you should still be judging.

To Tom Bowles : It’s really crappy what happened to you, for a really pathetic reason, don’t defend what you did to any one. You shouldn’t have to. You did what most people didn’t have the nerve to do. Good luck in the future, and we got your back!

2011 Chase Predictions

  With all the changes to not only the points system, but to the chase format is going to leave us with the element of surprise. Now the chase is comprised of the top 10 based on points, and two “wild card” spots, for drivers who have the most wins, but are not in the top 10 in points standings, but they are in the top 20. What happens if no one out the top 10 wins a race, then the chase would pick up the 11th and 12th place drivers.  I’m going to go off the wall on some of these, others will be pretty predictable.

Chase Predictions ( They will be in no specific order):

1.) Kasey Kahne – Kasey is looking for “redemption” so to speak, this year, after a horrific last year. From part failures, to being caught up in crashes; to being wrecked deliberately by a ‘teammate’. Even though, he did suffer roader problems in Daytona, after running up front all day, running up front in the Gatorade Duel 1. A minor set back was an engine failure 7 laps into the Budweiser Shootout. Red Bull Racing has proven with Brian Vickers, that they can be competitive and win races, and make the chase.

2.) Denny Hamlin – After the disappointing end to the 2010 season, after being involved in the tightest points race in the history of NASCAR. Denny and the whole 11 team fell a little short, a major disappointment for sure. Denny is a solid choice for making the chase, simply because he’s made the chase every year since he’s been in the cup series. Pretty Impressive Huh?

3.)  Kyle Busch – It just seems like every year this whole 18 team gets stronger and stronger. He’s off to an awesome season so far. Winning a truck race, and nationwide race. Leading every lap in the nationwide race, at Phoenix. I think he’s doing pretty good so far this year.

4.) Jeff Gordon – Whether it be racing himself in, or using on of those wild card picks. The driver of the 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, will be in this years chase for the Sprint Cup.

5. Jimmie Johnson – The five time champion makes the chase this year. Jimmie Johnson, the star of Hendrick Motor Sports, has 5 consecutive championships. Whether you hate him, or you love him. I believe he’s a solid choice for making the chase.

6. Carl Edwards – Although, his season isn’t starting out the greatest, he’ll rebound, and make the chase again. Like always.

7. Kurt Busch- Also a pretty solid choice for the chase. A fellow Sprint Cup Champion. He’s been pretty consistent this year thus far. Even though we are only 2 races into the season.

8. Greg Biffle – Although currently 28th in Sprint Cup points, and seemingly unable to avoid problems on the track, he’ll also rebound nicely, and make the chase.

9. Matt Kenseth – Although Matt currently sits 23rd in sprint cup points, he’s another solid choice. If only he would stay out of trouble on the track.

10. Mark Martin – Looking for redemption with new crew chief, Lance McGrew .  Mark Martin, will a have turn around season. He’s been in accidents in the first two races of the season, and still managed decent finishes. Plus he’s going to leave Hendrick Motorsports with a bang or bling.

11. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Member of Jr. Nation, will go crazy if their beloved driver wins a race, let alone make the chase. He’s had some decent runs this year thus far. The season’s still early.

12. The final Chase pick is Jamie McMurray- after a career season last year, and failing to make the chase, Jamie Mac can’t be held down for too long. He’ll make it in the chase, but will it a be a ‘wild card’ pick? Who knows.

Although, my favorite driver is on the list for the chase, I think will be Denny to dethrone “5 time.” .