Showing posts with label Richmond International Speedway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richmond International Speedway. Show all posts

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Friday Night Mash Up


Brad Keselowski goes two for two

Keselowski may stick in your craw, but at the end of the day Bad Brad gets it done.

Judging from the sound bytes of his peers and the on-track retaliation of Carl Edwards, Keselowski doesn't have too many BFFs in the garage.  And there's also a core group of NASAR fans who don't appreciate his checkers or wreckers style. 

But say what you will about ol' Brad. During the past two weeks Keselowski has shown he can win without causing the big one.

Tonight, what looked like a major screwup on live TV ended up giving Team Brad the win. When Paul Menard caused a caution with six laps to go, the No. 22 took four tires, giving up the first place spot. Meanwhile, the lurker Kyle Busch stayed out and gained P1, causing even the ESPN broadcasters to predict a Kyle Busch victory.

And that's what's so great about NASCAR. The probable doesn't always happen.  And even the most logical of predictions don't always come true.

Keselowski ended up scrambling for the win, passing Kyle Busch and a few other contenders with seeming ease. And after last week's Talladega victory, he's positioned to vie for his first Nationwide championship.

Maybe it's good to be Bad Brad after all ...

What's next - the plague?

Mother Nature seems to be toying with NASCAR this season.  It all began with pre-season snowfall at Daytona International Speedway.  There was rain at Martinsville. Rain at Texas. Tornadoes near Talladega.  And today's news?  An earthquake at Richmond no less.

Troublesome conditions seem to follow the NASCAR circuit like the National Enquirer follows Dale Jr. 

Makes you wonder what's next for Darlington - a plague of locusts?

Speaking of Dale Jr.

Thanks to the folks at DEI for forwarding the below pix of yesterday's big announcement that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive the No. 3 Wrangler Chevy at Daytona in July.





Today, Junior talked to the press at Richmond International Raceway about how he feels about driving the car ... and whether or not there's any truth to the National Enquirer's story about his (ahem) alleged indiscretion.

Regarding the No. 3 car:

"At first, I was uncomfortable about it initially but the more I kind of see everybody together and the car itself and stuff like that, the more I get excited about it and the more I am happy about doing it. I wouldn’t want to do anything to upset anybody, the fans or anything like that. I feel like I do a good job of staying within the guidelines of respect and taste regarding my Father and what he accomplished and his fans and all that stuff.”

And about that Enquirer article accusing Junior of breaking up a marriage?

“We’ve been in there (the National Enquirer) a lot. I don’t know why we keep popping up in there. I guess we are relevant in some realm. You learn a lot of new stuff about yourself that you never knew before.”

“There is no truth to that particular story or any of the other ones for that matter if we want to set the record straight.”

“The Enquirer is pretty creative. I have to hand it to them.”


Discuss amongst yourselves.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Sometimes Nice Guys Finish First

When the checkered flag waved at Richmond International Speedway tonight, Mark Martin went from almost-on-the-bubble to first place in the Chase. Quite an accomplishment from a guy who pretty much retired from NASCAR a couple years ago.

This season, the driver of the No. 5 Chevy has managed to snag six pole positions four wins and nine top five finishes--all without controversy.

In a sport where petulant loudmouths often get the most air time, Martin stands apart as a driver who exhibits limitless class, consummate sportsmanship and consistency of performance. Martin drives clean, is generous when giving credit to his crew and he always has a smile for the cameras and race fans.

Sure, Martin's interviews may not make the most newsworthy sound bites. But all-in-all, Martin is the man.

And it's nice to see the man sittin' in the top spot after all these years.


Monday, September 7, 2009

Are You Ready for Some Richmond?

The NASCAR Sprint Cup series is moving to ABC for the rest of the season...and Saturday night's race under the lights at Richmond International Speedway is gonna be one heckuva night. It's the final race before the Chase and the last time that the on-the-bubble boys will have a shot at a Cup championship in 2009. There's gonna be flat-out, wide-open, no-holds-barred racing. And for a diehard NASCAR fan, this is a night you don't want to miss.

ESPN’s live, flag-to-flag coverage of the Chevy Rock & Roll 400, the race that will determine who's in and who's out of the Chase for the Cup, will air on ABC. The telecast begins with NASCAR Countdown presented by Degree V12 at 7 p.m. ET and the race’s green flag is at 7:43 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12.

ESPN will also broadcast NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying on Friday, Sept. 11, at 5:30 p.m., and a telecast of NASCAR Sprint Cup final practice on Friday at 2 p.m., both on ESPN2.

Set your Tivos now...and make plans for a rowdy and rockin' Saturday night.

Photo caption: Dr. Jerry Punch will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage, with analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Dale Jarrett and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree. Photo credit - ESPN