Back from Vacation and back in the Groove!!!

Well I've been out of touch for almost a solid week and I have to fess up that includes missing Sunday's race at California. I was at a cabin deep in the mountains of North Carolina, without phone, internet or any of the modern communications methods. It was odd not having access to the world for the week. However I did correctly pick that Jeff Gordon would win at California and it really boosts his momentum going into Daytona. I love the Daytona July race. It's one of the best and is almost the exact halfway point to the season.
I'm picking Dale Jr. this week. It's his time and he's due for another big one. He's been consistent so far this season. His California showing wasn't great but'll he recoup with a win this weekend at the place where his father died.
I have to say being out of touch with the world is a refreshing change from the normally hectic life. I did come out of hiding once over the weekend and took my sons to see the new Disney movie, "Cars" featuring Dale Jr., Richard Petty and other NASCAR greats. The music featuring Rascal Flatts covering the Tom Cochran tune "Life is a Highway" and Brad Paisley and others was great. The soundtrack is worth the purchase if you're a country music fan like me. Richard Petty was my favorite voice in the movie which is a tremendous movie because it's a great story about how winning isn't always everything. Sometimes just playing the game and giving of yourself to others is enough. And besides the way NASCAR is these days you can make a killing and never win a race. What a life!!!
Here's to our country's 230th birthday!!! NASCAR celebrates with a jamming Daytona party!!! Go Jr.!!!

Turning Left and RIGHT!!!

Yes this weekend NASCAR defies all the neighsayers who say the sport is only about turning left......
Yes this weekend it's left and RIGHT turns. I love it.
Sonoma has some of the finest Vineyards in the world and this road race at Infineon should prove to be a doozy!!!
Could be a rough weekend for points leader Jimmie Johnson. He's been dogged by all kinds of car problems at this track and never really done that well.
Same for Matt Kenseth....
This road course could be just what the doctor ordered for Jeff Gordon to gain ground in making the chase for the NEXTEL CUP. Gordon needs to put some distance between himself the other drivers floating just outside the top ten and he's good on these road courses. Nobody in NASCAR has won more road races than Gordon. He's got eight victories total and he's won more in Sonoma than anyone else as well. (four total at the California road course) He's my man this weekend.

Other possible winners: Tony Stewart. Enough said. Tony can turn left and right better than anybody but Gordon on the road courses. Robbie Gordon drives these tracks well also. He'll get a top ten finish barring any engine problems. Kurt Busch could come on strong here as well. He's shown a knack for driving well on the road courses. I predict he'll get a top five finish as well.
And finally, could Ryan Newman finally win a race. If he's gonna do it this year, it'll be in Sonoma this weekend!! We'll see what happens!!!
This weekend will mark the 100th Road Course Race in NASCAR history.
And of course every Tom, John and Larry who drives open wheel cars will be trying to qualify for this race. Seems those specialty drivers only come out of hiding here and at the other road course races. Boris Said appears to have the best shot and making a dent this weekend from that group.

Kasey At The Bat

Unlike the baseball Kasey......Mr. Kahne knows how to knock it out of the park. Way to go Kasey......It was a short day at Michigan because of the rain but Kasey showed true maturity when he had a motor overheat but didn't panic.
I think Carl Edwards would have taken the race had Kasey not beaten Edwards out of the pits on the Lap 112 pit stop. That was the key to the whole thing.
Kasey grabs a fourth victory of the year and appears to have Evernham Motorsports back in the spotlight just like the were in the old days with Bill Elliott. Of course the Evernham boys won at Michgan last August with Jeremy Mayfield so they know what they're doing at this track.
Lurking in the background......only 10 races to go till the NEXTEL CUP Chase for the Championship and Jimmie Johnson continued his points lead with a superstrong finish. Dale Jr. continues to show his consistency and he kept his spot in the top five in points by finishing third. He hasn't done well at these mid size tracks and this was a solid run for him.
He will be in the Cup Chase and with some luck and hopefully no big wrecks he could win it all. Wouldn't that be cool?
I'd love to see it. It's about time.....I mean he's got the talent, it just seems sometimes his luck runs dry.

Notes:
Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton looked great for Childress racing. The teammates finished back to back, Harvick in tenth and Burton eleventh.
As a result they both still contend to make the Cup Chase with ten more races for them to show consistency and make the run.
Do you like the points chase that NASCAR has adopted over the past several years? Do you think it's the best way to get a champion? Or would you like to see it the old way....where consistency wins the Championship. I think Jimmie Johnson would have won the past couple if it was done the way it used to be. Just my opinion. I still don't know if I'm sold on this points Chase like it is now.

Another question......Who's gonna drive the Red Bull Toyotas in 2007?
Where is Brian Vickers going? Just thoughts running through my head as the weather gets more summerlike and I start to dream about Daytona in July!!!!

Happenin' Hamlin!!!

Well what do you know. I knew Denny was gonna win one pretty soon and Pocono was the place. I do have to say I am partial to this track even though it's a zillion miles from Raleigh and the Carolinas. It's such a beautiful area of the country. And one of the top honeymoon destinations for Yankees and even some Southerners. Plus it's just a huge track.

I have to admit I was nervous when Jeff Gordon wrecked. I had flashes back to February 2001 when Dale Earnhardt Sr. hit the wall in a similar fashion. Plus Jeff didn't get out of the car for what seemed like an eternity. But I think because of the Hans device and the safer barriers on the walls Jeff didn't even get hurt. He hopped out and started inspecting his wrecked 24 Rainbow warrior ride. Thanks to NASCAR for picking up the pace on the safety improvements in the sport. That same wreck five years ago could have very easily ended Jeff Gordon's career or even his life. Thank God for styrofoam barriers and neck braces. It's a good thing for the sport.

Kyle Petty's tire had a life of it's own. I don't know what happened in that wreck but it sure looked like the wheel wanted to run a race on it's own once it broke loose from his car.

And how about that Darrell Watlrip. Ol' DW was flying like a bat out of you know where in his pre-race ride around. That's beginning to be one of my favorite pre-race features on the FOX sports coverage of NASCAR. DW drives that Petty Driving Experience car like he's in the real race and he shows no fear. Of course from one of the best drivers around you wouldn't expect anything less. Jeff Hammond's analysis is right on track and I love the cut away cars they use to show us what's up with the drivers on the track and the conditions that they're dealing with.
Here's to another exciting week of NEXTEL Cup action.

The Monster Mile was Magnificient!!!

Dover was a blast!!! That was a fun race to watch. I thought Jamie McMurray would hold on but Matt Kenseth had the juice. Congrats to Matt.
I was really pulling for Kevin Harvick. I thought he had enough to make the pass near the end but his car just couldn't manuever on the low or high side. But it was still a fantastic race for Childress Racing. Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton both made Richard proud!! Both in the top five. Now that's what I call cool!!! And to top it off Jeff Burton won the BUSCH race on Saturday making it a great weekend for him. Congrats to Jeff.

Observations
Ricky Rudd did a superb job filling in for Tony Stewart.
Jimmie Johnson was amazing. After starting 40th and dropping two laps back he finished on the lead lap in sixth. Now that's racin!!!!
Mark Martin is just as solid as they come. His consistency is amazing!!!

Overheard at Dover
Awesome Bill from Dawsonville Elliott will drive in Charlotte, Alanta and Texas in the fall for Red Bull. Red Bull is testing the waters as they get set for a full time Cup ride in 2007 that will feature the new entry in Cup racing....Toyota.

Mark Martin will move directly into ownership when he leaves Roush racing. Question is will he buy in with someone or field a team with Jack Roush? Interesting!!