NASCAR’s Biggest Fan - Ron Ripple

The NASCAR chase for second place is the new excitement in NASCAR.    I’m tired of hearing the name Jimmie Johnson… so let’s talk about who’s going to earn the second place position… a.k.a. the first loser?  Will it be Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, or Jeff Burton?   Make your predictions!

The way this year has been going, I would think Carl Edwards is going to earn the “first loser” position.  He’s been in contention all year… from chasing Kyle Busch at the beginning of the season… to chasing Jimmie Johnson at the end.  He’s had an incredible year but unfortunatley it just wasn’t good enough.  With only one more race left in the season, Mr. Edwards has given it all he’s got.  He turned that “nice guy” image into a well…. “nice guy” image who got second place. 

If anyone was going to beat Jimmie Johnson this year it was going to be either Kyle Busch or Carl Edwards.  Kyle made his bed early, but Carl Edwards went down fighting. 

Another racer who I put all my money on before the chase began was Greg Biffle.  I picked “The Biff” as an underdog to win the Championship, but the S.O.B. just couldn’t get ‘er done.  He fought a good fight, but just didn’t have that winning edge to pull through.  He won a couple races at the end but he just didn’t have that winning streak he needed in order to take home the title.

 Who was the biggest dissapointment?

In my opinion the biggest dissapointment this year had to go to two drivers.  Now these two drivers I tend to make fun of in one way or another, but it’s only because they’re incredible racers and I have to make fun of someone.

Kyle Busch… I can’t say it enough!  Kyle Busch absolutely dominated the 2008 Season up until the chase.  He was the “bad guy” of the season and brought a lot of attention to the sport.  If I were a race God, I would have restructured the Chase and made these last final races a battle between the good and the bad.  Jimmie Johnson vs. Kyle Busch.  But unfortunately for me, I’m not a race God and can’t restructure the ending.  Kyle Busch is just gonna have to start over next year and prove himself again.  If anyone can do it… it’s him.

Jeff Gordon… the guy is one of the best racers to date.  He’s won championships and has beat some of the best drivers that have ever walked into the NASCAR world.  But unfortunately for Jeff Gordon, he got owned in the 2008 season.  He’s had a winless year thus far, and with only one race left, it doesn’t look good.  Lucky for him, he’s got a ridiculously good looking wife to go home to. 

Who do you think is going to earn the “first loser” title?  Who do you think was the biggest dissapointment?

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We’re getting so close to the end of the season and as I said at the beginning of the Chase, my money is on Greg Biffle.  Yeah yeah yeah… Jeff Gordon has a 7.0 rating at Martinsville, and blah blah blah… Jimmie Johnson has a 6.0 rating at Martinsville, well I’m not saying ”The Biff” is going to win Martinsville, but I am saying he’s going to be the champ at the end of the season.

As usual, the press constantly talks about the stars such as Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch or Jeff Gordon.  They’re always talking about “What color underwear they wear… what they ate for breakfast… how many times they dropped the kids off at the pool… who they’re dating… blah blah blah.”  And if you haven’t noticed, but before every race people are betting on these guys to win, and when they don’t, they still always seem to talk about what went wrong and why they shouldn’ve won. 

Jimmie Johnson… the Media Whore!

After my last Gas Card Giveaway contest, I realized there are a number of driver’s who don’t get the credit they deserve.  When I picked ”The Biff” to win the Championship at the beginning of the Chase, I picked him because I thought he was an incredible driver and he was an underdog in the eyes of the media.  So far ”The Biff” has been showing strong and staying in the hunt, right where he needs to be.

Another underdog who should never be considered an underdog is Jeff Burton.  The only time this guy gets any attention from the media is when he wins.  We never hear about his hobbies outside of racing, or his Garage drama at the race track.  I’m almost wondering if I should create rumors for these guys so they get more attention and get more fans behind them. 

How about this one… “Jeff Burton  lost 12 lbs for his Lowe’s win this past weekend.  Rumors are going around that he is throwing up his lunches just to stay thin and give him the weight advantage when he’s goes into turn 1.”  Pretty scary when the man only weighs 158 lbs… hopefully he passes his physical in the pre-race exam for Martinsville.

Ron Ripple has the pictures to Prove it!

Anyway… “The Biff” is still my pick.  If I have to make up rumors for him then I will.  Martinsville isn’t his track of choice, but if he stays consistant and gets a top 5 finish, then he’ll still be sitting pretty. 

Obviously this is Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson’s track… I think we need Jeff Gordon to get the win this weekend and make sure Jimmie Johnson stays out of the top 5.  Anything’s possible.

Who do you all think the Dark Horse is in the Race for the Championship?  Jeff Burton, Greg Biffle, Clint Boyer, Kevin Harvick?  Hey… we haven’t heard about Kyle Busch as much as we used to!!!!

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Just when you thought the chase was dominated by Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, or even Greg Biffle… Jeff Burton decides he’s not going to let it go that easily.  Burton wins at Lowe’s to put himself in Second place over all in the points.  The Championship keeps getting that much more interesting… Boy do I love NASCAR!

 Jeff Burton and Jimmie Johnson battled it out late in the race on Saturday night at the Bank of America 500.  Jimmie Johnson ended up having handling issues which pushed him back into the 6th position and allowed Jeff Burton to take the win.  Running in second was Kasey Kahne who just didn’t have enough for Jeff Burton late in the race.

One driver who I was impressed with Saturday night was Jeff Gordon.  You all know Jeff Gordon is a sissy boy in my eyes but Saturday night the guy came out and had more difficulty on the track than most, but still some how pulled off a top ten finish.  After the race I watched the team load the car into the Hauler, and it was the “little engine that could.”  and surprisingly even though he didn’t win the race, he did a hell of a job in my opinion.

So Jeff Gordon… I won’t make fun of you in this post… I’ll let you drink you’re Pinot Grigio in peace… because you’re a warrior… and if warriors drink wine… then go for it.

Another driver who had a tough night was Carl Edwards.  Early in the race the kid decided to pit which is perfectly fine, but when you pit and a caution comes out… you’re in deep doo doo.  Well Carl Edwards was knee deep in the doo doo and couldn’t change the outcome.  Sh!t happens… literally… so what are you going to do?  He left the track in fourth place in the overall points standings.

So for those of you who attempted to win the Gas Card in this past week’s contest obvioulsy lost.  Nobody expected Burton to win, so we’re going to leave the contest up for next weekend.  So make sure you pick a winner for the next race.  I’ll post the contest again so we can start fresh.

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Talladega… one of the biggest and baddest super speedways in the world will be hosting the 4th race in the chase! Get excited my fellow Ron Ripplers because this is going to be one to remember.

The famous saying by the great Ricky Bobby… “If you’re not first, you’re last” couldn’t be more correct during this time in NASCAR racing. We’re officially at the 4th race for the chase, and this is the time to start winning. As expected… you’ve got Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards out there running flawlessly 1 and 2, with the unexpected Greg Biffle right behind them. (I expected it)

Alright everyone… here’s my pick for the weekend. Not to sound cocky or anything but I’ve been pickin winners lately and have a great feeling about this. Talladega is a track where only the strongest survive, and I mean STRONGESTTT!!! Kyle Busch has had a horrible time during the chase with no top 10 finishes and all of them resulting with some sort of mechanical problem. Well this weekend I’ve got a great feeling he’s going to have a flawless car and “drive it like he stole it.”

Kyle Busch has a lot to prove these last few races and if he has a solid car, he’s going to go out and do it. I know I always talk about how whiney and goofy he is… but the kid “pisses excellence” just as Ricky Bobby did in the movie Taladega Nights. He’s gonna have a few bad luck races but his bad luck is finally gone and the good luck is back.

So that’s my pick for the weekend. even though I hope Greg Biffle does well, because he’s my pick to win the championship overall. I know you can’t count Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards out, so lets just hope Sunday isn’t their day.

If you’re in Taladega this weekend make sure you look for me. I’ll either be trying to steal Jimmie Johnson’s wife Chandra away or hitting on Jeff Gordon’s wife Ingrid. Just mentioning those names makes me want to write a post about which Team Owner has the hottest wives on their team. So far I’d have to say Hendrick Motorsports… they sure do know how to pick them.

Speaking of picks… let me know who you think is going to take home the checkered flag this weekend. Is it Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, or good ol’ Greg Biffle. Let me know who you predict.

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Greg Biffle continues to make me look good by winning races and getting that much closer to winning the Championship.  He gets his second win in a row, by taking home the checkered flag at Dover’s Monster Mile. 

After winning his second race of the year and it being the second race in a row, I have a feeling Mr. Greg Biffle won’t be taking off those “1st Place Panties” for the rest of the year… and I don’t blame him!!!!!

The Monster Mile was an intense race yesterday with there being a lot of players that could have taken home the win.  Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, and Jimmie Johnson all led the race but when it came down to the final laps it was Biffle’s race.

Watching Greg Biffle consistantly be in the hunt all day yesterday almost makes you wonder if he was doing what he claimed he did at the Sylvania 300.  He sat back till the end of the race and it was almost as if he turned it on with the flick of a switch to take home the win.

His team mates Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwarsd didn’t make it easy for him and created one of the most instense finishes of the year.  There was bumping and grinding between all three that must have made Mr Roush “sh*@ing a brick.”

Check out this video to see the finish.  It’ll keep you on the edge of your seats.

DOVER NOTES:

Jimmie Johnson played his cards right this weekend by making a very risky decision earlier in the day.  He was playing the “Caution Card” and didn’t get fresh tires or fuel when many of the other teams did.  He ended up getting the caution when he needed it which kept him on the lead lap and earned him a fifth place finish.

Kyle Busch did a great job yesterday by keeping his whiney attitude.  But to be honest with you guys, I can’t blame the guy this time for being upset and bummed.  I actually do feel bad for him considering the luck he’s had this late in the season.  He ended the race in 43rd place and had to call it quits due to a blown engine early in the race. I’m not going to say a negative thing about him in this post. 

Alright I can’t help it… did anyone see his interview after he got out of the car?  Kyle Busch basically called it quits saying his season is over.  Why would you be so negative getting out of the car?  I would have gotten out of the car, cracked open a beer, and said “Well I guess I can start drinking.” 

Kyle Busch has a ridiculous amount of talent and can easily get top finishes over the next 8 races to win the Championship.  I dont know if the kid was a Drama Major in school or if he just likes attention, but come on… he’s one of the best racers out on the track.   I wouldn’t count him out for the rest of the season! 

What did you all think of the race?  Isn’t the chase exciting as hell?  I wish all the races were this exciting.

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(Sound my music! Hit this play button –> while you read this article…. Sweet Home Doverbamaaa!)

This weekend the boys are headed to the Monster Mile in Dover, DE for the last time this season.  Who’s pumped? I can’t even sit still to write this post I’m so jacked up. It could be this Dale Earnhardt AMP energy drink or it could be the fact that we’re well into the start of the Chase For The Points! This track has broken many hearts and has also made many racer’s dreams come true.  Dover seems to have been a “Make or Break” for so many drivers in the past. From 1969 to 1980, 21 of the 22 races were won by drivers who either already had or would go on to win championships in NASCAR’s top series.

This week the rumors have been flying stating “Kyle Busch is losing his MOJO.”  What’s a MOJO?  God only knows what a MOJO is and my definition is… something a racer has when he’s winning a lot and whining at the same time.  So by my definition, I find it hard to believe Kyle Busch is losing his MOJO especially since I can’t see the kid stop his whining and I have a feeling he’s not going to stop winning either.

Kyle Busch looking his best!

Last week I picked Greg Biffle to win because I had that “Gut Feeling,” well this weekend I think Kyle Busch is going to win.  He won in Dover earlier this year and it’s his time to win again.  He had a rough start in the “Chase” but he’s ruthless and will do whatever it takes to win.

Carl Edwards is going to be another guy to watch this weekend.  Obviously he’s leading the points but regardless of where he sits, the guy always does extremely well in Dover.  He’s got a great track record and obviously has the skill and drive to win.  He’s one guy I can never say anything bad about…

So Unfortunately I won’t be attending the race in person this weekend but luckily for me I’ll be watching it on my Direct TV.  Right now Direct TV has a great promotion going on that if you sign up now they will include a NASCAR Hot Pass that allows you to listen to 5 individual driver’s channels as well as a number of other things.  Make sure you call them today at 1-866-938-8469 to get signed up and let them know Ron Ripple sent you. (I’m trying to get my name out to just about everyone)

The one thing I’m excited about is the ability to listen & watch Kyle Busch whine while he’s crossing the finish line. As we all know, my picks are the kind most bookies hate… Hopefully Kyle Busch reads this post before he gets out there on the track so that when he’s giving his post race interview he can start out by saying… “I’d like to thank the infamous RON RIPPLE for telling everyone I was going to win, it seems as if he’s got some kind of psychic ability to KNOW who wins.” Unfortunately we all know this won’t happen, but I’ll probably get a call from the goofy kid thanking me OFF camera. I wouldn’t want to steal the spot light anyways!

Who do you think is going to win this weekend?  Be sure to check back after the race as we’ll be giving away the gas cards next week. Also I have some great opportunities in the works so also check back as I’ll be revealing this next week as well..

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Last week I had this incredible gut feeling that Greg Biffle was going to do some “surprising” this weekend,  and boy was my gut right.  Greg Biffle raced his ass off and won his first race of the season at this weekend’s race in Louden, New Hampshire. (it took him long enough)

Greg Biffle has had a great year setting himself up for the Chase but hasn’t won a race all year.  If Greg Biffle was going to win a race, this was the race to win.

The race in Louden, New Hampshire was an exciting one at that.  Early in the race it looked like it was going to be all about the two drivers Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards… but on lap 65 Jimmie Johnson took over and Greg Biffle started charging through the pack.

Just when you think Jimmie Johnson is going to hold off Biffle, Biffle shows up knockin on his bumper screaming at the top of his lungs… “Excuse me Mr. Johnson, but I wore my “1st place panties” today and I just really need to get by you.”  Jimmie Johnson tried to answer by driving with his mirrors but it’s an extremely tough thing to do when Biffle had not only the fast car and driving skills, but his green “1st place panties” on.

After the race Biffle goes on to explain he was holding off till the end and knew he had a winning car which made me a bit nervouse.  It’s not every day that I go on the long shot 12th place in points solid top 5 but no win finisher so I was excited as can be for the guy.

Some racers who couldn’t find the spotlight this past weekend was Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr.  Kyle Busch had one of the worst days of the year… and ended up finishing in 34th.  He started strong but lost a part early in the race that created havoc for him throughout the day.  After spinning out and a 1 lap penalty for coming in the pits when the pits were closed, the 1st place in points Kyle Busch is now sitting in 8th place 70 points behind the leaders.

Dale Earnhardt Jr had a decent day but was extremely upset with the results.  After leading midway through the race, the team put on a fresh set of tires that as Dale would say were [Bleepin bullbleep]”  He lost 10 positions after putting those tires on and he was fuming.  Here’s what he had to say over the radio during the race…. “We need a security guard over there watching those [bleeping tires], I can’t figure out why we keep [bleeping] up in the middle of all these races. Every [bleeping] time.”

I can’t blame the guy for getting upset especially after running that well.  I would have thrown a few [Bleep] Bombs over the radio as well.  I can’t [bleeping] stand a set of [bleeped] up tires.  When I put on a pair of [bleeped] up tires on my truck that make me lose a few postions at the stop light, I get [bleeping] fired up.

Overall I’m impressed with how my pick Greg Biffle did this weekend and I’ve got an incredible feeling he’s going to continue it.  It’s almost like all of NASCAR read’s my predictions prior to each race because I’m like a “picking Machine”, I’m just shocked I haven’t been hired over at hatepicks or another sports picking websites. I think it’s going to come down to Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle over the next 9 races… and so far Greg Biffle has Johnson’s [bleeping] number.

Make sure you keep checking back this week because we’re going to have a “Gas Card” giveaway and other special offers!

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Well it’s finally here… the start of the “Chase for the Sprint Cup.”  From here on out it’s anyone’s game, they all have a fresh start, and the only thing that seperates the 1st place guy from the 12 place guy is 80 points. Who’s going to go home with the Championship title and who’s going to be lost in history?

Well the favorites this year are quite obvious going into the chase… you’ve got Kyle Busch who has been called the new “NASCAR God” (Whiner - is what i call him) , you’ve got Jimmie Johnson who is looking to make it a 3-peat,  and you’ve got Carl Edwards who has been unstoppable late in the season.  If you were to ask me who I think is going to take the Championship home at the end of the season I’d have to say I’m going with one of the “Dark Horses.”

I have a gut feeling there’s going to be an upset this year.  Typically when I have this gut feeling it means I either ate too much Beano last night or I’m going to make a really important statement.  I’m not quite sure which one it is but I’m gonna have to call it right now…. “I Ron Ripple, think the driver who will take home the Sprint Cup Championship is…. (Drum roll please)… Greg Biffle. 

Hopefully my predictions are right and we see
this the rest of the season!

I’m the kind of guy who votes for the under dog and one who hopes that David whoops the crap out of Goliath.  So I’m going on record here and now and saying I think Greg Biffle is going to run these last few races strong.  You don’t hear much about him this year, but he’s always there, he’s always in the top, and he’s always workin hard to finish strong. 

Biffle’s starting the “Chase” 80 points behind the leader.  If he’s going to win the Championship this year he’s gonna have to start strong.  He hasn’t had a win all year but he’s been the second best or even third best at a number of races.  Going to New Hampshire he’s gonna have to put his “1st place panties” on because earlier this year he only finished 21st at the LENOX Industrial race hosted at the New Hampshire Speedway. 

I know I’m picking a long shot but like I said earlier… I’ve got that gut feeling and I’m just praying it’s not the Beano!

I know I know I know…. I’m a big Tony Stewart fan, and to tell you the truth, I feel pretty guilty for not picking him to win this season, but the boy has changed.  Tony Stewart is not the same guy from last year, and I just feel he doesn’t have that drive that so many of these other drivers have.  He probably has a lot on his mind especially with the new Team he’s joining/owning next year.  I just haven’t seen the Tony Stewart I’ve known and loved.  (Loved in a straight way)

The Championship Chase is underway and I can’t wait to see what happens.  For all of you readers let me know who you think is going to win this season.  I’m going to host a giveaway starting next week and give away some Gas Cards so you all can fill up those tanks.

So make sure you check back. 

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Jimmie Johnson dominated this past weekend’s race at Fontana by leading 228 laps of the total 250.  He led the race from the drop of the green flag and only lost the lead when coming in to pit.  That didn’t last long either… it seemed as though when he got back on the track he drove by the leaders as if they were just keeping his “seat warm.”

From the start of the season, Jimmie Johnson had more hype from the fans than Kyle Busch had kleenex boxes after the Bristol race.  Jimmie Johnson started out the season a little slower than expected but he is finally living up to his hype, and he’s showing the fans he’s working on making it a three-peat.

(Photo Compliments of NASCAR.com)

If you remember correctly, this is exactly what he did last season coming into the chase.  He won the labor day race in Fontana and then won at Richmond that set him on fire to win four more races once the Chase started.  The kid is on fire and if you don’t think the momentum is in his favor, then you better start figuring it out. 

Momentum plays a big role with the drivers these days.  Carl Edwards has it… Kyle Busch has it… and now Jimmie Johnson has it.  These are going to be the drivers to watch out for, mark my words. 

Things are looking pretty good for these three drivers when it comes to the Chase.  Kyle Busch will be starting out with 50 extra points, Carl Edwards will be starting with 30 extra points, and Jimmie Johnson will be starting with 20 extra points.  Obviously things may change depending on who wins Richmond, but it’s going to be quite the battle once the chase starts especially if Jimmie Johnson races like he did this past weekend in Fontana.  These guys are going to have a tough time competing.

Not to get off subject… but another area Jimmie Johnson dominates in is his significant other.  Jimmie Johnson is “dominating” the field with his wife Chandra Johnson.  You all know I have a little thing for Chandra Johnson, so writing about Jimmie just gives me another reason to post a link to her infamous bio.  Check her out!

Ok… back on subject!  Jimmie Johnson did a great job this weekend and it only makes the Chase that much more interesting.  I can’t wait for the chase to start and I don’t know who to bet on. 

Who would you bet on to win the Championship?

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Last weekend in the final laps of the Sharpie 500, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch decided they wanted to start showing each other how they really feel.  Carl Edwards worked all night trying to pass Kyle Busch but just couldn’t seem to get him on the high side.  During the last few laps Carl Edwards dipped into the corner and taped Kyle’s left rear bumper causing him to lose control and allowing Carl to slide by gaining the lead. 

Carl Edwards went on to win the race but not without getting into a little pushing match with Kyle Busch.  After Carl Edwards got the checkered flag, Kyle Busch drove up beside him and rubbed the side of his car.  “The Nice Guy” Carl Edwards immediately drove into Busch and spun him out.  The crowd went absolutely CRAZY.  It was awesome to see some drama go down on the track.  It’s not too often these days you see emotion on the track.

 In a post race interview Carl Edwards says “It’s one of those deals where I couldn’t get by him, I couldn’t get by him, and I just had to ask myself, ‘Would he do that to me?’ 

Of course Kyle Busch would do that to him… he’s been doing it all season.

The funniest part about this little drama is that after the race, Kyle Busch was seen whining like a little girl saying “wittle Cawl Edwads pwushed me.”  If you ask me… I think Kyle Busch gets what he deserves… karma’s a bitch and if you can dish it out, then you need to learn how to take it. 

NASCAR just announced that both drivers were slapped on the hand and were given probation for the next 6 races.  If anything… I think the two should be patted on the back for creating an exciting ending to an awesome race.  NASCAR needs to commend these two racers for showing their feelings and creating an exciting rivalry.  NASCAR needs more moments like this…. this is what gets fans on their feet. 

Kyle Busch is an incredible racer but if you haven’t noticed, when he’s the bad guy he’s loving life.  He’ll go out there tap bumpers, spin people out, race rough, and walk around the pits like he’s God’s gift to NASCAR.  But the minute someone else bumps him or passes him aggressively the kid starts whining.  “Cawl Edwads, Cawl Edwads… he bumped me, he bumped me!”  Save the drama for the track and show “Cawl Edwads” that you’re supposed to be the “bad guys” and that he needs to go back to being the “Nice Guy”

I’m jacked up to watch the rest of the season… it’s going to be an awesome race for the chase.  I think Carl Edwards is going to be a force to be reckened with.  It seems as though he’s the only one that has Kyle Busch’s number. 

I can’t wait to watch the rest of the season unfold.  So what do you guys think?  Is Kyle Busch a whiner or is he in the “right” here?

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