Tag: Jeff Gordon

Rain… It is as necesary as air…

However, on race day for NASCAR Sprint Cup, it is as unwelcome as a Bud hat in a Miller campsite…

The entire season blew the storm of the Chase into Richmond with wildcards and points on the line. That storm was put off as another storm blew in and kept the race in the garage for almost two hours. NASCAR and RIR staff kept things tight as the rain moved out. After all, the plan was to run under the lights. The weather was watched and the decision was held. Jet dryers and utility vehicles did a number on the track to dry it out but even then they ran the first few laps under caution.

Finally they went green on a green track with any rubber from qualifying and the Nationwide race the day before  thrown to the inner wall. The crowd braved the rain to watch Jeff Gordon blow by pole sitter Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Dale, Jr. to regain the lead shortly after. (more…)

The NASCAR season is into the late half and so far, by design or luck, it is shaping up for big races. The “Chase” is winding with a few aces being held to the chest. The ingredients have been mixed and all that is left is to toss it in the oven and watch it rise.

There has been drama and controversy to keep the fans talking. Kurt Busch, for example, with media trouble and a race suspension from NASCAR trying to break him back inside the corral.  A.J. Allmendinger is another with a mark on substance abuse, suspension and a sanctioned rehab program. The continuing saga of Matt Kenseth making a jump for 2013 keeps some speculation in the conversation. (more…)

Racing at New Hampshire was in the pits, so to speak. The race itself brought a lot of close calls but little contact of consequence. The big picture included pit road and, yet again, some stiff lips from some of the drivers.

As an example, Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch take the run out for a pit stop just before David Reutimann blows an engine on the track. The caution throws Johnson and Busch to the back and a lap down but Johnson drew the “lucky dog” to regain the lap. NASCAR hasn’t exactly seemed consistent on the calls on cautions while other cars are handling green flag pit stops. At times it seems almost arbitrary. Perhaps it really is the luck of the split-second time of where, when and what color cap is being worn by the fan in seat 34B. (more…)

New pavement. New speeds.

Practice brought blistered tires and low lap times.

Now it is a wonder the place is even in one piece. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. lead and drove to the win. It is possible for miles around people in their homes were calling 911 about earthquakes. The epicenter was the Quicken Loans 400 as the #88 Diet Mtn. Dew/The Dark Knight Rises/National Guard Chevy crossed under the checkered flag.

He started in 17th. He made it to the front and of the 16 lead changes he was in front for 93 of the 200 laps.

His last NASCAR Sprint Cup win was 2008… At Michigan. (more…)

Martinsville Speedway racked up yet another Virginia twist on finishes at the historic track on Sunday, April 1st for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500. As it happens, we’ve often noticed quite a few fans making an exit around lap 450 or so to get a jump on traffic. However, in an effort to save a few minutes they also miss out on some of the best racing of the day. Martinsville is hardly predictable and making an exit believing you know the end is like leaving a John Wayne film before the fight scene.

Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon seemed to have it in the bag. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was making a run as well. Hendrick teams had the top 3 well to the finish. Gordon alone had the lead for most of the race up to that point anyway. It seemed to be a given that Johnson or Gordon would take the checkers. Although, with Dale Jr. running that close, many stayed that might have made the early exit otherwise. Junior will keep folks in their seats if he is running near the front.

It all seemed like a dead on predictable finish. Johnson had the lead and Gordon was chasing with Dale Jr. in the 3rd slot. As it happens so often at Martinsville, there was a caution in the final laps. This one brought about when David Reutimann rolled out to a stop on the front stretch. Confusing as he had just passed the entrance to pit road  on the opposite side of the short track. Whatever the reason for the stop of the #10, the caution was out for yet another green-white-checkered restart at Martinsville. Most of the field hit the pits for a splash and at least two tires. Gordon and Johnson stayed out assured they had enough fuel to make it. Their tires, however, were no match for fresh rubber on the cars lined up behind them for the restart.

With no traction to hold, the cars behind bunched up with Clint Bowyer going for the inside dive. Ryan Newman, who had been down a lap earlier, was also right there as the #48 and #24 lost grip with Bowyer’s car on the inside of turn one running three wide. Johnson and Gordon slid up and into the wall. Caution and another restart. This time, Ryan Newman was there to take advantage and the win.

Newman, in the #39 Outback Steak House Chevy with Stewart-Haas Racing, started in the fifth slot, was down a lap and fought back to the win. An amazing finish as team mate and owner Tony Stewart won the Fall race at Martinsville. An amazing finish with better cars dominating most of the day. An amazing finish with no apologies on the events that put Gordon and Johnson in the wall.

A.J. Allmendinger was in the slot for second, Dale Jr. rolled over in third, Matt Kenseth and Martin Truex, Jr. rounded out the top five for the finish order

Once again, the race proves out to the last laps at Martinsville. Next time you go, enjoy your day of racing and trackside fun but stay to the end. Racing is always hot and close at Martinsville but those last 10 laps always prove to be something to see.

Saturday and the Kroger 250 Camping World Series Truck race was also a pleasant watch. Kevin Harvick may have used all of his mojo on Saturday as he finished Sunday at 19th. Saturday, however, it was something to see as he lead 248 of the 250 laps to take the win. There was just no other truck able to hold back Harvick and the #2 Tide/Kroger Chevy. Ty Dillon and the Bass Pro Shops Chevy gave it a run at the close but finished where he started in the second slot.

How often do you see the pole sitter and the next starter finish in the same 1-2 order?

Martinsville always serves up good racing. Just, as we said before, stay to the end!

Sunday morning – Daytona 500 Race Day! Clicking into NASCAR.com first thing to check on updates for today and what do we see…? A big sidebar advertisement for Nationwide Insurance with Danica Patrick standing there…  Ironic…? Good timing…? After all, she has gone nose deep into concrete twice in three days and steps back into a new car. That would seem to be a good selling point for auto insurance… Right…?

But this race, this season… It’s not all about Danica Patrick. Every garage, team and driver has a story that brought them here and they all want the same thing. There are also the stories of those who are shut out of the barn for the big dance. Take Michael Waltrip, for example… Re-entering the field during Gatorade Dual Day, he attempted to leave the inner skirt of the track and get on the banking but the sudden angle change was too much at speed and the car jolted up the track and into the wall. That put him at #44 and one spot off the grid after pre-season wrangling to have a ride to qualify with. Yes, MWR still has cars on the track for the 500, but Michael isn’t in any of them. (more…)

Really…? Gordon… What was that?

Throughout the race it was evident that tapping on the left rear of a leading car at speed caused an undesirable result. You didn’t simply take the wind off the back causing a wobble and a move… You caused a massive loss of traction and control which put the lead car in a situation of pushing into others and you put yourself in a position to lose your own control and get into someone else.

Yes, Gordon… We know you wanted it but you did exactly what caused some big cautions earlier in the evening at Daytona. You got into Kyle Busch’s left rear. Busch went low and threw up a massive shower of sparks. Your front end washed and went high into two others, including teammate Johnson… You went into the wall, on your side, rolled a few times to be upside down.

We’re glad you are OK. We look forward to good things from you and the #24 this season. We’ll also concede that when you made the move, your outside was clear but by the time you went up that Daytona pavement it was crowded with sheet metal at speed. All in all it was a bad call and a move you’ve spoken out about in the past when it was the #24 in the garage after being crunched by a rookie move. You had a shot and blew it.

On Kyle Busch… Time and again he showed skill, determination and strategy in pulling the 18 out of trouble and back into position. Love him or hate him there is no doubt this guy can drive. At introductions he was jeered and booed… Gordon’s move with just a few laps left seemed to take all that negativity from the grandstands and pack it out the door.

Defending Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart was in the prime spot at the restart. Stewart was run down by a train on the outside. From what seemed like nowhere, Kyle Busch put the dented nose of the 18 into the draft of the 14 and the two pushed around to find the front yet again. Stewart looked ready to climb the podium but Busch slid from behind Stewart at just the right time and spot to roll by Stewart with that dented nose just in front for the win.

Busch took a car that was beat up and about as aerodynamic as the hauler that brought it and pushed it into victory lane at the Bud Shootout. Stewart took the flag on the inside and practically side by side with all the 14 could give but it just wasn’t enough against Kyle Busch.

Hats off to Kyle Busch and the #18 team for a drive, an effort, and a move that kept the 18 competitive to the win.

Stewart has nothing to hide and should be proud of a great Stewart-Haas race and result with the #14 team.

Gordon gave us footage for the 2012 highlight real and put a teammate into the garage.

The Bud Shootout. A preview of the Daytona 500 or a one-off to drive passion in NASCAR fans? We’ll find out next Sunday. Let’s go racing!