Qualifying Rained Out @ Pocono, Stewart Has Pole

Qualifying was rained out at Pocono today so Tony Stewart will be starting on the pole, with Jimmy Johnson starting right next to him. I told my buddy Tom today that my choice for the weekend is Denny Hamlin since he won both events last year but my real hope is that Tony can lead from start to finish. We'll see.

Juan Pablo Montoya--No Whining in NASCAR

Okay, Juan Pablo, you screwed up. Your team gave you a great pit stop when you needed it. You didn't need to speed into and out of the pits. You lead all day by 5 seconds or more. You just screwed up, so own up to it and shut up. You are a great race car driver, but whining is unbecoming. When you are a winner, and a consistent leader, you don't make these mistakes. Practice going up and down pit road a bit more so you don't make this mistake again.

Jimmy Johnson Wins The Brickyard 400

Jimmie Johnson won The Brickyard 400 yesterday in Indianapolis, Indiana. Cream rises to the top and Jimmie is certainly the cream of NASCAR racing. And, the Hendrick team is the best by so far it isn't even funny. Mark Martin was second, Tony Stewart was third (using a lot of Hendrick equipment), and Jeff Gordon was 9th. Add in Ryan Newman (again, Stewart's second car, and another quasi Hendrick car), in 14th, and you have 5 of 6 Hendrick cars in the top 15. In the season-long standings, Tony the Tiger is first, "Superman" Jimmie Johnson (what Mark Martin called him after Johnson won yesterday) is second, Jeff Gordon is third, Ryan Newman is seventh, and Markie Mark Martin is ninth. The only one missing is Jr. and he is mired back in the pack. Pretty amazing performance for Hendrick and Chevrolet.

Carl Edwards wins Kroger 200 Nationwide Race

Carl Edwards started 42nd, raced through the field, and won the Kroger 200 Saturday night in Indianapolis. After the race he said he thinks the fields should be inverted with the fastest cars starting in the back. That is the way most short tracks start their fields for the feature races, with the season-long points leaders in the back. Most often, barring some misfortune, the cream rises to the top, and the fastest cars/drivers make it to the front by the end of the 30 lap feature. Interesting idea.

Kyle Busch finished second, after starting 41st.

Brickyard 400 tomorrow.

Mark Martin Wins Pole for Brickyard 400!

Mark Martin won the pole today for tomorrow's Brickyard 400. What a season he is having! Jr. will start 3rd, one of his best qualifying rounds in a long time, despite him having a bad stomach virus. And, Awesome Bill from Dawsonville will start 4th. Would be amazing to see him win a big race one more time. He can certainly still wheel it around a track. Hopefully the race will be exciting tomorrow.

Kenseth Loses Sponsor Dewalt Tools

Matt Kenseth and Roush/Fenwick racing will be losing Dewalt Tools as their primary sponsor at the end of this season.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2009-07-23-dewalt-kenseth_N.htm

Will probably be a pattern. We will probably see more cars next year with no major sponsorship, and local sponsorship for a race or two, think "Dave's Lawn Care" on one fender and "Bob's BP Service Station on another!

Also see Brickyard attendance is going to be way down this year. So, if you are in the Indy area, go over and buy a ticket.

Dave

Mark Martin Wins for 4th Time in 2009

Opps, said last night Mark won for the 3rd time in 2009. Actually, Mark has one 4 times this year, the most of any Sprint Cup driver. Great for Mark and his Hendrick team.