Lap 61 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. is having transmission problems. His pit stop was long because of several changes made to the car, and a crewman helped install a bungee cord around the shifter so the car would remain in gear.
(I about had a heart attack)
Lap 70 -- YELLOW FLAG NO. 3: Scott Speed and Kyle Busch spin. Busch went below Speed to pass, and Busch's car got loose and spun, collecting Speed. Speed has some minor damage.
(Awwwwwwwww)
Lap 205 -- Kyle Busch slides into the top of the corner with a flat right-front tire. No damage. He gets it turned and onto pit road.
(Such a shame)
I enjoyed the battle between Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin and then in the closing laps, with Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin in which Johnson prevailed.
It was a great day for the entire Hendrick organization. Jimmie (1st), Jeff (4th), Mark (7th) and Dale Jr. (8th). Junior fans should be happy with an eighth place finish after what happened to him earlier in the day. A top ten finish is what Junior needed and he needs to continue to finish races that way.
It also was a great day for Stewart-Haas. Tony finished third and Newman finished sixth.
Next race: Texas
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Hendrick speaks about both Juniors
"What I want to say is that I am 100 percent behind this group. I have no intentions of making any changes. I have all intentions of making it better. And these guys are working their butts off no different than Stevie and Jeff did, and I've got to believe in the next few weeks, we are going to see some real success out of that crowd," said Hendrick.
"It's just one of those things that, you know, you can shuffle the deck and start all over, but when you see little things, a little tenth [of a second] here, a tenth there, with the people in the team, with the preparation, with the plan getting to the race track, we are just putting a lot of effort against it, and I think it's going to pay us some huge dividends."
"I see a lot of effort from everybody on the team, and that's what it takes to make it work," Hendrick said in a conference call with reporters. "There's just no way that these guys are going to sit in a meeting for three hours [Wednesday] and not come out of here with a plan that's going to make them better."
"The commitment from the guys on that team is there," Hendrick said. "And I kind of want to draw a parallel between, let's just take the 24 team [of Gordon] last year, and where they were, and everybody was saying, 'Hey, you need to replace Stevie or you need to do something, because they are just not running.' Last year at this time, the 88 was the best team we had on the complex, and they were the ones that were leading the charge. And then we kind of fell off toward about the Chase."
"Things were just, they didn't seem to work. And I can tell you that we have looked at everything. Dale Jr. is working out. He has changed his eating habits. We have got all of the folks that hopefully and supposedly know what to do here focused on that team, and I think the good news is, we are all trying, and I think that I'm not sure we will see the results tomorrow. But we have put all the effort we have against it, and right now, Tony Jr. is our guy."
"It's just one of those things that, you know, you can shuffle the deck and start all over, but when you see little things, a little tenth [of a second] here, a tenth there, with the people in the team, with the preparation, with the plan getting to the race track, we are just putting a lot of effort against it, and I think it's going to pay us some huge dividends."
"I see a lot of effort from everybody on the team, and that's what it takes to make it work," Hendrick said in a conference call with reporters. "There's just no way that these guys are going to sit in a meeting for three hours [Wednesday] and not come out of here with a plan that's going to make them better."
"The commitment from the guys on that team is there," Hendrick said. "And I kind of want to draw a parallel between, let's just take the 24 team [of Gordon] last year, and where they were, and everybody was saying, 'Hey, you need to replace Stevie or you need to do something, because they are just not running.' Last year at this time, the 88 was the best team we had on the complex, and they were the ones that were leading the charge. And then we kind of fell off toward about the Chase."
"Things were just, they didn't seem to work. And I can tell you that we have looked at everything. Dale Jr. is working out. He has changed his eating habits. We have got all of the folks that hopefully and supposedly know what to do here focused on that team, and I think the good news is, we are all trying, and I think that I'm not sure we will see the results tomorrow. But we have put all the effort we have against it, and right now, Tony Jr. is our guy."
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
I'm a Great-Aunt....AGAIN
I am a Great Aunt for the fourth time as of last night. One of my nephews (Jason) and his wife (Amy) became parents for the first time.
Christian David was born on March 23, 09. He was 7 lbs. 11oz. and was 19.5 inches! :) Mom and baby boy are doing great!
I'll be a Great Aunt for the fifth time very soon because another nephew and his wife are due next month I believe. They will be first time parents as well.
Geesh I feel old!!!!!
Christian David was born on March 23, 09. He was 7 lbs. 11oz. and was 19.5 inches! :) Mom and baby boy are doing great!
I'll be a Great Aunt for the fifth time very soon because another nephew and his wife are due next month I believe. They will be first time parents as well.
Geesh I feel old!!!!!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Bristol, Junior and Fan Loyalty
Ok, ok so I didn't really go outside halfway thru the race to watch the grass grow. But I did take Gunner out to a farm and we walked around a bit.
I had my Sirius on while I was in my truck making sure I didn't miss anything spectacular. So in all actuality I only missed about 45 minutes of the race.
You have to admit that since they reconfigured the track it hasn't been the same. On the other hand, I can't wait for Martinsville next weekend. That race should be fun, don't you agree?
As for Junior, I am truly disappointed with him, his entire crew and yes, with Tony Eury Jr. Tony needs to be more aggressive and not let Junior run the entire show. It's just not working. Don't get me wrong I love Junior and I truly believe he is an excellent driver, but he finished fourteenth while his teammates finished third, fourth and sixth.
I am sure some will question my loyalty to Junior after reading this post and I totally understand, but as a fan wouldn't you want your driver to excel instead of remaining mediocre? I know I do.
My dad says Junior isn't like his dad. No he isn't, but I do think he is more than capable of winning a championship. The only question I have is when.
P.S. Excuse my punctuation, I know it's awful.
I had my Sirius on while I was in my truck making sure I didn't miss anything spectacular. So in all actuality I only missed about 45 minutes of the race.
You have to admit that since they reconfigured the track it hasn't been the same. On the other hand, I can't wait for Martinsville next weekend. That race should be fun, don't you agree?
As for Junior, I am truly disappointed with him, his entire crew and yes, with Tony Eury Jr. Tony needs to be more aggressive and not let Junior run the entire show. It's just not working. Don't get me wrong I love Junior and I truly believe he is an excellent driver, but he finished fourteenth while his teammates finished third, fourth and sixth.
I am sure some will question my loyalty to Junior after reading this post and I totally understand, but as a fan wouldn't you want your driver to excel instead of remaining mediocre? I know I do.
My dad says Junior isn't like his dad. No he isn't, but I do think he is more than capable of winning a championship. The only question I have is when.
P.S. Excuse my punctuation, I know it's awful.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Yawwwwwwwn Bristol
~Empty seats in the stands.
~Halfway in the race, I went outside to watch the grass grow...it was more interesting.
~Junior finished 14th.
~Kyle Busch won.
~What a disappointing raceday.
More later...maybe.
~Halfway in the race, I went outside to watch the grass grow...it was more interesting.
~Junior finished 14th.
~Kyle Busch won.
~What a disappointing raceday.
More later...maybe.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Earnhardt on Eury: He is the only crew chief for me
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. can handle the criticism. If you want to blame someone for his rather underwhelming first 40 races at Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR's most popular driver urges you to point the finger squarely at him. But attacking his crew chief? That's going a little too far.
Yet Earnhardt hears it, on a regular basis -- fans, reporters and opinion-makers all blaming crew chief Tony Eury Jr. for the struggles of the No. 88 team, which has won once since Earnhardt moved to Hendrick at the beginning of last year. His reaction is a shake of the head and more solid support for his cousin, who's been on the pit box in some capacity for all but one of the driver's 18 career Cup victories.
"I've said it 100 times, and it just doesn't seem to make a dent, but the guy that I feel bad for is Tony Jr., because he gets criticized so badly. And everyone in this [media] room, some of you have criticized him yourselves, know how smart a guy he is, truly know that he's a good mechanic and a solid crew chief. He just wanted to do this for a living, just like I do. I'll take the fall. I'd rather be crucified than him, because every time I read in the paper that people are on his case, I feel like people are sending my brother to jail for a crime I committed," Earnhardt said Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway.
"I feel bad for him, because he just wants to work and have fun and just wants to race. That's what everybody in the garage wants to do, they just want to race. But I understand that I need to run better, I understand ya'lls point of view when ya'll say, 'What gives? Where's the results?' I understand that, and I'm out there busting my butt trying to make it happen. And that's my goal until nobody will employ me in this sport. That's my goal, to make it happen. I just wish it was an easier job for him." Read the rest of the story here.
Yet Earnhardt hears it, on a regular basis -- fans, reporters and opinion-makers all blaming crew chief Tony Eury Jr. for the struggles of the No. 88 team, which has won once since Earnhardt moved to Hendrick at the beginning of last year. His reaction is a shake of the head and more solid support for his cousin, who's been on the pit box in some capacity for all but one of the driver's 18 career Cup victories.
"I've said it 100 times, and it just doesn't seem to make a dent, but the guy that I feel bad for is Tony Jr., because he gets criticized so badly. And everyone in this [media] room, some of you have criticized him yourselves, know how smart a guy he is, truly know that he's a good mechanic and a solid crew chief. He just wanted to do this for a living, just like I do. I'll take the fall. I'd rather be crucified than him, because every time I read in the paper that people are on his case, I feel like people are sending my brother to jail for a crime I committed," Earnhardt said Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway.
"I feel bad for him, because he just wants to work and have fun and just wants to race. That's what everybody in the garage wants to do, they just want to race. But I understand that I need to run better, I understand ya'lls point of view when ya'll say, 'What gives? Where's the results?' I understand that, and I'm out there busting my butt trying to make it happen. And that's my goal until nobody will employ me in this sport. That's my goal, to make it happen. I just wish it was an easier job for him." Read the rest of the story here.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Biffle pulls out of race with injured ribs
From The AP:
Greg Biffle bruised his ribs while fishing earlier this week and will not race in the Nationwide Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Biffle, who will race in the premier Sprint Cup Series event, said he was hurt Tuesday night when he jumped from the dock to the boat and slipped in a wet spot. He banged his right side on the boat.
“I wish I had a better story, I really do,” he said Friday at Bristol. “It’s just one of those freak, stupid accidents where you take a fall and you have no way to stop it or brace it or grab because I was over top of water. You’re gonna land on your ribs with all your weight, plus you jumped on top of it, so it was a stupid deal.
“I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. Everybody’s jumped onto a boat before, but I just lost my footing.”
Matt Kenseth will replace Biffle in Saturday’s race, but Biffle plans to be in his car for the Sprint Cup race Sunday. Biffle is third in the Nationwide standings, 10th in the Sprint Cup Series.
Biffle decided to rest during the Nationwide event rather than risk aggravating his injury before Sunday’s 500-mile main event.
“I’m just focusing on the Cup race because if you’re bruised and if you get in a wreck in the Nationwide car, you blow a tire, you know how easy it is to get in a chain-reaction crash here,” he said. “I’m thinking, `Why be even more sore for Sunday if something happened?’ “
Biffle said he went to Roush Fenway Racing and sat in a race car to see how comfortable he was in the seat. He found it was more comfortable in the cockpit than it was in his personal vehicle.
“I actually feel better sitting in that (race car) seat because it’s hard foam and it’s molded. It doesn’t create any pressure points,” he said. “When you sit in a seat that has a lumbar support cushion, it’s pushing in on you when you’re naturally sitting in it like an easy chair or something, whereas this is hard and rigid and it fits your body.”
Greg Biffle bruised his ribs while fishing earlier this week and will not race in the Nationwide Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Biffle, who will race in the premier Sprint Cup Series event, said he was hurt Tuesday night when he jumped from the dock to the boat and slipped in a wet spot. He banged his right side on the boat.
“I wish I had a better story, I really do,” he said Friday at Bristol. “It’s just one of those freak, stupid accidents where you take a fall and you have no way to stop it or brace it or grab because I was over top of water. You’re gonna land on your ribs with all your weight, plus you jumped on top of it, so it was a stupid deal.
“I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. Everybody’s jumped onto a boat before, but I just lost my footing.”
Matt Kenseth will replace Biffle in Saturday’s race, but Biffle plans to be in his car for the Sprint Cup race Sunday. Biffle is third in the Nationwide standings, 10th in the Sprint Cup Series.
Biffle decided to rest during the Nationwide event rather than risk aggravating his injury before Sunday’s 500-mile main event.
“I’m just focusing on the Cup race because if you’re bruised and if you get in a wreck in the Nationwide car, you blow a tire, you know how easy it is to get in a chain-reaction crash here,” he said. “I’m thinking, `Why be even more sore for Sunday if something happened?’ “
Biffle said he went to Roush Fenway Racing and sat in a race car to see how comfortable he was in the seat. He found it was more comfortable in the cockpit than it was in his personal vehicle.
“I actually feel better sitting in that (race car) seat because it’s hard foam and it’s molded. It doesn’t create any pressure points,” he said. “When you sit in a seat that has a lumbar support cushion, it’s pushing in on you when you’re naturally sitting in it like an easy chair or something, whereas this is hard and rigid and it fits your body.”
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Join Team Kyle and help Victory Junction
Victory Junction will join PayPal, in partnership with Mashable, for the first Social Media Smackdown for charity. From March 16 to March 26, the contest will challenge several celebrities and bloggers to raise money for a favorite charity.
Victory Junction is excited to participate in this charity challenge so we can raise awareness and funds for children with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses.
You can donate online at www.charitysmackdown.com. The winning team’s charity will receive an additional donation from PayPal.
Victory Junction is excited to participate in this charity challenge so we can raise awareness and funds for children with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses.
You can donate online at www.charitysmackdown.com. The winning team’s charity will receive an additional donation from PayPal.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Whew!
Ok, I think I'm done with this whole template thing. I am not overly thrilled with it, but I think I did a good job. I don't care for the colors that much, but that's all I could come up with.
I'm pooped.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
I'm pooped.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Under Construction
I'm messing around with templates and such, so please forgive the mess. It's 1:30 in the morning and I have had enough playing with templates for one day.
Why do I subject myself to this kind of torture? I haven't a clue.
Please be patient with me.
Update: HELP! If anyone is in the mood to make a blog header similar to the one I used to have? Please let me know, because I can't seem to get my old blog header to fit right. Thanks!
Why do I subject myself to this kind of torture? I haven't a clue.
Please be patient with me.
Update: HELP! If anyone is in the mood to make a blog header similar to the one I used to have? Please let me know, because I can't seem to get my old blog header to fit right. Thanks!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Crewman who ran after tire suspended four races
Jimmy Watts, a crew member for the No. 47 team in the Sprint Cup Series, has been suspended from the next four races (until April 22) for rule violations during this past Sunday's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Watts was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 9-15-U (crew members must not go on the race track for any reason while the cars are racing or while the cars are running under the yellow flag or the red flag, unless otherwise directed to do so by a NASCAR official). Watts has also been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.
In addition, Frank Kerr, crew chief for the No. 47, has been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31 for violating Sections 12-1 and 9-4-A (crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of the team).
On Lap 67, Watts, gas man for Marcos Ambrose's team, chased a runaway tire into the grass of the quad-oval below the frontstretch grandstands during a round of green-flag pit stops. NASCAR called a caution for safety reasons, trapping the majority of the field a lap down.
Watts was suspended for the remainder of the race.
Watts was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 9-15-U (crew members must not go on the race track for any reason while the cars are racing or while the cars are running under the yellow flag or the red flag, unless otherwise directed to do so by a NASCAR official). Watts has also been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.
In addition, Frank Kerr, crew chief for the No. 47, has been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31 for violating Sections 12-1 and 9-4-A (crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of the team).
On Lap 67, Watts, gas man for Marcos Ambrose's team, chased a runaway tire into the grass of the quad-oval below the frontstretch grandstands during a round of green-flag pit stops. NASCAR called a caution for safety reasons, trapping the majority of the field a lap down.
Watts was suspended for the remainder of the race.
Monday, March 09, 2009
NASCAR Nationwide Series Race Package
Calling all NASCAR fans! Don't miss this opportunity to watch NASCAR greats compete from the Pit. Enjoy 2 full access pit & garage passes to the NASCAR Nationwide Series on April 11 at Nashville Speedway. You will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Braun Racing Team Family, feel the wind as the cars scream past you and experience the excitement first-hand as the race unfolds right in front of you.
This item is open for bidding March 10-18 at http://auction.wkno.org/.
This item is open for bidding March 10-18 at http://auction.wkno.org/.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Truex taken to hospital, treated for kidney stones
HAMPTON, Ga. -- Martin Truex Jr., driver of the No 1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, was transported by ambulance from the infield care center at Atlanta Motor Speedway to the emergency room of a local hospital, where he is being treated for kidney stones, NASCAR officials confirmed Saturday.
How well Truex responds to treatment will determine his status for Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500 Sprint Cup race. Currently 26th in the Cup championship standings, Truex qualified 23rd for Sunday's race.
Truex was 15th-fastest in Saturday's final Cup practice, but the discomfort he felt during that session prompted the trip to the care center.
Anticipating Truex's release from the hospital Saturday evening, EGR spokesperson John Olguin said, "As of right now, we expect him to be in the car."
How well Truex responds to treatment will determine his status for Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500 Sprint Cup race. Currently 26th in the Cup championship standings, Truex qualified 23rd for Sunday's race.
Truex was 15th-fastest in Saturday's final Cup practice, but the discomfort he felt during that session prompted the trip to the care center.
Anticipating Truex's release from the hospital Saturday evening, EGR spokesperson John Olguin said, "As of right now, we expect him to be in the car."
Monday, March 02, 2009
Daytona, Fontana and Vegas
I haven't posted anything about the last three races and I apologize for that. I have been pretty sick and frankly I haven't had any ambition to even sit in my chair.
I'm feeling a little better, so here it goes:
Daytona: We had a great time visiting my parents and going to the Nationwide race. The Daytona 500 was a different story. My dad, my husband and I were all disappointed with Junior's performance. His run-in with Vickers was not solely his fault. However, the pit stop mistakes were his as well as his Crew Chief's. I am not a fan of Tony Eury Jr., and despite what Junior says, I believe Eury is the wrong person for the job.
We were also very frustrated that NASCAR started the race so late. If NASCAR started it at as late as 2PM, the entire race could have been ran. Instead NASCAR starts the race at 3:30 and ruins everything.
My husband and I made a decision to not go to the Daytona 500 for a while, however we are definitely leaving our options open when it comes to other races during speedweeks. We just had enough of the Daytona 500 after 4 years.
Fontana: Holy snore fest! I changed channels, took a nap and did some laundry instead of watching the race. Then the mother of all disappointments - Junior's engine failure. Pfft!
Hendrick Motorsports officials say bad parts led to mechanical failures that knocked Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin out of The Auto Club 500 at Fontana.
"Both cars had valve-train failures that were related to a specific batch of parts from a vendor," said Dough Duchardt, Hendrick's vice president of development.
Las Vegas: Between the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races I think there was a total of twenty something cautions, over 40 pit row penalties (32 in the Nationwide race alone) and plenty of engine problems. But when everything was said and done Junior managed to have a great weekend (thankfully).
"We really, really needed it," Earnhardt said afterward. "We know that we need to put together about six or seven good weeks to give ourselves a shot at getting back in the battle for the Chase. We've got some good tracks in a row here where we can do that. We've just got to keep our heads on straight. The problem with speeding on pit road is just trying too hard, and that can hurt you as bad as not trying enough."
Next up is Atlanta and then Bristol. Both racetracks should provide for some excellent racing. I can't wait.
I'm feeling a little better, so here it goes:
Daytona: We had a great time visiting my parents and going to the Nationwide race. The Daytona 500 was a different story. My dad, my husband and I were all disappointed with Junior's performance. His run-in with Vickers was not solely his fault. However, the pit stop mistakes were his as well as his Crew Chief's. I am not a fan of Tony Eury Jr., and despite what Junior says, I believe Eury is the wrong person for the job.
We were also very frustrated that NASCAR started the race so late. If NASCAR started it at as late as 2PM, the entire race could have been ran. Instead NASCAR starts the race at 3:30 and ruins everything.
My husband and I made a decision to not go to the Daytona 500 for a while, however we are definitely leaving our options open when it comes to other races during speedweeks. We just had enough of the Daytona 500 after 4 years.
Fontana: Holy snore fest! I changed channels, took a nap and did some laundry instead of watching the race. Then the mother of all disappointments - Junior's engine failure. Pfft!
Hendrick Motorsports officials say bad parts led to mechanical failures that knocked Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin out of The Auto Club 500 at Fontana.
"Both cars had valve-train failures that were related to a specific batch of parts from a vendor," said Dough Duchardt, Hendrick's vice president of development.
Las Vegas: Between the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races I think there was a total of twenty something cautions, over 40 pit row penalties (32 in the Nationwide race alone) and plenty of engine problems. But when everything was said and done Junior managed to have a great weekend (thankfully).
"We really, really needed it," Earnhardt said afterward. "We know that we need to put together about six or seven good weeks to give ourselves a shot at getting back in the battle for the Chase. We've got some good tracks in a row here where we can do that. We've just got to keep our heads on straight. The problem with speeding on pit road is just trying too hard, and that can hurt you as bad as not trying enough."
Next up is Atlanta and then Bristol. Both racetracks should provide for some excellent racing. I can't wait.
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