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 - Las Vegas - Kobalt Tools

Happy 41st Birthday Matt Kenseth and Congratulations on your Kobalt Tools 400 win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Only 1 of 2 drivers who have ever won on their birthdays, following Cale Yarlborough, twice, 1977 and 1983 and Kyle Busch in 2009.

Las Vegas provide some racing this week. There was passing including for the lead. One time during the race TV coverage did show the drivers get 4 wide for a few seconds going into a corner. Kasey Kahne dominated the first part of the race, leading the most laps, but with great pit strategy Kenseth and his new Joe Gibbs Racing crew led the most of final 40 laps, keeping Kasey at bay for the win. This was Matt's 3rd Las Vegas win and his 3rd race for Joe Gibbs Race.
Top Ten Recap:
1. Matt Kenseth - started 18 - up 11 positions to 7th
2. Kasey Kahne - started 4th - up 17 positions to 14th
3. Brad Keslowski - started 1 - up 1 position to 2nd
4. Kyle Busch - started 13 - up 16 positions to 17th
5. Carl Edwards - started 16 - up 6 positions to 5th
6. Jimmie Johnson - started 3 - remain in 1st
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 12 - down 1 positions to 3rd
8. Martin Truex Jr. - started 11 - up 12 positions to 22nd
9 Kevin Harvick - started 8 - up 11 positions to 19th
10. Paul Menard - started - up 5 positions to 12th

Race for the Chase:
1. Jimmie Johnson - finished 6th
2. Brad Keslowski - finished 3rd - up 1 position
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 7th - down 1 position
4. Denny Hamlin - finished 15th
5. Carl Edwards - finished 5th - up 6 positions
6. Mark Martin - finished 14th - up 1 position
7. Matt Kenseth - WINNER - up 11 positions
8. Greg Biffle - finished 17th - down 2 positions
9. Clint Bowyer - finished 27th - down 4 positions
10. Aric Almirola - finished 16th
11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. - finished 18th - down 2 positions
12. Paul Menard - finished 10th - up 5 positions

Biggest movers up this race were
Kasey Kahne up 17 positions to 14th - finishing 2nd
Kyle Busch up 16 positions to 17th - finishing 4th
Kevin Harvick - up 11 positions to 19th - finishing 9th
Matt Kenseth - up 11 positions to 7th - WINNER
Biggest mover down was:
Ryan Newman - down 11 positions - finishing 38th after blowing an engine

Next Race - Bristol Motor Speedway - Food City 500 - Sunday March 17, 2013 - 1 pm est

Have a Wonderful Week
Take Care

Barbara

NASCAR - Daytona 500

The 55th running of the Daytona 500. February 24, 2013. Danica Patrick makes history twice. The first woman to be on the pole for the Daytona 500. And leading the 90th, she became the first woman to lead a green flag lap.  She proved to all it just wasn't a fluke that she earned that pole position, staying up front all day, she showed how she can run with the big boys. Finishing a respectable 8th she should be proud, she is going to be scrutinized all season, being the first woman to show she can drive a car very, very fast. Go Danica!!! keep it going...

The Generation 6 cars made their debut in the Great American Race today. Nice to look at good the see the personalities of the different manufactures come out, but as far as the racing part goes, the race was pretty boring, everyone was running single file for most of the race. The top line seemed to work the best and that's where everyone stayed. Two "big" ones took out a few favorite contenders, including Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick. Brad Keslowski was "injured" a bit in the first wreck, but put the car back together with 200 mile an hour tape, never losing a lap. Between lap 179 and 190, Keslowski and Johnson actually raced side by side with two lines racing each other, the best part of the race. A caution on lap 190, for debris showed Jimmie Johnson in the lead, giving Johnson the outside lane on the restart

Congratulations Jimmie Johnson !!!

With just 8 laps to go, Brad got in the outside line and everyone stayed there until the last lap, when Dale Earnhardt Jr. running 4th, went for it.
Jimmy Johnson held off Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win his 2nd Daytona 500 in his 400th start, joining 5 others in the history of nascar to win in their 401st0th start.
Dale Earnhardt - 1992 - Charlotte, NC
Dave Marcis - 1982 - Richmond, VA
David Pearson - 1973 - Dover, DE
Richard Petty - 1968 - Asheville, NC
Lee Petty - 1960 - Pittsburg, PA

Top Ten Recap:
1. Jimmie Johnson - started 9th
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 19th
3. Mark Martin - started 14th
4. Brad Keslowski - started 15th
5. Ryan Newman - started 34th
6. Greg Biffle - started 5th
7. Regan Smith - started 40th
8. Danica Patrick - started 1st
9. Michael McDowell - started 38th
10. J.J. Yeley - started 41

Race for the Chase:
1. Jimmies Johnson - finished 1st
2. Dale Earnhardt - finished 2nd
3. Mark Martin - finished 3rd
4. Brad Keslowski - finished 4th
5. Ryan Newman - finished 5th
6. Greg Biffle - finished 6th
7. Danica Patrick - finished 8th
8. Michael McDowell - finished 9th
9. J.J. Yeley - finished 10th
10. Clint Bowyer - finished 11th
11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. - finished 12th
12. Aric Almirola - finished 13th

In case you don't know Regan Smith is running for points in the Nationwide Series, that is why his 7th place finish is not recorded in the Race for the Chase.

Need more racing guys, there is a reason they are called races, you are suppose to race not just follow the leader around the track. Let's up the Generation 6 cars are more racey at Phoenix.

Miraculously all the spectators that were injured in the horrendous crash in the Nationwide Race have been reported to all be in stable condition. Our thoughts and prayers are with them for a speedy recovery.

Next Race: - Phoenix International Raceway - Subway Fresh Fit 500 - March 3, 2013 - 3pm est.

Have a Wonderful Week
Take Care
Barbara



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NASCAR - Sprint Unlimited

2013 NASCAR Season has begun...

The "Sprint Unlimited" formerly the "Bud Shootout" and "Busch Clash" was action packed. Just 15 laps into the race 6 cars were involved in a crash. Tony Stewart in the process of blocking Marcos Ambrose got a little squirrely but managed to save his car, but caused the cars behind him to check up and wreck. Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, and Mark Martin were involved. Terry LaBonte left the race after just 3 laps. Tony took he first segment. The lead changed numerous times throught the last two segment. Matt Kenseth seemed to have the car to beat, but no one else had a car to keep up with him to stay behind him to push. Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt rubbed a little during the second segment, leaving Dale Earnhardt in the back of the back, finishing 8th after losing his aero-dynamics. Kevin Harvick ran a clean persistance race, holding off Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart by blocking all the way to the finish line. He won the second segment and the final lap was his... Great racing.. just the one caution. made for good racing the first race of the season...
Congratulations Kevin Harvick!!! Looking Good...

Final results:
1. Kevin Harvick #29
2. Greg Biffle #16
3. Joey Lagano #22
4. Tony Stewart #14
5. Matt Kenseth #20
6. Aric Almirola #43
7. Kasey Kahne #5
8. Dale Earnhardt #88
9. Martin Truex Jr. #56
10. Juan Montoya #42
11. Marcos Ambrose #9
12. Carl Edwards #99
13. Kurt Busch #78
14. Jimmie Johnson #48
15. Denny Hamlin #11
16. Kyle Busch #18
17. Jeff Gordon #24
18. Mark Martin #55
19. Terry LaBonte #32

Now I have give my opinion of the new format on NASCAR.com website... IT SUCKS!!!... They need to go back to the old one... Very hard to find stories and results of races.. not sure what they are going for, but it just needs to simple... not flashy...

Next race is the start of the Race for the Chase.... but before the race we have Qualifying on Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 1pm est., the Dual 150's, Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 2:30pm est
Daytona 500- Daytona International Raceway - Sunday, February 24, 2012 - 1pm est.

Have a Nice Night
Hope you come back tomorrow
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 - Race Chase #7 - Martinsville

Martinsville Speedway the 7th race in the chase. I was actually there watching the race today and am just getting home. I will recap it all for you tomorrow. I have listed my weekly list of winners and who is where in the points. Thank you for reading.

Had a good time at the race yesterday in Martinsville, right up to the last lap, when Jimmie Johnson won the race LOL... Seats were at the start/finish line, 2 rows up and only about 15 feet, yes 15 feet off the track, up close a personal and my favorite place to sit. The closer I am to the track the better, I love the smells, the wind, the sounds and the rubber off the tires literally flying at you. My son bought me the tickets for my birthday. The only down fall was because of the haulers in the infield we could not see the backstretch, but there was a big TV right in front of us, so we didn't miss much and there is nothing like watching the cars come down the front stretch straight at you and then watching them dive into turn 1 as they disappear out of sight. NASCAR racing is the best.
Congratulations Jimmie Johnson!!! started first, finished first. Dominate car all day. Very pushy all day long, nearly putting out three different cars. Putting you in the lead for the Chase at the moment, but watch your back because Brad Keslowski is very, very hungry for a Championship. Every Chase driver changed positions this week, with the exception of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and they thought Talladega was going to change up things. Martinsville proved to be a dilemma for 5 of the Chase drivers, Denny Hamlin, finishing in 33rd, had issues with his car, stopping in the middle of the track right at the start/finish, luckily everyone drove around him. Kevin Harvick, finishing 32nd, (as Darrell Waltrip would say ) blowed up. Tony Stewart, finishing 27th,  just couldn't get the car to handle the way he wanted. Martin Truex Jr., finishing 23rd,  never recovered from a pit road penalty and Dale Earnhardt Jr., finishing 21st, after a late race spin.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Jimmie Johnson - started on pole - up 1 position to Leader
2. Kyle Busch - started 3 - remains in 13th
3. Kasey Kahne - started 15 - up 1 position to 4th
4. Aric Almirola - started 10 - remains in 21st
5.Clint Bowyer - started 8 - up 1 position to 3rd
6. Brad Keslowski - started 32 - down 1 position to 2nd
7. Jeff Gordon - started 11 - up 2 positions to 6th
8. Brian Vickers - started 2 - up 1 position to 35th
9. Bobby Labonte - started 17 - remains in 24th/
10. Greg Biffle - started 30 - up 2 position in 9th

Race for the Championship:
1. Jimmie Johnson - WINNER - up 1 position
2. Brad Keslowski - finished 6th - down 1 position
3. Clint Bowyer - finished 5th - up 1 position
4. Kasey Kahne - finished 3rd - up 1 position
5. Denny Hamlin - finished 33rd - down 2 positions
6. Jeff Gordon - finished 7th - up 2 positions
7. Martin Truex, Jr. - finished 23rd - down 1 position
8. Matt Kenseth - finished 14th - up 1 position
9. Greg Biffle - finished 10th - up 2 positions
10. Tony Stewart - finished 27th - down 3 positions
11. Kevin Harvick - finished 32nd - down 1 position
12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 21st -

Next Race - Texas Motor Speedway - AAA Texas 500 - Sunday, November 4, 2012, 2pm.

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

NASCAR Chase Race #4 - Talladega

NASCAR Chase Race #4 - Talladega what can you say. Talladega never disappoints. Racing at its, sitting on the edge of your seat and nail biting best. I love Tallageda it is not short of drama. The big one didn't come until the last lap and what a big one it was. Tony Steward took the blame for it coming down to block the #55 Michael Waltrip and not having enough room, causing a multi-car pile up, taking out many of the Chase contenders. I do not understand how NASCAR is deciding who finished where when the big one happened. How did Jimmie Johnson finish 4 positions ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. when Jr. drove Jimmie to pit road. I hope they explain it some where and if someone out there knows where to find that I would be appreciate the link to the website. The drivers avoided the big one even though a few cars got loose and spun around, they didn't collect up anyone. The green, white, checker proved to be the beginning of the big one, with the drivers racing 4 wide all the way around the check after they took the green and still 4 wide when they took the white, it was inevitable that the big one would happen. The Chase Contenders involved were Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer and Kasey Kahne.

Congratulations Matt Kenseth!!! Making through a few squirrely incidents and saving your car twice to come home with the win, being up front when it counted in front of the wreck. Still an up hill climb to win the Championship, but winning is the way to do it.  Restrictor plate racing seems to be agreeing with you this year, winning at both Daytona and now Talladega.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Matt Kenseth - started 15 - remains in 12th
2. Jeff Gordon - started 6 - up 4 positions to 6th
3. Kyle Busch - started 13 - remains in 13th
4. David Ragan - started 25 - up 2 positions to 27th
5. Greg Biffle - started 5 - up 2 positions to 9th
6. Regan Smith - started 28 - remains in 23rd
7. Brad Keslowski - started 22 - remains in 1st
8. Travis Kvapil - started 36 - remains in 30th
9. Ryan Newman - started 2 - up 1 position to 14th
10 Jeff Burton - started 26 - remains in 19th

Race for Championship
1. Brad Keslowski - finished 7th
2. Jimmie Johnson - finished 17th
3. Denny Hamlin - finished 11th
4. Kasey Kahne - finished 13th - up 2 positions
5. Clint Bowyer - finished 23rd - down 1 position
6. Jeff Gordon - finished 2nd - up 4 positions
7. Tony Stewart - finished 22nd - down 2 positions
8. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 12th
9. Greg Biffle - finished 5th - up 2 positions
10. Kevin Harvick - finished 14th - down 1 position
11. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 21st - down 4 positions
12. Matt Kenseth - WINNER

Lot of change ups in the Chase - Dale Jr. dropping 4 positions with teammate Jeff Gordon gaining 4 positions - how quickly things happen. In contention one week and almost out of it the next.
I took my results off the NASCAR website right after the race, so if they happen to be wrong I will check tomorrow to make sure they haven't changed their minds where everyone finished.

Next Race - Charlotte Motor Speedway - Bank of America 500 - Saturday October 13, 2012 - 7pm
Any other year I would be there but this year my youngest son is getting married to a wonderful girl that day at 4pm and I couldn't talk them into getting married at the track LOL, so I will have to watch the race on TV that night.
Best wishes Joe and Amanda - love you

Have a Wonderful Week All!!!
Take Care
\Barbara

Chase Race #1 - Chicagoland

Chase Race #1 - Chicagoland - Lots of green flag racing, but not a lot of racing. Jimmie Johnson was the dominate car for most of the race. Brad Keslowski was the only car that had anything near Johnson's. The last run, Keslowski seemed to have found something, winning by a comfortable margin. A couple of the chase guys had some problems. Jeff Gordon's throttle stuck sending him into the wall, leaving him a 35th finishing position. Matt Kenseth broke a shock off his left front, finishing 18th and Denny Hamlin ran out of gas on the last lap, finishing 16th. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had to start 42nd after an engine change, he had a fast car at the beginnning of the race, pushing him into the 10 ten, the last part the race his car was just average, finishing 8th, his race for the championship is just a race away.

Congratulations Brad Keslowski!!! Strong car all day. Winning the first race of Chase and becoming the Points Leader for the first time in your career. You and your pit crew were right on today, giving you the positions you needed coming off the pits, and your driving like you stole it, put you in the coveted position all 11 other Chase drivers wanted. With 9 more races still to go and 7 of the Chase drivers finishing in the top 10, one bad race could ruin it all. The next couple of race will tell, with Jeff Gordon being 47 points in the hole after his disappointing finish. Kasey Kahne on the other hand moved up the ladder more than any driver today, 6 position putting him 5th in the Chase just 15 points behind. Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin were the big losers, all 3 losing 3 positions in the points.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Brad Keslowski - started 13 - up 3 position to Leader
2. Jimmie Johnson - started 1 - remains in 2nd
3. Kasey Kahne - started 6 - up 6 positions to 5th
4. Kyle Busch - started 21 - remains in 13th
5. Ryan Newman - started 20 - up 2 positions to 14th
6. Tony Stewart - started 29 - remains in 3rd
7. Joey Lagano - started 10 - remains in 18th
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 4 (43) - remains in 7th
9. Martin Truex Jr. - started 18 - up 1 position to 9th
10. Clint Bowyer - started 9 - remains in 6th

Championship Chase 2012
1. Brad Keslowski - WINNER
2. Jimmie Johnson - finished 2nd
3. Tony Stewart - finished 6th
4. Denny Hamlin - finished 16th - down 3 positions
5. Kasey Kahne - finished 3rd - up 6 positions
6. Clint Bowyer - finished 10th
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 8th
8. Greg Biffle - finished 13th - down 3 positions
9. Martin Truex Jr - finished 9th - up 1 position
10. Kevin Harvick - finished 12th - down 1 position
11. Matt Kenseth - finished 18th - down 3 positions
12. Jeff Gordon - finished 35th

Kyle Busch remains in 13th positions for the racing between the other drivers. Ryan Newman is the closest to him still 41 points behind him. Carl Edwards in 15th 42 points behind.

Seeing this is the first year with this points system on the side bar of this block, you will see where I am keeping up with the points WITHOUT  the Chase, and how the championship would turn out without a chase. Will be interesting... Hope you keep reading.

Chase Race #2 - New Hampshire International Speedway - Sylvania 400 -Sunday - September 23, 2012 - 1pm est.

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care
Barbara