1. CarlEdwards- The “King of the Road” on 1.5 mile tracks, Edwards dominated the Texas race weekend to get his third victory of the season and his second win at Texas. He is back in the Top 10 in points and will be riding high into the sunset next week at Phoenix.
2. JimmieJohnson- Unbelievably was the only Hendrick car to finish on lead lap at Texas. Johnson made some great moves and drove confidently but couldn’t lasso in the leader at the end. His second-place finish moved him up four spots to sixth in the point standings. Yeehaw!
3. JoeGibbs Racing – Kyle Busch (3rd), Denny Hamlin (5th), and Tony Stewart (7th) did the Texas two-step all over the competition on Sunday as they continue to be one of the most consistent teams on the track. If they keep it up, Toyota just might have a championship this year.
4. Jeff Burton – The championship leader qualified 35th but was impressive as he worked his way through the herd to finish sixth in Sunday’s Cup race. This cowboy is always a good bet to strut his stuff at Texas.
5. MichaelMcDowell – McDowell tested the theory that everything is bigger in Texas as he went for a wild ride on Friday in his Aarons Dream Machine in what some call NASCAR’s biggest wreck. The Michael Waltrip Racing rookie climbed out with no serious injuries and went on to finish 33rd on Sunday. The fact that he was able to race at all gets him on the Hot List.
NOT
1. Jeff Gordon- Missed the setup from the get-go and was lapped early. Then Big Daddy spun himself and turned the race into a test session for the no. 24 DuPont Crew. Gordon has finished 43rd only twice in his entire racing career and they were both at Texas. Want some friendly advice Jeff? Don’t mess with Texas.
2. Kasey Kahne- Budweiser did not strike oil this week with the amount of airtime they got at Texas. Kahne’s performance barely warranted mention as he finished an unimpressive 25th and fell five spots in points to 12th.
3. J.J. Yeley – The no. 96 DLP Toyota brought out the fourth caution with a hard lick to the inside wall. With his 42nd place finish on Sunday, Yeley is dangerously close to falling out of the Top 35 in owners points. Time to play a little Texas Hold ‘Em.
4. Greg Biffle- Biffle simply couldn’t compete with Roush Fenway Racing teammates Carl Edwards or Matt Kenseth, but had a decent car until an engine problem hog tied him. The Biff finished 39th on Sunday and fell six spots in the point standings to ninth. Better Giddy-up!
5. Petty Enterprises – Kyle Petty actually said he would drive for another team after he was replaced by Chad McCumbee for the Texas weekend and then no. 45 didn’t even make the race. Bobby Labonte, who finished 20th on Sunday, is mulling over a lifetime contract with Petty but Richard Childress Racing stole his primary sponsor and might steal him away, too. Soon, Richard Petty could be all hat and no cattle.
My weekly picks are dedicated to the memory of Cindi Redding who was respected and loved by all who knew her, especially her friends in the FOXSports.com community.
Yee - Wow! How did you find this so fast?! Here is a bit on Kyle Petty from Jayski:
"Kyle Petty said he would consider driving for a different organization if "there's not a place for me here" at Petty Enterprises. The 47-year-old veteran replied "Oh, yeah" without hesitation when asked Friday afternoon whether a new race team could be in his future if it is determined that Petty Enterprises wants to go in a different direction. "Even though you think I make a living running my mouth, I try to make a living driving," he said. "And if there's no place for me here, then you'd have to go someplace else." Petty emphasized that such a move would not be made until his current team has chosen the direction it will take. Therefore, a change is not imminent"
It wasn't Kasey Kahne that didn't perform, it was the tire changer that missed a lug nut, causing a return to the pits, that didn't perform. That mistake caused him to go 2 laps down late in the race, when he had been running in the top 10 most of the race.
Great Hot or Not list this week. I was really bummed that Gordon did SO poorly...especially since I traded him for Edwards in the fantasy league last week. Go figure....
Sad to see Petty Enterprises struggling. Hopefully some changes could bring them back into the competition again.
swest- ah...I missed that, so throw Kasey's pit crew on the list then! Thanks.
Jokers- You should use the back flip pic as one of your caption blogs...dont try it at home!
Gerrel- Bummer of a trade this week! Maybe Gordon will bounce back at Phoenix for ya. I agree, its sad to see the Petty's struggle so much esp. after all the touting of how great a decision it was to move to NC. Thanks for reading...
It is sad to see the Petty's struggle but, Kyle is kidding himself if he thinks he has anything left to offer as a Cup driver. Kyle is a good dude but his days behind the wheel are long gone. Although, hopefully, the #43 ride will open up shortly.
klvalus - don't forget to ask the powers-that-be about the blue "move over" flag this week at Phoenix. Is it a please-pretty please-dang it please-you'd better please-aw forget it flag or what?
moseby- I have the "move over flag" on my list of questions, I wont forget!! I hope to get the answer from Pat Tryson...if not him, then any official I can yak with! Stay tuned...
I was totally mystified at Kasey's performance....it mirrored Dale Jr only Jr actually led the race early on and didn't get pinged with a pitlane penalty, lol
I am just a bit curious...........................t he magazine HOLLYWOOD GOSSIP reported his profile was found on the famous rich men seeking affairs site http://#### last week and he was seeking his sugar woman there.......................... wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tez - Jr and crew completely lost the setup, Kasey seemed to have it for a bit and the pit road mishap explains the rest...but when Burton can come thru from 35th to 6th you would think some of these other guys could pass a few people too!
Michle- No idea who you are talking about here...
Hanahan - I know, poor Kyle is a bit deluded I think but good to see him so confident in his driving skills! Best one yet, ah the pressure!! Thanks for coming by...
Everything on here is great, but the problem for Kasey wasn't a loose wheel, he ran something over on track and broke one of the braces on the spliter, which caused it to drag. After that all he could do was hold on
All agreeable picks. :) Nice job ! I bett Bobby will go to RCR and race for a full year and then start part time with that Young Childress in 2010 with a #3 on the side.
Once again a great list Kristen. I haven't had a lot of time to be on lately, but I look forward to these. Jeff Burton (he needs a cool nickname, doesn't he?) is having a great year so far. I hope the rest of the RCR bunch comes along like they did at Bristol.
This was great! I loved the Texas innuendo, and the zing on Gordon. Hee hee. Next week is Phoneix...is Fox sending you? It's your home away from home! The dry heat comments from you will be hilarious! Have a ball there! And thanks for the Smoke props in your hot list...Cindi is beaming.
I approve this hot and not list. Good news coverage. Unfortunately I snoozed through the whole race. Thanks for the information.
The only thing that will revive Petty Enterprises is a huge influx of cash and to quit penny pinching. Kyle Petty racing else where? Not in the cup series at his age.
Chris- I missed the reason he fell back and noted above that it perhaps should be his pit crew on the Not list, but regardless falling to 12th in points puts him on the Not list this week...Thanks for commenting!
BeaverN- Welcome to Hot or Not!
ayn- More good info on what happened to Kasey...he cant afford too many more mediocre finishes. Thanks for coming by!
Forensic- Hmmm, interesting proposition! It could happen...
OSL- I have missed you on here lately...Burton does need a nickname...lets work on that! Dont be a stranger now, ya hear?!
Lisa- Thanks! I tried to include some local flavor this week...Miller Lite is sending me to Phoenix and 3 other races this year to do some behind the scenes reporting for them. Should be fun! No need to thank me as long as Mr Stewart performs he will be noted!
Photo- Glad to be of help filling you in on the race this past weekend Photo! I know you need your rest as you recover still but sheesh, lets hope Phoenix keeps you awake! No Kyle will go into the broadcast booth before he gets into another car IMO.
That is just so awesome for you....omg....I want to see you take Suzy Kolber's place (ok...even DW's)...you could do it totally. You have the talent and the looks. Go for it..we are rooting you on! Girlie Hugs!
Kristen, good stuff as always. Can't dispute your list. Except I've gotta call out Kyle Petty. I really like the guy, he does GREAT charitable work, but I don't think other teams are exactly beating down his door at this point in his career. AND, I see Petty Enterprises shutting its doors within the next two years as they have refused to open their pockets and invest a little in R & D. I see Labonte going to RCR and resurrecting his career a la Jeff Burton. Have a GREAT time at Phoenix!
Lisa, she's GOTTA take Suzy's place. She'd be a heck of a lot better!! I'd definitely be watching ESPN's coverage of the races then!
I will be more shocked if Kyle leaves Petty than I was with Jr. leaving DEI. He should be in the office taking care of rounding up sponsors for young and up and coming drivers. Not being a field filler as he has been the last few years.
Lisa- you are just too sweet! I think Suzy has been booted from the booth already (I HOPE!) but I wouldnt work for the competition being a FOXsports girl....LOL I'll probably be keeping my day job.
Jon- I love Kyle as a person, he is so generous and well respected but he has to get out of the car. He has done the most amazing work with Victory Junction Camp. Petty could be gone if they don't do the deal to sell part off to an investor and get some R&D...agreed! (And thank you for being so kind as well...)
Noah- I dont think there are many teams that would take him! I agree, get him in the office and finding talent...
kv - I agree with McDowell on the Hot list, but with an asterisk. Without the engineers/designers of the Hans device, the track's safer barrier, the driver's racing seat, the COT, etc. McDowell doesn't walk away from that wicked crash.
Yes, I'm biased towards the engineers, and I'll say it right now, all of us engineers are HOT!
Kristen, you have a way with words. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the Penske Boys get some good finishes in Phoenix! And Talladega, Richmond, Darlington...
Kristen, what are you talking about with Biffle. he was right up front running with Carl and Matt for a good bit of the race. It wasn't until his car started acting up did he become uncompetive. You reporters are all the same always cutting up the Biff. Oh and Jimmie isn't hot just yet one race can't put him in the Hot spot yet. I hope Biffle kicks #### this weekend to shut all of you want to be racing so called racing fans. I was watching racing way long b4 u and everyone else jumped on the band wagon.
k, good list as always. I look forward to what you have to say after the next race. If you can, will you ask why the car of McDowell was covered once it was taken to the garage? Hubby was watching and he said that NASCAR officials even waved away a couple of camera men once it was covered up. I was just wondering. Thanks
BC- You are right, McDowell's bit should include all the safety and engineering improvements with a special HOT to the engineers! You and Tez should like that...LOL
Penske- Thank you! Believe me fingers are crossed...I am hoping I am Kurt's lucky charm this weekend and we can get team Penske back on the Hot list!
Bifman- I think I said he had a decent car until the engine got him. The reason Bif landed on the Not list was him dropping so many spots in the points. He has not been finishing like his teammates and needs to. Also, my Hot or Not blog is about that weeks race only, not an overview of their seasons so far so Jimmie deserved it this week. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Vol- Thank you. I think I might know why they covered the car. NASCAR gets really squirrelly when the hood is up on a car and forbids pictures of the engines. I would guess since the hood was ripped of McDowells car and just laid on top they were trying to keep proprietary engine info out of pictures. Not sure this is why so I will check this weekend for ya.
EXCELLENT QUIPS, COULDN'T AHVE DONE BETTER MYSELF AND I AM ONLY 30 MINUTES FROM THE TEXAS BORDER, BUT THEN ALL THE TEXAS GOOD STUFF THEY STOLE FROM OKLAHOMA IN THE FIRST PLACE.
AFTER CHIPPY SHOT HIS MOUTH OFF I THINK I MIGHT HAVE PUT HIM ON THE SNOT LIST, I MEAN NOT LIST.
MizN- If Kurt wins I will be in FRONT of the cactus plants this time! LOL Thanks for coming by...
GUNNY- Thanks! Glad my texas references are authentic enough! Chippy...which one is Chippy?! Gnasssi? There are always more people than spots for these lists!
A rare SF NASCAR fan who loves her Arizona Wildcats as well. By day, a well respected Psychologist, on weekends "Start Your Engines!!"
Winner of the 2007 "Miller Lite Next Great Sportswriter" Contest and contributing writer on FOXSports.com .
