NASCAR - Kansas

Kansas was just plain old racing today. Some strategies but just racing, everyone pretty much stayed in their own space. Kyle Busch did not have the luck he had last weekend when he swept Texas. After spinning in the very beginning of the race everything just got worse. Matt Kenseth was the driver to beat, taking the pole and being the fastest in practice, he just kept the momentum going until the finish. Kasey Kahne came alive during the last laps and Jimmie Johnson was a threat for most of the race, leading a couple of times. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. a rookie this year even lead the race his first start at Kansas. A late caution just as Ricky and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were finishing there last pit stop, rendered them 11th and 16th respectfully. They were both in the top 5 before pitting.

Congratulations Matt Kenseth!!! Good job,. you were out front most all day. You had the car to beat and no one succeeded. Being the only Gibbs Toyota to not have any problems all day, you made sure your car came out on top. Good going...



Top Ten Recap:
1. Matt Kenseth - started 1 - up 2 positions to 8th
2. Kasey Kahne - started 27 - up 5 positions to 2nd
3. Jimmie Johnson - started 21 - remains Leader
4. Martin Truex Jr. - started 7 - up 5 positions to 14th
5. Clint Bowyer - started 10 - down 1 position to 9th
6. Brad Keslowski - started 33 - up 1 position to 6th
7. Jamie McMurray - started 14 - up 1 position to 11th
8. Aric Almirola - started 6 - remains in 13th
9. Mark Martin - started 8 - up 2 positions to 16th
10. Paul Memard - started 12 - down 1 position to 10th

Race for the Chase:
1. Jimmie Johnson - finished 3rd
2. Kasey Kahne - finished 2nd - up 5 positions
3. Brad Keslowski - finished 6th - up 1 position
4. Greg Biffle - finished 19th - down 1 position
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 16th - up 1 position
6. Carl Edwards - finished 17th - down 1 position
7. Kyle Busch - finished 38th - down 5 positions
8. Matt Kenseth - WINNER - up 2 positions
9. Clint Bowyer - finished 5th - down 1 position
10. Paul Menard - finished 10th - down 1 position
11. Jamie McMurray - finished 7th - up 1 position
12. Kevin Harvick - finished 12th - down 1 position

All positions in the changed this week with the exception of Jimmie Johnson.. Clint Bowyer and Paul Menard both finished in the 10 and still each lost 1 position...tough point system.
Kasey Kahne coming through with a 2nd place finished was the biggest mover up. Moving up 5 positions to 2nd.
Kyle Busch after a very bad day was biggest mover down. Moving down 5 positions from 2nd to 7th switching positions with Kasey.

Next race - Richmond - Toyota Owners 400 - Saturday April 27, 2013 - 7:30 pm est
Love night racing!!!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!!!
Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR - Martinsville

Martinsville - Short track racing is always fun to watch. Who is going to "tap" who is the name of the game. There was plenty of that going around today. No one really pissed anyone off, just hard racing. Jimmie Johnson was strong all day long. He was the dominate factor of the race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. started the race strong and seemed to be Johnson's biggest competitor, coming through the pack up into the top 5, but after being banged up, they just couldn't get the car right, rendering him to a 24th place finishing dropping 2 positions in the points. This was the first race Dale Jr. finished out of the top ten. Mark Martin took over the 11 car for Denny Hamlin this race, finishing in 10th today. Brian Vickers will take over the 11 car next week.   Danica Patrick posted a 12th place finish her first time on the Martinsville track. Going down a lap after Joe Nemechek spun her out, she made her was back on the lead lap and even though she a couple more run ins she held her own.

Congratulations Jimmie Johnson!!! Eighth win at Martinsville seems you just might have this track mastered. Dominating the race, taking the pole, leading 346 laps and winning. Being a Dale Jr. I have one question for you... You couldn't just let Dale Jr. go instead of going by him after he cut a tire and spun out, The rest of the field was courteous even to let him go, except you putting him down 2 laps instead... He is your teammate, or does that not mean anything to you, after he pushed you to 2 wins on super speedway tracks.
Top Ten Recap:
1. Jimmie Johnson - started 1 - up 2 positions to Leader
2. Clint Bowyer - started 15 - up 6 positions to 8th
3. Jeff Gordon - started 6 - up 6 positions to 12th
4. Kasey Kahne - started 5 - up 2 positions to 5th
5. Kyle Busch - started 11 - up 2 positions to 4th
6. Brad Keslowski - started 7 - remains in 2nd
7. Jamie McMurray - started 13 - up 3 positions to 13
8. Marcos Ambrose - started 2 - up 3 positions to 20th
9. Greg Biffle - started 22 - down 1 position to 6th
10. Mark Martin - started 35 - up 4 positions to 21st

Race for the Chase:
1. Jimmie Johnson - WINNER - up 2 positions
2. Brad Keslowski - finished 6th
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 24th - down 2 positions
4. Kyle Busch - finished 5th - up 2 positions
5. Kasey Kahne - finished 4th - up 2 positions
6. Greg Biffle - finished 9th - down 1 position
7. Carl Edwards - finished 15th - down 3 positions
8. Clint Bowyer - finished 2nd - up 6 positions
9. Paul Menard - finished 19th - down 1 position
10. Matt Kenseth - finished 14th - up 1 position
11. Joey Lagano - finished 23rd - down 2 positions
12. Jeff Gordon - finished 3rd - up 6 positions

Clint Bowyer and Jeff Gordon were the biggest movers up - both up 6 positions to 8th and 12th respectfully. Kurt Busch lost the most positions, 6 also after a fire under his hood ended his race with just 13 laps left giving him a 37th place finish. 22 cars finished on the lead lap...with only 8 cars actually off the track

Next race: Texas Motor Speedway - NRA 500 - Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 7:30pm est Night Racing Yeah!!!

Have a Wonderful Week
Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR - Chase Race #10 - Miami

 

 

Homestead Miami proved to be a great race for the finale of the season. With only 3 cautions, the green flag racing was good. The last caution coming on lap 154 and the last green on 162, leaving 103 laps and one more pit stop for everyone, pit strategy was critical. Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer running 1st and 2nd with a hand full of laps left took the chance that they saved enough gas to make it to the end. Bowyer never caught up with Gordon and Gordon gave Hendricks his first Miami win... Jimmie Johnson had problems towards the end of the race, sending him to the garage and ending his chase for his 6th Championship.

 

Congratulations Jeff Gordon!!! Staying out of trouble and just staying in the hunt til end and not pitting and pushing the fuel mileage limit to take the checkered flag... Having a few times racing Bowyer, you both acted like true racers, just proving that every once in while stuff happens, and that is just a part of racing.

Top Ten Recap:

1. Jeff Gordon - started 15 - up 1 positions to 10th

2. Clint Bowyer - started 6 - up 2 positions to 2nd

3. Ryan Newman - started 19 - remains in 14th

4. Kyle Busch - started 8 - remains in 13th

5. Greg Biffle - started 13 - up 2 positions to 5th

6. Martin Truex Jr. - started 7 - down 1 position to 11th

7. Aric Almirola - started 5 - up 2 position to 20th

8. Kevin Harvick - started 23 - remains in 8th

9. Kurt Busch - started 26 - remains in 25th

10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 16 - remains in 12th

 

Chase for Championship:

1. Brad Keslowski - finished 15th

2. Clint Bowyer - finished 2nd - up 1 position

3. Jimmie Johnson - finished 36th - down 1 position

4. Kasey Kahne - finished 21st - down 1 position

5. Greg Biffle - finished 5th - up 2 positions

6. Denny Hamlin - finished 24th - down 1 position

7. Matt Kenseth - finished 18th - down 1 position

8. Kevin Harvick - finished 8th

9. Tony Stewart - finished 17th

10. Jeff Gordon - WINNER - up 1 position

11. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 6th - down 1 position

12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 10th

 

 

Congratulations to Brad Keslowski, our little polack, great racing to win your first Sprint Cup Championship.... Way to go!!! Joining Jeff Gordon in winning a championship in just your 3rd full season.


Next Race - Daytona International Speedway - The Shootout - Saturday - February 16, 2013 - TBA -
90 Days and counting
Banquet - Las Vegas - November 30, 2012 - 8 pm on Speed Channel

Have a Nice Night
Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR - Chase Race #9 - Phoenix

NASCAR - Phoenix - First thing I must say about this race is NASCAR was very inconsistent in throwing the yellow flag. Two miscues in the throwing of the yellow flag late in the race cost a lot of teams wrecked race cars. No flag was thrown when Jeff Gordon hit the wall and put parts over the track, that flag could have preventing Jeff from wrecking Clint Bowyer. Then during the green, white checkered run, they again failed to throw the yellow when Danica Patrick got spun by Jeff Burton on the front stretch as the leaders took the white flag, getting as low as she could on the track the officials still let them race for the checker even though the track was covered with oil, wrecking cars as they crossed the finish line. Ryan Newman who finished 5th sat in the middle of the track, wrecked, just pass the finish line. Jeff Gordon admitted openly that he was after Clint Bowyer, said he had had enough and reached his limit. Both teams are on hot seat right now as to what NASCAR is going to do about the fighting incident. Personally I don't think anything should be done, let them race and fight. They certainly are not going to lose any fans from it, probably going to gain a few.

Congratulations Kevin Harvick!!! Where did he come from? is back. Staying out of trouble all race and playing some pit strategy Kevin drove the #29 Bud car home with just a little bit of gas left.
Bring him up 3 positions to 8th place in the points. Was a tough race for the Chasers today only 5 of the 12 finished in the top ten. Jimmie Johnson blew a tire and hit the wall, finishing in 32nd., Clint Bowyer was wrecked by Jeff Gordon, who wrecked himself also. Clint finishing 28th and watched his championship hopes die. Jeff Gordon finished in 30th. Martin Truex Jr. had engine problems very early in the race finishing 43rd. Tony Stewart hit the wall giving him a 20th place finish. Matt Kenseth just muddled his way to 14th and Dale Earnhardt Jr. just couldn't find the right set up finishing 21st.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Kevin Harvick - started 19 - up 3 positions to 8th
2. Denny Hamlin - started 3 - up 2 positions to 5th
3. Kyle Busch - started 1 - remains in 13th
4. Kasey Kahne - started 4 - up 1 position to 3rd
5. Ryan Newman -started 12 - remains in 14th
6. Brad Keslowski - started 14 - up 1 position to Leader
7. Greg Biffle - started 20 - up 3 positions to 7th
8. Kurt Busch - started 6 - remains in 25th
9. Paul Menard - started 7 - remains in 16th
10. Mark Martin - started 10 - remains in 26th

Chase Championship Race:
1. Brad Keslowski - finished 6th - up 1 position
2. Jimmie Johnson - finished 32nd - down 1 position
3. Kasey Kahne - finished 4th - up 1 position
4. Clint Bowyer - finished 28th - down 1 position
5. Denny Hamlin - finished 2nd - up 2 positions
6. Matt Kenseth - finished 14th - down 1 position
7. Greg Biffle - finished 7th - up 3 positions
8. Kevin Harvick - WINNER - up 3 positions
9. Tony Stewart - finished 20th - down 1 position
10. Jeff Gordon - finished 30th - down 4 positions
11. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 43rd - down 2 positions
12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 21st

Again this week every position in the chase changed, with the exception of Dale Jr. This is going to be one hell of a finish in Miami next week. Don't miss it.

Final Race: Homestead-Miami Motor Speedway - Ford EcoBoost 400 - November 18, 2012, 2pm est

Have a Wonderful Week
Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR - Chase Race #8 - Texas

Texas was an exciting race, green flag racing and cautions in clumps. Brad Keslowski gave it everything he could, opting for two tires at the end of the race put him up front but with three restarts within 40 laps and two of the them coming within the last 10 laps he just couldn't hold up to Johnson's 4. The last 10 laps proved to be nail biting and exciting, Keslowski trying to hold off Johnson for first place, leaned on Johnson hard, rubbing and racing, but when the choice came to wrecking Johnson and maybe himself, Brad opted to race clean and came in second behind Johnson and dropping another 5 points to 7 points back from the top spot.

Congratulations Jimmie Johnson!!! Starting from the pole, leading the most laps, dominating most all the race, and finishing top seed to top it all off. Extending his points lead to 7, the next 2 races are crucial. They should be very exciting racing, with the points lead so close, there is no room for error on either teams part.
Denny Hamlin's luck has run out, with a 20th place finish, his hopes are pretty much diminished. Kasey Kahne had a strong running car, but a late race flat tire. rendered him a 25th place finish.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Jimmie Johnson - started 1 - remains Chase Leader
2. Brad Keslowski - started 8 - remains in 2nd
3. Kyle Busch - started 3 - remains in 13th
4. Matt Kenseth - started 10 - up 3 positions to 5th
5. Tony Stewart - started 21 - up 2 positions to 8th
6. Clint Bowyer - started 4 - remains in 3rd
7. Dale Earnhardt - started 19 - remains in 12th
8. Kurt Busch - started 18th - remains in 25th
9. Kevin Harvick - started 23 - remains in 11th
10. Greg Biffle - started 2 - down 1 position to 10th

Chase for the Championship:
1. Jimmie Johnson - WINNER
2. Brad Keslowski - finished 2nd
3. Clint Bowyer - finished 6th
4. Kasey Kahne - finished 25th
5. Matt Kenseth -finished 4th - up 3 positions
6. Jeff Gordon - finished 14th
7. Denny Hamlin - finished 20th - down 2 positions
8. Tony Stewart - finished 5th - up 2 positions
9. Martin Truex, Jr. - finished 13th - down 2 positions
10. Greg Biffle - finished 10th - down 1 position
11. Kevin Harvick - finished 9th
12. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - finished 7th

Next Race - Phoenix International Speedway - AdvoCare 500 - Sunday, November 11, 2012 - 2pm est.

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care
 Barbara

NASCAR - Chase Race #6 - Kansas

Chase Race #6 Kansas - coming down to the wire with just 4 races left, points are getting tight and every lap counts. Brad Keslowski finished ahead of Jimmie Johnson but only by one position and because Jimmie lead a lap and Brad did not, Brad did not make up any ground lose last week at Charlotte. Kansas was littered with a record 14 caution flags, due mostly to popped tires causes cars to go into the wall, at the same time the race has some long green flag runs. The leader, whoever it was, seemed to pull away from the rest, clean air worked the best. Proven by Jimmie Johnson when he got caught on a yellow flag after making a green flag pit stop. Rendering him to the back of the pack and thus spinning out and damaging his car, even though this did not stop him or his crew to stay on the lead lap and still finish in the top ten.

Congratulation Matt Kenseth!!! A win truly deserved, after having trouble a couple of times during the race, the last time scraping the wall with just 47 laps left to race. Great driving. Martin Truex Jr. had a strong car, coming up fast just not enough laps left to catch you. Kasey Kahne had the fastest car at the end of the race but lost spots during the caution when he shut his car off and had trouble getting it restarted losing  4 positions and not able to make them back up. Greg Biffle had trouble again this week, being one of the cautions after popping a tire and hitting the wall hard. Greg was the only chaser, besides Dale Earnhardt Jr. to finish lower than 13th. Dropping him 5 positions in the points to 11th.
Dale Jr.  who sat out again this week after suffering a concussion at Taladega two weeks ago, seems to be on the mend and is scheduled back at Martinsville next week, pending tests be done on Monday and Tuesday.
Even though you didn't hear much about them during the race two drivers not in the chase made a great showing today. Paul Menard had a strong 3rd place finish and Regan Smith, subbing for Dale Jr. finished in 7th after starting 39th, good going Regan!.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Matt Kenseth - started 12 - up 2 positions to 9th
2. Martin Truex Jr. - started 16 - up 1 position to 6th
3. Paul Menard - started 14 - remains in 16th
4. Kasey Kahne - started 1 - remains in 5th
5. Tony Stewart - started 33 - up 1 position to 7th
6. Clint Bowyer - started 3 - remains in 4th
7. Regan Smith - started 39 - remains in 23rd
8. Brad Keslowski - started 25 - remains the Leader
9. Jimmie Johnson - started 7 - remains in 2nd
10. Jeff Gordon - started 19 - up 1 position to 8th

Chase for the Championship:
1. Brad Keslowski - finished 8th
2. Jimmie Johnson - finished 9th
3. Denny Hamlin - finished 13th
4. Clint Bowyer - finished 6th
5. Kasey Kahne - finished 4th
6. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 2nd - up 1 position
7. Tony Stewart - finished 5th - up 1 position
8. Jeff Gordon - finished 10th - up 1 position
9. Matt Kenseth - WINNER - up 2 positions
10. Kevin Harvick - finished 11th
11. Greg Biffle - finished 27th - down 5 positions
12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Did not start

Next Race - Martinsville Speedway - Turns Fast Relief 500 - Sunday, October 28, 2012 - 1pm est

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care
Barbara