This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew presents to you this week's version of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Served Southern-style, with all the fixin's. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Tony Stewart: as the winner of this race, he automatically gets first billing. The win broke a 43 race winless streak. This is Smoke's first win at Talladega. Way to go Smoke!
Regan Smith: finished a career-best second place. While he never led a lap, he gave it his best effort to win the race, but came up just short.
DEI: with Smith, Paul Menard, and Aric Almirola, they finished 2-3-4. A HUGE shot in the arm for the organization.
Elliott Sadler: he had a strong car all day and led four laps en route to a fifth-place finish. Excellent effort.
Scott Riggs: he's very rarely been mentioned in any of these categories. He finished tenth and led four laps. A good job by a driver that's looking for a ride next season.
Honorable Mention: David Ragan, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, Bobby Labonte.
THE BAD
Ryan Newman: as the last place finisher, he gets this dubious spot. He had mechanical issues all day. I wonder if he's counting down the days until he joins Stewart-Haas Racing?
Sterling Marlin: while he did well to qualify, his car also had mechanical issues.
THE UGLY
The Big One: the first one happened on Lap 69 and involved nine cars. It started when Brian Vickers' right front tire exploded and the following drivers were involved: Vickers, Martin Truex, Jr., Almirola, Kasey Kahne, David Gilliland, Terry Labonte, Jamie McMurray, Mike Skinner, and Tony Raines. NASCAR threw a red flag that lasted for 17 minutes.
The Big One, Part 2: this happened on Lap 174, and unlike the first one, this one had HUGE championship implications, as several Chase drivers were involved. A total of 12 drivers were involved: Carl Edwards (who started it), Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Dave Blaney, Michael Waltrip, Travis Kvapil, Joe Nemechek, Reed Sorenson, and Juan Pablo Montoya. The first six are all Chasers. Another Chaser, Jimmie Johnson, NARROWLY escaped being involved. IMO, this clinched a third straight title for Johnson. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good, and Johnson was LUCKY. How he escaped, I have no earthly idea. I'll have something for Edwards later on.
This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew serves up a smoking hot slab of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, BBQ style, complete with corn on the cob, baked beans, and a side of salad. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Jimmie Johnson: as the race winner, he automatically gets first billing, and a healthy cyber helping of ribs, baked beans, salad, and Pepsi to wash it all down. He started from the pole after Juan Pablo Montoya's pole-winning qualifying effort was disallowed (more on JPM in a later blog). He led the most laps in the race. Great job by the #48 and his crew!
Roush Fenway Racing: I'm putting ALL the RFR drivers together in this category. Four of them (Edwards, Kenseth, Biffle, and Ragan) finished in the top 10 and with Jamie McMurray, all of them finished on the lead lap.
Jeff Gordon: not a bad finish for someone battling flu-like symptoms throughout the race. He was edged out at the line by Greg Biffle for third.
Kevin Harvick/Jeff Burton: the RCR teammates both started at the back of the field (Harvick started 36th and Burton started 43rd after a tachometer change as he began to leave pit road). It didn't take them long to charge to the front and stay there. While they didn't have the oomph to contend for the win, they had enough to stay in the top 10. But the way Edwards and Johnson are running, top 10s won't be enough to stay in the Chase for long.
Clint Bowyer: he had an eventful day to start. First he was black-flagged for passing on the start of the race. Then he goes a lap down. He gets a free pass, then he starts working his way towards the front. Unfortunately, he faded to a 12th place finish.
AJ Allmendinger: he finished a career-high 9th place in what may have been his final race for Team Red Bull. Whoever ends up with Allmendinger will be getting a driver starting to find his groove in the second half of the season.
Elliott Sadler: a very good, and much needed, top 10 finish for ESad. Had a strong car throughout the weekend; he started fourth and finished 10th.
Scott Riggs: had mechanical issues throughout the race, including spending time in the garage for an extended period. He finished 42nd.
Kyle Petty: if Petty Enterprises is to become a viable team again, he needs to find a quality replacement for him in the #45 car. It's become very painful to watch him race. A bright future awaits him in the booth, as he is one of the better commentators.
Joe Nemechek: what was this #### doing RACING with the leaders at the very end of the race? Dude, you're a field filler now, let Johnson and Edwards race to the finish and move the *bleep* out of their way.
Robby Gordon: consider his little experiment of owning a one-car team over. He was halfway decent when he was driving for RCR, winning some races and putting together some top tens. He's a field filler now. He's been rumored to go to DEI next season.
THE UGLY
Kyle Busch/Tony Stewart: both JGR teammates had their issues today. Busch had issues early in the race with a sputtering engine. Fortunately for Busch, the issues worked themselves out and he even led a lap. But they didn't work themselves out well enough, as he later fell two laps down. He finished 28th. As for Stewart, he and Brian Vickers were involved in an incident in which Vickers and Stewart made contact, sending Stewart sideways into the infield grass and damaging his front splitter. His car lost downforce as a result and he spent two minutes in his pit stall as his crew repaired the damaged splitter. In the process, he lost six laps.
Martin Truex, Jr.: he had such a strong run in which he was in the top 10 much of the race; in fact, he led some laps and got the five bonus points. Unfortunately, a transmission failure relegated him to a 43rd place finish. That's UGLY.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours.
This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew serves you up, New England-style, this week's version of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, served with a heaping helping of New England Clam Chowder. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Greg Biffle: as the race winner, he automatically gets first billing. It was appropriate that a Roush Fenway driver won this race on the Fenway Group's "home turf."
Jimmie Johnson: although he didn't quite have enough to overtake Biffle, he was still very strong and served notice he's not giving up the championship without a fight.
Carl Edwards: like Johnson, Cousin Carl served notice that he's hungry to win a championship. When does his car NOT run strong?
Jeff Burton: Mr. Consistency showed why he's so consistent. He spent much of the day in the top 10, eventually finishing fourth.
Kurt Busch: he started 20th and finished a strong sixth. His car got better as the race went on. What helped him is the fact that his new lead engineer came over from Helio Castroneves' IRL team and they hit on something.
Martin Truex, Jr.: like Busch, he started close to mid-pack and got stronger as the race went on. He started 18th and finished seventh.
Honorable Mention: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick.
THE BAD
Ryan Newman: he dropped a cylinder early in the race and had to nurse the car throughout the race. He finished 14 laps down.
Kyle Busch: a sway bar in his car broke early in the race and he had to nurse it until the competition caution came out on Lap 35. His crew spent nearly 30 seconds making repairs, only to see it break again. By the time the crew got it fixed, he was several laps down in 43rd. A sub good to him for finishing 34th through attrition and not giving up on the car and crew.
Michael McDowell: this guy wrecked at least two cars in the race. When will NASCAR pull this guy aside and park him for the remainder of the race? Or better yet, when will someone wreck him and NASCAR look the other way? In my book, he's developing the reputation of being a dirty driver.
THE UGLY
The Little Big One: you knew something was going to happen when cars went five wide coming off Turn 4. Chad McCumbee got loose and collected Chaser Matt Kenseth, starting a multi-car wreck. It looked like something you would see at Talladega. The red flag was thrown to clear the debris and cars from the track, and lasted 10 minutes. The wreck severely damaged Kenseth's chances at winning his second title.
Those are my nominations for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
Crappafoni Pictures presents the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Southern BBQ style, complete with a side of BBQ baked beans. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Jimmie Johnson: as the race winner, he automatically gets first billing. For much of the race, he didn't have the best car, but his crew made it better as the race went on. The #48 crew deserves a HUGE shout out.
Tony Stewart: so close, yet so far. Like Johnson, Smoke's crew made his car better as the race went on. Couldn't quite catch Johnson at the end.
Denny Hamlin: spent most of the day in the top 10. This team needed a strong run and got it.
David Reutimann: for awhile, it looked like he was going to get his first Sprint Cup win. If you had to take a guess on who led the most laps in the race, and you said Dale Earnhardt, Jr. or Kevin Harvick, you would be wrong. It was Reutimann, who led 104 laps and got an additional 5 bonus points for leading the most laps. Great job!
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: he led 90 laps and spent most of the day in the top 10. His car was better in the longer runs.
Kevin Harvick: had a very stout car early, as he immediately went to the front. Led 80 laps, the first time he led since the June Loudon race. But as the day went on, his car started fading. By the time the crew made necessary changes, it was too late for him to win. He finished strong in seventh.
Clint Bowyer: he clinched the final spot in the Chase. For awhile, he was out of the Chase, then David Ragan got hung up in traffic, Kasey Kahne struggled, and Bowyer took advantage.
Honorable Mention: Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Casey Mears, Greg Biffle.
THE BAD
AJ Allmendinger: his car had issues very early in the race, forcing it to the garage. He finished 64 laps down, in dead last. As the last-place finisher, he gets this dubious place.
Kasey Kahne: needing to have a strong run to make the Chase, he struggled big time. Although he kept the car out of trouble, he was never a factor in the race. It's rare that a guy in the top 20 makes the Bad list, but if you look closely, Kahne was running anywhere between 25th and 36th throughout the race. It wasn't until the last pit stop that he gained track position.
Robby Gordon: this capped a bad week for him. First, he gets sued by Gillette Evernham Motorsports. Then he finishes 42nd, getting in everyone's way in the process.
Johnny Sauter: why oh why did Haas-CNC put him back in the seat after Tony Raines did a much better job in that seat? When Tony Stewart takes over that team next year, Ryan Newman will be in that seat, and that's an upgrade that can only be measured in light years.
THE UGLY
Tropical Storm Hanna: the storm caused postponement of this race to today. That's part of Richmond's charm--running this race at NIGHT. Fortunately, it was a beautiful sunny day with 78 degree temps at the drop of the green flag.
Roush Fenway Racing: aside from Greg Biffle making the Chase and Biffle and Carl Edwards finishing in the top 15, it wasn't a good day. Matt Kenseth and David Ragan tangled in a wreck, effectively knocking Ragan out of the Chase. Jamie McMurray was never a factor, and Edwards lost a lap early when he had a tire go down. A sub good to Edwards for finishing strong when he could have packed it in.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
Crappafoni Pictures presents to you, in super ultra high definition, this week's version of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, served California style, with tri-tip, fresh vegetables, and the best California wine money can buy. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Jimmie Johnson: as the race winner, he gets automatic first billing. Home cooking was especially good to JJ this week. (He's from El Cajon, CA) He had such a dominant car, it didn't matter what position he was running, he automatically charged to the front. Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch, beware. He's BAAAAAAAACK.
Roush Fenway Racing: once again, this track was kind to them (aside from Jamie McMurray). Greg Biffle finished 2nd, Matt Kenseth finished 5th, Carl Edwards finished 6th, and David Ragan finished 13th. All Biffle has to do is start at Richmond and he's in the Chase.
Denny Hamlin: for the second consecutive week, he finished third. Another strong run for the #11 team. This gives them some breathing room as the circuit goes to Hamlin's home track. He is 93 points ahead of 13th place David Ragan. He should be able to make the Chase.
Kevin Harvick: the #29 team had yet another strong top 5 finish. He started 33rd and didn't take long to charge to the front. This is easily the best this team has run at Fontana. Another case of home cooking being especially good to him (He's from Bakersfield, CA) This team is peaking at the right time. He WILL get a win at some point this season. At 160 points ahead of 13th, all he has to do is keep his car clean and have a solid finish and he's in the Chase.
David Reutimann: I've gotta give him some props. He had a strong car all weekend, starting 12th and finishing 8th. This was HUGE as his car hovered around 35th in owner points. Now he can breathe easier. He even led some laps in the race and got the five bonus points. Good job David!!
Kasey Kahne: he SORELY needed a good finish to keep his Chase hopes alive. He got it in the form of an eighth-place finish. He's in 14th place, 44 points behind Clint Bowyer for 12th place.
Honorable Mention: Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Brian Vickers, AJ Allmendinger.
THE BAD
Robby Gordon: he was nothing more than a field filler. About the only time he was mentioned was when he was in an accident or running slow. Zero laps in the top 10. Yeah, he was bad.
Ken Schrader: at this point in his career, another field filler. While I admire him for his desire to race, his days as a competitive driver are LONG GONE.
Kyle Petty: it's getting brutally painful to watch him race. His best bet would be to hire Terry Labonte full time in that car; at least Labonte has put that car in the top 20 this year.
Paul Menard: nary a single mention of him during the telecast. Should be nicknamed "The Phantom" because it's like he's not there, but his car is.
THE UGLY
None: this race was well-run; only two drivers were shown as out of the race: Joe Nemechek and Johnny Sauter.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew is at one of its very favorite tracks, Bristol at night. The crew gorged on lots of bumping and ####ing, along with a healthy helping of steaks marinated in Jack Daniel's. This race is one of the great spectacles in all of sports. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Carl Edwards: as the race winner, he automatically gets first billing. He definitely had something for Kyle Busch, who led the most laps but finished second. Kudos to Edwards for spinning out Busch after the checkered flag flew in retaliation of Busch bumping him. Congratulations, Concrete Carl!
Kyle Busch: as stated above, he led the most laps but didn't get it done.
Kevin Harvick/Clint Bowyer: the RCR teammates had huge point races when they needed it the most. Harvick finished fourth and Bowyer finished seventh. Bowyer's finish was particuarly impressive after getting involved in The Big One on Lap 215 and suffering damage to his right front axle, getting toed out. Bowyer had to run with it from that point on. A very impressive finish by Bowyer. Kudos to Bowyer for stating that Michael Waltrip was the worst driver in NASCAR. Harvick was one of three drivers (Edwards and Jeff Gordon being the others) to spend the entire race in the Top 10. (He started sixth)
Jeff Gordon: led one lap very early and got the five bonus points he sorely needed. Spent the entire race within the top 10. Kept his car out of trouble the entire race and was rewarded. Finally he's out of the Bad and Ugly categories!!
Denny Hamlin: another driver that needed a very high finish. He got it with a strong third place showing. He came in with a questionable attitude about making the Chase. This finish was the tonic Hamlin and his team needed. With the final two races on tracks that Hamlin runs well at, he should be able to make the Chase.
THE BAD
David Reutimann: while I normally would put the last-place driver here, the driver finished there due to an accident. Reutimann is here because he started second and finished 25th, two laps down. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and conclude he doesn't have the experience of running up front.
Jimmie Johnson: he was never a factor after making contact with another driver early in the race. He finished an uncharacteristic 33rd, 15 laps down.
Field Fillers: you people know who you are. You're the guys racing the leaders when you're laps down.
Michael Waltrip: I'm saving my wrath for last. He was the cause of The Big One, when he made contact with Casey Mears. Time for Mikey to hang up his helmet and move to the booth as an analyst. Everytime he's anywhere near the leaders (usually several laps down), I cringe because he races with them.
THE UGLY
The Big One: the Talladegaesque wreck started when Waltrip made contact with Mears. Mears then made contact with Bowyer, and all hell broke loose. Bowyer and Kasey Kahne were the two Chasers that got caught in the wreck. Kahne was the worst loser, dropping to 14th in the point standings.
Kyle Busch: yes, he was frustrated at not winning after leading over 400 laps. He executed the Bus(c)h League move of the year when he tapped Edwards after the checkered flag flew. When you pull a bonehead move like that, expect retaliation. I'll have something for him tomorrow.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
The Crappafoni Pictures crew is at the nation's auto capital, Michigan, for a second helping of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, northern BBQ style. Enjoy your postrace meal!
THE GOOD
Carl Edwards: as the race winner, he gets first billing. He had the best car, and his pit crew gave him consistently quick pit stops. A special shout out goes to his Roush Fenway Racing teammates: David Ragan, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, and Jamie McMurray. All five Roush Fenway drivers finished in the top 10. Good job, Cousin Carl and Roush Fenway!
Kyle Busch: for once (it only seems that way) he's not in the top spot. He did have a strong car and led 34 laps. But he didn't have quite enough for Edwards at the end; he thought he had "bad" tires.
Brian Vickers: early on, he looked like he was going to get Toyota's first win at Michigan. He started from the pole and led 21 laps. He spent all but ONE lap in the top 10, when he fell out during a round of green-flag pit stops.
Kevin Harvick: he started somewhere near downtown Detroit (Not really, but it seemed that way. He started 38th.) and worked his way up to an eighth place finish. He was easily the mover of the race, moving up 30 spots. He also gained three positions in the Chase. All in all, a very good points day for Happy and the #29 crew.
Elliott Sadler: he started third, and had a strong car much of the day. He was in the top 10 for 177 of the 200 laps. A very good run for E-Sad. Good job.
THE BAD
Marcos Ambrose: he blew an engine very early in the race and his day ended almost before it began. As the last place finisher, he gets this dubious slot.
Jeff Gordon: the #24 team is in freefall. A 42nd place finish leaves him in ninth place in the points standings, dropping three spots and his bubble is growing larger and larger.
Denny Hamlin: what looked to be a good points day went the other way when his engine blew with five laps to go. He now sits in the hot seat of 12th place in the Chase standings. Nice job of throwing your pit crew under the bus there, pal. I know you're frustrated and that you want to make the Chase oh so bad. The bright spot is that two of the last three tracks are at tracks where he runs well.
Kasey Kahne: he needed a strong finish to solidify his Chase chances. He didn't get it. His car was uncharacteristically bad. In fact, he was off the track for a period of time. When he returned, he was nearly 40 laps down. A 40th place finish just made his bubble a little larger.
THE UGLY
Marcos Ambrose: hate to put him in this category, but I must. We hardly knew ye. He was done so early, he could have been called The Phantom Race Car Driver. All part of the pitfalls of a Cup rookie--he runs very well one week and very bad the next.
Jeff Gordon: unless the #24 team can get out of the death spiral they're in now, they'll be on the outside looking in. While I think they will, they're no lock to be in the Chase.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew is on the road to serve you, New York-style, this week's version of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Served piping hot with a bottle of New York's finest wine. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Kyle Busch: as the race winner, he automatically gets first billing. Also led the most laps in the race. He's not only swept both Sprint Cup road course races, but with the win in Mexico City, he set the single-season record for most road course wins with three.
Marcos Ambrose: started at the rear of the field. To go from 43rd to third was nothing short of outstanding. If given the right opportunity with the right team, he can and will win Cup races. Additional kudos for racing Tony Stewart cleanly.
Tony Stewart: Smoke led one lap, thanks to Kyle Busch. While he didn't have the car to beat, he had a very strong car. Improved his Chase chances.
Juan Pablo Montoya: he started 25th and finished fourth, leading two laps during green flag pit stops. Had a strong car throughout the race, plus benefitted from having consistently quick pit stops. A shout out goes to his pit crew, led by crew chief Brian Pattie.
Martin Truex, Jr.: perhaps signing a one-year extension with DEI earlier in the week, plus being fairly close to home was the tonic that the #1 team needed. A fifth place finish also helps. While he's not mathematically eliminated from the Chase, he has an uphill battle. He needs Top 5's between now and the Chase, plus a couple of bad finishes by the other Chase contenders he's chasing.
Honorable Mention: Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch.
THE BAD
Tony Eury, Jr.: while I normally have this spot for the last place driver, the last place driver finished there due to an accident, so I won't list him there. The #88 team crew chief hung Dale Jr. out to dry with puzzling pit strategy. Instead of contending for his first road course win, Dale Jr. finished 22nd. All because of bad pit strategy. While Dale Jr. was on his game, Tony Jr. wasn't.
Michael McDowell: he and David Gilliland tangled with eight laps to go and started a Talladega-like wreck. Several cars were involved, and Gilliland got the worst of it. I suspect NASCAR will have a little chat with him.
Jeff Gordon: he had a surprisingly bad car and it got worse as the race went on. Most of his time in the top 10 was in the early part of the race. Even more surprising, he's in this category.
THE UGLY
The Crash: it happened with eight laps to go in the race in front of the pit road entrance. Michael McDowell and David Gilliland had been racing rough and tumble when they collided in Turn 11. The wreck collected nine drivers total and caused a carnage of wrecked cars, twisted metal, and sand from the barrels that protect the drivers from the pit wall.
Those are my nominees. Feel free to come in with yours.
This is the time of week that Joe Six-Pack Sports Fan is looking forward to! Time for you, Joe Six-Pack Sports Fan, to call out the object of your ire for their arrogance, idiocy, and plain all-around dumbassery by throwing them under the Bus. The lovely young lady will take your requests. Then they will be called out and thrown under promptly. Here are the requests that I gave her.
NFL
Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers: as a Panthers fan, it pains me to do this, but do this I must. I don't know who started the fight between Smith and CB Ken Lucas, but I know who ended it. Smith earned a two-game suspension by the team for his actions, effective for the first two games of the regular season. He will still be allowed to practice with the team through preseason, then when the regular season starts he won't be allowed to practice with the team. In the meantime, Smith has punched his ducat to be thrown Under The Bus.
NASCAR
Joe Nemechek: I've taken to nicknaming him Field Filler Joe. What the hell was he doing out there? First, he causes a FIRST LAP wreck with Kevin Harvick by making contact with him and sending him spinning. Then he wrecks Paul Menard, knocking both him and Menard out of the race. Field Filler Joe, this isn't Bumper Cars out there. These cars are EXPENSIVE to replace. He won't be driving this Bus anytime soon! But he WILL be thrown UNDER the Bus.
MLB
Kevin Hench: he wrote that the D-backs would beat the Dodgers and win the NL West. He obviously didn't see ManRam destroy his precious D-backs pitching to the tune of 8 for 13 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs. Manny Ramirez is a mashing savant, pure and simple. He is the best, most clutch hitter of his generation. His presence will be the reason the Dodgers pull away from the D-backs late in the season. Hate to do this to a FoxSports.com columnist, but I must. Oh, and the Dodgers HAMMERED Doug Davis around the yard today to the tune of FIVE earned runs in an inning and two-thirds!!!! ManRam's line: 5 AB, 2 R, 4 H, 3 RBI. (Excuse me while I gloat a bit!)
NCAA FB
Josh Jarboe, WR, Oklahoma Sooners: he was dismissed from the team after an Internet rap video of him surfaced that advocated guns and shooting people. He was already in trouble with the law in Georgia but because he was a first time offender, his offense was reduced to a misdemeanor from a felony. Good for coach Stoops to kick this thug and gang####ing wannabe off his team. Now he can go back home to think about how he pissed away his chance to better himself. But in the meantime, Jarboe gets thrown under the Bus.
GOLF
Michelle Wie: young lady, respect your elders. Especially Annika Sorenstam, the greatest female golfer of all time. To blow off Sorenstam’s criticism by saying, “Whatever” speaks volumes of how much a spoiled little brat you are. Spoiled little brats say “whatever” when they lose the argument or have no argument. You could have said, “She’s entitled to her opinion” or something innocuous like that. But you BLEW HER OFF. That don’t sit well with me. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVEN’T WON #### ON THE LPGA TOUR. (How many majors has Annika won? More than you’ll ever dream of, Michelle.) I throw Michelle the Diva AND her parents/enablers under the Bus.
Phil Mickelson: he hasn't been the same since pissing away the 2006 U.S. Open. Today he had a chance to redeem himself by winning the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. But he faltered down the stretch, again. I don't think he'll ever be the same golfer he was before the 2006 U.S. Open. You said you played really well? Really? Then why did you #### away another lead in a big tournament? If you had said, "I sucked down the stretch, and Vijay played well", all would be okay. But just for that comment, Lefty gets thrown under the Bus.
TENNIS
Andy Roddick: he withdrew just before his match at the Cincinnati Masters. The timing of the withdrawal stinks to high heaven. If he KNEW he couldn’t have gone, he should have withdrawn BEFORE the tournament started. This would have given his replacement a full day to prepare rather than a few minutes. The replacement, Woong-Sun Jun of South Korea, lost 6-2, 6-2 to Phillipp Kohlschreiber of Germany. I will give Mr. Woong the keys to the Bus that Andy Roddick is to be thrown under. Roddick also gets thrown under again for being overrated and overhyped.
Whew! Those are my nominees for this week. Feel free to come in with yours!
Crappafoni Pictures presents in high-definition this week's spaghetti western version of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich style.
THE GOOD
Carl Edwards: as the race winner, he automatically gets first billing. Used great pit strategy before the rain delay, and banking on the full race being run. It was, and as a result, Edwards won his fourth race of the year. Good job, Cousin Carl!
Kevin Harvick: overcame a first-lap crash with Field Filler Joe Nemechek (more on him in a later blog) that sent him to 42nd place. Harvick kept battling, and as the race wore on, his car kept getting better and better. May have got a win if not for Field Filler Joe. Also used great pit strategy and a bit of luck at the end (Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. running out of gas late) to finish fourth.
Tony Stewart: Smoke's car also got better as the race went on. Like Edwards and Harvick, Smoke pitted just before the rain delay. A solid and much needed second place finish.
David Ragan: for awhile it looked like he was going to get his first Cup win. Carl Edwards kept that from happening. A very good finish for the second year Roush Fenway driver.
Clint Bowyer: he also pitted just before the rain delay. Like his teammate Harvick, he got stronger as the race wore on. He started 30th; he finished just out of the top 5, in sixth.
Mark Martin: led the most laps, but was also snakebit by pit strategy. He battled back from having to pit late in the race to finish 8th. More on Martin's pit crew later.
Honorable Mention: Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon.
THE BAD
Michael Waltrip: as the last-place driver, he gets automatic billing. He did lead a lap very early in the race, gaining five bonus points before his engine gave up the ghost.
Mark Martin's pit crew: their issues singlehandedly cost Martin the race. Martin had the car to beat; he led the most laps in the race but on three separate pit stops, the crew had issues. They were definitely off their game.
Joe Nemechek: talk about one guy that was definitely off his game! Field Filler Joe tangled with Harvick on Lap 1, then later on he tangled with Paul Menard in a crash that knocked both drivers out of the race. Yeah, he was that bad. Happy, DON'T qualify next to Field Filler Joe at the next race.
THE UGLY
The rain: fortunately it didn't stay long enough to call the race. But it did make for some pretty interesting strategy.
Joe Nemechek: yes, Field Filler Joe was that bad, and he was that ugly. At least he did take responsibility for both crashes.
Juan Pablo Montoya: blown engine. Enough said. At least he had the smarts to exit along a service road.
Those are my nominees for the week. Feel free to come in with yours!!
NOTE: THIS IS A REPOST. The original blog didn't show up on the blog lists.
This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew goes to the most hallowed ground in motorsports, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for this week's spaghetti western version (be sure to avoid the debris from used tires!) of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
THE GOOD
Jimmie Johnson: as the winner of this race, he automatically gets first billing. He had the best car all weekend and showed why he isn't ready to give up his title without a fight.
Carl Edwards: on numerous occasions, he had come up to Johnson's back bumper but couldn't pass him. When Johnson inherited the lead after the final pit stop, Edwards could come no closer than a car length. Still, he had a very stout race car all day.
Denny Hamlin: as much as I've been ragging on him all season, he deserves and has earned his props. Used brilliant pit strategy to finish third. Great finish, and it comes at a much-needed time.
Elliott Sadler: a very solid top 5 finish. He stepped his game up and stayed in the top 10 for 102 of the 160 laps.
A.J. Allmendinger: have to give him props for his first career top 10 finish (he finished 10th), at the Brickyard, no less. Perhaps he can use this to turn his season around.
Roush Fenway Racing: if not for Matt Kenseth's right rear tire exploding on him, they would have had all five drivers in the top 15. More on the tire issues later.
Honorable Mention: Jeff Gordon, Jeff Burton, Kasey Kahne.
THE BAD
Tires: I normally put the 43rd place driver here, but the tires were so bad, NASCAR had to impose competition cautions throughout the race. The tires kept wearing out much faster than usual, leading to both Juan Pablo Montoya and Matt Kenseth bringing out cautions due to the bad tires. It's time for NASCAR to open up the competition for other tire companies to come in, like Hoosier, Firestone, etc. This is what happens when you have a monopoly.
Michael Waltrip: he finished last after getting in a wreck with Paul Menard very early in the race.
THE UGLY
Tires: because of the competition cautions, the race was choppy and had no rhythm to it. Who was good on short runs? Who would have been good on long green flag runs? A sub good to the last few laps' shootout between Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards.
Kurt Busch: he got loose and hit the wall, collecting Kevin Harvick in the process. A sub good to Harvick for gaining several positions through attrition.
The race itself: aside from the shootout, it was long and drawn out due to the tires. It wasn't the typical Brickyard 400.
Those are my nominations. Feel free to come in with yours.
Sports fans, it's that time of week again. Time to submit the objects of your ire in the sports world to the lovely young lady standing beside this week's bus. She will call out each name, then they will be thrown under the Bus. I have submitted my names to her and she will call them out.
NASCAR
NASCAR Sanctioning Body: how the living HELL could they conduct a race like that? It was basically a glorified test session. The 2008 Brickyard 400 was the WORST F-ING race I have ever seen! I've seen turtle races that had more entertainment!! And they were FASTER! For conducting such a God-awful race, the NASCAR Sanctioning Body gets thrown under the Bus.
Goodyear Tires: why didn't you come to the Brickyard with a HARDER tire, one that won't wear out as fast? You wouldn't have had nearly as many issues as you did today. Go with a harder tire and stick with it. Let the crews and engineers come up with a plan to make the car drive as best it can. THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE PAID TO DO. The people responsible for these tires get thrown under the Bus.
Kurt Busch: this is for racing Kevin Harvick VERY early in the race and knocking him out of contention. Harvick was marching through the field and he was on the verge of the top 10 when he was an innocent victim of Busch's ineptitude behind the wheel. Harvick was passing you; you should have let him go and tuck in behind him. But NOOOOOO, you had to race him and got loose and collected him. You also knocked him out of the Chase in the process. You will be thrown under said Bus until he makes the Chase, and if he doesn't, you'll be thrown under every week for the rest of the season. (Sorry Kristen, I just had to vent at your driver--nothing personal against you.)
MLB
San Francisco Giants: for their fold-up job against the Arizona Diamondbacks over the weekend. This was a huge series; they could have got into contention with a series win. Instead, they'll be facing a double-digit deficit in the next couple of days. Maybe they wanted to get back at the Dodgers a different way. Either way, they get thrown under the Bus.
Manny Ramirez: he all but challenged the Red Sox to trade him.(Rumors are the Dodgers and Mets are interested.) Boston's feeling the pressure of the Yankees and having to defend their world title. A Yankees win tonight and they're tied with Boston, 2 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays. (And who'd have thunk both Boston and New York would be chasing the Rays this late in the season?) For his "Manny being Manny" outburst and causing dissension among the ranks, ManRam gets thrown Under The Bus.
NFL
Donte Nicholson, S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: the reserve safety was Tasered twice and was arrested during a weekend scuffle at a St. Petersburg nightclub. How many times do athletes need to be reminded that NOTHING good happens after 2 AM (unless you’re getting lucky)? This came on the heels of his roommate getting arrested as he was trying to reenter the club when it was closing. You can think about what you did as you’re getting thrown under the Bus.
Brett Favre: he didn't report to Packers' training camp today. This ongoing saga is getting pretty tiresome. You shouldn't have retired in the first place. You should have done what you did last April: told the Packers that you're coming back. Ted Thompson deserves some of the blame for this for allegedly rushing your decision. But only you can make that decision to retire or not, Brett. For creating a media circus, you get thrown under the Bus.
AUTO RACING
Danica Patrick: she was unapologetic for her cat fight with Milka Duno. Of course she was. She thinks she's right about EVERYTHING. Then I’ll be unapologetic for a repeat of last week in getting her punk #### thrown under the Bus.
GOLF
Michelle Wie: ENOUGH of playing against the men already!! You’re nothing more than a freak show now. YOU’RE A JOKE! No sooner than her disqualification took place she announced she’ll be playing against the men again. It’s old and tired, just like you are. The Diva of the LPGA Tour gets thrown under the Bus again.
Andrew Giuliani: this little punk sued Duke University for being kicked off the golf team. You had a CAREER winning percentage of LESS than 20%. Numbers don’t lie, kid. If I were the coach, I’d have kicked you off the team, too. Your impact on college golf was miniscule, like your winning percentage. And I don’t give a rat’s #### if you’re the son of America’s Mayor. While I won’t throw you under the bus for attempting to make Duke’s golf team as a walk-on, I will throw you under the Bus for clogging up the court system with your frivolous lawsuit and for acting like a whiny little baby.
Thank you, Miss. You're doing a great job this week. Now on to the other fans that are itching for their opportunity.
This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew goes to the most hallowed ground in motorsports, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for this week's spaghetti western version (be sure to avoid the debris from used tires!) of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
THE GOOD
Jimmie Johnson: as the winner of this race, he automatically gets first billing. He had the best car all weekend and showed why he isn't ready to give up his title without a fight.
Carl Edwards: on numerous occasions, he had come up to Johnson's back bumper but couldn't pass him. When Johnson inherited the lead after the final pit stop, Edwards could come no closer than a car length. Still, he had a very stout race car all day.
Denny Hamlin: as much as I've been ragging on him all season, he deserves and has earned his props. Used brilliant pit strategy to finish third. Great finish, and it comes at a much-needed time.
Elliott Sadler: a very solid top 5 finish. He stepped his game up and stayed in the top 10 for 102 of the 160 laps.
A.J. Allmendinger: have to give him props for his first career top 10 finish (he finished 10th), at the Brickyard, no less. Perhaps he can use this to turn his season around.
Roush Fenway Racing: if not for Matt Kenseth's right rear tire exploding on him, they would have had all five drivers in the top 15. More on the tire issues later.
Honorable Mention: Jeff Gordon, Jeff Burton, Kasey Kahne.
THE BAD
Tires: I normally put the 43rd place driver here, but the tires were so bad, NASCAR had to impose competition cautions throughout the race. The tires kept wearing out much faster than usual, leading to both Juan Pablo Montoya and Matt Kenseth bringing out cautions due to the bad tires. It's time for NASCAR to open up the competition for other tire companies to come in, like Hoosier, Firestone, etc. This is what happens when you have a monopoly.
Michael Waltrip: he finished last after getting in a wreck with Paul Menard very early in the race.
THE UGLY
Tires: because of the competition cautions, the race was choppy and had no rhythm to it. Who was good on short runs? Who would have been good on long green flag runs? A sub good to the last few laps' shootout between Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards.
Kurt Busch: he got loose and hit the wall, collecting Kevin Harvick in the process. A sub good to Harvick for gaining several positions through attrition.
The race itself: aside from the shootout, it was long and drawn out due to the tires. It wasn't the typical Brickyard 400.
Those are my nominations. Feel free to come in with yours.
.JPG)