NASCAR - Indianapolis

Indianapolis Brickyard 400 had some good racing today. Lots of passing and some fast cars. Jimmie Johnson dominated this race with a great car on rail. Matt Kenseth had a problem towards the end of the race rendering him a 35 place finish and losing the lead in the Chase. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a good car all day and came from 20th to 4th, continuing his awesome year and putting him in the Lead 14 points in front of Matt Kenseth.

Winning the Brickyard 400 - $430.00.00
Kissing the brick with your daughter -
PRICELESS

Congratulations Jimmie Johnson!!! You had by far the car to beat. Once out front there was no looking back. Very smooth driving throughout the race. Getting to "kiss the bricks" for the 4th time, tying Jeff Gordon and Rick Mears. With the added extra special moment of you and your daughter kissing them bricks, just precious.
 Brad Keslowski had a strong car, hoping to sweep Indianapolis, after winning the inaugural Nationwide race here at Indy.





Top Ten Recap:
1. Jimmie Johnson - started 6 - remains in 4th
2. Kyle Busch - started 7 - up 2 positions to 11th
3. Greg Biffle - started 5 - remains in 3rd
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 20 - up 1 position to the Lead
5. Jeff Gordon - started 9 - up 2 positions to 15th
6. Denny Hamlin - started 1 - remains in 5th
7. Ryan Newman - started 11 - remains in 14th
8. Martin Truex Jr. - started 17 - up 1 position to 7th
9. Brad Keslowski - started 22 - up 1 position to 9th
10. Tony Stewart - started 28 - down 1 position to 8th

Race for the Chase:
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 4th - up 1 position
2. Matt Kenseth - finished 35th - down 1 position
3. Greg Biffle - finished 3rd
4. Jimmie Johnson - WINNER
5. Denny Hamlin - finished 6th
6. Kevin Harvick - finished 13th
7. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 8th - up 1 position
8. Tony Stewart - finished 10th - down 1 position
9. Brad Keslowski - finished 9th - up 1 position
10. Clint Bowyer - finished 15th - down 1 position
11. Kyle Busch - finished 2nd - up 2 positions
12. Carl Edwards - finished 29 - down 1 position

Carl Edwards would lose his twelfth position with no wins. Kasey Kahne in 13th place would be the first wild card with 2 wins and Kyle Busch in 11th now, would be the second wild card. Wins mean a lot right now for getting into the chase. With only 6 races left until the Chase all the drivers will be driving for a WIN.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been strong about every race, the only driver this year to finish every race on the lead lap. Steve Latarte has been really good for Dale Jr. Taking over the lead in the Chase is a big boost for the team. Keep up the good work #88 team, looking good.

Next Race: Pocono Raceway - Pennsylvania 400 - August 5, 2012 - 12pm EST

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take care
Barbara

NASCAR - Loudon

What can I say about this race, when out front cars are awesome.  Miscommunication between Denny Hamlin and Darien Grubb cost Hamlin his third win and a top spot in the Chase. Only asking for "tires" Darien thought Denny meant he wanted 4, rendering him back to the 13th spot on the restart. He was by far the fastest car on the track, just running out of laps to catch Kasey, finishing in 2nd.
With the exception of Denny Hamlin who could pass at will, Loudon still does not have a lot of passing and racing. Don't know what is going on this year, but it seem whatever car is up front, it runs away. Clean air seems to be what these fuel injected engines thrive on.

Congratulations Kasey Kahne!!! You made it look easy... Running a consistent race and capitalizing on the mistake Denny Hamlin made in the pits. Gaining 4 positions in the Chase.  With two wins and making your way into the 12 now you have a strong position for being one of the wild card cars in the Chase.


Top Ten Recap:
1. Kasey Kahne - started 2 - up 4 positions to 12th
2. Denny Hamlin - started 3 - up 2 positions to 5th
3. Clint Bowyer - started 5 - up 1 position to 9th
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 9 - remains in 2nd
5. Brad Kesloswski - started 22 - down 1 position to 10th
6. Jeff Gordon - started 8 - remains in 17th
7. Jimmie Johnson - started 7 - remains in 4th
8. Kevin Harvick - started 12 - remains in 6th
9. Greg Biffle - started 11 - remains in 3rd
10. Ryan Newman - started 6 - up 1 position to 14th

Race to the Chase
1. Matt Kenseth - finished 13th
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 4th
3. Greg Biffle - finished 9th
4. Jimmie Johnson - finished 7th
5. Denny Hamlin - finished 2nd - up 2 positions
6. Kevin Harvick - finished 8th
7. Tony Stewart - finished 12th - down 2 positions
8. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 11th
9. Clint Bowyer - finished 3rd - up 1 position
10. Brad Keslowski - finished 5th - down 1 position
11. Carl Edwards - finished 18th
12. Kasey Kahne - WINNER - up 4 positions

Kyle Busch - 13th will be in the Chase and Carl Edwards with no wins with be out...
Ryan Newman in 14th and Joey Lagano in 16th are biting at the heals to be a wild card to the chase only 11 and 13 points behind Kasey, every position from now to the chase is crucial, watching this part of the chase should prove to be very interesting.

Next Week the Cup guys have the week off.
Nationwide Series is in Chicago for the STP 300 at 2 pm est. Sunday, July 22, 2012
Camping World Truck Series is also in Chicago for the American Ethanol 225 at 7:30pm est Saturday, July 21, 2012

Next Cup Race - Indianapolis Speedway - Crown Royal presents the "Your Hero's Name Here" 400 at the Brickyard - Sunday July 29, 2012 - 12pm est.

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR - Daytona

Daytona night racing is some great racing. I didn't watch alot of the race because I was spending some quality with my sister-in-law and her hubby and my nephew and his new bride. We had the pleasure of being at their wedding. There are not too many things I will miss a race for, but marriage of a close relative in one of them. Congratulations David and Whitney...  It was a beautiful ceremony on the beach. We had a great time... Love you guys...

We did get the see the last 20 laps of the race and excitement was the name of the game during those last 20 laps... Let's see we saw Brad Keslowski spin out all by himself... 2 multi- car  wrecks, the first taking out 2 of the Gibb Racing teammates, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch... the second taking out Greg Biffle, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and many others. Daytona is always an exciting race... I love how much racing goes on all during the racing and you never know what is going to happen.. Daytona never disappoints...

Congratulations Tony Stewart!!! You made those last couple of laps exciting ones... the pass you made on Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle was awesome.. you made it look easy...  the last big one happened behind you, while you were taking that checkered flag.. Looking good with 3 wins, securing you a spot in the chase...


Top Ten Recap
1. Tony Stewart - started 42 - up 4 positions to 5th
2. Jeff Burton - started 20 - up 2 positions to 18th
3. Matt Kenseth - started 1 - remains the Leader
4. Joey Lagano - started 19 - up 2 positions to 14th
5. Ryan Newman - started 2 - remains in 15th
6. Brad Keslowski - started 9 - up 1 position to 9th
7. Carl Edwards - started 12 - remains in 11th
8. Michael Waltrip - started 28 - up 5 positions to 39
9. Bobby LaBonte - started 41 - up 1 position to 24
10. David Reutimann - started 39 - up 1 position to 33

Race to the Chase
1. Matt Kenseth - finished 3rd
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 15th
3. Greg Biffle - finished 21st - up 1 position
4. Jimmie Johnson - finished 36th - down 1 position
5. Tony Stewart - WINNER - up 4 positions
6. Kevin Harvick - finished 23rd
7. Denny Hamlin - finished 25th - down 2 positions
8. Martin Truex, Jr. - finished 17th
9. Brad Keslowski - finished 6th - up 1 position
10. Clint Bowyer - finished 29th - down 3 positions
11. Carl Edwards - finished 12th - remains in 11th
12. Kyle Busch - finished 24th - remains in 12th

Joey Lagano in 14th place with 1 win, holds a position in the Chase

Next Race - New Hampshire Motor Speedway. - Lenox Industrial Tools 301 - Sunday, July 15, 2012, 12 pm est

Have a Wonderful Week
Take Care
Barbara