Figure-Eight Racing in Talladega??

After weeks of green flag racing that was, for lack of a better word, boring, yesterday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway proved to be a different change of scenery. In fact, there were not one, but TWO "Big Ones" that occurred within the last 50 laps of the race.

At the completion of the race, people weren't talking about Brad Keselowski's trip to Victory Lane, but the drivers' reactions to the racing itself. Most notably were those of defending Sprint Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart, who had this to say:

I mean, let's be honest here. Smoke is obviously fired up about the final laps of the race. Love him or hate him, you have to give him some credit for having the you-know-whats to go there on live television, even though jaunts like those have bitten him in the behind before. But I think the best part is that he doesn't break character at all during the interview. I mean, damn... I can't even tell a knock-knock joke without cracking a smile for cryin' out loud!

So...without further adieu, this week's CHECKERS goes out to no other than Tony Stewart! Obviously NASCAR believes so too, because they announced today that they would not be penalizing Smoke for those comments made yesterday. Rock on with your bad self, Smoke!

Whenever he does decide to hang up the helmet, he may have a career in acting. I'm just sayin'... 

NASCAR’s Top Three Series Gets First “Check-Up” of 2012

The 2012 NASCAR season is only six weeks old, but for many this past weekend’s hiatus couldn’t have come at a better time. For those on the other side of the coin, the off-weekend could have waited a couple more weeks. For some of us race fans there is never a good time to have a weekend without NASCAR. Let’s break down these first half-dozen races and see who’s on the right path and who’s… well… “Off the pace.”

I think the quality of racing we’ve seen across the top three series this year has been by far the best in recent history. It is almost like some of the teams picked up where it left off at Homestead last November. Take Tony Stewart for example; he won five out of the final ten races last year en route to his third Sprint Cup Championship. In 2012 he picked up right where he left off by winning the one of the Gatorade Duels at Daytona, along with victories in both Las Vegas and California. Add in the fact that he’s working with a new crew chief in Steve Addington, and it is goes without question that Smoke is having the best start in his racing career. For someone who usually gets hot when the weather does, I think we are seeing another championship-worthy performance from the #14 team.

On the other hand, there are some teams who would like a “do-over” for 2012. Nobody else comes to mind other than Kasey Kahne. Since joining Hendrick Motorsports at the end of the 2011 season, his performance has been dismal at best. He has had fast cars and great equipment, but Lady Luck has not been on his side. In fact, the driver he replaced in the #5, Mark Martin, has two less starts than Kahne but sits six spots ahead of him in the Sprint Cup Series’ standings (Martin is 25^th in points and Kahne is in 31^st). I don’t see Kasey making this year’s Chase for the Sprint Cup, but I think he can salvage a decent season if he can shake the monkey off his back.

It’s hard to give out Checkers and Wreckers to some of these teams when we’re so little into the season, but it’s a tough job and someone’s got to do it. If your favorite driver is on here and you’re not happy about it, please don’t shoot the messenger... We still have a long way to go in the season… or do we?

Checkers (in no particular order):

• The Nationwide Series regulars- they’ve won four out of the first five races of 2012. There were only six races out of the entire season last year were won by NNS regulars, so obviously these teams are doing something right.
• Elliott Sadler and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.- The top two finishers in the Nationwide Series have won a combined three races already in 2012. I foresee another epic battle for the championship between these two, possibly going down to the wire in Homestead just like Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards did for the Sprint Cup last year. 
• Stewart Haas Racing- Let’s face it… these guys are flat dominating this year, winning half of the races the Cup boys (and girl) have run this year. Both Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman are in the top ten in points as well. I’m impressed.
• Michael Waltrip Racing- I have to admit, I was a little apprehensive when Clint Bowyer announced his move to MWR at the end of last season. With impressive runs by him and teammates Martin Truex, Jr., Mark Martin, and Brian Vickers, I am solidly a believer in this bunch. I would keep them on my radar if I were you.

Wreckers (again in no particular order):

• Hendrick Motorsports- With the exception of Dale Earnhardt, Jr., it has been a very dismal start to the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season for arguably the most dominant team in the garage. Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne are 21^st and 31^st in points, respectively, and after having the majority of his penalties vanished, Jimmie Johnson finds himself in tenth place. Better get crackin’ guys!
• Trevor Bayne- The 2011 Daytona 500 Champion hasn’t had a bad performance this year, but a lack of sponsorship has his Nationwide Series schedule up in the air from week to week. He isn’t even on the entry list for this weekend’s race in Texas, where he claimed his first NNS victory last fall. Somebody give this boy some money!
• Carl Edwards- After a historic battle for the Sprint Cup with Tony Stewart last year, poor “Cousin Carl” hasn’t had much luck at all in 2012. Then again, neither did Denny Hamiln after he finished in the runner-up spot to Jimmie Johnson in 2010. Maybe it’s a curse??

From here we go on to Texas Motor Speedway, where the Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series will be racing on Friday and Saturday nights. The Camping World Truck Series will be at the legendary Rockingham Speedway on Sunday for the first major NASCAR race held there since 2004. Hold on tight, because we’re in for a wicked weekend of racing!!

Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Ryan Newman takes the checkered flag at the end of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday in Martinsville, Va.

It’s Bristol, Baby: ‘Bad Brad’ Goes Back-to-Back in Thunder Valley

On Saturday night, Brad Keselowski tweeted that his Sprint Cup Series car was the best he’d ever had in his career. On Sunday afternoon, he proved it by winning the Food City 500, making it back-to-back wins at the famed Tennessee bullring. The driver of the “blue deuce” led 232 laps en route to his fifth career victory in NASCAR’s elite series.

The race didn’t start off all rosy for Kez though. On lap 24, Kasey Kahne and Regan Smith got together right in front of him, almost taking him out of the race. Fortunately he sustained minor damage and was able to continue on, obviously. The same couldn’t be said for Kahne, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Marcos Ambrose, and Kevin Harvick, all of whom sustained significant damage in the wreck. Harvick, however, rallied from lengthy stops on Pit Road to repair the damage and finished 11^th.

Perhaps the biggest surprise wasn’t the driver who ended up in Victory Lane, but the one who started 2012 without a ride at all. Just days after announcing his partnership with Michael Waltrip Racing for six races this season, Brian Vickers ran up front all day, leading 125 laps and finishing fifth. In fact, all three of the MWR cars finished in the top five, with Martin Truex, Jr. and Clint Bowyer finishing third and fourth, respectively. Earnhardt Ganassi Racing also had a great showing as both Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya finishing in the top-10, showing much improvement over their previous weeks’ performances. 

However, the race itself didn’t seem like the good ol’ Bristol we knew and loved. Sunday’s race showed longer green flag runs, different pit strategy, and only five caution flags. If that was a good thing is a different story for a different day, but if you ask Brad, I’m sure it was just fine for him.

Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR

Brad Keselowski takes a Twitpic for @keselowski amidst the 

celebration following his win in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 

on Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn.

So who walks away with the checkers and who ends up on the wrecker this week? The results may surprise you… Then again, maybe not.

Checkers: Welcome back, Brian Vickers. After suffering from near-fatal blood clots that sidelined him for most of the 2010 season, to losing his Red Bull Racing ride at the end of last season, to contending for the win on Sunday, it is obvious that the word “quit” is not in his vocabulary. I bet even Matt Kenseth was proud of him as well. One thing is for sure though… Vickers belongs in this sport. I hope someone comes to bat and offers him a legitimate full time ride.

Wreckers: Poor Kasey Kane cannot catch a break so far this year, hitting just about everything but the lottery. He has had great cars and even a pole at Phoenix, but it seems like Lady Luck is not on his side. However, I have faith in the #5, and I think he will redeem himself this upcoming weekend in California, where he has run very well in the past. There is still a lot of racing left in 2012.

Brian Vickers to Drive Six Races for MWR in 2012

As posted by Brian Vickers himself on his Facebook fan page:

CORNELIUS, N.C. – Michael Waltrip Racing announced today that Brian Vickers will drive the team’s No. 55 Toyota Camry in six NASCAR Sprint Cup races in 2012 beginning at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 18.

Vickers will also race the No. 55 at the August Bristol event as well as each of the two races at Martinsville Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway this season.

“I am thrilled to get back behind the wheel of not just a race car, but a very fast race car,” said Vickers who earned Toyota Racing Development its first Chase for the Sprint Cup entry in 2009. 

“I’m lucky to find a ride of this quality so early in the season. That Toyota won the pole last weekend in Phoenix and you saw it up front throughout the race. I know how good (crew chief) Rodney Childers and team are. I’ve known Rodney since I was eight years old. This car is tied for sixth in points right now. This is going to be fun. I appreciate the opportunity Michael and the entire MWR organization are giving me.” 

Vickers, 28, owns two victories and 11 poles. Until this season, the Thomasville, N.C. native competed full time in the Sprint Cup Series for eight years. In 2011, he scored three top-five and seven top-10 finishes.

Vickers began his Sprint Cup career in 2003 driving for Hendrick Motorsports before moving to Red Bull Racing in 2007. Vickers has raced only Toyotas since the manufacturer entered Sprint Cup competition in 2007. 

“Brian Vickers is a veteran driver with almost 10 years experience, but he hasn’t even turned 30 yet,” said MWR owner Michael Waltrip.

“He’s shown he can win at this level and we have every confidence he’ll run well with us. I believe in second chances and this is great opportunity for us and Brian. He wants to show the world how good he really is and we believe in the equipment and people we’re putting him with in 2012.”

Waltrip drove the No. 55 in the Budweiser Shootout and will run in four more races in 2012. Mark Martin will drive the No. 55 in 24 races plus the All Star Race in Charlotte. MWR will name a driver for two road course events later.

I'm so happy to hear that Brian has landed a ride for at least some races in 2012. Let's hope this leads to more great opportunities for him. I wish him nothing but the best of luck.

Smith, Menard Escape Injuries in Colorado Road Accident

Courtesy of the Furniture Row Racing's Facebook Page:

"NASCAR drivers Regan Smith and Paul Menard, along with Smith’s wife Megan and a friend of the Smiths, escaped injuries in a Colorado road accident today (Wednesday, approximately 8:45 a.m. MT). The foursome was on the way to a nearby ski slope. 

Smith lost control of his Silverado truck after hitting a patch of ice near his mountain home in Evergreen, outside of Denver. The truck slid off the road and crashed into a collection of trees.

Smith and Menard will compete in Sunday's Kobalt Tools 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Smith drives the No. 78 Chevrolet for Furniture Row Racing while Menard drives the No. 27 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing."


I'm glad to hear that everybody involved was ok and that both Regan and Paul will race this weekend in Las Vegas. Cars are replaceable... people are not! 

Hamlin, Sadler Rise From the Ashes With Wins at PIR

It is no secret that Phoenix International Raceway is a place where many a winless streak has been broken, hence its name being very fitting to those looking to rise from the ashes of tattered pasts. This weekend was no exception as Elliott Sadler and Denny Hamlin took home the hardware in Saturday and Sunday’s races in “The Valley of The Sun.”

In his first Nationwide Series win since visiting Victory Lane at Rockingham in October 1998, Elliott Sadler held off a hard-charging Brad Keselowski to win the Bashas’ Supermarkets 200. The Richard Childress Racing driver essentially ended his championship hopes last November after being in a late-race crash, something he can put behind him now that he’s captured that elusive first win with his new team (Kevin Harvick, Inc. closed shop after the 2011 season and its operations were moved to RCR).

Another driver looking for redemption at PIR was Denny Hamlin. After a disappointing finish there in 2010, Hamlin’s Sprint Cup Series title chances were dashed, causing him to lose the Sprint Cup by only 39 points to eventual champion Jimmie Johnson. Hamlin, looking for a new start after a dismal 2011, teamed up with defending championship crew chief Darian Grubb; they started the season with a fourth-place finish in the Daytona 500.

The #11 team was able to improve on last week’s impressive start by winning Sunday’s Subway Fresh Fit 500, just their second race with its fearless new leader.  Hamlin ran up front all day and led the final 58 laps en route to his 18^th career Sprint Cup Series victory. After leading the most laps in the race, Kevin Harvick finished second, despite running out of fuel coming to the white flag.  Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson, and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top five. Hamlin leads Biffle in the point standings by six going into this weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

So who gets the checkers and who ends up with wreckers this week? There were a lot of contenders for each, but I can only choose one, so here it goes:

Checkers: Without a doubt, this goes to Darian Grubb. After being released from Stewart Haas Racing at the end of the 2011 season, he made the move to Joe Gibbs Racing and the #11 team of Denny Hamlin. Sunday’s win is Grubb’s sixth in the past twelve races, not to mention with two different drivers. I expect a big year from him and his new team.

Wreckers: It was a rough weekend for Grubb’s former boss, Tony Stewart. After having mechanical issues associated with trying to save fuel, Stewart finished two-laps down in 22^nd, just one spot behind his teammate Ryan Newman. Newman backed his #39 Chevy into the wall after contact with Carl Edwards late in the race. After wrecking his primary car in Friday’s practice and crashing the backup on Sunday, the SHR body shop, and Stewart’s checkbook, will be working overtime this week.

Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR

Denny Hamlin celebrates his first victory and seventh top-10 finish in 14 races on Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway. He is the seventh consecutive different winner at the Avondale, Ariz. facility.

How High Are Gas Prices??

Matt Kenseth appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno this week. After taking home over $1.5 million from winning the Daytona 500, I don't think Matt will have to worry about gas prices that much. 

Matt Kenseth on the Tonight Show

If you don't already, you should follow Matt on Twitter (@mattkenseth). He's got that dry sense of humor that I find hilarious. One of the funniest guys in the garage, that's for sure.