A response to Sources: Ganassi, DEI in alliance talks

Until this happens, all this is hearsay. Let's say for argument's sake Ganassi and DEI merge. What would it bring? For one, it would consolidate two struggling operations into a bigger struggling operation. Or this merger could improve both operations, and perhaps Teresa Earnhardt may stay home and count her money she'd earn from the merger. A merger would benefit the drivers from both operations with sponsorship and technical issues. Should this merger happen, Ganassi would switch from Dodge to Chevrolet.

For the sponsorship side, Ganassi would bring his current sponsors (Big Red and Target) to the new operation. In turn, Martin Truex Jr. and Aric Almirola would benefit by having Juan Pablo Montoya as a teammate. The technical side would benefit by having Richard Childress Racing engines and horsepower. (Imagine Montoya and Kevin Harvick sharing engine information!)

Here's what this really means: NASCAR is struggling, as is the economy as a whole. LONG gone are the single car teams, and in the words of Bruce Springsteen, "they ain't coming back." (In his song, My Hometown) You're going to see the weeding out of the weaker teams, perhaps seeing fields at less than 43 cars in several races. This is a trend that I don't see being reversed any time soon. With the COT costing a lot more than NASCAR expected, it has become a hardship on those teams that are struggling. Until NASCAR tightens its belt, expect this to continue.

Crappafoni Pictures presents to you your weekly spaghetti western but this time with a southwestern flavor. Sit back and enjoy!

THE GOOD

Jimmie Johnson: played a HUGE high stakes poker game on fuel mileage and won. As the winner (ugh!) he gets first billing.

Clint Bowyer: finished second to Johnson and like Johnson stayed out while everyone else had to pit.

Hendrick Motorsports: all four of its cars finished in the top 15--Johnson (1st), Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (7th), Casey Mears (11th), and Jeff Gordon (13th).

Mark Martin: good finish for the wily veteran, but is left wondering what could have been.

Carl Edwards: started 34th and finished fourth. He passed a LOT of cars during the course of the race.

Joe Gibbs Racing: all three of its cars finished in the top 15--Denny Hamlin (3rd), Kyle Busch (10th) and Tony Stewart (14th). 

THE BAD

Ryan Newman: very uncharacteristic last place finish. Had a strong car before mechanical issues retired his car early.

Matt Kenseth: his team totally missed the setup and an early accident compounded his bad day.

Gillette-Evernham Motorsports: had two cars drop out of the race after both Elliott Sadler and Kasey Kahne were running in the top 10. Their best finisher was Patrick Carpentier, who finished in 33rd, four laps down.

Chip Ganassi Racing: aside from Juan Pablo Montoya's solid top 20 finish (he finished 16th), both Dario Franchitti (32nd) and Reed Sorenson (42nd) had days both would like to forget about. At least Franchitti has a hot wife he can come home to and commisserate with.

THE UGLY

J.J. Yeley: he was the victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was running strong when he was caught up in an accident that wasn't of his doing. Tough break for Yeley, as he stands 36th in points and now has to qualify on time at Talladega.

Kevin Harvick: was running in the top 5 for much of the second half of the race when he ran out of gas as he entered pit row for his final stop of the race. Then he stalled exiting his pit and ended up going two laps down. He finished a lap down in 19th, costing him three spots in the standings.

Those are my selections. Feel free to chime in with yours!