ONE MAIN FINANCIAL 200
Written by Rick A. Talford
NASCAR Enthusiast
DOVER, DELEWARE - The Nationwide Series ran their 28th race of the season at the “Monster Mile”. 200 laps would be run for the scheduled race. Youngster Darrell Wallace Jr. (20) got the Pole position for the race, in only his fourth start at age eighteen. Justin Allgaier (31) would start second. A group of thirteen drivers were scheduled to do “Double Duty” this weekend. In the Opening Ceremonies, Major Barry Ingram provided the invocation. Gina Zavalis sang the National Anthem, while a Boeing C-17 flew over the track. At nearly the perfect time, A Bald Eagle also flew over the raceway. The Grand Marshal was Mary McDowell, and the In-Race reporter was another eighteen year old, Ryan Truex (99). In other racing news this week, on Friday, The “Dean of Motorsports,” Chris Economaki passed away, after many years in commentating and reporting all forms of Motorsports. A “Competition Caution” was also scheduled for lap 45, due to overnight rain.
The race began with Justin Allgaier (31) taking the lead on the first lap. Pole Sitter Darrell Wallace Jr. never led a lap, and finished thirteenth. Joey Lagono (18) would then take an early lead in the race. The first caution, was the scheduled “competition caution” on lap 46. Kasey Kahne (38) led a few laps during the caution. On the restart, Lagono re-took the lead. On lap 116, the second caution came out for Jeremy Clements (51) hitting the wall.
During the next section of green flag racing, second place became a bad spot to be racing in. Justin Allgaier was in second, when a broken track bar would send him to the pits under green. Sam Hornish Jr. (12) would be the next racer in second place with issues. He had a tire failure send him to the pits. The third caution came out for Tim Andrews (39) on lap 176, when his engine failed on track. The race would then run to the end, with Lagono dominating the day and taking the checkered flag.
The rest of the top ten were: Paul Menard (33), Michael Annett (43), Elliott Sadler (2), Kyle Busch (54), Cole Whitt (88), Brian Scott (11), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (6), Kasey Kahne (38) and Austin Dillon (3). Danica Patrick would finish on the lead lap in sixteenth.
The points leader is Elliott Sadler, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (-9), Austin Dillon (-25), Sam Hornish Jr. (-60)
The next race is at Charlotte in two weeks (Oct. 12), on a Friday night at 7 PM EST on ESPN.
In other sporting news: Reds pitcher Homer Bailey pitched a No-Hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates, in Pittsburgh. Nelson Piquet Jr. won the Truck Series race this weekend in Vegas also.
MONSTER MILE
DOVER, DELEWARE - The Cup Series ran their third “Chase” race of the Championship run. Drivers would have to race 400 laps around the one mile, high banked monster. Denny Hamlin (11) won the Pole Sitter position, with Clint Bowyer (15) starting beside him on the front row. Dan Schafer provided the invocation. LoneStar sang the National Anthem, while four F-16’s flew over the raceway. Brian Dawkins was the Grand Marshal. Danica Patrick (10) would start this race in thirty-eighth spot.
Denny Hamlin started the race on the pole, and took off right from the start. His teammate Kyle Busch (18) would take over the lead on lap 35. Busch was easily the fastest car on the track for most of the race, before needing to stop for fuel near the end. He would finish one lap down, in seventh spot. Busch would then leave the raceway without speaking to the media, once again. He led 302 of the 400 laps.
The first caution came out on lap 70 for debris off the car of JJ Yeley (36). His tire blew out, and tore the right fender off the race car. When this caution flew, green flag pit stops had already been happening. This caught a majority of the field one lap down. Only seven cars were left on the lead lap. The second and third cautions were also for debris. (laps 179 & 246). After the third caution, there were eight cars on the lead lap.
The fourth caution flew, when Matt Kenseth (17) had a track bar break on lap 308. Kenseth was running in the fourteenth spot at the time. The re-start had Jimmie Johnson (48) out in front of Kyle Busch. Before one lap could be completed, Kenseth spun out and hit the inner wall. That brought out the fifth and final caution of the race. There would only be ten cars on the lead lap at this point. On lap 354, Busch would re-take the lead, but with eleven laps left, he had to stop for fuel. His teammate Hamlin would also have to stop. This dropped both drivers off the lead lap. A handful of drivers did not have to stop for fuel, as they went to the end. Brad Keselowski (2) saved fuel early enough in the run, to go to the finish. Keselowski won his second race in three. This was his fifth win of the season, tying Hamlin for the most. He beat Jeff Gordon (24) and Mark Martin (55) to the checkered flag.
The rest of the top ten were: Jimmie Johnson (48), Carl Edwards (99), Martin Truex Jr. (56), Kyle Busch (18) (-1 lap), Denny Hamlin (11), Clint Bowyer (15) and Joey Lagono (20). Other notables were: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) in eleventh, Kevin Harvick (29) in thirteenth, Kasey Kahne (5) in fifteenth, Greg Biffle (16) in sixteenth, Tony Stewart (14) in twentieth and Matt Kenseth (17) in thirty-fifth. Danica Patrick (10_ would start in thirty-eighth and finished seven laps down, in twenty-eighth.
The points now are: Leader - Keselowski, Johnson (-5), Hamlin (-16), Bowyer (-25), Stewart & Kahne (-32), Earnhardt Jr. (-39), Truex Jr. (-42), Harvick (-46), Gordon (-48), Biffle (-51) and Kenseth (-72)
The next race is Sunday at 1 PM EST at Talladega Superspeedway on ESPN.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Nascar 2012 - race 28
KENTUCKY 300
Written by Rick A. Talford
Nascar Enthusiast
SPARTA, KENTUCKY - The Nationwide Series ran their race at the “Miracle Mile” this weekend. They ran 200 laps. Starting this race, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(6) was the points leader over Elliott Sadler (2) by nine points, and Austin Dillon (3) by 34 pts. The Pole sitter was Austin Dillon, with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. starting second. A “Competition Caution” was scheduled for lap 30, due to overnight rain showers at the track. In Friday nights race, James Buescher won the Truck Event. Ty Dillon is currently the points leader in the series. In other related news, Tony Eury Jr. was released by Junior Motorsports. Ryan Pemberton will be his successor for the race team (7). A couple young drivers would be in the race also. 19 year old Alex Bowman (99) and 18 year old Ryan Blaney (22). Blaney won his very first career truck series race last weekend at Iowa. He would become the youngest winner of that series. He raced truck number 29. The “Opening Ceremonies” had Pastor John Roberts providing the invocation. Mackenzie Morgan singing the “National Anthem,” while four T-38’s flew over the race track. The Grand Marshal was a Vietnam Veteran Joe Sturm, with his Military Dog (Sgt).
The race only ran one green flag lap, before the first caution came out for Joe Nemechek (87) spinning out. A second car spinning out on lap eight would bring out the second caution. Brad Sweet (38) also spun in turn three. During the caution, Nascar warned Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(6) about his starts being “too slow,” causing problems for cars behind him. The third caution flew at lap 30, for the scheduled “Competition Caution”. During this pit stop, the leader would have troubles. Stenhouse Jr. pulled out of his pit box, and ran right into the side of Eric McClure’s car. He damaged the nose of his own race car, and had to return to his pit box for repairs. This dropped him from the lead, back to 28th spot. Austin Dillon (3) would take the lead after the restart.
On lap 40, Drew Herring (18) would spin out of seventh place, after being tagged by Michael Annett (43). On lap 50, Stenhouse Jr. would have more troubles, as he hit the wall hard with both front and rear of his car. This would cause him to head to the pits for repairs, and dropped him two laps down in the race. Mike Wallace (01) would tag Taylor Malsham (19) on lap 88 for the fifth caution. As with many races in the past this season, the Kyle Busch entry (54) would have issues on track. Kurt Busch was driving this weekend, and the engine began smoking on lap 129. They would find that it was the transmission sticking, that caused the smoke.
Teammates Dillon and Elliott Sadler (2) would then begin battling back and forth for the lead around lap 145. Sadler then began having troubles with his steering, sticking and releasing on and off. During the sixth and final caution, when Eric McClure (14) spun out, they attempted to look at the problem. Austin Dillon would win the race to the finish over Sam Hornish Jr. (12). This became the perfect gift for his Owner/Grandfather Richard Childress, whom had a birthday the day before the race.
The rest of the top ten were: Brandon Gaughn (33), Drew Herring (18), Elliott Sadler (2), Cole Whitt (88), Michael Annett (43), Justin Allgaier (31), Ryan Blaney (22) and Brad Sweet (38). Other notables were: Johanna Long (70) one lap down in twelfth, and Danica Patrick (7) two laps down in fourteenth. Only the top ten cars were on the lead lap at the end of the race. Elliott Sadler would become the points leader again, with a four point lead over Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Austin Dillon is now only 19 points back in third place.
The next race is at Dover, next Saturday at 3 PM EST on ESPN2
SILVANIA 300
LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE - The Sprint Cup Series ran their twenty-eighth race of the season on the 1.5 mile motor speedway. The flat track was stop number two, of ten for the “Chase for the Championship”. A “Competition Caution” was scheduled for lap 40, due to rain overnight at the speedway. The Pole Sitter was Jeff Gordon (24), with Kyle Busch (18) starting second. During the “Opening Ceremonies”, Kevin Forrester provided the invocation. The Vermont 40th Infantry Band played the National Anthem. The Grand Marshal was Graham Wurk, and the In-Race reporter was Kevin Harvick (29). In other related news, A.J. Allmindinger was re-instated after completing “Road to Recovery” rehab. Regan Smith (78) also stated “I don’t believe I will be back with Furniture Row next season”
The first few laps were led by Jeff Gordon (24). Tony Stewart (14) would take the lead until the competition caution fell. Then Kyle Busch (18) would lead the next forty-eight laps, before his teammate Denny Hamlin (11) took over the lead.
There were three cautions (laps 132, 178, 275) for debris, that was never shown to the viewers. It did seem however, that when the leader got up a five second lead, the caution would come out. Around lap 174, Kyle Busch would start having engine troubles, and became very upset with his crew chief asking questions to him. He would continue and finish the race, but he did fall laps down.
Hamlin would dominate the race after running out of gas on the last lap, a week earlier. After the race last weekend, Hamlin told reporters “All was good, I’ll win next weekend,” and he did. Jimmie Johnson (48) did all he could, but Hamlin was just simply “Fast”.
The rest of the top ten were: Jeff Gordon (24), Clint Bowyer (15), Kasey Kahne (5), Brad Keselowski (2), Tony Stewart (14), Joey Lagono (20), Brian Vickers (55) and Ryan Newman (39). Other notables from the chase were: Kevin Harvick (29) in eleventh, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) in thirteenth, Matt Kenseth (17) in fourteenth, Martin Truex Jr. (56) in seventeenth and Greg Biffle (16) in Eighteenth. Nineteen cars would finish on the lead lap. This was also Owner Joe Gibbs 100th Win in the series.
The points standing now are : Jimmie Johnson (leader), Brad Keselowski (-1), Denny Hamlin (-7), Tony Stewart (-10), Kasey Kahne and Clint Bowyer (-15), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-26), Kevin Harvick (-31), Greg Biffle (-33), Ryan Truex Jr. (-34), Matt Kenseth (-35) and Jeff Gordon (-45).
The next race is at Dover on Sunday at 1 PM EST on ESPN.
Written by Rick A. Talford
Nascar Enthusiast
SPARTA, KENTUCKY - The Nationwide Series ran their race at the “Miracle Mile” this weekend. They ran 200 laps. Starting this race, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(6) was the points leader over Elliott Sadler (2) by nine points, and Austin Dillon (3) by 34 pts. The Pole sitter was Austin Dillon, with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. starting second. A “Competition Caution” was scheduled for lap 30, due to overnight rain showers at the track. In Friday nights race, James Buescher won the Truck Event. Ty Dillon is currently the points leader in the series. In other related news, Tony Eury Jr. was released by Junior Motorsports. Ryan Pemberton will be his successor for the race team (7). A couple young drivers would be in the race also. 19 year old Alex Bowman (99) and 18 year old Ryan Blaney (22). Blaney won his very first career truck series race last weekend at Iowa. He would become the youngest winner of that series. He raced truck number 29. The “Opening Ceremonies” had Pastor John Roberts providing the invocation. Mackenzie Morgan singing the “National Anthem,” while four T-38’s flew over the race track. The Grand Marshal was a Vietnam Veteran Joe Sturm, with his Military Dog (Sgt).
The race only ran one green flag lap, before the first caution came out for Joe Nemechek (87) spinning out. A second car spinning out on lap eight would bring out the second caution. Brad Sweet (38) also spun in turn three. During the caution, Nascar warned Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(6) about his starts being “too slow,” causing problems for cars behind him. The third caution flew at lap 30, for the scheduled “Competition Caution”. During this pit stop, the leader would have troubles. Stenhouse Jr. pulled out of his pit box, and ran right into the side of Eric McClure’s car. He damaged the nose of his own race car, and had to return to his pit box for repairs. This dropped him from the lead, back to 28th spot. Austin Dillon (3) would take the lead after the restart.
On lap 40, Drew Herring (18) would spin out of seventh place, after being tagged by Michael Annett (43). On lap 50, Stenhouse Jr. would have more troubles, as he hit the wall hard with both front and rear of his car. This would cause him to head to the pits for repairs, and dropped him two laps down in the race. Mike Wallace (01) would tag Taylor Malsham (19) on lap 88 for the fifth caution. As with many races in the past this season, the Kyle Busch entry (54) would have issues on track. Kurt Busch was driving this weekend, and the engine began smoking on lap 129. They would find that it was the transmission sticking, that caused the smoke.
Teammates Dillon and Elliott Sadler (2) would then begin battling back and forth for the lead around lap 145. Sadler then began having troubles with his steering, sticking and releasing on and off. During the sixth and final caution, when Eric McClure (14) spun out, they attempted to look at the problem. Austin Dillon would win the race to the finish over Sam Hornish Jr. (12). This became the perfect gift for his Owner/Grandfather Richard Childress, whom had a birthday the day before the race.
The rest of the top ten were: Brandon Gaughn (33), Drew Herring (18), Elliott Sadler (2), Cole Whitt (88), Michael Annett (43), Justin Allgaier (31), Ryan Blaney (22) and Brad Sweet (38). Other notables were: Johanna Long (70) one lap down in twelfth, and Danica Patrick (7) two laps down in fourteenth. Only the top ten cars were on the lead lap at the end of the race. Elliott Sadler would become the points leader again, with a four point lead over Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Austin Dillon is now only 19 points back in third place.
The next race is at Dover, next Saturday at 3 PM EST on ESPN2
SILVANIA 300
LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE - The Sprint Cup Series ran their twenty-eighth race of the season on the 1.5 mile motor speedway. The flat track was stop number two, of ten for the “Chase for the Championship”. A “Competition Caution” was scheduled for lap 40, due to rain overnight at the speedway. The Pole Sitter was Jeff Gordon (24), with Kyle Busch (18) starting second. During the “Opening Ceremonies”, Kevin Forrester provided the invocation. The Vermont 40th Infantry Band played the National Anthem. The Grand Marshal was Graham Wurk, and the In-Race reporter was Kevin Harvick (29). In other related news, A.J. Allmindinger was re-instated after completing “Road to Recovery” rehab. Regan Smith (78) also stated “I don’t believe I will be back with Furniture Row next season”
The first few laps were led by Jeff Gordon (24). Tony Stewart (14) would take the lead until the competition caution fell. Then Kyle Busch (18) would lead the next forty-eight laps, before his teammate Denny Hamlin (11) took over the lead.
There were three cautions (laps 132, 178, 275) for debris, that was never shown to the viewers. It did seem however, that when the leader got up a five second lead, the caution would come out. Around lap 174, Kyle Busch would start having engine troubles, and became very upset with his crew chief asking questions to him. He would continue and finish the race, but he did fall laps down.
Hamlin would dominate the race after running out of gas on the last lap, a week earlier. After the race last weekend, Hamlin told reporters “All was good, I’ll win next weekend,” and he did. Jimmie Johnson (48) did all he could, but Hamlin was just simply “Fast”.
The rest of the top ten were: Jeff Gordon (24), Clint Bowyer (15), Kasey Kahne (5), Brad Keselowski (2), Tony Stewart (14), Joey Lagono (20), Brian Vickers (55) and Ryan Newman (39). Other notables from the chase were: Kevin Harvick (29) in eleventh, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) in thirteenth, Matt Kenseth (17) in fourteenth, Martin Truex Jr. (56) in seventeenth and Greg Biffle (16) in Eighteenth. Nineteen cars would finish on the lead lap. This was also Owner Joe Gibbs 100th Win in the series.
The points standing now are : Jimmie Johnson (leader), Brad Keselowski (-1), Denny Hamlin (-7), Tony Stewart (-10), Kasey Kahne and Clint Bowyer (-15), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-26), Kevin Harvick (-31), Greg Biffle (-33), Ryan Truex Jr. (-34), Matt Kenseth (-35) and Jeff Gordon (-45).
The next race is at Dover on Sunday at 1 PM EST on ESPN.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Nascar 2012 - race 27
Dollar General 300
Chicagoland Speedway
Written by Rick A. Talford
Nascar Enthusiast
JOLIET, ILLINOIS - Nationwide racers came to Chicago for their 26th of 33 races. Joey Lagono (18) would take the pole for the fifth time this season. Austin Dillon (3) would start second. They came to the track to run 200 laps on the one and a half miler speedway. During the opening ceremonies, Michael White gave the invocation, as the Million Dollar Quartet would sing the National Anthem. A MH-65c Helicopter flew over the speedway also. Corynn McMurray was the Grand Marshal. There were two handfuls of “Double Duty” drivers in the race. Lagono (18), Keselowski (22), Busch (54), Patrick (7), Bliss (44), Hornish Jr. (12), Menard (33), Nemecheck (87) and Whitt (88). The In-Race Reporter was Johanna Long (70).
It did not take long before the caution flag would fly in this race. On lap 4, Dexter Stacey (39) would spin out on track. Brad Sweet (38) would bring out the second caution, for the same reason. The third caution on lap 47, was for Cole Whitt (88) after he was ran into by Justin Allgaier (31). Allgaier’s exhaust cut down Whitt’s rear tire. Out of the first 60 laps, Joey Lagono led 59 of them.
Austin Dillon (3) and Kyle Busch (54) then took their chances at leading the race. For nine laps, the two racers went back and forth with the lead, then Dillon took off as the leader. By lap 100, Dillon had created a 5.4 second distance between himself and second place. The fourth caution came out on lap 124 for Benny Gordon (24). Gordon had slid up and into the wall. On lap 166, the fifth and final caution would fly for Jason Bowles (81). His engine gave out while on the race track. The race would run green from that point, to the end.
Kyle Busch was leading the late laps, when Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(6) started charging hard. He ran down and passed Busch easily. This kept Busch from getting his first win, in his own equipment. He has went zero for sixteen races so far this season. He would finish second in this race.
The rest of the top ten were: Austin Dillon (3), Brad Keselowski (22), Paul Menard (33), Sam Hornish Jr. (12), Michael Annett (43), Elliott Sadler (2), Joey Lagono (18) and Brian Scott (11). Danica Patrick would finish in twelfth position, never falling off the lead lap all day.
The next race is at Kentucky on Saturday on ESPN at 3:30 PM EST
GEICO 400
JOLIET, ILLINOIS - The Cup Series ran their 267 laps on the same speedway this weekend. The Pole Sitter was Jimmie Johnson (48), with Aric Almirola (43) starting second. The Grand Marshal was Scott Markel, and the In-Race Reporter was Tony Stewart (14). Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) had qualified fourth, but had to start at the rear of the field, for changing an engine. He would start the race in 42nd spot.
Aric Almirola (43) and Jimmie Johnson (48) led the opening laps. Johnson would eventually take off in the lead. By lap 34, Danica Patrick (10) fell a lap down to the leaders. She would complete the race, two laps down in twenty-fifth position. During green flag stops around lap 45, Sam Hornish Jr. (22) would get penalized for speeding on pit road. Aric Almirola (43) would also be penalized for a tire violation. (later, Nascar gave his lap back, as there was no violation) Travis Kvapil also was penalized for taking equipment out of the pit box. His jack was caught under the race car as he left the pits. He drug the jack all the way around the track at normal speeds, before returning to pit road.
The first caution came out on lap 67 for debris (never shown to viewers). On lap 102, another debris caution came out. It was not shown to viewers again. The race went green for awhile, as Keselowski took the lead near the halfway mark. Casey Mears (13) brought out the third caution, when he hit the wall. Before the race went back to green, they extended the caution for another piece of debris on the track, near the start/finish line. The front shock absorber, from the 17 car of Matt Kenseth had fallen off. He would continue on racing without it, not knowing that it was off his car. He would get into the pits for a repair on lap 188, when the next caution came out. The fourth and final caution was for Jeff Gordon (24) who had an accelerator stick, sending him into the wall hard. He would go to the garage for repairs. He did return for just a couple more laps, after falling 69 laps down.
The race would go back green on lap 195. Johnson took over the lead once again. The final round of pit stops were made around lap 227. As everyone got back up to speed, Keselowski would retake the lead over Johnson by a second. Keselowski would win by over three seconds in the first round of the Chase. Johnson would finish in second place.
The rest of the top ten were: Kasey Kahne (5), Kyle Busch (18), Ryan Newman (39), Tony Stewart (14), Joey Lagono (20), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88), Martin Truex Jr. (56) and Clint Bowyer (15).
Other notables in the Chase were: Kevin Harvick (29) in twelfth, Greg Biffle (16) in thirteenth, Denny Hamlin (11) in sixteenth (ran out of fuel on the final lap), Matt Kenseth (17) in Eighteenth and Jeff Gordon (24) in thirty-fifth.
The Chase Contenders are: Leader- Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson (-3), Tony Stewart (-8), Denny Hamlin (-15), Kasey Kahne (-15), Clint Bowyer (-15), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-17), Greg Biffle (-19), Martin Truex Jr. (-21), Kevin Harvick (-24), Matt Kenseth (-26) and Jeff Gordon (-47).
The next race is at Kentucky on Sunday on ESPN at 2 PM EST
Chicagoland Speedway
Written by Rick A. Talford
Nascar Enthusiast
JOLIET, ILLINOIS - Nationwide racers came to Chicago for their 26th of 33 races. Joey Lagono (18) would take the pole for the fifth time this season. Austin Dillon (3) would start second. They came to the track to run 200 laps on the one and a half miler speedway. During the opening ceremonies, Michael White gave the invocation, as the Million Dollar Quartet would sing the National Anthem. A MH-65c Helicopter flew over the speedway also. Corynn McMurray was the Grand Marshal. There were two handfuls of “Double Duty” drivers in the race. Lagono (18), Keselowski (22), Busch (54), Patrick (7), Bliss (44), Hornish Jr. (12), Menard (33), Nemecheck (87) and Whitt (88). The In-Race Reporter was Johanna Long (70).
It did not take long before the caution flag would fly in this race. On lap 4, Dexter Stacey (39) would spin out on track. Brad Sweet (38) would bring out the second caution, for the same reason. The third caution on lap 47, was for Cole Whitt (88) after he was ran into by Justin Allgaier (31). Allgaier’s exhaust cut down Whitt’s rear tire. Out of the first 60 laps, Joey Lagono led 59 of them.
Austin Dillon (3) and Kyle Busch (54) then took their chances at leading the race. For nine laps, the two racers went back and forth with the lead, then Dillon took off as the leader. By lap 100, Dillon had created a 5.4 second distance between himself and second place. The fourth caution came out on lap 124 for Benny Gordon (24). Gordon had slid up and into the wall. On lap 166, the fifth and final caution would fly for Jason Bowles (81). His engine gave out while on the race track. The race would run green from that point, to the end.
Kyle Busch was leading the late laps, when Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(6) started charging hard. He ran down and passed Busch easily. This kept Busch from getting his first win, in his own equipment. He has went zero for sixteen races so far this season. He would finish second in this race.
The rest of the top ten were: Austin Dillon (3), Brad Keselowski (22), Paul Menard (33), Sam Hornish Jr. (12), Michael Annett (43), Elliott Sadler (2), Joey Lagono (18) and Brian Scott (11). Danica Patrick would finish in twelfth position, never falling off the lead lap all day.
The next race is at Kentucky on Saturday on ESPN at 3:30 PM EST
GEICO 400
JOLIET, ILLINOIS - The Cup Series ran their 267 laps on the same speedway this weekend. The Pole Sitter was Jimmie Johnson (48), with Aric Almirola (43) starting second. The Grand Marshal was Scott Markel, and the In-Race Reporter was Tony Stewart (14). Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) had qualified fourth, but had to start at the rear of the field, for changing an engine. He would start the race in 42nd spot.
Aric Almirola (43) and Jimmie Johnson (48) led the opening laps. Johnson would eventually take off in the lead. By lap 34, Danica Patrick (10) fell a lap down to the leaders. She would complete the race, two laps down in twenty-fifth position. During green flag stops around lap 45, Sam Hornish Jr. (22) would get penalized for speeding on pit road. Aric Almirola (43) would also be penalized for a tire violation. (later, Nascar gave his lap back, as there was no violation) Travis Kvapil also was penalized for taking equipment out of the pit box. His jack was caught under the race car as he left the pits. He drug the jack all the way around the track at normal speeds, before returning to pit road.
The first caution came out on lap 67 for debris (never shown to viewers). On lap 102, another debris caution came out. It was not shown to viewers again. The race went green for awhile, as Keselowski took the lead near the halfway mark. Casey Mears (13) brought out the third caution, when he hit the wall. Before the race went back to green, they extended the caution for another piece of debris on the track, near the start/finish line. The front shock absorber, from the 17 car of Matt Kenseth had fallen off. He would continue on racing without it, not knowing that it was off his car. He would get into the pits for a repair on lap 188, when the next caution came out. The fourth and final caution was for Jeff Gordon (24) who had an accelerator stick, sending him into the wall hard. He would go to the garage for repairs. He did return for just a couple more laps, after falling 69 laps down.
The race would go back green on lap 195. Johnson took over the lead once again. The final round of pit stops were made around lap 227. As everyone got back up to speed, Keselowski would retake the lead over Johnson by a second. Keselowski would win by over three seconds in the first round of the Chase. Johnson would finish in second place.
The rest of the top ten were: Kasey Kahne (5), Kyle Busch (18), Ryan Newman (39), Tony Stewart (14), Joey Lagono (20), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88), Martin Truex Jr. (56) and Clint Bowyer (15).
Other notables in the Chase were: Kevin Harvick (29) in twelfth, Greg Biffle (16) in thirteenth, Denny Hamlin (11) in sixteenth (ran out of fuel on the final lap), Matt Kenseth (17) in Eighteenth and Jeff Gordon (24) in thirty-fifth.
The Chase Contenders are: Leader- Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson (-3), Tony Stewart (-8), Denny Hamlin (-15), Kasey Kahne (-15), Clint Bowyer (-15), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-17), Greg Biffle (-19), Martin Truex Jr. (-21), Kevin Harvick (-24), Matt Kenseth (-26) and Jeff Gordon (-47).
The next race is at Kentucky on Sunday on ESPN at 2 PM EST
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
EVB report for September 2012
Roof Repair Costs Village an Extra $18,000
Submitted by Rick A. Talford
Citizen Journalist
ELMWOOD, WI - The Elmwood Village Board held their monthly meeting at the Village Hall on Monday, September 9, 2012. Absent from the meeting were, Trustee’s Brian Buck, Trisha Knops and Rick Stohr. The meeting was still allowed to proceed, with the minimum required in attendance. Officer Matt Broehm, along with citizens Elizabeth Delong, Marion Yauch and Dick Tiffany also attended the meeting.
There was no Public Input brought to the attention of the board members, so the meeting went forward. The next item on the agenda, was the approval of two Operator’s Licenses. One was approved for Evelyn Jensen of Cenex. But the other was put on hold, due to Cassie Lemke no longer working for the Longbranch. The Board then discussed the Plan Commission’s Recommendation on a CSM for property located at 126 East Springer Avenue. Trustee Neil Boltic spoke over the information brought to them on this property. The old Fredrickson property has been sold to a new owner, that wants to change the lot layout. The owner would like to separate the house, from the shed. The Committee discussed all the aspects, and could not find any negative reasons to deny this request. The request was approved by the Board.
Approving a change in the Parks and Buildings Committee was up next. Trustee and Chair of the Committee Brian Buck, has requested to be replaced as the Chairperson. He has recently taken over some coaching responsibilities in Hudson, and may not be able to attend meetings. The Board approved Trustee Susan Dzubay to take over the committee chair. Another change in the Licensing Committee was also approved. Trustee and Chairperson Susan Dzubay did not want to be the Chairperson any longer. Trustee Neil Boltic was named to the position.
The Village had intentions on getting the roof on the Village Hall repaired, but when a commercial roofing company looked over the roof, it was decided it needed a more serious fix. Fisher Co., out of Ellsworth, WI. Was contracted to do the work. President Bill Stewart spoke to the members of the board about what was found, and done to the roof. He explained to everyone present, that the roof had started leaking, soon after the last repairs were done. After speaking to Fisher, the cost increased by $18,000. The roof is not completely done at this point, as a estimate is still being put together for a couple more items. Stewart added, “You may notice the roof is white, instead of black now. It is better because the black roofing contracts and moves more. The white does not shrink and expand, which causes the leaks.” He then went on to add, “Instead of a five year guarantee, we now have a fifteen year guarantee. I felt it was worth the extra money, as they say that statistically, the roof can go thirty years without any issues.” The cost for the current repairs that were done came to $27,427. The extra cost will come out of the sidewalk funds. The transfer of funds for the roof was then approved.
In Committee and Board Reports, Trustee Neil Boltic spoke on behalf or the Licensing Committee. “We are still going over the verbiage for outdoor activities with the taverns, and we should have something ready for next months meeting.” Trustee Susan Dzubay then spoke on behalf of the Personnel and Finance Committee. A meeting with Genesis was held to talk over the problems with the TIFF 3. The taxes being collected have not covered what the village had advanced for them. She added, “This is getting looked into, being we are not sure why this is happening.” It was noted that Steel Services and Genesis have not been paying what they should, and a shortfall has occurred from that. They still have ten to fifteen years to pay this off, so there is time to get everything straightened out. President Bill Stewart then said, “They need to pay more to keep up. There have been questions by them on back accounting, and if we don’t nudge them, their gonna procrastinate it.” Village Clerk/Treasurer Amy Wayne told the board that she would make contact with them, to keep everything moving forward.
The board concluded the meeting by approving payment of the bills and adjourning. The meeting closed at 7:12 PM.
Submitted by Rick A. Talford
Citizen Journalist
ELMWOOD, WI - The Elmwood Village Board held their monthly meeting at the Village Hall on Monday, September 9, 2012. Absent from the meeting were, Trustee’s Brian Buck, Trisha Knops and Rick Stohr. The meeting was still allowed to proceed, with the minimum required in attendance. Officer Matt Broehm, along with citizens Elizabeth Delong, Marion Yauch and Dick Tiffany also attended the meeting.
There was no Public Input brought to the attention of the board members, so the meeting went forward. The next item on the agenda, was the approval of two Operator’s Licenses. One was approved for Evelyn Jensen of Cenex. But the other was put on hold, due to Cassie Lemke no longer working for the Longbranch. The Board then discussed the Plan Commission’s Recommendation on a CSM for property located at 126 East Springer Avenue. Trustee Neil Boltic spoke over the information brought to them on this property. The old Fredrickson property has been sold to a new owner, that wants to change the lot layout. The owner would like to separate the house, from the shed. The Committee discussed all the aspects, and could not find any negative reasons to deny this request. The request was approved by the Board.
Approving a change in the Parks and Buildings Committee was up next. Trustee and Chair of the Committee Brian Buck, has requested to be replaced as the Chairperson. He has recently taken over some coaching responsibilities in Hudson, and may not be able to attend meetings. The Board approved Trustee Susan Dzubay to take over the committee chair. Another change in the Licensing Committee was also approved. Trustee and Chairperson Susan Dzubay did not want to be the Chairperson any longer. Trustee Neil Boltic was named to the position.
The Village had intentions on getting the roof on the Village Hall repaired, but when a commercial roofing company looked over the roof, it was decided it needed a more serious fix. Fisher Co., out of Ellsworth, WI. Was contracted to do the work. President Bill Stewart spoke to the members of the board about what was found, and done to the roof. He explained to everyone present, that the roof had started leaking, soon after the last repairs were done. After speaking to Fisher, the cost increased by $18,000. The roof is not completely done at this point, as a estimate is still being put together for a couple more items. Stewart added, “You may notice the roof is white, instead of black now. It is better because the black roofing contracts and moves more. The white does not shrink and expand, which causes the leaks.” He then went on to add, “Instead of a five year guarantee, we now have a fifteen year guarantee. I felt it was worth the extra money, as they say that statistically, the roof can go thirty years without any issues.” The cost for the current repairs that were done came to $27,427. The extra cost will come out of the sidewalk funds. The transfer of funds for the roof was then approved.
In Committee and Board Reports, Trustee Neil Boltic spoke on behalf or the Licensing Committee. “We are still going over the verbiage for outdoor activities with the taverns, and we should have something ready for next months meeting.” Trustee Susan Dzubay then spoke on behalf of the Personnel and Finance Committee. A meeting with Genesis was held to talk over the problems with the TIFF 3. The taxes being collected have not covered what the village had advanced for them. She added, “This is getting looked into, being we are not sure why this is happening.” It was noted that Steel Services and Genesis have not been paying what they should, and a shortfall has occurred from that. They still have ten to fifteen years to pay this off, so there is time to get everything straightened out. President Bill Stewart then said, “They need to pay more to keep up. There have been questions by them on back accounting, and if we don’t nudge them, their gonna procrastinate it.” Village Clerk/Treasurer Amy Wayne told the board that she would make contact with them, to keep everything moving forward.
The board concluded the meeting by approving payment of the bills and adjourning. The meeting closed at 7:12 PM.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Nascar 2012 - race 26
Short Track Speedway
Written by Rick A. Talford
Nascar Enthusiast
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - The Nationwide Series ran their 24th race of the season on the three-quarter mile speedway. 250 laps would be run to complete this short track race. Only three cup drivers would be entered into this race. Kurt Busch (54), Kevin Harvick (33) and Denny Hamlin (18). There would be plenty of young drivers also in the race, with six teenagers running. Johanna Long (70) was a surprise runner during qualifying, as she set the top speed early. She started in the eighth position after everyone finished qualifying. Danica Patrick (7) started twenty-fourth, and Travis Pastrana (60) started the race in fifth. This was his best qualifying effort of his young career. In other related news, Elliott Sadler (2) will not be returning to Richard Childress Racing next season. Tony Eury Sr. was also released by Jr. Motorsports as their Competition Director. During the opening ceremonies, Pastor Joe Ellison provided the Invocation. The St. Gertrude High School Honor Ensemble sang the National Anthem. The Grand Marshal was Antwaan Randel El, and the In-Race reporter was Sam Hornish Jr. (12). The Pole sitter was Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (6), with Austin Dillon (3) starting beside him on the front row.
The race began with Stenhouse and Dillon swapping the lead back and forth. On lap 38, Tanner Berryhill (17) blew out a tire, then hit the wall. This brought out the first caution of the race. The second caution flew for Johanna Long (70) when she had a tire issue while running fourteenth. On lap 71, Kevin Harvick (33) would take over the lead. The third caution came out on lap 144 for Danica Patrick (7), as she attempted to move up in front of another car, she caught their front corner. She turned sideways into the wall, ending her run. She would finish the race in 29th position.
On lap 155, Sam Hornish Jr. (12) would be the reason for the fourth caution in the race. Hornish Jr. had slid up into the wall, and as he came off the wall, Timmy Hill (41) crashed into his race car. Plenty of damage was done to both cars in the incident. A “Red Flag” came out, to clean up the enormous mess. The restart on lap 162, had Harvick still running out front. He has led over one-thousand laps, and finished second (five times) since his last win in the series two years ago. Last week Harvick led the most laps, to lose the lead on the final lap. Harvick was again dominating this race, leading the most laps. The points leader Elliott Sadler (2) was not able to stay away from the many incidents himself in this race. As he was attempting to pass Stenhouse Jr., his car slipped and he ran into the wall backwards. He would fall to second in points (-19) after the wreck.
Caution number six came out on lap 198, when Brian Scott (11) hit the wall, after being tagged by Ryan Truex (99). While leading the race after the restart, Kurt Busch (54) ran up to the back end of a lap car, and spun him out. This would cost Busch the lead, as Harvick was able to get around him before the yellow flag flew. Dexter Stacey (39) would be the reason for the seventh and final caution on lap 227. The race would go back to green at lap 233, and Harvick would not be challenged again for the win. This was Harvick’s sixth victory at the track in the Nationwide Series. (most of all drivers) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. would finish second. Sadler would regain the points lead by one point over Stenhouse Jr. Third place is Austin Dillon (-30). There are eight remaining races left for the season.
The rest of the top ten were: Kurt Busch (54), Denny Hamlin (18), Michael Annett (43), Austin Dillon (3), Ty Dillon (51), Joe Nemechek (87), Ryan Blaney (22) and Darrell Wallace Jr. (20).
The next race is at Chicago on Saturday, at 2 pm cst on ESPN.
AUTO PARTS 400
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - The Cup Series would run 400 laps on the fast short track. The Pole sitter was Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88), with Jeff Gordon (24) starting beside him. This was the final race before the “Chase for the Championship” was to start in Chicago next weekend. Gordon and Kyle Busch (18) are the two drivers that need good finishes for the chance to get into the chase as “Wild Card” entries. Gordon would need to beat Busch by thirteen positions in order to over-take him for the wild card spot. A handful of other drivers were also eligible to get the position, if many things fell their way. Joey Lagono (20), Paul Menard (27), Ryan Newman (39),. Marcus Ambrose (9), Carl Edwards (99) and Kasey Kahne (5) were all racing for a wild card spot. Kahne had the first wild card spot, due to two victories he had during the first twenty-five races. Edwards was tied in points last year for the championship, but received second place, as a tie breaker went to Tony Stewart (14). Edwards would fail to get into the “Chase” this year.
In other news this week, Lagono was chosen to drive the Penske (22) race car next season. His car (20) with JGR will be taken over by Matt Kenseth. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be taking over his car (17) with Roush Racing. The “Silly Season” has already started. This race would mark Ken Schrader’s (32) 750th start. He is only the tenth driver to reach this mark in Nascar.
During the pre-race ceremonies, Danny Rodriquez sang “God Bless America”. Sgt. John Peck and the US Olympians spoke the “Pledge of Allegiance”. Pastor Joe Ellison provided the Invocation, and the 29th Division Band played the “National Anthem”. The Grand Marshal was Roy Kent. The In-race reporter was Denny Hamlin.
The race started ninety minutes late, due to rain showers that would plaque the North-East all day. The beginning of the laps, were ran under a green-yellow condition to dry the outer lane of the track better. All the race cars and two pace cars would run around the track for five laps, before turning the cars loose under green. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) would receive the credits for leading these laps. As the race went green, Earnhardt allowed Jeff Gordon (24) to take the lead for two laps to get the points for leading a lap. Earnhardt would then lead all the laps, up to the “Competition Caution” on lap 46. The third caution came out for David Ragan (34). He had spun out with a flat tire, after being tagged by Travis Kvapil (83). On lap 138, A caution came out for rain, with Denny Hamlin (11) leading the race. A “Red Flag” came out, stopping all the cars on pit road. Fifty-one minutes later, the drivers would get back into their cars.
The fifth caution of the race came out for Clint Bowyer (15), when a tire was cut down by touching the exhaust pipes of Jaun Pablo Montoya’s (42) race car. Ryan Newman (39) would receive a penalty for a tire that rolled out of his pit box, during the stops that were made. Another caution came out on lap 279 for rain. Many of the lead cars would not make a pit stop, thinking that rain may end the race. The rain was quick, and all the drivers that didn’t pit, would now have to make a stop before the race went green again. This put a big handful of cars out front, that had not been there most of the race.
The race ran green the rest of the way, with Clint Bowyer (15) being able to run over 120 laps on the tank of fuel, and get the victory over a very hard charging Jeff Gordon. Gordon had successfully accomplished what he needed to do, to get into the “Chase”. By beating Kyle Busch (18) by fourteen spots, plus the point for leading a lap. Three points was the difference between Gordon getting the wild card spot, and Busch being out of the ten race championship run. Busch would finish the race in sixteenth spot, one lap down. All four Hendrick drivers are in the “Chase”.
The rest of the top ten were: Mark Martin (55), Tony Stewart (14), Matt Kenseth (17), Jeff Burton (31), Brad Keselowski (2), Ryan Newman (39), Greg Biffle (16) and Kevin Harvick (29). Kahne, Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. would finish 12th - 14th.
From the scheduled start time, to the actual finish of this race, was six hours. Many of the fans stayed at the track, through all the rain delays. The race concluded after 1 AM on the East coast. As Kyle Busch entered pit road after the race, Owner Joe Gibbs met up with him, sticking his head into the car. He told Busch to “Handle this right”, but when spoke to by his racing trailer, Busch commented “There was No Right Way to Handle this !” He had the second “Wild Card” spot pretty well sewn up, but was not able to finish the race in a good enough position to keep it.
The Chase starts next week at Chicago, in the Geico 400 at Noon. The drivers will be reset, as to the number of wins they had during the first twenty-six races. The new points leader will be Denny Hamlin (11) with four wins. Jimmie Johnson (48), Tony Stewart (14) and Brad Keselowski (2) with three wins. Greg Biffle (16) and Clint Bowyer (15) with two wins. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) and Matt Kenseth (17) with one win each. Kevin Harvick (29) and Martin Truex Jr. (56) each by points got into the Chase. Kasey Kahne (5) and Jeff Gordon (24) each made it with the wild cards. Each driver will get three points for each victory to start the Chase. Both wild card spots, will receive no points for their victories.
Written by Rick A. Talford
Nascar Enthusiast
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - The Nationwide Series ran their 24th race of the season on the three-quarter mile speedway. 250 laps would be run to complete this short track race. Only three cup drivers would be entered into this race. Kurt Busch (54), Kevin Harvick (33) and Denny Hamlin (18). There would be plenty of young drivers also in the race, with six teenagers running. Johanna Long (70) was a surprise runner during qualifying, as she set the top speed early. She started in the eighth position after everyone finished qualifying. Danica Patrick (7) started twenty-fourth, and Travis Pastrana (60) started the race in fifth. This was his best qualifying effort of his young career. In other related news, Elliott Sadler (2) will not be returning to Richard Childress Racing next season. Tony Eury Sr. was also released by Jr. Motorsports as their Competition Director. During the opening ceremonies, Pastor Joe Ellison provided the Invocation. The St. Gertrude High School Honor Ensemble sang the National Anthem. The Grand Marshal was Antwaan Randel El, and the In-Race reporter was Sam Hornish Jr. (12). The Pole sitter was Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (6), with Austin Dillon (3) starting beside him on the front row.
The race began with Stenhouse and Dillon swapping the lead back and forth. On lap 38, Tanner Berryhill (17) blew out a tire, then hit the wall. This brought out the first caution of the race. The second caution flew for Johanna Long (70) when she had a tire issue while running fourteenth. On lap 71, Kevin Harvick (33) would take over the lead. The third caution came out on lap 144 for Danica Patrick (7), as she attempted to move up in front of another car, she caught their front corner. She turned sideways into the wall, ending her run. She would finish the race in 29th position.
On lap 155, Sam Hornish Jr. (12) would be the reason for the fourth caution in the race. Hornish Jr. had slid up into the wall, and as he came off the wall, Timmy Hill (41) crashed into his race car. Plenty of damage was done to both cars in the incident. A “Red Flag” came out, to clean up the enormous mess. The restart on lap 162, had Harvick still running out front. He has led over one-thousand laps, and finished second (five times) since his last win in the series two years ago. Last week Harvick led the most laps, to lose the lead on the final lap. Harvick was again dominating this race, leading the most laps. The points leader Elliott Sadler (2) was not able to stay away from the many incidents himself in this race. As he was attempting to pass Stenhouse Jr., his car slipped and he ran into the wall backwards. He would fall to second in points (-19) after the wreck.
Caution number six came out on lap 198, when Brian Scott (11) hit the wall, after being tagged by Ryan Truex (99). While leading the race after the restart, Kurt Busch (54) ran up to the back end of a lap car, and spun him out. This would cost Busch the lead, as Harvick was able to get around him before the yellow flag flew. Dexter Stacey (39) would be the reason for the seventh and final caution on lap 227. The race would go back to green at lap 233, and Harvick would not be challenged again for the win. This was Harvick’s sixth victory at the track in the Nationwide Series. (most of all drivers) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. would finish second. Sadler would regain the points lead by one point over Stenhouse Jr. Third place is Austin Dillon (-30). There are eight remaining races left for the season.
The rest of the top ten were: Kurt Busch (54), Denny Hamlin (18), Michael Annett (43), Austin Dillon (3), Ty Dillon (51), Joe Nemechek (87), Ryan Blaney (22) and Darrell Wallace Jr. (20).
The next race is at Chicago on Saturday, at 2 pm cst on ESPN.
AUTO PARTS 400
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - The Cup Series would run 400 laps on the fast short track. The Pole sitter was Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88), with Jeff Gordon (24) starting beside him. This was the final race before the “Chase for the Championship” was to start in Chicago next weekend. Gordon and Kyle Busch (18) are the two drivers that need good finishes for the chance to get into the chase as “Wild Card” entries. Gordon would need to beat Busch by thirteen positions in order to over-take him for the wild card spot. A handful of other drivers were also eligible to get the position, if many things fell their way. Joey Lagono (20), Paul Menard (27), Ryan Newman (39),. Marcus Ambrose (9), Carl Edwards (99) and Kasey Kahne (5) were all racing for a wild card spot. Kahne had the first wild card spot, due to two victories he had during the first twenty-five races. Edwards was tied in points last year for the championship, but received second place, as a tie breaker went to Tony Stewart (14). Edwards would fail to get into the “Chase” this year.
In other news this week, Lagono was chosen to drive the Penske (22) race car next season. His car (20) with JGR will be taken over by Matt Kenseth. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be taking over his car (17) with Roush Racing. The “Silly Season” has already started. This race would mark Ken Schrader’s (32) 750th start. He is only the tenth driver to reach this mark in Nascar.
During the pre-race ceremonies, Danny Rodriquez sang “God Bless America”. Sgt. John Peck and the US Olympians spoke the “Pledge of Allegiance”. Pastor Joe Ellison provided the Invocation, and the 29th Division Band played the “National Anthem”. The Grand Marshal was Roy Kent. The In-race reporter was Denny Hamlin.
The race started ninety minutes late, due to rain showers that would plaque the North-East all day. The beginning of the laps, were ran under a green-yellow condition to dry the outer lane of the track better. All the race cars and two pace cars would run around the track for five laps, before turning the cars loose under green. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) would receive the credits for leading these laps. As the race went green, Earnhardt allowed Jeff Gordon (24) to take the lead for two laps to get the points for leading a lap. Earnhardt would then lead all the laps, up to the “Competition Caution” on lap 46. The third caution came out for David Ragan (34). He had spun out with a flat tire, after being tagged by Travis Kvapil (83). On lap 138, A caution came out for rain, with Denny Hamlin (11) leading the race. A “Red Flag” came out, stopping all the cars on pit road. Fifty-one minutes later, the drivers would get back into their cars.
The fifth caution of the race came out for Clint Bowyer (15), when a tire was cut down by touching the exhaust pipes of Jaun Pablo Montoya’s (42) race car. Ryan Newman (39) would receive a penalty for a tire that rolled out of his pit box, during the stops that were made. Another caution came out on lap 279 for rain. Many of the lead cars would not make a pit stop, thinking that rain may end the race. The rain was quick, and all the drivers that didn’t pit, would now have to make a stop before the race went green again. This put a big handful of cars out front, that had not been there most of the race.
The race ran green the rest of the way, with Clint Bowyer (15) being able to run over 120 laps on the tank of fuel, and get the victory over a very hard charging Jeff Gordon. Gordon had successfully accomplished what he needed to do, to get into the “Chase”. By beating Kyle Busch (18) by fourteen spots, plus the point for leading a lap. Three points was the difference between Gordon getting the wild card spot, and Busch being out of the ten race championship run. Busch would finish the race in sixteenth spot, one lap down. All four Hendrick drivers are in the “Chase”.
The rest of the top ten were: Mark Martin (55), Tony Stewart (14), Matt Kenseth (17), Jeff Burton (31), Brad Keselowski (2), Ryan Newman (39), Greg Biffle (16) and Kevin Harvick (29). Kahne, Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. would finish 12th - 14th.
From the scheduled start time, to the actual finish of this race, was six hours. Many of the fans stayed at the track, through all the rain delays. The race concluded after 1 AM on the East coast. As Kyle Busch entered pit road after the race, Owner Joe Gibbs met up with him, sticking his head into the car. He told Busch to “Handle this right”, but when spoke to by his racing trailer, Busch commented “There was No Right Way to Handle this !” He had the second “Wild Card” spot pretty well sewn up, but was not able to finish the race in a good enough position to keep it.
The Chase starts next week at Chicago, in the Geico 400 at Noon. The drivers will be reset, as to the number of wins they had during the first twenty-six races. The new points leader will be Denny Hamlin (11) with four wins. Jimmie Johnson (48), Tony Stewart (14) and Brad Keselowski (2) with three wins. Greg Biffle (16) and Clint Bowyer (15) with two wins. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) and Matt Kenseth (17) with one win each. Kevin Harvick (29) and Martin Truex Jr. (56) each by points got into the Chase. Kasey Kahne (5) and Jeff Gordon (24) each made it with the wild cards. Each driver will get three points for each victory to start the Chase. Both wild card spots, will receive no points for their victories.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Nascar 2012 - race 25
NRA American Warrior 300
Written by Rick A. Talford
NASCAR Enthusiast
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - The Nationwide Series ran a 300 mile race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday night. Race number 24 of 35 races on the season would be completed with the finishing of this race. They would race 195 laps on the 1.5 mile track. In this race, were five cup regulars. Kyle Busch (54), Kevin Harvick (33), Kasey Kahne (38), Denny Hamlin (18) and Brad Keselowski (22). Two drivers would make their very first start at the track. Danica Patrick (7) and Travis Pastrana (99). They would begin their night in sixteenth and seventeenth positions. In the pre-race ceremonies, Ralph Easterwood provided the invocation. The group Von Grey sang the National Anthem, as a T-45 flew over the raceway. The Grand Marshal for the race was a group of children “Children of Fallen American Heroes”. It was also noted that in the past nine races, the race was won by a cup regular. The In-Race reporter was Cole Whitt (88). The Pole Sitter was Kyle Busch (54), with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (6) starting second.
Kyle Busch would lead the first two laps, before Stenhouse Jr. took the lead. The first caution came out early on lap four, when Joey Gase (52) had troubles with his steering and hit the wall hard. The second caution came just laps later, on lap ten for Fair Skinners (41) car going up in smoke on track. On lap eighteen, Kevin Harvick (33) would take over the lead, and show the field that he was here to dominate the race. Within a handful of laps, Harvick was five seconds out in front of second place. Harvick would make his first green flag pit stop on lap 51, after taking a twelve second lead into the pits. During the round of stops, both Keselowski (22) and Kahne (38) would get penalized for speeding while entering pit road. To make things worse, both drivers would get a second speeding infraction while doing their return run through pit road. Both drivers would fall a couple laps down, due to the penalties happening under green. Harvick now had a fifteen second lead over Stenhouse Jr. (6). Only six cars were on the lead lap, when the third caution came out on lap 65. Reed Sorenson (98) was run into the wall by Robert Richardson Jr. (23) as he tried to get out of the way of the two lap down Kahne’s car. Kahne made it three wide, and when Richardson Jr. tried to give him room, as he ran into Sorenson.
On lap 82, Denny Hamlin (18) would have a tire separate on track. The outer shell blew out, leaving him driving on the inner liner. This allows cars to do much less damage to their cars when a tire blows out. They can get back to pit road without tearing up the cars. Danica Patrick (7) would end up running over the shell, but did no damage to her race car. The fourth caution came out on lap 105, when Kahne had a tire blow out on track. Patrick would get the “Lucky Dog” to get back on the lead lap, as she had just been passed by the rocket ship of Harvick. Patrick was in thirteenth position. The fifth caution flew for Eric McClure (24) when he had troubles and scraped the wall. On the restart, Travis Pastrana (99) would have the lead for the very first time in the series. His luck would not hold up though, as he hit the wall after a tire went down on lap 163. He tried to return to the race, but the car was too damaged to continue.
Harvick now had a dominating nine second lead, before making his final stop on lap 170. During this round of pit stops, Sam Hornish Jr. (12) and Denny Hamlin (18) both received speeding penalties while entering pit road.
On lap 184, a caution for debris was flown. Just before the yellow, the camera men caught Keselowski throwing a bottle onto the track. Nascar claimed that this was not the cause of the caution, as they showed a small piece of debris picked up on track. The piece was well out of the racing groove and was up next to the wall, where no one was running. Keselowski was needing a caution to get himself back on the lead lap, after being down two laps because of the speeding penalties. (Suspicious, Who knows?) On the restart, the eighth and final caution flew for a pile up with Kyle Fowler (08), Mike Bliss (44), James Buescher (30) and Patrick (7). Buescher was attempting to get to the high side of the track, but Patrick was already there. He came across the nose of her car, turning him into the wall. Patrick was able to drive through the wreck, but tagged Bliss while trying to correct her car. Bliss and Fowler were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A “Red Flag” was shown, stopping the field so they could clean up the track. The yellow would return in just a bit over three minutes. On the final restart on lap 192, Stenhouse Jr. made the comment over his radio “The only chance we had, was if Harvick’s car would not have restarted” (after the red flag). Harvick had Dominated the entire race, leading 157 of the 195 laps. But it was not to be, as for Harvick lost the lead on the final lap to Stenhouse Jr. and Keselowski in the final two corners. He would finish third, after being in another class all night. Fresher tires on the 22, may have helped him push the 6 to victory. Only ten cars finished on the lead lap.
The top ten were: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (6), Brad Keselowski (22), Kevin Harvick (33), Elliott Sadler (2), Justin Allgaier (31), Austin Dillon (3), Kyle Busch (54), Cole Whitt (88), Sam Hornish Jr. (12) and Michael Annett (43). Danica Patrick (7) would finish one lap down in thirteenth, in her first run in Atlanta. She also led a lap during the pit stops. She will make her first start at the track, in the cup race on Sunday night.
The next race is at Richmond, on Friday night.
NOTE - Ty Dillon (3) won his first ever Truck race in Atlanta on Friday night.
ADVOCARE 500
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - The Cup Series also had their race at AMS this weekend. Drivers would run 325 laps for the 500 mile race. There was extra celebration at the track for a couple well known drivers. Jeff Gordon was celebrating twenty years as a Cup driver, while Richard Petty was celebrating twenty years, since he retired from racing. The final race at Atlanta for Richard Petty, was the first race of Jeff Gordon’s career. At this very same race, Alan Kulwicki won the 1992 Winston Cup Championship. Driving for Hooters, Kulwicki would get the Championship and the Victory in Atlanta. In the pre-race ceremonies, Bill Brannon provided the invocation. Ernie Hasse and the Signature Sound sang the National Anthem, while four T-38’s flew over the Speedway. The Grand Marshals were Richard and Sherry Wright, and the In-race reporter was Martin Truex Jr. (56). The Pole Sitter was Tony Stewart (14), with Greg Biffle (16) starting beside him on the front row.
Biffle would lead the first lap, before Stewart would take the lead on the second lap. By lap ten, Jeff Gordon (24) would become the leader, with Kyle Busch taking the lead by lap seventeen. One of the fastest cars on track was Clint Bowyer (15) going from 42nd to 14th in the first thirty laps. On lap 35, Denny Hamlin (11) would take the lead. The first caution flew for possible oil on the track, after Aric Almirola (43) had engine start smoking on track. Another car that was being watched coming to the front fast was Kevin Harvick (29), going from 29th to fifth in the first forty laps. Kyle Busch (18) and Denny Hamlin (11) would restart on the front row. During a round of green flag pit stops on lap 83, Jaun Pablo Montoya (42) would be penalized for speeding on pit road.
On lap 130, a debris caution came out. Again the restart had Busch and Hamlin on the front row. By lap 135, Kevin Harvick would take the lead. Joey Lagono (20) would have tire issues on lap 147, without any caution coming out, he went to pit road for a new set of tires. Around lap 185, Clint Bowyer (15) would have battery troubles, causing him to go to the pits while running in the seventh spot. By lap 225, Harvick had jumped out to a six second lead. He would show that the dominance he had the night before in the Nationwide race, would continue over into the Cup race. Harvick led 101 laps on the night, before finishing fifth. The third caution came out on lap 241 for Jaun Pablo Montoya touching the wall. There was no severe damage or parts that fell off the car, but Nascar threw the caution anyways. Another driver Carl Edwards (99) would have battery issues while running sixth at the time. A piston also failed on his race car, sending him to the garage for the night. Edwards had ran 102 races since his last DNF (did not finish). When the engine let go on lap 260, the fourth caution came out.
The biggest incident of the race came on lap 270, when Jimmie Johnson went three wide with Ryan Newman (39) and Sam Hornish Jr. (22). Johnson began to move over into Hornish Jr., as Newman was already on the outside of Hornish Jr. Johnson’s car would slide sideways and hit the wall in front of Newman. Johnson and Newman would not be able to continue, as Hornish Jr. was able to drive away. Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. (56) would be the front row at the restart. On lap 281, Truex Jr. would take the lead and drive away from the field. A late caution came out on lap 320, when Jamie McMurray (1) had touched the wall and blew a front tire. Everyone would make a final pit stop to get fresh tires for the final two laps, under the green-white-checkered rules. Hamlin would beat Gordon and Truex Jr. off pit road. While driving hard to the finish, Hamlin would edge out Gordon for the victory. This was Hamlin’s fourth win of the season, and second consecutive victory. Hamlin now leads the series with four victories, going into the final race before the “Chase for the Championship” that begins in two weeks.
The rest of the top ten were: Brad Keselowski (2), Martin Truex Jr. (56), Kevin Harvick (29), Kyle Busch (18), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88), Paul Menard (27), Matt Kenseth (17) and Mark Martin (55). Danica Patrick would finish the race with a clean race car in 29th position, multiple laps down. The top ten drivers are now all locked in for the Chase, with the two wild card spots to be decided next week at Richmond.
The drivers that are trying to get into the Chase as wild card entries are: Kasey Kahne (5) with two wins in eleventh spot. Kyle Busch (18) with one win in twelfth. Jeff Gordon (24) with one win in thirteenth, and Carl Edwards (99) with no wins in fourteenth.
The next and final race before the Chase begins, is next Saturday night at Richmond.
Written by Rick A. Talford
NASCAR Enthusiast
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - The Nationwide Series ran a 300 mile race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday night. Race number 24 of 35 races on the season would be completed with the finishing of this race. They would race 195 laps on the 1.5 mile track. In this race, were five cup regulars. Kyle Busch (54), Kevin Harvick (33), Kasey Kahne (38), Denny Hamlin (18) and Brad Keselowski (22). Two drivers would make their very first start at the track. Danica Patrick (7) and Travis Pastrana (99). They would begin their night in sixteenth and seventeenth positions. In the pre-race ceremonies, Ralph Easterwood provided the invocation. The group Von Grey sang the National Anthem, as a T-45 flew over the raceway. The Grand Marshal for the race was a group of children “Children of Fallen American Heroes”. It was also noted that in the past nine races, the race was won by a cup regular. The In-Race reporter was Cole Whitt (88). The Pole Sitter was Kyle Busch (54), with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (6) starting second.
Kyle Busch would lead the first two laps, before Stenhouse Jr. took the lead. The first caution came out early on lap four, when Joey Gase (52) had troubles with his steering and hit the wall hard. The second caution came just laps later, on lap ten for Fair Skinners (41) car going up in smoke on track. On lap eighteen, Kevin Harvick (33) would take over the lead, and show the field that he was here to dominate the race. Within a handful of laps, Harvick was five seconds out in front of second place. Harvick would make his first green flag pit stop on lap 51, after taking a twelve second lead into the pits. During the round of stops, both Keselowski (22) and Kahne (38) would get penalized for speeding while entering pit road. To make things worse, both drivers would get a second speeding infraction while doing their return run through pit road. Both drivers would fall a couple laps down, due to the penalties happening under green. Harvick now had a fifteen second lead over Stenhouse Jr. (6). Only six cars were on the lead lap, when the third caution came out on lap 65. Reed Sorenson (98) was run into the wall by Robert Richardson Jr. (23) as he tried to get out of the way of the two lap down Kahne’s car. Kahne made it three wide, and when Richardson Jr. tried to give him room, as he ran into Sorenson.
On lap 82, Denny Hamlin (18) would have a tire separate on track. The outer shell blew out, leaving him driving on the inner liner. This allows cars to do much less damage to their cars when a tire blows out. They can get back to pit road without tearing up the cars. Danica Patrick (7) would end up running over the shell, but did no damage to her race car. The fourth caution came out on lap 105, when Kahne had a tire blow out on track. Patrick would get the “Lucky Dog” to get back on the lead lap, as she had just been passed by the rocket ship of Harvick. Patrick was in thirteenth position. The fifth caution flew for Eric McClure (24) when he had troubles and scraped the wall. On the restart, Travis Pastrana (99) would have the lead for the very first time in the series. His luck would not hold up though, as he hit the wall after a tire went down on lap 163. He tried to return to the race, but the car was too damaged to continue.
Harvick now had a dominating nine second lead, before making his final stop on lap 170. During this round of pit stops, Sam Hornish Jr. (12) and Denny Hamlin (18) both received speeding penalties while entering pit road.
On lap 184, a caution for debris was flown. Just before the yellow, the camera men caught Keselowski throwing a bottle onto the track. Nascar claimed that this was not the cause of the caution, as they showed a small piece of debris picked up on track. The piece was well out of the racing groove and was up next to the wall, where no one was running. Keselowski was needing a caution to get himself back on the lead lap, after being down two laps because of the speeding penalties. (Suspicious, Who knows?) On the restart, the eighth and final caution flew for a pile up with Kyle Fowler (08), Mike Bliss (44), James Buescher (30) and Patrick (7). Buescher was attempting to get to the high side of the track, but Patrick was already there. He came across the nose of her car, turning him into the wall. Patrick was able to drive through the wreck, but tagged Bliss while trying to correct her car. Bliss and Fowler were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A “Red Flag” was shown, stopping the field so they could clean up the track. The yellow would return in just a bit over three minutes. On the final restart on lap 192, Stenhouse Jr. made the comment over his radio “The only chance we had, was if Harvick’s car would not have restarted” (after the red flag). Harvick had Dominated the entire race, leading 157 of the 195 laps. But it was not to be, as for Harvick lost the lead on the final lap to Stenhouse Jr. and Keselowski in the final two corners. He would finish third, after being in another class all night. Fresher tires on the 22, may have helped him push the 6 to victory. Only ten cars finished on the lead lap.
The top ten were: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (6), Brad Keselowski (22), Kevin Harvick (33), Elliott Sadler (2), Justin Allgaier (31), Austin Dillon (3), Kyle Busch (54), Cole Whitt (88), Sam Hornish Jr. (12) and Michael Annett (43). Danica Patrick (7) would finish one lap down in thirteenth, in her first run in Atlanta. She also led a lap during the pit stops. She will make her first start at the track, in the cup race on Sunday night.
The next race is at Richmond, on Friday night.
NOTE - Ty Dillon (3) won his first ever Truck race in Atlanta on Friday night.
ADVOCARE 500
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - The Cup Series also had their race at AMS this weekend. Drivers would run 325 laps for the 500 mile race. There was extra celebration at the track for a couple well known drivers. Jeff Gordon was celebrating twenty years as a Cup driver, while Richard Petty was celebrating twenty years, since he retired from racing. The final race at Atlanta for Richard Petty, was the first race of Jeff Gordon’s career. At this very same race, Alan Kulwicki won the 1992 Winston Cup Championship. Driving for Hooters, Kulwicki would get the Championship and the Victory in Atlanta. In the pre-race ceremonies, Bill Brannon provided the invocation. Ernie Hasse and the Signature Sound sang the National Anthem, while four T-38’s flew over the Speedway. The Grand Marshals were Richard and Sherry Wright, and the In-race reporter was Martin Truex Jr. (56). The Pole Sitter was Tony Stewart (14), with Greg Biffle (16) starting beside him on the front row.
Biffle would lead the first lap, before Stewart would take the lead on the second lap. By lap ten, Jeff Gordon (24) would become the leader, with Kyle Busch taking the lead by lap seventeen. One of the fastest cars on track was Clint Bowyer (15) going from 42nd to 14th in the first thirty laps. On lap 35, Denny Hamlin (11) would take the lead. The first caution flew for possible oil on the track, after Aric Almirola (43) had engine start smoking on track. Another car that was being watched coming to the front fast was Kevin Harvick (29), going from 29th to fifth in the first forty laps. Kyle Busch (18) and Denny Hamlin (11) would restart on the front row. During a round of green flag pit stops on lap 83, Jaun Pablo Montoya (42) would be penalized for speeding on pit road.
On lap 130, a debris caution came out. Again the restart had Busch and Hamlin on the front row. By lap 135, Kevin Harvick would take the lead. Joey Lagono (20) would have tire issues on lap 147, without any caution coming out, he went to pit road for a new set of tires. Around lap 185, Clint Bowyer (15) would have battery troubles, causing him to go to the pits while running in the seventh spot. By lap 225, Harvick had jumped out to a six second lead. He would show that the dominance he had the night before in the Nationwide race, would continue over into the Cup race. Harvick led 101 laps on the night, before finishing fifth. The third caution came out on lap 241 for Jaun Pablo Montoya touching the wall. There was no severe damage or parts that fell off the car, but Nascar threw the caution anyways. Another driver Carl Edwards (99) would have battery issues while running sixth at the time. A piston also failed on his race car, sending him to the garage for the night. Edwards had ran 102 races since his last DNF (did not finish). When the engine let go on lap 260, the fourth caution came out.
The biggest incident of the race came on lap 270, when Jimmie Johnson went three wide with Ryan Newman (39) and Sam Hornish Jr. (22). Johnson began to move over into Hornish Jr., as Newman was already on the outside of Hornish Jr. Johnson’s car would slide sideways and hit the wall in front of Newman. Johnson and Newman would not be able to continue, as Hornish Jr. was able to drive away. Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. (56) would be the front row at the restart. On lap 281, Truex Jr. would take the lead and drive away from the field. A late caution came out on lap 320, when Jamie McMurray (1) had touched the wall and blew a front tire. Everyone would make a final pit stop to get fresh tires for the final two laps, under the green-white-checkered rules. Hamlin would beat Gordon and Truex Jr. off pit road. While driving hard to the finish, Hamlin would edge out Gordon for the victory. This was Hamlin’s fourth win of the season, and second consecutive victory. Hamlin now leads the series with four victories, going into the final race before the “Chase for the Championship” that begins in two weeks.
The rest of the top ten were: Brad Keselowski (2), Martin Truex Jr. (56), Kevin Harvick (29), Kyle Busch (18), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88), Paul Menard (27), Matt Kenseth (17) and Mark Martin (55). Danica Patrick would finish the race with a clean race car in 29th position, multiple laps down. The top ten drivers are now all locked in for the Chase, with the two wild card spots to be decided next week at Richmond.
The drivers that are trying to get into the Chase as wild card entries are: Kasey Kahne (5) with two wins in eleventh spot. Kyle Busch (18) with one win in twelfth. Jeff Gordon (24) with one win in thirteenth, and Carl Edwards (99) with no wins in fourteenth.
The next and final race before the Chase begins, is next Saturday night at Richmond.
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