The Cup circuit (circus? There's a case for either I suppose) rolls into the weirdest looking oval on the planet for the second time this year. Expectations are if you're good on a road course, you should go ok at Pocono and, potentially, vice versa...and Watkins Glen is next week.
Last time here, Ryan Newman managed to nick pole from Denny "Mr Pocono 2006" Hamlin. This time, those guys won't be sharing the front row...though a Chevy and Dodge will be there. For the first time in, apparently, 172 races Dale Earnhardt Jr will start from the pole with Kurt Busch lining up beside him. Jr, Newman and Kasey Kahne all managed to chomp into Jeff Gordon's lead since Jeff could only manage 11th on the grid.
Jr managed to leapfrog Kasey into third in the points and his performance was more impressive to me as I had thought he was no chance of pole since the rain came as he started his run. I figured the track would have no grip when he went out...shows why I'm sitting here and not behind the wheel I guess.
Jr proved me wrong by planting his #8 car on the pole despite rain...his first pole since 2002
Tez's NASCAR Qualifying Championship - Standings after round 21
So the gap is five points between Jeff and Ryan with Jr and Kasey both trying to get in on the action as well. Those four guys look to be the ones who will fight out this title. Denny might be able to make a move but he, like Jeff, is more interested in experimenting setups for the Chase so this could be a good chance for Ryan, Jr and Kasey to make their charge.
I hope everyone enjoys the race...and keep an eye on turn four of this track, it's quite a doozy ;)
I was really glad to see Jr. take the pole. However, I don't think it will last. Seems like something always happens to his car, handling goes away, he gets crunched, or does it himself against the wall. Or the whole damn thing blows up. I'll be rooting for him, but don't expect to see him in VL.
photo; I don't believe that I know this....I'll blame my friends who like horses, lol. The term 'pole position' comes from horse racing where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole.
I got offered free tickets to turn 4....so I don't need yours, sorry about that
Photo... your constant ticket scalping escapades have been reported to the IRS, FBI, CIA, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, and Firearms, and Boy Scout troop #264.
This is probably as good a place as any to do this. I'm pretty sure Tez won't mind if I go completely off-topic here.
*clearing throat*
HEY FOX THANKS A MILLION REALLY FOR MAKING THE CONTEST POST ABOUT POINTS WITH A FIVE HUNDRED WORD LIMIT! FIVE HUNDRED WORDS?! HAVE YOU EVEN *READ* MY BLOG BEFORE? YOU WOULDN'T ASK FRANK SINTARA TO SING *JUST ONE* SONG, WOULD YOU?**
Am I bitter that I wrote something that I considered brief and it was 859 words? How about that I've spent more time editing than I did writing, and I'm *still* down to only 550 words? Perhaps.
**The answer is: of course you wouldn't. Because Frank is dead.
Tez...I fear for Junior with Busch next to him. It's a weird track, I checked it out. I like where Smoke is sitting...I know he likes to pass, not stare in his rear view mirror in the beginning.
JJD...that 500 limit is daunting, I know. I had to cut 200 words and it just seemed like 600 would have been easier.
Coupled with the exciting *cough* subject topic, it's going to be interesting. Looking forward to reading your post...good luck. You too Iowa Girl! :)
hmm, I am sensing some, ever so slight, negative karma coming from a couple of the contestants regarding the word limit.
and you're right, JJD, I don't mind....I hardly ever stay on topic with my comments anyway, lol
yeah, Tony and Jimmie were fastest in Happy Hour so that could be good news for both those guys tomorrow, Lisa....Tony does like to have people see him in their mirror though :P
JJ - The Sinatra comment is priceless! I think I'm about ready to post. And I don't think, no, I KNOW I can't explain the current system in 500 words. Oh, well. At least we all have the same parameters!
Tez is a rare creature; an Australian who was living in New Zealand before moving to Canada. He's also a Civil Engineer who is hoping to spend his Monday to Friday sitting in front of a computer surfing the inter...uh, working hard for an Engineering Consultant or Contractor when he finds a job. His heart is torn between his two loves; F1 and NASCAR.
Due to his high interest in those, his blogs will likely focus on them with the occasional foray into sports that don't get much (if any) mention on this website. All blogs and/or comments will more than likely have his usual dollop of sarcasm and general Aussie spin on them.
Amazingly, he also managed to score 2 MiB nominations on consecutive days (August 5 & 6, 2007) after announcing he had been keeping track of them...he's considering hiding under his bed as a result.
