Tip of the Iceberg?

It's not looking good for the Big Three and NASCAR. The Senate failed to approve a bailout plan that would give the Big Three automakers a much needed financial shot in the arm. What does that mean for NASCAR? Well, its a bit early to tell, but Chrysler and Chevy have both said they could go under by the end of the year. Ford seems to be in better shape and is likely to survive through 2009.

The recession dealt a major blow to one of the most successful teams in the NASCAR's history. Petty Enterprises announced they would be parting ways with 2001 series champ Bobby Labonte. Petty claims the current economic climate is forcing them to take a vastly different approach as they head into the 2009 season. In addition to releasing Labonte from his four year contract extension, Petty Enterprises is reportedly in discussions with merging with Gillette-Evernham.

It doesn't stop there. The following is an excerpt from www.jayski.com, listing current layoffs in and around NASCAR:

The Unofficial NASCAR related Layoff Count since end of season:(exceptions noted)
Dale Earnhardt Inc -- 116
Ganassi -- 76 +Nationwide team
Petty Enterprises -- 65
Bill Davis Racing -- 60
Richard Petty Driving Experience -- approx 45
Roush Fenway Racing -- 40-50
Furniture Row -- 25 [approx]
Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies -- 25 [approx]
Wood Brothers -- 22
Hendrick Motorsports -- 19
Stewart-Haas -- 16
Richard Childress Racing -- 15
Red Bull Racing -- approx 15
JTG Daugherty Racing -- 12
Michael Waltrip Racing -- 12
Ernie Elliott Inc [Ganassi engines] -- 9
Joe Gibbs Engines -- approx 5
Hall of Fame -- heard many were let go this week, no number yet
Yates -- Unknown
See my Racing Schools/Jobs page for news, postings, links and more including Racers Form Support Website, Motorsports Employment Task Force and more.(as of 12-10-2008)

Please visit www.jayski.com. They do an excellent job covering NASCAR.

Will NASCAR Survive?

This week's Senate hearings on a potential bail out plan for the Big Three auto makers will play a massive role in NASCAR's future, or lack there of. You don't need an economics degree to understand the devistating blow NASCAR would be dealt if any of the Big Three go under. The furture already looks bleak as big name teams are combining resources to save money. Smaller teams are holding on for dear life. Forget about finding a sponser. They are about as available as republicans in Congress. NASCAR is doing away with off season testing, which costs teams about a million dollars. Change is already here.

So, what will happen if the Senate tells the automakers to take a hike? Can NASCAR survive? I believe it can, but we are talking about sending the sport back about 30 years. Can you picture Jerry's Auto Detailing and Joe's Garage once again gracing the hoods? Most teams will have probably have one car in the garage. And chances are it will be a Toyota or, dare I say, a Saturn? Ohh boy. Heck, it might 1986 Monte Carlo. Who knows?

The schedule would dwindle to about half of it currently is today. TV contracts will be severly altered. No sponsers=no money=no tv!

Globally, we are already seeing the effects the economy is having on racing. Honda announced it will pull out of Formula One, thanks to an anticipated 40 percent drop in sales.

Make no mistake, even if the government bails out Detriot, NASCAR as we know it will change.
The 64,000 dollar question is; what can it do to weather the storm?

Drama Keeps the Attention of NASCAR Fans

If it wasn't for the various story lines in NASCAR this year, face it,  this year would be rather boring.  Kyle Busch is running away with this thing. He's about 250-points in front of Dale Jr. The only thing saving NASCAR is the 10 race Chase at the end of the year.  This year's headlines are also helping.  Here's a glance, in no particular order; Carl Edwards caught "cheating", then some tire controversy, which included Tony Stewart running his mouth at Goodyear. Let's see, then there was accusations by Rousch-Fenway Racing that a Toyota team stole a proprietary part. Toyota gets it first win. More tire controversy, Stewart leaves Gibbs Racing. More tire controversy.  Dale Jr. back in victory lane, Dale Jarrett retires, Mark Martin un-retires, again, whew... I think I may have missed some tire controversy along the way.  Ohh, and don't forget the whole Aaron Fike driving high on heroin story. Yup, I love NASCAR for so many reasons. 

Other than Kyle Busch's complete dominance over the competition, what's your favorite headline from this season. I certainly left a few out...let's hear what you got!!!

Stop and Go Penalty for Walsh

Yeah, that's right. I'm imposing a penalty on myself. What for you ask? Well, for not blogging. So, I'm coming in, taking on fresh sneakers and topping off the tank. But, in my defense, it has been a rather hectic month. Here's a quick recap...

I've been in three weddings since late June. No, not just as a guest, but in the wedding party. What can I say, I'm a popular guy! Not to mention, my wife Ashley and I are about two laps away from purchasing our first house. (Very involved...I could start my own "first time home buyers" blog.)

Anyway, enough about me, really. The weddings were a blast. Congrats to my wife's sister Maren and husband, Ben. They are the best! 

My brother Andrew and his wife Liz tied the knot in late June. This wedding awesome, great food and a round of golf at Wachusett C.C. 

And finally, my good friends Tom and Heather celebrated in victory circle earlier this month. You may know them from Stafford Speedway. Tom and Heather race go-carts at the track every Monday. In fact, my sources tell me that they had their first marital spat after Heather spun Tom coming off of turn 4! 

Best of luck to all the newlyweds! May your tank always be full and your tires fresh!

Guess who's back?

No, its not me. I know I haven't blogged in awhile, but this is about one of the greats making his way back to NASCAR. 49-year-old Mark Martin has announced he will be racing a full 2009 Sprint Cup schedule. And he will be doing so in the #5 Hendrick Chevy. 

I was very excited when I first heard the news. Martin has always been one of my favorites. Plus, he is going to be in the 5 car. That's kind of a big deal for me. I was a huge Geoff Bodine fan and I have great memories of him winning the Daytona 500 in the yellow and white Levi Garrett.  So, my first thought was how awesome it was going to be to be able to root for the 5 car again. Reliving the glory days!

Then it hit me.  How pathetic! Those days are over. There's no need to live in the past. Quite frankly, Martin should do the same. Honestly, it's a bit inconsiderate.  Martin was in his early 20's when he broke into the NASCAR Winston Cup scene. He earned his spot and proved he was worthy of being a NASCAR driver. Now it's time to give someone else that opportunity. Even though he never won a Championship in his 26 year career, he will always be considered one of the best the sport has ever seen. NASCAR is better off for having, but it's time to hang them up and let someone else take advantage of the same opportunities he had 26 years ago.

Don't even get me started on Brett Farve!

Dale Jr back in Victory Lane!!!

It's hard to believe its been 76 races since Jr last won a Cup race. Well, it's hard for most to believe, anyway. My opinion, it was a matter of time. This whole season proves that you can be the best driver, but in the end, it's really the team that matters. Before his win this Sunday, Jr was sitting comfortably in 3rd in the Chase for the Cup. His latest win is just icing on the cake. Mark my words, Jr will win the Championship this year, and much of the credit will have to go to his new owner, Rick Hendrick. It will also come as no surprise to me if Jr, Johnson and Gordon finish in the top 5 this year. 

What was old is new again at Thompson...

It's rather appropriate heading into the weekend where NASCAR drivers are complaining the Pocono 500 is too long, boring and just plain antiquated, Thompson Raceway officials have announced plans for a  Thursday, June 19th, 75 lap Whelen Modified feature that is sure to bring some excitement to eastern Connecticut.  Yeah, I have to agree, Pocono is not much to get fired up over. It's a long, flat, triangular track that will have the field spread out before I can get to my second helping of nachos (complete with a dollop of Daisy and Newman's Own Pineapple Salsa). But, Thompson's decision bring back this "shoot out" format (it's been 23 years since the mods have run a 75-lap feature at Thompson) is a welcomed change for the media, drivers and yes even the fans. The 150 lap features makes for a very, very long night at the track. Don't get me wrong, I love the 150's and the 300 at Thompson. But spending upwards of 9 or 10 hours at the track on a week night is too much, especially if you have kids. Keep the longer races to the weekends and Thompson has a winning formula.  

Edwards and Busch Impressive

As impressive as Kyle Busch has been this season (4 wins) if I had to pick the best driver so far, it goes to Carl Edwards. He is doing everything he can to get back in the battle for the top spot. Edwards is sitting in 4th place, 377 points behind Busch. Edwards would be in 3rd if he wasn't docked 100 points earlier this season. And look who is creeping back into the hunt...yup, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, 6th and 7th in points, respectively. It wasn't too long ago many were wondering if the Hendrick superstars were going to show up at all this year. I still like Dale Earnhardt Jr. to pull off the championship. Although, he has yet to win a race this season, he is hanging around in 3rd.
This weekend we head to Pocono. Remember, TNT has the race coverage.

It's all about the $$$

Thank you to those who responded to my recent poll. Times are tough for fans and race teams, which in turn will impact the local tracks' bottomline. I'm glad to see most people will still be able to make it to the track this summer. I too will be cutting back on trips to Stafford and Thompson this year. I live about 20 minutes southwest of Hartford. That's 135 miles round trip to and from Thompson. I'll still make a few of the Thompson Thursday Night Thunders and the Mod 150's. We will just have to keep an eye on the gas prices. Traditionally, prices tend to peak around Memorial Day weekend. 

You're saving gas money this weekend as NASCAR's All-Star Weekend is underway. This is huge for all NASCAR fans. It's the one time a year when the purist and the modern fan get to enjoy racing for what it is. Racing! Take my Dad for example. He hates the green, white, checkered finishes. In that regard, my old man is very much a purist. That's okay, he took me to my first race, so we can over look the little things, I guess. I like the shootouts. It takes team mates, brothers, father-sons out of the equation. Every man for himself. No points. Four segments of flat out peddle to the metal, stand on it racing. 

So race fans of all ages and mindsets, sit back and enjoy this weekend for what it is and what it was meant to be; a bunch of guys screaming around the track for $$$! 

Pain at the Pump...and at the Track

With gas prices on the rise, many of our beloved weekend warriors have struggled making it to the local tracks over the last few years. Today, it may seem nearly impossible to get those late models fueled and on the track. Oil prices continue to sky rocket and with the summer driving season about to officially begin this weekend, there may be very little relief in sight.

I'd like to hear from you. Tell me and the rest of local racing community how rising costs and this weak economy will affect your trip to the local tracks. You don't have to be a car owner to gripe on this blog! I want to hear from owners, crew members and fans a like. 

Back to the Super Speedway!

Things on the Sprint Cup circuit are about to heat up as the series heads to Talladega. It couldn't come at a better time either. The big boys were off this week while the Nationwide Series headed south to Mexico. I watched for a little while, but got bored. Road courses are tough to watch, especially once the field spreads out. The most exciting part of the broadcast was the power hit the track took, knocking ESPN off the air. Other than that, I got got a good nap in!

Talladega will put some spark back into the engine. This is on the edge of your seat racing. The track has banks as steep as Bristol, but is 3.5 times longer in distance!

Hendrick finally has it's first win of the season with Johnson's victory in Phoenix and I think they get number two this Sunday. I like Dale Jr. in this one. He's been solid all year long and is due to pull one out.

NASCAR Asleep at the Wheel

So, who wants to shoot up some heroin, jump in a 3200 lbs race car and drive at a 180 mph? Anyone? Hello? What, no takers? I didn't think so. You have to be a complete idiot to even think of attempting such a moronic stunt. Right? Well, that's exactly what Aaron Fike did on more than one occasion while competing in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series. Fike admits to his race day habit in the latest edition of ESPN the Magazine.

Keep in mind NASCAR did not catch Fike through drug testing. In fact, apparently no one in the sport was aware of his habit until he was arrested last year in Ohio on heroin possession charges. NASCAR has since suspended Fike indefinitely under their "zero tolerance" policy. Zero tolerance? Huh? What exactly does NASCAR consider "zero tolerance? In my opinion, zero tolerance means taking a PROACTIVE approach to the situation. That means every driver, crew member and official receives more than one random drug test through out the course of the season. Here's what NASCAR, in a nutshell, considers zero tolerance: NASCAR's substance-abuse policy includes the right to test any driver at any time, but officials only do so if they believe a competitor might have a problem. "The responsibility here rests across the board -- with the drivers and competitors, owners, teams and NASCAR," said Kerry Tharp, NASCAR's director of communication. "We test an individual when we have reasonable suspicion. A positive test results in severe consequences and is a career-changing moment for that person. (Thanks to http://www.jayski.com/) Reasonable suspicion? Well, I don't know about you, but it doesn't appear the whole "reasonable suspicion" approach worked in Fike's case. What will it take for NASCAR to instate a REASONABLE policy that includes random drug testing? This is a very reactive organization. It took losing Dale Earnhardt to make the various safety changes on the tracks and in the cars. Will it take something similar in this case? Bottom line, NASCAR is afraid to drug test. They are afraid a big name will return a positive result and they don't want that embarrassment. Instead, they would rather risk the lives of the competitors to save a little face.

Funeral Arrangements for Shane Hammond announced

This is from NEMA's website: www.nemaracing.com

In Memory of Shane HammondIt is with heavy hearts that we write this. We are all struggling to make sense out of the tragedy we experienced with Shane's passing. He will never be forgotten and will always live in all our hearts - he touched many of our lives. For those of you wishing to attend, the following are the arrangements for Shane:Wake: Friday, April 11, 2008 3-7pmProphett Funeral Home98 Bedford St (rte 18)Bridgewater, MA 02324508-697-4332Reception to follow at 7:30:Ted's Place642 Washington St @ corner of WestWhitman, MA 02382781-447-2100In lieu of flowers, Shane's family has asked that contributions be made in Shane's name c/o NEMA. All contributions can be sent to NEMA at 266 Kelly Rd, Middlebury CT 06762.

Tragedy strikes Thompson, again.

It won't be easy for those close to Shane Hammond to come to terms with his death. Even those who never met the young Massachusetts man are probably struggling with the many questions surrounding this racing tragedy, mainly why? Hammond, 27, died Sunday at Thompson Speedway while competing in the Icebreaker's NEMA Midget feature. According to reports, Hammond was entering turn three when the car he was driving collided with that of Chris Leonard of New Hampshire, sending Hammond over the concrete wall and into a billboard above the track. This is second fatality at Thompson in less than a year, and third death in four years.

Over the next few days, many will want to call for safety improvements at Thompson Speedway because of this accident, and there will be some merit to those arguments. But, I think we need to keep a few things in mind as the racing community heals. First, of the three tragedies mentioned, one was probably preventable, and the reason for recent safety changes at the track. It was Tommy Baldwin Jr's accident in 2004 that ended up being the driving force behind the new light project at the speedway. Baldwin lost control of his Whelen Modified when he was forced into the wet grass along the back stretch. Unable to stop or steer the car, he eventually crashed into an infield light post adjacent to the pit road entrance. The point of impact was the driver's side door.

John Blewett III passed away in August of 2007 when he and his brother, Jimmy, got into a wreck between turns one and two. The two cars came to rest at the top of the track, one stacked on the other. Allegedly, a piece of equipment from Jimmy's Modified somehow got into John's cockpit, causing massive head trauma. John later died at Hubbard Hospital in Webster.

I wasn't there this Sunday, so I can only rely on what I'm reading and hearing. But, based on current information, Hammond's death was caused from his car impacting a billboard above the track. It was speed that got him airborne. It was speed and the inherent risk that comes with racing that took the life of Hammond. Safety barriers and softer walls would not have prevented this tragedy from happening. It very well could prevent a future fatality, but not this one. Yes, racing across the board is faster today, faster than ever. And yes, local tracks, for whatever reason, are having a difficult time keeping up. But don't be so quick to point fingers, now is not the time to use Hammond's death as a reason to find fault with the track.

Shane Hammond died while living his dream. Now is the time to support his family and friends as they try to find an answer to the question, why?

Tire Redemption at Texas Motor Speedway???

NASCAR's exclusive tire provider could get a little redemption this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Sprint Cup drivers, namely Tony Stewart, bashed Goodyear after the Atlanta race, claiming the tire giant failed to produce a tread that handled well. Drivers certainly had their hands full a few weeks ago at Atlanta Motor Speedway as the cars were slipping around the already lighting quick 1.5 mile track. After the race, the likes of Stewart and Jeff Gordon were highly critical of Goodyear. Gordon was quoted as saying he felt like he "...was going to crash on every lap." Stewart, who finished second to Kyle Busch, categorized the tire as "...the most pathetic racing tire that I've ever been on in my professional career,". Stewart's not so professional comments may have had an impact on this weekend's race at Texas. Speedway Motorsports owns both Atlanta and Texas Motor Speedways and the circuits are nearly identical. Both are 1.5 mile ovals with 24 degree banks in the turns, and both are very fast. Goodyear says they will go with the same tire compound that yielded very competitive racing and exciting finishes last year at Texas. I guess the squeaky wheel does get the grease...thanks Tony!!!

Spring is in the air!!!

It's one of the sure signs that spring has arrived in Eastern Connecticut. The 2008 Icebreaker at Thompson Speedway, Thompson, CT gets underway this weekend. Traditionally, the Icebreaker drops the green flag on racing in New England and this year's event stands to provide fun and excitement for race fans of all ages.
NASCAR's Whelen Modified Tour will start the weekend off with practice and time trials Saturday, April 5th in preparation for Sunday's 150-lap event. Russ Dowd, Director of Operations says some 37 cars will be in the line-up for Sunday's race, "Four former winners of the ICEBREAKER will be on hand as will a host of drivers that want to add this prestigious event to their win list." That list includes Rick Fuller, Mike Stefanik, Ted Christopher and James Civali.
Dowd adds that Thompson Speedway will also take some time to honor some of the greats; past and present, "Thompson Speedway will pay tribute to three of the (Modified) 'Tour's' past champions. The oldest, the newest, and the most famous will be part of the pre-race ceremonies which start 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the race. The oldest living NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion, Frankie Schneider will be on hand to recall his 1952 championship...Donny Lia, the reigning Tour Champion, will be honored for his incredible 2007 campaign and the family of the most famous NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver, the late Richie Evans, will be on hand to pay tribute to the nine division championships won by the 'Rapid Roman'." Also competing this weekend; the NEMA Midgets and Thompson's "Super Six" NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. For more information, check out the Speedway's website. www.thompsonspeedway.com.

Nothing quiet about NASCAR's off week.

Just when you thought there was enough drama in NASCAR, Jack Rousch, co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing has dropped a serious accusation against Toyota. According to ESPN the Magazine's latest issue, Rousch told one of magazine's reporters that an unnamed Toyota team was found to be in possession of a proprietary Rousch-Fenway part! Over the course of the week, Toyota has claimed the part in question is a spring and was found after the Atlanta race following a post race tear down conducted by NASCAR. Toyota insists they have no idea how the part came into their possession and the infraction was completely unintentional. Toyota says they have returned the spring. Roush-Fenway maintains the part was a spring, but would not elaborate any further. Keep an eye on this one, it could get ugly. Maybe Congress will get involved, apparently they don't have anything else to do!

Early season recap

With the Sprint boys taking the week off, now seems like an appropriate time to take a step back and recap what the 2008 season has had to offer. It's the first full season with the new car, and so far I think NASCAR has to be pleased with the results. Most of the teams have had the opportunity to test and make adjustments with the COT and the proof is in the pudding! Toyota scored their first victory with Joe Gibbs Racing in Atlanta. The new design touts safety and by all accounts has passed with flying colors. Just ask Jeff Gordon! The competition is also very good, I give the new car a solid B+. I think as teams start to figure out how to get more grip out of the COT, that rating will boost to an A-. Let us shift to the "over and under achievers." Biggest disappointment has to be the tandem of Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon. Granted, the competition is better as teams have put more effort into testing the COT, but by their standards being out of the top 12 is nothing less than pedestrian. C+ for the Hendrick boys. The surprise of this young season has to come from the same garage. Dale Jr. has exceed most expectations thus far, currently sitting fifth in the point standings. His move from DEI to Hendrick had many wondering if there where too many superstars on that team. Well, he's answered all his critics and it's his star that is shining the brightest, A-. The season has been filled with green-white-checkered finishes and plenty of drama. It all continues this weekend in Martinsville.

Your father's NASCAR

I spent the better part of my afternoon watching a re-air of the 1988 First Union 400 at North Wilksboro Speedway. I know, I know, even a race fan such as myself really should have been watching the first round of the NCAA basketball tourney. But, there is something about watching the hot rods of the 80's and 90's. You know, when the Monte Carlos actually looked like Monte Carlos. Anyway, during the race the announcers were discussing the "Tire Wars" between Hoosier and Goodyear. Back then, some of the drivers would sign yearly contracts with the tire makers. Interestingly enough, some drivers could stay independent and run on either brand. That got me thinking; this is something NASCAR should revisit. Especially in the wake of Tony Stewart and others complaining Goodyear was failing to produce a quality tire, most recently at Atlanta. I know NASCAR has since sign an exclusive contract with Goodyear and it's binding through the next few seasons. But once the contract runs out, why not bring Hoosier or Firestone, or both for that matter, back into NASCAR? Competition and speeds would certainly increase, and yes, maybe even at the expense of safety. But it would shut up the likes of Stewart! At least for a little while. By the way, anyone remember who won the 1988 First Union 400?

Hendrick's fall from grace?

What a difference a year can make! We are five races into the 2008 Sprint Cup season and Hendrick Motorsports is still seeking its first win. Last year at this time, HMS was well on its way to complete domination, winning three of the first five races, and seven of the first 10. Although its early in the season, this winless streak is sort of a fall from grace for the organization once touted as the authority on the COT platform. So, what's really happening in the Hendrick garage? Was the torrid pace of last year just too much to maintain? Or is it the Tiger factor? Well, I like to refer to this as the Tiger factor. Tiger Wood's dominance over the years has forced more PGA golfers to hit the gym and work harder at their game. Same philosophy applies here. Last year Hendrick was so dominate, it forced other teams to buckle down over the off season, and today we are seeing the results. Toyota got it's first win at Atlanta. Last Sunday at Bristol Richard Childress Racing got it's first 1-2-3 finish. The best thing going for HMS might be the biggest surprise of all: Dale Earnhardt Jr. He had a ton of pressure coming over to Hendrick from DEI. Now, I think we all expected Junior to do well, but leading this star studded team comes as a complete surprise. If the Chase for the Cup were to begin today, Junior would be the only Hendrick teammate to make the Chase.

Goodbye to a Great!

NASCAR bids farewell to one of its greatest drivers this weekend. After nearly 24 years of racing, Dale Jarrett makes his final start this weekend in Bristol. His father Ned, a two time Sprint Cup champion, will open the Food City 500 Sunday as the honorary starter. Dale Jarrett has won 32 Sprint Cup races and a championship since his career started back in 1984. Sunday will be his last points race, returning only to participate in this summer's All-Star weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jarrett fans can still catch him on ESPN as one of the network's NASCAR analysts. Mother nature has played a hand in the lineup for both this weekend's Nationwide and Sprint Cup races. Rain forced officials to forgo qualifying and to the rules book to determine the starting grid for both races. Under NASCAR rules and regulations, if qualifying is rained out, then the top-35 spots are determined by 2007's final owner point standings. This rule is applicable for the first 5 races of the season. The big winner: Hendrick Motorsports. The struggling duo of Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon catch a big break here, as they finished the 2007 season first and second respectively in owner's points. Historically, 60% of all winners at Bristol have come out of the top 5. Watch for this to be the turning point for both teams! Look for Gordon to win the race, collecting Hendrick's first win of the season. Personally, I'll be pulling for Dale Jarrett, but starting 37th will make it rather difficult for this great to go out on top.

Toyota Milestone!

First off, congratulations to Toyota for winning its first Sprint Cup race last Sunday in Atlanta. It took them four races into their second season to find victory lane, but it seems like the off-season testing is paying off in '08. I wish I had nicer things to write about the driver who got Toyota their first victory. Kyle Busch had such a large lead heading into the last lap, he could have coasted to the win. Instead, he decided to push the envelop. In Tony Stewart fashion, Busch gets a run on fellow Toyota driver Dale Jarrett, bump drafts him through the corner getting his car out of shape and nearly into the wall. Clearly, there was no need for Busch to make that dangerous of a move with that big of a lead. It was selfish and stupid. Part of me wanted to see Busch wreck himself. But then I would have had to listen to him whine in the post-race interview about how Jarrett didn't get out of his way. Any way, at least it provided for a little excitement to an otherwise ho-hum finish. Onto this weekend's Food City 500 in Bristol! This is one of the best stops NASCAR makes all year. 160,000 fans, plenty of action, a ton of wrecks and the occasional fist fight. Not that I promote fighting, I mean, they wear helmets. How dangerous can it be? Qualifying is never more important than at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ninety four Sprint Cup races have been held at the .533 mile track, and of those 94 winners, 60% started in the top five, and 82% coming out of the top 10. Think of qualifying this week as the race before the race!

NASCAR not so nice to Edwards

The heavy hand of NASCAR has come down hard on Carl Edwards. He and car owner Jack Rousch are each fined 100 driver and owner points, respectively, for what NASCAR deems as "actions detrimental to stock car racing". Edwards's Ford Fusion failed post race inspection following Sunday's Sprint Cup UAW-Dodge 400 in Las Vegas, because the cap to the oil reserve was not fastened securely. According to NASCAR, this gives the car an aerodynamic advantage. Many experts are now speaking out saying the advantage is so minimal and the risk the to the driver so great, chances are this was unintentional. In addition to the 100 point penalty, Edwards looses the 10 bonus points he would have received for the win if he makes the Chase at the end of the season. Not to mention crew chief Bob Osborne is suspended for six races and fined $100,000. The point deduction sends Edwards from first to seventh, 79 points behind Kyle Busch. So, is NASCAR being fair when it's doling out these penalties? Five Nationwide teams were busted for the same infraction at Daytona and only penalized 25 driver points! Why is Edwards getting hit with the 100 point deduction for the same infraction? Edwards has the right to appeal, and if successful, it could prove to be his biggest win of the year.

Carl Edwards on Top, For Now . . .

For the first time in his NASCAR Sprint Cup career, Carl Edwards is sitting atop the Championship Point Standings. But don't get too excited Edward fans. This could be one of the shortest reigns, as his #99 Ford Fusion failed to pass post race inspection following last Sunday's UAW-Dodge 400. The crime, a loose fitting oil reserve cap. It may not sound like a big deal, but NASCAR handed down some stiff penalties to several Nationwide teams for similar violations after the Camping World 300 at Daytona two weeks earlier. Those penalties threatened hefty point deductions and six week suspensions for the offending crew chiefs. In Edwards's case, he will likely keep the win, but could lose 25 championship points, dropping him back to second place behind Kyle Busch. The good news, late Tuesday afternoon NASCAR amended the Nationwide penalties, reducing some of the sentences by four weeks. Can Edwards afford to lose Bob Osborne even for a week and still have a shot at the title? Can you say Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus? Finally, a very big tip of the cap to Mark Martin. No, not for extending the mark for all-time Nationwide Series wins to 48 in Las Vegas last weekend. Equally impressive was the class he exhibited in victory lane. In the final laps of the Sam's Club 300 Martin got a run on Carl Edwards on the low groove, sending Edwards up the track and into fellow JR Motorsport teammate, rookie Brad Keselowski. The crash took both Edwards and Keselowski, who was vying for his first Nationwide win, out of contention. Martin fought off Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer to take the checkered flag, but this victory wasn't as sweet. Immediately upon exiting his car, before he could celebrate, Martin said he needed to apologize for not getting out of the gas and wrecking the two front runners. The Tony Stewarts of NASCAR could certainly learn a lesson in manners from the likes of Mark Martin.