What a Great Season

I for one am going to miss the 2010 season, what great racing. Totally great to see JJ win!

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On to Phoenix and it is going to be great. Go 48!

JJ Chronicles

Jimmie Johnson keeps fitness on front burner during Chase

Jimmie Johnson opens up on music

Jimmie Johnson on golf

Jimmie Johnson reflects on his experience as a new father

3 to go

Go JJ, Chad, and 48! Drive for 5

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Seeing a Race In Person Is Very Exciting

It is so much fun to see a race in person. The noise, the fans, the action -- all great. The race at Charlotte was exciting. I can't wait for my next race. (Great as well to see JJ come in 3rd after spinning out and dropping to 37th. Plus Jamie McMurrey drove really well and deserved the win.)

In Center of Universe

So cool to be in Charlotte, races tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday. Can't wait.

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You Never Know

Congrats to JJ for his #2 result in Kansas. He started 21, worked his way up to the teens, and then fell down to 28 and then worked his way back. His progress was fairly steady, but slow. If you just watched the first 1/2 of the race, you'd never know that he was going to end so well.*

The lesson is to always keep digging because you never know how it is going to turn out.

Xaxa

*Well maybe you should know because it is the 48.

Who Doubts Team 48 Now

What a race, what a team. JJ & Chad are focused and locked in.

To quote XAXA "It's Drive for Five".

It was a great race.

JJ on Baby J

Highs to Lows

I know it is good to enforce the rules to keep the sport fair, but it is too bad to see Clint go from 2nd to 12th place.

#33 fails inspection, penalized 150 points

Working on the 88

Mr. H is on it. Though I wish he'd get there faster. Jr does great with fast cars as this last weekend shows.

Smoke was Swinging for the Fences

I know many would disagree with me, but I loved that 14 just went for it. Risked it all.

After the race he was asked if he would do it differently. He said "maybe next time try for second".

But I like the way he started the Chase. The pressure is on and who knows what could happen.

Chase Begins

Great race for Clint Bowyer, good to see him win this season. Also a very nice finish for Dale Jr at 4th place. There was a bumpy start to the Chase with a 25th place finish for JJ. But he'll be back next week as focused as ever.

Don't count Jimmie Johnson out.

"We'll go home and get back to work and go after it again next week," Johnson said..

"I'm gonna show up, drive my butt off and see what happens," he said..

Truly Great Day

I know the purpose of this blog is to talk about NASCAR. But something cool.....

Today is the birthday of two very important people. Our much loved JJ and the co-founder of GBSF the awesome XAXA blogger and NASCAR fan forever.

It's so cool you guys have the same birthday.

I hope both of you have a great birthday.

Drive for Five

I think Chad and JJ will bring it home again this year. Although I wouldn't be heart broken if Smoke won.

25 Days until....

TRIP TO CENTER OF UNIVERSE

It's all I think about, seeing a race live, the Hall of Fame.

Minimizing Errors Is the Goal

Look who's sped on pit road the most, whose crew has hurt him the most.

Interesting

Top NASCAR Cheats - NASCAR Engineering Feats - Popular Mechanics.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., computer geek.

48 days to go

There are 48 days to go before the trip to the center of the universe, Charlotte. Can't wait.

48 Days until

TRIP TO CENTER OF UNIVERSE

Week Off

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm glad we have this weekend off.

With two races left I need a break. (OK not as much as the drivers)

Fun Article about Jr

Commercial shoots like pair of old shoes to Junior.

Oh Joey

Newman and Logano Involved in Post-Race Physical Altercation.

Gaynalysis Carfax 400 at Michigan.

NYT article on Dale, Jr.

NYT on Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Way to go Biffle, another great story

I think we can all agree Pocono was a exciting race. And Biffle ended a winless streek.

That was good racing, this is why we watch.

NASCAR market issues

Is 36 NASCAR Races Too Many?

Interesting article, with mentions of our favority blue states.

Cup Drivers In Nationwide

Marty Smith: Debate about Cup drivers racing in Nationwide won't get settled until NASCAR makes a decision - ESPN.

As readers know, I enjoy seeing the non-Cup drivers win in Nationwide (there has been one this season). But does this mean that there should not be Cup drivers (or discouragement to do so) in NNS? I'm thinking no. It probably teaches the new drivers a lot to race with experienced drivers.

One solution would be to have less points if entered in Cup races that weekend, so harder for a Cup driver to get a championship.

One change that for sure should happen in NNS is some sort of play off situation like the chase. Watching BK runaway with the Championship is a little tiresome.

Rebound Better Than Before Imminent

It was too bad to see the 48's set up fail so badly at the Brickyard 400, despite their unrelenting work on the car. But I have complete confidence that Chad will fix the problem with the tightness. Go Jimmie, Chad, and the 48 team!!

Go Jamie!

So nice to see a nice and talented guy win the big Brickyard 400 race. And I'm not just saying that because he beat out the 29.

Good effort

Even though 18 won, it was fun to see Carl Edwards make such an exciting run on first. Too bad it was two Cup drivers in the final Nationwide battle. Though Trevor Bayne and Aric A. did a great job.
But one final note on CE, just because he raced clean here he has a lot of making up to do for last week.

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Final thoughts on CE with a some JR on the side

I know the CE/BK topic has been covered enough already but I have some more thoughts.

At Daytona 2009 JR was a lap down and had a great run on Vickers (also a lap) both were trying for the lucky dog. Vickers blocking, JR tried to pass and spun him out. Unfortunately into half of the track, many of the drivers in contention to win.

I’m not here to defend Jr but compare his actions after the wreck to CE. Jr upon reflection was contrite and hated to see those guys wrecked (at least some of them anyway).

CE on the other hand has been to quote ESPN brazen and unapologetic.

This isn’t sitting well with me

Maximizing Your Post: 00 & MWR / Trouble with CE

Today I needed to combine two topics into one. I know, I know very different issues going on. But it seems I need to say my peace.

I was so excited for 00 and MWR for the Cup win at Chicago but also for the vindication for Mr. Reutimann and the team. This is a legitimate win, no question about that. Then my joy stopped or rather interrupted by troubling events at Gateway NWS last weekend. I know we all saw it and yes what does that have to with 00? Those guys had anything to do with that. It made me stop and think about the sport we love so much. I needed a few days to digest what I saw on Saturday. I didn't read any blogs, I didn't talk to anyone about it (save my partner in crime XAXA).

I have always liked Carl Edwards. Admired his driving and his dedication to his family. I didn't believe the naysayers, him not being a good guy, that it's an act. After my few days of reflection this is what I've come to, I still believe he is a good guy and that's what troubles me the most. CE is a smart driver, a veteran driver and knows the risks. Someone could have been gravely injured. Yes there are always risks and I'm no lawyer but I know what I saw and it was intent. I'm left feeling upset & sadden but, but also hopeful.

The hopeful takes me back to why the two posts in one. I was letting the poor judgment of a driver I admire interfere with my joy for DR and MWR and the sport itself.

What I know is 00 & MWR can build off this and what I've learned and hope CE will to is we're lucky with the out come and what I've discovered is don't forget the joy.

pic from the new Transformers 3 movie

Why apologize?

ESPN's Rusty Wallace apologizes for calling Kyle Busch 'dumbass'.

Juan Pablo Montoya tells Mark Martin to get some driving lessons

Mark Martin and Juan Pablo Montoya got into it at Chicago. I don't think the footage of Martin y Montoya is on You Tube, but if you have a chance to see it it is fairly entertaining. One thing is clear from these last few races is that Montoya needs to calm down.

Check the story out. More here.

Voting for Kasey at Dead Lock

50% right now for each side, it could go either way. Only four days left.

People have strong feelings about these issues. Sometimes I think well he's just a kid, but as my colleague reminded me, he is 26 and really he should know better. I think I need to do some more research on this one.

Great race Great story

It's no secret that many who follow this blog and fans of NASCAR want our JR to win. And many top NASCAR officials have stated that him winning will give the sport a much needed rating boost and that the sport needs him to win.

I think this view is short sided, to say nothing of extra pressure on one driver and an insult to the other 42 drivers, driving hard for a win each and every week. What's best for the sport is great racing, that's what why we follow the sport. 00 team we full of emotion after their win, it brought a tear to my eye (only from a moment). This is what we need more of, just great racing.

Great Win for 00

It is nice to see the little guy win. Great job David Reutimann!

Douche effect

It is important to keep in mind that a douche may win the race. If this happens, this should not damper our enjoyment of NASCAR and the next week. Keep this philosophy in mind for the entire season.

Mid-Season GBSF Driver Lists - Preliminary Nominees

Douche: Kyle Busch(super douche), Harvick, Kurt Busch, Kesselowski, Montoya (?), AJ Allemdinger

Whiney: Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne (?), AJ Allemdinger, Joey Logano (?)

Tool: David Ragan, Brad Kesselowski

Good sport: Marcos Ambrose

Cute kids: Max Papis, Jeff Gordon

Best commerical: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (Wrangler)

2nd best commerical: Brad Kesselowski (Discount Tire)

Good guys we'd like to see get ahead: Jamie McMurray, Martin Trueaux Jr., Carl Edwards, Max Papis

Good guys: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Jamie McMurray, Denny Hamlin, David Reutimann, Mark Martin, Max Papis, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, Kevin Conway, Marcos Ambrose, Carl Edwards, Martin Trueaux Jr., Tony Stewart

Taking nominees and will correct any inaccuracies

Rumors are just rumors 5 to go to Red Bull

I've been hearing & reading the "talk" that Mark Martin will go to Red Bull next year. Will he replace Scott Speed or Brian Vickers or be in a 3rd car? All of those facts still flying around the net.

I thought Martin was under contract until the end of 2011 with plans to continue on in 2012.

Hendrick is making room for Kasey.

Reading Pleasure: Updates for Chicago

http://bleacherreport.com/nascar

Baby update -- no name yet

Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and his wife, Chandra, welcomed a baby girl to their family Wednesday.

The family's newest addition was born at 1:44 p.m. in Charlotte, weighed 6 lbs., 14 oz. and was 19.5 inches long, according to a team press release. The Johnsons have yet to select a name, but the release said: "Dad offered that she is absolutely beautiful and affectionately referred to her as 'Baby J.'"

Johnson, a first-time father, will race at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend.

"While commenting that sleep was at a minimum last night, he is extremely happy about getting to spend time with his girls before leaving for the race weekend in Chicago," the release said.

little 48 / Focus of 48 team

What will they name her? / My guess the talk will how be can the 48 team keep their focus now that there is a new member. Again this is TALK and nothing can stop Jimmie & Chad

88 kicks butt

What are people saying? Of course he is working hard.

“I think people can stop questioning my commitment – whether I care, whether I have the passion anymore, enough passion,” he said. “I have worked my ass off … to be above average. I mean, I can’t drive and work any [expletive] harder than I’m working right now. I can’t. This is all I got."

“And I’m doing it hard, man. I mean, I cannot work any harder.”

TNT Makes Me Scream!

I couldn't stand those commercials! I know they need to make money, but that was unexceptable.

They better not do that this weekend.

Why NASCAR should dump TNT

1. Ad format is horrendous. 2. Weak pit reporting. No follow up questions, just softballs. 3. Stupid red firesuit. Go talk to Delanna about where to get a drycleaning discount or to ESPN to get a good looking one. 4. No Mike Joy -- need a grown up professional sportscaster to call the race. 5. I miss DW. 6. Kyle Petty has good insight, but his presentation "you know what I mean" style is a little lax (though maybe that isn't bad).

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AJ

AJ is not the strongest driver, though his ego would tell you otherwise. But damn he has an attractive wife. What is up with her settling for him.

Why doesn't Jr get the good stuff?

I find it hard to believe that Hendrick's is not giving Jr. the good stuff. After all it is JR, why wouldn't they want him to succeed. What up with AG and LM thinking they know better than CK and ST? Something is wrong.

don't forget to vote

for JJ for espy at espn.com, though real pain in the ass because there are tons of sports. worth it though because18 nominated.

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