Why I Love NASCAR


Do you want to know why I love NASCAR? At the end of the 2007 Daytona 500 Clint Bowyer crossed the finish line on his hood (in the Jack Daniel’s car-of course). As his car came to a halt, and caught on fire, Bowyer unstrapped and calmly hopped out. Business as usual. That’s just racing, I guess.

It was entertaining to see two villains end the day for each other on Sunday. Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart are championship drivers-no one can dispute that. But they also can let their emotions get the best of them. Every driver lets emotion effect their driving from time to time-but these two take the cake. It was a bit ironic to see them crash into each other and prematurely finish the Daytona 500 together.

Most fans would admit to pulling for Mark Martin during the final laps. I know I was. He was so close, and he may never get that close again. He’s the kind of driver everyone likes. He doesn’t complain, doesn’t get in scuffles with other drivers. He even drove the Viagra car for awhile. I can’t think of a time in recent history where Mark Martin was involved in a “payback” situation with another driver. He is probably one of the most respected drivers in NASCAR today. It’s a shame Martin never won a championship, but he will be remembered as one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. Mark still has the talent to drive, and it would be great to see him race a full schedule for at least a couple more years, or at least one more year. Same goes for Brett Favre in the NFL. I know there’s great bodily risk in what these guys do, but the selfish side in me doesn’t what to see them stop playing, because they’re fun to watch.

For 2007 I would like to see a little more of a rivalry develop between Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. It would be great to see the two of them battling each other for a lead in the closing laps of a race once in awhile. In recent years it seems like only one of the two and very often neither of the two has been in contention during the final laps. It’s great to see new stars emerge but a healthy rivalry between Gordon and Dale Jr. would only be good for NASCAR.

That’s why I love NASCAR. Guys jumping out of flaming cars like it’s no big deal, villains taking each other out of a race, respected veterans flirting with victory, and watching the world’s most talented drivers compete against each other 36 weekends a year.

Matt Kenseth Sweeps California - SCI February 26th Issue


Next stop on the Nextel Cup Schedule is Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Next week NASCAR heads to sin city to try their luck at the newly revamped Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Since the last race at Vegas, Bruton Smith, owner of Speedway Motorsports Inc and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, took a gamble on overhauling the turns at the 1 1/2 mile track. The track prior to this season had 12 degree banking, low for a speedway. The revamped track will boost turns of 20 degrees rivaling other speedway tracks like Atlanta and Lowe's Motor Speedway.

What Mr. Smith is banking on with his renovations is that Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be the premiere venue for all of NASCAR. As it stands now, Vegas is the premiere venue for reigning champion Jimmie Johnson. Of the current drivers, Jimmie has had the most success at LVMS. In 5 starts, Johnson has an average finish of 7th.

Other drivers to note:

Matt Kenseth - Average finish of 8th
Casey Mears - Average finish of 9th
Denny Hamlin - Average finish of 10th
Jeff Burton - Average finish of 11th

Next Week's Schedule:

Nextel Cup: @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway (all times EST)
03/09/07 - 06:10pm NASCAR Nextel Cup UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 Qualifying
03/10/07 - 01:20pm NASCAR Nextel Cup UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 Practice
03/11/07 - 04:30pm NASCAR Nextel Cup UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400

Busch Series: @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway
03/09/07 - 01:20pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Sam's Town 300 Practice
03/09/07 - 08:05pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Sam's Town 300 Qualifying
03/10/07 - 03:00pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Sam's Town 300

Craftsman Truck Series: @ Texas Motor Speedway
11/02/06 - 02:30pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Silverado 350k Practice
11/02/06 - 07:00pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Silverado 350k Qualifying
11/03/06 - 08:00pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Silverado 350k

Matt Kenseth Picks Up First Win for Roush-Fenway Racing!

Looking to make up ground after being taken out in the last lap chaos in the Daytona 500, Matt Kenseth came to California on a mission. Kenseth started his assignment by winning the Stater Bros. 300 Saturday night, and finished it by holding off a charging Jeff Gordon to win the Auto Club 500 on Sunday.

The wins mark a new beginning for the newly partnered Roush-Fenway race team, and appear to be the first of many. Don't let the name change fool you, the quality of cars, team members, and drivers racing for Jack Roush and his new partner John Henry are the same. And don't be surprised if a Roush-Fenway team isn't gunning for the championship come November.

If you recall from last week's Daytona 500, Matt Kenseth was in third before Kyle Busch's aggressive driving sent Kenseth into the wall. Had it not been for the Busch inspired chaos, Matt Kenseth would be sitting in the series lead.

None-the-less, what's done is done. And considering that Matt and the rest of the Roush-Fenway drivers excel at the speedway-style tracks that make up the bulk of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Schedule, I predict that Matt or another Roush driver will be sitting atop the standings for much of the 2007 NASCAR season!

Kevin Harvick Suffers Major Setback at California

It's nothing new to a seasoned NASCAR fan. Your favorite driver is gunning for the lead only to have the race gods frown on him at the end. What was making for an exciting finish to the Auto Club 500 in California yesterday with Kevin Harvick taking huge strides to catch leader Matt Kenseth, turned sour quickly on the last restart of the race. Just before going green, the #29 car of Harvick had a left front go flat. As a result, Kevin had to pit at the end, and ended the race in 17th place.

The setback dropped Kevin to 4th in the points. However, Harvick fans do not be dismayed. The resurgence of Richard Childress Racing that we saw last year seems to have carried through to this season. Currently, all 3 drivers for RCR sit in the top 6 in points. And as typical in NASCAR, successful teams are a breeding ground for even more success.

Look for Kevin to rebound next week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Historically, Harvick hasn't faired well at the speedway type tracks. However, history doesn't take into account the recent dominance of Richard Childress Racing.

Auto Club 500 at California Speedway Recap

The California sun wasn't shining so bright on DEI drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr and Martin Truex Jr in the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. Both suffered early race engine failures and finished 40th and 43rd respectively. Is the DEI drama too much for Jr who currently sits 41st in points?

One person not suffering any setbacks as a result from the dramatic finish at Daytona is Mark Martin. The partially retired Viagra man is still getting it on and finished yesterday in 5th place. Only in NASCAR does 5 + 2 = 1st place in the point standings.

Other top drivers faired as follows:

Jeff Gordon is having a strong start to his 2007 campaign. With a 12th place finish at Daytona, and a 2nd place finish in California, the 4 time champion is making his case for a 5th. Jeff currently sits 3rd in the points.

Jimmie Johnson rebounded from his wretched 39th place finish at Daytona with a 3rd place finish in California. The reigning champion currently sits 15th in points.

Tony Stewart also made up ground after finishing 43rd at the Daytona. Stewart finished in 8th position and currently sits 21st in points.

Kasey Kahne started the 2007 season with a step in the right direction at Daytona. But the driver with the most wins in 2006 took a major step back at California with a 38th place finish. Kahne currently sits in 32nd place.

Carl Edwards can't seem to find any luck in 2007. Edwards currently sits in 26th position after a 29th place finish at California and a 23rd place finish at Daytona.

Juan Pablo Montoya is still in grade school in terms of his NASCAR education. The Columbian born star currently sits in 20th position after a 19th place finish at Daytona, and a 26th place finish in California.