Can you the sport fanatic of whatever sport it is, answer this question; why do athletes fight with one another? Can you explain the facts behind this question that many ask and what goes through the head of an athlete when they are fighting? In any sport that is out there from American to foreign, there are athletes that fight. Scratch the boxing and sports that actually do involve fighting. So many people ask and wonder why an athlete is willing to risk injury in a sport that they have dedicated their life to. If you can answer this, then you have one of many ideas that sport fans have.

Sticking to American sports, which I know more about than foreign, athletes are paid millions to go out there and entertain the fans, show off their talent, and enjoy the game that they grew up playing. Other athletes in their particular sport that fight and ruin the fun of the game over shadow the players that are willing to play for the game they love and show what talent they have. Each sport has their deal of fighting, some years nothing happens, yet other years are nothing but ruined with athletes arguing and fighting over a little issue.

           

I asked you if you could answer this question and as I said it would be one of many that would be spoken by fans. We the sport fanatics or fans can debate this issue for years and go nowhere, yet leaving a path of more questions that will be shoved into a book and closed. We can answer this question, but any sport director, chairman, president, or anyone that has a hand in a sports figuration will ignore us and continue to watch fighting ruin the sports we love. We can change a sport, yet we do the same as those who control them, we continue to watch and root on the arguing and anger. How can we stop the fighting in the sports we love you ask, as I said before one question leads to another, yet some would say boycotting the sport could solve it, not attending events. Possibly, but if only a hand full do it and others continue to go, what have you done? Again nothing and yet another question appears.           

I asked you to answer this question and you’re wondering what I think, well I can say this, if in a sport the fighting is getting to point of boredom, write to the head people explaining you’re thoughts in a good way and if that does not happen in many sports fans are right there with the athletes, tell them how you feel and other than that I have no answer. Maybe it’s the millions of dollars the athlete gets to play a sort that we once play as kids for free and fun. Maybe it’s the endorsements from television clogging the minds of young intelligent people, which they forget that they are out there to entertain others, be role models, and to play for the love of the game. Can you answer this question without having another come up? I will let you decide the answer to that.

There are more drivers these days than there are seats. Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek are out of rides as their old owner, Ginn, had to sell his company to DEI. Is it me or are Owners losing money due to poor talented drivers or just the lack of seats available for the team?

I know a lot of drivers in the Bush Series are fighting with others for a seat in the Nextel-Sprint Cup. The numbers of owners are starting to dwindle, due to the fact of sponsor and driver pressure. The question is can an owner survive in the bigs without a talented driver or good sponsor or equipment? 

This is what I feel is the Mid-Term report card. Some of this might be a little too generis and some not. Here’s a break down of this year’s teams and their driver on how they are doing this season.

Hendrick:

I’ll give Hendrick an A for the way they are dominating this year. They have 10 wins this year and are showing that the COT isn’t hurting they for next year. They have 3 drivers in the Chase as of now and 2 are a definite in. 

 

#5 Kyle Busch - C – He hasn’t made a challenge for many races this year. He won the first COT race at Bristol, but still has an attitude problem towards his team. 

 

#24 Jeff Gordon – A – He has had a year to remember, tying and then passing the late Earnhardt for wins. He currently has 4 wins this year and looks to contend for his 5th championship. 

 

#25 Casey Mears – B – Won his first race of his career at Charlotte and has continued to gain momentum.

 

# 48 Jimmie Johnson – A – Same as his owner, Gordon, having the year that could help him defend his title from ‘06’. 4 wins this year tied with his teammate for the most, looks like it could be a Hendrick fight for the championship.  

 

DEI: 

I’ll give DEI a B due to the fact that they have only 1 win this year and one driver is on a streak, while the other is leaving. They currently have 2 drivers in the Chase and they are both currently the last 2 qualifiers in 11th and 12th.  

 

#1 Martin Truex Jr – A – Won his first race at Dover and has continued a streak of top 10’s.

 

#8 Dale Earnhardt Jr – B – Hasn’t had the year he would like. Has been the talk of the year about leaving DEI for Hendrick, but hasn’t shown anything else. Struggling to stay in the Chase, currently 12th, last place to make it, and has not won a race so far.

 

#15 Paul Menard – D – Has not made many races this year and when he does he isn’t a contender. Needs to get some more power or at least something from his team to help him learn a little. 

 

Gibbs: 

I’ll give Gibbs a B for his team struggling to get along. He has 2 in the Chase, but they are also the two that wrecked at Daytona. Has 2 wins this year coming a Chicagoland and has nothing else to show for. 

 

#20 Tony Stewart – B – Won at Chicagoland last week and is in the top 12 for the chase. Has been acting like the old Stewart that doesn’t care about what others think. Has blamed his own teammate for his own mistake. 

 

#11 Denny Hamlin – B – Has not had the season he had last year by sweeping both Pocono races, but has won at New Hampshire this year. Has had a little trouble with consistent finishes, but is in the Chase as of now.

 

#18 J.J. Yeley – C – Hasn’t been the driver many believed he would be. Has had some success this year with top 10 finishes, but other than that he’s slacking compared to his teammates.

 

Roush: 

I’ll give Roush a B for the fact that he is the only Ford group that can compete with the Chevy’s. Has 3 wins this year and currently have 2 drivers in the chase, but one close to being in.

 

#6 David Ragan – D – It’s only his rookie season, but has not put up the results Roush was hoping for. A major down fall after replacing Mark Martin from last season. 

 

#16 Greg Biffle – C – Has not had the cars to contend for wins this year. Is currently in talks about his contract, but might change teams. (I feel it would help him considerably) 

 

#17 Matt Kenseth – A – Gave Ford it’s first win of the year at California and is he main driver to contend for a win each race that’s not a Chevy. Has been the man for Roush and continues to show his talent.  

 

#26 Jamie McMurray – B – Earned his first win of the season, second of his career, at Daytona by beating Kyle Busch to the line by 5 thousands. Has been looking stronger each race even before his win and now it helps him to strive for more.

 

#99 Carl Edwards – B – Won at Michigan this season and has had some strong runs at times. He’s right behind Kenseth for being one of the competitive Fords. 

 

RCR:

I’ll give RCR a B only cause they have all 3 of his cars in the Chase. Won the 500 for his second time and has 2 wins this season, 3 if you count the All-Star race. Just not having the year they can say is full of thrills.

 

#07 Clint Bowyer – C – Finished the 500 upside down, won the pole at Darlington, and other than that there hasn’t been any real excitement. Has had some good finishes this year, to put him in the Chase for now.

 

#29 Kevin Harvick – B – Won the 500 over Martin and the All-Star race. Currently in the Chase and has the talent and power to make something of this it. See if he can get a hot streak going.

 

#31 Jeff Burton – B – Has 1 win that came from Texas and is 4th in the Chase the highest of the RCR drivers. Came close to having two wins when battling it out at Bristol with Kyle Busch. He is one of few veteran drivers that are still able to win a race so you can credit that to him. 

 

Everham: 

I’m giving Everham a D for the fact that he had to redo the fronts to every car that was in his stable, after it was getting his team nowhere. Also for the fact from having 9 wins one season ago to none is unbelievable.  

 

#9 Kasey Kahne – C – Not saying that it’s his fault, but from 9 wins to none is just not tolerated. Having a rough year compare to last and is rumored that he possibly might change owners. Feel that a change is in need, but who can blame a talented diver choosing for change?

 

#10 Scott Riggs – D – Has not made very many races this year. Feel that his talent isn’t really there or that the car he’s diving is lacking some power and effort.

 

#19 Elliott Sadler – C – Joined the team near the end of last year, hoping that the change would bring a brighter future. Well he guessed wrong. Hasn’t had a finish that can be remembered without it being over shadowed by the bad ones.

 

Petty Enterprise: 

I’m giving Petty a C for being just average this season. They haven’t had anything to talk about this year and are not contenders. 

 

#43 Bobby Labonte – C- Currently 21st in the points with 1 top ten. Has not had a year that he nor Petty can say is has been what they wanted.

 

#45 John Andretti – D – Has been filling in for Kyle and has only raced 5 races this year. Has 2 DNF and no top 5 or 10’s to show for. 

 

Penske: 

I feel that Penske deserves a B for being one of the Dodge companies that are coming up to speed with Chevy. Both drivers are just outside the Chase within striking distant. 

 

#2 Kurt Busch – B – Has not had many finishes in the top 10 nor 5. He’s currently 13th in the points and is behind his teammate.

 

#12 Ryan Newman – B – Same as his teammate, he’s struggled this year, but also has had a good one. 11th in the points and has earned 4 poles. Starting to act like his rookie season. 

 

Yates: 

Yates is getting a C for is rebuilding year. Lost a veteran, but gained one back. Has a somewhat rookie on his team and there has been nothing there since both drivers qualified 1st and 2nd for the 500. 

 

#38 David Gilliland – D – Not doing as well in his first full season in the Cup. He has only 3 top 10’s and is way down in the points, but is ahead of his teammate.

 

#88 Ricky Rudd – D - He’s coming off a 1 year retirement, but is not using his veteran skills to help his rookie teammate. He’s 30th in the points and sliding down from there. 

 

Ganassi: 

Giving Ganassi a C for a team that even though has a lot of races under their belt are still learning. Currently has his rookie driver (Montoya) at the top of the rookie class.

 

#40 David Stremme – C – Only 2 top 10’s and has not been running well in most of the races this year.  

 

#41 Reed Sorenson – D - Is the main man at Ganassi, but has not shown any leadership to his teammates. Both teammates are out doing him in the standings.

 

#42 Juan Pablo Montoya – B – Earned his first win in his first year of racing in the big league. He’s starting to show other drivers he means business and roughs up anyone he can.

 

Bill Davis: 

Giving Davis a D here for hardly making any races this year. Working with a new manufacture, Toyota, but still can’t say it’s a good year. 

 

#22 Dave Blaney – C – Has been a top runner in the Bush series for Toyota and sometimes in the Cup, but hasn’t made many races to really prove anything.

 

#36 Jeremy Mayfield – D – From losing a ride one year ago to joining a new team and make done anything that we can say is good.

 

Waltrip Racing: 

Grade is an F for this team. Has totally shoot himself in the foot by trying to make his own team, when he couldn’t do anything by himself.  

 

#00 David Reutimann – C – Is the only driver out of this team to make anything of his to on the track. Has qualified in more races than his teammates have, and it’s his rookie season!

 

#44 Dale Jarret – D – Not a smart move to join with Waltrip. Won at Talladega last year and now hasn’t even made enough races to contend. 

#55 Michael Waltrip – F – I’m giving this grade to him cause of digging a hole for himself and taking two good drivers down with him. Hasn’t made even half the races this year, start out negative in the hole for points, and is struggling to keep up financially.

 

Red Bull: 

Also an F for their failure to make races. Has had only a few good races that were ones that will be the only good thing. 

 

#84 AJ Allmendinger – D – He is learning, but not making races won’t help the learning process. Needs to up the energy in the group and make a race.

 

#83 Brian Vickers – C – He has been doing fair this year, but has been one of two Toyota cars that have shown some strength in races. He also is in the same boat with his teammate by not making many races. He needs help or a new team.

 

Ginn Racing: 

Giving him a D for the fact he released two veteran drivers and now has a part-timer veteran and a rookie. He’s sinking fast and a merger with DEI might save him some money financially. 

 

#01 Mark Martin – B – Doing a part-timer year has been doing well for him. Almost won the 500 and leaded the points for several weeks. Feel he made a bad decision to continue the part-timing; this could have been the year for his first championship.

 

#14 Ragan Smith – B – His rookie season and he has been sharing a ride with Mark for most of this year. Now he has his own car and could show his talent off starting next week.

 

Haas CNC: 

Giving them a D for the fact they are a one team operation and that they can improve on the driver stats. 

 

#66 Jeff Green – D – Hasn’t made Haas a very happy man, has struggled in the races he makes and that’s been a few. 

 

Hall Of Fame Racing: 

I’m going to give these guys a C for the way that they’re driver has been improving and the way they have been sticking with him. 

 

#96 Tony Raines – B – He’s improving every race and it’s going to pay off for him soon. He’s earning the respect of other drivers and soon he could be a winner.

I know that there are some single teams, but I felt that these are the main one's to Grade and if I miss any major one please tell me, thanks.

Here’s the deal, who is the best driver in racing? I’m not going to list the types or groups of racing, but I’ll let you decide on who’s the best.

I’m aiming in the area of NASCAR, but you can throw in other racers if you want. The top driver by stats is Richard Petty with 200 wins and a record tying 7 championships. Now is he the best due to the stats? I believe not due to the fact of different eras and cars. Look at what the drivers drove and who they raced against. Pick you driver carefully and if you want go by the eras.

I feel that out of this era, even though I hate him, is Gordon, but many say that a era changes by the name of the series. This will be the last year for the Nextel cup so really this is a end of an short era and a beginning to a new one. I still feel Gordon is the best out of all the others, including my man Jr.

Now the Winston Cup era I feel Earnhardt Sr. was the man. He won all 7 championships in that era, along with rookie of the year honors and 76 races. I know many will say Waltrip or Petty were better, but this who I feel was the best.

I let you shoot out you bests and see who we come up with.

Today it was announced that Budweiser would not continue on with Jr to Hendrick. Budweiser has been Jr.’s sponsor since he started in 2000. His Dad acquired it for him and said he could see these two go a long way. Now after 7 years together they are parting ways. Budweiser said it would be on a car next year, wonder if it will stay with DEI or move on as Jr. has. Through the 7 years they have made each other grow in popularity, now with this departure, this could hurt each of them and could be a factor in the future.

Jr has mentioned he wants to continue driving a Chevrolet and it being the #8 car. DEI was told they could sell it to Hendrick, but Nascar would oversee the transaction. Fans have come up with the saying ‘Free The 8’, to help Jr continue his career with his famous number. In order for the 8 to move on with Jr to Hendrick, Teresa and president of DEI Max Siegel must come to an agreement with Hendrick. Many sport fanatics believe that DEI will let Hendrick have the 8.

Jr will replace Kyle Busch after this season and many fans are wondering what number Dale will drive. As of now the #5 car will be free, but some see Casey Mears moving over to it and Jr taking the #25 car. Most of the reason people saw Jr driving the #25 car was that they figured Budweiser would continue with him. Now since Bud is out the question of which number he will be placed in is up in the air once again.

Jr has signed with two sponsors that will start with him at Daytona. Sony and Adidas have signed contracts with him and Jr himself is excited about them joining on. Jr said that he is a big games fanatic and having Sony on board is a dream come true. Also since signing with Adidas, Jr said he will have a line of apparel including shoes, shirts, hats and other clothing. Jr will become only the fourth pro athlete to have his own apparel line.

As the number issue continues, so does the sponsor issue. Will Sony or Adidas become the main sponsor on Jr.’s car or will Hendrick keep place one of his own current sponsors on the car? If Sony or Adidas become the main sponsor, sells for either of them will begin to increase. Jr who is an icon in Nascar can help either company growth.

Hendrick has made comments that he will let Jr be Jr. He doesn’t want to change Jr in any way and feels that by letting him do his own thing will come out to benefit them both. Hendrick has done the same for all his drivers by letting make there own paths in Nascar, but he watches and guides them at times.
Gordon has gone from being named the ‘Wonder Boy’ by the late Dale Earnhardt to winning 4 championships and 79 wins, passing Earnhardt on the all-time list. Johnson, whose cars are owned by Gordon, has also won a championship and has 27 wins. Casey Mears got his first win of his career at Charlotte and is gaining momentum race after race. Kyle Busch has won 4 times in his career, once this year at Bristol being the first winner in the COT. He is currently 8th in the points and is in contention for the Chase.

As this season continues, we can only watch and wait to see what number and sponsor Jr will have. We also will watch to see if Kyle can get a ride for the ‘08’ Daytona 500. A season not to forget will continue to get only better. We will watch and see wait the future brings.

Tony Stewart to many is a sore loser. At his beginning of Nascar career he was one, but now I believe he has become the voice of Nascar. Just like a few months ago he made a comment on his talk show that got him into trouble. I feel that he is saying what other drivers want to, but that’s just it, they want to.

A lot of the veteran drivers say Stewart is out of line but I look at it this way, if all the drivers wee to keep their mouth shut, Nascar would suck big time. Many of Nascar views come from the drivers. I feel that Stewart will keep Nascar going as well as other drivers. 

This is the way I feel about Stewart’s thought’s, he is making Nascar better for the future. You can’t tell me that all his babbling is leading to nowhere. Stewart is doing what I believe many of the veterans are jealous, because they don’t feel that Nascar needs to change. 

If you can prove to me why Stewart is nothing but a ‘whiner’ then I’ll change my mind. I will tell you this, that I’m a very hard person to persuade and when it comes to a driver that’s willing to go out on a limb and risk his own career then I’ll listen and possibly follow. 

I just can’t see why Stewart is being called all these names when Kyle Busch is out there making a #### of his team and owner. I guy that says his teammates are abandon him on the track just cause he’s leaving the team is stupid. The first thing is he’s a wreck waiting to happen. Second it wasn’t his decision to leave, Hendrick gave him the boot. He has all this year been downing HMS for no reason, saying that Hendrick is giving him junk cars and a crew that has no talent. If you want a guy that is a sore loser when he has the best equipment there is, pick Kyle and leave Tony out of it. 

Now this may seem out of topic, but Stewart did get a little over aggressive at Daytona, but if you look closely Hamlin does seem to slow. I watch it over and over and it seems Denny was loose or he just got a push from Stewart (not bump drafting). All the years in Nascar there have been many teammates taking each other out. I can’t name any off my head other than last year at Talladega when Vickers took out Johnson and Jr. Hendrick wasn’t happy, but then again he knew IT WAS RACIN!!  Nascar and drivers mistakes are a way of life in racing. Things happen without reason and you have to deal with it. 

Again If you can prove that I’m wrong about Stewart being the voice of Nascar and that he is helping Nascar further advance itself in the future, but I’ll tell you that Stewart is always going to be a hardass and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Who can be called the best athlete ever? Out of the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, Nascar, Tennis and all the other sports not mention, who can be the one that can handle all of these sports?

Out of the MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL, Nascar, and Tennis all have athletes that have to train to run and react to anything from catching to kicking to hitting the ball. To do all that and still continue for many more rounds is amazing.

In the MLB, you have guys hitting 400 plus foot homers and making unbelievable catches. Guys that collide into each other to make a catch or score the winning run. So true athletes they are.

In the NFL you have guys that throw over 50 yards for a touchdown. You have receivers and running backs that make unbelievable catches or runs that can break for over 200 yards a game. So true athletes they are.

In the NBA you have guys that can nail a three pointer with their eyes shut. You have guys that can sky it out to slam one down. Shoot the game winning basket with 2 tenths of a second left. You have guys that can sprint up the court in less than 5 seconds. So true athletes they are.

In the NHL you have guys that can slap a puck at over a 100mph in to a net. You have guys that can skate over 50mph to the other side, guys that slam each other into the walls and continue to play. Goalies that are not afraid to stop anything that threats to cross the red line. So true athletes they are.

In Tennis you have players that hit a signal ball at a 100 to 140mph. Players that have to cover an entire side to keep playing and to earn a point towards victory. Players, that fight through injury to last just one more point. Players, who fall, but get up and continue to battle with the other competitor. So true athletes they are.

In Nascar you have drivers that deal with over 100 plus degree temps inside the car. Drivers that flip they’re car and get out with no bruises. Drivers who can endure 500 miles, 4 hours, and competitors that run into them. Drivers that can win a race and still get out of the car to climb a safety fence or do a back flip. So true athletes they are.

Out of all these sports you have athletes that endure conditions that others don’t. Now the question is for you, Who is the best athlete of all? Can you determine which man or women has the skills to endure all conditions sports have. Which athlete can be called The Greatest ?

Juan Montoya made his way from the F1 series to the Nextel cup very fast. Many believe he isn’t cut out for this type of racing and should go back to the F1 series. Now he learn how to adapt to the different types of tracks and conditions the stockcars go through. He also used his skills of road course racing in F1, to win at Sears Point this year and also at the Mexico track in the Bush Series.

Now since he has merged into the sport many other drivers in other series are wondering if they can make it. Sam Hornish has been one of those drivers feeling the need to make a change for the best. He has struggled in the IRL series this year and is in need of a change. The first thing you would think is change crew people or even teams. He has been doing some racing in the ARCA and Busch Series for Penske Racing. Penske feels that Hornish’s current points standing could be the deciding fact into him making the move to Nascar. Hornish is currently fifth, 97 points out of first, with only seven races to go.

Danica Patrick has also been rumored that she might start trying to test cars in Nascar. In her third year she has yet won a race and has struggled to contend near the end of many of this years’ races. She is one of three female drivers in the IRL series and is the only one of those ladies to compete for wins. She is compatible of winning anytime, but hasn’t had the power or performance to get any. Some say that the IRL isn’t the place for her driving; it’s more for stockcars than open wheeled ones.

Many drivers will start to make the move from other racing leagues to earn more money and compete against the best but yet as they come they will have to adapt to the ever-changing Nascar. Teams will become greater as new owners start to form they’re own group of star class drivers and soon we might see Nascar increase the 43 car field to more or change the sport yet again.

Deal with the fact that booing is the way fans of any sport are. You know someone who is on a hot streak will get booed by rival fans. I mean it’s just how some people act. I know a lot of sport athletes hate it but I feel if you’re getting booed then you on the top of your game or you’ve done something to #### people off. It doesn’t matter what sport you like or attend there will be someone there booing. Rivalries are made up of boos; you can’t watch any rival teams/driver/players without some booing.

I’ve been seeing that many fans are booing Bonds for his run to catch and overpass Hank. Come on people it will happen and you can’t stop it, all you’re doing is making him mad enough to swing that bat to power another and another homerun over that wall. He will surpass the mark and set a higher one that will be hard to achieve, so deal with it.

NASCAR fans have been booing Gordon for him passing Earnhardt on the all-time wins list. I’m an Earnhardt fan and I saw it coming and now it’s over I don’t care. Gordon might win his 5th championship this year, he might not but the fact he’s young says he could catch Earnhardt and Petty’s record of 7.

You have to deal with the fact that there will always be booing in all kinds of sports and you can’t stop it. If a player or driver is on a hot steak deal with the fact that they will continue it till someone else beats them.

Coca Cola won the right to 10 racetracks that Pepsi once served as the official soft drink at. Coca Cola has signed a deal with Nascar till 2012 at 10 of 13 tracks owned by International Speedway Corp. (ISC). Pepsi has renewed its contract at Fontana, Calif., and Martinsville, VA. This week Pepsi 400 will end a mark of 50 years as Daytona and Pepsi will separate beginning next year.

Pepsi was ousted by ISC due to their commitment to other areas of the sport that ISC wasn't wanting. The Coke deal will bring in tens of millions of dollars to the sport. Coca Cola will start next serving as the Official driver at the following tracks owned by ISC:

Daytona International Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Michigan International Speedway and Richmond International Speedway.

Also they will continue they’re relation with Darlington Raceway in 2009, Talladega Superspeedway and Watkins Glen International in 2011, and Phoenix International Raceway in 2012.

Many believe France is starting to end Nascar history as Pepsi ends a 50-year deal. Many know that Coca Cola is the official soft drink of Nascar yet their rival, Pepsi, has been severing at most of the ISC tracks for many years.

Another tradition ending is the Bush Series contract that is up at the end of this year and no replacement company has yet been named. Many rumors have said that Wal-Mart or Sprint was in the running, but Sprint bought Nextel and will become the official top series name starting 2008. As this new era begins we will continue to see traditions fall to better and up coming companies.