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Kyle Busch Locks Down The Top Seed

Posted by Penni On August - 13 - 2008

With the second and last road course done and over with for the Sprint Cup guys it’s on to short tracks and speedways with a super-speedway thrown in the mix. With Watkins Glen out of the way this now means there are only four more races until the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins.

But aren’t they “Chase”ing now? Yes, but they are chasing to get into the big Chase, the one that really counts.

After Sunday’s race, Kyle Busch locked himself in. His eighth win of the season gives him 80 bonus points and the top-seed come Loudon in September. He may not have to worry about making the Chase but come September he may want to watch out, because they’re all coming for him. Eighty points can go quickly especially with the field of competition now. Read the rest of this entry »

Race Reviews

And You Call That Racing?

Posted by Penni On July - 30 - 2008

I apologize in advance for the shortness of this week’s column, but I have never been more embarrassed to be a race fan than I was Sunday. The race was a mockery to the sport.

A competition yellow every 10 or so laps, really, are you kidding me?

During the four practice sessions (two Friday and two Saturday) teams had noted the tires were wearing down too quickly — 10 laps in as opposed to the usual 30 laps in at Indianapolis. NASCAR wanted to prevent problems and in effort for safety said Sunday morning that they’d throw a competition caution 10 laps in to check tire wear. NASCAR also said they’d throw another competition caution several laps later to be on the safe-side. It was also noted that Goodyear had shipped tires for the Pocono race just in case they were needed. Read the rest of this entry »

Race Reviews

Who Is In, Who’s Out

Posted by Penni On July - 23 - 2008

With the last off weekend over, for the Sprint Cup guys, the drivers (and the fans) are on the final stretch — a 17-race showdown. Who will make it to the Chase for the Sprint Cup and who won’t? After Richmond September 6, it will be known. Most importantly, who will win the championship?

The current Chase contenders are:

•Kyle Busch: He’s been sitting on top of the charts for weeks, since Richmond in May to be exact. He currently has the most wins in the Cup series (seven), five wins in the Nationwide series and two wins in the Craftsman’s Truck series, making a total of 14 wins already this season. When the Chase starts, he’ll be seeded first, like he currently sits, but will have 70 bonus points.

•Dale Earnhardt Jr.: He has gradually and consistently made his way to the top, or as far he can get at the moment, putting himself in one of the best positions he needs to be in. Read the rest of this entry »

Race Reviews

Running On Empty

Posted by Penni On June - 18 - 2008

Rain — always a factor — played havoc on Friday’s race track activities, this time at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich.

Sprint Cup qualifying was canceled moments after the rain came down. Ten cars had qualified with Greg Biffle’s No. 16 sitting on top. However, it would be Kyle Busch’s No. 18 Toyota who would “claim” the pole position, thanks to the current owner’s points standings.

The rain didn’t seem to be a problem Saturday. The Cup drivers were able to have their final two practice sessions. Greg Biffle’s No. 16 (still very fast) and Jimmie Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet were the fastest. (Other track activities were able to resume as well, including an ARCA Remax race and a Craftsman Truck race.)

The LifeLock 400 started Sunday despite the possibility of rain with Busch pulling away from the pack until the first caution flag flew three laps in. Read the rest of this entry »

Race Reviews

Sunday Night Lights

Posted by Penni On May - 29 - 2008

Memorial Day weekend is a big racing weekend for the race fans and the drivers. There are always several races going on during the weekend, particularly on Sunday. Two of the biggest and best known races are the Indianapolis 500 in Indianapolis, Ind. and the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, N.C.

The Coke 600 is also the longest race of the year. It starts in the day with the sun blaring down upon you and ends under the lights as the cool air breaths down your neck.

I know this well; I was there this weekend.

It is typically a very interesting race; anything and everything can and probably will happen. It just takes a little longer for most things to do so. This year’s race was no exception. Read the rest of this entry »

Race Reviews

‘Kahne’ You Feel The Love

Posted by Penni On May - 21 - 2008

Who would have thought there would be an All-Star main event without a single caution for debris or a wreck? Instead, there were three, the only cautions scheduled to break the race into four segments.

The Sprint Showdown (formerly the Open), the qualifying race directly before the All-Star race (officially called All-Star Race XXIV), was a different story. The 40-lap race had one scheduled pit stop after the first of two segments, but quickly the one definite pit stop turned to three additional pit stops.

Patrick Carpentier, the driver who promised to run naked if he was voted in, was the first to bring out a caution when his No. 10 Dodge got loose and spun hitting the wall. He was done and was also disqualified from the Fan Vote because his car was no longer race-ready.

When the segment restarted Carpentier’s teammate, Elliott Sadler, in his No. 19 Dodge, was the second car to bring out a caution Read the rest of this entry »

Race Reviews

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