NASCAR: 4 for #48!

Jimmie Johnson clinched the 2009 Sprint Cup Championship at NASCAR's season finale in runaway fashion as he finished 5th at Homestead- Miami Speedway to become only the fourth man to win more than 3 series championships behind legends Richard Petty (7) and Dale Earnhardt (7) as well as teammate Jeff Gordon (4).

Superman Jimmie's 4th consecutive championships since 2006 put him on the record books as the only NASCAR driver to accomplish the feat.

And when he was asked about his accomplishment, the normally reserved Johnson blurted out-

“The cool thing is, we’re not done yet.”


Well said, Indeed.

Daytona Fireworks

The 4th of July NASCAR Coke Zero 400 race at Daytona lived up to expectations as drivers engaged each other in an exciting wire-to-wire finish that ended up with Tony Stewart winning the coveted race in smoking fashion.

En route to his second win as an owner, Smoke unintentionally (?) whacked Kyle Busch into the wall when the Wild Thing tried to block him for the second time just meters away from the checkered flag.

The result was the usual and expected Big One in Daytona or in any other NASCAR restrictor- plate racing ground like Talladega.

Incidents like these would have been fatal to drivers in the past but because of NASCAR's prime focus and concern on safety including the development of the Car of Today (CoT), drivers can now race hard and focus on their strategies without reservations knowing that they are in good hands err cars.

Although many racing aficionados outside the United States (who are more exposed to the sleek and high-tech open wheel race cars in Formula One) think that NASCAR is boring, but if this kind of hardnosed, fast and furious racing continue, NASCAR will eventually earn their respect, gain more fans and attract more sponsors in the near future.

Keep the rubbers burnin' people!

Talladega Knights

Last Sunday in Aaron's 499, Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ryan Newman figured in a spectacular finish in Talladega that has not been seen in recent memory.

I was hoping for Junior to finally win a race this season but his protege Brad Keselowski had other plans in mind when together with Carl Edwards overtook him with two laps to go.

Brad Keselowski then tried to pass Carl Edwards in the last lap but Edwards tried to block him. He then pushed, spun and passed Carl Edwards but in doing so, he and Ryan Newman "accidentally conspired" to send him flying into the air and crashed into the protective wall before landing on the race track with his racing car badly damaged.

Carl Edwards surviving the crash was not of pure luck alone but rather a testament of the Car of Today's safety which NASCAR pushed ahead despite protests from many drivers.

Keselowski went on to win the race with Junior finishing second.


Here's the video of the Big One that NASCAR fans are still talking about and will continue to talk about in months if not years to come.

Devil Cars

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Casey Mears showed racing fans a view of Road Rage NASCAR- Style as they figured in some bumpin, grindin' and lovin' last Sunday at the Subway Fresh Fit 500 in Phoenix.


The two protagonists and former teammates both were meted a 6- race probation for the skirmish.

I just hope that Junior will be fired- up because of the incident to race like the devil and win one in Talladega on Sunday to salvage his pride and season.


Junior Nation is praying, crying and dying to see NASCAR's favorite son on top of the podium once again.

Paul Newman, 1925- 2008

“Paul Newman—a real American hero, an inspiration to me in much that I have attempted in my adult life. Not so much for the parts he played, but for the man that he was. He was one of Hollywood’s greatest. He could not only talk the talk on film but, more importantly, could walk the walk as a private citizen.”—NASCAR team owner Jack Roush.


“I have come to know his passion, humor and above all, his generosity. Not just economic generosity, but generosity of spirit. His support of the team’s drivers, crew and the racing industry is legendary. His pure joy at winning a pole position or winning a race exemplified the spirit he brought to his life and to all those that knew him. We will truly miss him.”—Carl Haas, co-owner of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing.

“Most of us knew him as Butch or Fast Eddie from the theater or from our living rooms at home. He was much more than a great actor. … Paul was a man of character who cared about the world and the people who lived in it. Putting a smile on a young person’s face and helping people in need was a virtue he excelled at.”—Michael Lanigan, co-owner of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing.


“He was just a great guy and truly loved everything about racing. He and I shared a true passion for motorsports in general, but specifically IndyCar racing. … Paul was one of a kind.”—IndyCar team owner and former driver Michael Andretti.


“We connected as racers, but Paul’s ideas of what we should do for charity is what really resonated with me the most. He set the bar, not only with his giving, but in how he gave. … Paul did it right, and he did it with class. He’ll be terribly missed.”—NASCAR driver Tony Stewart.


“He was dedicated to giving back to those less fortunate, and with each child we see, we honor his spirit and vision. Undoubtedly he has touched millions of lives.”—NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and co-founder of the Victory Junction Gang Camp, modeled after Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang camps.


“He has been a great friend to Hendrick Motorsports. Rick (Hendrick) has a play day and puts a restrictor plate on the car and lets guys go out and drive around with half the horsepower. Numerous times, Paul has gone out on sticker tires, the plate off and run really quick laps. I was always so impressed with his driving ability and who he was as a person.”—NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson.


“To all his fans worldwide and those close to him in our racing community, we share a deep sense of loss, but cherish the many fond memories we will forever carry with us.”—Tony George, chief executive officer of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the founder of the Indy Racing League.

“I had the pleasure of driving for Mr. Newman in 1981 and I was richer for the experience. He was a man of class and he was also deservedly very highly regarded for his driving skills. The world is a poorer place today for his passing.”—Bobby Rahal, IndyCar team owner and former driver.


“He was a real racer and a great person.”—NASCAR driver and former open-wheel driver A.J. Allmendinger.

NASCAR: Rookie Michael McDowell's Baptism of Fire

Rookie NASCAR Driver Michael McDowell who is an accomplished driver in other circuits (Champ Car, Grand AM and ARCA) figured in one of the worst crash seen in car racing in recent memory during the Qualifying Run of the Sprint Cup in Texas but survived unscathed.

His “spectacular” crash seen on national Television wherein his Toyota Camry hit the barrier at 180- 190 mph, ricocheted and then flipped 8 or 9 times afterwards before settling into the track with his car a total wreck.

His walking away with nary an injury minutes after the horrific crash is a testament of the merits of installing the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barrier in the race tracks and justified the introduction of the Car of Today to NASCAR despite protests from some veteran drivers regarding its maneuverability. It also show how far technology has advanced in car racing and justified the millions poured in research to protect its drivers.

So, those who question the safety of NASCAR races (after the deaths of many drivers including the Great, Dale Earnhardt in the not so distant past) can now heave a sigh of relief. Those who are critical of the Car of Today (formerly the Car of Tomorrow) can now relax. The events in the Texas Motor Speedway last Friday proved and settled the issue of safety, right there and then.

From 8 to 88: Dale, Jr is Back!

So, the old Bud number 8 is now the National Guard’s 88. And he changed his color from Red to Green. And instead of the old Bud, he's now drinking Mountain Dew Amp.

Also exit Dale Earnhardt Inc. & enter Hendrick Motorsports- What a difference a year makes but the philosophy and attitude is the same for NASCAR’s most popular driver and one of the best restrictor plate racer around.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. finished 9th in the 2008 Daytona 500 owing more to his team‘s miscue of not pitting with the other leaders during a caution with lap down to 16 rather than to his driving that eventually caused him the race as well as the rare chance of becoming the only driver to win the Budweiser Shootout, one of the twin qualifying races and the Great American Race, all in the same season.

But make no mistake about it, He’s back!

And he promised us a more competitive and exciting season for him and his team. And it is good for stock car racing. And it is good for his legion of fans.

And it is good for NASCAR.

Let's watch once again his debut with Hendrick Motorsports in the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona.