|| *Comments on the 2013 Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500:* First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page | View All On One Page View the most recent comment | Post a comment <#post> 1. 18fan posted: 10.25.2013 - 5:55 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) Huge atta boy to David Ragan for his 8th place qualifying run. Also, Kyle and Jimmie tied for 2nd, but Jimmie's higher points position gives him the 2nd position. With a 2 pole lead with 3 races left, Denny Hamlin is in good position to be the second consecutive driver to have at least a share of the series lead in poles without starting every race. 2. numbah10hatah posted: 10.25.2013 - 6:21 pm Rate this comment: (8) (4) Danica doesn't even make it a half-hour in practice without crashing, and then only beats 2 cars in qualifying in her back-up. Even more proof she doesn't belong in a Sprint Cup car. 3. Sector posted: 10.25.2013 - 6:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) With this Pole, Denny Hamlin is looking good to win this Pole Award. If he does, he'll break record to have won the pole award as the furthest back position in the standings. Neil Bonnett finished 18th in the standings in 1977 with 6 poles, not even he raced every races that year, but the furthest back in points of all Pole Award winners in history. Also to note: Joe Gibbs Racing hasn't won a Pole Award either. This could be his first if all other multiple pole winners of 2013 doesn't go on a pole streak the final 3 races. 4. Schroeder51 posted: 10.25.2013 - 6:37 pm Rate this comment: (3) (1) Danica was actually SLOWEST on her first lap of qualifying. She picked it up on her second lap, but only enough to gain two positions. She did genuinely impress me with her run here in the spring, pretty much the only time she's actually impressed me all year long. Will she be able to back up her solid run in the spring, or will she run much worse this time around...like she has at quite a few tracks? I'd be willing to put money on the latter... 5. Kenny posted: 10.25.2013 - 6:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm amazed at David Reagan in 8th how the hell did he do this? @Racefanx come to IM Sorry guys its the only way I know to get ahold of him 6. RaceFanX posted: 10.25.2013 - 6:50 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Aric Almirola and the Petty team switched from their iconic #43 to #41 for this race as a salute to Maurice Petty being inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Maurice was mainly an engine builder but he made 26 Cup starts and used the #41 in several of them. NASCAR gave the Petty team the okay to run a one-off with a different number and still collect owner points for the #43. 7. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.25.2013 - 7:02 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Jimmie just teased us with that first lap. Kudos to Kenseth for his run, but he needs to make up ground on the 48. He is already behind. Unless the 48 has trouble, best case scenario is Matt leads at least one lap and finishes 2nd giving him just a 9 point deficit with three races left. Jimmie WILL get max poonts. Just hope Matt can have a Loudon type breakthrough and finish 2nd like he did in '02, the same year he had a Loudon race won intil a flat tire sunk him and he also won on flat tracks Richmond and Phoenix. In these last 4 races he needs to recreate his '02 flat track magic with his '06 intermediate magic. Otherwise it is title #6 for the 48 and YAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWNNNNN! I will also be interested to see how The Baroness does. We can agree, I think, April Martinsville was by FAR her best race she ran all year. Yeah she had the Top 10 at Daytona, but she started on pole and atayed up front on a single file day and managed to avoid any 180 mph pit road entries, but she just rode and went from 3rd to 8th on the final corner. No rookie has ever gone from 3rd going into Turn 3 on the last lap of the Daytona 500 and drifted back and went on to have a legendary career (take it from here Rainbow Nation). But here she actually passed cars, lots of cars, stunned me, and looked like a real driver. But she is just getting worse. Let's see if she can come close to her only good stock car race. 8. BluesTravelerFan posted: 10.25.2013 - 7:16 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) Dennis rises from his post-injury stupor to win the pole at his once dominant track. Hopefully he can run well and keep Jimmie behind him and help his teammate in the championship. Speaking of JJ, I was hoping someone could knock him off the front row, but at least he doesn't have the pole and the number 1 pit stall this time. Matt made a huge and critical recovery on his qualifying attempt, he locked it up big time on his first lap, but made a big recovery on his second lap to take 4th. And yes also big props to David Ragan for his showing as well. That's another great thing about short tracks, it (although not as much as the plate tracks of course) equalizes things somewhat and makes it easier for those teams to be competitive due to the less emphasis on engineering and aerodynamics. Also, in practice we saw a few cars break the 100 mph lap average barrier at Martinsville, truly remarkable. If we can somehow avoid a 48 runaway, I think we could see a truly epic race this time around. I said it before, but i'll say it again, this is the Rodney Dangerfield of tracks. It's never gotten the respect it deserves(among the media, we as fans appreciate it of course).It doesn't have many frills, or 200 mph speeds, or races with 70 lead changes , but what it does have is damn good(and pure) racing and like a fine wine it gets better with age. Apologies if I sound preachy, but I love this place so much. 9. ericthenau posted: 10.25.2013 - 7:25 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) First time a NASCAR Sprint Cup race will be ran without the #43 since the 2003 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 on October 27, 2003, where Jeff Green (who has only ran at the finish in 5 of the 102 races in the NSACAR Nationwide Series he has been in since July 2010) failed to qualify that car number for the race. The last time the #43 was not entered in any NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was the 1993 series finale at Atlanta (located in Hampton, GA), the 1993 Hooters 500, where the Petty Enterprises team ran the #44 for the last time until 1999 with Florida's Rick Wilson as the driver. 10. JG24shouldbe5time posted: 10.25.2013 - 7:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sigh...Should we just award Jimmie Jimboson the Cup? I know I know, things can (and hopefully do) shakeup. So I'll say this "...if you want to crown them, then crown their as*! But, they are who we thought they were, and we let them off the hook!" (Denny Green, 2006) 11. murb posted: 10.25.2013 - 7:41 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Hopefully this will be a competitive race with all of those big name contenders starting up towards the front. 12. Baker posted: 10.25.2013 - 8:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) Why is there no 43 and why is Almirola In the 41? Forgive my ignorance as have no reason to keep updated with NASCAR anymore. 13. An Aussie Commentor posted: 10.25.2013 - 9:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Am I the only one who has noticed this, but it seems that not only do we have fewer start-and-parks in the Sprint Cup this year, but these start-and-parks also tend to run more laps before parking. 14. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.25.2013 - 9:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This will be interesting. The challenge will be to see who can get into the inside line first at the race's start, Johnson or Kenseth? Hamlin will DEFINATELY choose his starting position on the inside lane, and Kenseth will be right behind him. If Johnson gets in line first, Kenseth can only hope that Hamlin is good enough at blocking to keep JJ out of the lead and/or win. If Kenseth gets in first, Johnson will have quite a challenge when trying to get around Kenseth later in the event because I don't see Matt just stepping aside for Johnson. However, considering that this is a 500 lap race, I don't see Kenseth and Hamlin keeping Johnson behind them all race. Johnson will lead at least one lap, surely, and probably will finish 2-5 spots ahead of Kenseth. Johnson will probably get the victory. Okay Johnson, GO GET THAT TITLE! 15. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.25.2013 - 9:31 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Jimmie WILL get max poonts." Now let's not go counting our chickens before they hatch... 16. Eric posted: 10.25.2013 - 9:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Baker, The reason there is number 43 this week is because Maurice Petty is getting honored by Richard Petty Motorsports by using Maurice's old racing number 41. Maurice Petty is getting inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in January of 2014 and Maurice is getting honored for that by Richard Petty Motorsports by having Aric Almirola race in Maurice's old cup number as a race driver. Maurice Petty used the 41 number in cup driving for Petty Enterprises besides being an engine builder. 17. cjs3872 posted: 10.25.2013 - 10:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) The thing about it is, with Denny Hamlin winning the pole and Jimmie qualifying second, they figure to be pitted one right behind the other in turns one and two. Given the difficulty of that end of the pit road, it may be difficult for Jimmie all day, unless something happens to Hamlin, because one thing Hamlin might try to do is to make sure Jimmie is boxed in his pits all day by intentionally stopping short to try to make it so Jimmie can't leave his pits before Denny does. And even if that affects Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth to some degree, they don't have to beat Jimmie Johnson if someone else wins the race, just stay right behind him. Hamlin winning the race doesn't hurt the other JGR drivers. In fact, if anything, it could help them by taking points away from Johnson, and I suspect that Hamlin's going to try just about anything to keep Johnson from winning, and that might include trying to box him in his pit to keep him from gaining a speedy exit, which will work, even if Hamlin is a few positions behind Jimmie entering the pits, especially on that pit road. Besides, this is one race that Kyle Busch either figures to contend in, or he'll finish around 30th place because of the way he abuses his equipment, and if he's not around the lead at mid-race, a 30th place (or worse) finish is not out of the question, not because of how good he may or my not be at Martinsville, but rather because of the way he abuses his equipment, because the way he charges the corners, he may very easily have to pit under green due to melted beads, and if he has to do that more than once, he may lose a total of 3-5 laps and wind up around 30th, if not lower than 30th. When I said I thought this could be a bad weekend for the JGR cars, I meant that Kenseth may not be able to stay up with Jimmie, and Kyle could very well suffer tire failures from melted beads due to the way he abuses his equipment. So far, so good for the JGR cars, but I think one of the two JGR championship-contending cars is not going have a good result. I just don't know which one it will be. 18. 83andJoe posted: 10.25.2013 - 11:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Truck Series schedule is out. Rockingham is out as expected, although Andy Hillenburg says he's working to return in the future. Surprise, though, is that its replacement is a return to Gateway. Also, NHMS returns, replacing the second Iowa race. 19. The Long Shot posted: 10.25.2013 - 11:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) "Also, NHMS returns, replacing the second Iowa race." Idiotic. I see the B.O.B.F. (Baron of the Brain Farts) has been at it again. 20. The Long Shot posted: 10.25.2013 - 11:26 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) ^ In case you didn't get it, I was referring to Brian France. 21. Anonymous posted: 10.25.2013 - 11:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Second straight race that the #34 is starting in the top ten 22. 18fan posted: 10.26.2013 - 1:44 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) cjs, Kyle hasn't melted a bead at Martinsville since 2008. His bad finishes since then have been due to wrecks, except for last year's spring race when he broke a track bar, which caused him to crash. 23. Sky Warrior posted: 10.26.2013 - 3:10 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) Amazed that no one has mentioned Brad K's latest outburst yet. He dun gone and said NASCAR's new baseline concussion test mandate for next year is stupid and unnecessary because "...doctors don't understand our sport." Says he "...don't like doctors in our sport" and that "Doctors aren't risk takers, we are. That's what makes our sport what it is, and when doctors get involved, you water down the sport." I can't believe this is our defending champion and one of the sport's top ambassadors that's going around saying something so asinine. What have I missed, by the way? Has the garbage posting gone down some? 24. NascarChump posted: 10.26.2013 - 4:05 am Rate this comment: (0) (2) The Ginn Clubs & Resorts driver experienced a number of ups and downs during the 500-lap race, and in the end, it was a controversial call by NASCAR that the team felt cost them a better finish. By lap 279 Marlin had made his way back into the top 20 and Labbe made a two-tire call on pit road to gain track position. "We had to make something happen, so we took a chance," said Labbe. "Things worked out for us and we were looking at a top-10 finish. Then NASCAR made us come down pit road and that was the end." When Marlin arrived in the No. 14 pit stall, nothing was found on the rear bumper. "The No. 78 car (Kenny Wallace) knocked off whatever was hanging on the back and we knew there was nothing there before they made us pit," explained Labbe. "But they said they told Kenny not to hit us and remove it so they made us both come in." "It's a shame for this team," said Marlin, who was running 12th at the time of the penalty. "We had such a good run today and had an awesome race car. We drove from the back of the field to the front of the field and that's a credit to everyone on this team. "I just wish we got the finish we deserved," continued Marlin. "Our performances have gotten better and better each week and eventually the results will show it." 25. We need more Onion posted: 10.26.2013 - 7:06 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hamlin, please let this one get you back on track. Ragan proves that Front Row's cars are good, their engines aren't. He has done a splendid job in the last Bristol race, if he can get a top 10 here, I would be over the moon. Both he and FRR deserve it. 26. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 7:57 am Rate this comment: (2) (2) I think Brad is right although, as usual, he could have been better in his delivery. He has been trying to sound smart lately and it isn't working. He needs to just be himself which is brash, gruff, and profane. Obviously the racing is much tamer than it has ever been. Fear of losing the almighty points die to wrecks has already eliminated many of the daring moves that made most of us fall in love with the sport. If the drivers now have to worry aboit possibly missing races due to concussions in wrecks, we are in for some future racing that will make the boring ass racing this year look like the racing in 1991 by comparison. We have seen from June last year and Denny and Smoke this year that a driver having to miss races is a death sentence for a team. If drivers have to worry that wrecking may lead them to being told by doctors they have to sit out a week or two, we are in for some of the worst racing you will ever see. The drivers are already way low on pride and passion and guts as it is as evidenced by last week's downright offensive Talladega finish. All the new tire compounds and new aero packages being worked on won't help a bit. 27. The Long Shot posted: 10.26.2013 - 8:38 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) The mandates are likely going to make the racing more conservative, yes, but I'd rather see that than see a driver being forced to drive with a potentially serious head injury. Like it or not, these rules changes are good for the drivers in the long run, and hopefully they will limit any future motor issues that these drivers would have in their elder years. 28. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.26.2013 - 12:03 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Mike Mulhern is now reporting that JTG-Daugherty will be switching the Chevys next season and becoming an RCR satellite team, so look for them to stick with Toyota. 29. David posted: 10.26.2013 - 12:26 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "Mike Mulhern is now reporting that JTG-Daugherty will be switching the Chevys next season and becoming an RCR satellite team, so look for them to stick with Toyota." Mike Mulhern is about as reliable as a TRD engine. *rimshot* 30. David posted: 10.26.2013 - 12:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The great Hal Needham passed away yesterday. Rest in peace. 31. Jim Davis posted: 10.26.2013 - 1:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "The drivers are already way low on pride and passion and guts as it is as evidenced by last week's downright offensive Talladega finish." I can't read your mind but all this comes across as someone who's disappointed he didn't get to see another big one. The finish at Talladega had nothing to do with pride, passion, or guts. It had to do with the peculiar aspects of plate racing that mercilessly punishes attempts to jump out of line with a ticket to the rear of the pack. All the drivers did the only rational thing to do in those circumstances - they waited for the last lap to make their moves so if they failed they wouldn't lose too many positions. It's a shame that Dillon's wreck aborted all these plans but that's racing. 32. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 10.26.2013 - 1:03 pm Rate this comment: (6) (0) "Idiotic. I see the B.O.B.F. (Baron of the Brain Farts) has been at it again." Trucks are also returing to Eldora and Gateway after 13 years and going to back too the road course as well. Stay classy NASCAR fans. I think Brad needs shut it, only good thing Brad has done this year is get in Kyle Buschs head. (well anyone can do that really so it isn't much of an accomlishment.) So NASCAR isn't aloud too protect their investment (aka the drivers)? About 80% of the people who go watch a race (insert your favorite medium here) watch for a driver/s, not a team, not auto manu., a driver. Would those people like the fact that their favorite drivers caused a crash he was dealing with a concusson? Makes the sport look bad because they let it happen on their watch (look even worse because of no policy at all. This policy also prevents the drivers from hiding it (like Junior did once or twice). Can anyone give me the total number of concussions report reported since 2000? I'm willing to bet it is less then 10 reported by the drivers. Got to protect these guys from themselves, cuz heavens know most wouldn't even say anything. Guys race with broken bones, bruises and burns all the damn time, that will never change but dealing head injuries will. What effects your brain effects the rest of you. Oh and in case some who do not know, there is a small space between the inner lining of your skull and your brain. You hit something going fast(or something hits you), your body stops but your internal organs do not, that includes your brain. Your brain will rattle around inside your skull like jello inside of a container. It'll stop but damage will be done. 33. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 1:13 pm Rate this comment: (3) (4) But the drivers of yesteryear who are in their elderly years now, the ones who drove in an extremely unsafe era, are doing just fine. One thing these Hall Of Fame inductions and speeches have shown is that these guys are in amazing mental condition. Even Bobby Allison who had a devastating head injury which damn near killed him (the concussion test wouldn't have done anything for him) are living great lives and sound great. How many bones has Richard Petty broke? If he took that many bone breaking hits, how many concussions do you think he got? Drivers either die behind the wheel, live to be elderly with no residual problems (except Rick Mast and his odd CO poisoning issue), or get afflicted with the same diseases that are prone to strike the rest of society (BP, Bobby Hamilton, Sam Ard). We have 60 years of hardcore evidence to back this up. The concussion tests are only gonna make bad racing worse. Compare this to football players. Brett Favre, at age 44 (the age Earnhardt was when he got his 9th of 10 Top 2 points finishes) is already having memory loss. He must have been tossing his memory around and ot got intercepted. What? No rimshot? Too soon? Too serious? C'Mon! How about this: He texted some of his memory to Jenn Sterger. I want a rimshot damnit! 34. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 1:15 pm Rate this comment: (3) (2) Hang on, I got one more. Brett Favre is treating his memory like a playoff game: losing it. 35. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 1:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) Hang on, I got one more, since he has the same number of rings as his replacement in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers (1), he figured he needed to have the same amount of memory as his much younger counterpart, so he lost some of his. 36. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 1:21 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Bart Starr has 5 times as much memory as Brett Favre. 37. David posted: 10.26.2013 - 1:23 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Even Bobby Allison who had a devastating head injury which damn near killed him" It is pretty amazing that he came through that, even though he sadly lost his memory of the 1988 Daytona 500. He is the Man of Tungsten. 38. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 1:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Its truly amazing how detailed Bobby's memory is with the exception of that 6 month period in 1988which, as you mentioned, had a career and life highlight. As he says, he won his 3rd Daytona 500 in his 50s holding off the brightest young talent in the sport, his son Davey. 39. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 10.26.2013 - 2:28 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) I got a bad feeling about this race in the sense that the #48 will dominate and win. Hopefully Hamlin can lead the most laps and win to at least prevent Jimmie from gaining maximum points, but it seems that he is a injury-sensitive driver because he has only had a few good finishes since he came back from the Fontana wreck. As for Brad, I find it very refreshing that he is a guy who will say whatever is on his mind regarding every topic (especially since one of the faces of the sport is Jimmie Johnson, the epitome of a yes man). But I think he needs to think before he speaks and word his concern better. I think this year, he's bound to realize that there's more power in his words since he is now a Cup champion. He just needs to learn how to use that power the right way. At Michigan earlier in the year, he complained about other teams hiring crew members away from Penske. That's the BUSINESS of RACING, drivers and crew members are going to take the best deal they can get. That's how it's always been. 40. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.26.2013 - 2:37 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) Dude? Seriously? How could you? I mean you can't just... Sam Ard is slowly and tragically dying. He is in a condition not much better than vegetative. He has no idea who he or anyone else is, even his wife. This is all thanks to a vicious wreck at Rockingham during the 1984 NNS race there. Things aren't too much better for Fred Lorenzen. He's lucky to have days where he remembers his own family. This is because of all the head injuries he suffered racing. Cliff Allison (F1 driver in the 50s and 60s) had his brain rattled and woke up speaking French. LeeRoy Yarbrough became an alcoholic homicidal maniac who spent the rest of his life in a nuthouse. He showed signs of dangerous insanity caused by concussions as early as the late 1960s, when he was in his prime! Neil Bonnett's fatal wreck was more than likely survivable, but because of all the wrecks he had been in, including one that gave him AMNESIA, he died. John Settlemyre went insane after retiring before being killed in a shootout with police earlier this year. Sterling Marlin has early-onset Parkinson's. Coincidence? I think not. 41. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 3:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Concussion tests are to prevent drivers from having the problems of numerous consecutive headshots take their toll over time like they have done for so many football players. The thing is, this is not a problem for race car drivers. While football players can take a major brain rattler and be on field for the very next play and get yet another one, if a driver hits hard enough to have concussion symptoms, they are done for the day. Worse case scenario: a drivers crashes their primary car hard in practice then crash hard again in the race. Even the most crash prone drivers will crash, in practice and races, at most about 15 times per year. Even if all 15 are brain rattlers, that is what football players call "the first half of one game". What drivers are prone to is the one big hit that messes them up or kills them. Not the hundreds of little brain bruisers that add up over time and destroy you. NASCAR is treating a symptom that simply doesn't exist. And the side effects (even tamer racing than the garbage we have been seeing lately) aren't worth it. These baseline tests will not help a single person. As for the people you mentioned, Sam Ard and Cliff Allison were victims of the big hit. As was Neil Bonnett, who crashed in the exact same manner in the exact same corner at the exact same track that took his best friend 7 years later (easily survivable? Dale's crash looked very survivable). Fred Lorenzen has Alheimer's, an awful disease that affects millions of people, regardless of their past occupation. LeeRoy got an infection that went undiagnosed and spread to his brain, completely unrelated to racing. Sterling Marlin has early onset Parkinsons. So does Patty Petty and Pat Summitt. Another terrible disease that is indiscriminate. It has affected both tough guy boxer Muhammad Ali and awesome but diminutive actor Michael J Fox. For 60 years of NASCAR racing, that is a pretty small list, none of which can contribute their issues to the problem baseline concussion tests are supposed to prevent: repeated brain bruising hits in rapid fire succession. If this were a true problem then, like football, there would be a laundry list of past drivers suffering from issues that don't affect anybody else at such a young age. 42. The Long Shot posted: 10.26.2013 - 3:21 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) DSFF, I'm honestly shocked at your low opinion of driver safety, especially considering you're a paramedic. The Brett Favre concussion jokes are almost as bad. 43. 18fan posted: 10.26.2013 - 3:29 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) Harvick just blew any championship chances he had by blasting the Dillon brothers as rich kids who had everything fed to them and saying that they are the reason he's leaving RCR. 44. Schroeder51 posted: 10.26.2013 - 3:41 pm Rate this comment: (5) (0) I can't be the only one who can't really take DSFF seriously anymore. I respect his vast knowledge of NASCAR history that surpasses my own, but he has said some absolutely ASININE things lately, among them the memory loss/concussion jokes which are in EXTREMELY poor taste. 45. murb posted: 10.26.2013 - 3:42 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Hopefully Kenny Wallace has a good run in the 29 car tomorrow. 46. David posted: 10.26.2013 - 3:47 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) "Hopefully Kenny Wallace has a good run in the 29 car tomorrow." Yay for 2002 references! 47. murb posted: 10.26.2013 - 3:59 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) At least DSFF gave a legit argument in post 41. The Brett Favre jokes may have been bad and he's said some things lately because he's probably fed up with the product right now (which is understandable), but I don't see any reason to make him out to be a troll or something. Once again, it's all about opinions. If someone has a different opinion than you (and as long as they give a legit argument), it doesn't mean that they are wrong and you are right. Maybe just have an open mind and at least read into it a little bit. Some of the people who have been crucifying DSFF are people who have preached this before, so to me it seems little hypocritical. That said, my opinion on the concussion tests is pretty simple. If the purpose of it is to further ensure the safety of the drivers, I'm all for it. And yeah, Keselowski needs to shut up and worry about getting his team back into championship contention next year. 48. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 4:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "DSFF, I'm honestly shocked at your low opinion of driver safety" I don't have a low opinion of driver safety, I have a low opinion of a new initiative that is designed to fix a problem that does not exist in racing: constant rapid fire blows to the head. If I thought this would save ONE life or make ONE driver have a better quality of life, I would be applauding it. I feel I have given solid reasons why baseline concussion testing won't help drivers one iota. In football, this would have been a God send. In racing, if you crash hard enough to rattle your brain, your car is destroyed and you are done for the day. As for the Brett Favre jokes, here is my rebuttal: C'Mon, it's Brett Favre! He has been a running punchline for almost 10 years now. From his maybe I will, maybe I won't retire deals, to his "Good Lord dude, you've been in the league HOW long and are still making throws like that for INTs", to his I AM retiring.... wait, no I'm not, to the media portrayal of him as the ultimate family fan to his wife, a survivor of breast cancer, and daughters only to find out he was texting pictures of The Little Gunslinger to sideline reporters not much older than his oldest daughter, to his replacement in Green Bay that he has taken many public potshots at knocking him down to only the third best Packers QB ever in just a few years and making the fanbase that practically worshipped him forget him, he is a fun and easy target. Why do we have to stop with memory loss? 49. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 4:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) Crap, I got so caught up in listing Favre's blunders, I forgot my main point: Wasn't his wife still being treated for breast cancer in 2008 when he was with the Jets and sending those pics to Jenn? If you are gonna do something like try to have an affair while your wife is battling cancer, I am gonna make fun of your memory loss. The second something bad happens to North Carolina politician John Edwards who had an affair and an illegitimate child while his wife was DYING from cancer, I am throwing an all weekend bender at my house. It will be like The Hangover, only in rural NC instead of Vegas. So it will be nothing like The Hangover lol. Also, news of Brett's affair broke right as his wife, who had survived her cancer, was releasing and promoting a book talking about her fight against breast cancer to inspire others to fight, to know they aren't alone, and to raise money for breast cancer research. It pretty much got ruined. I haven't heard anything from her since. 50. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.26.2013 - 4:15 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I'm glad I'm not the only one who found the memory loss jokes offensive. I never liked Brett's offseason antics but to be giddy about the man losing his memory is really tasteless. I guess DSFF has never had to watch a family member suffer from Alzheimer's for the last 5-10 years of their life until they weren't even able to recognize him, or else he probably wouldn't find memory loss so funny. 51. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 4:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) So I can't pile on to somebody who has done something really shitty? Can I at least pile on to Jack Smith, who is in Hell right now, whose suffering has to be even intensified by the fact Bubba Wallace just kicked ass and won at historic old Martinsville and is the future of NASCAR? 52. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.26.2013 - 5:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ^Piling on someone for being racist is actually racist in and of itself. But, yeah, Jack is burning to a crisp down there. 53. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.26.2013 - 5:13 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Been unimpressed with Jimmie so far this weekend...which is a good thing. 54. The Long Shot posted: 10.26.2013 - 6:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "So I can't pile on to somebody who has done something really shitty? Can I at least pile on to Jack Smith, who is in Hell right now, whose suffering has to be even intensified by the fact Bubba Wallace just kicked ass and won at historic old Martinsville and is the future of NASCAR?" The only people who deserve to be given that kind of crap are murderers and kidnappers. As much bad stuff as Favre has done in his life, I can't justify making fun of his memory loss. That is still sick. "Piling on someone for being racist is actually racist in and of itself." Huh? The definition of racism is "a person who believes that a particular race is superior to another". For example, I don't believe that I'm a superior being to a racist; I believe that said person is just a complete jackass. 55. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 6:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Racism is a choice. The color of your skin isn't. Hating somebody for a choice they have made is different than hating somebody for something that a) is irrelevant and b) they had no control over. Now should you "hate" anyone besides murderers and rapists? No. But I'm not perfect. 56. Daniel posted: 10.26.2013 - 8:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Just saying for this race: Go my driver, win the damn race! 57. cjs3872 posted: 10.26.2013 - 9:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Well DSFF, often times it doesn't matter what profession you're in, as far as getting something like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. Sure, Fred Lorenzen has gotten the early onset of Alzheimer's, and it's debatable whether or not that's from the crashes he had in his career, but that wouldn't explain how someone like Ronald Reagan, probably the greatest president since JFK, got it, and the same goes for those who are experiencing Parkinson's. Sure, guys like Ali and Sterling Marlin may have gotten it from impacts to the head over a long career, but as you said, that wouldn't explain others, such as Pat Summitt and Michael J. Fox, whose chosen lines of work did not include that kind of hazard, would get Parkinson's. But as you and others have said, NASCAR has always been light years ahead of the NFL when it comes to the safety of the helmets that are worn, because you have multiple impact crashes in races practically all the time, and there are only about a handful of drivers that have experienced long-term effects of concussion in racing, while there seem to be more NFL players that experience these effects by the week, with Brett Favre being just the latest (and one of the most famous) of them. 58. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 9:44 pm Rate this comment: (2) (2) As for this race and this championships. They are both layups for Johnson. He's gonna get max points for this race and he's gonna win the championship. I hate it, but it is the truth. The best case scenario for Matt is that, by some miracle, he can lead a lap and finish 2nd and only be 9 points behind for the final 3 races. Unlikely. This race is a layup for the 48. Another thing: JJ is starting to buddy up with Matt. This way Matt won't race him very hard. It is the same thing Bill Russell did to Wilt Chamberlain back in the 60s. JJ hates to be races hard and close, even if it is clean. Matt is already the Mark Martin type who would rather lose than win by wrinkling a fender. This way JJ has assured himself Matt will give him all the space in the world. Basically now there is no way the 48 loses this deal. But compare Matt and the 20 team this year to Brad and the 2 team last year. On paper, the 20 team should be a MUCH tougher obstacle than Brad and the Blue Deuce team. But Brad wasn't afraid to ruffle Jimmie's feathers. Pulling on the track early at Chicago, running Jimmie high at Texas, and showing swagger like HE was the 5 time champ out of the car, this got to the 48. Although at first it appeared to be a soul crushing loss, the Texas race was the turning point in last year's championship. Although they ultimately lost on the final restart, the way he beat Jimmie on the second to last restart showed Brad and the 2 guys were NOT gonna go quietly into the night. In order to win the championship, the 48 was gonna have to live on the edge for the final two races. Both times they stepped over. Brad took Jimmie out of his comfort zone. And him not being rattled by Jimmie doing his "I'm the 5 time champ" routine wound up rattling Jimmie. Say what you want about Brad, you want him on your team. By contrast, Matt has repeatedly stated he thinks Jimmie is the best driver ever. He seems happy just to be in the title race with Jimmie. He is awed by JJ and shows it publicly which gives Jimmie confidence and comfort. While Brad kept Jimmie on his toes by being completely indifferent to Jimmie's past success (in 1980, a young Dale Earnhardt did the same thing the already legendary Cale Yarborough, although while I believe Brad was playing mind games with JJ, I think Dale just plain didn't give a shit about Cale's accomplishments, he knew he was gonna take the sport by the balls and that it was his time, and didn't bother acting like anything different was about to happen), Jimmie is nice and relaxed racing Matt. Congratulations Matt, you are the new Mark Martin, universally associated with class and respect while lacking championship hardware compared to your contemporaries. The only difference between you and Mark is that during one of your good seasons (2003) the racing gods didn't throw a 1990 Dale Earnhardt or 1998 Jeff Gordon or 2009 Jimmie Johnson in your way like Mark came across everytime things fell into place. The moral of the story: Assholes finish first. Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson don't just have championships, they have DYNASTIES. And all three are/were Top Rate Assholes on the track. And make no mistake, despite his unparalleled class and grace off the track, Richard Petty was a mean son of a bitch behind the wheel. Meanwhile nice guys who don't wrinkle fenders like Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth, Dale Jarrett, and Bobby Labonte all have one or zero championships. And of course the rest of JJ's competition is self destructing as usual. Kyle Busch will definitely spend this entire race on Keselowski Watch. And Lord only knows what is going on behind closed doors with the Childress-Harvick situation after today. At Texas, he'll probably have an engine last used by Richard himself in the CRC Chemicals car as an independent. Regardless who was at fault today, here is what Kevin needs to realize: getting into it with your owner's beloved grandson in a MINOR LEAGUE race has ZERO upside. Then trashing your owner's family member publicly like that while still having somewhat of a shot at the MAJOR LEAGUE championship pretty much guarantees you can write the rest of this season off. that is a contest Kevin won't win. Because regardless what happens, Richard will still be able to call himself a six time Cup champion. Were they won hanging on tight to Earnhardt's ass? Yes, but he still has those 6 banners at his shop. Kevin still has the goose egg. Not smart at all. And who knows with Jeff. Some weeks he looks like the old Jeff Gordon. Some weeks he looks like the OLD Jeff Gordon. I'm still perplexed by 2007. After two rare clutch October wins for Gordon (in his career, he only has 5 wins in October and November as the points leader, 3 in 1998 and 2 in 2007; Dale has 7 total in 4 different seasons and Lord only knows how many JJ has) he turned totally placid as Johnson ripped off 4 in a row and Jeff looked almost drugged (knowing Rick, let's not rule this out) culminating with him conceding defeat a week early, laughing and joking with Jimmie in victory lane at Phoenix as he just had his title dreams dashed. What happened to the early season 2007 Gordon that definitely ruffled Jimmie's feathers at the Spring Martinsville race? 59. David posted: 10.26.2013 - 10:01 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) "And make no mistake, despite his unparalleled class and grace off the track, Richard Petty was a mean son of a bitch behind the wheel." You might say he was a Dick. *rimshot* 60. cjs3872 posted: 10.26.2013 - 11:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) DSFF, what happened in 2007 was that the "information spicket" that existed much of the year between the 24 and 48 teams was stepped on by Chad Knaus, as was said by a member of the 24 team (now the 88 team) last year. So as a result, Gordon's cars after the race at Charlotte simply were not competitive enough to run in the top 5-7 after Martinsville. And that was what turned the tide in 2007. Johnson's cars were not only 2 MPH faster, but there were a number of cars that, performance-wise, were between where the 48 was and where the 24 was. Gordon effectively had no chance once the "information spicket" was stepped on, and he conceded after Phoenix because he was more than 100 points behind after that race, and he knew he had no shot at the title at that point. I still think that something happened between those teams as a result of the ending to the fall race at Talladega that year, when Gordon actually had the nerve to pass Johnson on the final lap to win that race. I think ever since then, there's been an unspoken rule about challenging Johnson late in races at HMS, especially in the Chase, and Gordon seems to be the only one at HMS that actually has the courage to try to beat Johnson in a late-race duel. Chad Knaus got so irate after that finish that he's seen to it that nobody at HMS will be able to challenge Jimmie late in a race when he's leading. Dale, Jr. doesn't have that in him, and Kahne has NEVER had that in him, but if Gordon gets the chance, I suspect he'll try everything he can to actually pass Jimmie for the win. Everyone remembers what happened at the end of the spring race at Martinsville last year, but what's largely forgotten about that is that Jimmie had wrested the lead from Jeff, who had dominated all day, and Jeff took it back from Jimmie just before that fateful caution came out. I believe that, if put in the same spot, Dale, Jr. and Kasey would not pass Jimmie because they don't have it in them. 61. TS1420 posted: 10.26.2013 - 11:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Excellent post DSFF. Kenseth won't bring a hardcore challenge Johnson, meaning Johnson will cruise away with the championship. The rest of the fringe contenders are too busy worrying about pointless garbage like usual (Kyle with Brad, Harvick with Pop-Pop's #1a & #1b drivers, Jeff Gordon with the races cutting into early bird special) Bring a hardcore challenge to Johnson & The 48 Team and they just don't crap the bed, they flood the bedroom with diarrhea (2005 & 2012) 62. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 11:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "Bring a hardcore challenge to Johnson & The 48 Team and they just don't crap the bed, they flood the bedroom with diarrhea (2005 & 2012)" Exactly. And one thing I cannot overstate about those two years was the swagger Tony and Brad respectively showed those years. Jimmie feasts off his competitors questioning their ability to beat the mighty 48. When they project a swagger that THEY are the team to beat, Jimmie seems to start questioning himself. Matt is just too damn polite to beat the 48 in a championship battle. 63. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 11:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And to correct one thing I said, Dale actually has 6 wins in October and November as the points leader, not 7. The 1980 Fall Martinsville race was on September 28. But he does have 9 wins in October and November while 1st or 2nd in points, including his final win. That race was a fitting final win for him, everything about it screamed "Earnhardt Win". Big comeback. Doing things with the car nobody else can do. Doing things with the car nobody else is willing to do. Winston 500. Clutch. Earnhardt. 64. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.26.2013 - 11:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Make that 5. The 1991 Fall Wilkesboro race was on September 29. 65. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 12:06 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) What a crazy ending to Game 3. Did anyone just see that? 66. cjs3872 posted: 10.27.2013 - 12:31 am Rate this comment: (1) (1) Yes I did, David, and to me, that was a brilliant move by an injured Allen Craig to draw that throw to third. That's an example of why it's a good idea to draw a throw. Because it could be a bad one. A good throw nails him. As for the call that decided the game, it was a great and gutsy one by the umpires, because the third baseman clearly obstructed the runner. But normally, an umpire or a referee won't make a call like that to decide a game, but that was the correct call, because the field clearly obstructed the runner. And as Tim McCarver stated, it makes no difference whether there was intent or not on that particular call (I think there was), which makes it a much easier call for the umpires to make, but the situation makes it a much tougher call to make, and thy made the right one. Interesting that on the two most controversial calls of the series that the umpires got both calls right. 67. AveryNH posted: 10.27.2013 - 12:32 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sure did. And my remote promptly met the wall.... no comment 68. JG24shouldbe5time posted: 10.27.2013 - 12:42 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) DSFF, you're on a roll tonight. You're pure butter my friend. The Favre jokes...meh. We have a hate-love-hate relationship with guy in Minny. We hate that he lead the Packers to soooo many victories, but we love his messy divorce from them and that he came to us in '09 and had us one interception from the Super Bowl, which is where the hate began again. He then finagled around all summer in 2010, decided to come back and proceeded to blow it big time. back to racing "And Lord only knows what is going on behind closed doors with the Childress-Harvick situation after today. At Texas, he'll probably have an engine last used by Richard himself in the CRC Chemicals car as an independent. " lolololol!!! Man that would have to be one polished up engine to pass on looks, the thing would be as old as me. "After two rare clutch October wins for Gordon...he turned totally placid as Johnson ripped off 4 in a row and Jeff looked almost drugged (knowing Rick, let's not rule this out)" Lol again. Good points by you and posts #60 and #61 in regards to that situation. 69. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:36 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) 44. Schroeder51 posted: I can't be the only one who can't really take DSFF seriously anymore. I respect his vast knowledge of NASCAR history that surpasses my own, but he has said some absolutely ASININE things lately, among them the memory loss/concussion jokes which are in EXTREMELY poor taste. ^ Yeah, This comment is late, but I am in the same boat as you. But DSFF did bring up a good point earlier on this board. Dale Sr, Jeff Gordon, and Johnson can easily be considered the biggest '@$$4013$* of their time. Johnson and Gordon not as much due to the mind games they played, but it's still true. That's why I will say this again and again: Bar Anything INSANE happening these last four races, Johnson has the championship. It's not that Kenseth is a under-performing driver, he's just to d@nm nice, and isn't able to take the heat back to Johnson. In a sense, it reminds me so much of '79. Waltrip was trying his dead level best to get into Petty's head. Petty audibly said he didn't give a d@nm about the championship, he just wanted to enjoy himself that year, and comparing '78 to '79, that would be easy to do. If Kenseth could take the fight into Johnson's head, Johnson will stumble. Desptie his talent, Johnson's ability does lie 40-50 percent with Knaus, bieng the constant motivator. Something gets between JJ and Knaus, Johnson loses it. If Kenseth would take the fight to Jimmie's head this year, would it be enough for him to lose the championship? Probably not. Frankly, If Kenseth just happens to wipe his front bumper on Johnson's rear at Texas, it will demoralize Johnson at Phoneix. That's Kenseth's only real hope, IF he doesn't have a TURD engine failure at Texas like I think he will. I myself am still amazed at both drivers. But I think all of us here see what is coming. Unless Johnson underperforms today, or something insane happens, Johnson will walk away with the championship. Not Run away, just walk, Maybe a 20 point victory? But I will say this, every since Dover ended, something about Texas isn't sitting right with me. I have a feeling SOMETHING is going to happen at Texas. Probably just going to be Kenseth's engine in smoke, but we all know that is the last track where Kenseth can take it to Johnson. Ugh. I need to get sleep. The above ramble makes little to no sense. 70. The Sound posted: 10.27.2013 - 9:54 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) I have to wonder if either Jeff was sandbagging in practice, judging by the best 10 consecutive laps, or whether his car just is not very good. 71. SpeedWorld97 posted: 10.27.2013 - 10:17 am Rate this comment: (7) (0) Well I'm on my way to the racetrack. Let me just say that Jimmie Johnson has never been in contention to win a race I've attended. The streak could continue... 72. Mr X posted: 10.27.2013 - 12:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Definitely curious for today's race, even the worst race at Martinsville is a better show then most other tracks. Johnson struggled somewhat in the practice sessions with a car that was dragging the splitter under heavy braking, so this race may not be his to win, at least at the beginning. Harvick got himself in some very hot water, I laughed quite hard at the Kenny Wallace in the 29 car jokes above, in addition the 29 car is a total unknown handling wise, but I do believe that RC, Kevin, and Ty could sit down and hash things out given that Kevin gives Richard his best title chance in any NASCAR series this year, and the wreck was mostly Dillon's fault to begin with. Richard often makes questionable decisions as an owner, but he's smart enough to deal with these issues. Jeff Gordon's car looked very good, he was happy and the team were basically playing with the car all practice, practice speeds need to be taken with a grain of salt, you don't know what tires the car is on, and most of the time even a 10 lap average is far less then anything that could be labelled a long run, especially here, and although they have struggled to put together an entire race at Martinsville of late, failing to keep up with the track for at least one period during the race, here's hoping. Kenseth can hopefully run well all day as well, although I agree that the title will go to Johnson barring a miracle, the 20 team just doesn't have the experience to take on the 48 in a straight duel yet. Kyle Busch could make some very healthy gains today of all goes well. Hopefully the points battle gets tighter today. 73. jabber1990 posted: 10.27.2013 - 1:30 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Brad, you are like 7' 13" NOBODY is going to hurt you not even Jr. Nation 74. jabber1990 posted: 10.27.2013 - 1:34 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) if I was a Track promoter i'd hire the local high school to do the national anthem 75. jabber1990 posted: 10.27.2013 - 1:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I don't know if I like the 88. I mean I love the Navy Blue but the pink numbers kills it maybe if the numbers were white with a pink outline...maybe 76. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 1:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution out for Jeff Burton spinning. 77. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 1:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Burton spins. 78. The Long Shot posted: 10.27.2013 - 1:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Quick fantasy note here, and then I'm done, I promise. @David: Afraid your fantasy picks were submitted a half hour past the deadline. I won't be able to count them. 79. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 1:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Burton is apparently not pleased with Edwards, according to Twitter. 80. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 1:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That sounded almost like a Kyle Busch radio transmission. 81. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 1:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "@David: Afraid your fantasy picks were submitted a half hour past the deadline. I won't be able to count them." Ah, well, it's just a game. *mutters to self something about "stupid deadlines"* 82. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 1:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) As soon as I turn on the tv, Burton is backwards. Awesome. But maybe he'll get a little aggressive for once because of this. He's got nothing to lose at this point. 83. The Long Shot posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Ah, well, it's just a game. *mutters to self something about "stupid deadlines"*" Lol. In fairness, I feel bad about doing this, considering the only reason I even implemented them was so people didn't forget what time the races started and whatnot (the Home Track races especially). Sorry. But back to the race. Burton mad at somebody? The last time I saw him like that was at Charlotte a couple of years ago, when he was lecturing Kyle Busch like a parent would a stubborn teenager. 84. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jimmie Johnson has been passed under green, by Kyle Busch & Matt Kenseth? What planet am I living on?? 85. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:03 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) 2013 Vulture-Choker Index (through Talladega-2) NOTE: The Vulture-Choker Index is defined as race wins minus expected wins. An expected win is defined as laps led divided by (laps completed divided by races). A driver with a positive index of 0.5 or higher is defined as a vulture, while a driver with a negative index of 0.5 or higher is defined as a choker. This formula is not scientific by any means, but a quick calculation I came up with to try to determine which drivers and/or teams are making the most of their laps led and which drivers and/or teams are leaving something on the table. The positive or negative number is the index; the first number in parentheses is the number of expected wins and the second number is the number of actual wins. Vultures: Kevin Harvick: +2.3 (0.7 - 3) Matt Kenseth: +1.7 (5.3 - 7) Brian Vickers: +0.9 (0.1 - 1) David Ragan: +0.9 (0.1 - 1) Jamie McMurray: +0.8 (0.2 - 1) Ryan Newman: +0.6 (0.4 - 1) Tony Stewart: +0.6 (0.4 - 1) Greg Biffle: +0.6 (0.4 - 1) Winners Performing At Par: Carl Edwards: +0.4 (1.6 - 2) Joey Logano: -0.1 (1.1 - 1) Martin Truex Jr: -0.3 (1.3 - 1) Kasey Kahne: -0.3 (2.3 - 2) Chokers: Kyle Busch: -0.5 (4.5 - 4) Brad Keselowski: -0.5 (1.5 - 1) Juan Pablo Montoya: -0.5 (0.5 - 1) Jimmie Johnson: -0.8 (5.8 - 5) Denny Hamlin: -1 (1 - 0) Clint Bowyer: -1 (1 - 0) Jeff Gordon: -1.1 (1.1 - 0) Dale Earnhardt Jr: -1.1 (1.1 - 0) Kurt Busch: -1.6 (1.6 - 0) All other non-winners are performing at par. As expected, Harvick is the biggest vulture, having three wins even though he should only have been expected to win maybe one race. Matt Kenseth is the only other really notable vulture, being about two wins over his expectation. The other "vultures" on this list are drivers with one win, many of whom came through late in the race each won. Jimmie Johnson has about one win less than expected, making him a choker this season. Interestingly enough though, he's third on the list of all-time biggest vultures behind Lee Petty and Buck Baker. Kurt Busch is the biggest choker of all this season, as he should have been expected to win 1 or 2 races. There are four drivers who have a whole expected win, but have yet to close the deal: Hamlin, Bowyer, Gordon, and Earnhardt Jr. Top 10 All-Time Vultures: 1. Lee Petty: +22.7 (31.3 - 54) 2. Buck Baker: +13 (33 - 46) 3. Jimmie Johnson: +11 (54 - 65) 4. Joe Weatherly: +7.5 (17.5 - 25) 5. Kevin Harvick: +7 (15 - 22) 6. Dale Jarrett: +6.7 (25.3 - 32) 7. Bobby Labonte: +6.6 (14.4 - 21) 8. Ned Jarrett: +6 (44 - 50) 9. Darrell Waltrip: +5.3 (78.7 - 84) 10. Rex White: +5.2 (22.8 - 28) (Gordon, Edwards, and Keselowski are tied for 11th at +5 apiece) Top 10 All-Time Chokers: 1. Cale Yarborough: -39 (122 - 83) 2. Fonty Flock: -29.2 (48.2 - 19) 3. Buddy Baker: -26 (45 - 19) 4. Junior Johnson: -26 (76 - 50) 5. Bobby Isaac: -20.3 (57.3 - 37) 6. Curtis Turner: -18.6 (35.6 - 17) 7. Tim Flock: -16.7 (55.7 - 39) 8. Bobby Allison: -15 (100 - 85) 9. Rusty Wallace: -13.9 (68.9 - 55) 10. Geoff Bodine: -13.4 (31.4 - 18) The biggest active chokers are Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr., at 7 wins below their expectation. Martin Truex Jr. is 5 wins below his expected total. So far in my research, the winless driver with the most expected wins is Mike Skinner, with an astounding 4.1 expected wins without ever actually sealing the deal. As far as active drivers, Dave Blaney and A.J. Allmendinger are tied with 1.2 expected wins apiece. 86. New14 & 88Fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle and Matt ganged up on JJ there, that may be what it takes to beat him. 87. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Burton couldn't even beat up Jeff Gordon. If I were him I wouldn't even try messing with Carl. 88. TS1420 posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "Kyle and Matt ganged up on JJ there, that may be what it takes to beat him." They need to just gang up and send the 48 to the garage. 89. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) You know who goes a lap down 50 laps in while driving Hendrick equipment (after finishing 12th in the Spring race). 90. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "They need to just gang up and send the 48 to the garage." If you can't beat 'em, wreck 'em. 91. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:14 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "You know who goes a lap down 50 laps in while driving Hendrick equipment (after finishing 12th in the Spring race)." To be fair, the last person who drove the car she's driving today was Lewis Hamilton at Watkins Glen. But that does look really bad on the surface that she's so much worse here the second time around. 92. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) According to @TheOrangeCone, Ken Schrader is calling it a career after the Homestead race. 93. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "To be fair, the last person who drove the car she's driving today was Lewis Hamilton at Watkins Glen. But that does look really bad on the surface that she's so much worse here the second time around." To me there's still no excuse for not being able to outrun McDowell and Yeley when she's in SHR/Hendrick equipment. That "she's learning" stuff doesn't cut it anymore. This should be the time in her career where she starts to progress at least a little bit, but she can't. She's getting worse and worse at every revisited track it seems like. Pretty awesome race up front with Kenseth, Johnson, and Gordon. 94. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution for Kvapil. 95. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution is out for Travis Kvapil spinning. 96. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Carl "Curby" Edwards 97. 18fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:25 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Carl Edwards is doing his best Brian Vickers impersonation right now. 98. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Second time Carl Edwards has spun someone out today. 99. jabber1990 posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Carl Edwards pulls a Brian Vickers 100. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "According to @TheOrangeCone, Ken Schrader is calling it a career after the Homestead race." I heard that, he's just ending his Sprint Cup career. 101. TS1420 posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:29 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Carl Edwards trying to take up the mantle of "Pinball" since Vickers is out? 102. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That outside line is just brutal. 103. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Looks like David Ragan might have blown up as they're pushing him back to the garage. What a shame. 104. jabber1990 posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) it might be too early to call it but I think Jimmie has won this race AND the Championship but there is still a bit of racing left 105. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:41 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Harvick says he's blowing up. Wonder why. 106. TS1420 posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Harvick says he's blowing up. Wonder why." DSFF was right! Childress did put an old engine from back when he used to race in the car! 107. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Not so very bold prediction: Harvick will end the year with 4 straight engine-related DNFs. 108. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) David Reutimann spins and another caution is out. I swear, the BK Racing cars have GOT to be cursed this year. 109. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Harvick says he's blowing up. Wonder why." Because Richard Childress is blinded by nepotism. 110. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:46 pm Rate this comment: (2) (2) Piss off, Johnson! 111. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Reutimann just went up and tagged the 47. Does that mean he is "it"? 112. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) lol, When Reutimann's spin happened during Jimmie's onboard, I got my hopes up that Jeff finally snapped and was running into the back of the 48. 113. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Here's a bold prediction. The downfall of RCR as we currently know it starts with this race. After this year is over, all their drivers will be people who bring a sponsor with them or are only where they are because of their last name. 114. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Lol I forgot about Newman. But you get my point. 115. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Another Johnson vs. Gordon battle at Martinsville. I think we all already know who will come out on top... 116. JRacingFast posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) What happened to Larson? Whys he running so far back? 117. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:56 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) imo, Newman is just a stop-gap till Pop Pop feels Ty is ready. 118. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Speaking of Larson, according to NASCAR.com's Live Leaderboard he just spun out and brought out the caution. 119. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 2:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It seems he blew up and spun out. 120. jabber1990 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) who is building Larson's Engines? that's 2 engines in a row that have blown up and if i'm not mistaken they blew up around lap 168 121. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Time for the guys in the back to pull out some strategy. 122. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Frickin cowards. 123. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Burton stayed out. 124. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) HUGE stack up in turn 1. Kahne and Hamlin have serious damage, as does Martin Truex, Jr. 125. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Big wreck with Truex, Kahne, and Hamlin. 126. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Almirola has big damage as well, as does Ken Schrader. Truex's car looks almost exactly like it did in the spring when he was involved in a big stack up there as well. 127. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Of course the cameramen miss it because they were too busy filming Danica in 30th. 128. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) They need to hit Maurice in the head if they want Almirola's hood straighten. 129. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I guess if something doesn't happen in the JJ iso or Danica iso shots, we miss it. 130. DB1995 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) sucks that Larson blew up, but he was running behind every other other well funded car, even Danica and crash damaged Stenhouse Jr. 131. Joe5k posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:15 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Landon Cassill is doing a pretty good job for Circle Sport today. Would love to see him get a shot in a better funded car. 132. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt Busch spins out in turn 4 and gets T-boned by Mark Martin. 133. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt Busch wrecks himself and gets nailed by Mark Martin. I feel bad for Mark, who was actually running pretty decent for once this year. 134. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt Busch spins out and collects Mark Martin. We're going to get enough cautions to get Danica her top 15 finish, aren't we...? 135. New14 & 88Fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt goes around and collects Mark Martin, fitting for two guys with no luck this year. 136. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I knew that was going to end up at least in contact. Jamie pinched him down pretty low. 137. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Finally, split strategy. 138. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Martin was having a lead lap run for once and... BAM... that sucks but Kurt was just being too aggressive. I am also glad to see Cassill running so well today, a top 20 for Circle Sport is like a win for most teams. He's definitely one of the most underrated in the series. 139. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I've been saying it all year too, but Landon Cassill needs a shot in good equipment. He doesn't wreck, and he can get really good results out of his equipment. As a car owner, you can't ask for much more in a driver. 140. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Martin has pretty bad camber in his tire, Kurt seems to be okay even tough hit. 141. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm quite amused with Matt Kenseth keeping his car on Jimmie Johnson's rear bumper. I would love to see Kenseth come out on top today. 142. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) New leader...20! 143. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kvapil spins out again...and BoB is back on the lead lap. 144. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Smart move by Johnson letting Kenseth pass... let him use his equipment all up now trying to lead laps. 145. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 7 cautions and we're not even half way? We're probably gonna have about 15 total at least. 146. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Reutimann spins out yet again. 147. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Did everyone somehow miss Reutimann? 148. JRacingFast posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Boy....Burger King sure is getting alotta TV time today.... 149. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Burger King cars are the designated Vickerses today. 150. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Did somebody put a hex on the Burger King cars before the season started? 151. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) BK Racing cars are rolling caution flags. 152. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:37 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) Somebody will tangle with Johnson eventually. Deserves "atta boy" award. 153. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Looks like an interesting race. Should I put an effort out to watch this online people? Or does it look like another 'bad' race of this year? You guys should tell me. 154. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Definitely good race here. 155. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Well, Jimmie Johnson isn't running away with it, Destroyahirismix666. Matt Kenesth has been with him all day. So a much better Martinsville race than the spring race, that's for sure. 156. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If you like watching 10 laps of green flag racing followed by single car spins, then go for it. 157. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Thanks guys. I pulled it up on justin.tv 158. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bowyer to the lead... ...A Shamtrip car winning this race? DO NOT WANT. 159. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bowyer to the lead *Grumble* 160. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ... but would you rather see Johnson win than Bowyer? 161. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kenseth starting to drop like a pebble. Not a stone, just a pebble 162. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Call me crazy, but yes. I would rather see Johnson in victory lane all but sewing up another championship than Shamtrip in victory lane. 163. DB1995 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Danica is moving up kinda, and im glad Bowyer is up front i like him. 164. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ...That's going to tear up the tire on Jr's car. 165. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) I'd be just as disappointed with a Bowyer/Fraudtrip win as I would be with a Jimmie win. 166. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I would rather see our current runner-up win. Go Jeff Gordon! Relive your 2005 moments! 167. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Damn, AMBROSE passed Kenseth for position. 168. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:48 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) I can't figure out what the heck Jason Ratcliff is trying to do... 169. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm starting to get that feeling. I call it Hendrickal Depression. 170. jabber1990 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:49 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I JUST realized this, im also surprised nobody mentined this yet, this is the second Martinsville Race in a row when Martin was a substitute driver in the spring he was the substitute in the 11 for Denny Hamlin and this race he was the sub in the 14 for Tony Stewart 171. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:50 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I'm starting to get that feeling. I call it Hendrickal Depression. Who's the parody writer around here? Hendrick Depression to 'Manic Depression' needs to be done. 172. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ESPN trying to 'intensify' the rivalry between Bowyer and Gordon. Can you guys forget it already!? 173. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I JUST realized this, im also surprised nobody mentined this yet, this is the second Martinsville Race in a row when Martin was a substitute driver" And he's doing it in a modified! 174. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Carl Edwards is getting lapped. I thought he was on the same strategy as Gordon and Burton. How the hell did he fall back that far? 175. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I thought he was on the same strategy as Gordon and Burton. How the hell did he fall back that far?" He probably ran into more people and picked up some more damage. Montoya is a lap down now too. 176. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon's jaws theme should be playing. 177. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bowyer didn't want any of that... 178. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DUN DUN! Gordon in the lead! 179. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Why, why, why would you keep Jason keep Matt up? Jimmie is already up to third, Matt is back to 16th. If he goes a lap down and has to pit under green, his championship hopes are DONE!!! 180. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution for the 95 car stopped on track. 181. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 95 car gives Kenseth the caution he needs. 182. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Reed Sorenson stops on the track and brings out the ninth caution. 183. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) DAVID sTARR STALLED ON TRACK CAPS LOCK Caution. 184. The Long Shot posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Reed Sorenson stalls. 185. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Why exactly did Sorenson stop on the track? 186. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Scott Speed stops on the track. Did we miss anyone? 187. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) He ran out of motivation. 188. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:57 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) God, that last comment of mind was a nightmare. David Starr only drove the 95 once, in the 2011 Coke 600. 189. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon cut off JJ coming out of pit lane. That's a fine. 190. The Long Shot posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Reed Sorenson? David Starr? Scott Speed? I don't think anyone is sure who's driving the #95 this week. It's all so confusing... 191. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It's Sorenson. But to be fair, I was really close to saying "Caution for Scott Speed" in my original post, lol. 192. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gary Bradberry? Rich Bickle? BUCKSHOT JONES? 193. The Long Shot posted: 10.27.2013 - 3:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sorenson should learn that you can't just pull off to the side of the road at Martinsville. 194. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Who's the parody writer around here?" At your service!! "Hendrick Depression to 'Manic Depression' needs to be done." I'll have to hear the original song first, but yes, it can be done. 195. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:00 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) When you've got drivers slowing down to be 5th instead of 4th, you've got a bit of a problem. This stuff never happened when the restarts were single file. 196. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That's the only thing I don't like about Martinsville. Because there is virtually no banking, anyone on the outside lane instantly drops back. 197. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I'll have to hear the original song first, but yes, it can be done." It's by Jimi Hendrix. In my opinion, it's the greatest drumming song of all time. So awesome. This restart stuff is ridiculous. There's no way that 5th place should be the third best place to be on the restart. 198. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) What genius thought it would be a great idea for all restarts to be double file? Oh, that's right...BRIAN FRANCE. 199. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Debris. 200. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) What is on the #56's hood? I'm outside and theirs a terrible glare on my screen. There's no way I can tell. 201. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution is out for debris from Dale Jr.'s car. 202. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Edwards Benefit Caution for invisible debris. 203. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Speaking of which, Jr's loose bumper has come off. 204. The Long Shot posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The right front quarter-panel of the 88 brings out the caution. 205. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) There was actual debris? I just saw the camera angle where there was nothing there... my bad. 206. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) There's NO way Kenseth will gain points on Johnson unless another JGR car wrecks the 48. 207. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) There have already been seventy laps run under caution. Looks like the pace car is going to lead 100+ laps today. 208. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Edwards Benefit Caution for invisible debris." I can't tell if you're blind, or merely taking a shot at all those people who always say "*driver that this week's conspiracy theory centers around* benefit caution" after every debris caution. 209. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "It's by Jimi Hendrix." Strange...the parody is to be about Hendrick, and the original is sung by Hendrix. 210. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "There have already been seventy laps run under caution. Looks like the pace car is going to lead 100+ laps today." Brett's career high is 146, he could top that today. It will very likely at least be his second best. 211. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It's a shame Brett Bodine didn't make the Chase this year. He really could have racked up some points in this race. 212. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Also, It looks like the F1 race they are running right now is in some decently thick fog. That's new for me. 213. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Wait, when did they run 146 laps of caution in a recent race? 214. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "There's NO way Kenseth will gain points on Johnson unless another JGR car wrecks the 48." I have a feeling it will be the 15 car... 215. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I can't tell if you're blind, or merely taking a shot at all those people who always say "*driver that this week's conspiracy theory centers around* benefit caution" after every debris caution." No, I just saw the camera angle where there was no debris. I made a mistake and assumed there was none. 216. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Strange...the parody is to be about Hendrick, and the original is sung by Hendrix. If you're finished talking, let me back to my snooze. While we're on the subject of music, RIP Lou Reed. 217. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Damn, I got beat to the punch with the Brett Bodine jokes. "Also, It looks like the F1 race they are running right now is in some decently thick fog. That's new for me." The F1 race already happened, so I won't spoil that for you. 218. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Landon Cassill into the wall. Shame, he was running on the lead lap! 219. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Damn, Landon wrecks. 220. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Brett Bodine retakes the lead as Cassill spins out of a great run. Doesn't seem to have harmed him too much though. 221. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Cassil facing the wrong way. If johnson jumps down in front of Busch again, I won't put in ahead of the younger Busch man to dump him in the corner. 222. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "If you're finished talking, let me back to my snooze." *exasperated* Well! 223. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "While we're on the subject of music, RIP Lou Reed." Bummed about that one. Love the Velvet Underground. Kahne just flat out dumps Cassill, who was having a great run today in underfunded equipment. Nice Logano-esque move, Kasey. 224. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:12 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Not the biggest Velvet Underground fan, but that's a damn shame that Lou Reed passed away. It's sad to know that a lot of pioneering rock musicians are going to be dropping like flies over the next decade... 225. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Brett Bodine does several start and parks in same race. 226. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Oh, you meant Brett's career high laps led total is 146. My bad. I know they had some Bristol races in the '60s that had 150+ laps of caution...back in those days they probably had 100 laps cautions. 227. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Smart move by Jimmie to almost run Kyle Busch of all people into the inside wall. Does he want to get wrecked? 228. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ryan Newman into the wall HARD. 229. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Newman got dumped by someone. 230. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:15 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) If I was a Jimmie fan, I'd be unhappy with his driving today. He's going to get wrecked eventually. 231. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick spins out Newman. Coincidence...??? 232. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DAT RESTART! Johnson's 6th championship is getting a little hard to find... Newman gets dumped by Harvick 233. New14 & 88Fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:16 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Newman tried to get front of Harvick and didn't clear him, just a racing deal. 234. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ah, that actually seemed to be more Newman's fault than Harvick's. 235. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Looks like we may very well get to twenty cautions today. 236. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) We are NOT passing the 'most cautions' record...are we? 237. jabber1990 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick, DON'T wreck the car you are driving next year especially if you don't have funding for all 38 races, 238. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:18 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Newman tried to get front of Harvick and didn't clear him, just a racing deal. I realized that once they showed a replay with a camera from which you can actually see cars racing. I don't care what the vantage point of the M in Martinsville on the wall is. 239. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) For reference, the record for most cautions is 21, set in October 2007, for 127 caution laps (also a record). 240. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Johnson back in outside line, watch out for a spin. 241. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Also, If JJ pulls another door-slamming move, someone WILL wreck him. Here comes the insanity. Engage. 242. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yeah, 20 cautions. 243. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Truex spins into the wall and ANOTHER caution. 244. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) More of Johnson dropping. More spinning More Caution. Typical Fall Martinsville. 245. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Cannot believe that Montoya and Ambrose caused a wreck together. 246. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:22 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Now, if I was the 20 crew chief I would pit right NOW because Jimmie is pitting and in my opinion you want to be on the same strategy as your rival, more often than not. 247. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Is Johnson destined to start in midpack? That will be tough for him, can't wait. 248. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Damn, nearly 90 laps of caution. 249. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) All of the Justin.tv streams are freezing up terribly now. No idea why. 250. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Most laps of caution we've seen in a race this year, easily. 251. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Now, if I was the 20 crew chief I would pit right NOW because Jimmie is pitting and in my opinion you want to be on the same strategy as your rival, more often than not." I agree. I don't really like the way Ratcliff has called this race. 252. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Did Brad Daugherty just predict there would be THIRTY cautions? 253. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) He's hoping every other car wrecks so the 47 has some shot at Victory Lane, haha 254. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Wait...what happened to Johnson!? Wasn't he fifth? 255. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution for debris again. 256. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And now we have debris. Now THIS one may be a Mr Roboto benefit. Nevermind, it's a Ford grill. 257. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ...I feel like I'm watching a race via a Dream, how everything just cuts in and cuts out. 258. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Semi-serious question: What time is sunset in Martinsville tonight? 259. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:28 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) What lap is it? I get the feeling that the NASCAR.com leaderboard is behind by a few laps. 260. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It's lap 341. 261. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) H. Jon Benjamin interrupting BoB. I like this commercial. 262. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "It's lap 341." OK, good. 263. jabber1990 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:30 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "the more sponsors you have the faster you go" Danica Patrick vs. Kurt Busch that's all i'm going to say 264. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) What's the average green flag run today? About 6 laps? "Wait...what happened to Johnson!? Wasn't he fifth?" He pitted under the second most recent caution. 265. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Wow, Biffle didn't even try to contest the position against Kenseth. 266. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jimmie almost wrecked Harvick right there. It's like he's trying to get all the aggro drivers mad at him. 267. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon gives up numerous spots by getting on the outside. 268. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Harvic's been fighting with everyone on track this weekend, all the people you SHOULDN'T BE FIGHTING! 269. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) She's done a good job missing wrecks. 270. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Danica just raced JJ harder there than Kasey Kahne ever has. 271. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This is the only track on the circuit BoB actually somewhat gets. So it's going to be the favorite track of "Daniacs". 272. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Chad must not have seen where Jimmie tried to make it three wide and almost took out the 29 and whoever else that was. 273. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) NOOOOO, Harvick why did you fail. 274. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) NASCAR might want to look at Hamlin laying over for Kenseth there and see how that plays into the 100% rule. 275. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution is out as Cole Whitt hits the wall. 276. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Before anyone else says anything about Martinsville, I should say this now. It is one of the easier tracks to get around. There has always been only one lane, you can be down a cylinder and still keep up, and if you keep cool and keep the car on the inside line, you'll be ok. That's why Danica is having a 'good' day. #30 into the wall. Caution. 277. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 30 car in the wall between 3 and 4. 278. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "NASCAR might want to look at Hamlin laying over for Kenseth there and see how that plays into the 100% rule." I think it has to do more with Denny having damage and not being good on long runs (if we can consider 10 laps a "long" run). Cole Whitt crashes. 279. joey2448 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) When Jeff Gordon gets stuck back in traffic, he can't f**kin go anywhere! When Jimmie is back in traffic, he moves up through the field like it's nothing! What the hell??? 280. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:39 pm Rate this comment: (3) (5) Jeff Gordon can't drive, thats why. 281. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) EVERYONE pits. Why would Gordon not stay out? 282. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Before anyone else says anything about Martinsville, I should say this now. It is one of the easier tracks to get around. " So why we often see drivers from small teams having good runs here? You would think if it's so easy to drive that any driver in a top car could get around the track better than any driver in a lesser car. 283. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) EVERYONE pits. Why would Gordon not stay out? - Fuel window. Elliott Sadler however stays out and JJ on the outside line, bwa haha. 284. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Nice wall angle of Cole's crash. 285. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:42 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) OK, now Jason Ratcliff is a genius. Same strategy as Jimmie AND Matt's ahead of him. 286. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Why would Gordon not stay out?" Because Alan Gustafson is one of the shittiest strategy men on a Nascar pit box. 287. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Elliot!? Your alive!? and LEADING a cup race!?!?!?!?!?!?!? That, with the Cheifs winning some 6 football games and Johnson not leading, tells me that the satan is wearing a fur overcoat. 288. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:43 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "OK, now Jason Ratcliff is a genius. Same strategy as Jimmie AND Matt's ahead of him." I guess that's why we're not crew chiefs, lol. 289. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Biffle needs to be black flagged. 290. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) We're about to have another debris caution for Biffle's rear bumper... 291. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sadler fell on the sword there. 292. Mr X posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution 16 will be debris from car 16. 293. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Johnson: BIFFLE, get your fat flappy ass out of my face!!!! 294. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) NASCAR really needs to black flag the #16 and send him to pit road so his crew can cut off that bumper. 295. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Another caution. J. J. Yeley hits the wall. 296. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yeley in the wall. We're definitely gonna hit 20 at this rate. 297. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) WHY WHY, Biffle was just about to crash Johnson out!!! 298. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) During an intense fight with Biffle, Johnson gets stranded on the outside while the 36 spins for Caution #16 299. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) New prediction: We're going to get TWENTY FIVE cautions in this race. 300. RaceFanX posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) First time Elliott Sadler has led a Cup race since Talladega in the fall of 2010. 301. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Why didn't they just give Biffle new tires and top him off for the inevitable 2-3 G/W/C's? 302. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And yes, we've officially had 100 laps run under the caution flag. 102, according to NASCAR.com. 303. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:49 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Kind of says a lot when some "race fans" want to see a driver win the championship as a result of his championship rival being wrecked instead of by being better than him on the track. 304. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This is so Bus(c)h League! Sorry, couldn't resist. 305. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hey ESPN, there were NASCAR races here in 1948. Duh. 306. jabber1990 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) have there been any spins of a car that wasn't numbered in the 30s? 307. Mr X posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Regarding how many cautions we ultimately end up having, this race in 2010 had 15 yellows in the first 400 or so laps and then went green in the final 100. It could happen, I wouldn't bet on it, but it's possible. 308. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I just realized that Johnson has no friends on track today that are ahead of him... 309. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yeah, Denny just isn't that good on the longer runs. Here goes Brad by him for 2nd. 310. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Damn, it's been a while since we've them run more than 10 laps of green. 311. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I just realized that Johnson has no friends on track today that are ahead of him..." I think Bowyer and Johnson are pretty close. 312. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ... and Bowyer's no longer in front of Johnson. 313. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 4:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon's doing all the dirty work for dos jotas. 314. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Burton has a problem I think. They said Gordon moved him but it looked like he never even touched him. 315. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Debris. 316. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution for debris well outside of the racing line. 317. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Debris in turn 1. We have...ANOTHER caution. 318. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Okay, I have no problem watching Jeff Gordon going through the field. But Jimmie Johnson is following him without any usage of his car... 319. The Long Shot posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon shunts Burton out of the way for third. Now watch ESPN bring up this as well as the 2010 Texas incident for every remaining race this season. Debris caution. 320. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Another debris caution. Kenseth's gotta hope that everyone behind him doesn't pit. 321. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yeah, Gordon did not touch Burton. Burton just lost it for while. 322. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Agreed. Looks like Gordon is now being used to pass cars for Johnson since everybody wants to wreck Jimmie. 323. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Phew, everyone followed Kenseth in. 324. The Long Shot posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Whoops, never mind. Burton just wheel-hopped it into the corner. 325. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Everybody pits. Honestly, I would have expected someone to try staying out. 326. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Well, Jimmie had the hate coming. He has been driving like an ass. 327. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Smart move by Johnson to stop and let Earnhardt by to get on the inside lane. Just sucks we have to see drivers resort to this. 328. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Did anyone see that? Looks like Denny Hamlin is hunting for the 48? 329. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Did anyone see that? Looks like Denny Hamlin is hunting for the 48? Nah, it was just 4-5 cars trying to end up in an odd numbered position out of pit lane. 330. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Had to step away a bit. What did I miss? 331. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Someone here is down voting all my Johnson comments :D 332. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) They only need to run a little more than 20 more laps under caution to break the record for laps run under caution here. It will probably be done, too. 333. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Imagine if we gave Martinsvile 12 Degrees worth of banking. How much would that change the racing? 334. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) For those saying Kenseth couldn't play Jimmie's game... you're wrong :) 335. Mr X posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:06 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) These damn double file restarts need to go away. 336. Anthony posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff Gordon could end up winning 337. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "These damn double file restarts need to go away." Yeah, it's really getting ridiculous. At Martinsville you have cars stopping on pit road to voluntarily give up positions to gain an advantage. At most of the intermediates, 4th is preferable to 2nd. 338. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Danica Patrick must love Martinsville. 339. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kes is not letting Johnson go by. Not at all. 340. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Must be a tough spot to be Jeff... you want to win, but you also probably want to see both Kenseth and Jimmie go down the rathole so that you're right back in this points race. 341. Anonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Was Brad playing a plate strategy earlier by laying back then going when it mattered? 342. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That's the only thing I like about Brad Keselowski. He knows the position Matt Kenseth is in going against Jimmie Johnson. No one but the 48 wants the 48 to win the championship & its obvious Brad isn't a buddy to Jimmie Johnson. 343. Sean posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Yeah, it's really getting ridiculous. At Martinsville you have cars stopping on pit road to voluntarily give up positions to gain an advantage. At most of the intermediates, 4th is preferable to 2nd." Maybe the 2nd place team should be allowed to choose whether they want to restart 2nd or 3rd, with 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc... starting on the preferred line behind the leader with 3rd, 5th, 7th, etc... starting on the non-preferred line? It would be gimmicky in a way, but probably less gimmicky than this has become. 344. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Reutimann to the garage with engine problems. 345. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:16 pm Rate this comment: (10) (0) Ding fries are done. 346. The Long Shot posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) BK Racing may run out of engines by the end of the year. 347. New14 & 88Fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Junior's hood is about ready to fly up. 348. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Labanote slows, then gets back up to speed. Odd. 349. The Long Shot posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bobby Labonte off the pace. 350. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm seriously impressed with the 20 team. Even if they don't win this race, they've done what they needed to do today. Maybe it can happen. Maybe. 351. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If we drank a shot of vodka for every yellow, we'd all have died of alcohol poisoning. 352. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick and Kyle Busch are going hard at each other right now. 353. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle Busch now last car in the top 10 354. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And then you realize he's Jeff freaking Gordon and this is Martinsville, and you suddenly relax. 355. jabber1990 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) will it go green to the finish? 356. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) INtense lead battle! 357. New14 & 88Fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Jaws theme is playing at full tempo now. 358. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Nice pass. 359. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) YES!!!!!!! 360. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Classic Jeff Gordon! 361. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Go Go Gordon. One more point for Johnson. 362. New14 & 88Fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Lead change: Jeff Gordon! 363. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon goes to the lead. Will he finally get his first win of the year? 364. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "One more point for Johnson." Actually, 4. 365. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:28 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Jeff Gordon is LONG overdue to win again @ Martinsville! 366. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think a caution might be the only thing that will allow Johnson to gain any more spots. 367. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Lots of lapped traffic here. Should get interesting. 368. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bowyer's caught Kenseth. 369. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:30 pm Rate this comment: (2) (3) Personally cheering for either a caution or Bowyer passing Kenseth. But NOT both! 370. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 3 laps to go. 371. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) WHITE FLAG!!! 372. New14 & 88Fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) White Flag! 373. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) YAAAAAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! 374. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:32 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Gordon wins with DSFF in attendance, lol 375. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Gordo!!!!!!! 376. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:33 pm Rate this comment: (2) (6) Johnson tieing for Championship points lead. Reminds me of 2005. Please JJ, NO screw ups like 2012or 2005! 377. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:33 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Gordon wins at Martinsville! It's been a LONG time since I've been able to say that. And damn, does it feel good! 378. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Gordon wins in a classic short track finish. 379. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon took it like a wheelman today, taking shitbox and just doing what he does best... cutting through the field like a knife through butter. 380. Mr X posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) FFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKK YEAH! Sorry excited win #8 at Martinsville, and 88 overall. 381. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I thought Jeff was gonna burnout an entire lap. 382. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) One hell of a crazy burnout for Gordon. 383. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) *Bursting in tears* JEFF GORDON WINS!! 384. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) And our troll returns 385. New14 & 88Fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That's the coolest burnout I've seen all year, awesome. 386. jabber1990 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I know y'all hate donuts but that was a cool one! how can you hate that 387. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) Gordon: Master Drifter. Congrats. That's what, 86 wins for him now!?!?!?!? Happy to see another Hendrick car win. It took 500 laps for Patrick to go down a lap. She was 16that the end I think? I'm impressed. I have no more to say. Farewell. 388. joey2448 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) DSFF got to see his Jeff Gordon Martinsville victory... WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I AM SO F**KIN STOKED RIGHT NOW!!!! And to top it off, Kenseth beat Johnson at his best track! Oh what a GLORIOUS day!!! 389. Mr X posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff Gordon has won with every crew chief he's ever had at Martinsville. 390. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:36 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) Matt Kenseth did exactly what he needed to do. I think he's got the upper hand on Jimmie at these last three. As long as there are no TuRD failures, I think Matt's got it. I certainly hope so, anyway. 391. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) 88 wins... but who's counting? 392. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:37 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) joey2448... Hypocrite! How can you have the 24 AND the 48 in your name yet cheer when Jimmie does poorly? 393. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) See, DSFF. This is why I say you don't count your chickens before they hatch. Jimmie Johnson DID NOT score max points. 394. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Probably safe to give Kenseth the championship now given Gibbs' sheer dominance of intermediate tracks and the fact that two of the final three races at intermediates. 395. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Biffle was mad at Jimmie after the race. 396. Sean posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Jeff Gordon has won with every crew chief he's ever had at Martinsville." Including Brian Whitesell, the crew chief he had for 7 races at the end of 1999. 397. JG24shouldbe5time posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Oh sure, I miss Gordon's lone win (so far and possibly only) this year and what sounds like a decent finish. I'll try to catch the replay at whatever gawd-awful time ESPN puts it on at. Johnson bumped back out of the points lead, YES!!! He's technically tied but loses the title by Kenseth's 7 wins to his 5 if it ended today. 398. Schroeder51 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Danica gets a solid 17th place finish, but she still finishes lower than she did in the spring race and got lapped on the last couple of laps...Huh, I was actually right when I said she wouldn't do as good this time around. But yeah, this is pretty much the only track she doesn't look totally lost at. 399. DB1995 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) what if Joey2448 means he likes the: 2 of Brad keselowski, the 44 that Scott Riggs drove a little bit earlier this year, and the 8 of Scott Lagasse Jr. in nationwide?, highly unlikely but could be so 400. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That was great ending for this race :) 401. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm going out to celebrate. Jeff Gordon day yo. 402. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "what if Joey2448 means he likes the: 2 of Brad keselowski, the 44 that Scott Riggs drove a little bit earlier this year, and the 8 of Scott Lagasse Jr. in nationwide?, highly unlikely but could be so" Or 24 and 4 8's 24 - Gordon 88 - Earnhardt Jr. 88 - Matt Crafton 403. DB1995 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Great run for Brad Keselowski, could had just took a valuable point from Johnson but he got no interview?, Decent run for Danica but didnt finish as good as in April, good drive for the Biff to. 404. John Royal posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:52 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Or Cecil Gordon and James Hylton? 405. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Also for DSFF, he can add +1 to Jeff's October/November win. 406. 18fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) In my opinion there is a two man race for the championship and a 3 man race for 3rd. The 24 has been really good in the Chase but I don't think he can make up an average of 9 points a race on the 20 and 48, neither can Harvick. Kyle can't make up an average of 12 points a race on those two. But, with Kenseth and Jimmie tied and 9 points separating Jeff, Harvick, and Kyle, there are two really good battles that will be going on the last three races. 407. SpeedWorld97 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:54 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Awesome race! And what did I say in post 71? Johnson looked way off than his normal Martinsville performances. Best race I've ever been to, and I'll definitely go back next year! 408. 18fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Disappointed in Kyle's performance as they really had a short run car and got burned by the last run of the race being the longest green flag run of the race. Overall I am excited for these last three races. 409. BON GORDON posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yea baby! What a win for Gordon! I kept praying for no cautions. He still has a chance at this title. 410. epzik8 posted: 10.27.2013 - 5:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I am so happy Jeff Gordon won! I was afraid he would go winless this season. I unfortunately couldn't watch the race because I was at work. But hearing that Jeff Gordon finally won another race totally made my day! 411. Jarrett88fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Turning the clock (no pun intended) back ten years for Gordon... the best active driver in Sprint Cup. Awesome win for the Willie Coyote, hard luck #24 team, in a vintage fashion no less. A pretty good day all-around with a rare non-win for Jimmie at the Chase Martinsville race. Kenseth really needs to get max points at Texas and Homestead and shadow Jimmie at Phoenix in order to win the Cup. A nostalgic, old-school short track race... overall an 8.5 out of 10. 412. 18fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:14 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) Jimmie is nowhere near the dominant force at Phoenix that he was on the old configuration. 413. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 3rd week in a row that a driver has scored their first win of the season. Rare for that to happen this late in the season. 16 different winners this season. I believe that's one more than last year. 414. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I actually would give Kenseth just a slight advantage over Jimmie at Phoenix. Denny and Kyle have both been really good on the new configuration, so I think JGR as a whole will be a little better there than HMS and the 48. 415. joey2448 posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "what if Joey2448 means he likes the: 2 of Brad keselowski, the 44 that Scott Riggs drove a little bit earlier this year, and the 8 of Scott Lagasse Jr. in nationwide?, highly unlikely but could be so Or 24 and 4 8's 24 - Gordon 88 - Earnhardt Jr. 88 - Matt Crafton" Hehe those are two other drivers I like...but no, I just went with 2448 because I started using that as a password for other things, like my phone. I just went with 48 because Jimmie is Jeff's Hendrick teammate. I don't really like Jimmie, in fact, I'm part of the 'Anyone but 48' crowd. But I do respect Johnson's accomplishments... Does this mean we can assume that Speedworld and JG24FF took out DSFF at M'ville? Lol 416. murb posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Actually, as I look further at Kenseth and Jimmie's stats so far on the new Phoenix configuration, I'd say they are just about exactly even there. But I'm definitely giving Matt the advantage at Texas and Homestead just because they've been by far the team to beat on the cookie cutters this year. 417. 18fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If 3 drivers who haven't won this year win the last 3 races of the season, 2013 will tie the all-time record for winners in a season with 19. It could happen with Junior, Bowyer, Kurt, and Denny not having won yet this year. 418. Anonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Two bad Kurt didn't win last year... 419. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:35 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) On the highway riding back home. I'll post a longer post when I am home, get a chance to eat, get in front of a computer, and lose this DAMN MY HEAD HURTS! A few quick things I have to say to Rainbow Nation: 1) Congrats. No matter how much we argue, I still like all lf you, and I am glad 2/3 of this board is happy. 2) Your welcome. Don't forget I am his good luck charm too. 3) I never got to watch The King or Darrell race here, but the best long run driver at Martinsville on the Jeff Gordon Years is....... Jeff Gordon. No driver in NASCAR presently is as good as him at driving on used up tires. Don't count him out at Texas next week. 4) Matt did his best, and I'll talk more about his day later (never been so happy to be wrong), but Jeff is a shark. He sniffs that lead late, and just doesn't quit. He made a few runs, and Matt did a hell of a job holding him off. Most drivers would throw in the towel and say "I can't pass him, you can't pass here, blah blah blah". But he regrouped everytime and made another run, finally getting him. Classic Refuse To Lose stuff. 5) I stuck around for his burnout for once. 420. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:35 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Jeff Gordon clinched the Manufacturer's Championship for Chevrolet with his win today. 421. Newt posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #98 sponsor: Energize Ministries #40 sponsor: Moon Shine Attitude Attire/Precon Marine 422. cjs3872 posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) NicoRosbergFan, not only is it 88 wins for Gordon, but as Vin Scully might say, eights were REALLY wild today. Jeff's win was his eighth at Martinsville, he hadn't won there in eight years, and it was career win #88. Not only that, but Dale, Jr. finished eighth in car #88 on the day that Gordon gets #8 at Martinsville and #88 of his career. The only thing missing from perfection here was that Gordon actually started ninth, so he missed starting eighth by one spot. And this win gives Gordon at last one Martinsville win with all FIVE of his Cup Series crew chiefs, Ray Evernham, Brian Whitesell, Robbie Loomis, Steve Letarte, and now Alan Gustafson. Obviously, this race went completely backwards to what everyone thought, in terms of the championship, myself included. Instead of losing points, Matt Kenseth gained four points to move back into a tie with Jimmie Johnson, but as Jimmie Johnson said in hi post-race interview, Jeff Gordon apparently wants to be part of this championship battle, as well, and if Kenseth and Johnson run each other hard enough to break each other, Gordon could very well sneak through the back door and steal a fifth title of his own this year, which would tie Terry Labonte's record of longest period between championships, which is 12 years. It looks like the old master has every intention of making this more than a 2-way battle for the title. And let's not forget that Gordon was the only Chevrolet driver that had any realistic shot at winning at Texas earlier this year, and since that's a 500-mile race, anything including blown engines could happen. And as I said, I thought one of the two JGR championship drivers would not have a good day, and Kyle Busch didn't have a good day, as he was battling with Danica in the closing laps and nearly got lapped at the end. But Kenseth's run came as a complete shock to me. It's almost time to stick a fork in Kyle, but I'm not going to quite yet, nor am I sticking a fork in Kevin Harvick quite yet. I still think five can win the title, but a lot will be determined at Texas next Sunday in the season's final 500-mile race of the season. 423. 18fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) cjs, my take is that a poor run by Kenseth and Johnson can bring Gordon and Harvick (who are separated by 1 point) right back into it. Kyle will need a wreck or mechanical failure by the 20 and 48 to get back in it. I said all along that Kyle needed to at least maintain if not gain and he lost 10 points. I think he's done title wise, but anything can happen (And I hope it does). 424. 18fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The 24 team is not dead yet and I think they're performing as well if not better than any team in the series right now. Add in Jeff Gordon behind the wheel, and this team is dangerous. Remember Jeff might have had the best car at Texas in the spring before his suspension failure late in the race. 425. NicoRosbergFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 6:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It seems improbable... but the guy with the biggest balls going into the final stretch seems to be Jeff. He's strong at Texas the last few years (despite only one win there), and we know he normally does well on this Phoenix layout (meltdowns don't count!); he's the defending winner at Homestead... Nah, devil wouldn't have it. 426. 83andJoe posted: 10.27.2013 - 7:03 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) The H.G. Wells Memorial Invisible Man Award goes to Landon Cassill, who managed to stay on the lead lap for almost 400 laps and was in the top 10 at one point due to the wacky pit strategy, but only got mentioned twice, once when he was blocked by Montoya on pit road and then again when Kahne dumped him into the fence. 427. 83andJoe posted: 10.27.2013 - 7:06 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) #30 sponsor: Widow Wax (no significant Lean1 logos) #33 sponsor: Circle Sport (was the standard blank blue-and-white scheme) #40 sponsor: Precon Marine/Moon Shine Attitude Attire #95 sponsor: Leavine Family Racing #98 sponsor: Pray For Your Pastor 428. BluesTravelerFan posted: 10.27.2013 - 7:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Once again, Martinsville performs. Not quite an epic, but a really good entertaining race with plenty of action to go around. Congrats to Jeff on rekindling the old magic, he drove a vintage race today. Great job by Matt also to gain points on Jimmie, didn't have quite the car to hold off Gordon, but still a great drive(and by the way, he done an incredible job on that last lap to hold off Clint for 2nd, he had to run the outside that whole lap and still managed to get it to remain tied in the standings). As for JJ, he was seriously fortunate to not get wrecked among all the times people made contact with him, he didn't make any friends on track today(in fact, Biffle grabbed him by the collar after the race on pit road). Good day overall, it's such a shame there aren't more short tracks on the schedule. 429. 18fan posted: 10.27.2013 - 7:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) For as many cautions as there were, there could have been a hell of a lot more. This was a very fun and enjoyable race to watch. 430. Daniel posted: 10.27.2013 - 7:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon was faster than anyone. 431. Anonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 8:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) First time in seven races that Dale Jr hasn't led a lap 432. Eric posted: 10.27.2013 - 8:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) cjs3872, You shouldn't have been shocked how good Kenseth was if you looked at how many laps led at Martinsville in the Spring despite finishing 14th. Matt led 96 laps in the Spring race at Martinsville. Matt in the Spring Race at Martinsville led more laps than than he did in the past races he raced there at Roush. You have mentioned in the past that Roush is known to be terrible at Martinsville and doesn't put a lot of emphasis of short tracks. You also said in the past Roush puts a lot of emphasis on Intermediate tracks because they are a lot of them in the chase. Lets face the fact that Roush can make a driver worse at some places than they actually are. JGR before this year is known for their driver track equipment more than Roush. Lets also remember before this race, Matt proved earlier this year that he's better at tracks this year than he was at Roush. I think it is easy to make the connection that Roush was holding Matt back at some race tracks such as Darlington, and New Hampshire. 433. cjs3872 posted: 10.27.2013 - 8:42 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) What surprised me, Eric, was how dominant Kenseth was at Martinsville today, leading over 200 laps, while Jimmie Johnson seemed to struggle during he second half of the race, though part of Johnson's problem was simply the bad luck of being in the wrong lane on restarts. But the fact that Johnson never led after lap 216 is, to me, simply stunning, while all 78 of the laps Gordon led came after lap 280. Talk about a reversal of fortune, because it's usually been the other way around, with Johnson surging in he second half of the race and Gordon fading somewhat. The exact opposite was true today. If Gordon runs as good next week at Texas as he did there earlier this season, but is able to finish it off this time, Kenseth and Johnson had better look out, because we may be seeing another charge similar to what Tony Stewart made two years ago when he came from nowhere to steal the title from Carl Edwards. And if Gordon finishes in the top three next week and the top two both look weak, then they may be playing with fire because Gordon may then be in serious contention for a fifth title. I said he had at least one "Nicklaus at Augusta in '86" moment left in him. Perhaps we're seeing it now. 434. Ken posted: 10.27.2013 - 8:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Poor David Reutimann, I swear every time he has a promising run (he came back from two spins to run on the lead lap and top 15) he blows an engine, or transmission, or whatever. The BK equipment is just a time bomb, you KNOW it'll blow but the question is when. 435. Sector posted: 10.27.2013 - 8:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I expect Matt Kenseth to score a win @ Martinsville before he retires. He just continues to amaze me every week. Also I wanted to point out: Hendrick Motorsports is now 80 laps shy of passing Petty Enterprises with laps led after this race. HMS is now 51 behind PE in wins also. HMS is 5 shy of being the first team to reach 900 top 5's in Sprint Cup history. Note that HMS has 195 career pole, close to the 200 Poles milestone which will most likely be accomplished next season. Jeff Gordon now has to score 23 more top 10's to pass Mark Martin to have the most top 10's in Sprint Cup Series' Modern Era history. 436. The Sound posted: 10.27.2013 - 8:56 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) #85: I love your vulture index. Maybe it could be refined a bit more, but great beginning. As a Gordon fan who began watching NASCAR in 2002, I appreciate every win. I never experienced the glory years, so every win means just a little bit more. 437. cjs3872 posted: 10.27.2013 - 9:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) BK Racing does run Toyotas, Ken. They may not be TRD engines, but they do run Toyotas. And speaking of that, I wonder what key Toyotas might run into engine problems at Texas, because if one or both of the JGR championship contenders run into engine problem at Texas, I would not be surprised. In fact, that was the very reason I picked Johnson to win the title before the Chase even started. I thought Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth would each run into one engine problem in the Chase, while I did not expect Hendrick Motorsports to have such a problem. (Kyle Larson and the #51 team seems to be getting their trick stuff with two engine failures in as many starts.) Neither Busch or Kenseth has had their engine problem yet, but with next weekend's race being 500 miles, I would not be surprised if one of them suffers an engine failure, if not both of them. And if Kenseth does suffer an engine failure, how would the #48 team play it then? 438. Nascar24NBC posted: 10.27.2013 - 9:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yes He finally won :D 439. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 10.27.2013 - 9:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Just to explain what I meant earlier by "classic short track" finish, I was referring to the past Jeff Gordon that many rooted against (I pretty much just wanted to see others win, I never at any point really disliked him). He wouldn't hesitate to put the bumper to somebody to win on a short track, and the Jeff Gordon we saw today had to use his bumper a bit (if you noticed, there was a bit of damage on the front of his hood just before he passed Kenseth). I was just excited to see a finish like that again. 440. David posted: 10.27.2013 - 9:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "#85: I love your vulture index. Maybe it could be refined a bit more, but great beginning." Agreed. It was quite interesting to see the results of this stat. You should keep at it, NLA. 441. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.27.2013 - 9:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) This is a random question, but does anyone know how a race like the Daytona 500 (or the Indianapolis 500 for that matter) comes up with the purse money without a race sponsor? I know Daytona (and all the tracks) get money from the TV deal and I'm sure they have "small" sponsors, but I'm curious as to how they come up with the rest considering their purse is around $20 million and no other race can even come close to that even with a sponsor. I guess the speedway/ISC itself could foot the difference, but that's a lot of money. 442. Mr X posted: 10.27.2013 - 10:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) With Jeff Gordon's result today it puts him one major step closer to being the all time leader in a lot of major categories at Martinsville. Jeff is now tied with Jimmie at 8 wins for third all time, and while catching Darrell Waltrip in second with 11 wins seems out of reach, and catching Richard Petty with 15 wins even more so, it is very likely that within the next 2-3 years or before Jeff's retirement he will be the all time leader at Martinsville with the most top 5's, top 10's, laps led, and possibly poles as well. The all time record at Martinsville for top 5's is 30 by Richard Petty. Jeff and Darrell are tied for second with 27 each. Top 10's are a similar story, Richard Petty leads all drivers with 37, Jeff stands alone in second with 34. Frankly given that Jeff scores a top 5 at Martinsville in nearly 2 of 3 starts, and has had a streak as long as 11 consecutive in the past by the fall of 2015 Jeff could have the record for top 5's and the top 10's will take care of themselves, and are still pretty much a certainty even without the top 5's. With the 78 he led today his total is up to 3593 which is fourth all time, Darrell is third just 24 laps ahead, with Rusty a further 15 ahead of Darrell. Both of which Jeff likely will overhaul next year if not sooner. Cale leads this stat(big shocker) with 3766 which is 173 ahead of Gordon, which is very achievable but not definite. Jeff is only one pole shy of Darrell's record of eight and two shy of nine, and, while Jeff hasn't won a pole here since 2009, his qualifying has still been good. 443. Anonymous posted: 10.27.2013 - 10:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) 38th place takes home a larger purse than 8th 444. Num1hendrickfan posted: 10.27.2013 - 10:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Excellent win for Jeff Gordon, and keeps in definitely in contention for #5, however I have to look one spot back in the points and state that this is still easily a four horse race to the title. The man in fourth is none other than Kevin Harvick, 1 point behind Gordon in the standings. I would love to see Jeff get championship number 5, but I have a strange feeling that lame duck driver Kevin Harvick will give Richard Childress another trophy. 445. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.27.2013 - 11:45 pm Rate this comment: (3) (3) Alright, thoughts after a day I thoroughly enjoyed. In order of how they have me thinking now. -Matt Kenseth showed me a LOT today, more than I thought he had. I predicted max points for JJ amd basically a pointsageddon for Matt. And that wasn't just a reverse jinx attempt. I truly believed it. Matt lroved me wrong. The poise he showed over those final 60 laps with Gordon all over his ass impressed the hell out of me. With the legend at one of his best tracks, one who isn't afraid to "sweep the leg", making run after run at him, he stayed cool and kept turning him back. Finally, in the end, Jeff was too much. But Matt made him earn it and showed some balls I wasn't sure he had. Still worried about the last 3 races and those TuRD engines. But Matt has showed me this year just how much Roush was holding back. -This was a good race. Passing was very much possible if you had a faster car and good technique. The lead and strategy changed throughout the day. After they kept leaving Matt out on old tires, I thought his title hopes were done. But Jason Ratcliff made up for it with good ending strategy. And I thought Alan made his usual strategy blunder, but it worked. Didn't know how it would play out until the end. And the end was tense with two future HOFers battling it out. -I noticed a lot more black fans. And this is a good thing. Why? CAUSE WHITE PEOPLE ARE FREAKING LAME! This one younger black dude a few rows in front of me was cool as hell. He was a Gordon fan, and everytime Jeff passed someone, he'd hold up both hands, two fingers up on one hand and four on the other. And he'd look around at the fans around him with a "yeah, my boy just did that to your boy" look. It was refreshing. Compare that to the white trash who can just stand up and yell JOOOON..... well, you know the rest. Hopefully Bubba's win yesterday helps this. Last time I noticed more young attractive girls. Didn't see as many this time. -While the New And Improved Jeff Gordon faded badly on the end to 15th in one of his classic late fades and Agree To Lose routine. Meanwhile, The Old Jeff Gordon refused to lose, and won. And I hung around to watch the burnouts before leaving instead of bullrushing the exits. I was hoping Matt would jd him off mainly so he could get max points, also because I'll never be happy with a Gordon win (but I am happy for you guys). But he is a living legend who can still get it done, so I must take this in. -Jimmie Johnson: WHEEL HOLDER! He showed once again that things need to be perfect for him to win. Obviously he is talented. Wheel holder just means you can't race others. No matter how perfect things are, you need talent to have a ton of wins at places like here and Dover. But Jimmie had a car that 3 or 4 others were on par with, had to work for his positions, and really cracked under the pressure of this amd the title race. He is lucky, as mentioned before, he wasn't dumped. He did not run a good race, and showed again how he hates being raced and pressured. Now he is not Kyle Busch or Denny Hamlin bad, but he is Dale Earnhardt in the clutch department. And he certainly isn't in Dale's league, or Jeff's as a WHEELMAN! -Brad Keselowski totally stiffed me on an autograph request. I had bought a big 2012 championship flag at his merchandise trailer cause it was only 20 bucks. And it is nice. Then I saw he'd be at the Ford stage for a Q&A session from 10:30-10:45. So I hung around the side of the stage at the entrance area to get him to sign it. Marcos Ambrose hung around and signed stuff. Joey Logano signed a lot of stuff (I didn't have anything for him to sign, but I did shake his hand which he did with a smile. Brad fave a typically entertaining Q&A session, but afterwards ran past us saying "I gotta go somewhere". Really? There was like 8 of us standing there, he couldn't have spared 1 minute to scribble "Brad K" a few times for us? I have no doubt he had somewhere to be, but that is ridiculous. I'd expect that from Jimmie Johnson. But he had a great race in the second half after a garbage first half. They are building nice momentum for next year. That they have fought through this frustrating and disappointing hangover year to run well late says a lot to me. Now sign your damn name Mr Hot Shot. -The weather gods smiled on Martinsville this year. Despite two less than ideal dates, they had two beautiful race days this year. Just a charming little track, a fun day, and a true NASCAR treasure. 446. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.27.2013 - 11:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) *he is NOT Dale Earnhardt in the clutch department. 447. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.27.2013 - 11:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I noticed a lot more black fans. And this is a good thing. Why? CAUSE WHITE PEOPLE ARE FREAKING LAME! This one younger black dude a few rows in front of me was cool as hell. He was a Gordon fan" I've noticed that there have been increasingly more black people at each race I've been to and I've been using this fact to try and get a black friend of mine to go to the one of the races with me (although logistically, this has a lot more problems than just getting him to agree to go considering all of the "near by" races fall at really inconvenient times for him). Also, I've noticed that a good number of black fans are Gordon fans. 448. Sector posted: 10.28.2013 - 12:03 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) So was Brad Keselowski playing favorites today? I noticed he was holding off Jimmie Johnson with everything he can but let Clint Bowyer go. Exactly what Greg Biffle did @ Loudon about a month ago keeping the 48 behind him. I applaud Brad for not letting Jimmie play catch up to steal one from both Jeff & Matt. 449. The Long Shot posted: 10.28.2013 - 12:17 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) "Joey Logano signed a lot of stuff (I didn't have anything for him to sign, but I did shake his hand which he did with a smile." I've always been confused as to why people think Logano's arrogant. Yeah, he was handed his ride on a silver platter, but I've always felt that he's a fairly humble guy for the most part, and that shows it right there. DSFF, I know you've always hated him, but come on, that had to bump him up a couple of notches in your book (at least past Jimmie and Kyle, right?). 450. 18fan posted: 10.28.2013 - 12:23 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) DSFF, Kyle faded badly on every single run of more than 25 laps throughout the race, so it wasn't just the end of the race that he faded. It was a very disheartening performance by Kyle though and I was frustrated watching him constantly fade on long runs. Texas will be the marker for whether or not Kyle can finally begin to overcome adversity. He bounced back with a solid 5th at Charlotte after the disaster that was Kansas, but this week at Texas is different because it is pretty much a must win for his championship hopes. Plus there are big expectations because JGR has dominated 1.5 milers this year and Kyle got max points at Texas in the spring. Hopefully he can repeat his April performance while Jimmie and Matt fight it out behind him (although they need to have trouble for Kyle to get back in it). The last thing I want to see is a mechanical failure decide the championship. I want to see JJ and Matt race super hard for 3 weeks and see which one of them comes out on top. In what hasn't been a great season, a thrilling final 3 weeks in the championship battle could somewhat salvage the season. 451. murb posted: 10.28.2013 - 12:41 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I've always been confused as to why people think Logano's arrogant." The problem I've always had with him up until this year isn't arrogance, to me it's just the lack of respect that he's shown everyone else. Basically the same beef that I have with the Dillon Brothers right now. To me it just seemed like he bought into his own hype and expected everyone to roll over for him, and when they didn't, he (and earlier in his career, his dad, who REALLY pissed me off) would make a huge deal about it. But this year he's definitely grown on me a lot more. I don't necessarily like him now really, but I tolerate him a hell of a lot more than I used to. It seems like after the incidents with Denny and Tony earlier this year, he's just learned to shut up and drive his race car, which is great. And I think it's helped him on track too, as this has without a doubt been the best year of his career. 452. 18fan posted: 10.28.2013 - 12:45 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Joey's dad definitely did not do him any favors until he went after Greg Biffle and hasn't been in the pits since. 453. murb posted: 10.28.2013 - 12:48 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) And just to clarify, I don't consider someone buying into their own hype as "arrogance". To me arrogance is when you are totally up front about it. A good example would be how Jimmie has been when he talks down to his "haters". To me, Joey's thing was more that he believed as a rookie/young driver that he already deserved everyone's respect from the get-go. That was the problem that I always had with him (but like I said, has since gone away mostly). 454. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.28.2013 - 1:03 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Also, I've noticed that a good number of black fans are Gordon fans." I've noticed that too. Forgive me if this is racial stereotyping, but lots of black people seem to like bright, colorful clothing. With his career paint schemes and the fact that his merchandise reflects that, it is very bright and colorful. But to see so many black fans today, a day after Bubba Wallace got his first Truck win, all at Martinsville, just a few miles from Wendell Scott's home town of Danville, the same track where he famously blew an engine (in the days when you could make mid race motor changes), took the the engine out of his tow truck, and finished the race with it, that all feels really good. As for Joey, I have stated I have come around on him this year. To shake the "bust" label is tough, but he has done it and proved me wrong. And he showed a lot to me by interacting with the fans like that. Like I said, I have no doubt Brad had to be somewhere. But take a minute or two to sign a few things. Those are what make or break you in the fan's eyes. The cherished picture I have of me being held by Dad at a local Chevy dealer at 6 years old with Dale Earnhardt smiling back at me (I posted that pic on RR's FB site) before signing a few things, that was an hour after his allotted time there was up. But he stayed and signed every last autograph. 455. 18fan posted: 10.28.2013 - 1:14 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I too have come around to Joey, especially when it comes to his driving ability in the Cup series. It's obvious that he has talent based on his success against other Cup drivers in the Nationwide series, but this year he has proven that he belongs in the Cup series. 456. Zackary Shawn posted: 10.28.2013 - 3:02 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Finally got Brad Keselowski to tweet me back after trying for nearly a year. 457. joey2448 posted: 10.28.2013 - 5:35 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) You think that's cool? None other than Tony Kanaan -- this year's Indy 500 winner-- responded back to me on twitter a few days ago! Sweeeet, right? I think I have an appropriate comparison to make. Seeing Jeff Gordon win Martinsville today is like watching Tiger Woods win at Augusta in the Masters. It's a legendary player conquering their best venue, and at one of the most difficult, too... 458. joey2448 posted: 10.28.2013 - 5:57 am Rate this comment: (1) (1) Lol I just saw the video of Biff grabbing JJ by the collar after the race and confronting him about their good hard racing (because that's what it is), and honestly I'm embarrassed for both of them. Biff yells "You f**kin ran into the back of me!" (Yeah it's M'ville bro). Biffle spends about 5 long soul-piercing seconds just looking JJ in the eyes, while 5-time repeats that "I was inside of you", followed by Jimbo asking if they can talk it over (some wine and chocolates) and Biffle responds with "I just did!" (Good one Biff) JJ comes off looking like a bitch, and Biffle as a big dumb ogre (sorry Newman). But it was entertaining. 459. Baker posted: 10.28.2013 - 7:15 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) http://www.advancednflstats.com/2013/10/the-myth-of-playoff-peyton.html Here is an arrival for DSFF. Just thought you might find it interesting since you make it very well known you think Brady and Manning are overrated. For the, record I too believe they are overrated I only thought it was interesting and thought I'd share. 460. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.28.2013 - 7:15 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "This is a random question, but does anyone know how a race like the Daytona 500 (or the Indianapolis 500 for that matter) comes up with the purse money without a race sponsor? I know Daytona (and all the tracks) get money from the TV deal and I'm sure they have "small" sponsors, but I'm curious as to how they come up with the rest considering their purse is around $20 million and no other race can even come close to that even with a sponsor. I guess the speedway/ISC itself could foot the difference, but that's a lot of money." http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/news/story?id=4869761 Going by this old article, it seems that its based on how much the sanctioning body decides to allocate TV money towards each of the races. In the article, Bruton Smith claims that the Daytona 500 was allocated $50 mil while Texas only received $11 mil. Take 25% percent of that and you get $12.5 mil. Add in 25% of the gate receipts and the contingency money and you get around $20 mil for the Daytona 500 while today's race purse was shy of $4.5 mil. 461. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.28.2013 - 8:34 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) "So was Brad Keselowski playing favorites today? I noticed he was holding off Jimmie Johnson with everything he can but let Clint Bowyer go. Exactly what Greg Biffle did @ Loudon about a month ago keeping the 48 behind him. I applaud Brad for not letting Jimmie play catch up to steal one from both Jeff & Matt." It wasn't just Keselowski. Most notably, I noticed that not a single Toyota was willing to even contest a position with Kenseth, and several other cars just let him by such as his former teammate Biffle and Juan Pablo Montoya, and those same drivers weren't giving Johnson an inch of space. I guess it just means they respect Johnson more as a driver since they're giving him their best. "To me arrogance is when you are totally up front about it. A good example would be how Jimmie has been when he talks down to his "haters"." When there's a group of "race fans" that tweet death wishes and conspiracy crap to him after every race he wins, it's pretty hard to fault him for anything he says about his haters (and yes, they are the definition of "haters"). I typically use NASCAR's live leaderboard to watch positions and speeds during the race, and half the new comments I see coming in the preview pane at the bottom right are comments like "cheetin chad will git him up front," or "jimmy jonson sucks i hope jeff wrecks him," or "nascar threw the caution to help jimmy thanks to hendrix money." "JJ comes off looking like a bitch" I'm pretty sure that was Biffle. Come on, some people on this site always complain about drivers not racing hard enough, and then when a driver actually races someone hard, people complain and take the other driver's side. If Biffle wanted to talk about it, then he should have actually talked about the incident, not just whine about losing his bumper (which was already loose before Johnson hit him. "#85: I love your vulture index. Maybe it could be refined a bit more, but great beginning." "Agreed. It was quite interesting to see the results of this stat. You should keep at it, NLA." Thanks, it's a really basic formula but I do think it gives some idea of drivers whose win totals match their own track performance. It doesn't really work as well for the old days because a lot of times drivers either ran up front or broke down. I don't think Cale Yarborough actually choked away 40 races, and I don't think Lee Petty "vultured" his way to 23 wins. The formula makes it appear so because Lee Petty was very reliable for his era and Cale Yarborough was not as much so. To make this stat better, I would need to go through and calculate the total number of laps run in each race of a driver's career instead of simply using the number of laps they personally completed as well as equalizing the lap length of each race so it's the percentage of a race led that counts, which isn't really worth the effort for me to do for hundreds of races, but I am considering doing it for a season just to see how greatly it differs. 462. Ched Little posted: 10.28.2013 - 8:41 am Rate this comment: (0) (2) ^The vulgar language necessary to describe this person would get me banned permanently, so I will just keep my mouth shut. 463. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.28.2013 - 9:47 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) One thing I have been meaning to mention: 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2013 #16pack 464. BluesTravelerFan posted: 10.28.2013 - 10:29 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) By the way, on a different note, I was seriously pumped when I saw during the race the advertisement for ESPN's new 30 for 30 film about Jimmy Connors and his famous 1991 US Open Semifinal run that airs Tuesday at 8:00. I know that ESPN's stuff is normally not any good, but the 30 for 30 docs they have done have been great, and hopefully this one will get the proper treatment as well. There's a good chance some of you don't care for tennis, but I really like it and am thrilled to see a new film about one of sport's hardest competitors ever. It should be great. 465. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.28.2013 - 11:58 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "^The vulgar language necessary to describe this person would get me banned permanently, so I will just keep my mouth shut." I'd love to know why you feel that way. Feel free to censor out any vulgarities. "One thing I have been meaning to mention: 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2013 #16pack" I feel like this should be really obvious but I'm not getting it. 466. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.28.2013 - 12:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jimmy Connors is one of the greatest competitors ever. Despite a comparatively limited athletic skill set and a comfort zone with antiquated rackets, he gave 100% of what he had 100% of the time to become one of the greatest of a stacked era of tennis, and certainly part of the "golden personality" era of tennis along McEnroe (the undisputed king of personality in tennis) and that guy whose last name I couldn't spell to save my life (its pronounced "Natasie"). Even Bjorn "Cy"Borg had a charm to his icy court persona. My Dad, who played tennis with buddies all the time throughout his 20s, loved Connors because he fave all he had. Those who gave it all up every time they competed were golden on his book. That's why he pulled for Earnhardt (passing that gift along to me) even in the mid to late 80s when he was the Bad Guy, booed more than he was cheered cause he wrecked so many people. I also can't wait to watch that doc. 467. Scott B posted: 10.28.2013 - 12:10 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) With Jeff Gordon's win at Martinsville, Hendrick is the first orgainization to reach 3 different drivers with Cup wins in 2013. Gibbs, Roush, MWR, Penske, and Stewart-Haas each have two drivers with Cup wins in 2013, with 3 races remaining. 468. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.28.2013 - 12:10 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) NLA, John Force won his SIXTEENTH drag racing championship in his mid 60s. I have always admired the hell out of him. 469. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.28.2013 - 12:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I've never been big into drag racing, but yeah, I really should have known that. I don't know why but I was thinking of division titles in MLB and NFL. I'm happy for the man, and people can say drag racing is all about the car (it is to some degree) but for a man in his 60s to still have the reaction time necessary to compete at the top level of the sport is very impressive. It sucks that Castrol and Ford are backing out and I really hope someone steps up to sponsor him for many years to come. 470. JG24shouldbe5time posted: 10.28.2013 - 12:24 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) I don't get DSFF's 16 pack reference either, sorry. As for Biffle, to see him get in JJ's face...what a joke. I still, clear as DAY, remember him at Bristol in 2002 when Harvick jumped over the roof of the car and grabbed the Biff. He was cowering...Lol yeah, we could have a whole new discussion just about that. People know I'm not JJ's biggest admirer, but I think he handled it fine and made Biffle look like a clown. Still didn't get to see end of the race. I dozed off well before the approx 2:30 AM ending of the replay on ESPN. 471. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.28.2013 - 12:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "Gibbs, Roush, MWR, Penske, and Stewart-Haas each have two drivers with Cup wins in 2013, with 3 races remaining." Do any of these teams have a shot at putting a third driver in victory lane? Hamlin didn't get it done at his best track (but he is good at the remaining three also), Stenhouse has improved over the season (well, he had before Martinsville) but he still seems to lack the speed to win, Elliott Sadler would probably need a lot of luck to be in contention for a win, I don't think Hornish is scheduled to run any more races, Mark Martin doesn't seem to have it in him now, and Danica Patrick kind of goes without saying. I want to say Hamlin can do it but I don't know how much the "R&D" factor will work against him. 472. JG24shouldbe5time posted: 10.28.2013 - 1:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Now I get the 16 pack reference. John Force...yes, he's a legend. I casually follow NHRA (more so when it comes to Brainerd)and have for a number of years and I can't think of a time when John Force was bad. I've also watched him mentor Cruz P. and his own daughters; he's a good ambassador for NHRA, whether you like some of the stuff he's done (i.e. Driving Force) or not. "Forgive me if this is racial stereotyping, but lots of black people seem to like bright, colorful clothing." *Technically* this would be stereotyping, lol. You do have some roots of truth to back you up there though and I'd gladly help. Look at the colors and origin of The Rastafari movement...not all African Americans follow or believe in that stuff, but portions of it entered the culture slowly but surely from the 1950s on. Some guy named Bob Marley helped bring it mainstream...That's scratching the surface there and I could go on more, but I think you get the gist of my point. Another one I've heard (albeit much shallower and kind of prejudiced) is because black folks can "do" bright colors, it "looks good on them". Anyway, I do agree with your observation. Most of the African American Nascar fans I've seen around are usually wearing Gordon, Junior or even Tony Stewart gear. Funny thing about the Stewart fans I've seen? They actually have kept up with his sponsor, color and number changes. Gordon fans are definitely Gordon fans, but they're still wearing the Dupont/Rainbow era stuff (of course so am I, because AARP gear just doesn't do it for me and Axalta stuff is still kind of hard to come by and a little too expensive). Junior fans, well that's about 50/50. I see a lot of 88 hats and some Mountain Dew shirts but far and away...a lot of Budweiser or "Bud" gear. The way I see it, depending on the individual, I suppose there's some not so subtle references to "Bud" there. Combine that with red and black carrying a different meaning to some folks thanks to a faction of S. California culture (think gangs if you don't get it)...I wonder too, if Gordon, Jr and Tony's prevalence in other media helped them gain African American fans. Jr's been in a Jay-Z video, for instance. Gordon's done a lot of things over the years (and so has Tony I suppose). Anyway, can you tell a lot of us are satisfied with yesterday's race? We're talking about all sorts of things here. 473. BON GORDON posted: 10.28.2013 - 1:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) In my opinion what Biffle did yesterday after the race was ok. He had a right to be mad. Jimmie handled it perfectly. He was composed and acted the way a champion should. I'm sorry but at the same time Biffle is all talk. He wouldn't hurt a fly. I remember how scared he looked when Harvick got in his face after a Busch race at Bristol years ago. I don't know if it's already been mentioned but I read on Jayski that Ken Schrader told Allen Bestwick that Homestead would be his last Cup race. While he hasn't lit up the NASCAR world for years it will be sad to see him go. Knowing Schrader though he will be racing at some local dirt track race more often than not still. 474. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 10.28.2013 - 1:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) @471, the best chance is likely the Spinner at Phoenix or Homestead if it ends on a long fuel run. 475. JT_Racing posted: 10.28.2013 - 1:59 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) First off, way to go JG! Real glad to see him grab another Martisville win. Second, I'm a die hard 48 fan, but I've got to say hats off to the 20 for that run he put together. To out-point my guy at that track during the chase is no small feat, especially when Kenseth has struggled so much there. Well played #20, game on!!! 476. startandparkfan posted: 10.28.2013 - 3:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Mcdowell to drive the 95 next year. 477. 83andJoe posted: 10.28.2013 - 3:26 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Ridiculous stat tidbit of the season: Timmy Hill is catching Danica Patrick in the rookie of the year standings (194-159; Stenhouse has 215 points). 478. 83andJoe posted: 10.28.2013 - 3:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) >This is a random question, but does anyone know how a race like the Daytona 500 (or the Indianapolis 500 for that matter) comes up with the purse money without a race sponsor? Usually both those races do have sponsors; they're just "Presented by..." sponsors. 479. murb posted: 10.28.2013 - 3:34 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) "Ridiculous stat tidbit of the season: Timmy Hill is catching Danica Patrick in the rookie of the year standings (194-159; Stenhouse has 215 points)." That speaks big, big volumes about how bad she's really been. 480. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 10.28.2013 - 4:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "@471, the best chance is likely the Spinner at Phoenix or Homestead if it ends on a long fuel run." OK, now I feel stupid... it slipped my mind that Bowyer hasn't won this season! You're probably right about that. 481. BluesTravelerFan posted: 10.28.2013 - 4:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Wow, I got a response from DSFF! I am truly honored(no I am NOT being sarcastic!)! I know you are(of the regulars)one of the guys that has been here the longest and have a vast knowledge of racing that is remarkable, as well as quite a way with words, and while I don't always agree(but that's what makes it fun) with what you write, it's always interesting and entertaining. I have a huge amount of respect for you, as well as everyone else here. I say this as someone that has only posted here for a couple of months, but has been reading the comments on this site daily for about a year. I completely agree with your points about the personalities of the 70's and 80's as well as it being a stacked era of tennis. That's exactly what's wrong with it today, there aren't many(especially among the top players)guys with any real personality, and coupled with the homogenization of the surfaces and playing styles today, makes tennis usually fairly dull today, although I still prefer it many of the other "main" sports. Don't get me wrong, I have a decent amount of respect for Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray (don't get me started on Federer though) but they are not the legends in my opinion that those guys you mentioned are. 482. SpeedWorld97 posted: 10.28.2013 - 5:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I know that I am late with this, but I still cannot believe that Jeff Gordon won yesterday. It was truly a remarkable race for me. Definitely one I'll never forget, and I absolutely loved that I was in attendance to see it. I don't know if any other fans feel this way, but when I attend a race and see a legend like Jeff win a race that adds to an already huge win total, it seems pretty special. I don't know if people who attended races that Dale Earnhardt won feel the same way if they attended the races that he won late in his career, but I definitely feel that way after yesterday. I feel like I witnessed something pretty special in person, and I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to see another Gordon win, especially since they seem hard to come by nowadays. 483. The Long Shot posted: 10.28.2013 - 5:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I don't know much about tennis, but I do know that Jimmy Connors may have been the most flamboyant tennis player of all time. His rages were certainly something to behold, very similar to Kyle Busch's rages (except Connors at least had titles to his name). 484. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.28.2013 - 5:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "Funny thing about the Stewart fans I've seen? They actually have kept up with his sponsor, color and number changes. Gordon fans are definitely Gordon fans, but they're still wearing the Dupont/Rainbow era stuff (of course so am I, because AARP gear just doesn't do it for me and Axalta stuff is still kind of hard to come by and a little too expensive). Junior fans, well that's about 50/50. I see a lot of 88 hats and some Mountain Dew shirts but far and away...a lot of Budweiser or "Bud" gear." I have noticed that exact same thing too. Baker, I got a chance to read your link. Thanks for putting that out there. It is always good to hear the other side of the story. But ultimately, I'm gonna go with my gut on this one. While I respect these new advanced stats, I just can't help but notice Peyton is lights out in the regular season, a lock for at least 12 wins per season, but has just a ton of disappointing playoff exits, many at home. And he doesn't really have a defining post season moment or drive or anything (except, as mentioned in the article, the hilarious "Manning Face"). Overall, I just don't fully trust stats to tell the whole story. For example, while trying to figure out The Curious Case Of Jeff Gordon in 2007 so I could determine if, in this race, we were gonna get the Old Jeff Gordon or the OLD Jeff Gordon (spoiler alert: we got Vintage Jeff Gordon), I stumbled upon the fact Jeff and Dale have the same number of wins in October and November as the points leader, or at least wins that ended with them being the points leader as is the case with Dale at Phoenix 1990. And if you want to extend this to the last 4 days of September plus October and November, that bumps Dale up to 7 (add Martinsville 1980 and North Wilkesboro 1991) and Jeff to 6 (North Wilkesboro 1996). So, are they equally clutch in title fights? Of course not. Its funny how sometimes numbers and the big picture don't always add up. 485. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.28.2013 - 5:59 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "I completely agree with your points about the personalities of the 70's and 80's as well as it being a stacked era of tennis. That's exactly what's wrong with it today, there aren't many" I agree with this completely. I don't keep up with it anymore. "His rages were certainly something to behold, very similar to Kyle Busch's rages (except Connors at least had titles to his name)." He had many titles to his name and held two very important records that have only recently fallen in today's EXTREMELY top heavy tennis field: most weeks ranked #1 and most consecutive weeks ranked #1. And he would have more Grand Slams if it weren't for stupid rules back then that prevented him from competing in the French Open in his prime (one of his five US Open titles was won on clay), and the fact he only played in the Australian Open twice, reaching the Finals both times, winning one and losing one. His 1974 was one of, if not the best years ever for a tennis player (won all 3 Grand Slams he was allowed to enter, had a 99-4 record, and set the record for most linesmen and officials berated until McEnroe shattered that record). His longevity was also stunning. He won his first tournament in 1972, his first Grand Slam in 1974, then made the semifinals of the US Open in 1991 (which is what I believe this 30 for 30 focuses on). He made it to at least the quarterfinals in Grand Slams FORTY ONE times, still a record. In tennis, a sport you are old and past your peak years after 25 (he turned 26 in 1978), he won his second Wimbledon in 1982, his 4th and 5th US Open in '82 and '83 and made it to the semis in the French Open, once they let him play in those, in '79, '80, '84, and '85. He ended the year as #1 in 5 straight years from '74-'78. He also did things with his racket that would get him thrown off the tour forever nowadays and cause ESPN to blow up. In 1992, at age 40, he waxed Martina Navratilova (not literally lol) in one of those Battle Of The Sexes deals where Connors only got one chance to serve (no double faults) and Martina could use the entire court, including the extended doubles area. Jimmy was definitely one of a kind. 486. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.28.2013 - 6:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ha! Discovered this gem from JG24FanForever prior to the Southern 500 this year: "It'll be the 8th career win at Darlington and his 88th career win." You ALMOST had it. I saw his 88th career win and the 8th time I have seen him win, and his 8th victory at a track. But it was Martinsville instead of Darlington. 487. cjs3872 posted: 10.28.2013 - 6:45 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Well DSFF, as I mentioned in post #422, to paraphrase Vin Scully, eights were REALLY wild for Jeff Gordon at Martinsville yesterday. His win was his eighth at Martinsville, the 88th of his career, and it had been eight years since he had won there. And you adding the fact that it was the eighth time you had seen him win in person just adds to Gordon's "crazy eights" yesterday. (To add to that, Dale, Jr. finished eighth in car #88.) I also wonder, were you one of those that Gordon shook hands with after the race, because he went into the grandstands after the race, where he accepted the congratulations of quite a number of fans. And if what you said abut Brad Keselowski in an earlier post is true, and I have no reason to believe it isn't, it seems that he would be wise to learn from other champions like Gordon and Richard Petty that it's the fans that actually make the sport what it is. Brad seem to have that attitude on occasions that he thinks he's above everyone, and he has to realize that neither he, or any other single individual is bigger than the sport is. 488. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.28.2013 - 6:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Jeez, just realized that makes 20 times I have watched either Johnson or Gordon win. Why does Hendrick not hire me and pay me a whole lot of money to go to every race? I also saw Terry win twice on the Corn Flakes car including his win in the Ironman car. I also have seen cars with Hendrick engines win at North Wilkesboro 1991 (Darrell in the 17 caution race), Bobby Labonte in the '95 Coke 600 (aka The Ray Evernham Shits His Pants As Jeff's Wheel Falls Off Exposing His Illegal Hubs To Everyone), and Tony at Martinsville 2011 (no clever title for this one). SpeedWorld97, I saw Dale win 3 times, Wilkesboro '91, Coke 600 '93, and Wilkesboro '95. I wish I would have appreciated them more, but I was young and Dale was in his prime with his unparalleled swagger, so figured I'd be watching him win for the next twenty years. Little did I know that, even in the '91 race, he had less than ten years left ON THIS EARTH. 489. murb posted: 10.28.2013 - 6:54 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "Tony at Martinsville 2011 (no clever title for this one)" The Pinball Vickers Invitational 490. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.28.2013 - 7:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I also wonder, were you one of those that Gordon shook hands with after the race, because he went into the grandstands after the race, where he accepted the congratulations of quite a number of fans" No, I watched the burnouts, then headed out to avoid a traffic nightmare. That is the first time I saw him win and didn't immediately rush out of my nearest exit. And you are right about Brad. Hopefully he'll learn. Gordon, early in his career, walked out of an autograph session once his allotted time was ul. He learned. And Earnhardt missed the old pre season RJ Reynolds pre season fan fest in my home town of Winston Salem because he was having the surgery that would make him relevant again, bit then missed it before 2001 to test the Corvette he'd be driving in the 24 Hours of Daytona. Even Jimmy Spencer called him out over that one. 491. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.28.2013 - 7:07 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "The Pinball Vickers Invitational" There it is! That was the race where, while walking back to Dad's truck, he said we need to hurry up and get to it before Brian Vickers hits it. I about fell over laughing. I specifically remember in that race, in the first 100 laps, thinking "this place doesn't have lights, they may have to shorten it due to darkness if Vickers keeps it up". 492. murb posted: 10.28.2013 - 7:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yeah, that was a pathetic race by Vickers. The funniest thing about all of it is actually when he got together with someone the next week at Texas, and Andy Petree commented "Hmm, I guess Brian still thinks he's at Martinsville", lol. 493. SpeedWorld97 posted: 10.28.2013 - 7:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I also wonder, were you one of those that Gordon shook hands with after the race, because he went into the grandstands after the race, where he accepted the congratulations of quite a number of fans." Shame I didn't stay any longer than his burnouts, because I had to leave there as soon as possible to make it back to Pennsylvania last night. 494. cjs3872 posted: 10.28.2013 - 7:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) So DSFF, what was wrong with what Earnhardt did in 2001? He had a legitimate reason for missing the pre-season fan fest that year. But the thing about Keselowski is that he seems too cocky and arrogant at this time in his career, and he doesn't seem to care at this point. And I'm not sure whether Gordon's incident came after he had already been crowned champion of the sport. Brad is the current champion, though he'll lose that title in three races to whoever does win the title, and I'll guarantee you one thing. Whoever wins the title this year, whether it's Kenseth, Johnson, Gordon, who have all been champion, or even Kevin Harvick will represent NASCAR as champion far better than Keselowski has this year, because Keseloswki's reign as champion may be the worst in the sport's history. Certainly, it's the worst in all the years I've watched the sport. The reason I say that is not his on-track performance, which has not been as bad as you may think, but his conduct has been the worst of any champion in the nearly 25 years I've been watching the sport, and it's not even close. And when you represent the sport as it's champion, conduct means as much, if not more than what you do on the track, and Keselowski still hasn't gotten the message as to how to conduct himself as a champion, nearly a full year after winning the title. 495. murb posted: 10.28.2013 - 7:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "because Keseloswki's reign as champion may be the worst in the sport's history. ... The reason I say that is not his on-track performance, which has not been as bad as you may think, but his conduct has been the worst of any champion" That's pretty interesting. Brad certainly hasn't been great in the conduct department this year. I think I'd probably give a bit of an edge to Tony Stewart in 2006, the year that he pulled a bunch of unprofessional garbage (almost killing Kenseth at the Daytona 500, trying to wreck Kyle Busch on purpose at Las Vegas, the Bowyer/Edwards incident at Pocono, etc). Brad has said a lot of stupid things this year, but at least he hasn't endangered others the way Tony did as the defending champion that year. 496. cjs3872 posted: 10.28.2013 - 9:06 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) While you might have a point about on the track conduct, murb, off the track conduct is also a major part of representing the sport as champion, and here is where Brad has just ben plain awful this year, because to put it bluntly, Brad has been an embarrassment to the sport in terms of his off the track conduct, and I don't remember Tony being that bad off the track as champion in 2006. Certainly Tony had more than his share of bad moments in 2006, though I've frequently wondered over the years if he had some kind of personality disorder that required some kind of medicine or drug, which has occasionally made that problem worse. Tony also performed better on the track in 2006 than Brad has this year. And if I remember right, didn't Tony have a run-in with Kyle at the Daytona 500 in 2006, as well as other dust-ups with Kenseth and Jeff Gordon. But for the totality of the title defense, Brad's season this year is the worst I've seen by a reigning champion, and it's not even close when all factors are brought in. And worst of all, Brad doesn't even seem to care, and would like for the season to end as quickly as possible. Actually, Kurt Busch's 2005 title defense was worse than Stewart's 2006 title defense was, and for the same reasons why Brad's title defense this year has been so bad. Busch didn't know how to represent the sport as it's champion, and didn't care either. 497. murb posted: 10.28.2013 - 9:34 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Actually, Kurt Busch's 2005 title defense was worse than Stewart's 2006 title defense was, and for the same reasons why Brad's title defense this year has been so bad. Busch didn't know how to represent the sport as it's champion, and didn't care either." Actually, I would agree with that. Kurt did a horrible job representing the sport as defending champ in 2005. 498. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.28.2013 - 10:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "So DSFF, what was wrong with what Earnhardt did in 2001? He had a legitimate reason for missing the pre-season fan fest that year." I disagree. Dale is my #1 favorite driver or athlete in any area ever, but he was wrong to skip that to test the Sports Car. The Winston Cup fans should take priority over a Series he was moonlighting in. I don't know if he just figured "if they don't already have my autograph after 22 years, they haven't tried very hard", but he was wrong. Now he does have those 22 years of treating the fans great, like myself in 1990 as an awestruck 6 year old seeing a real life superhero in person an hour after his scheduled time was up, so that one misstep shouldn't have an effect on his perception, but those same fans had made him a hero by that point. In the wake of his death a month later, every headline seemed to read "Loss Of A Legend" or of itwas a news outlet that didn't talk much about NASCAR, it was "NASCAR icon dies". The fans made that happen. As for Jeff, I can't remember exactly when it was, but it was a pretty big deal at the time, so I'm guessing it was after his first Winston Cup. I don't think he meant to be rude, he probably figired "ok, my time is up, I have to leave". But Jeff will be the first to admit it took him a while to really understand the NASCAR fans. Between his sudden success and the fact us NASCAR fans are very peculiar creatures, it was tough at first, leading him and Brooke to move to Florida just to get away from the NASCAR crush. That didn't go over well with us. Basically saying "I can't atand to live around you guys". But he has expressed regret for that, and I think that was more Brooke's doing than his. In fact, for a while he listed himself as from Charlotte, NC even though, ever since his divorce from Brooke, he spends the majority of his time away from the track at his Manhattan apartment. When Tim Richmond lived in a Manhattan apartment in the mid 80s, it was something new and fresh in the decade of excess. Jeff nowadays, understanding the fans better, really plays down his Manhattan lifestyle as we now see it as snoody. Anyways he learned, and Brad will learn. He will get enough deserved backlash and figure it out. Lime Jeff did. 499. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.28.2013 - 10:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 496: And if I remember right, didn't Tony have a run-in with Kyle at the Daytona 500 in 2006, as well as other dust-ups with Kenseth and Jeff Gordon. Actually, the '06 Daytona 500 dust up you are thinking of was with Kenseth. - - - - - FINALLY got to see the Harvick Vs Dillon Footage. I'm embarrassed by both of those guys. From every angle I looked at except the one from pit lane, Dillon had the lane and Harvick was trying WAY to hard to cut him off, like Johnson did in yesterday's race. Dillon wouldn't have any of it, but pushed it to far and allowed Crafton to push him to far also. It resulted in a 5 truck wreck and the day's 10th caution. I can not respect drivers for going after eachother after a crash under caution. After the race is over is a bit easier, but considering that the race was still ongoing in technicality, I can't respect either of them. I'm a bit more pissed off at Dillon. He didn't know when to cut it out. He's like that 5 year old child who is fighting with a 7 year old child and doesn't know when to stop trying to kick him in the shin. This is where I have the largest issue with Harvick. Pulling into Dillon's lane blatantly like that, readying to start shouting. He was asking to have that sledgehammer thrown into his helmet. And this is something I must admit with Harvick, in 12 years of Cup racing, he STILL does not know when to finally shut up, even if the other guy is plainly in the wrong. You DON'T mess with Rudd, despite how much of an on-track @$$hole Rudd is, you don't mess with Kyle unless you can make yourself look good in the process, and you don't mess with your current owner's grandson! Him blatantly calling out Childress and saying that THIS is why he was leaving RCR, bad, BAD publicity on his part and bad publicity against Childress. Harvick forgets that EVERY single win he has had up to this point has been in a Childress car. Despite the fact that Richard is jumping to get his grandsons into the upper echelon's of racing, and despite how fast I think TY is being rushed, YOU DON'T FIGHT WITH YOUR CURRENT OWNER WHILE YOU HAVE AN OUTSIDE SHOT AT THE CHAMPIONSHIP! I'll say my anger is 60 percent at Dillon and 40 percent at Harvick. I have no more to say on this subject manner. - - - - - - This is the race I'm concerned about with Kenseth's chances. Texas. Heading into the chase I thought and said Johnson would win the championship, basing my thoughts on what I was expecting to be a strong martinsville performance by Johnson and a not-as-strong performance by Kenseth, coupled with an TURD engine failure at Texas for the 20. If Kenseth pulls out of Texas without engine failure, or pulls out of Texas after racing Johnson hard, I may have to reverse the prediction I had before yesterday's race with Johnson winning the crown. I don't see any major points changes between the conclusion of Texas and the conclusion of Homestead, unlike in 2012. 500. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 10.28.2013 - 10:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Laughter was sparked at DSFF's typo: 'Lime Jeff Did' I'll take my 'Lime Jeff' in my glass of Mike's Hard Lemonade. 501. Drivefor5isalive posted: 10.28.2013 - 10:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hooray Jeff Gordon! The Drive for 5 truly is alive! 502. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.28.2013 - 10:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Lol, Lime Jeff. When he would drive the Nicorette car he was Lime Jeff. I've had this phone for 4 months and still have typo issues. Note to the author of post #501, the phrase "Drive For Five" has been a curse for Jeff. Gordon fans should avoid this. 503. cjs3872 posted: 10.29.2013 - 12:01 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) @499, Stewart had dust-ups with Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, and Kyle Busch during the 2006 Daytona 500, though the one with Kyle was mostly Kyle's doing. But Stewart did have run-ins with all three during that race. The ones everyone remembers from that race were the ones with Kenseth, but he had run-ins with both Gordon and Kyle Busch in that race, as well. And DSFF, the reason I don't seem to have as big a problem as you seem to in regards to Earnhardt's missing the pre-season fan fest so that he could prepare for the 24 Hours of Daytona. Earnhardt was one of those guys that when he had it in his mind to do something, he went all-out to do it, so I have no problem at all with him missing a pre-season fan fest to test for the 24 Hours of Daytona. He as going all-out to try to help his team win it's class, which as it turned out, would also have been the overall win. (The car he drove finished fourth.) It's also for that reason that I had no problem with Jeff Gordon skipping the Awards Banquet one year to race in the Race of Champions in Paris. And the fact that Jimmy Spencer criticized him for that shows just what an overstuffed bag of hot air he was then, and still is today. His criticism of Michael Waltrip over last year's crash at the end of the fall race at Talladega is another example of that, since it was Tony Stewart's vicious block that caused that crash. Stewart even admitted that he was at fault for causing that crash. 504. Paul posted: 10.29.2013 - 2:50 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) murb (#492), Andy Petree made that remark after Vickers ran into the back of Geoff Bodine going down the backstretch, causing Bodine's car to hit Juan Pablo Montoya on his inside, damaging both cars in the process. I know I'm late to the party (Wi-Fi was out Sunday and I worked all day Monday), but what a story-filled race at Martinsville. Having missed the first half of the race due to being outside doing yard work (although I did get to listen to Jeff Burton's entertaining radio tirade after Carl Edwards dumped him SEVEN laps into a 500-lap race), I turned on the TV around lap 300 and was greeted with a "LEADER: 24-JEFF GORDON" graphic at the top of the ESPN scrolling leaderboard. If not for that, the next 120 laps would have really frustrated me because of all the cautions. It kind of reminded me of the 2011 fall Richmond race because most of the cautions came as a result of a couple drivers refusing to give-and-take out on the race track. It's almost as if the tensions within the RCR camp (specifically the #29 driver and car owner) spread throughout the entire garage area. I thought the #24 team blew it when they (along with the #18 team) decided to pit again under caution after surrendering the lead by pitting under the previous caution, but in the end it all worked out and Alan Gustafson came out of this race looking like a genius, which is a nice change of pace from how most of his pit calls and strategies make him look out to being. Of course, it didn't hurt that the driver of the #24 car also happens to be arguably the best active driver at Martinsville, and one who is more than capable of working his way through traffic. And how about that battle for the win between Gordon and Kenseth at the very end? I just knew that when Gordon took over 2nd place after the final restart that he would run down and pass Kenseth, but it sure was fun watching him make moves to take the lead away while Kenseth did everything he could to ensure he scored maximum points at one of his weaker tracks. And all the while, lapped traffic had to be maneuvered through efficiently, not to mention the fact that Clint Bowyer was slowly catching the two leaders and almost took 2nd place away at the end. In the end, Gordon was just too much for Kenseth to hold off any longer, and he went on to record his 8th career Martinsville victory (First since 2005; placing himself back in a tie for 3rd place with Jimmie Johnson on the Martinsville wins list.), his 88th career Sprint Cup Series victory, and keep himself alive in the title hunt. It's been a LONG wait for Gordon fans to witness yet another Jeff Gordon victory after a pretty tumultuous season, but I couldn't ask for a better way to see my favorite driver win his first race of the season. It was a good day. One more thing: Was anyone else disappointed by Kasey Kahne as much as I was during yesterday's race? I didn't see him get collected in that restart crash, but I did see him dump Landon Cassill (who was having a solid top-20 run for the lowly Circle Sport team) while running in 37th place shortly I turned the race back on. And then at the very end, as every other lapped car is either moving over for Gordon and Kenseth, or trying their best to clear another car so that they're no longer in the leaders' way, Kahne blatantly took away Kenseth's line with a little over 20 laps to go, thus forcing Kenseth to move him out of the way, which took away some of his momentum and made it a lot easier for Gordon to make the winning pass a lap later. I don't think it diminishes Gordon's victory because he was probably within a couple laps of passing Kenseth anyways, but it bothers me that Gordon's teammate got involved in the final lead change the way he did, rather than staying out of the way and letting the two leaders duke it out for the win amongst themselves. 505. murb posted: 10.29.2013 - 3:00 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Was anyone else disappointed by Kasey Kahne as much as I was during yesterday's race?" Yeah, I was. That Landon Cassill dumping was totally unnecessary. I made an original comment when it happened that it reminded me of the couple of times last year where Joey Logano ran over underfunded NNS drivers in his cash machine. But now that I think about it, this situation is actually worse than Logano just dumping lapped cars, because Landon was actually having a great run on the lead lap until that happened. Oh well. Just one more thing to make me not like Kasey Kahne, which is a shame because I used to like him a lot back in the day. 506. Paul posted: 10.29.2013 - 3:16 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Stewart had dust-ups with Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, and Kyle Busch during the 2006 Daytona 500" Stewart and Kenseth also had a run-in during the 2006 All-Star Race. They were battling for 3rd place with 18 laps to go when Stewart ran a big run and tried to get underneath Kenseth as they headed into turn 1. Kenseth through a late block on Stewart as they entered the turn, but Stewart was already there and both cars wound up hitting the wall and crashing out of the race. I know that Gordon and Stewart got together during the 2010 spring Texas race (Also with 18 laps to go. Go figure.). Stewart tried to block Gordon as they were exiting turn 4, but Gordon wouldn't have none of that and forced his way to the inside of Stewart, making it 3-wide, with Jimmie Johnson to his inside. Then Stewart got hooked in the left rear by Carl Edwards coming through the quad oval, which triggered a 9-car crash that collected Gordon as well. Gordon approached Stewart visibly upset after the wreck, and Stewart just patted him on the back in an apologetic way as they walked away from their wrecked race cars. I can't recall Stewart getting into it with Kyle Busch again since that race. I remember Kyle stating in an interview back in 2010 that Stewart had a long discussion with him after an on-track incident earlier in his career, so the 2006 Daytona 500 could have been the race that led to that discussion. 507. Mowman posted: 10.29.2013 - 11:56 am Rate this comment: (0) (3) Couldn't agree more about Kasey not moving out of the way. How is this any different than what MWR did to get his people in the chase. Oh that's right it was HMS so it was ok to do that. 508. cjs3872 posted: 10.29.2013 - 12:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Well, the thing about Kasey holding up Matt Kenseth late in the race was that, whether it was intentional or not, it may have been his way of getting payback for all that Kenseth and Kyle Busch have put him through this season. Everyone wondered how Kahne might issue his payback for all those incidents earlier in the year, and I think we may have gotten the answer on Sunday. There are ways to pay back a driver for past incidents. Often, we think of it as wrecking a driver for such an incident at some point, but other times, there are more subtle ways to get payback, and holding up a driver the way Kahne did, whether it was intentional or not, is a very subtle way to pay back a driver for a past incident without knocking him out of the race, or disturbing the natural flow o a race, and Kahne's way of paying back Kenseth was apparently to hold him up, instead of wrecking him. 509. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.29.2013 - 1:19 pm Rate this comment: (4) (3) Mowman, you beat me to it. That is HMS being HMS. Kasey is just another false idol in modern day NASCAR anyways. I'd advise not getting emotionally attached to any of these drivers. They can have humble beginnings and be humble for their early success, making you like them even more. Then they get more success. And more success. And more ass kissers telling them they are the center of the universe, and everyone else is lucky just to be in their presence. And their massive ego allows them to totally buy this. Next thing you know you are hanging out with about 10 people, wearing their official merchandise waiting for them to sign an official flag you just bought from their official merchandise trailer, waiting 40 minutes to get them to autograph it. And they will breeze right past you, literally one foot from you saying "I gotta go" cause they can't spare 90 seconds to scribble their name a few times. And you find yourself staring at a 23 year old picture of the back of your 6 year old head with your original racing idol on the other side of it smiling back at you like HE was the one being honored by MY presence. And you are wondering what in hell happened. That is why I give Jeff so much credit for how he treats the fans nowadays. In the 90s, he was the modern prototype for not treating fans right, an issue he laments and expresses regret for in the Pepsi Hendrick Doc, referring to himself as an "asshole" at the time (still haven't figured out why, in this completely glossed over revisionist rose colored glasses documentary, the only thing they are candid about is Jeff's attitude in the 90s and the mistakes he made during his divorce from The Gold Digger). Trust me, the "Gordon Hate" of the 90s was not blind hate. It wasn't just because "he wasn't a good ol Southern Boy" (Fred Lorenzen and Tim Richmond weren't either, but they were fan faves) or "he wins too much" (Richard Petty in the 60s and 70s anyone?). But he recognized he was wrong, and has done a 180. Not many people do that. All the kudos in the world to him for that. 510. Sector posted: 10.29.2013 - 2:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @cjs3872: I want to add on to your interesting "Magical 8's" day from this race, and say that Matt Kenseth was also battling Jeff Gordon for his 8th win of the season, after starting in 4th, half of the number 8. David Ragan, who qualified a surprising 8th, ended up finishing dead last(43rd), whom started one spot ahead of Jeff Gordon. 511. 18fan posted: 10.29.2013 - 2:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think Tony's issues with Kyle started in the Bud Shootout in 2006. After that race is when Tony said that somebody else was going to die at Daytona or Talladega with the way they were driving and I remember he thought Kyle was a reason why and called Kyle a bird with no feathers. And then Tony's incident with Matt Kenseth in the 500 happened, which got him called out by Wally Dallenbach for being a hypocrite. 512. David posted: 10.29.2013 - 2:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Next thing you know you are hanging out with about 10 people, wearing their official merchandise waiting for them to sign an official flag you just bought from their official merchandise trailer, waiting 40 minutes to get them to autograph it. And they will breeze right past you, literally one foot from you saying "I gotta go" cause they can't spare 90 seconds to scribble their name a few times." This reminds me of the time when I was at the 2010 Kansas race. We were standing just outside the walkway from the garage to the infield (it's the place where GaragePass holders could go, but we didn't have one, so we were standing just outside of there with a hundred other fans who didn't have them either), and Scott Speed and Carl Edwards came out. Speed didn't sign any autographs, and Carl signed about two before the cameramen behind him told him to "keep moving". I was not happy. At the time, I really didn't care whose autographs I got, i just wanted to fill up my autograph book (it's still empty). Oh well, I've still got a few autographs. I got Jeff Gordon's in 2008 when he came to Greensburg in June as part of a Habitat for Humanity event (Greensburg was destroyed by a killer tornado the year before), even though he only signed "Jeff" on my hat and diecast. I have Michael Waltrip's (I bought an autographed copy of his book, shoot me), David Hobbs's (it's actually signed "David Hobbscap" because my sister got it when saw "Cars 2"), and Rusty Wallace's (I received an autographed framed photo commemorating his "Last Call" in 2005 for my birthday). And even though it's not NASCAR-related, I have a poster from the Cosmosphere with the signatures of most of the Mission Control of the Apollo 13 spaceflight. 513. Smiff_2 posted: 10.29.2013 - 2:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Soooo, according Biffle just now on Sirius radio, the spoilers next year will be somewhere around 9-10 inches tall. Interesting.... 514. SpeedWorld97 posted: 10.29.2013 - 3:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Next thing you know you are hanging out with about 10 people, wearing their official merchandise waiting for them to sign an official flag you just bought from their official merchandise trailer, waiting 40 minutes to get them to autograph it. And they will breeze right past you, literally one foot from you saying "I gotta go" cause they can't spare 90 seconds to scribble their name a few times." Ironically, Richard Petty, one of the fan-friendliest drivers of all time, did that to me at the Spring 2010 Richmond race at the fan zone before the race. I, along with about ten other fans, had things for him to sign (I had a diecast of his '79 STP Oldsmobile), and he just completely walked right past us for whatever reason, not even making eye contact. I lost some respect for him at the time, but he is still one of my favorite legends. 515. David posted: 10.29.2013 - 3:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I, along with about ten other fans, had things for him to sign (I had a diecast of his '79 STP Oldsmobile), and he just completely walked right past us for whatever reason, not even making eye contact. I lost some respect for him at the time, but he is still one of my favorite legends." He didn't want to inconvenience you, as by the time he would have finished signing all that, the race would have been over. *rimshot* 516. cjs3872 posted: 10.29.2013 - 3:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) But DSFF, part of what Kasey did on Sunday was, no doubt payback against Kenseth and JGR for how many times Kahne's been on the wrong end of the conflicts between himself and the JGR cars. We know how unhappy he's been with the JGR drivers this year, but he's not the kind to wreck somebody to deliver a message. But as we all know, there are other, more subtle ways to deliver payback, and what Kahne did was very subtle, but also very effective. Costing one of the JGR drivers that he's had run-ins with a win an the four points that go with it (one for the position plus three bonus points) may end up being the ultimate retribution without interfering with the race itself. We also know that Kahne's out of it and won't even be able to get back to the top ten, and with him nearly three laps behind late, I think he wanted to deliver a message to Kenseth, and holding him up long enough for Jeff Gordon to catch him, I think he got his point across his way. And who knows, those four points he may have cost Kenseth could be what ends up deciding the championship against Kenseth. 517. Sector posted: 10.29.2013 - 3:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You could look at both end of the stories though. You also have Brad Keselowski, who slowly came out of nowhere in the top 5 late, who wouldn't let Jimmie Johnson by for 3rd, then 4th after Clint Bowyer flew by them. Knowing Jimmie's past luck @ Martinsville, he could had went through the field and won this thing remained the championship leader. Plus, Jimmie didn't make a lot of friends after the race, that could also be a factor as well for the final 3 races. 518. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.29.2013 - 5:08 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) Has Matt done anything to Kasey this year? I know Kyle has wrecked him 3 times. So why go after Matt and not Kyle? Is he just an asshole which is typical for HMS drivers there in their prime? As far aw Brad and Kyle, I'm convinced Brad is gonna retaliate in an NWide race to get the owners championship. Probably at Phoenix. They will both be in all 3 races this weekend. Look for Brad to play mind games in all 3 races then finally drop the hammer in the PHX Saturday race. SpeedWorld, that is VERY odd to have Richard do that. Of course he is old, maybe he had to take a shit, and at that age, he knew he couldn't stop and sign anything or he'd shit his pants right there. At Darlington last year, he was just walking around the garage, singing everything put in front of him and taking pictures with anyone. I got him to sign my Darlington hat (Cale Yarborough too) and he took a picture with me. 519. TS1420 posted: 10.29.2013 - 5:12 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I wouldn't get too worked up over drivers not signing autographs. In the current uber corporate state NASCAR is in, drivers are at beck and call to all sorts of sponsor, team, television & series obligations. Most the drivers I see at the track are always being pushed and hustled to go somewhere else at the track. And could you image if they were late to some place they were obligated to be at? These petty-ass sponsors would probably threaten to reduce their sponsorship or even maybe even leave (and heaven forbid they were late for something NASCAR has going on, they could get a $25,000 dollar fine and placed on probation for actions detrimental to the sport). 520. 18fan posted: 10.29.2013 - 5:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DSFF, Kasey was pretty upset at Matt following Watkins Glen when Kasey thought that Matt wrecked him. That's when he tweeted that he was going to show up at JGR. 521. murb posted: 10.29.2013 - 5:15 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) I'm gonna kind of rant about something that others have talked about before, so bear with me. I was just watching Race Hub, and they did that Old School/New School comparison thing again, this time with Greg Biffle. They matched him up with guys like Ricky Rudd and Benny Parsons, which I think are pretty good comparisons for him (I would go with Benny over Rudd though just because I think Rudd was a FAR better driver than Biffle is, and Greg and Benny's stats seem more comparable). So then I decided to go on the Fox Sports website and watch some of the previous installments of this Old School/New School thing since I missed the original airings. I watched the Kyle Busch one, and sure enough, pretty much everyone compared him with Dale Earnhardt. They've got to be on crack. All they looked at was the driving styles. They didn't look at stats (or if they did, then they added in Kyle's little league wins to make it seem like he's on par with Earnhardt), and they actually said that Kyle has a similar personality to Earnhardt by basically saying that they are both "fearless" and that they both "never say die" and type of thing. They must have forgot about all the times that Kyle has let meaningless feuds derail his on track success, and all the times that he's thrown in the towel. What a dumb comparison. Kyle is a really, really good, arguably great Cup driver, but he's not Dale Earnhardt. The only thing they have in common are aggressive driving styles. And then, on the Clint Bowyer one, they compared him to JUNIOR JOHNSON and TIM RICHMOND. I know for a fact that we talked about this one a while back, but you have got to be shitting me. Junior Johnson? You're gonna compare Clint Bowyer to Nascar's original badass? And while I get that both Bowyer and Richmond are/were "party animals" or whatever, comparing a career points racer (Bowyer) with one of the fiercest on track competitors that there's ever been (Richmond) is just ridiculous as hell. As for who I would compare these guys to, I would go with Darrell Waltrip for Kyle Busch and Ken Schrader (in his prime) for Clint Bowyer. Kyle is probably the most polarizing driver in this generation, a lot like Darrell was during his old school days. Plus, isn't there the famous story of Darrell psyching himself out of the 1979 Cup championship. That's totally something that sounds like Kyle Busch. And I would say their driving abilities are far more similar than Kyle and Earnhardt. And as for Schrader/Bowyer, they're both old school dirt guys who found their ways to successful Nascar careers (a lot of people forget it, but Schrader really was a top six or seven Cup driver when he was in his prime for Hendrick, much like Bowyer is now with MWR). And plus, they both definitely have unique personalities (even though Schrader is awesome and Bowyer has been revealed to be a lying douche). So I don't know if those comparisons I just gave for those guys are good or not, but there's no way they're any worse than the comparisons the Fox Sports guys gave. I think they did a couple other ones too like Kenseth = Pearson and Johnson = Petty. While those aren't the greatest comparisons either (I would go more with Kenseth = Terry Labonte and maybe Jimmie = Bobby Allison), they are a lot more understandable than the ridiculous ones they did for Busch and Bowyer. 522. SpeedWorld97 posted: 10.29.2013 - 5:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I wouldn't get too worked up over drivers not signing autographs. In the current uber corporate state NASCAR is in, drivers are at beck and call to all sorts of sponsor, team, television & series obligations." Actually I think it's just from being around thousands of fans at the racetrack. This past summer I was on vacation in New York City, where drivers can literally walk around and go unrecognized by people, and I got the chance to personally meet Dale Jr., who happened to be doing television appearances that day. He definitely seemed more fan-friendly than he would be at the race track. Not to mention at a race track he's constantly being surrounded by the psycho Jr. fans. 523. Eric posted: 10.29.2013 - 6:06 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I don't think Greg Biffle should be compared to Rudd. Rudd is a much more rounded driver than Biffle is. Rudd was a monster on driver tracks. While Biffle has 2 wins at Darlington, 2 wins at Dover and a 1 at New Hampshire, and a win at Pocono, he's at his best at intermediate tracks. Rudd on the hand didn't get a lot of wins on intermediate tracks unlike Biffle Biffle is more weaker on tracks less than a mile than Rudd and Biffle isn't even close in the same league as Rudd as a Road Racer. Biffle not having a short track win on the cup level stands out like a sore thumb and he's not exactly good at them traditionally. I only can buy the argument with Biffle is why don't know if Roush was holding Greg Biffle up like he did with Matt Kenseth. Matt Kenseth won at tracks Matt didn't win before and did better at tracks he didn't do well at Roush. The catch is Nobody knows for sure if Biffle is really a better driver than he shows at Roush. 524. Eric posted: 10.29.2013 - 6:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Murb, I don't think it's fair to compare Kenseth to Terry Labonte. Matt and Terry are smart racers, but Terry has a wider skill set than Matt Kenseth. Terry was at his best on driver tracks. Matt isn't a slouch on driver tracks, but Terry was a more accomplished Road Racer than Matt. While Terry won 2 times at Riverside, Terry also won Road Races in his class for 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 hours of Daytona back in the 1980's. The fact Terry won road race majors in the class he was in actually is a big deal. Any driver that has a class win in 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Daytona is a big deal since those 2 are the biggest road racing events for sport car racing. 525. Eric posted: 10.29.2013 - 6:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I thought Terry has an edge on Matt because of road racing ability and Terry was very good at short tracks despite not having the amount of wins. While Matt this year proved his skill level is higher than expected, it is still hard to say how good Matt really is because of the amount of time spent at Roush. Roush isn't known for short tracks although Matt had 3 wins at them at Roush. Roush is focus on some types tracks to the point it hurt them as some different types of tracks. The best way to compare Matt to is a driver that can win at driver tracks, but isn't a road course driver, but also has no problems winning at intermediate tracks, and plate races. 526. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.29.2013 - 7:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Don't forget Matt's prowess on the one milers which are not easy. He has multiple wins at Rockingham and Dover as well as wins at Phoenix and Loudon. He's also won Richmond once, the Bristol Night Race 3 times, and now that he is with Gibbs, I wouldn't be surprised to see him bringing home a Grandfather Clock soon. Now I'm just gonna say it: he sucks on the road courses. But I don't see any other weaknesses. Terry on the other hand was kinda weak on the superspeedways (just two Dega wins) and the 1.5 milers (one Charlotte win, one Texas win) over a long career. Plus Matt has been consistently competitive year in and year out much more than Terry. Matt won a race (the Coke 600) his first year, had a disappointing winless second year, but won at least one race every year from '02-'07 including a 5 win '02 and a 4 win '06 (Terry never won more than 3 races in a year). He only won twice from '08-'10, the first two races of '09, but has won 13 races in these past 3 seasons. Terry won his first race Labor Day weekend 1980, and didn't win again until the third to last race of '83. He won the Summer Dega race in '89 and didn't win again until North Wilkesboro in April '94. He won Texas early in '99 and didn't win again until the 2003 Labor Day Southern 500. I don't mean to shit on Terry. I like the guy and have a tremendous amount of respect for his longevity, durability, toughness (winning the Winston Cup in '96 with a broken wrist), and class. I just think Matt should be rated much higher. Terry also has the ignominy of having his sponsor yank their support of his team while he was leading the points cause he wasn't running up front enough or winning. Of course it was one of the biggest idiots in NASCAR history, JD Stacy, the same guy who bought the defending Winston Cup championship team midway through '81, with young 3rd year hot shot Dale Earnhardt who already had that first title under his belt and the confidence that comes with it and a very young team with new crew chief, the GOAT of crew chiefs Dale Inman, to mentor them as they would only get better. So of course Stacy dismantled the team, and made it clear to Earnhardt he didn't see him as an asset. So take that with a grain of salt. But if we had sponsors like that nowadays, that Talladega finish would have looked a LOT different last week. 527. murb posted: 10.29.2013 - 7:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I actually think Kenseth is better than Labonte. He has more wins than him, and to me he's just as versatile as Terry was. I was just saying that if we are gonna compare new drivers to old drivers, I would compare Matt to Terry since Matt is this generation's silent assassin/consistency machine, a lot like how Terry was at his peak. 528. Eric posted: 10.29.2013 - 8:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DaleSrFanForever, You have to give Terry a pass from 1990 to 1993. Take a look at the teams Terry was on from that period. Billy Hagan's organization was way past their peak when he returned there in 1991. The team Terry drove for in 1990 was a weaker organization that was owned by Richard Jackson after Leo and Richard split the organization by having 2 different organizations after 1989. Remember Richard's brother, Leo had the stronger organization with Harry Gant as a driver with Andy Petree as the crew chief. The 1 car aka the 55 car wasn't the same after Harry Gant got Andy Petree as crew chief in 1989 after Phil had his career year in cup in 1988 with Andy as a crew chief. That meant Terry in 1990 got into a weak car that suffered from Andy being moved to Harry Gant as a way to revive Harry's cup career. Harry's career got revived in 1989 thanks to Andy and the performance of the 1 car really declined as a result. 529. JG24FanForever posted: 10.29.2013 - 8:48 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "Gordon wins with DSFF in attendance, lol" Do I not count? I traveled from Greenville, South Carolina to see my first Martinsville race. Gordon wins, and you guy's only mention that a Brad Keselowski fan was in attendance? It had been 8 years since Gordon won on a short-track. It was the 8th Cup event iv'e ever attended. It was Gordon's 8th win at Martinsville, and his 88th career. Martinsville is so much better in person, too! I love that track. I love the friendliness of the fans. Better atmosphere than even Darlington! 530. cjs3872 posted: 10.29.2013 - 8:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And yet Eric, Terry did have chances to win races in those years, including the 1990 Daytona 500, when he tried to make a move on Derrike Cope with Bill Elliott's help shortly before Earnhardt's tire failure gave Cope the win. Had Terry and Bill been able to pass Derrike, or had Earnhardt's tire failure occurred on lap 199, instead of lap 200, Labonte would have won that race. And he had a real chance to win at Sonoma in 1992 while driving the Sunoco car for Hagan, so he had chances to win even then, and was a top ten points finisher in 1992, despite not winning a race. 531. murb posted: 10.29.2013 - 8:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Do I not count? I traveled from Greenville, South Carolina to see my first Martinsville race. Gordon wins, and you guy's only mention that a Brad Keselowski fan was in attendance?" lol, I had forgotten that you were even there until you reminded me just now. 532. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.29.2013 - 9:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Connors doc delivered. So awesome to see a true competitor. 533. JG24FanForever posted: 10.29.2013 - 9:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DSFF, I swear I saw you at the concession stand behind the Blue Ridge grand-stand. I was surprised that the Martinsville Hot-Dogs were only $2 bucks apiece! And after I got my dog and Pepsi, I turned around and saw a kinda tall fella wearing a Brad K. shirt standing in line. I almost asked him if it was you. Except he didn't have a goatee like you do. 534. JG24FanForever posted: 10.29.2013 - 10:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I know it was already mentioned, but John Force won his 16th Championship by winning the last three races giving him 138 career wins. Drivers with the multiple NHRA Funny Car championships: John force 16 (1990-91,1993-02,2004,2006,2010,2013) Don Prudhomme 4 (1975-78) Kenny Bernstein 4 (1985-88)--He was the owner of King racing in Nascar. Raymond Beatle 3 (1979-81)--He's Rusty Wallace's Championship car owner. Frank Hawley 2 (1982-83) Cruz Pedregon 2 (1992,2008) Tony Pedregon 2 (2003,2007) 535. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.29.2013 - 11:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If there was no goatee than it wasn't me. But that concession stand is where I get my Martinsville hot dogs. And you are right, the atmosphere there is unparalleled imo. Darlington is great, I love going there and it hurts knowing I won't be going back there next year (but I have my fingers crossed for Labor Day 2015), but Martinsville is a charming blast from the past. You are right on top of everything. 536. Eric posted: 10.30.2013 - 5:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) I really question the old school/new school in terms of comparing Carl Edwards to Harry Gant, and Ned Jarrett in terms on on the track based on strengths. While Harry Gant was ageless, Harry Gant only won 2 times on intermediate tracks with them being Charlotte in 1982 and Michigan in 1992. Harry was at his best at Darlington, Dover, and Martinsville. Harry also won 2 times at Pocono. The fact is Harry was at his best at tougher Tracks in terms of ovals. Carl is better than Harry at intermediate tracks. Carl is turning into a good driver track driver if you look at wins at Bristol, Phoenix, Richmond, and Dover. The catch is Bristol turned into a mini Michigan win Carl won his 2 Bristol races and Richmond is a a short track version of a speedway. I think the Carl Edwards comparison to old Mark Martin is the closest you can do for Carl. The problem comparing Carl to Ned Jarrett is easy. Ned didn't win a lot of races that weren't short tracks. 537. DaleSrFanForever posted: 10.30.2013 - 8:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) Since this may be it tonight, I just wanna say how glad I am the World Series this year was contested between the Cardinals and Red Sox. I love TEAMS and hate teams with stat systems. 2 years ago the Red Sox traded 3 players with outrageous contracts and bad clubhouse habits to the Dodgers and were left for dead pretty much cause they had no stars except an aging Big Papi who people thought was done (whoops). And the Cardinals had their top guy, Albert Pujols, bolt for the LA Angels for a slightly better contract as far as guaranteed money. The Angles have gone about signing expensive star after expensive star like Josh Hamilton and others. And they haven't sniffed the playoffs since. And the Dodgers only made the NLCS cause they faced playoff chokers, my Braves, in the first round. This Series has been a huge middle finger to the star system. 538. cjs3872 posted: 10.30.2013 - 8:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Then again Eric, most of today's drivers are weaker in the tougher races than those that were among the sport's best in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s. Why is it that both of the drivers that won at Martinsville this year won there for the EIGHTH time, while only one other driver that ran both Martinsville races this year has won there more than once (Mark Martin, and he only ran there this year because he was replacing injured drivers). The drivers that won at Dover were Tony Stewart (for a third time) and Jimmie Johnson (for a record eighth time). There's a reason why Gordon and Johnson historically tower over any other driver competing today, now that Tony Stewart's injured and unable to compete. Gordon and Johnson (along with Stewart) accept the challenge of the tough races and tough tracks, while most of the other "top" drivers seem to shrink on the sport's toughest tracks, those that separate the drivers. Two or three more years like this one and Matt Kenseth might get up there, but he isn't there yet historically. It's for that reason that comparing guys like Biffle and Edwards to men like Rudd, Parsons, Ned Jarrett, and Gant is, to some degree, laughable. Those four would eat Edwards and Biffle for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I can get the comparison between Edwards and Mark Martin, which actually does make sense on multiple fronts, as well as the comparison between Biffle and Donnie Allison, because although Donnie was a superior driver to Biffle (his Indianapolis 500 record alone suggests that), both Biffle and Donnie always seem to come up short in the big events, save Biffle's successive Southern 500 wins in 2005-'06 and Donnie's wins in the World 600 and Firecracker 400 in 1970, the latter of those two wins being a gift. But we remember Donnie for falling short in the Daytona 500 no fewer than four times from 1969-'79, and Biffle was running second on the final lap in each of the last two Daytona 500s, but simply didn't have the car capable of making a move, and could very well have won the 2010 Daytona 500, as well as the Brickyard 400 that same year. But they always came up short. And of course, that's also one of the links that bonds Martin and Edwards. They always came up short in the big moment, though Martin has two Southern 500 wins of his own, as well as winning NASCAR's fastest 500-mile race, and even a Coca-Cola 600. Martin always came up short in championship battles, as well as a Daytona 500 and two Brickyard 400s, and Edwards has always come up short in the big events, as well as twice finishing second in the championship, once as a result of a tie-breaker. 539. cjs3872 posted: 10.30.2013 - 8:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DSFF, the Red Sox have one chance to win the World Series, and that is to win tonight's Game 6. If the Cardinals win tonight and force Game 7, I think it's over because I believe the Cardinals will romp in a Game 7 because the Red Sox pitching situation for a Game 7 is a complete mess. If a Game 7 is forced, it might be 1985 in reverse for the Cardinals (they got blown out 11-0 in Game 7 in 1985). Game 7 might end up about 12-2 Cardinals, because the Red Sox will be forced to go with either Jake Peavy, who's unreliable, or Clay Buchholz, who's physically worn down, and I think the Cardinals would have a field day against either one. I think whoever wins tonight's game wins the series. 540. 18fan posted: 10.30.2013 - 9:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DSFF, having followed the Dodgers closely all year, that team was actually a very close knit team. Yes they had stars, but they definitely were a team. Last year they were definitely a collection of stars, but they were a close knit group this year. The biggest thing that derailed the Dodgers in the playoffs was the awful managing by Don Mattingly. 541. cjs3872 posted: 10.30.2013 - 9:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm not sure about that, 18fan. I don't think Mattingly did that bad a job. What derailed the Dodgers in the NLCS was something completely unexpected, and that is how the Cardinals won three of the four games Kershaw and Greinke started, including both games Kershaw started, knocking him silly in Game 6. And the Dodgers, as a team, were ice cold in the NLCS. How they even won two games was somewhat amazing. That has nothing to do with how the game is managed. The Cardinals were a better team, anyway. In fact, the decision Mattingly made to start Kershaw in the clincher against the Braves was a brilliant one, because by winning that game, they had their pitching rotation set up perfectly. They just got outpitched, plain and simple. Mike Matheny, on the other hand, has done a terrible job tonight, and has gotten managed circles around by John Farrell in the World Series, though in his defense, four of his key hitters have been adversely affected by injuries, including David Freese (calf) and Allen Craig (foot) prior to the post-season, and Mike Adams seemed to hurt his side on a swing late in Game 3 of the World Series. Not to mention Carlo Beltran suffering a chest injury early in Game 1 on his catch of what would have been a grand slam by David Ortiz. Injuries and poor managing by an inexperienced manager (Matheny) may be way ends up deciding this series, if the Red Sox win it. 542. 18fan posted: 10.30.2013 - 10:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Matheny has been atrocious in this World Series. He has left starting pitchers in too long and not made the right moves when he has gone to the bullpen. 543. cjs3872 posted: 10.30.2013 - 10:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And the fourth inning was a perfect example, 18fan. He had Lynn and Maynus in the bullpen with runners on, and he went to Lynn, a starting pitcher, in a position where putting in someone used to coming in from the bullpen would have been a much better option. He should have put in Maynus at that time, and then used Lynn to start the next inning, since that would be more natural for him, and that move cost him two runs. Now would Maynus have been able to keep the Red Sox from scoring more runs in that inning, I don't know, but Maynus would have given them a better chance to get out of it without any more runs scoring. Lynn failed to retire either of the two batters he faced and Maynus had to be brought in anyway. Saying that, as far as the Cardinals offense is concerned, Matheny really didn't have much of a chance with so many of his top hitters hurt to varying degrees. But managing in a World Series is usually a game of hunches, because you can't base everything on just matchups. Just look at the 1988 and 1990 World Series, because Tommy Lasorda and Lou Piniella couldn't do anything wrong against better Oakland A's teams, but every move they made worked out. But you can make all the right moves based on stats and have them all turn out wrong. But Matheny has been outmanaged in the series, but he's also had to deal with injuries his opponents have not had to deal with, so he was managing from a deficit right away. 544. David posted: 10.30.2013 - 11:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) There it is. Darn. At least Boston deserved it. 545. 18fan posted: 10.31.2013 - 3:10 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) The crew member who threw the hammer at Harvick has been indefinitely suspended by NASCAR. 546. 12345Dude posted: 10.31.2013 - 11:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) Kurt Angle (wrestler) just had a seizure in the ring at Impact Wrestling, and has no memory of his recent match he just had. He's has substance abuse problems and has struggled the last few years. Concussions are very serious and we just forget tragic things that have happened around them. Hope he is doing all right and keep him in your thoughts. 547. 12345Dude posted: 11.01.2013 - 2:28 am Rate this comment: (0) (2) It was cold hearted and evil off me to attack Angle for his drug abuse in the last comment. 548. NicoRosbergFan posted: 11.01.2013 - 6:26 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Danica will again appear in a SuperBowl ad with a twist... no more vulgarity. 549. DaleSrFanForever posted: 11.01.2013 - 6:45 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hate that for Kurt that he's struggling with that. He was so awesome in the ring and had the perfect persona to be a foil for the late Attitide era and was definitely perfect for their transition into the era where true athleticism was a top priority. And he won an Olympic Gold medal in the '96 games to go along with his two National Titles from college. He has been trying to spearhead campaigns to keep wrestling in the Olympics (seriously, of all the shit to cut, wrestling over some of the other stuff?). Hope he gets well. 550. Benjamin Lowe posted: 11.01.2013 - 7:28 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) Dude this situation involving Angle is part of a wrestling storyline a really bad uninspiring wrestling storyline that serves no purpose whatsoever. 551. 18fan posted: 11.01.2013 - 11:39 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Martin Truex, Jr. has officially signed a multi-year deal with Furniture Row Racing. Interestingly, Truex's pit crew will be following him to FRR, but I didn't see anything about if Todd Berrier will still be the crew chief. I would imagine it would either be Berrier or Chad Johnston. 552. DaleSrFanForever posted: 11.01.2013 - 1:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) So I've been had? 553. Eric posted: 11.01.2013 - 1:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DaleSrFanForever, Don't feel bad. TNA did something that people couldn't tell the difference anymore because of Jerry "The King" Lawler's on air heart attack last year. Last year, some people actually thought Jerry's real life heart attack on the air was part of a wrestling angle before people realized it wasn't the case. The fact is TNA is stupid enough and desperate enough to create a storyline that has a wrestler having a fake seizure. TNA is really desperate from a money standpoint and there actually has been talk about the organization is up for sale. 554. murb posted: 11.01.2013 - 2:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I looked into the Kurt Angle thing. They tape that Impact show days in advance, so I'm pretty sure if it were real they would have either edited it out or had some disclaimer or something (as opposed to the Lawler heart attack which happened live). And it also would have broken out as huge news a couple days ago when they taped it if it were real. They also had a cheesy video on their YouTube later that had them asking Kurt questions like "Do you remember the match?", and he gave some unrealistic answers like, "No, but did I win?". And one of the comments on there said they are in the middle of a storyline about Kurt being fragile in the ring or something. So it's a good storyline for a failing company, but its part of the storyline. If it were real it would have been big news a couple days ago when they taped it. Happy to see Truex make it official with Furniture Row. If I was them, I would try and get Chad Johnston as the crew chief instead of Todd Berrier. Martin already has a really good relationship with him, and I actually think he's a better crew chief overall then Berrier, who I've always thought is a bit overrated. 555. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 11.01.2013 - 2:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Very glad Truex has a full-time deal for next year. The Richmond debacle made it extremely clear that his career is better off without MWR. Only downside to this is the #78 possibly not getting as much help from RCR.. 556. JG24FanForever posted: 11.01.2013 - 4:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon Martinsville stats: 8 wins over an 18 season span 1996-2013 11 consecutive Top 5 finishes (all-time record.) 15 consecutive Top 10 finishes and another streak of 12 consecutive Top 8 finishes Debuted at Martinsville in 1993 with an 8th place finish 3593 Laps Led with an average finish of 6.8 557. DaleSrFanForever posted: 11.01.2013 - 4:16 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Well Kurt does have a history of substance abuse and I hope he recovers from that. I hope he can get his life on track again. But faking a seizure is pretty cheap. Anyone who knows anyone with a seizure disorder knows it is no laughing matter. And anyone who has seen somebody have a real seizure knows they are terrifying to watch. Having treated numerous seizure patients, what sticks out the most to me is the horrified looks on their family's faces, no matter how many times they have seen it. 558. DaleSrFanForever posted: 11.01.2013 - 4:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) JG24Fan, while 8 wins at the tough little short track is undoubtedly impressive, I think you left out his most impressive stat there. He has finished every single race he started there, completing all but like 10 laps or something. That isn't impressive, that is insane! 559. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 11.01.2013 - 6:20 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Well Kurt does have a history of substance abuse and I hope he recovers from that." I read this out of context, so I thought it referred to Kurt Busch. I can't say I doubted it was about him until I came to the part about faking a seizure. 560. Schroeder51 posted: 11.01.2013 - 6:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Jeff Gordon has completed all but 10 laps at Martinsville." Not quite. He was involved an accident in the spring Martinsville race in 1994 (he ran into Sterling Marlin's car after Marlin had spun out and tried to pull back on the track in front of the leaders-not the smartest of moves) and finished over 100 laps down in that race. That's the closest he's ever come to DNFing at Martinsville. 42 Martinsville races in his career and he has been running at the finish of every single one of them. That IS insane. 561. Daniel posted: 11.01.2013 - 7:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) This comment would belong in the 1993 season. Where do you smart people, make any comment as you wish of course to this as well, think or hopefully just about know that Jeff Gordon would have going to race for in 1993 Winston Cup Season had he not got the call from or what not from Rick Hendrick because I know this much Gordon was being groomed by ford to make his jump to NASCAR's top series in 1993 and of course I know that he did the '92 Busch Grand National Series for the Bill Davis' #1 Baby Ruth Ford Thunderbird? So I ask because I do not have a exact answer myself to this question but it is no big deal but it is interesting to me as to what might would have been had what happened did not happen. I was made to think about this because of this NASCAR History Book I have gotten from my Mom that was suppose to be a gift on the Holy Holiday of Christmas but she gave it to me early instead it is the most current to date out there right I guess it is nice and is a all black cover and back if you all have seen it then you should be able to know what it is like too. Thanks friends! 562. Daniel posted: 11.01.2013 - 8:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) The 561st comment is now headed to another page as well to get some sort of a response please. Thank you all friends of Jesus and mine! 563. TTF24 posted: 04.09.2014 - 4:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Finally he wins for me 564. Nascar Lead Lap Points posted: 05.29.2014 - 10:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor of the #98 was Pray for Your Pastor/Energize Ministries 565. 18fan posted: 04.07.2016 - 12:59 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) The final race Jeff Burton led a lap in. 566. Braindead Zombie posted: 04.28.2016 - 10:49 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) If NASCAR hadn't added Gordon to the chase, this would've been three wins in a row for non-chasers. I don't know if that has EVER happened. 567. Biggs posted: 11.18.2016 - 10:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) Maybe Clint Bowyer, Michael Waltrip Racing, Joey Logano and Team Penske shouldn't have cheated at Richmond then. That way, NASCAR wouldn't have had to add anybody because Gordon would have made it anyway. I'm sorry the truth hurts for you. 568. Maverick posted: 11.18.2016 - 10:08 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) If you were referring to 566, that comment was purely hypothetical. 569. Anonymous posted: 06.13.2017 - 11:07 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Does anybody know where I can find this full race? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Post a comment:* Your comment may not appear immediately - all comments must be approved by the moderator. Name: Comment: