All of NASCAR’s All-Stars are hot, so I bring you a special edition of Hot or Not this week…HOT or HOTTER to honor the sport’s superstars.
HOT
1. AJ Allmendinger – The Sprint Showdown winner raced his way into the All- Star Race, but not without controversy. The Red Bull racer took out Elliott Sadler early in the Showdown but surprisingly held on for the win in his first “victory” in NASCAR.
2. Jimmie Johnson- Came home fourth in the All-Star Race thanks to a gutsy call by Chad Knaus to “stop and go” during the final pit stop of the night. But it was his highly entertaining performance in the Burnout Challenge that makes him hot this week. Jimmie showed his raucous side as he smoked and skidded his way to the most penalties in the event and he tried to take out as many cones as possible. Give me more of that guy on the track!
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.- Many were hoping Dale Jr. would continue his domination of non-point races this season but alas, it was not to be. He did lead several times throughout the All-Star event and finished a respectable eighth, but that is not what gets him on this list either—it was his ultra-cool silver and black special paint scheme, a-la the “grey ghost” driven by Buddy Baker. The No. 88 looked sweet under the lights and will probably make Junior a million in die cast sales alone.
4. Dale Jarrett- Finally got the chance to race the truck, and with tears in his eyes, the classy veteran took the green flag for the last time Saturday night. DJ has hung up his keys and heads now to the broadcast booth. Signed, Sealed and Delivered. Best of luck in your new career DJ!
5. The No. 83 Red Bull Pit Crew- Ben, Jake, Brian, Aaron, Daniel, Shaun, Mike, Doug, & Greg won the Pit Crew Challenge with an impressive time, just edging out the FedEx pit crew in an all Toyota finish on Thursday. The pit crews rarely get the props they deserve so big kudos to all of the teams for a job well-done all season long.
HOTTER
1. Kasey Kahne – Kahne did not race his way into the All-Star Race, but the fans had his back and voted him in Saturday night. Apparently, those hot dance moves were worth a Million as he was the first driver ever to win the fan vote and the race. The cash is for Kahne, but this BUD is for all of you!
2. Kyle Busch- Grabbed the All-Star Race pole with a couple of smokin’ qualifying laps and a pit stop that was equally impressive. He looked to continue his winning ways as he blew the field away in the first segment, but those Joe Gibbs engines were just too hot and it blew by the half way point…to Junior Nation’s delight. Unfortunately, much of the night’s excitement left with Rowdy.
3. Greg Biffle- Won the new All-Star Weekend fun feature, The Burnout Challenge, and will use his $10,000 in winnings to fund no-kill animal shelters. The Biff had one of the dominant cars as he won the third segment of the All-Star Race Saturday night and was the only one within striking distance of the winner at the end.
4.Carl Edwards- Humpy Wheeler picked Edwards to win the big show this weekend, and he was an early favorite. The driver of the No. 99 won the second segment of the All-Star Race and expressed disappointment that he wouldn’t be able to beat Rowdy on the track. Unfortunately, his Office Depot team failed to keep up with the changing track and he wasn’t even a factor at the end as he finished tenth.
5. Sam Hornish Jr – Transferred into the All-Star event by finishing second in the Sprint Showdown by racing like a champ--fast and smart--and saving his stuff for the feature race. Hornish arguably put on the best show of the night as he strutted his ‘yawed out’ rear end and came from 2 laps down to finish seventh. Not to shabby for a rookie!
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.
i think that dale jr is going to next weekend and then keep winnen more or at leaste top fives, but the all star thing was a mess everyon was being over carefull!!!!!
How about a couple of predictions? Who will be hot next weekend? lol
I'd say it's a pretty fair bet the Kyle Busch will be doing his darndest to wheel into victory lane. Who is primed to win? I see where nebhuskman has penciled in Jr.
Nice job Ms. Hot. I thought it ironic that Vickers pit crew won the challenge, and then the next night messed up on Kyle's pit in the truck race. But that's just me.
ALSO - as a follow-up to last week's list ... did you happen to read Ryan Newman's column on Yahoo! Sports? He took the blame for the incident. What a respectable driver :)
Kristen, have a great Memorial Day and race weekend. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS NASCAR :)
neb- Ok, your prediction is noted! Thanks for coming by.
Noahspop- LOL, I think lots of folks were disappointed in the All Star Race...inverting was fun.
Marty- This post comes out on Tues so you didnt miss a thing opa! Love your new avatar BTW.
Dwindy- Hard to say at the 600, depends on the engine guys...I would pick a Mark Martin, Kenseth or Burton...someone with a cool head and hands.
Hanahan - The Nots will return this week and I hope the entire race doesnt end up on the Not list...All Star was a snooze fest. Good call on Sadler, he has an awful short memory to be so upset! LOL
Kristen,
Damnsure is nice to see J.J.'S name in the hot section for once this season. Lets just hope this gives him some momentum to start turning it on. I mean geez you'd think a 2 time defending cup champ wouldn't be having the issues he is.
on another note how have you been? I know you are busy and all but did you get the new graphics I emailed you? take care ma'chere and have a great week.
Lori- Yes, that was ironic, but they deserved the props...I did see Newman's article, he is a classy driver for sure. I hope he stays with Penske.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend too!!
Gambit- I figured you would be happy with JJ on the Hot list...not Hotter but his burnout show was a kick. You are next on my list to email, expect something later today...and I loved the new graphics! Thank you! Hope your feeling ok today.
Kristen,
I'll be happier if he's there after the next race with a win. Take your time emailing me back. As long as the graphics got to you that's what matters. you are very welcome and I have more for you but need to finish them. I'm feeling pretty good today. thx for everything, you are the greatest.
Hey Kristen - Sam was awesome, thanks for mentioning him. Unfortunately NASCAR caught up with the "yawed out" rear end and are going to change the rules this week so he can't race it this weekend. I think NASCAR should not be able to change the rules in the middle of the season.
Kristen, Kristen, Kristen: I'm so glad that there wasn't a "not" list this week as the #24 probably would have been on that list. What the heck is going on with the 24 team?
Gambit- Well, Lowes is Jimmie's house so his chances might be better this week. Email on the way!
Penske- I thought Sam was the most exciting racer on the track all night. I saw NASCAR was going to change up some rules, perhaps they can still yaw it out a little?! Hope you had fun at the Penske fan event...are you going to the 600?
24fan- Jeffy G is definitely off, all of HMS is. The real test will be Sonoma, if Jeff isnt in the running there, then its all over for you 24 fans! LOL There will be "not" for the 600 so lets hope he stays off it...thanks for coming by!
I would imagine if Darby changes the rules on the cars dog tracking, there will be some " hotter under the collar" drivers that seem to do well with that set up.
Yeah, Sadler kinda got what he deserved there, glad it happened in a non-points race....but he was fastest in the final practice last week and Showdown qualifying too, hope it carries over to the 600!
Photo- Yep, it will be interesting to see who loses a step if they aren't doggin it. I think Roush and Penske have the most yawed out cars on the track.
s2d- The ESad Nation is in the house! It was a bummer though, I think he could have raced his way in...here's hopin' for better luck in the 600.
GUNNY- Glad you liked it...I wanted to do something a little different for the All Star Race.
Nice variation here Kristen...Hot or Hotter. I definitely thought that Hornish deserved props for racing his way to second from two laps down to get into the feature event.
Was I the only one who was surprised to see Kasey Kahne in victory lane after the fourth segment? I would never have picked him in the earlier segments to be there at the end.
Thanks for all the great years of letting us enjoy your company and watching you race hard every week,Mr.DJ may god bless you and your family,and Thank you again
Hey Kristen - You bet I will be at the 600. It will perfect weather! We are also going to the Nationwide race. NASCAR is still going to let them "yaw out" the rear end but not as much. They had a hard time getting the cars on the scale during inspection!
RandyM24 - That was a very nice comment! I second that to DJ.
Hornish really impressed me, I think he'll have a good run on Sunday as long as he keeps out of trouble. To win Sunday, I think you need to get your car out front in clean air, I don't think that you can get around someone unless you're drastically faster, and with this tire compound wear shouldn't translate into slow times. At least that's what the All-Star Race showed...
Thanks for another great Hot-or-Not article! Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!
The only problem I have with your list is that "The Bif's" burnouts were not as good as the RCR guys or even JJ's so really he should not have won that contest
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 .
