NASCAR Talk

The NEXTEL Cup Series heads back to my home town track this week for the Pennsylvania 500. Jimmie Johnson will be trying to turn his luck around, Denny Hamlin will be changing his pit strategy if he sees those rain clouds again, and Jeff Gordon has hired rain dancer to do their magic once he gets to the front. What will I be doing you ask? Same thing I’m always doing while the race is on, I’ll be at work.

#1 Martin Truex Jr.: Truex has 2 top 10’s in 3 starts at Pocono.

#2 Kurt Busch: Kurt has 6 top 10’s at Pocono, and a win at the track. He starts 2nd this week.

#5 Kyle Busch: Kyle starts 3rd behind big brother Kurt. He’ll have a good run, as long as he doesn’t need any help from his “teammates”.

#8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Dale Jr. will start from the pole for the first time in almost 5 years this week. I think this proves that DEI has been his problem the last few years. Now that he knows he will no longer have to deal with Teresa “Hitler” Earnhardt in 2008, it has allowed him to just go out and race.

#11 Denny Hamlin: Hamlin will be watching the skies more than the track this week.

#12 Ryan Newman: Newman hasn’t won at Pocono in 4 years, but finished a close 2nd here earlier this year. He starts 4th.

#17 Matt kenseth: Matt starts all the way back in 37th, but don’t be surprised to see him in the top 10 by the end of the race.

#20 Tony Stewart: Can he make it 3 in a row? I don’t think so, but he will have a solid top 10 run.

#24 Jeff Gordon: See “Denny Hamlin” above.

#42 Juan Montoya: Yes, I chose to put him in over Jimmie Johnson and Casey Mears.

Who Will Win: Denny Hamlin won’t let this one get away from him this time.

Dark Horse: My Dark Horse for this week is Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Agree? Disagree? Please post your comments, and thanks for reading!
Robert Rhodes
NASCAR Talk Online Writer
robert.rhodes@451press.com

Well, I’m actually going to get to see SOME of the race today. Of course, I’ll miss the end due to work. Below are my predictions for the top ten finishers this week.

#01 Mark Martin: We will see this week how the DEI/Ginn merger will affect their drivers. In 13 starts at this track, Martin has 8 top tens and a best finish of 2nd.

#2 Kurt Busch: Busch has 3 top tens in 6 starts and starts 6th this week.

#5 Kyle Busch: In just two starts in this race, Kyle Busch has just as many top tens.

#8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Dale Jr.’s stats at this track pretty much suck, but he did qualify 4th and is part of the big merger, for this year anyway.

#9 Kasey Kahne: Kahne has 2 top tens in 3 starts at The Brickyard. One of these weeks, I’m going to call for him to have a great race, and it will happen.

#20 Tony Stewart: It’s the second half of the season and Tony loves Indy….you do the math.

#24 Jeff Gordon: Four wins and 10 top tens, Gordon has pretty much owned this track since the first Brickyard 400.

#25 Casey Mears: Mears has 1 pole and 1 top ten in 4 starts at Indy.

#41 Reed Sorenson: Sorenson only has one Cup start at Indy, he finished 30th. So why do I have him on this list? He also started that race 41st, he starts 1st this week.

#42 Juan Pablo Montoya: A name you won’t see much on this list this year, but Montoya does know this track quite well.

#48 Jimmie Johnson: Johnson won this race last year, but has had some back luck the last few weeks.

Who Will Win: Most will go with Jeff Gordon, but I’m predicting Tony Stewart get his 2nd Brickyard win.

Dark Horse: Jimmie Johnson is my Dark Horse for this week. He starts 19th and could change his luck around this week.

Agree? Disagree? Please post your comments, and thanks for reading!
Robert Rhodes
NASCAR Talk Online Writer
robert.rhodes@451press.net

Indianapolis Motor Speeday, The Brickyard, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, NASCAR, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Reed Sorenson, Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Juan Pablo Montoya, Casey Mears, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch

This is actually the official story from NASCAR.Com:

DEI and Ginn Racing Complete Merger!

OK, so I was a bit off on my predictions on the DEI/Ginn Racing merger/buyout. Here is the official story:

INDIANAPOLIS — Dale Earnhardt Inc. will be a four-car Nextel Cup operation when it arrives at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after Tuesday’s merger with Ginn Racing.

Sources close to the situation said the deal was finalized late Tuesday afternoon and that an official announcement will be made on Wednesday.

That means four DEI drivers — Dale Earnhardt Jr., Martin Truex Jr., Paul Menard and Mark Martin — are locked into Sunday’s race at the Brickyard. Menard will pick up the owner’s points held by Ginn’s No. 13 car that was 34th.

Bobby Ginn, who took over majority ownership of Ginn Racing late last season, will remain as a financial partner. Minority owner Jay Frye will remain in some capacity with the day-to-day operations.

DEI president Max Siegel will oversee the operation — which still will be known as Dale Earnhardt Inc. — and current DEI executives John Story, Steve Hmiel and Richie Gilmore will assist Frye in sorting out personnel details, sources said.

Under the merger, DEI acquires all of Ginn’s assets, including its massive headquarters in Mooresville, N.C. The organization begun by the late Dale Earnhardt has been looking for land for almost a year because there is no room to expand at the current facility.

Ginn has been looking for financial relief the past month without sponsor funding for the No. 13 car that was driven by Joe Nemechek and No. 14 driven by Sterling Marlin.

Both drivers were given their release last week, with rookie Regan Smith moved into Marlin’s car for the remainder of the year before the merger. Smith likely will finish the season splitting the No. 01with Martin, who has been running a part-time schedule.

Sources said Martin is committed to running at least 22 races for DEI next season and work long term with the developmental driver program as he was at Ginn.

The deal gives Menard, who was outside the top 35 guaranteed a spot in the field, a comfortable 244-point lead over the 36th-place car.

But sources made it clear the deal had nothing to do with points and everything to do with strengthening DEI, which loses Earnhardt to Hendrick Motorsports next season.

Who steps into Earnhardt’s car remains to be decided. DEI is in contention with Joe Gibbs Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Evernham Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing for Kyle Busch, who loses his ride at HMS to Earnhardt in ‘08.

David Newton and Marty Smith cover Nextel Cup racing for ESPN.com.

Agree? Disagree? Please post your comments, and thanks for reading!
Robert Rhodes
NASCAR Talk Online Writer
robert.rhodes@451press.net

NASCAR, DEI, Ginn Racing, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Mark Martin, Paul Menard, Martin Truex Jr., Nextel Cup, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Bobby Ginn, Jay Frye, Max Siegel, Steve Hmiel, Richie Gilmore, Joe Nemechek, Sterlin Marlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Evernham Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, Kyle Busch

I have been saying all year that something would happen to put Mark Martin in the #01 car for more races than he planned. I never would have guessed this would be it, but I can see the writing on the wall. Word is the future of Regan Smith is up in the air. If true, that only leaves Mark Martin for the Army car. I don’t think Smith will be out of a ride in 2008 though. I can really see him taking over Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s ride next year.

The biggest losers in this deal? Joe Nemechek and Sterlin Marlin. No doubt in my mind their releases was part of this deal. The biggest winner? Other than Ginn Racing, Paul Menard is said to be getting the #14’s team points, which would put him in the field.

Agree? Disagree? Please post your comments, and thanks for reading!
Robert Rhodes
NASCAR Talk Online Writer
robert.rhodes@451press.net

NASCAR, DEI, Ginn Racing, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Sterlin Marlin, Joe Nemecheck, Regan Smith, Mark Martin, Army, Paul Menard

Another great race, and yet again I miss it. Oh well, maybe I’ll luck out with the Brickyard.

This Week’s Biggest Winner: Tony Stewart, without a doubt. Ya know, if he’s win more through the season and climbed more fences, he may take off some pounds.

This Week’s Biggest Loser: I think there is somebody somewhere with a Jimmie Johnson voodoo doll. His luck is really going down hill as of late.

Agree, disagree? Post your comments and thanks for reading!
Robert Rhodes
robert.rhodes@451press.net
NASCAR Talk Online Writer

USG Sheetrock 400, NASCAR, Chicagoland, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart

This week, the Cup Series heads to Chicagoland. Once again, I will miss most of the race due to work. Luckily I have SPEED, ESPN, and NASCAR.Com to fall back on.

#01 Mark Martin: Can you imagine if he was running a full season? Don’t be surprised if he comes back in 2008 and does it. Mark starts 4th this week and has 3 top tens at Chicagoland.

#1 Martin Truex Jr.: No top tens and an average finish of 16th? So why Truex? Have you been watching this season? He missed the poll by 0.013. Not only do I think he will finish in the top ten, but a top five would not shock me at all.

#8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Both the DEI boys qualified in the top five, can they both finish there? I think so.

#11 Denny Hamlin: As long as he can stay clear of Tony Stewart…

#12 Ryan Newman: Newman is the only Dodge driver to win at Chicagoland. With the Chevy strength, I don’t think he can do it again, but he will have a good run.

#17 Matt Kenseth: I think I’ll play it safe and put Kenseth on my list for the remainder of the season.

#20 Tony Stewart: As long as he can stay clear of Denny Hamlin…

#24 Jeff Gordon: See “Matt Kenseth”.

#29 Kevin Harvick: Kevin “Chicagoland” Harvick won the first two races at this track and kicked butt last night in the Busch race. Harvick not finishing in the top ten this week would completely shock me.

#48 Jimmie Johnson: See “Jeff Gordon” and “Matt Kenseth”.

Who Will Win?: I’m going with RCR over HMS this week. Harvick is going to roll over the field.

Dark Horse: Matt Kenseth isn’t much of a Dark Horse, but I’m not sure even he will have enough for Harvick. But, if Harvick loses to anyone, it will be Kenseth.

Agree, disagree? Post your comments, and thanks for reading!
Robert Rhodes
Nascar Talk Online Writer
robert.rhodes@451press.net

NASCAR, USG Sheetrock 400, Chicagoland, Mark Martin, Martin Truex Jr., Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ryan Newman, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson

My Yahoo Fantasy Auto Racing Picks:

Jimmie Johnson
Denny Hamlin
Mark Martin
J.J. Yeley

My ESPN Stock Car Challenge Team:

Jimmie Johnson
Denny Hamlin
Mark Martin
Martin Truex Jr.
Casey Mears

My ESPN Driver Pick Em’ Picks:

Matt Kenseth
Tony Stewart
Jeff Gordon
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Martin Truex Jr.
Ryan Newman
Carl Edwards
J.J. Yeley
Casey Mears
Dave Blaney
Tiebreaker: 5

If you play these games, please post your picks.

NASCAR, Fantasy, ESPN, YAHOO, Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Mark Martin, J.J. Yeley, Martin Truex Jr., Casey Mears, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman, David Ragan, Reed Sorenson, Tony Stewart

The Stats

Max Starting Field: 43
Total Entered: 49
Total Entered Out of Top 35 w/ No Champ. Provs.:13
Total That Will Not Make The Race: 6

Who’s At Risk:

David Reutimann
Ward Burton
Scott Riggs
Paul Menard
Dave Blaney
Jeremy Mayfield
Kevin Lepage
Dale Jarrett
Chad Chafiin
Michael Waltrip
Kenny Wallace
Brian Vickers
AJ Allmendinger

Who I Think Will Go Home:

AJ Allmendinger
Michael Waltrip
Chad Chafiin
Kevin Lepage
Dave Blaney
Paul Menard

Please comment on who you think will go home.

David Reutimann, Ward Burton, Scott Riggs, Paul Menard, Dave Blaney, Jeremy Mayfield, Kevin Lepage, Dale Jarrett, Chad Chafiin, Michael Waltrip, Kenny Wallace, Brian Vickers, AJ Allmendinger, NASCAR, USG Sheetrock 400, Chicagoland, Chicago

I have decided to set a for sure schedule for my weekly posts. This way, I have set in my mind exactly what I need to get done the night before in case I have to work in the morning. Also, this will give my readers a schedule to go by.

Who Will Go Home?: Morning of Qualifying. (Usually Friday)

My Fantasy Picks: Day before the race. (Usually Saturday)

The Top Ten: Race day. (Usually Sunday)

This Week’s Winners & Losers: Day after the race. (Usually Monday)

The other days, I will be making at least one “My Thoughts” posts on the latest NASCAR News.

Thanks,
Rob Rhodes
NASCAR Talk Online Writer
robert.rhodes@451press.net

First off, sorry for the lack of posts lately. Work has been killing me. Now, on to this week’s race…

Who Will Finish In The Top Ten:

#1 Martin Truex Jr.: Although he has an average finish of 20th at New Hampshire, he qualified 9th and has been getting it done on the track this year.

#2 Kurt Busch: Two wins and 5 Top Tens in 12 starts at New Hampshire….Need I say more?

#8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: I’m looking for both DEI Jr’s to get a top 5 this week.

#11 Denny Hamlin: 2nd again?

#12 Ryan Newman: Newman has finished in the top 10 7 times and has won twice.

#17 Matt Kenseth: Although he starts 30th, pit strategy can get him to the top ten.

#20 Tony Stewart: Smoke can better his starting spot by 4 and finish in the top ten.

#24 Jeff Gordon: Jeff Gordon…HMS….COT….Enough said. Not having his Crew Chief won’t hurt a thing.

#31 Jeff Burton: Four wins, more than any active driver.

#48 Jimmie Johnson: See “Jeff Gordon”.

Who Will Win? Going by stats, I’m going with Jeff Burton.

Dark Horse: OK, he’s not in my Top Ten list, but I’m picking Carl Edwards as my Dark Horse. The reason he’s not on the list above is I think he’ll either win or finish outside the top ten.

It’s time for the first of two road courses in the NEXTEL Cup Series. Not only is the track different, but you will see a few different names in the lineup, and in the top 10.

Who Will Finish In The Top Ten:

#1 Martin Truex Jr.: He starts 18th, but has won a road course race in the Busch Series. Based on his performance this season, I see him having a good run this week.

#7 Robby Gordon: One of two weeks you will see this name on my list. But you can’t bet against this man’s road course skills.

#8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Would he be on my list if he hadn’t qualified so well? Most likely not. With the road course talent in the field, he has little chance of winning, but I still thing he’ll finish in the top ten.

#20 Tony Stewart: Two wins and an average finish of 10.5, nothing more to say.

#24 Jeff Gordon: OK, he starts 41st, but come on. This is Jeff Gordon at Sonoma. Five wins and an average finish of 8th. If anyone can come up through the field at this track, it’s Gordon.

#26 Jamie McMurray: He did get the pole. I don’t think he’ll keep the top spot, but he will stay in the top ten.

#42 Juan Montoya: Not a great starting position, but that is just more cars he’ll have to wreck to get to the front.

#43 Bobby Labonte: A long shot? Maybe. But he did qualify well.

#60 Boris Said: Short of his hair getting in his eyes and blocking his view, he’s going to run very well this week.

#96 Ron Fellows: Another road course specialist in the field that will show the Cup boys how to turn right.

Who Will Win?: Man, this one is tough! I can see 6 of the 10 drivers above winning this race. I’m going with Boris Said to win it though.

Dark Horse: It’s tough calling Jeff Gordon a Dark Horse at Sonoma, but he is starting further back than any winner has ever started. But like I said, if anyone can do it, it’s Jeff Gordon.

Martin Truex Jr., Robby Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jamie McMurray, Juan Montoya, Bobby Labonte, Ron Fellows, Boris Said, NASCAR, Sonoma, Sears Point, Infinion, Toyota/Save Mart 350

Sorry for no posts lately. We had a storm roll through here that knocked out the power and caused some issues with my PC. I am back now and everything is fine. I will be posted again later this evening and in the morning.

Well, after 52 races, my driver, Carl Edwards makes his way to victory lane. Is he the biggest winner this week? Read on, and find out.

This Week’s Winner: I know Carl broke a 52 winless streak, but I think Michael Waltrip is the biggest winner this week. Not only did he make it into the field on time, but he finished in the top ten! Way to go Mikey!

This Week’s Loser: It’s gotta be Jimmie Johnson. His bad luck continued this week when he ran out of fuel while running in the top 5.

NASCAR, Michigan, Citizens Bank 400, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Michael Waltrip

It’s that time of the week again when I pick who I think will finish in the top ten in the next NEXTEL Cup Series race. The Cup boys head to Michigan this week, where Ford and Dodge have dominated the last couple of years.

#01 Mark Martin: Mark has 4 wins at Michigan and has had a strong season. The only thing that could hurt him this time at this track is that he is driving a Chevy. Chevrolet has been that great at Michigan the last few years.

#1 Martin Truex Jr.: Another Chevy driver that could break Ford and Dodge’s streak at Michigan. DEI’s new star starts 8th, so expect him to be fighting for the win at the end.

#8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: I think Dale Jr. will be running a lot better the rest of the year now that he knows where he’ll be driving in 2008. That pressure is now off his shoulders.

#9 Kasey Kahne: Yes, he starts 36th, but it’s not hard to pass at Michigan, and Kasey knows his way around this track. He will work his way to the top ten.

#11 Denny Hamlin: The only thing that beat Hamlin last week was the rain. I expect him to bring some momentum from Pocono and have a great run.

#12 Ryan Newman: He came close to getting another pole this week, and has been running well the last few weeks. He starts 4th and his Dodge should run strong all day.

#17 Matt Kenseth: Matt has 2 wins and an average finish of 7.9 at Michigan. The only thing that will keep him from finishing in the top ten is a wreck.

#24 Jeff Gordon: Another driver that has a good chance of breaking Chevy’s bad streak at Michigan.

#48 Jimmie Johnson: It seams when this team has some back luck, they come back very strong. So, expect Johnson to run well this week.

#99 Carl Edwards: Carl is on a winless streak that could be broken this week.

Who Will Win: There are so many that could win this race, but I’m going with Matt Kenseth. He has a great record at Michigan and has been unbelievable this year.

Dark Horse: Carl Edwards, without a doubt.

NASCAR, Citizens Bank 400, Michigan, Mark Martin, Martin Truex Jr., Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Ford, Dodge, Chevy, Chevrolet, DEI