Working On My Redneck ™ » dover

Harvick Has Team Mate Bowyer’s Back

Leon — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:18:38 +0000

(photo courtesy Leon Hammack)

It appears that Kevin Harvick has his team mates back. It also appears that Harvick didn’t take to kindly to Denny Hamlin’s assertion that Harvick’s team mate, Clint Bowyer is a cheater! Additionally, it appears that Harvick didn’t like the accusation from Hamlin that Richard Childress Racing, as a whole, are cheaters!

The Richard Childress Racing driver, Harvick, and the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, Hamlin, mixed it up both on the track and in the garage area Friday morning. The mix up resulted in some cosmetic damage to the race cars, and some bruised egos.

The incidents occurred a day after Hamlin called Bowyer, who was penalized by NASCAR after the car he drove last weekend did not pass inspection on Tuesday, and the RCR team cheaters.

Early in a 45-minute practice session, as their cars were building speed on the track, Harvick bumped into the rear of Hamlin’s car, and Hamlin responded with a tap of his own.

Later, in the garage, they exchanged words, and had to be separated by NASCAR Sprint Cup series director John Darby. After the war of words, neither Hamlin nor Harvick would talk to the slew of reporters, who had gathered in the garage area after the word got out about the confrontation.

Additionally, it was announced Saturday that the appeal for the Bowyer penalty will be heard on Wednesday afternoon.

Would you cover your best friend’s back, your team mate’s back, or your brother’s back? Did Hamlin call out the wrong dog? Harvick can be a pit bull! The RCR boys might be the wrong team to call out for a good old fashion alley fight!

What is your take on the Harvick-Hamlin feud?

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

Kyle Scores At The Autism Speaks 400

Leon — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:28:40 +0000

(photo courtesy NASCAR)

Kyle Busch, driving the JGR #18 M&M’s Toyota, only led 131 laps today, but he led the most important lap- the last one. With 38 laps to go, Busch capitalized on a pit road mistake by the HMS #48 Lowe’s Chevy. Johnson was flagged for speeding leaving the pits and had to return to the pits for a drive through penalty, relegating the #48 team to a 16th place finish Sunday.

The victory was the second for Busch during the Dover weekend, On Friday afternoon, Busch dominated the Camping World Truck Series race, but ran out of gas on the final restart and failed to bring home the victory for his Kyle Busch Motorsports #18 Toyota Tundra. On Saturday, however, Busch again thoroughly dominated the Nationwide Series race and was able to bring home a victory for his Nationwide JGR #18 Combos Toyota.

On Sunday, Busch was not the most dominating car, leading only 131 laps. Jimmie Johnson led a race high of over 200 laps, however, his speeding violation with 38 laps to go was all it took for Busch to “run off and hide” from the rest of the pack.

Jeff Burton finished second Sunday and Matt Kenseth was third.

Denny Hamlin, Busch’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, was fourth.

Points leader Kevin Harvick finished seventh. Busch moved from third to second in points – 69 behind Harvick – with the victory while Johnson fell two places to fourth.

It appears that Joe Gibbs Racing has found something that the other teams have yet to see with the return to the new/old rear deck spoiler. Since returning to the spoiler, Joe Gibbs Racing has won 4 of 7 the Sprint Cup races.

Is the Sprint Cup torch about to be passed from Hendrick Motorsports to Joe Gibbs Racing? What do you think?

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

Parity In NASCAR?

Leon — Sun, 16 May 2010 17:53:34 +0000

(photo courtesy NASCAR)

We’re hearing a phrase a lot these days which has not been heard much at all the last five years or so – parity among Sprint Cup teams. Quite simply, Hendrick Motorsports has been the top team and the rest were the bottom teams.

This weekend in the garages at Dover International Speedway, site of today’s Autism Speaks 400, the phrase was being thrown around like rice at a wedding.

Joe Gibbs Racing, Richard Childress Racing and Roush Fenway Racing have been crowding the Hendrick drivers off the podiums through the first 11 races and the media, at least, is taking notice.

Is it good, bad or temporary? What is your view on Sprint Cup parity?

Is this the year that another race team dethrones the 4 time Sprint Cup champion, Jimmie Johnson?

See you at the track!

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

Kyle A Helluva Win At Dover

Leon — Sun, 16 May 2010 00:26:59 +0000

(photo courtesy nascar,com)

Kyle Busch, in his JGR #18 Combos Toyota thoroughly dominated the Nationwide Helluva 200 from Dover International Speedway Saturday. Busch led 191 laps of the 205 laps that included the green-white-checkered finish!

On the first of the late restarts, Busch jumped to the lead but just behind him second-place Clint Bowyer was rear-ended by Denny Hamlin. Several cars which had shots at the victory were also caught up.

Bowyer went to the pits but just before the next restart, he came back out onto the track and rammed and spun Hamlin, who would have restarted second.

“It was nothing intentional,” Hamlin said of hitting Bowyer on the first restart. “I barely misjudged it. I didn’t know how close I was (to Bowyer’s bumper).

“I just barely clipped him. It ruined his day and it ruined our day.”

NASCAR officials ordered Bowyer to pits and then to a meeting with officials. Can we say, “Hey Clint just sign the check!”

On the second restart, a green-white-checkered, Busch blew out to a big lead and won by 1.2 seconds over Ryan Newman, driving the Phoenix Racing #1 Chevy. Jamie McMurray, diving the JR Motorsports #88 Chevy, was third and Reed Sorenson was fourth.

The series points leader,”Blazingly Bad” Brad Keselowski, has a very eventful afternoon. After blowing a front tire, spinning wildly on the front stretch, and keeping the car off both walls, brought his Penske Racing Ruby Tuesdays #22 Dodge home in 7th place this afternoon. With his 7th place finish today, Keselowski was able to maintain his series points lead.

All in all, ol Kylie showed the nationwide boys the fast way around the track!

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

Almirola Wins Truck Race At Dover

Leon — Sun, 16 May 2010 00:02:50 +0000

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR)

A race short on drama, ratcheted up the excitement during the closing laps when Aric Almirola pulled away from the field on a green-white-checkered flag finish to capture Friday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Dover 200.

It was the 26-year-old Almirola’s first victory in 55 career starts in NASCAR’s truck series. “It’s such a long time coming,” Almirola said. “I’ve raced a lot of NASCAR races. To finally be here in victory lane, what a treat.”

After cutting a right-front tire early in the day in the Billy Ballew Racing # 51 Toyota, Almirola was forced to overcome a two lap deficit. But he managed to take advantage of NASCAR’s wave around and free pass procedures to work his way back onto the lead lap.

After winning the pole and dominating most of the race, Kyle Busch in his KBM #18 Toyota Tundra, developed a faulty carburetor on what was to be the final restart of the race, allowing Almirola to slip past him for the win!

Busch was relegated to following the pace car into the pits and failed to finished the race! Once again Kyle Busch has the dominate truck or car and failed to secure the victory.

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

Rick Crawford Sitting Out The Dover Race

Leon — Thu, 13 May 2010 16:44:12 +0000

(photo courtesy jayski.com)

This Friday at Dover will mark the first time since 2005 that Rick Crawford of Mobile won’t be starting in a NASCAR Camping World truck series race.

Since 1997 Crawford has started 327 Truck races, missing just the one in 2005 at Kentucky after a hard crash during practice. But that streak comes to an end this week as his familiar No. 14 Ford has been parked for lack of a critical part — a logo on the hood.

Crawford and Circle Bar Racing owner Tom Mitchell have soldiered through this season without sponsorship, footing the bills out of pocket and hoping a new sponsor deal would come through. But it hasn’t happened.

Crawford isn’t calling it quits. He’s even considering the unthinkable — switching from his beloved Ford to another manufacturer.

Rick Crawford in a Toyota? That’s one of those events often compared to the likelihood of ice skating in hell!

And while it might cause heart flutters for fans of the Blue Oval, it should be remembered that Crawford hasn’t left Ford. Ford, when it cut its support of truck teams, left Crawford. (jayski.com)

The economy is really having a big affect on all of the NASCAR touring series, not just the Sprint cup series. It is a shame that a competitor like Rick Crawford is sitting out a Truck race. This former Daytona Truck race winner is not happy about watching the Dover race versus competing in that race!

Nevertheless, the truck race in Dover this Friday night should be quite an exciting race!

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

“The Petty Blue/Day-Glo Red” Re-Emerges

Leon — Mon, 10 May 2010 20:31:56 +0000

As a tribute to team owner and NASCAR legend Richard Petty, the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford will adorn old familiar colors for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. The Ford driven by AJ Allmendinger will bring back the “Petty Blue” and “Day-Glo Red” colors in honor of “The King,” who will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class on Sunday, May 23.

The throwback paint scheme will resemble the No. 43 machine Petty drove in 1984. That season, the driver collected his 199th career win at Dover. Petty holds the record for the most wins in NASCAR with 200.

“Obviously the No. 43 and Richard Petty are synonymous with NASCAR,” said Allmendinger. “To run this special throwback paint scheme at Dover as he’s being inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in the first class is really a pleasure. The people that are being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, they are the ones who made NASCAR what it is. Just to be a part of it is awesome. To be Richard’s driver, it’s an honor.”

Petty will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, May 16. The seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion won the inaugural race at Dover in 1969. He is also tied with Bobby Allison for the most wins at the one-mile track with seven.

It is only fitting that NASCAR honor one of its living legends! “The King” has done more for NASCAR than anyone one else who has ever been a part of this sport. When one thinks of NASCAR, the next thought is the “Petty Blue”#43 Plymouth of the 60′s and 70′s that showed the rest of the boys the fast way around the track!

For NASCAR, history is a very important! In just a few days NASCAR will open up their very own “Hall of Fame” in downtown Charlotte. To keep the sport growing NASCAR has learned that you must keep one eye on the future, all the while celebrating the past!

What do yo think?

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

Dover Is Kind To Johnson!

Leon — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:08:48 +0000

(photo by Leon Hammack)

Because the Hendrick Motorsports #48 Lowe’s Chevy has been so good at short and intermediate tracks in the final 10 races of the year, the Chase tracks, however his great finishes at Dover have been somewhat overlooked. The defending 3-time champion is looking for his first sweep of Dover since his rookie season, 2002, where he led a combined 358 laps. Five Chase starts at Dover have brought him a win in 2005 and two other top 10′s.

Johnson was the dominate car in May, leading 298 laps and getting his fourth win in 15 starts there. In spite of all the evidence that would lead one to believe that Johnson is the favorite for Sunday’s AAA 400 race, the driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevy takes a wait and see approach.

You can’t blame Johnson for being somewhat superstitious. None of the fall Dover winners have gone on to win the championship, Greg Biffle was the latest example winning the 2008 race. After all Johnson is trying to become the only driver to win 4 consecutive Championships in a row!

But the #48 Lowe’s team has already made history in the Chase and has reason to be confident in their ability to break “the curse”. While Johnson would like to sweep at Dover, it is not necessary. However, a good finish at Dover would put the team in a good position to break through at the 1.5 mile tracks of Kansas and Lowe’s.

If history serves this reporter well, Johnson has won 14 of the 51 races that compose The Chase to The Cup since it was conceived! Does that make Jimmie Johnson the favorite for the 2009 Championship? You tell me! Look where he is standing in the Chase standings, 2nd position just 35 points behind the leader.

What do you think about Jimmie Johnson’s chances of making history by winning four consecutive championships?

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

Could This Be The New Champion?

Leon — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:21:17 +0000

(photo by Leon Hammack)

With all the attention focused on the 50 year old, twice returned out of semi-retirement, Mark Martin, the #11 JGR FedEx Toyota driven by Denny Hamlin has quietly surged into a contenders role! Because the team scored a win at “the last race of the regular season”, Richmond, momentum has moved into their race shop! In the races leading up to The Chase For The Cup, Hamlin’s team has scored 4 top 10′s and 2 top 5′s. And did I mention that Hamlin finished second at Louden, and is tied with Jimmie Johnson for second place 35 points behind Mark Martin!

In order to be a contender all the way to the finale in Homestead, Hamlin must come out of Dover with a great finish. Going onto this weekend’s race, Hamlin has four consecutive finishes outside the top 35, including a last place finish in June 2008! According to NASCAR statistics, Hamlin has 7 Dover starts with an average finish of 22.1 and leading only 61 laps! Those statistics are not exactly sterling for this championship contending team. It is imperative that they overcome this tendency!

Still the entire #11 FedEx JGR Toyota team is extremely upbeat, especially Denny Hamlin. “We are really good and getting better and I think that sets up for a good run at Dover”, Hamlin reveals. It’s important that we have a good finish, but at Dover it’s important just to finish”, Hamlin adds.

Even though NASCAR has moved their celebration banquet from New York City to Las Vegas starting this year, if the #11 FedEx JGR Toyota team gets their wish it will be held at, you guessed it, DENNY’S!!

Do you think that this team has a viable shot at winning the championship? What do you think?

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