It was 43 races since Tony Stewart had won a Sprint Cup race.  Yesterday, that all changed as he won his first ever Cup race at Talladega.  "Smoke" has had a long, hard year, but now, he is all rejuvenated and ready to battle it out for the last six races.  Tony has come close to winning so many races this season with disappointing second place finishes.  Think back to the last race at Richmond: he had that race in his hands until that final pit stop.  Regan Smith got himself in position and made a final lap pass along the apron of the frontstretch.  The rookie beat the veteran to the line at Talladega.  The only problem was that he went below the yellow line.  NASCAR has a rule that a driver cannot go below the yellow line and advance a position.  Smith had other chances on the final lap to make a pass on the outside, but he just didn't have the experience and confidence to do it.  I saw him almost do it on the final lap before he made the move he did.  Regan made the move he did because he thought he could argue himself to a win, but things just don't work that way.  NASCAR is NASCAR and sticks firmly to their decisions.  I really believe that they made the right call by giving Stewart the win.  I know that a lot of people will disagree with me, but NASCAR stuck to its rulebook and made the best decision at the time.  The mystery question is: Would NASCAR have reversed the call if it were Dale Jr. beating "Smoke" to the line instead of Regan Smith?

Dale Earnhardt, Inc. had a great day in Alabama.  They had three cars in contention at the end and almost got their first win of the season.  Aric Almirola qualified in third and finished in 13th.  He had a close call though during the first "Big One".   Paul Menard did even better by qualifying in fifth and ending the day in second.  Regan Smith was the star of them all by making the controversial move in an attempt to come home with the win.  I think it was wrong that NASCAR placed him in 18th instead of second.  Something is wrong there; if they didn't place him in first, they could have at least placed him in second.  What is up with that, NASCAR?  Martin Truex, Jr. had a pretty good day until he got taken out in the first "Big One".  I could just see the disappointment on his face when he climbed out of that car quiet early in the race.  The "Big One" is the "Big One", and there are many innocent victims.

Tire Trouble All Day at Talladega

As we could see all throughout yesterday's Amp Energy 500, Goodyear did something different or made some huge mistake before this past weekend.  What is interesting about it is that they didn't have this problem back in the spring.  If you get it right, you just need to stick to it.  This day was sort of like the Brickyard back in July; except, the tires didn't cause the race to be totally messed up with having to pit every ten laps.  The first "Big One" was clearly caused when Brian Vickers' right, front tire exploded.  So many drivers were taken out because of a blown tire; that is the type of thing that you would only see on a restrictor plate track.  The surprising thing was that none of the Chasers were harmed in "Big One" Number One.  They were all taken out in "Big One" Number Two...

What should really be a wakeup call to Goodyear was the Denny Hamlin incident.  When a driver's safety gets in the way, then, it becomes the paramount issue.  Just imagine how hard that hit in the Turn 1 wall must have felt.  If it weren't for all of the safey imrovements since the death of Dale Earnhardt, Senior, Denny may not be with us today.  We all knew the seriousness of the crash when he was rolled on a stretcher and transported to a helicopter.

The other noticable tire issue was with David Reutimann.  He just cut a tire and spun out.  Poor ole Jeff Gordon had no place to go and got severe damage from the wreck.  That finished his day; he eventually made it back out onto the track but had more engine problems toward the end of the race.  I really thought he might win the event like he did last year.  Jeff was up front toward the beginning of the race but got taken out in another guy's mess.  His bad day in 'Bama have almost finished him off in the Chase.  Gordon is just mentally worn out and has been frustrated all year.

Just think how money all this damage will add up to and how many drivers will be down and hurt from Goodyear's tire disaster during the Chase.

Chasers' Calamity Comes in "Big One" Number Two

There is always the real "Big One" at the end of a long, 500-miler at Talladega.  This one resulted from just one young man: Carl Edwards.  He was racing too aggressively and gave Greg Biffle a little too hard of a nudge that ruined many Chasers' chances.  At least he apologized after the knockout.  Last week, Carl thought he could win the race by driving into the wall.  This week, Edwards was just plain stupid.  He took out not only Dale Jr.,  Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch, but also his Roush teammates Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth.  "Cool Carl" will be having a talk with team owner Jack Roush after that uncool move as well as his two buddies (Well, I don't think I should call them buddies anymore).  This kind of resembled the wreck back in the fall of 2006 when Brian Vickers took out his teammate Jeff Gordon in addition to leader Dale Jr.  It sounds like Mr. Edwards needs to go to Restrictor Plate Racing 101.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was having a great day in his race until he got caught up Edwards' mess.  I really thought that he also may win the race and rebound to be a Chase contender again.  Talladega is his track, but he has not been doing as well there recently.  Dale talked in his interview after the crash about how some racers just don't know what they are doing at restrictor plate tracks.  Are you hearing me, Carl?

Kyle Busch was having a pretty good day until the calamity.  I though that he may start a comeback after all of his troubles to get back on track.  Kyle was leading for a while and was another innocent victim claimed by "Cool Carl".

More from Alabama

Jimmie Johnson had a day with many ups and downs.  He started out the day in the back of the pack and eventually fell behind the pack.  I think it was stupid of him to choose to drift behind the pack.  Now, I know that it was the car trouble that got him so, incredibly far back, but a driver needs to stay with the main group.  Somehow, Jimmie managed to make it through both "Big Ones" and end up with a ninth place finish.  This is another example of how a great driver can make the best out of a bad, race car.

I really thought Talladega would shuffle up the points more than it did.  I thought that possibly Jimmie Johnson would fall out of the lead, but Johnson is just too good.  Once the Chase starts, he is on fire and settles for nothing but the Championship.  All Talladega did was put Earnhardt, Jr. further behind the leader and made it even harder for him to win the Cup.  He just has not been running well during the Chase.  After the "Bif's" crash, he still managed to keep third place in points.  The points race is getting less and less exciting as the Chase goes on.  That is why the Chase needs to be shorter.

Talladega was by far the most exciting and eventful race of the season.  It doesn't get more intense than that.  I can see why Jimmie Johnson hates going to 'Bama during the Chase, but it ####es up the action.  There is no question that Talladega lived up to its name this weekend.

A PROPOSED RULE CHANGE:  After what happened to Regan Smith at the finish, I think NASCAR should paint the yellow line white.  It should be like any other track where drivers can make the winning pass on the apron.

That's all for now.

                                  

Talladega Superspeedway- Talladega, Alabama.  Fall has come, and the leaves are turning.  The coldfront is moving in.  What's also turning is the NASCAR points standings.  After leading the standings for almost the whole regular season, Kyle Busch had his downfall once the Chase started and the pressure arose.  He didn't have his nice, little cushion any longer, and it became fair game.  "Wild Thing" had a terrible day at Loudon and had engine problems at Dover.  Most people claimed that the "Shrub" had two mulligans since he had an 80 point lead, and Busch already used them up in the first two events.  "Rowdy" had to be perfect for the rest of the Chase races and possibly win every one.  But last week at Kansas, he got a piece of paper stuck in his engine and had another lousy day.  When are things going to turn around for this kid?  Could it possibly be in Alabama where he won back in the spring?  He has run well on restrictor plate tracks all year.  If he wins, expect the beer cans to be flying like crazy.  This one of many stories going into Sunday's Amp Energy 500.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is also looking for a turnaround, and Talladega could be the perfect track.  He has always run well there, and the race is even named for his sponsor.  Dale will have about 70,000 fans' names on his machine for Sunday's race.  The question is: How many names will be left when it is all said and done?

Jeff Gordon is the defending champ of this race last year.  After getting a solid third place place finish at Kansas, Jeff is on the hunt  Remember, he is NOT out of this thing by any means.  He knows how to race the Chase and how to finish strong.

What I love about Talladega especially during the Chase is that it is so unpredictable.  Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, and Greg Biffle won't be your 1-2-3 finishers.  It just gives change and variety to the sport.  This is definitely the wild card race of the Chase.  Talladega is drivers' chances to get back in this battle.  The top guys could get taken out in the "Big One", and a guy like Kevin Harvick or Tony Stewart could end up winning it.  Also, there are the long shots like David Reutimann or maybe Michael Waltrip.  Guys who don't perform as well on the typical tracks usually have good finishes on the restrictor plate ones.  1.5 mile tracks just get so monotonous and long.  I really think that the Chase needs to have a road course as another wild card race.  The Amp Energy 500 will keep you on the edge of your seat all afternoon.

Enjoy the race, and watch out for the "Big One".

      

Jimmie Johnson is on a roll.  He qualified on the poll for the Camping World RV 400 at Kansas, led the most laps, and closed out the deal by winning the race and getting his fifth win of the season.  Jimmie had a strong car all day long and was able to hold off Carl Edwards when it counted.  Toward the end of the race, Jimmie and Carl were just traded positions between first and second at each pit stop.  But when it counted, Johnson's pit crew got him out front, and he never looked back.  Both Jimmie and Carl have gotten top fives in all three events so far in the Chase and will battle it out all the way to Homestead.  They have shown that they have been the guys to beat all season and still have a shot at the Cup.  Talladega next week, though, could really shuffle up the points standings and could possibly break these guys' streaks.

Carl Edwards sure did give Jimmie Johnson a run for his money.  He qualified in the back and worked his way to the front during the course of the event.  The hometown hero gave it all he had and wouldn't give up until the fat lady sang.  The main key to his loss was the final pit stop.  His pit crew wasn't top notch during the race and made some mistakes.  People say that a race can be won or lost in the pits, and I truly believe it.  That is why those guys train day in and day out; there job is to get the driver in the best position possible.  Carl made an incredulous move on the final lap by slamming his car into the wall, trying to use the force to propel himself by Jimmie Johnson.  I have never in my life seen a guy do something like that.  It certainly made the end interesting, but I feel sorry for the guys in the shop.  They are the ones who will suffer from that.  It sounds like Mr. Edwards has been playing the NASCAR game too much to think something like that would actually pay off.  He almost lost control of his race car.

The Non-Chasers

Martin Truex, Jr. had a strong car most of the day.  He qualified 5th and led for awhile, but he ended up finishing 43rd with transmission.  Truex was capable of winning the race if it weren't for the problems and could have really used a win to boost his spirits.  He got a top 10 two weeks ago at Loudon but has had trouble all through the season that demolished his Chase chances.

Kudos to A.J. Allmendinger for his ninth place finish.  The guy is getting better each and every week.  He knows that he is racing for a ride and needs to impress the scouts.  Sometimes he doesn't make the race, sometimes he does terrible, and sometimes he has a great day.  I can see a lot of potential talent in this kid.

The Chasers

Matt Kenseth probably had the wildest day of anybody.  He qualified well and led in the early part of the race.  Midway through, Matt got tapped in the back by Casey Mears and went for the spin.  Kenseth did a great job controling his job and not getting any damage.  The most impressive part was that he managed to rebound from the wreck and get a fifth place finish.  That shows how well his car was and how motivated he was.  No one thought Matt would be a contender before the Chase started, and now, he is a top competitor every single week.  Kenseth is another driver that has suddenly come alive in the late part of the season.

Jeff Gordon was feeling terrible before the race started and even had Brad Keslowski ready as a back-up.  When the green flag waved, he put his illness aside and just ran a great race ending with a fourth place finish.  Jeff needed that after not winning at last week at Dover when he had the odds.  Gordon is still well in this Chase and shouldn't be counted out.  The veteran could still walk out of Homestead with the Title.

Greg Biffle went into Kansas hoping to pull off a trifecta.  He felt like he had a good car and worked his way up front throughout the afternoon.  Even though he was not a contender for the win, "The Bif" still managed to get a third place finish after just beating Jeff Gordon back to the line.

Clint Bowyer had a long day after getting black flagged on the opening lap for passing cars before the green flag lap.  Dale Earnhardt, Jr. had this problem at Bristol, and it ruined his victory chances as well.  All of these Chasers are just so anxious to get the party started, and they can't hold their horses until it starts.  Black flags have proved to be costly in addition to bad pit stops.  Bowyer did do a good job salvaging a 12th place finish after the trouble, and that shows that he can make the best out of the worst scenario.

Kyle Busch had another disappointing run for the third week in a row.  His car was out of control at the beginning of the day because of a little piece of paper stuck in a car part.  After his issue was fixed, he hobbled around Kansas to a 28th place finish.  I have to give him credit for being able to hang on to that machine.  That showed his talent right there.  All year, Kyle has always been able to make the best out of a bad, race car.

Tony Stewart went into Kansas as a driver who was favored to win the event.  He won there on fuel mileage in 2006 and has a terrible drought to end.  DW picked him to win the event in his post.  "Smoke" has had a disappointing year and is pretty much out of Title contention.  All three of the Gibbs drivers are 10-11-12 in standings.  It just amazes me how they can be so dominant for most of the year and so horrendous when it counts.  The organization has done something different with their equipment in order to be this bad.  Joe Gibbs Racing can kiss their Championship hopes good-bye.

That's all for now.

                                   

Greg Biffle had another dominant car for the second week in a row.  He lied back all day but took care of business when it was time.  For a while, he hung out around fifth place when he thought he had a flat tire.  Biffle has just suddenly come alive since the Chase has started.  It is almost as if a switch was suddenly flipped in his whole racing season.  Now, he is up there fighting for that Championship after having a mediocre regular season.  Greg gets to go to Kansas next week where he won last year.  "The Bif" is in great shape and is in a great position to possibly take home the Cup at Homestead.

Even though Greg Biffle won, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards had great days as well.  Kenseth led the most laps but just couldn't defend the top position in the final 10 laps.  He got the boost he needed  and is back in the hunt.  Look for him to possibly go to victory lane in the next few weeks.  Carl Edwards had a great car and led up to the end where he was passed by Kenseth.  Matt sure was on his bumper and finally overtook him.  It was really tough to pass on the bottom at the end of the race like it has been at many other tracks.  That relates to this new car and how it runs.  The Camping World RV 400 provided some of the best racing all season.  It is rare when guys are battling for the win three-wide on a short track and racing so hard.  I was surprised how exciting a Dover race was.

Mark Martin had a great weekend with qualifying second and finishing fifth.  He is proving that he isn't too old to run with the young guns.  We just never know though whether he is going to have a great run or just a run-of-the-mill finish.

Kyle Busch's Downfall at Dover

After the regular season, Kyle Busch had 8 wins and was in great shape to run away with the Title.  Last week at New Hampshire, he had car trouble all day and ended up with a 34th place finish.  Today at the Monster Mile, Kyle had an even worse day and finished 43rd.  "Rowdy" had engine trouble and thought it had to do with a particular part.  Joe Gibbs Racing has tried some different setups and other thing during these two Chase races, and that is not a good idea.  If you have something that works, keep with it.  I think they just felt the heat from the other racing teams to keep in first place.  Kyle Busch is pretty much out of contention for the Cup after having a regular season to remember.  I have known all along that he wouldn't win the Championship.  You here me, DW?  I think Kyle Busch and Tony Romo are a lot alike.  They are both young hotheads, and they both have phenomenal regular seasons with the best records of anybody but cannot  prevail when it counts.  It takes a more experienced driver to get the job done under pressure.  "Wild Thing" is eventually going to succeed in the end, but it is almost impossible for it to happen this year.

                    

I think Greg Biffle and Kyle Busch have traded places in Cup contention.  Biffle is in a position to win the Championship, and Busch is in the position that Biffle was in earlier during the year.  It is amazing to me how a guy can have 8 wins before the Chase and fall so deep during the first two races of the Chase.  This shows that NASCAR has got to give more points for wins during the first 26 races.  Maybe 50 points would get the job done.

More On the Chasers

Jimmie Johnson had another consistent day by racking up a fourth place finish.  He is showing that he can run well on any type of track, and that is what a Champion is made of.  Carl Edwards managed to walk out of Dover with the points lead, but J.J. will take it back as he gets to go to many of his favorite tracks.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. undid the good done last week by having a terrible day in Delaware ending with a 24th place finish.  He just spun around on the frontstretch when his tire blew and had trouble the rest of the race.  A lot of people thought he would be a guy that would still be in it at Homestead, but I don't think it will happen.  The good news is Dale will get to go to tracks like Talladega and Martinsville that he has run well at, but other guys will have to have trouble for Junior to get back in it.  The way guys like Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson are running, it will be tough for other drivers to catch back up.

Denny Hamlin also had a rough day at the Monster Mile, finishing 38th.  First, he got caught with a speeding penalty.  Then, Denny had to go to the garage for a little while.  The Joe Gibbs drivers are gradually slipping out of the contention; they had their glory in the earlier part of the year.  The only Joe Gibbs driver that still has hope is Tony Stewart.  He is the one who is still a legitimate Title contender and is hungry for a win.  Tony hasn't has any glory yet this year, and it will come somewhere in the next couple of races.  Maybe Kansas?

I really thought this week was meant to be for Jeff Gordon after he was fastest in practice and qualified on the pole.  Dover has always been a good track for him, and he still got a good finish.  But, I expected a little more.  I wonder if he will ever get hot during the Chase and win a race.  This year just wasn't meant for him, and I am starting to realize that he may end up winless in 2008. 

That's all for now.

                                            

Ohio State vs. USC was supposed to be the game of the year.  It was supposed to be a clash that boiled down to the final minute.  In the end, it was none of that.  The game was good for about the first quarter.  I knew that Ohio State would score first, and that they wouldn't get on the board for the rest of the night.  The Buckeyes are predictable; this game was like the past two National Championships.  All of the good teams have to get warmed up while the Buckeyes just try to get on the board.  I hope this game just made it impossible for Ohio State to go to the big game in January.  I know that they will probably go undefeated the rest of the season and be in the top 10 in the BCS rankings, but this game just showed America what Ohio State is really made of.  Thanks, USC for doing the deed that has needed to be done for a couple of years.

The Trojans are a phenomenal team that came together big last night.  Matt Sanchez showed that he can handle the pressure of big games.  I think that Sanchez and all of the Trojans were excited about this game.  They had the confidence before it even started; they knew that they would prevail in the end.  Pete Carroll even said in a pre-game interview, "We're ready for them."  All of the Trojans came together as one and united during this clash.  Rey Maualuga got his first career touchdown. The USC Trojans just signed their ticket to the National Championship.

On the other hand, the Ohio State Buckeyes were not excited about this game.  They knew that they were going to lose; that's probably why Chris "Beanie" Wells did not play.  I know he was kind of injured, though I bet the Buckeyes wanted to have an excuse when they lost this game because they knew their title hopes would be crushed.  The one flicker of light during that game on Ohio State was Terrell Pryor.  He just had a great game and did a spectacular job taking over for Beanie.  Pryor showed that he is star that can deliver big.  I'm just glad that the Buckeyes were put in their place.  I was shocked that Whatifsports.com predicted Ohio State to win 22-21.  There must be some flaws in the site that need to be fixed.

Again, thanks Trojans.