When the music’s over. Turn off the lights. That is probably how Kyle Busch felt after fighting with the lady in black all night. Kyle came ready to dance. And of course just like in years past. This mysterious woman was not ready to submit. She fought Kyle tooth and nail. This was one dance that was in no way reminiscent of the way that the late Gene Kelley would waltz his way around the room. He had moves that were smooth as silk. It was definitely poetry in motion. Kyle’s dance on the other hand looked more like a mosh pit at one of your favorite rock concerts. As much as Kyle tried to gently tame this beast of a woman? The harder she would fight back. She even went as far as to send him to the back of the line with a loose lug nut. But that didn’t stop Kyle from trying even harder to show this lady who this night really belonged to.

Instead of getting mad and driving the wheels off of the car and beating up on her. He showed some new found maturity and methodically worked his way back and took his place at the front of the line. As she tossed him into the wall not once but twice. He very graciously took his licks and just kept pursuing her like a kid in a candy store. Kyle was most definitely worthy of this win. The way he handled her. Even after all that she threw at him. He took it all in stride and didn’t let her get to him. Not only did he show a lot of patience in handling her. But he also showed a lot of respect towards his fellow drivers as well as the track that also has the nickname,” To tough to tame”.

The way he has handled all of the diversity in the past couple of weeks.  Especially after all the heat that he took for the RACING incident that happened last week between him and Dale Jr. Kyle is definitely on his way to Nascar stardom. Kyle in the last 3 races has really shown what it takes to win at this level. Going back to Talladega after falling a lap down. Kyle slowly made his way back to the front of pack and eventually went on to win the race that HMS had dominated in the years past. He showed the same thing last week as well as in last night’s race.  For those who have ever doubted that this kid can’t drive. Its time to put whatever personal issues you might have with him and realize that like him or not. He is here to stay. Kyle brings an excitement back to racing that has almost been forgotten. The kid most definitely has talent. And along with that talent. He has a deep desire to win.

Whenever Kyle takes to the track. He only see’s 2 colors. And those colors are black and white. Drivers like Kyle only come around once in a lifetime. So instead of putting him down for his hard style of driving? Maybe its time to sit back and watch history in the making. Because as he continues to mature and figure out how to race each track. The wins will continue to come. Dale Earnhardt Sr. as well as Jeff Gordon have both had those fans for whatever reason didn’t like them. It couldn’t have been for their racing accomplishments. Because what they did on the track are what legends are made of.

 And I am in no way putting Kyle in the class that they are in. Because a class like that takes years to earn. It is not done overnight. But if Kyle keeps on the path that he is headed. There is no reason why in the future that he also could reach that higher plateau that all Nascar drivers are trying to reach. But as we all know only a few will make it. So once again congratulations to Kyle Busch and the team of JGR on there win at Darlington. The track that is to tough to tame. The lady in black. So as the music ended. The dance was danced. And the lights are turned off. So is another chapter in what is sure to be many more chapters in the life of Kyle Busch. Im Out

How many times have you been to a dance and as soon as you walk in you notice standing there in all of her glory. The most beautiful women that you have ever set your eyes on?  Her demeanor speaks for itself.  She has that take no prisoners look about her. She stares around the room knowing that all eyes are on her. She has a confidence in her that sends an electrical charge right thru your entire body. You start to sweat at just the thought of getting close to her. Then your body starts to tingle as you get up the nerve to make your way up to her to introduce yourself. She stares you straight in the eye knowing that she has you mesmerized. She is also dressed in the most succulent shade of black as you stare at her long straightaway that leads right up to her firm but tight corners. You start to tell yourself. This is one woman who if coerced in the right way can be tamed. But you also know that many have tried. And many have failed.

 This Saturday night. 43 of Nascar’s top superstars will once again enter the 1.366 dance floor to see who will be good or should I say lucky enough to be able to dance 367 laps with her and walk away with her respect as well as the respect of his fellow drivers. But just like in years past. The victory will not come that easy. Especially since during the off season she just took on a new face lift. Her black asphalt has been redone to make her even more beautiful then ever. With the added beauty will also be a faster tempo to her dance steps. Sorry Helio but you are not invited to this dancing with the stars. This dance is reserved for the ones who have earned there way into this private dance. As each one of our favorite drivers makes their way around this teardrop shaped track. We can be sure that more then one of them will feel like crying when the night is over.

 As the music plays and the infamous stripes are given away. Who will be the one to tame this lady in black? The almost untamable lady. She never goes down without a fight. She will be looking to help Dale Jr. extend his losing streak to 72. As well as any other driver who dares to call her his own. Can Matt finally make it half way through a race without having to visit the garage prematurely?  Will it be Carl making it 4 race wins this season while doing back flips at the sweet taste of victory? Or can Jeff Gordon make it 8 wins at the same track where his very own car just last year was seen spitting at this mysterious lady on his way to victory?

 Maybe that’s what it will take Tony Stewart to finally figure out what has made this lady so mysterious to him. Since he has only led 8 laps in 15 starts at this black beauty. Hardly anything to brag about. And how about Jimmie Johnson? Last year’s back to back cup champion who hasn’t seen victory lane here since 2004. Just last year he was only able to watch from 3rd place as his teammate and car owner Jeff Gordon spit his way to victory lane. Maybe this untamable lady likes a driver who will constantly abuse her? Dale Earnhardt Sr. knew just what it took to tame this lady in black. He danced his way to 9 wins only 1 behind David Pearson who had 10 of his own.

 Can the Dodge boys bring this mysterious lady under submission long enough to sneak away with a win? So far the only highlight was Ryan Newman winning the Daytona 500.  Ryan also leads the fight sitting 11th in the point standings. RCR has also been looking good so far this season with Jeff Burton leading the way sitting 2nd in points as the rest of his teammates round out the top 5. RCR has really stepped it up for the bow ties this season. Especially when all of the pre season hype was all centered on the team of Rick Hendricks Motorsports.  But all of that has given way to the Toyota team of Joe Gibbs Racing. It seems that Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch have made it there mission this season to take the hype from HMS and show them that there is new sheriff in town. Denny not only won at Martinsville. But also came back to Talladega and just last week at Richmond to show the bow ties that he will not just stand around and let them steal the headlines without having to work for them. He not only led the most laps. But just straight out dominated until he had tire problems.

 But the one who has really taken Nascar by storm. Has to be 23 year old Kyle Busch. What he has done this season is light a fire under those who have ever doubted his racing skills. At a time when most thought that Nascar was starting to lose its fan base. In comes one of the most exciting drivers to hit the Nascar scene since Jeff Gordon made his Winston cup debut back in 1993. What Kyle has brought to the sport is reminiscent of how races were run back in the days of old. When drivers raced a no holds barred, trading paint, bumping and grinding, hard nosed style of racing. A style that seemed to go away once The Intimidator lost his life on a last lap accident at the 2001 Daytona 500. Whether you like him or not? He is definitely a breath of fresh air. A breath that Nascar so much needed in this day and age when most drivers are more worried about being politically correct then what they are getting paid to do. And that is b a n g i n g and bumping there way around the track.

 But will all of this be enough to be able to dance with this fierce, intimidating lady. She is ruthless. She has no love for any one driver. She has no favorites.  To beat her is to defeat her at her own game. And to do that?  It takes a driver with guts of steel. Because just when you think you have her in your grip? She will backhand you faster then you can blink. Knocking you right into that same wall that maybe a few laps earlier your right fender had the honor of meeting up close. So as we approach the eve of mothers’ day? Remember that this will be the night of redemption. The night when all of those drivers who make the starting field. Will once again get a chance to dance the dance. The unforbidden dance. And only one of the 43 will get the privilege to see her in all of her beauty. That beauty will come at the end of a long fought battle. A battle that win or lose. Will always belong to the lady in black. I’m Out

Lap 379. There is a call over Denny Hamlins radio that he thinks he has a flat tire. Oh no after leading all of these laps how could this be happening? Please not me! I have totally dominated this race. I have had perfect pit stops. I have done nothing wrong. Then when he least expected it. The racing gods poured down there wrath on Denny. And why him? After all he had done nothing wrong to this point. Could it be that maybe, just maybe these same god's could see into the future. Even if just for a few laps.

Who could ever forget the late Dale Earnhardt spinning in the grass to bring out a caution just to keep from going a lap down? Im sure he isnt the only driver who has done that. It seems that this season is more about team racing then in the years past. We seen it at Daytona when Kurt gave Ryan that last push to get him to victory lane. While all of that was going on. Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr who usually work well together. Were nowhere to be found at the end of the race.

Instead Tony left Jr to hook up with his teammate Kyle Busch. And as we all know. Tony and Kyle ended up 3rd and 4th while Jr had to settle for a 9th place finish. Just last weekend at Dega again we seen those Toyota boys hook up for a 1-3 finish with Juan Montoya sandwiched between them.

Which brings me to this one big question about saturday night's race? Why didnt Denny pit on lap 383 after he had already lost the lead to Jr? He had already said that he had a flat tire. He had to have known that the tire was gonna blow. So why risk an accident when he could have come in and changed it? Hmmmmm! Maybe it was because an HMS driver was not only leading a race. But also was about to win it. Not just any driver. But Dale Earnhardt Jr. Now how many can actually say that some of the drivers are happy with all the  publicity that Jr gets while not winning? Im sure it has taken its toll on some of the drivers.

Especially when week after week you hear the same story. When is Jr gonna win? Or the classic. What is up with HMS? Especially when Toyota who has already won a few races dispite all of the negativity when the season first began. Denny brought that last caution out when his ooops. Tire went down. Which in turn bunched up the field and gave Kyle a chance to keep that dreaded losing streak intact. Did Denny take one for the team? It sure did look obvious when you think about it? So who is really to blame for the wreck betwwen Jr and Kyle? You can't blame Kyle. Because after all racing is rubbing. He did what any other driver would have done with 12 laps to go. Put someone else in those 2 cars and guaranteed there would nt be this much controversy.

Did maybe Jr try to push the issue knowing that whatever the outcome. Kyle would get the *%#T end of the stick? Jr could have easily given Kyle a little more room. After all he was on the high line. Im not putting the blame on JR. But sometimes you have to look at what happened from a neutral point of view. In other words put all of your feelings aside and realize that Nascar has had many incidents as this one. This wont be the first one, and it wont be the last. But it just happened to involve of all drivers. Kyle and Jr. You cant hate Kyle for racing him hard. Just like you can't blame Jr for doing the same. Im sure that the Kyle fans feel as though Jr was to blame, just the same way the Jr fans feel that it was Kyle's fault. The fireworks flew and it seems as though we have 2 drivers who just raced there hearts for the win. And we all know that one will win and one will lose.

But in this case it was Clint who walked away the winner. Congrats to RCR and Clint Bowyer on there win. It may have been a lucky one. But sometimes its better to be lucky then good. Opps I almost forgot about Denny. Good job Denny. I hope that you are happy for that call to stay out when you knew d a m n good and well that the tire was gonna blow.  Is that the way you take one for the team?  Im Out

A star was born. April 29, 1951. A Nascar superstar to some. But yet to his family. He was a son, father, brother and also a husband. With a twinkle in his eye. And a devilish grin on his face. Earnhardt pushed and shoved his way into Nascar superstardom. His highly agrressive driving style made him a fan favorite. Which is how he earned his nicknames, old ironhead, the man in black, and of course the most famous of all, “The Intimidator”. The words to the song Freebird, ‘If I leave her tommorrow, will you still remember me” Somes up his racing accomplishments.


7 Winston Cup Championships (‘80, ‘86, ‘87, ‘90, ‘91, ‘93, 94)


4 Time Iroc Champion ( ‘90, ‘95, ‘99, ‘00)


76 Race Wins


Rookie of the Year (1979)


The only driver to win Rookie of the year and the Winston Cup championship in successive years. ( ‘79, ‘80)


Ranks 2nd on Nascar’s 50 greatest drivers list.


2002 Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee


2006 International Motorsports Hall of fame Inductee


6 Time Bud Shootout Winner


Earnhardt was one of the sports most controversial drivers as well as one of the most skilled. He made many friends on the track as well as many enemies. His rough style of driving, was always the center on controversy whenever he took to the track. Most drivers even said that he had no respect for his fellow driver. But yet his driving skills were never doubted. Earnhardt was the bully on the track. As well as the most fierce. His determination and desire to be the best was like that of a roaring lion.


Daytona as we all know. Was Earnhardts biggest challenge that he ever faced during his 22 year Winston Cup span. In 1987, The Intimidator visited victory lane an astounding 11 times. On his way to his 2nd Winston Cup championship. This would be the first of 3 times that he would win back to back Cup titles. He also set a modern day of 4 consecutive wins, while starting off the season winning 5 of the first 7 races. But that magical win at Daytona still eluded him. Even with his aggressive style of driving. Controversy continued to follow him him wherever he raced. Some drivers even saying that he would wreck you if he couldn’t get around you.


Daytona 1990. Earnhardt leading on the last lap. He could taste and feel his first Daytona victory. The checkered flag was within site. Fans were standing on there feet. Thinking that they were finally gonna see him do it. Waiting for there hero to cross the finish line. Coming out of 3 into 4. But just as he was about to finally make history. he cut a tire giving the win to Derrick Cope. The man in black. Definetly had a black cloud over him, whenever the month of February came around. He had already proven that he could race the short tracks, as well as the superspeedways. Dale had the skills as well as the desire. At the track where Jr Johnson had discovered the draft. Earnhardt took it a step further and not only mastered it. But in his own way, he also perfected it. Earning him the title of, “King of restrictor plate racing”. But still his dream of winning slipped away from him like a nightmare. The beast was untamable.


1993 once again seen Earnhardt dominate speedweeks. Only to see him finish 2nd behind Dale Jarrett on a last lap pass.Earnhardt would go on to win his 6th championship that same year. Life was good to Earnhardt. But Daytona was still only a dream. 1994 would see Earnhardt accomplish what many felt couldn’t be done. And that is not only win his 7th championship. But also his 3rd set of back to back championships. But still. The black asphalt beast would continue to deny him.


1998. A beautiful Sunday morning. The fans were all getting ready for the 40th running of the Great American race. Also on this day was Nascar’s 50th annivesary. Earnhardt’s dream would finally come true. He would finally get the win that was so close, but yet so far. Earnhardt would finally be a Daytona champion. As he came down pit road on his way to victory lane. All of the teams lined pit road to high five the man who was most deserving of the win. The man who at times maybe even frustrated there driver. But they were there to show there respect to the most hated as well as the most loved.


Earnhardt had many last lap heroics, as well as many last lap dissapointments. But who can forget his last lap heroics of the year 2000. This would be the last win of his illustrious career. The track was Talladega. With 4 laps to go. What was the king of restrictor plate racing doing sitting in 17th place? Earnhardt darted and dashed. He sliced and diced his way all the way to the front. In an awesome display of driving. He schooled the other 42 drivers to take the win. Never knowing that this would be the last win of his career. This was a win that most drivers can only dream of. But we all knew that Earnhardt, was a driver who was destined to make his dreams come true.


February 18 2001. Earnhardt would buckle himself into his race car. Something that he did over 700 times in his career. Looking so happy knowing that his son was also in the field. Dale’s life had really taken a turn for the better. The Intimadator was ready to make history. But not the kind that Im sure he wanted. With Theresa also not realizing, that this would be the last of there customary kisses before each race. Her life to would be changed forever, before the end of the day. The green flag waved. The 43rd running of the Great American race. A race that would change history forever. The biggest audience to ever see a Nascar race. Would also witness the biggest blow to modern day sports heroes.


Who could ever forget the words of Mike Helton. “This has to be one of the toughest announcements that I have personally had to make. After the accident in turn 4 of the Daytona 500. We have lost Dale Earnhardt”. He was gone in the twinkling of an eye doing what he loved best. Driving a race car. Daytona had taken the sports biggest hero. On the first race of what was to be the beginning of Nascar finally making it to the National spotlight. We all waited for him to walk away. To wave to the crowd that he was alright. But to the shock of all who witnessed it, this was one, that not even The Intimadator, The Man in Black would survive. I guess God had better plans for him, or maybe he just wanted Dale all to Himself. Dale would go down as one of Daytona’s biggest heroes.


His infamous black and red paint sceme with the white number 3. Is still to this day. One of the most famous cars in all of Nascar history. We all have our special moments, that in our own way we have cherished in our hearts. Dale Earnhardt Sr. left behind a long legacy of racing memories. Some were good. As well as some were bad. But whatever they were. They were what champions are made of. Thanks for the many memories. But most of all. We remember the words to Freebird. “If I leave here tommorrow. Will you still remember me”. How can we not remember our hero. The legacy continues. The legacy that is. Dale Earnhardt Sr. Im Out

What is up with Raider oooops I mean the Nascar fans at Dega?  This is supposed to be the one track where all of Nascar most hardcore and faithfull fans come to watch there favorite drivers compete. The track of all tracks. The house that made the Alabama gang famous. The house that also took the life of one of their favorite drivers Davey Allison. This is also the house that Dale Earnhardt Sr called his own. The king of restrictor plate racing.

But lately this is also the place that unless your name is Earnhardt. You dont dare win a race and take your helmet off until you are safe in victory lane. We all seeen what happened last year when Gordon won and drove around with Dale Sr's flag as tribute to him. He was pelted with beer cans. That wasnt the first time that Jeff had cans thrown at him. After a controversial call on a yellow flag a couple of years ago that gave the victory to Jeff instead of Jr. Jeff couldnt take a victory lap because of the debris that was thrown at him. It almost resembled a twister as the debris came flying from all directions.

What is it that causes Nascar fan to all of a sudden act like Raider fan? Dont these few i *d *i *o *t *s realize that someone could get hurt? Is that the kind of example that you want to set for your kids? Isnt this supposed to be Nascar? The last of the family orientated sports? If this kind of behavior keeps up. How many adults would be willing to bring their kids to a sport where at one time was considered safe? Im not saying that this kind of behavior happens at all the tracks. But it seems to be following some sort of pattern. Violence has been a rising problem at alot of our tracks.

Its to bad when at one time you were able to go to a race and sit back and enjoy it. Nowadays you have to keep a good eye out. Because you never know when the fan sitting next to you is gonna snap. Just this past year at California. The arrest rate was up a pretty good percentage from previous years. And this was during the rain. Last year when it was 118 degrees. Cali was off the hook. Now Im not bad mouthing the fans who  go to see some good racing and also to have a good time. After all thats what going to a race is all about. But this is for the ones who choose to treat our sport as another place to get plastered and have no respect for the ones who are there to have fun and to also enjoy themselves.

Its to bad that some treat it as another quote unquote rock concert. Where the objective is that the one who gets the most drunk and acts the s t u p i d e s t is the one that is looked on the most highly by his friends. Who do you blame? Nascar for promoting the sport into more of a place for young people to party at? After all when young people drink. They are more prone to spend there hard earned bucks. And we have seen in past few years that Nascar is all about the money. The older crowd is a little more careful with how they spend. So why not add the pre race concerts and all of the hoopla.  Or do you blame the few fans who have decided that Nascar is just another event that they can party at where there is no curfew for beer sales like there is for any other sporting event?

Either way no matter how we look at it. Or for that matter how we try to deal with it. Its here to stay. There is nothing that we as fans can do about it. And we already know that Nascar isnt gonna do anything about it either. Or are they? Hmmmmm. After yesterdays incident after the race. Something needs to be done about it before someone gets hurt. Yup after Kyle Busch took the win. He came down to the start finish line and got out of his car to take his ceremoniuos bow. When out of the stands came a coke bottle hurled right at him.

When is it all gonna stop? Im Out

Statistically speaking this as good as it gets for Jr.nation. 11 of the past 13 races at the biggest speedway on the schedule have been won by an HMS driver or Dale Earnhardt Jr. Why would we call Dover a monster at only 1 mile. Especially when you look at the 2.66 mile layout of Dega which makes Dover look more like a subtle giant at best. Its almost like comparing Shaquille O'Neal to Minnie Me.  HMS as we all know are the heavily favored monsters at the house that Dale Earnhardt Jr has so much excelled at.

This is also Dale Jr's best chance at breaking that 70 race losing streak. The aura that is Dega that has given both Dale Sr and his son Dale Jr a fan base that far excells that of any other track in the Sprint cup series.Talladega is known as the house of Earnhardt. The Earnhardt name is more like royalty here as compared to what the Queen is to Buckingham palace. If and when Jr does take the lead on Sunday' it will be more then evident that Jr nation or for that matter the Earnhardt name is still synonymous with this monster of a race track by all the cheers and also by the sea of green which will drape  each and every grandstand.

After all 5 of Jr's 17 race wins have come at this track including 4 race wins in a row between 2001 and 2003. This is the Earnhardt's playground. His dad paved the way with a Talladega record 10 cup wins. The only thing that could  possibly be standing in the way of  another Earnhardt victory, would be one of his HMS teammates, Jimmie or Jeff. taking the checkered flag.  Since they both have combined for the last 3 race wins in the last 4 races. Or could  Casey Mears be the other HMS spoiler sneaking away with the win. After all who could ever forget the controversial win back in 2006 by Brian Vickers while driving in his last few races for HMS. Brian decided to take matters into his own hands and took out Jimmie Johnson who then collected Dale Jr. as the 3 of them were running 1-2-3. After all what did Brian have to lose? Rick had already kicked him to the curb like some unwanted dog. How many of us would have reacted in the same way?

Talladega as we all know is one the most important races of the year next to the Daytona 500. Not only does pit strategy play a major role in winning. But the biggest key is having a drafting partner. Ever since Nascar mandated the restrictor plate in1988 on all Superspeedways. A plate that sits between the carburetor and the intake manifold to restrict air flow which in turn robs the engine of horsepower to slow the cars down. It has also made the once famous sling shot move non existent which was the way the drivers of old used to get around each other back in the hey day of Nascar. As most of already knows. It was Dale Sr who perfected the draft and used it to his advantage to become king of the restrictor plate races.

This sunday though. His son Dale Jr will also have his hands full. Not only will he be fighting the odds of his winless streak. But also his crew chief Tony Eury Jr who seems to have have made some not so good pit calls so far this season. Alot of controversy has plagued Jr since his season opening win in the Bud Shootout at Daytona. It looked as though he would finally get the m o n k e y off of his back coming into speedweks. He was fast and he was also driving a Hendrick car. He would also go on to win one of the duels in dominating fashion the same way that he won the shootout. But as the waning moments of the 500 came winding down. Jr who most definetly had the car to beat. But then a bad pit decision late in the race to stay out instead of coming in resulted in a very dissapointing 9th place finish.

Bad pit decisions have seemed to be one of his biggest downfalls so far for him this season.  HMS has given him the tools to win. Its evident in the way he has run at the beginning of races. But he is just having trouble trying to seal the deal. Im sure that he and his crew chief already knows. Its the last lap that counts. Can Dale Jr and Tony Jr come together this weekend and use the resources that Rick Hendrick has given them to win? Because as history has shown. This should be Jr's race to win. Or will bad pit strategy once again keep him out of victory lane and help him to continue to add to his ever growing losing streak? Sunday is the day of redemption. The day that all of his fans have been waiting for. Will the Dega monster be willing to once again allow an Earnhardt into its hallowed victory lane? The focus on sunday wont be on the newer car. Nor will it be on any of the other 42 drivers. But the focus will be on the son of a legend. The man who made Dega what it is today. And that son is none other Dale Earnhardt Jr. Im Out

How many times in the past have you met someone famous? It could be a movie star.Or maybe a race car driver. Or even a rock star.Then maybe a couple months later you meet them again. Do they remember you? Probably not. Out here in Cali the company that I work for. We do alot of work at Warner Brothers studios. And of course its not uncommon to see maybe Charlie Sheen or George Lopez cruising around the lot. We have seen Clint Eastwood since he has his offices as well as his production company on the lot. I have also been in Joel Silvers office as well as George Clooney's.

I can still remember when Walter Matthau was still alive. You could always see him at a Dodger game, just as much as Jack Nicholson is at Laker games. But how many famous sports writers do you know? How many have you met? How many of them have answered your emails? How many of them actually answer there own emails instead of having someone from there staff do it?  Without throwing any names in the mix. There is one certain female sportswriter.  The best that she could write about was sealions and almost meeting Tom Cruise at the race in California.

Well I emailed her and asked why she would waste a perfectly good but rainy weekend writing about something like that? Of course I got no reply. Come to think about it. I have never gotten any reply from the few that I have written to. I guess once you become quote unquote famous or you get a paid writing job. You no longer have to worry about what anyone thinks. Well we here at Foxsports have our own writer who in my opinion is one of the best. Her writing skills are unmatched by some of the best that I have seen or read. She writes with a flair like no other. Her talent shines thru as you read word after word. You can feel the love that she has for the sport in all of her writings. Whether she is writing one of her very informative stories. Or she is showing her love by coming in and commenting on a post.

It makes me wonder how the 2 can be so different in there writing styles. One is so passionate about her writing. And the other is lets just say. Maybe just doing it for the paycheck. Is that really to harsh of a way to put it. I dont think so. Thats what makes us bloggers different from the writers. Writers write and bloggers blog. We dont have to worry about our boss telling us what we can and cannot write. Thats why alot of us can get really deep in our dicussions and hit on some touchy subjects. No money. No worry. Thats what also makes reading Kristen Valus posts so unique. She writes with no worries. She brings a really good writing style as well as alot of behind the scenes stuff that alot of us fans likes to read about.

She has also shown that its not only the men reporters who can chop it up with the drivers. And along with that.  She also gets right in there and brings us back some good technical info that alot of fans likes to hear about as well as some really good behind the scenes stuff that alot of us fans dont know about. Kristen to me is setting the tone for future women reporters in Nascar. Not only women but for the men also. Look out guys  there's a new sherrif in town. The really cool thing is that she will answer your emails. Which also tells us that she is still humble enough to be able to handle the big assignments and not forget who her friends are. How awesome will that be to go to a race and see her there. Then to have her come up and say Hi. But something even better then that is when she calls you by your name.  And just the same way that she chops it up with the drivers. She will also chop it up with you.

Kristen Im sure that alot of us here at Foxsports will continue to support you on your journey to writing stardom. Is that putting it to lightly. I don't think so because you have earned it. You have more then proven yourself. Now its time to reach out and grab your star that is out there waiting for you. Because I am sure that there is one with your name on it. How cool is that. P.S. Just remember us when you do make it to the big leagues. This way once my grandkids get older. I can tell them that I know a Nascar writer by name and that she also knows me. Good Luck in all that you do. Im Out

Every 10-30 years a young driver comes along who shakes up the Nascar world. Tim Richmond was no different. Living the life of a Hollywood playboy. His lifestyle mirrored that of someone you would have thought was born and raised in California. But instead was born in Ashland, Ohio June 7th 1955. Tim was a very flamboyant person both on and off the track. Most of it coming from his fast paced lifestyle that he was brought up in.


Tim did not grow up with racing in his blood. Nor did he come from the hard working lower class lifestyle that most of Nascar’s big names came from. Instead he was born into wealth. Which would later turn out to be one of his biggest drawbacks, coming into a sport that was born on the back country roads of moonshiners.


Tim would also find out later in his short career. That Nascar would frown on his, “lets party all night” attitude. Even though he was a hit with the fans. As well as the ladies. Nascar was not ready for this type of driver to enter into their hallowed preimier racing series. He even at times would pull down his racing suit to sign autographs which really got the women excited. But at the same time got the heads of Nascar angry.


In his 8 years as a cup driver which didnt start until the age of 21. He visited victory lane an astounding 13 times. With his very first cup win coming on a road course in Riverside, California. He also added 78 top 10’s and 14 poles to his 185 race starts. Which included 7 wins in 1986 driving for Rick Hendrick in the #25 Folger’s Monte Carlo. This was also his best year driving in the Winston Cup series fininshing 3rd in points behind eventual cup winner Dale Earnhardt Sr. Alot of his fellow racers also said. That he was the only driver who had guts enough to challenge Dale and drive side by side with him.


Tim’s driving style matched the lifestyle that he was living. He lived a very fast paced life and his driving showed it. Tim would even finish 9th in the 1980 Indianapolis 500. Tim had a take no prisoners type of driving style. Which showed in the way he handled the road courses. Riverside being one of the biggest and fastest road courses out there. And during his time. he had mastered that track as well as the others that he raced on.


His life was even loosely portrayed in the movie, “Days of Thunder” by the driver Cole Trickle. Tim had a very promising career ahead of him until it was cut short in 1986 as he was diagnosed with A.I.D.S. 1987 would bring even more challenges in his life. It wasn’t until the middle of the season that he return and pick up back to back wins at Pococno and Riverside. The win at Riverside would ultimately be his last.


By the following year. Nascar would step in and deal Tim a very sour hand. Nascar would begin to treat Tim like some kind of drug addict. They defamed his integrity by making him take a drug test because of his deteriorating health. Then going out and suspending him indefinetly because Nascar said that he had tested positive for a controlled substance. Richmond demanded another test. And when those results came back. They were negative. Nascar would also later admit that the first test was also negative. The only thing that showed up was Sudafed and Advil.


Little by little Nascar was trying to not only defame Richmond. But they also wanted him out of the Cup series. Acting like some western day l y n c h mob. They even went as far as to not let him race until he came up with all of his medical records. Richmond filed a defamation of character lawsuit. But then would later withdraw it and leave the sport. Richmond would move back to Florida where he eventually died in 1989.


Nascar to this day has not apologized for the brash and disrespectable way that Tim was treated. But in typical France fashion. They have just chosen to not mention it. How many times have we seen them hide under their, “We dont see anything syndrome” Or the ever so popular, “What did we do wrong attitude?”


Tim was one of their race car drivers. Maybe he didn’t fit the mold that the France family wants all of their drivers to follow. But he was still a human being. Breathing the same air as them. Bringing money into their racing empire. Tim was inducted into the International Motorsorts Hall of Fame in 2002. An award that not even the dictatorship that the France family is. Can ever take from him.


For those of us who chose to not only support you and follow his career. He will be dearly missed. Maybe not by Nascar. As it is shown by them only writng one line about him. And not even including a single picture. But by the fans and drivers who stood next to him through thick and thin. Im Out.

How did Jimmie manage to take a 20+ second advantage over Mark Martin when Mark’s pit stop was only a 7 second pit stop? Especially when Mark was leading the race when he made his stop with 9 laps to go.


Heres where the fun begins. Marks stop may have been 7 seconds in the pit box. Because that is all that Fox showed us. But what Chad did was time how long it to Mark to come down pit lane. He also timed him how long it took him to leave pit lane. Which is about another 14 to 15 seconds. Most of knows that it takes 1 minute to travel 1 mile if we are going 60 miles per hour. Phoenix is a 1 mile track. So if the drivers are doing 35 to 40 second laps. They are traveling anywhere from 115 miles per hour to 126. Give or take a few miles per hour.


Remeber they slow down to make the turns. So if Mark took about 21 to 25 seconds to make his pit stop. Jimmie is still at full speed putting Mark even more seconds behind him. Because Mark has to follow pit road speed which is about 55 miles per hour. Alot slower then the 120 miles per hour or so that Jimmie is running. That means that now Jimmie has extended his lead by however many seconds it took Mark to get back up to speed. So when Mark pitted with 9 laps to go. That meant that Jimmie could slow down about 4 or 5 miles per hour give or take a few and conserve gas. Mark at this time is no longer a threat.


The only one that Jimmie had to worry about was Clint Bowyer. But with 6 laps to go. Clint was 10 seconds behind Jimmie. So which meant that now Jimmie could continue to slow down  and  save gas. Now had Mark stayed out and called Chads bluff. Jimmie would have definetly run out of gas along with Mark. But Im sure that Chad was probably waiting until 3 or 4 to go and he would have brought Jimmie in for a splash.


Its kind of interesting when you sit back and do the math. Im sure that Chad was also listening to the radio to see what the other drivers were gonna do. It would be cool if Fox or whoever is covering the races would start the clock right when the drivers get to the comittment line. This way we would have a better idea of how long they really do spend on pit road.

As the weeks go by. Race after race. Track after track. Lap after lap. The pressure of driving in today’s upper series has already claimed its first victims.Who do you blame the driver or the team owner? The team owner puts the offer out there. And its up to the driver to say if he will accept or reject.


First off not just picking on any set of drivers. But we have the class of 2000 which consisted of Dale Earnhardt Jr and Matt Kenseth. This was probably the best set of drivers to come up in the last 8 years. As the weeks go by. The pressure of winning has to also get more frustrating. Kasey Kahne also came up through the Busch series. He also seems to be having problems that last couple of years. The consistency out of any of these 3 drivers had been at best, distant.


My point being. How did Chip Ganassi ever think that he was gonna change a formula that has been around since the beginning of Nascar. And that is the way the drivers are usually brought up in the cup series? Did he actually believe that just because a couple of his drivers are big name stars in another series. That by some stroke of luck they were gonna become an instant success? Instead of developing his drivers by a system that has been proven in the past. He is now having to wallow in his own pool of disgust. So much disgust. That this past week he got all of them together and told them how pathetic there performances have been.


Dont think that Juan wasn’t included. Because just last seson Chip told Juan if you don’t make the chase. Then its asta la vista baby. Dario Franchitti last years IRL champ is sitting 38th in points. He didnt even make the race last week at Texas. Im sure that his hubby Ashley cant be to happy with his lackluster performances. Maybe now that the IRL and Champ cars have united. It wouldnt be a bad time for him to make the transition back. Because as far as his transition into the cup cars. Im sure this wasnt what Chip expected.


Its pretty sad when the best driver on your so called cup team is 19th in points and more then 300 points behind cup leader Jeff Burton. And that is Juan. Just last week both Sorenson and Juan finished 2 laps of out of the lead lap. How happy do you think that made Chip? He has no one to blame but himself. You would have thought that he would have learned from his Juan experiment that you cant bring a driver up without going through the ranks. He should have left Juan in the Busch series one more year instead of bringing him up prematurely. The competition is just way to tough.


The cars are different. The drivers are different. The tracks are different. Shall we go on? Hopefully this will be a lesson to all of the other team owners. That you just can’t bring some superstar driver from another series. And actually think that they can compete their first or even second year out. Look at the 3 drivers fore mentioned. They came up through the ranks. They put their time in. They did what they were supposed to. They did it the right way. And even they are struggling.


Chip I could never understand your way of thinking. You might be an awesome team owner in the IRL. But even you yourself have yet to show any of us any promise. Maybe you need to go back and come up through the ranks. Watch how HMS, RCR, JGR, RYR, DEI, RFR have done it. They have followed the formula. They have used their thinking. They have studied and watched how it was done in the past. The future is not yours to try to change. This is not the Chip Ganassi show or hour. This is Nascar. There are ways to do things. Instead of going against the grain and wasting all of your money and resources. Jump on board.


Even your nemesis Roger Penske figured that out. Open wheels most succesful team owner used the formula that Nascar put forth. And now he has two winners in his stable. And why you ask. Because he went with the flow instead of trying to do it Rogers way. He did it the right way. Sure he might have Sam. But at least he has 2 winners on his team to balance out his experiment. In order for your team to ever be considered a threat. You need to humble yourself and admit that you are not as smart as you think you are. Sorry Chip but it shows in how well your team is doing. Actions speak louder then words. And your teams actions are just about invisible. Im Out