Can you believe it? We are only a few months away from the greatest race of them all-The Rolex 24 at Daytona. I just had to throw that in there. Enough talking, Let's get to it!
Krohn Racing will move to Ford in 2009. However, Krohn will keep the Lola chassis next year. "This year was spent learning the ProtoAuto Lola chassis, I think we've made a lot of progress with the Lola chassis" said Nic Jonsson. Others in the Rolex Series are dubbing them a team to watch in 2009.
AIM Autosport will add a second car for selected events on the Rolex Series schedule in 2009.
Motorsport.com has their take on Day 1 of Rolex Series testing at Daytona.
Godwin Kelly of the Daytona Beach News-Journal tells us about a team featuring a slew of Daytona bike vets.
Duane Cross of Nascar.com explains why Jimmie Johnson is making a "mockery" of the Chase system.
Some Nationwide Series news, JR Motorsports has just landed a big sponsor for 2009.
Buzz Cutler from Rowdy.com says Jack Roush's idea is "dumb". I agree 100%. On a side note, if you haven't gone to Rowdy, you need to get wise and sign up for a free profile. If you don't want to mess with that, you can still download the podcast via itunes like I do everyday.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Goodbye Atlanta, Hello History
As we pack up and hit the long road to Texas next weekend, we leave a track that for the foreseeable future will not host a Chase race in the years to come. Atlanta will pick up a date on Labor Day Weekend in 2009, vacating their spot as a Chase race destination.
With a second place finish at Atlanta over the weekend, Jimmie Johnson has all but wrapped it up. Losing the Chase lead right now would be a catastrophe that would become a chapter in Nascar history all to itself. With Johnson having so many good runs at the past few tracks on the Chase schedule, many are asking or begging (i.e. Jack Roush) for Nascar to "Jimmie-proof" the Chase in 2009.
"Jimmie-proof?" Sorry conspiracy theorists, the Atlanta's move to Labor Day Weekend was made long before Jimmie Johnson's mad dash through the 2008 Chase for the Nextel Cup. Although, some in Nascar might be glad that a track that the #48 Chevy has won 3 times in recent years will not be included in Chase schedule come 2009.
Does it really matter though? On the brink of joining the legendary Cale Yarborough as the only "3-peat" Cup Championship winners Nascar has ever seen, Jimmie Johnson is coming into his own. Who knows where it will stop? Will Jimmie become the greatest Nascar driver in history?
The magic crystal ball that has given me the power to pick the past two race winners successfully does not see that far into the future. One can only hope that regardless of the outcome, a true challenger will step up to the plate and make 2009 a year to remember.
With a second place finish at Atlanta over the weekend, Jimmie Johnson has all but wrapped it up. Losing the Chase lead right now would be a catastrophe that would become a chapter in Nascar history all to itself. With Johnson having so many good runs at the past few tracks on the Chase schedule, many are asking or begging (i.e. Jack Roush) for Nascar to "Jimmie-proof" the Chase in 2009.
"Jimmie-proof?" Sorry conspiracy theorists, the Atlanta's move to Labor Day Weekend was made long before Jimmie Johnson's mad dash through the 2008 Chase for the Nextel Cup. Although, some in Nascar might be glad that a track that the #48 Chevy has won 3 times in recent years will not be included in Chase schedule come 2009.
Does it really matter though? On the brink of joining the legendary Cale Yarborough as the only "3-peat" Cup Championship winners Nascar has ever seen, Jimmie Johnson is coming into his own. Who knows where it will stop? Will Jimmie become the greatest Nascar driver in history?
The magic crystal ball that has given me the power to pick the past two race winners successfully does not see that far into the future. One can only hope that regardless of the outcome, a true challenger will step up to the plate and make 2009 a year to remember.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Atlanta Preview: 10.26.08
Some drivers might take a dose of Mylanta for their 500 miles at Hot-lanta. Atlanta is one of the fastest tracks on the circuit. Also, this is one of Jimmy Johnson's best tracks. Johnson has won here three times including a 2007 season sweep of both the spring and fall races.
With that being said, I don't think guys like Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton, and Greg Biffle might put up a fight today at Atlanta.
Press Pass:
The track facts.
Goodyear has revamped their tire package for this race and so far the test have performed well.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution talks about AMS plans to change the race date next year.
David Newton of ESPN.com tell us why you need to watch the race today.
Dustin Long from the Virginian-Pilot give his two cents on the race at Atlanta.
Top 5:
1. Carl Edwards
2. Greg Biffle
3. Kevin Harvick
4. Jimmy Johnson
5. David Regan
With that being said, I don't think guys like Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton, and Greg Biffle might put up a fight today at Atlanta.
Press Pass:
The track facts.
Goodyear has revamped their tire package for this race and so far the test have performed well.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution talks about AMS plans to change the race date next year.
David Newton of ESPN.com tell us why you need to watch the race today.
Dustin Long from the Virginian-Pilot give his two cents on the race at Atlanta.
Top 5:
1. Carl Edwards
2. Greg Biffle
3. Kevin Harvick
4. Jimmy Johnson
5. David Regan
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Good, Bad and Coyote Ugly - 10.20.2008
This weekend saw Jimmy Johnson almost double his lead in the Chase and essentially wrapped up his third straight Sprint Cup.
Introducing a new weekend review that pays homage to Steven Goff of the Washington Post(soccer writer) comes the Good, Bad and Coyote Ugly.
The Good:
Jimmy Johnson winning and doubling his points lead at Martinsville.
The 1-2 finish by Audi at Laguna Seca.
The great passing at the downhill Corkscrew turn at Laguna Seca during the ALMS race on Sunday. If you didn't flip over to see the finish, you missed a great show.
A.J. Allmendinger getting a 14th place finish in the #10 Evernham Gillette car.
Casey Mears finishing in sixth place. Hendrick should keep him around in '09.
The Bad:
Jamie McMurray having a rough day at the track.
Scott Speed shows up 30th on the scoring pylon. "After practice we thought we would be able to come through the field. This is a really long day when you have 500 laps to complete." said Speed. Welcome to Cup racing.
Reed Sorenson finishing 35th. Can you say Lame Duck?
The Coyote Ugly:
Introducing a new weekend review that pays homage to Steven Goff of the Washington Post(soccer writer) comes the Good, Bad and Coyote Ugly.
The Good:
Jimmy Johnson winning and doubling his points lead at Martinsville.
The 1-2 finish by Audi at Laguna Seca.
The great passing at the downhill Corkscrew turn at Laguna Seca during the ALMS race on Sunday. If you didn't flip over to see the finish, you missed a great show.
A.J. Allmendinger getting a 14th place finish in the #10 Evernham Gillette car.
Casey Mears finishing in sixth place. Hendrick should keep him around in '09.
The Bad:
Jamie McMurray having a rough day at the track.
Scott Speed shows up 30th on the scoring pylon. "After practice we thought we would be able to come through the field. This is a really long day when you have 500 laps to complete." said Speed. Welcome to Cup racing.
Reed Sorenson finishing 35th. Can you say Lame Duck?
The Coyote Ugly:
Kurt Busch getting hammered for wanting to park the car, due to brake issues. While I don't want to say it's good that he wanting to hang it up early, you can't beat him up for that. It's like pulling your starting quarterback when you're getting hammered 45-7 in the fourth quarter. What's the point of him being out there? He's not going to get hurt. It's Martinsville. But he's already out of the chase and had spun out multiple times. Why not park it and cut the chance of the car being beat up any more? It's not like we haven't taken a day off because we've had our PC fail or power out at work.
Not seeing Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards get into it at some point during the race. I'm disappointed.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Martinsville Preview
Back to the "PaperClip" we go. I couldn't be happier. Simply put, I love this track, because there is so much that can go on during 500 laps. Let's get down to business.
--Jimmy Johnson has two chase wins here at Martinsville. Johnson ran 2nd in Happy Hour, and with qualifying cancelled due to rain, Johnson looks poised to make it capture his third chase race win at the Virginia short track.
--Dale Earnhardt Jr. led the most laps here in the spring race and ran 4th in Happy Hour yesterday.
--Jeff Gordon was first in Happy Hour and has had some memorable races in the past here at Martinsville.
--A matchup to watch will be Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick. The both start in the top 10 and could carry their feud from Talladega and Charlotte onto the track today.
--Practice results can be seen here, courtesy of Thatsracin.com
--Here's the Martinsville (Va.) Bulletin's take on the race.
Podium Predictions:
1. Jimmy Johnson -- Can you really afford not to pick him?
2. Denny Hamlin -- Local kid ran fast in practice.
3. Jeff Gordon -- Fastest in Happy Hour should translate to success on Sunday.
Dale Jr. and Carl Edwards round out the top 5.
--Jimmy Johnson has two chase wins here at Martinsville. Johnson ran 2nd in Happy Hour, and with qualifying cancelled due to rain, Johnson looks poised to make it capture his third chase race win at the Virginia short track.
--Dale Earnhardt Jr. led the most laps here in the spring race and ran 4th in Happy Hour yesterday.
--Jeff Gordon was first in Happy Hour and has had some memorable races in the past here at Martinsville.
--A matchup to watch will be Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick. The both start in the top 10 and could carry their feud from Talladega and Charlotte onto the track today.
--Practice results can be seen here, courtesy of Thatsracin.com
--Here's the Martinsville (Va.) Bulletin's take on the race.
Podium Predictions:
1. Jimmy Johnson -- Can you really afford not to pick him?
2. Denny Hamlin -- Local kid ran fast in practice.
3. Jeff Gordon -- Fastest in Happy Hour should translate to success on Sunday.
Dale Jr. and Carl Edwards round out the top 5.
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