Shake, Rattle And Roll

Well, week 13 and we are finally making some changes. After a dismal fortieth place finish in the Coca-Cola 600, Jr will be getting a new crew chief. I'm not sure this was the proper move, but it was a move and that's better than anything they have done all year. The other 3 Hendrick teams have all posted wins this year, with Mark Martin winning twice. The 24, 48, and 5 are all in the top 12 in points, while Jr rides in a disappointing 19th.
I don't know, maybe this change will shake things up and get Jr that first win this year. And maybe we will get many more also!

I never thought I would say this, but....

Congratulations Jeff Gordon! (Anyone but Kyle Busch, right?) Bad calls, and nearly getting wrecked by the aforementioned Busch, caused Jr to not have a very good day. One day, I hope soon, that team is gonna get it right and they are gonna be hard to beat.
But anyway, in case no one has noticed, the number 24 DuPont/National Guard Chevrolet is pounding the competition. Kinda reminiscent of the Jeff Gordon of old. Looks like the "Drive for Five" is on.
Jimmie finished second, and Mark Martin finished sixth. Brad Keselowski ran a fifth Hendrick car and finished a respectable twenty-third. Tony Stewart came in fourth, proving that no matter how new the team is, if the driver can drive, he can run good.
Anyway, we are off this weekend for Easter, but the next race will be in Phoenix, our first night race of the year. Oh, yeah. I love it!

First Break

Well, we are four races in and this is our first off week. No one is racing this weekend. I'm not sure I like it very much when we don't have any racing.
Anyway, it has been a weird season so far. David Reutimann and Brian Vickers are in the top 12 in points. And up until this past weekend in Atlanta so was Michael Waltrip. Bill Elliot has had the fastest car in practice a couple of times. And Mark Martin won his first pole in over 250 races.
Jimmie Johnson and Dale Jr, (as well as Mark Martin) are on the outside looking in. While I have no doubt all four Hendrick drivers will make the chase, some things are gonna have to get better. Malfunctioning parts are only an excuse for so long. Teams need to work a little better together and get more focused on the task at hand, which is winning.
On a bright note, Jeff Gordon is leading the points and looking like the Jeff Gordon of the 90's. Tony Stewart and his new team are also doing well, despite Ryan Newman's problems.
Oh well, Bristol is in a week and things should get a good shaking up there. It should be fun to watch!!

Daytona

Well, since I am two months behind, I will not attempt to go into more driver profiles.
This week was the first week of the 2009 race season, and it started off with a bang. Kevin Harvick came from nowhere to win the Bud Shootout. Then, of all people Bill Elliot led two practices. Yes you just read that right, "Awesome" Bill was the fastest car on the track....twice!! Go Bill!!
Anyway, truck racing was awesome as usual, I am not a Todd Bodine fan, but anybody winning besides Kyle Busch is good.
Tony Stewart is back in a Chevy. And winning. He held off Kyle Busch on the last lap to take the checkers for the second year in a row.
Tomorrow is the Daytona 500. I won't do this for every race, but I am going to make a little prediction for the race.
1. Mark Martin
2-6. The rest of the Hendrick cars, plus the two Stewart-Haas cars
7-10. Look for Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Kasey Kahne, and David Ragan to round out the top ten.
My personal belief is that the Toyotas will not be as strong this year as they were last year.