I will make this post short and direct. I have a personal vacation planned between today (which is now Saturday, May 6th) until a week from today (Saturday, May 13th), when I will be returning home. I probably will not write anything new about the Richmond race on Saturday night or even the upcoming Darlington race, which will be happening the night I will be flying home with my new bride.
In any case, I hope you enjoy reading my previous entries, and I look forward to continuing to serve my readers with fresh content when I get back from this break.
Sincerely,
JD Rentz
Friday, May 05, 2006
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
The Talladega Shake-up: Updated NASCAR Points Standings (through 5/1)
Talladega did what Talladega usually does: shake things up.
The updated standings, reflecting yesterday's Aaron's 499 results, are below:
Rank (+/-) Name / Pts / Bhnd / Strt / Pole / W's / T5's / T10's / DNF / $
1 +1 Jimmie Johnson 1394 Leader 9 1 3 5 7 0 $3,233,114
2 -1 Matt Kenseth 1373 21 9 0 1 5 6 1 $2,088,154
3 +2 Tony Stewart 1316 78 9 1 1 6 6 1 $2,189,001
4 -1 Kasey Kahne 1213 181 9 2 2 4 6 2 $1,884,936
5 -1 Mark Martin 1210 184 9 0 0 1 5 0 $1,255,635
6 +1 Jeff Gordon 1173 221 9 0 0 3 4 0 $1,528,269
7 +1 Kevin Harvick 1138 256 9 0 1 3 4 0 $1,521,949
8 -2 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1120 274 9 0 0 2 3 1 $1,509,299
9 - Kyle Busch 1077 317 9 1 0 2 4 0 $1,257,260
10 +1 Dale Jarrett 1066 328 9 0 0 0 2 0 $1,322,535
11 -1 Casey Mears 1056 338 9 0 0 1 3 0 $2,089,315
12 +1 Jeff Burton 1039 355 9 1 0 2 5 0 $1,347,338
(Current cut line for the CHASE ... within 400 points)
13 +1 Elliott Sadler 981 413 9 1 0 1 2 1 $1,639,917
14 +5 Brian Vickers 978 416 9 0 0 1 3 1 $1,163,957
15 +1 Carl Edwards 969 425 9 0 0 3 4 2 $1,241,644
16 +1 Kurt Busch 964 430 9 1 1 1 2 1 $1,297,500
17 +3 Jamie McMurray 956 438 9 0 0 1 3 1 $1,408,310
18 -6 Clint Bowyer 953 441 9 0 0 1 2 1 $1,183,043
19 -1 Denny Hamlin 910 484 9 0 0 1 2 1 $1,250,338
20 -5 Martin Truex Jr. 896 498 9 0 0 0 1 2 $1,129,014
21 +2 Jeff Green 877 517 9 0 0 0 0 0 $1,119,842
22 +4 J.J. Yeley 871 523 9 0 0 0 1 0 $1,230,608
23 -2 Greg Biffle 834 560 9 1 0 0 2 3 $1,119,198
The race from Monday was as notable for who faltered as who moved up. Jimmie Johnson did yet again was JJ seems to do regularly -- contend and win. If this team doesn't win a championship soon, they never will. The only "real" challengers at this point are Matt Kenseth (showing his 2003 winning style) and Tony Stewart (continuing his 2005 consistency). Kasey Kahne and Mark Martin both had awful days at the track, losing only a spot each but lots of points in the standings. Jeff Gordon has to be kicking himself for nearly having the day that "could have been" in running ahead of the field for the most laps led but only a 15th-place finish to show for it and only a small gain (one spot) in the standings. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was certainly the fan favorite (and sentimental choice for his "legacy" paint scheme to salute his late father), but a failed engine spelled the end of his day.
I hate to have to make this prediction, but, unless things change drastically, you can stick a fork in Greg Biffle (23rd) because he is done. The same goes for those below him in the standings (the likes of Ryan Newman (26th), Bobby Labonte (27th), Jeremy Mayfield (31st)). I am a big fan of Biffle, but this is just not his year. If things could go wrong, they have ... Murphy's Law is seeking revenge on him for his upsetting the balance of power in 2005, I suppose. Newman's struggles are a bit baffling, especially as Kurt Busch is inching his way back towards the Chase contention list. Labonte is doing the best he can, but the Petty equipment has been failing him (disappointingly).
Those who improved their chances on Monday include NASCAR's "darling" Carl Edwards, who looked to be on the brink of elimination only a few weeks ago. Edwards notched his second straight top-10 finish and is now in 15th place, only 425 behind. Two guys who had great days were Brian Vickers and Jamie McMurray, both with high expectations and inconsistent delivery. Vickers looked to be in position to win (yet again) but finished a strong third, gaining five spots in the standings into 14th position. McMurray led the race for multiple laps as well in finishing fifth, a season-best result, and looked like he had a race-winning car along with Jeff Gordon and Elliot Sadler.
The schedule now does a reversal to the short track with perennial favorite Richmond on the center stage next weekend. Richmond's unique 3/4-mile oval is among the most exciting a fan can find anywhere. I actually wish that the new venues that are built (Washington state, New York metro) model the Richmond facility versus the "cookie-cutter" tracks of Charlotte, Texas, Las Vegas, et.al. because the circuit needs another transitional track like Richmond and Dover (between the shortest 1/2-milers and the intermediate 1 1/2-milers).
The updated standings, reflecting yesterday's Aaron's 499 results, are below:
Rank (+/-) Name / Pts / Bhnd / Strt / Pole / W's / T5's / T10's / DNF / $
1 +1 Jimmie Johnson 1394 Leader 9 1 3 5 7 0 $3,233,114
2 -1 Matt Kenseth 1373 21 9 0 1 5 6 1 $2,088,154
3 +2 Tony Stewart 1316 78 9 1 1 6 6 1 $2,189,001
4 -1 Kasey Kahne 1213 181 9 2 2 4 6 2 $1,884,936
5 -1 Mark Martin 1210 184 9 0 0 1 5 0 $1,255,635
6 +1 Jeff Gordon 1173 221 9 0 0 3 4 0 $1,528,269
7 +1 Kevin Harvick 1138 256 9 0 1 3 4 0 $1,521,949
8 -2 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1120 274 9 0 0 2 3 1 $1,509,299
9 - Kyle Busch 1077 317 9 1 0 2 4 0 $1,257,260
10 +1 Dale Jarrett 1066 328 9 0 0 0 2 0 $1,322,535
11 -1 Casey Mears 1056 338 9 0 0 1 3 0 $2,089,315
12 +1 Jeff Burton 1039 355 9 1 0 2 5 0 $1,347,338
(Current cut line for the CHASE ... within 400 points)
13 +1 Elliott Sadler 981 413 9 1 0 1 2 1 $1,639,917
14 +5 Brian Vickers 978 416 9 0 0 1 3 1 $1,163,957
15 +1 Carl Edwards 969 425 9 0 0 3 4 2 $1,241,644
16 +1 Kurt Busch 964 430 9 1 1 1 2 1 $1,297,500
17 +3 Jamie McMurray 956 438 9 0 0 1 3 1 $1,408,310
18 -6 Clint Bowyer 953 441 9 0 0 1 2 1 $1,183,043
19 -1 Denny Hamlin 910 484 9 0 0 1 2 1 $1,250,338
20 -5 Martin Truex Jr. 896 498 9 0 0 0 1 2 $1,129,014
21 +2 Jeff Green 877 517 9 0 0 0 0 0 $1,119,842
22 +4 J.J. Yeley 871 523 9 0 0 0 1 0 $1,230,608
23 -2 Greg Biffle 834 560 9 1 0 0 2 3 $1,119,198
The race from Monday was as notable for who faltered as who moved up. Jimmie Johnson did yet again was JJ seems to do regularly -- contend and win. If this team doesn't win a championship soon, they never will. The only "real" challengers at this point are Matt Kenseth (showing his 2003 winning style) and Tony Stewart (continuing his 2005 consistency). Kasey Kahne and Mark Martin both had awful days at the track, losing only a spot each but lots of points in the standings. Jeff Gordon has to be kicking himself for nearly having the day that "could have been" in running ahead of the field for the most laps led but only a 15th-place finish to show for it and only a small gain (one spot) in the standings. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was certainly the fan favorite (and sentimental choice for his "legacy" paint scheme to salute his late father), but a failed engine spelled the end of his day.
I hate to have to make this prediction, but, unless things change drastically, you can stick a fork in Greg Biffle (23rd) because he is done. The same goes for those below him in the standings (the likes of Ryan Newman (26th), Bobby Labonte (27th), Jeremy Mayfield (31st)). I am a big fan of Biffle, but this is just not his year. If things could go wrong, they have ... Murphy's Law is seeking revenge on him for his upsetting the balance of power in 2005, I suppose. Newman's struggles are a bit baffling, especially as Kurt Busch is inching his way back towards the Chase contention list. Labonte is doing the best he can, but the Petty equipment has been failing him (disappointingly).
Those who improved their chances on Monday include NASCAR's "darling" Carl Edwards, who looked to be on the brink of elimination only a few weeks ago. Edwards notched his second straight top-10 finish and is now in 15th place, only 425 behind. Two guys who had great days were Brian Vickers and Jamie McMurray, both with high expectations and inconsistent delivery. Vickers looked to be in position to win (yet again) but finished a strong third, gaining five spots in the standings into 14th position. McMurray led the race for multiple laps as well in finishing fifth, a season-best result, and looked like he had a race-winning car along with Jeff Gordon and Elliot Sadler.
The schedule now does a reversal to the short track with perennial favorite Richmond on the center stage next weekend. Richmond's unique 3/4-mile oval is among the most exciting a fan can find anywhere. I actually wish that the new venues that are built (Washington state, New York metro) model the Richmond facility versus the "cookie-cutter" tracks of Charlotte, Texas, Las Vegas, et.al. because the circuit needs another transitional track like Richmond and Dover (between the shortest 1/2-milers and the intermediate 1 1/2-milers).
Monday, May 01, 2006
Breaking News: Johnson Wins at Talladega, Stewart Second
I will do something in this entry that I don't often do ... provide a breaking news update.
In the closing moments of today's rescheduled running of the Aaron's 499 from Talladega Superspeedway, Jimmie Johnson came from behind to clinch victory away from multiple contending drivers. Tony Stewart was the hard-luck runner-up, finishing in second place yet again (second time this season and sixth time at Talladega). Jeff Gordon, despite leading the most laps in the race, finished a disappointing 15th place after being shuffled to the back at the finish.
Courtesy of NASCAR.com, here are the unofficial race results by position (lead lap cars only):
St Fin # Name Make Sponsor Points
1 16 #48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's 185/5
2 2 #20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet The Home Depot 175/5
3 33 #25 Brian Vickers Chevrolet GMAC 170/5
4 40 #31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Cingular Wireless 160/0
5 8 #26 Jamie McMurray Ford IRWIN Industrial Tools 160/5
6 12 #17 Matt Kenseth Ford DEWALT 155/5
7 5 #2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite 151/5
8 3 #99 Carl Edwards Ford Office Depot 147/5
9 32 #10 Scott Riggs Dodge Stanley FatMax/Valvoline 138/0
10 19 #7 Robby Gordon Chevrolet Menards/Turtle Wax Ice 139/5
11 11 #18 J.J. Yeley Chevrolet GSK AsthmaControl.com 135/5
12 4 #88 Dale Jarrett Ford UPS 132/5
13 36 #19 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Dodge Dealers/UAW 129/5
14 39 #66 Jeff Green Chevrolet Best Buy 126/5
15 14 #24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont/Pepsi 128/10
16 1 #38 Elliott Sadler Ford M&M's 120/5
17 29 #96 Tony Raines Chevrolet DLP HDTV 112/0
18 28 #45 Kyle Petty Dodge Schwan's Home Service 109/0
19 26 #32 Travis Kvapil Chevrolet Tide-Downy 106/0
20 25 #42 Casey Mears Dodge Texaco/Havoline 108/5
21 43 #4 Scott Wimmer Chevrolet AERO Exhaust 105/5
In the closing moments of today's rescheduled running of the Aaron's 499 from Talladega Superspeedway, Jimmie Johnson came from behind to clinch victory away from multiple contending drivers. Tony Stewart was the hard-luck runner-up, finishing in second place yet again (second time this season and sixth time at Talladega). Jeff Gordon, despite leading the most laps in the race, finished a disappointing 15th place after being shuffled to the back at the finish.
Courtesy of NASCAR.com, here are the unofficial race results by position (lead lap cars only):
St Fin # Name Make Sponsor Points
1 16 #48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's 185/5
2 2 #20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet The Home Depot 175/5
3 33 #25 Brian Vickers Chevrolet GMAC 170/5
4 40 #31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Cingular Wireless 160/0
5 8 #26 Jamie McMurray Ford IRWIN Industrial Tools 160/5
6 12 #17 Matt Kenseth Ford DEWALT 155/5
7 5 #2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite 151/5
8 3 #99 Carl Edwards Ford Office Depot 147/5
9 32 #10 Scott Riggs Dodge Stanley FatMax/Valvoline 138/0
10 19 #7 Robby Gordon Chevrolet Menards/Turtle Wax Ice 139/5
11 11 #18 J.J. Yeley Chevrolet GSK AsthmaControl.com 135/5
12 4 #88 Dale Jarrett Ford UPS 132/5
13 36 #19 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Dodge Dealers/UAW 129/5
14 39 #66 Jeff Green Chevrolet Best Buy 126/5
15 14 #24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont/Pepsi 128/10
16 1 #38 Elliott Sadler Ford M&M's 120/5
17 29 #96 Tony Raines Chevrolet DLP HDTV 112/0
18 28 #45 Kyle Petty Dodge Schwan's Home Service 109/0
19 26 #32 Travis Kvapil Chevrolet Tide-Downy 106/0
20 25 #42 Casey Mears Dodge Texaco/Havoline 108/5
21 43 #4 Scott Wimmer Chevrolet AERO Exhaust 105/5
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