Opinion: Who Did It??

Earlier this year Reed Sorenson was black flagged for throwing a piece of his inside rollbar on to the track in the attempt to cause a caution, and it did just that. Of course this is not the first time these extreme measures have been taken. For years drivers have (for the most part) gotten away with throwing everything except their helmets onto the track to cause a caution; including water bottles, gloves and padding. Drivers do this for a multiple of obvious reasons; because their car was backing up to the point of getting lapped or maybe its because they are the first car a lap down. This weekend was a prime example of how it benefited one driver and hurt another (the finger was pointed at Robby Gordon, who finished 10th and denied throwing anything out). What ever the reason it is still not a smart move. My question is what should NASCAR do to stop drivers from doing this??

My opinion is fairly simple and was mentioned by Jeff Burton in his post race interview. Stop the cars. Its that simple. After the piece is picked up and identified, stop every car on pit road for the officials to inspect. When the culprit is found then swift punishment should be administered. Umm, Black flagged for multiple laps, plus a fine and maybe even a suspension? Hard measures like this would catch the attention of those who like to cheat.

Stewart Climbs Fence At Atlanta

Tony Stewart may not have qualified for the chase but everyone is aware that he still is a contender each weekend. This weekend was no exception, as Stewart powered through the field early and often, holding off charges from Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Jimmie Johnson to win the Bass Pro Shop's 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The race started with the field set by points due to ugly weather on Friday, so this put Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick on the front row for the start of the race. Unfortunately, the two would not remain their long. Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson had a typical consistent day; running in the top ten most of the race with both finishing top five (Johnson, 2nd & Kenseth, 4th). On the other hand, other chase contenders had problems and may have watched their chances fall apart along with their car.

Kyle Busch was the first contender to find problems, spinning early. Kevin Harvick led the first nine laps of the race, but the car started to fade and the team could not get the handle on it, negating Harvick to a 31st place finish. While Kasey Kahne and Mark Martin both ran well for the better part of the race, but both were involved in crashes late, which have damaged their chances at the 2006 cup. Jeff Burton faced problems late as well. Burton ran in the top ten for a majority of the race, until a flat tire forced him to make an unscheduled pit-stop, putting him two laps down. Burton needed to have the race go green in order to pass the leaders in an effort to at least get one lap down (his car was clearly good enough to get the lucky dog later), but someone's impatiences ruined his shot at getting back on the lead lap. A piece of rollbar padding was thrown onto the track by an unknown driver forcing NASCAR to call a caution; trapping Burton two laps down (he did rally to finish 13th).

Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin rebounded from their early problems which helped each score top ten finishes (Dale Jr, 3rd; Gordon, 6th & Hamlin, 8th) and remain in contention for the cup.

Johnson Holds Off Hamlin For Martinsville Win

Coming into Martinsville Jeff Burton enjoyed the Nextel Cup points lead due to his ability to remain consistent and overcome problems throughout the race. That points lead and run of consistency took a hit Sunday, as Burton ran into a handful of problems, which lead to his engine overheating and eventually expiring. Burtons bad luck brought many of drivers back into contention, including Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin and Kasey Kahne.

It was clear from the drop of the green flag that Jimmie Johnson would be the car to beat as it did not take the #48 long to get up to the top spot; the only question that remained was who could catch him. Early it seemed as if Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. could hang with Johnson, but for some that did not last. Both Busch and Dale Jr. spun out late, ending their chances at the win, and Jeff Gordon could not get his car to work as well as Johnson's, eventually finishing fifth. On the other hand Denny Hamlin seemed to get better as the race progressed, putting himself in excellence position late in the race to have a shot at Johnson. His one shot was not good enough as Johnson was able to hold Hamlin off to win his second Martinsville race. The rest of the top five included Bobby Labonte, and Tony Stewart.

The chase has tightened up heading into Atlanta. Eight drivers are within 100 points of the top spot, with Matt Kenseth currently in control, only 36 points in front of Kevin Harvick. Burton slipped to fifth in the points, but is still only 48 points back.

Opinion: What Would You Do??

Talladega produces more than exciting races, it also produces some of the most rambunctious fans. Twice in the past three years the track has been plagued with controversial finishes; with both instances going against Dale Earnhardt Jr. Of course this lead to out of control fans throwing beer cans, bottles and what ever else they could get their hands on, at the track and winning driver. In your opinion what should be done to these people?

I have had the pleasure of seeing these fans in action and my first thought was "how pathetic". Now, I have two thoughts on these people: 1) seriously, as a fan does the outcome of Talladega really have an effect on your life that much?? If so then you might as well throw yourself on the track next time; and 2) these actions by the few could end the fun of many, meaning that a majority of the fans that attend Talladega love the sport and go to have a weekend where they can enjoy themselves, and they do this by acting like adults. Plus, these actions make everyone that attend the race look bad, and that's far from the reality.

My solution for this? Undercover cops sitting in the stands to catch these "so called" fans. The penalty? Life time ban from any NASCAR event or function.
I guess you could say its time for Talladega to take out the trash.

Kahne Outlasts Johnson For Second Lowes Victory

After last nights race many of the chase drivers were shaking their heads, and had to be thinking of what could have been. Denny Hamlin didn't even get the chance to complete a full lap before he was collected in an early crash, but he was not the only one to find problems; meaning that the garage was as busy as happy hour. Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon were running strongly inside the top ten before both ran into unexpected trouble. Martin was the victim of circumstances, when J.J. Yeley tried to make an unexpected pit-stop, while Jeff Gordon blew his engine.

A few drivers found problems but were able to bounce back or at least run well enough to remain close in the points. Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick had their fare share of problems but were able to salvage top fifteen finishes, while Jeff Burton bounced back from a late pit-road mistake to finish third and remain in the points lead. Furthermore, Jimmie Johnson ran a good and clean(much needed)race finishing second. The rest of the top five included Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Bobby Labonte.

Vickers Picks Up First Win Amongst Controversy

Talladega is the one track on the circuit that produces some of the most exciting and controversial finishes, and this weekend was no different. For the most part the race went along without incident, until a late race wreck that included chase contenders Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin. Their misfortunes did not produce the majority of the spotlight after the race; instead it was the race winner who attracted the controversy.

With a lap to go it looked as if Dale Earnhardt Jr. would pick up another Talladega victory. Heading into the last lap it came down to three drivers; Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Brian Vickers. Going into turn three of the final lap Johnson looked to make his move, with Vickers following suit, but Vickers unintentionally bumped Johnson which sent him up into Dale Jr., taking them both out of the race and putting Vickers into victory lane for the first time in his career. Vickers victory lap and celebration came amongst numerous boos from the crowd who were obviously were upset over the finish (will discuss later).

As predicted the points tightened up with numerous drivers having problems throughout the race including championship leader Jeff Burton. Burton blew a tire late which brought Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin closer to the lead. The rest of the top five included Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Martin Truex Jr.

Pickem: Talladega

Things are heating up and the pressure is building on a few drivers who have fallen behind in the past few races. Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch find themselves in a deep hole with only seven races remaining. For these two running good is the only option.

Jimmie Johnson had a good run last weekend, leading the most laps, but a late race pit road violation left him with a mediocre finish. Not what his team was looking for in their bid to get back in the hunt. While Mark Martin on the other hand found good luck for a change. After running 10th to 15th for a majority of last weeks race Martin used a fuel mileage gamble which enabled him to finish third in the race (moving him up to 3rd in the points).

This weekend the drivers are thrown a true curveball as they travel to Talladega, Alabama to race the UAW-Ford 500. Of all the races in the chase this one makes the drivers worry the most as one wrong move could ruin the chances of many. Its as tough as it gets, running inches apart with plenty of bumping and banging. Meaning that this weekend could provide a major shake-up in the points.

A few drivers who seem to find themselves at the front at Talladega include Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

My Pick: Kevin Harvick