The Official Race Thread

[Little Whiskey]

It was a valiant effort, LW, but I don't know that you were successful in converting me into a fan.

In fact, when does the PBA tour start?

(Sadly, perhaps, I already know the answer to that question!)

P.S. I do hate Jr. and Gordon, though. So maybe you consider that a small victory??

are your following all of the indoctrination rules, fc???? if not then you are not trying hard enough!!

i know it is tough now that the pack is playing, but that is why they invented pic. in pic, or better yet two tv's in the living room. my wife hates it too but its that or sit at the local tavern all afternoon..........on second thought maybe i should make my wife happy!!!! the tavern might not be a bad idea, besides i could drink those rockstar mixers and not feel the effect.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Kenseth `survives' Martinsville to take Chase lead
By MATT KENSETH, For The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- I survived Martinsville Speedway, and that's really all we were hoping to do.

We unloaded on Friday and just never could get the car good enough to really compete. We had a car that was about a 20th to 25th-place car, but we did everything else right and were able to pull out a good finish. Robbie Reiser called a great race and the guys were excellent all day in the pits.

If you would have told me last week that we would go to Martinsville and finish 11th, I think my reply would've been, ``I hope so.'' All we were looking to do on Sunday was break even and not lose any ground in the Chase. We ended up in better shape than we had planned on, that's for sure, by taking over the points lead.

It's all down to these last four races and after everything that's happened I feel that we're in pretty good shape and fortunate to be in the position we're in. It's been a sloppy Chase in general, especially for us. I don't think our performance has been near what it was in the first two-thirds of the season, but we still have the points lead and the next four tracks, historically, have been good to us.

Three of the next four races are on mile-and-a-half tracks, and in the past that's been one of our strengths. However, we haven't looked too good in the last two races on those types of tracks, at Lowe's and at Kansas.

At Kansas, we were just bad and at Lowe's we were fast but made too many mistakes. If we're going to have a shot at the title, we have to step up our performance on the 1.5 milers.

Everyone has had trouble in the Chase. I think the reason we're on top right now is because we've had less trouble than the rest. But, it's going to take more than that to win this thing.

Somebody over the next four races is going to step it up, go out and knock off several top-five finishes. Whoever can do that will probably win the title. Hopefully, we're ready to respond and be that team that can go out there, contend for wins, run up front and get the job done in these last four races.

Kenseth's Q&A with AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer:

Q: You left Martinsville on top of the standings with a 36-point lead over Kevin Harvick. How does it feel to be the points leader?

A: ``I don't know. I guess I feel fortunate to be leading considering how we ran the first six. But I don't have that much confidence right now. I haven't been running nearly as good as we were before the Chase started. But we have some really good tracks for us coming up, and if we can perform like we did in the first part of the year, I know we'd have a good shot. But if we run the way we have the last few weeks, I don't think we have much of a chance.''

Q: You sound pretty negative -- maybe discouraged is the better word -- and yet you are the points leader despite not running as well as you would have liked. What's your problem? And don't you like your chances at all?

A: ``I've just been pretty disappointed with how the Chase has gone for us because we were so strong before it started. All I can do is put it behind me and just try to start over with these four races to go. I've thought all along that if we can stay within 50 points of the lead, our chances are as good as anybody. But I know it's going to be tough to beat the 48 (Jimmie Johnson). He's been so close the last few years, and he's the only one of us able to click off wins like they are nothing. So we'll just have to see if we can get back to running like we were and compete for this thing.''

Q: I understand you used this week to get away and clear your head a little bit. What are you up to?

A: ``I'm going fishing in the Bahamas with five friends. It's pretty cool, the first time we've ever been able to all get together for a trip like this. We'll be fishing for whatever bites, tuna or something, I guess. But it doesn't have anything to do with the Chase and trying to get away from it. It really was just timing -- it was late in hurricane season, and when my friends could all get off work. It just so happens to fall now, but I do think it will be relaxing.''

Q: So noted motorcycle builder Paul Yafee gave you a custom-made bike before the race in Martinsville. I know you like to ride, and I bet you have a bunch of bikes. Do you wear a helmet? What did you think of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger not wearing a helmet?

A: ``The bike he built me was pretty cool, and I'm embarrassed to admit that I now have five or six. But (wife) Katie rides with me and we enjoy it. I absolutely always wear a helmet, even though if the state doesn't mandate it you do have a choice. But in the case of Roethlisberger, I know it was legal for him not to wear one, but a lot of kids probably look up to him and that's not the message he should be sending. And it almost ended his career. I'm sure he thinks twice about not wearing one now.''

Q: How did fantasy football go last week?

A: ``Not good. I lost 50-44 to Dave McDonald, the shock specialist. It was my second straight loss, and I'm now in a four-way tie for fifth place.''

[Little Whiskey]

Its that time of year again. the daytona 500 is next weekend, with the twin duels to take place this week. I figured i should dust off this thread.

some story lines to follow this year.

-Dale Jr. to leave DEI?
-how will toyota do?
-tweeks to the points and chase, good or bad?
-car of tomorrow in select races?
-will Kenseth win his 2nd championship?

[digitaldean]

Its that time of year again. the daytona 500 is next weekend, with the twin duels to take place this week. I figured i should dust off this thread.

some story lines to follow this year.

-Dale Jr. to leave DEI?
-how will toyota do?
-tweeks to the points and chase, good or bad?
-car of tomorrow in select races?
-will Kenseth win his 2nd championship?

In the order you have them:
1.) No, I think that it will get resolved, but it could be a HUGE distraction the whole season.
2.) I think Toyota will do OK this year, but I don't think they will qualify all their cars for Daytona. (highest qualifier was 15th and Jarrett will have to use his champion's exemption to get in).
3.) I dislike the additional drivers that can get into the Chase, and I think those who finished in the top 5 should be rewarded higher than just getting an extra 5-10 points.
4.) Car of tomorrow...I don't really know enough about to comment on. But I have read there have been grumblings about it from some teams.
5.) I think he has an excellent shot. The possible penalty of Reiser getting suspended (due to car failing inspection) hurts him in the early going.

[HarveyWallbangers]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?...yhoo&type=lgns

Under the radar

Once again, as goes Matt Kenseth, so goes Ford. Kenseth was Ford's highest finisher, coming home ninth. It would be a tremendous mistake to underestimate this team's ability to win this year's title. Their strengths far exceed their weaknesses.

Matt quietly goes about his business and wins races, the same way he won his championship a few years back. He seldom makes mistakes and has a near permanent presence in the top 10. He is the only driver to have completed every lap this season. A true mix of talent and intelligence behind the wheel, Matt Kenseth is one of the best drivers I ever competed against. His title hopes could increase if there is depth added to Ford's weekly performance. Considering Chevrolet's dominance in 2007, Kenseth's current position of second in the standings confirms the risk of underestimating this driver or team.

[BallHawk]

Every time I see this thread I always think it's a political thread about ethnic backgrounds.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Here's a race post in the race thread. Kind of interesting to read that Reggie White was looking to become a team owner for a minority driver.

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/column...t&lid=tab5pos2

NASCAR playing catch-up in its Drive for Diversity
By Terry Blount

INDIANAPOLIS -- Where is NASCAR's Lewis Hamilton?

If Formula One can find a talented black driver and make him a winner, why can't NASCAR?

Those questions came up in light of Hamilton's victory last weekend in the Canadian Grand Prix, when he became the first black driver to win an F1 event.

Hamilton will compete in his first U.S. Grand Prix Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. F1 officials were concerned how this season would go without seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, who retired after the 2006 season.

No need to worry. Outside of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s contract saga, Hamilton is the talk of the racing world.

NASCAR officials say they desperately want a driver like Hamilton who can win at the Nextel Cup level, but it's still a long way from becoming a reality.

Forty-three drivers will start the Cup race Sunday at Michigan -- 42 Caucasian American men and one South American male (Juan Pablo Montoya).

No African-Americans, no Hispanic Americans, no Asians and no women. Not exactly the picture of diversity.

NASCAR officials all say they hate it and they're doing everything they can to change it. But four years into NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program, the sport remains a long way from reaching its diversity goals.

"People ask us when we're going to get our Tigers Woods,'' said Andrew Giangola, NASCAR's director of business communications. "We don't know. This isn't going to happen overnight, but we're doing all we can to make it happen."

Giangola works in New York at NASCAR's Manhattan offices.

"I'm in my fifth year here now," Giangola said. "I can tell you that literally every sponsor meeting we have includes the topic of diversity. And in almost every marketing meeting, diversity is discussed. Diversity now is ingrained as part of our business."

But it has yet to show on the racetrack. The Indy Racing League has Danica Patrick and two other women -- Sarah Fisher and Milka Duno -- in the usual 20-car field for an IndyCar Series event.

The series also has three South American drivers -- Helio Castroneves, Vitor Meira and Tony Kanaan, along with Japanese racer Kosuke Matsuura.

IRL president Brian Barnhart was asked why they've had more success with diversity than NASCAR.

"That's tough to respond to because I don't know enough about how they do it," Barnhart said. "What we try to do is create opportunities for drivers by encouraging more participation.

"But Indy-car racing is a bit of a different animal. Just by running more road races and street races we appeal to different people. And the Indy 500 always has been somewhat of an international sweepstakes. The dynamic itself is more diverse."

That's certainly true for F1, which now has Hamilton, the first black racer in the history of the sport.

Hamilton is leading the F1 standings entering Sunday's race. He could become the first rookie to win the championship.

But Hamilton didn't reach F1 through any diversity program. His father started him in go-kart racing at age 6. Hamilton met McLaren team owner Ron Dennis when he was 10, and Dennis signed him to a developmental deal when he was 13.

Nine years later, after much success at lower levels, Hamilton is being touted as the best rookie in F1 history.

NASCAR hopes to find its Hamilton through a similar route. The goal isn't to put a diversity driver in a car and have that person run 30th every week.

That's been done. The goal is to develop young drivers who can win at the Cup level.

"Nobody is going to start racing at age 21 and be successful in the Cup series," said Ramsey Poston, NASCAR director of corporate communications. "Whether they are black, white or brown, all successful drivers started by the age of 10, and most were racing cars by the time they were 6 or 7."

The NASCAR diversity program is designed to find those kids and help them move up.

Former NBA player Brad Daugherty was one of the founders of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program. He helped develop the program with NASCAR chairman Brian France.

Daugherty was one of the first African-Americans to own a team in NASCAR, fielding entries in the Craftsman Truck Series.

"I can tell you with all sincerity this is something NASCAR officials desperately want to make work," Daugherty said. "But it's a very difficult thing to do."

Daugherty believes NASCAR is headed in the right direction, but he also realizes the D for D program has its critics.

"The typical investment in each of these kids is about $150,000," said Daugherty, a NASCAR analyst for ESPN. "I realize that's a significant amount of money, but it's not enough. It takes a lot more to get a kid from the grassroots level to become contender for a Nextel Cup ride."

Daugherty said he told Brian France that it would take a bigger investment if NASCAR hoped to get a diversity driver to the Cup level quickly. But is it NASCAR's responsibility to finance diversity drivers?

"It's a difficult question," Daugherty said. "The cost to run a full season competitively at the Grand National level is about $750,000 a year. But is it fair for NASCAR to spend the money to help along the diversity kids and not other deserving young racers?"

NASCAR's position on subsidizing drivers is clear.

"Absolutely not," Poston said. "We don't sponsor drivers. As a sanctioning body, that's not fair and it's not the right thing to do. What we're doing is building a system where these kids can succeed. We are the bridge."

NASCAR is so sensitive about the appearance of any impropriety that it has an independent firm -- Access Marketing -- run the diversity program.

"Imagine if we funded a driver from start to finish and he became a Nextel Cup champion?" Giangola said. "How would all the other drivers feel about that?"

NASCAR officials say their mission is to get sponsors and team owners to foot the bill by buying into the concept that diversity is good for everyone.

NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace is doing it. He signed Chase Austin, a 17-year-old African-American and one of the top young racers in the country. Austin races in the Grand National East Series for Wallace, who also owns a Busch team. His son, Steve, is a rookie driver for that team.

Maybe the best example of a Cup team that embraces the diversity effort is Joe Gibbs Racing. JGR has two of the top diversity candidates -- Marc Davis and Aric Almirola -- in its development program.

"We started it five or six years ago with [former NFL star] Reggie White," said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR. "We had a goal of using diversity drivers, Almirola at the time, and have them move up to Busch and eventually Cup with Reggie as the team owner."

White died before that dream became a reality. But Almirola, a Hispanic racer from Tampa, now races in the Busch Series for JGR.

"We realized a long time ago it was the right thing to do," Gibbs said of JGR's diversity effort. "It just makes sense. For NASCAR to continue to grow, you need kids from all backgrounds to feel passionate about it."

Davis, who is black, represents what NASCAR wants to see. He's 17 and has raced at various levels since he was 7. His father, Harry Davis, believes Marc can become a successful driver in Cup.

"I call Marc my million-dollar baby," Davis said. "But it's not what you think. What I mean is it's going to cost us $1 million over 10 years to get him where he wants to go."

Davis is a retired network news cameraman who has guided his son's career. He said NASCAR's diversity program isn't perfect, but people shouldn't view it as the ultimate solution.

"No one entity will do it," Davis said. "Drive for Diversity is one part of it. But anyone who depends on that to get them there isn't going to make it. That's a short vision. You bet on the wrong thing.

"It's a tool among 100 other tools. It's a building block, but it's not a be-all end-all. You have to go into it knowing it has limitations. The program has some baggage. It has gone through some growing pains."

Davis gave an example of the system's flaws.

"If a team owner gets $150,000 for a diversity program kid, he might take $75,000 for overhead and leave only $75,000 to run the program," Davis said. "I know that has happened. I've seen it.

"And the equipment a kid has in the diversity program isn't good enough to compete at the level they are trying to compete."

Despite the problems, Davis has no beef with the D for D program. It got his son noticed and got him the deal with Gibbs.

Gibbs also has 17-year-old Joey Logano, who many in NASCAR believe is the best teenage racer in America. He defeated Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick in a late-model race at Iowa Speedway a few weeks ago.

Logano is white. Logano and Davis have raced each other since they were in grade school. JGR is investing more than $750,000 each in Logano and Davis.

Logano has three victories this season in the Grand National East Series and Davis has three top-5s. Both drivers could move up to the Busch Series next year when they turn 18, depending on sponsorship.

Harry Davis believes both drivers will make it to the Cup level in the next five years, but their impact won't be the same.

"Joey Logano is going to be a Cup driver like Tony Stewart or Jeff Gordon," Davis said. "That's great, but Marc is going to change the sport."

Davis said Joe Gibbs gave him an example of how big Marc can become.

J.D. Gibbs took over JGR when his father went back to coaching the Washington Redskins, but Joe still oversees the operation.

"Coach Gibbs wants to do with Marc what he did with Doug Williams,'' Davis said.

Williams was the first black quarterback to play in a Super Bowl, guiding the Redskins to a 42-10 victory over Denver in 1988.

"Coach Gibbs says Marc can change NASCAR," Davis said. "Marc making it to Cup can increase NASCAR's gross revenues by 20 percent if he becomes the first winning minority driver. He will broaden the fan base."

Marc Davis already has sponsorship from Howard University, a predominantly black college in Washington, D.C.

"JGR's job is to train Marc to become the best racer he can be," Davis said. "My job is to make sure he has the financial backing he needs."

NASCAR won't bankroll a driver, but J.D. Gibbs believes NASCAR gets criticized unfairly on the diversity issue.

"I know for a fact that NASCAR officials really want this to happen," Gibbs said. "And no one wants to see this succeed more than Brian [France].

"But it's very expensive, and it's not NASCAR's job to hand out money to drivers. NASCAR's job is to make sure everyone has an equal opportunity on a level playing field. It's a slippery slope if they start writing checks to one driver over another one."

Making it to the upper levels of NASCAR, or any major racing league, is all about money. Lots of money.

That's the problem for any young racer, but it also shrinks the pool of diversity candidates.

"We're at a disadvantage," Poston said. "Unlike stick-and-ball sports, NASCAR doesn't have the luxury of billions of dollars in publicly funded programs with the infrastructure in schools."

Parents have to get kids started in a racing program, and it isn't cheap. Even a used quarter-midget car costs over $1,500.

Harry Davis knows well the sacrifice a parent must make to become successful in racing.

"I'm the first to tell you it's a financial drain and a burden most families can't do," Davis said. "But it isn't NASCAR's responsibility to do it."

Not everyone would agree. Some people feel NASCAR isn't doing enough to bring more women and minorities into the sport.

Eddie Gossage, the president of Texas Motor Speedway, says people frequently tell him NASCAR should spend more of its enormous profits to advance diversity.

"We all want to do this," Gossage said. "But the truth is we don't really know how. I know this: You can't just throw money at it. That won't solve the problem. We're talking about a cultural change here. You have to make racing at dirt tracks across America popular in minority families."

Giangola said that's one of the goals of NASCAR's diversity effort.

"It's a challenge, but we're working on it," he said. "We have to develop a rooting interest. The goal is to make stock car racing culturally acceptable to minority kids."

More girls and minority kids are racing at the grassroots level than ever before, but it's still a small number.

"I would say it's way less than 10 percent," Davis said. "There are pockets that have more in places like California, but in some places like Ohio and Pennsylvania, it's almost all white kids."

There's a limited pool of diversity drivers, and that number drops significantly when trying to find candidates with the talent to reach the upper levels of racing.

"Like any other sport, most people fail and don't get to the highest level." Poston said. "And remember, we only have 43 slots for drivers at the top level. That's less than one NFL team."

Gibbs said finding a driver who can make it in Cup is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

"For anyone looking for young drivers, no matter who they are, you always have a high rate of turnover," Gibbs said. "You have no way of knowing whether a kid is really good until you see them race for a while.

"Team owners want to win. They don't care whether you're white, brown, black or purple. If they believe you can win, you'll be in the car. But even if you're Hispanic and African-American, no one cares unless you're really good. And if you are that good, it's still a long process to get to the top level."

Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR's director of public affairs, said NASCAR works diligently to find those young diversity candidates.

"We cast as broad a net as possible," Jadotte said. "We reach out to the local tracks to help us identify talent. We have people calling dirt tracks across America to locate these kids. And kids or their parents can submit résumés to the D for D program."

NASCAR holds a combine each fall where 20 to 30 of the top diversity candidates test their racing skills in front of team owners.

Some of those kids move into the diversity program. Some do well, some don't.

For Joe Henderson, it didn't work out. He left the diversity program after two years after he and his father said it wasn't possible to succeed.

But Jesus Hernandez is running well (four top-5s) in the same equipment Henderson criticized at Ginn Racing. Hernandez, 26, has done so well that Allstate Insurance now is sponsoring his car.

NASCAR officials say that's how it has to work -- sponsors and team owners investing in a future where the starting grid will look much different than it looks today.

"We tell every potential sponsor to invest some of the money they would give us into the diversity program," Poston said. "It's the right thing to do and it will make the sport better."

But NASCAR isn't there yet. Its Lewis Hamilton hasn't arrived.

"We're creating opportunities for talented young diversity drivers to reach the top of the sport and be successful," Jadotte said. "But I can't give you a definitive timeline. The part of the equation that's missing isn't money, it's time. It's just a matter of time."

[Little Whiskey]

looks like kenseth didn't do very well. i wasn't able to watch the race this weekend in Michigan, but looks like he was involved in an early race wreck. it was his first DNF of the season. until today's race, i think he was the only drive to finish every lap. it was nice to hear that edwards won. only the second non-chevy to win this year. kenseth was the other.

waltrip finished tenth. kinda surprising, since this was only his third race. i imagine his car will be throughly inspected....two or three times!

[HarveyWallbangers]

Matt and some others got caught up in a wreck between Jeff Green and Ryan Newman. To me, it looked like Green was at fault. Matt and some others just happened to be coming up behind the wreck.

[BallHawk]

Bump

[Little Whiskey]

but maybe he doesn't have as good of a team or car.

to keep to the original thread. this quote is from the other thread.

LL2, kenseth has a better team, but a worse car. if you look at which mfg is dominating this year it is the chevys. i think they did a much better job getting ready for the "car of tomorrow". the only ford driver that is having a decent year is kenseth, and i think that is a testiment to his team.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Another Packers fan among the NASCAR drivers--even though he's from California. I'll have to root for him.

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/head...son/index.html

Sunday's telecast of the Super Bowl may attract as many as 100 million viewers, but there's at least one regular on the NASCAR circuit who won't be watching.

A California native, but an ardent cheesehead when it comes to NFL football, Sprint Cup driver A.J. Allmendinger has seen his last pro football game of the season, after watching his beloved Green Bay Packers lose to the New York Giants in the NFC championship game...

[HarveyWallbangers]

Randy Moss = future NASCAR owner?

Patriots' Moss hopes to race trucks with new motor group

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. -- New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss announced the formation of Moss Motorsports, LLC, and said Tuesday he hopes to have a team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series by the end of this year.

Moss said his goal is for the team to debut at selected races in the second half of the 2008 season, with a full-time schedule in 2009. Currently, the team has no driver, manufacturer or sponsors lined up.

"We don't have all of the details in place just yet, but I am very excited about Moss Motorsports becoming a part of NASCAR," he said. "I am by nature a very competitive person and this is an outlet for me to compete at another level.

"There are some pretty awesome challenges in building a program like this from the ground up, but I am looking forward to it."

[HarveyWallbangers]

Well, Matt is back on track after several early season wrecks--most of which (maybe all) weren't his fault. I believe he has three straight top 10 finishes. I think the #12 spot for the chase (now occupied by Kasey Kahne) will end up being Matt's spot. Another Wisconsin kid is doing well. Travis Kvapil is 18th in the standings driving for an inferior team, Yates Racing--although Yates is better now that Roush is supplying them equipment.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Matt's been on quite a streak. Moved from 22nd (and looking like he wouldn't make the chase) to #8 over the last 10 weeks or so. He has 9 top eight finishes in his last 10 races, and took 18th in the other race.

Another Packers fan from an unlikely place. I'll have to root for this guy, A.J. Allmendinger from California:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;...yhoo&type=lgns

Outside of racing, I love the NFL. My favorite team/man crush is Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers, so I’m pretty interested in what’s going on right now.

I’m pretty biased, but I want Favre to come back. I wasn’t ready for him to retire yet. It put a pretty emotional hurt on me when it happened. Unfortunately, the day he retired was the day I was told Mike Skinner was going to replace me for five races in the 84 car.

It all happened within about 30 minutes. I was at the Phoenix test when I got the phone call that they were putting Mike in the car. Then, as I was about to get in the car, one of my crew guys said, “Hey, Favre just retired.” I was like, “That’s not even funny.”

I thought they were joking with me and I made it clear that I wasn’t amused. Then I saw it online and, well, that hurt. Honestly, it was up for debate as to which hurt more – me getting replaced or Brett retiring.

I kind of figured I would get back in the car again, but I didn’t think I would ever see Brett play again. But I think he’s looking good. I’ve watched the video of him training. I think he should come back, and the Packers are stupid if they don’t take him.

I really started getting into the Packers when Brett took over. I just loved the way he played the game. I mean, he’s not out there showboating. He’s out there just for the love of the game, the love of winning.

I love his attitude. The guy could throw six picks in a row and on that seventh pass he’ll cock his arm back and throw it in there again. He never gives up.

I try to incorporate that attitude into my life. I think you have to.

[digitaldean]

Thanks for bumping this up Harv.

Sure would be great for #17 to get at least ONE win before the Chase.

Frickin' Busch has been hard to beat this season. He has caught some breaks re: cautions, etc., but he's made the most of them.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Yeah, and friggin' forgot A.J. was a Packers fan. I forgot I had posted he was a Packers previously. Senility, I guess.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Well, Matt thinks the Packers made the right choice at QB.


http://mattkenseth.com/AskMatt/AskMatt.html

Q. Now that the season is over for the Packers, do you think they made a good choice with their new quarterback Aaron Rodgers?
Rusty Stover, Marshall, Ill.

A. I really do, I think Aaron Rodgers exceeded most people’s expectations. I think the offense will be really great for years with him under center.

[Little Whiskey]

Kenseth Misses the Chase (Nascar Playoffs) for the first time.

On a positive note, Kyle Busch also didn't make it, but Mark Martin did.