Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta
A green-white-checker finish saw Denny Hamlin grab the lead and hold off Jeff Gordon to take his series leading fourth win of the season.
Thinkin’ Out Loud
Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol
The latest “new” Bristol is still not the Bristol of old. But between the buzz, the wrecks and a decent crowd, the August night race resembled its former self for the first time since the pre-Chase era.
Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan
Jimmie Johnson had the dominant car once Mark Martin was speared by the pit wall opening in a scary, mid-race crash. But as J.J. was strolling to what would have been his series-leading fourth victory, a valve spring failed with less than 15 miles left to run. That handed Greg Biffle Christmas in August, gift-wrapping him a second victory after a green-white-checkered finish and a pesky push from Michigan native Brad Keselowski.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 Watkins Glen Race Recap
This one wasn’t over until the checkered flag was thrown. Wow.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 Pocono Summer Race Recap
Jimmie Johnson, who had dominated the race, had his car get out from under him on the final restart and collected second-place Matt Kenseth. From there, it was on.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 Brickyard 400 Race Recap
The Brickyard 400… the ultimate example of sizzle over steak.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 New Hampshire Summer Race Recap
Denny Hamlin dominated much of the race but miscommunication in the pits dropped him to 14th. Kasey Kahne inherited the lead and with clean air on the nose of his Chevy drove to an easy win.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 Firecracker 400 at Daytona Race Recap
Kasey Kahne gave Tony Stewart just enough of a push to slip him by the dynamic duo of Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle. Seconds later, Kahne was knocked sideways all pandemonium broke out behind him, handing Stewart his third Cup victory of 2012.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 Kentucky Race Recap
If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. Well, um, the traffic was a whole lot better than last year during a weekend of three tiresome and tepid races.
Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 Toyota Save Mart 350 at Sonoma
Michael Waltrip Racing had a coming out party at Sonoma. The organization led 86 of the 112 laps with Clint Bowyer doing the majority of the work with 71 of those 86 laps. The race went two extra circuits thanks to a late-race spin but Bowyer held off charges from Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart over the last two spins around the road course to notch his sixth victory of his career and third in the history of MWR.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 Michigan Spring Race Recap
Junior wins again and all is sweetness and light around the globe. In fact I predict tomorrow we’ll see Romney and Obama sharing a single root beer float with two straws at the local Rexall and deciding the election by thumb wrestling. I predict the Iranians will give up their nuclear ambitions, North Korea will schedule democratic elections, the stock market will rise 5000 points and the Carpenters “Close To You” will soar back to the top of the Billboard charts. (For you non-88 fans, pssst, I agree, the end of the race was about as boring as it gets.)
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 Pocono Spring Race Recap
With under four laps to go, race leader Mark Martin bobbled just enough that second place Joey Logano was able to execute a perfect bump and run to retake the lead.