(WOMR file photo)

The winning number for the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 was “SIX”!  Six is the number of the Eddie Sharpe Racing CollegeComplete.com #6 Chevy Silverado driven by Justin Lofton.

With Brad Keselowski dogging him to the checkered flag, the Westmorland, CA native, Lofton, snagged his very first NCWTS victory.  . . . → Read More: Justin Lofton Had The Winning Lottery Number]]>

(WOMR file photo)

The winning number for the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 was “SIX”!  Six is the number of the Eddie Sharpe Racing CollegeComplete.com #6 Chevy Silverado driven by Justin Lofton.

With Brad Keselowski dogging him to the checkered flag, the Westmorland, CA native, Lofton, snagged his very first NCWTS victory.  Finishing behind “Bad Brad” K for third place was “The Onion”, Todd Bodine.  Finishing out the top five was, Jason Lefler in fourth and Ron Hornaday in fifth.

This is the second of ten races on a mile and a half race track for the Camping World Series for the 2012 season.  Lofton is the six different winner in the six races held so far this season.  Likewise, Lofton is the fourth first time winner in the six races this season!

The North Carolina Education Lottery 200 also had a couple of firsts.  The win at the Charlotte Motor Speedway was the first career win for both Lofton, as well as for Eddie Sharpe Racing in the Camping World Series.

When the starts come out at Charlotte, the gloves come off!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(WOMR file photo)

Stop me if you have heard this one before.  Kurt Busch has exploded on the radio with a verbally abusive tirade, encroached on other race teams, enraged other crewmemebers, and acted like a spoiled little . . . → Read More: Kurt Is At It Again!]]>

(WOMR file photo)

It is not even fall and the leaves are falling off of “the Busch”!

Stop me if you have heard this one before.  Kurt Busch has exploded on the radio with a verbally abusive tirade, encroached on other race teams, enraged other crewmemebers, and acted like a spoiled little boy.  No this is not a rerun from the entire 2011 season, this is “the new Kurt Busch”, circa 2012!

After the race at Darlington Saturday night here is what went down:

NASCAR has fined Kurt Busch, driver of the #51 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, $50,000 and placed him on NASCAR probation until July 25 for his actions during the May 12 race at Darlington Raceway. Kurt Busch violated Section 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing; reckless driving on pit road during the race; involved in an altercation with another competitor after the completion of the race) of the 2012 NASCAR Rule Book.

It would appear that Kurt Busch loves to donate to the NASCAR penalty funds.   For the last several years NASCAR has been able to dip into Kurt’s checkbook for all of his misconducts, misdeeds, and misgivings each and every year, a lesson not yet learned.  Maybe Kurt feels like he makes too much money, and wants to give back some of his salary to the sanctioning body, what do you think?

Additionally, Craig Strickler, a crew member for the #51 team, has been fined $5,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31 for violating Section 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing; interfering with a member of the broadcast media).  Obviously Mr. Strickler did not learn anything from Kurt Busch’s 2011 dealing with ESPN’s reporter, Dr. Jerry Punch at Homestead!

Tony Gibson, crew chief for the #39 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, has been placed on NASCAR probation until June 27 for violating Section 12-1 and Sections 12-4G and 9-4A (Crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his team members).

Andrew Rueger, a crew member for the #39 team, has been fined $5,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until June 27 for violating Section 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing; failure to comply with a directive from a NASCAR official). Both of these violations occurred post-race.

I will only refer to an article that I wrote following the news that Kurt had landed a ride with James Finch and Phoenix Racing back in December of 2011 in an article titled, Busch Lands With Phoenix Racing.

In that article I stated that this could be the beginning of Kurt’s long slide down the slippery slope to obscurity.  I still have not changed my mind.  There are many sayings the come to mind, regarding Kurt’s behavior.  And at this point Kurt and Kyle are two peas in a pod.

Nevertheless, the sayings that come to mind are; a zebra can’t change its stripes, and the apple does not fall far from the tree!

Kurt is destined to always find himself squarely in the middle of controversy.  Mostly because he is the one who stirs it up by his abusive radio rants, childish personality, and his overly aggressive behavior!  the last time I checked the spelling of the word team, there are no “i’s” in that word!

Another quote that comes to mind came out of the mouth of Bill France, Jr. when he would “counsel” drivers.  He would often say that, “NASCAR was bigger than me and bigger than you.  NASCAR was here before me and it will definitely be here long after you are gone”!

So Kurt take some friendly advice.  Loose the bad attitude, the sense of entitlement, and the abusive mouth.  If you do those things you might have a shot a getting a job with a first class organization in NASCAR, this is probably your last second chance!

What are your views?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(photo courtesy of tommytarlton.com)

Last Saturday night I took both of my sons, Jason and Jeremy, as well as my grandson, Cole, to the Tulare Thunderbowl in Tulare, CA, the place where this old redneck was born, to watch The King of the West Series sprint car races.  As you all know, . . . → Read More: King Of The West Sprint Car Racing At Tulare]]>

(photo courtesy of tommytarlton.com)

Last Saturday night I took both of my sons, Jason and Jeremy, as well as my grandson, Cole, to the Tulare Thunderbowl in Tulare, CA, the place where this old redneck was born, to watch The King of the West Series sprint car races.  As you all know, I will do what ever I can, any place, any where, any time, to “work on my redneck”!  Therefore, being in Fresno for the week lended itself to a great night at the race track.

The venue for night was three divisions of racing.  There was the 410 cubic inch wingless sprint cars, the 410 cubic inch winged sprint cars, and the IMCA modifieds slinging dirt and hauling the mail!

Many of the marquee names in the NorCal winged, and non-winged, sprint car community was on hand.  Among the premier drivers of this region that raced were the three Keadings, “King Of the West” Brent Keading, and sons Tim and Bud, who are equally as fast as the old man.  Additionally competing at this event was Jonathan Allard, Oregon favorite Roger Crockett, local favorite Tommy Tarlton, and Kyle Larson.

Notwithstanding the “royalty” that was in attendance, the class of the field, in both wingless and the winged sprint cars, was a skinny little 19-year-old kid from Elk Grove, CA  named Kyle Larson.  He really put on a racing clinic for both the fans as well as his fellow race car drivers!

Larson was able to go to Victory Lane in both the winged and wingless sprint car features Friday night!  Not only has he put all the West Coast drivers on notice that he is a factor to be reckoned with, Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has put Kyle under contract as their developmental driver!  He will drive in the K&N East Series in selected races this year, as well as the full season in the K&N East Series next year for EGR.

For the young skinny kid with a heavy right foot, it was quite a driving performance.  In both sprint car divisions Larson gave the fans, and his fellow drivers, a lesson in dirt track racing!

For all the local fans of Tommy Tarlton, he, too, had a very good evening of racing.  He was very fast in his heat, and finished third in the A Main behind Kyle Larson, and Jonathon Allard.

Even though a night of racing is a night of racing at many of the country’s dirt tracks, there was one really cool feature that the promoter did that I found was very unusual, and quite interesting.  The neatest part of the whole evening was the way that Tulare Thunderbowl ran the dash.  Instead of lining up the four fastest qualifiers and the four heat winners in order, they allowed each driver to pick an envelope.  That envelope had a number, 1-8, inside of it.  Then they allowed each driver to either keep his envelope or trade it with another driver for his envelope!  It is a way for a driver to get into a fellow competitor’s head before the race!!  Then they ran the dash, and the way they finished the dash is the way that those 8 racers lined up in the first eight spots for the A main!

A really cool touch!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(WOMR file photo)

It took 16 races, spanning seven months, before Jimmie Johnson and Rick Hendrick were able to win another Sprint Cup race, and climb the summit for the organization’s 200th win.  Who would ever thought that Hendrick Motorsports would not notch a victory in the 2012 season until the eleventh . . . → Read More: Johnson Wins The Bojangles Southern 500 At Darlington]]>

(WOMR file photo)

It took 16 races, spanning seven months, before Jimmie Johnson and Rick Hendrick were able to win another Sprint Cup race, and climb the summit for the organization’s 200th win.  Who would ever thought that Hendrick Motorsports would not notch a victory in the 2012 season until the eleventh race of the year?  Who would ever have thought that either Jimmie Johnson, or Jeff Gordon would be winless in the first ten races of the season?  The answer to both of those questions are that nobody would have bet the farm that HMS, Jimmie Johnson, or Jeff Gordon would be winless in their first ten tries this season!

Nevertheless, Saturday night Jimmie Johnson won the Bojangles Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway, stopping the 16 race winless streak that both Johnson and HMS had to endure, spanning over the tail end of the 20112 season and through the first 10 races of 2012.

“I want to thank all of the drivers,” team owner Rick Hendrick said, “all of the crew chiefs, and you (Jeff Hammond) and Darrell (Waltrip) and Geoff Bodine and everybody else. I can’t believe we won 200 of these things. I can’t believe it took this long after 199. I want to remember all those folks we lost. And everybody that helped this thing happen. Brad Paisley is in his bus on the way here and we’ll have a big party.”

It was Johnson’s 56th career victory.

“What a day,” Johnson, who led a race-best 133 laps, said after embracing Hendrick in Victory Lane. “There was a lot of drama. This race is so special, so great.

“Oh without a doubt. You have got to love that man (Rick Hendrick), he just said 200 is great but let’s goget 250. So that tells you where his head is, I love it. Oh man, what a day. Very fast race car. I want to thank Chad (Knaus, crew chief) and everybody at Hendrick Motorsports for an awesome race car. The Kobalt Tools Chevy was bad fast. We had a little pit thing that went awry earlier in the race, but we still worked our way back up there. Had a great race car and won the race.”

We are nearing the halfway point in “the regular season” of racing.  There are several key players that have to “let the dogs out”, if they have any hopes in making the Chase.  They only way for some of those marquee drivers to get into the Chase is to secure  a few wins before the Sun sets on Richmond in September!  The said marquee drivers include, but are not limited to, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, and Carl Edwards!

It is time to let the big dog eat!

The NASCAR crowd has two weeks to enjoy all the festivities that surround Memorial Day and the Coke 600.  There is the, The Pit Crew Challenge, the Camping World Truck Series race Friday night, followed by the gala of the fan favorite Sprint cup  All-Star race Saturday night.

This Saturday night is when “the Stars come out, and the gloves come off “, and to the winner goes all the spoils a $1,000,000 pay-day at Charlotte Motor Speedway!  It is also the day when not many of the race cars will be able to be driven up on the haulers, because of that $1,000,00 payday, some of the race cars will be in various stages of wrecked, crumpled, and mangled sheet metal!

Check out the unofficial results from the Bojangles Southern 500.

After eleven races here is the official Sprint Cup standings.

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(WOMR file photo)

Sometime ago in the previous century, Charles Davis, Jr. made a trip to Yuma to race at the former Yuma Speedway.  He can’t remember just exactly what year it was, however, he will not forget his Saturday night visit to this race track!

In the night’s showcase event, the . . . → Read More: Wingless Sprinters Sling Some Mud At Cocopah Speedway]]>

(WOMR file photo)

Sometime ago in the previous century, Charles Davis, Jr. made a trip to Yuma to race at the former Yuma Speedway.  He can’t remember just exactly what year it was, however, he will not forget his Saturday night visit to this race track!

In the night’s showcase event, the sprint car feature, a first-lap crash forced a complete restart, and Yuma’s Mike Martin took advantage of the opportunity to blast off from his starting position outside the second row, past Davis, Roa and pole sitter Dalten Gabbard and into the lead.

Martin then held the advantage for seven laps before Davis was able to reel him back in and get around him.

“The track was getting pretty thin and I knew I had to make my move before it got too much thinner,” said Davis, “because he wasn’t giving me any room to pass.”

The Buckeye, AZ veteran sprint car racer led laps 8 through lap 24.  On lap 24, as the white flag flew,  Brody Roa drove his sprinter deep into turn #1, slid up in front of Davis to take the lead, and mashing “the loud pedal” to the floor, thought that he had pulled the move of the race on Davis.

Not so fast my friend!

Davis must have been thinking, as the duo dove into turn #3.  One good moves deserves another, and Davis was able to return that “San Jose Slide Job” to Roa!  Davis’ “bonsai” move in the last turn of the race proved successful for Davis, and allowed him to grab the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV Canyon Region A Main victory Saturday at Cocopah Speedway.

“I don’t know where Roa was running but he did a hell of job,” said Davis. “I was really surprised when he got that shot coming off of (Turn 2). I said, “Wow! I didn’t expect that.”

“This is a good, high-speed deal,” said a sweat-soaked Davis afterward from victory lane. “l love this race track! I love it!”

Brody Roa’s version of the last lap

“I either had to get it done (in Turns 1 and 2) or just sit back there,” said Roa afterward.

“I tried to block him down the back straight but I couldn’t get underneath him,” added Roa, who is not a regular in the ASCS Canyon Series.

Tommy Deffern shines

On the night’s under-card, the Street Stock Division, Brawley’s Tommy Deffern undoubtedly past more cars than probably the whole field combined on his road to victory!  While battling Yuma’s Bobby Horton for the lead near the midpoint of the race, Deffern was caught up in a wreck with some lapped traffic.  Unfortunately, Deffern was sent to the rear of the field for the restart.  Deffern steadily sliced his way through the field, like a warm knife through butter, to find Horton and Alopho Noriega fighting for the lead.

Deffern maneuvered his way around both Horton and Noriega for the win in the Street Stock Division!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(WOMR file photo)

“Blazingly Bad” Brad Keselowski got a push from Kyle Busch on the green-white-checkered restart to win the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega.

Keselowski’s win was his second at Talladega, remember the Edwards in the catchfence race a couple of years ago, the sixth of his young career, and the first . . . → Read More: “Bad Brad” Out Wheels ‘Em In The Aaron’s 499]]>

(WOMR file photo)

“Blazingly Bad” Brad Keselowski got a push from Kyle Busch on the green-white-checkered restart to win the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega.

Keselowski’s win was his second at Talladega, remember the Edwards in the catchfence race a couple of years ago, the sixth of his young career, and the first victory at Talladega for Dodge in 36 years.    The last win for Dodge at Talladega came when Dave Marcis won the race in 1976!

Keselowski’s victory ended a wild final quarter of the race, which extended six laps past a scheduled 188 because of a flurry of late cautions.

As the field began a round of green-flag pit stops with 45 laps left, a massive chain-reaction wreck in Turn 3 eliminated a handful of contending cars, including pole-sitter Jeff Gordon.

Contact between Aric Almirola and Dave Blaney triggered the crash, which also collected Martin Truex, Carl Edwards and Juan Montoya, among others.

“It was like a wreck at a stoplight,” Edwards said. “Everybody started checking up and hitting each other.”

With the herd thinned considerably, Paul Menard led the field to a restart on lap 151. Hamlin, who had gotten back on the lead lap via “the Lucky Dog” when NASCAR called the caution on lap 143, surged to the front, where he swapped the top spot with Brad Keselowski.

Kenseth restarted at the back of the field under a penalty for pitting too soon under the lap 143 caution, but he quickly worked his way forward, wresting the lead from Denny Hamlin on lap 167, with Keselowski and AJ Allmendinger lined up behind him.

Five laps later, Hamlin found an opening between Kenseth and Keselowski and took second, but a lap 175 wreck that started when Casey Mears cut a tire, scrambled the field for a restart with nine laps left in regulation.

As the field crossed the finish line on lap 181, contact from sent Kurt Busch spinning into the inside wall at the entry to Turn 1. Kenseth led the field to a restart on lap 185.

This green flag restarts only lasted a mere few hundred feet.  As soon as the leaders crossed the start line, Hamlin ducked to the inside and Allmendinger tried to block Hamlin in the middle lane.  The result was a hooligan.  Hamlin’s nose was already up to Allmendinger’s left rear tire, the contact between those two, Hamlin and “The Dinger”, also took out  Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, and Michael Waltrip, as well!

When the clutter was cleared up, and the green flag flew for the final time, it was a green-white-checkered, a two lap sprint race.  On the restart, Matt Kenseth got a great start with the help of his team-mate, Greg Biffle.  In fact, it was too great of a start and gaping lead.  Because of the great start that Kenseth had gotten, it actually allowed Kyle Busch to latch onto the bumper of “Blazingly Bad” Brad Keselowski. With that “Bad Brak” and Kyle were off like they were shot out of a cannon, marching into the lead.  By the time the white flag waved, Keselowski and Busch were running one and two, respectively.

Over the last five races at Talladega, the leader coming out of turn four was not the winner of the race.  However, “Bad Brad” was not to be overhauled coming out turn four Sunday!  Ol Kylie did not have anything for the driver of the Penske Racing Coors Lite #2 Dodge, Keselowski!

Check out the unofficial results of the Aaron’s 499 at the Talladega Superspeedway.

Here is the Sprint Cup standings after the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega.

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DohRa9lsx0Q

(WOMR file photo)

This wasn’t just any Nationwide race, this was Talladega!  Talladega is the place where it is high-speed, high-banks, and high-danger.  It is also the place where strange bedfellows make for a good story.  Another way of putting it is that you have the opportunity “to dance with the devil”!

(WOMR file photo)

The latest rumors from the garage area in Talladega this weekend has Furniture Row Racing’s owner, Barney Vissor, talking to Kurt Busch.  The speculation is that Vissor is talking to Kurt Busch about the possibility of signing him to a contract for a second team in 2013!

Furniture Row . . . → Read More: Kurt Busch To Furniture Row Racing in 2013?]]>

(WOMR file photo)

The latest rumors from the garage area in Talladega this weekend has Furniture Row Racing’s owner, Barney Vissor, talking to Kurt Busch.  The speculation is that Vissor is talking to Kurt Busch about the possibility of signing him to a contract for a second team in 2013!

Furniture Row Racing general manager Joe Garone, confirmed today that talks have taken place between the team and driver Kurt Busch, but said those conversations are not a result of dissatisfaction with the team’s current driver, Regan Smith. “I have talked to Kurt Busch,” said Garone, “but it was about a team we don’t even have yet. We are working diligently on getting a second (Sprint Cup) car for next year, and I’m trying to get my hands around some of the guys that will be available going onto 2013. I wanted to make an introduction to Kurt, and just let him know what our plans are for the future.”

Garone said he believes Smith and Busch would make good teammates, saying, “Kurt and Regan have worked well together on the superspeedways in the past. They have drafted well together and talked well back and forth. Adding a second team would be a major boost for Furniture Row Racing, and we’re all working hard to try and make that happen.”

Just as a side note, Furniture Row Racing has an alliance with Richard Childress Racing for, both chassis and for Earnhardt-Childress engines.

This could be a very interesting development, if it comes to fruition for 2013, for both Furniture Row Racing, as well as for Kurt Busch!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(WOMR file photo)

“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynard Skynard has to be Dale Jr.’s favorite song! After all, he has won ten races in the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at this sprawling superspeedway, known as Talladega, the most of any active driver.

Additionally, when you drive around this part of Alabama . . . → Read More: Talladega Is Dale Earnhardt,Jr. Country]]>

(WOMR file photo)

“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynard Skynard has to be Dale Jr.’s favorite song! After all, he has won ten races in the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at this sprawling superspeedway, known as Talladega, the most of any active driver.

Additionally, when you drive around this part of Alabama there are two things that you notice.  There are two decals that adorn the cars and trucks in these parts.  The first set of decals that are noticeable from great distances are the “Roll Tide”, and/or the big “A”, and the second set of decals that are adorning most vehicles are the “88″, “AMP”, “National Guard”, and/or “Diet Mtn Dew”!  Even though he is from Kannapolis, NC, it is a foregone conclusion that Dale, Jr. is “the favorite son” in Talladega!

Notwithstanding the fact that down in Alabama, it is the heart of SEC football country, it is also the heart of NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s Junior Nation, as well as an endorphine soaked, adrenaline rush, known as superspeedway pack racing!

What started out as an Army Air Corps pilot training facility in Talladega County, Alabama, back during World War II, and laid dormant for many years before “Big” Bill France decided to purchase it and turn it into, what was to be, the biggest, fastest speedway in the world, will produce the second round of “pack racing” this season!

As was previously mentioned, Dale Jr. has won ten times at Talladega.  Additionally in his career, he has won both of the races ran on May 6th, six years apart!  This Sunday is May 6th, six years since the last race on this date which Junior won, it is Talladega, it is the heart of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. country, and Junior is fast in “Fast Friday” practice.  Could he repeat his wins on the last two previous May 6th?  I’m just sayin’………………….

One might recall just how the Daytona 500 ended this past February.  Dale Jr. drove around Greg Biffle on the high side coming out of turn #4 heading to the checkered flag, however, he needed just one more lap to overhaul Matt Kenseth for the win.  Therefore,in light of the first restrictor plate finish, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. might be the smartest choice for their NASCAR fantasy picks for this Sunday!

This Sunday at Talladega, Junior Nation has a very good chance to revel in Victory Lane at The Aaron’s 499 with their driver—J-U-N-I-O-R!

Roll Tide–Go Junior!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(WOMR file photo)

“The action track”, Richmond International Raceway, as it is affectionately known amongst the NASCAR community lived up to its moniker.  As the race was concluded last night, there was the usual “NASCAR officials/drivers conferences” that occur after a traditional short track “confrontation”!  However, it was not because there was . . . → Read More: Richmond Produces Bruised Egos And Hurt Feelings!]]>

(WOMR file photo)

“The action track”, Richmond International Raceway, as it is affectionately known amongst the NASCAR community lived up to its moniker.  As the race was concluded last night, there was the usual “NASCAR officials/drivers conferences” that occur after a traditional short track “confrontation”!  However, it was not because there was a lot of beatin’ and bangin’ during Saturday night’s Capital City 400, it was, instead, the results of two NASCAR judgement calls.

There were two drivers that were most affected, and thus two very upset people, for two very different reasons!  Both drivers left Richmond feeling that they got “the big screw job” from the NASCAR officials!

Bruised egos and hurt feelings

The first incident involved Carl Edwards.  He was involved in a somewhat confusing and questionable restart incident.

When the race restarted with 82 laps to, Edwards said he was told he had the lead back. But on the restart, NASCAR ruled that Stewart was leader and that Edwards jumped early and because of that, was penalized.

That penalty took him out of contention.

Edwards was having a very hard time accepting the penalty and its explanation after the race.

Carl’s explanation

“I am trying to not be too frustrated and say something stupid,” he said. “So right before that start my spotter Jason Hedleskey was told by NASCAR officials that the 99 was the leader, the 99 is the leader. Jason told me and I had a split second to decide what I was going to do. I thought, okay, NASCAR made a mistake and they lined us up wrong.

“I was at a disadvantage being on the outside so I thought I was getting the best start I could get. It looked like Tony waited or spun his tires so they black flagged me. I still don’t understand why they black flagged me. They said we were the leader and I restarted the best I could given the disadvantaged position I was in. The problem is I don’t know if NASCAR is going to take the stance that I jumped the start. If they are saying that I jumped the start then that would be real frustrating.

“I was on the outside and thought Tony Stewart was the leader on the inside. NASCAR told my spotter about three seconds before the restart that the 99 was the leader. They put us on the scoreboard as the leader and I realized I was at a disadvantaged position on the outside land and NASCAR made a little mistake. I got the best start I could and Tony didn’t start or spun his tires and NASCAR black flagged us. I don’t know why they black flagged me. I don’t think it is right and I don’t agree with it. Before I say something stupid because I am real frustrated I would like to go talk to them.”

Tony’s beef

Tony Stewart’s complaint was the water bottle that was the “culprit” for the debris yellow flag thrown with just 14 laps to go in the race was out of the groove, and had been lying there for eight laps!

The alleged presence of the bottle on the track brought out a caution flag. Busch beat the field out of the pits during that caution, kept the lead on the restart and easily held the lead to the checkered flag.

“It was a gift,” Busch said of the caution. “Man, I just don’t know where it came from or what it was or anything, but it doesn’t matter.”

Stewart said it mattered to him.

“That’s what it looked like to me,” he said when asked if the backstretch debris was a water bottle. “I mean, it was out of the groove. It had been sitting there for eight laps.”

The water bottle, however, had accomplices in deciding the outcome; the pit crews of the Busch and Stewart cars for starters. They sent Busch out first and Stewart out second.

“We came down pit road,” Busch said, “and Dave Rogers (crew chief) and these guys went to work and gave me a great pit stop – got me out front. Gave me the lead so I could restart the race how I wanted to. That was the win right there.”

Stewart flashed a different tone toward his crew.

Asked about being upset at his crew, he said, “No different than anybody else that has a scenario that happens tonight. You go back and try to work on it and try to remedy the problem and try to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Note to Tony and Carl

As I have oft-repeated over the past few years in my blog, when racing at the short tracks anywhere in this nation, you must first leave your egos, your feelings, and your weapons at the pit gate!  If you do this, you will not get your egos and your feelings hurt by the actions of your competitors, as well as, the sanctioning body of the race.  Likewise, it is also extremely important to leave all weapons at the pit gate, as well.  Thereby eliminating any possible homicides that would otherwise occur after the race, as the results of the beatin’, the bangin’, and the elevated tempers that naturally occur during the race!

Maybe before the race, as a part of the pre-race festivities, in addition to the invocation and the national anthem, the drivers and the pit crewmen should all hold hands and sing “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore”!  That surely would have a nice calming effect on all the competitors!  I am just sayin’…………………

What do you think?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!