Running Their Mouth: 2009 Autism Speaks 400 at Dover
This week, here’s a peek at what the drivers were thinking following the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 Dover Spring Race Recap
The Key Moment: Coming up on two laps left to race, Jimmie Johnson powered around the outside of Tony Stewart to retake the lead at Dover. In a Nutshell: Ever hear of a cow-patty sandwich on whole wheat bread? The top and the bottom of the race weren’t bad… but everything in the middle was …
The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2009 Autism Speaks 400 at Dover
The biggest head scratcher of the week didn’t happen on track at Dover, but rather in the “town hall” meeting that NASCAR held with drivers and owners.
Holding a Pretty Wheel: The Time is Now for Dale Earnhardt Jr. as Tony Eury Jr. Departs
Author’s Note: My advertised column on conspiracy theories and NASCAR will run next week. I felt that the Dale Earnhardt Jr. situation warranted some comment this week. But not to fear, The Roswell 500 will run next week. The announcement that much of NASCAR Nation has been waiting for with bated breath came Thursday: Earnhardt …
Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in Sprint Cup: 2009 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Edition
The conclusion of the Anti-Climatic 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Monday leaves the NASCAR fanbase wondering exactly which driver should have won. Since the race began in the middle of the day on Monday instead of early in the evening on Sunday, drivers did not have to encounter as many changes in track conditions as …
What’s Vexing Vito: Tough Love – Dale Earnhardt Jr. & Tony Eury Jr. Rip Off the Band-Aid & Start the Healing
Well, here we go again – the rumor mill is at Def-Con 2 this week, with talk of Tony Eury Jr.’s imminent demise and departure as crew chief for cousin Dale Earnhardt Jr. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost one year since Earnhardt Jr. last won a race, on Father’s Day weekend at Michigan …
Did You Notice? NASCAR’s Vague Meeting, Eury’s Imminent Departure & the Poor Become Penniless
Did You Notice? All the wholesale changes that took place after NASCAR’s meeting with teams and owners Tuesday? No, I didn’t notice them either… and whether any happen at all is what’s really going to make or break this “town hall” affair a longtime source explained was “nothing more than a PR move” after debriefing …
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 World 600 at Charlotte
The Key Moment: David Reutimann stayed out when a caution flew for rain. The precipitation never stopped and Reutimann reigned at Charlotte. In a Nutshell: After 24 hours plus at Charlotte, Mother Nature turned a stock car race into a high-dollar game of musical chairs. Dramatic Moment: Waiting to see if the weather would relent …
The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2009 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte
David Reutimann won Monday’s Coke 600, despite scratching up the right side of the No. 00 Aaron’s Toyota. Crew chief Rodney Childers’s call for the ‘Franchise’ to stay out instead of pitting before the race’s final caution flag put the Michael Waltrip Racing driver in the lead ahead of Ryan Newman, Robby Gordon and Carl Edwards. The crew chiefs of all of these entries deserve three thumbs up for playing the Mother Nature card and snagging top-five finishes.
Grading the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Pack: Part 2
NASCAR’s longest and most grueling race, the Coca-Cola 600, represents a significant milestone in the 2009 season. It’s not quite the halfway point to the Chase (that comes the following week after Dover), but once the checkers fly late Sunday evening we’re exactly one-third of the way through the 36-race schedule. With that in mind, …
Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in Sprint Cup: 2009 All-Star Race at Charlotte Edition
Tony Stewart took Lowe’s Motor Speedway by storm Saturday night, as the driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevy smelled victory and found it in the 25th annual All-Star Race. Stewart’s first win as a driver/owner and first All-Star win came in a race that saw tepid-at-best racing in the first three segments …
Holding a Pretty Wheel: After 25 Years of All-Star Races, 1 Really Stands Out, but Not for the Racing
With the 25th running of the All-Star Race coming up Saturday night, I was supposed to write a column about memorable All-Star races… or something like that. You know, standard rundown of the big moments. But the problem with that reared its ugly head in oh, about 30 seconds. I don’t really remember any. Sure, …