NASCAR's Biggest Fan – Girl of the Week | Ron Ripple

There’s nothing like talking about myself in third person… it almost makes me feel like a big shot.  So where did Ron Ripple go?

I COULD make up this elaborate story about how I was in Dubai working for a new race team. I could also tell you how the team was planning to debut in the NASCAR world and that I (Ron Ripple) was their new driver… but then I’d be lying.  So to tell you the truth, I’ve been sitting on my big leather couch drinking case after case of budweiser. I’ve been drinking with my buds EVERY Saturday and Sunday watching the biggest baddest sport on earth, NASCAR. I know everyone is sick of hearing about the economy but because of it, I couldn’t make it to one race this season. I decided to save my money (unfortunately). But Good News for my fellow Ron Ripplers!!! I hit 5 or 6 numbers in powerball (kidding) and I’m BACK in action. I’ll be attending the rest of the races and reporting right here at www.RonRipple.com!

If anyone else wants to complain about the economy, HAVE AT IT! Because you won’t hear another peep about it after this post. From now on… the only thing you’ll be reading will be pure “NASCAR’s #1 Fan” opinion and of course… the hot wives and women of NASCAR.

I’m going to post a few pictures of some of the recent e-mail I’ve received from these infamous NASCAR Girls of the Week!

SNEAK PREVIEW OF WHAT’S TO COME!

The Girls

Lais De Leon

Vera Milli

Stay up to date with my Girls of The Week &Subscribe by email.

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Bristol is the next race, a place that separates the boys from the men, a place built for speed, and a place known for having over 130,000 people fired up in the Grand Stands cheering for their favorite driver.  Who’s going to be the driver to take home this year’s first race at Bristol?  Get your wallets out boys because we’re taking bets.

As you all know… they don’t call me Ron Ripple – Nascar’s Biggest Fan for nothing.  I’m the kind of fan that every driver dreams of, I’m the kind of fan that every driver prays for.  I wouldn’t say that I can technically help a driver win a race, but I can basically help a driver win a race.

I’m known around the pits as being somewhat of a “sh!t talker,” so If you’re on my bad side, I’ve been known to “get in your head.”  Last year when the Race for the Chase started, I just so happened to be hovering around Kyle Busch’s camp for the first 4 races in the chase.  You tell me if I got in his head or not, he went from being first, to being last!

So who am I picking to win the first race at Bristol this year?  CARL EDWARDS.  I repeat… CARLLL EDWARRDDSS.

Carl Edwars is my pick for Bristol.  He won the last race there in August of ’08 and he’s going to win there again on March 22nd of ’09.   He’s started this season out showing he’s going to be a front runner, and I have all the confidence in the world for him.

Who’s head am I going to get in this coming weekend?  Mark my words… When the haulers start rolling in and get set up, I’m going to be all over Kurt Busch like white on rice.  He might as well kiss his chances of winning Bristol good bye.

So all my fellow NASCAR Fans… who are you picking to win at Bristol?  And who do you want to be in the back of the pack?

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Kyle Busch who ended his day at the Daytona 500 mixed up in a crash, that would take his chances of winning away, dominated the race by leading 76 out of 124 laps.  It was an unfortunate day for Kyle Busch but a very fortunate day for Mr. Matthew Kenseth, who went on to win the race after officials called the race due to rain.

Kyle Busch who was last years wonder boy at the beginning of the season looked like he was going to do it once again.  He was driving around these guys as if they were glued to the cement.  His pit crew changed tires quicker than I can shotgun a beer.  (I’m South Carolina’s #1 Beer Shotgunner)  Kyle Busch was running a phenomenal race until Dale Earnhardt Jr. decided he wasn’t very happy being a lap down.

Here’s the story, if you didn’t get a chance to watch the race.  Brian Vickers and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were racing for the “lucky dog” position at the front of the pack.  Brian Vickers was in front of Earnhardt Jr who went down on the low side to try and pass him.  Brian Vickers went down to the yellow line to block him which pushed Earnhardt Jr. out, and then Earnhardt intentionally came up and tapped Vickers on the left rear corner which caused him to spin out and take out half the pack.

Click on the video below if you want to see.

If you watched the post race interviews you’ll wonder what was wrong with Kyle Busch, and I think I have the answer. Kyle Busch for some odd reason was extremely nice and didn’t have that negative whiny tone he usually portrays when he gets wrecked or doesn’t win.

My speculation is that he either got “neutered” (my dog relaxed after I get him neutered) or he had a hot date after the race. Hopefully it was the hot date because if I continue to see Kyle Busch be that respectful and nice after a race I may stop writing about him.

Overall I thought the Daytona 500 was a fun race to watch given the circumstances we were dealt. The whole race everyone was worried about the rain so it made the drivers drive a little bit more aggressively. Unfortunately none of the big names finished in the top 10 due to the wreck but we’ve got plenty more races for these guys to show us what they’ve got.

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The Budweiser Shootout was an intense race to watch from start to finish with 14 different leaders, 23 lead changes and eight cautions, it was one for the record books.

Kevin Harvick started out the evening hanigng out in the back of the pack with a few minor mechanical challenges.  Lucky for him, with the way these races are set up, he was able to get them fixed and then work his way back to the front.

With only four laps remaining, Jamie McMurray lead the pack down the track with Johnson, K. Busch, Mears, Hamlin, and Harvick not far behind.  On the last lap, McMurray decides to cover his inside lane, when out of no where Kevin Harvick takes the high side and drives right by him.  It was almost as if he dropped it into “7th” gear and said “sorry buddy… you thought you had me. I’m checkin out.”  Click on the video below to watch this incredible finish.

If the Bud Shootout speaks for what’s to come throughout the rest of the season, I would have to say we’re going to have another wild season.  Get excited because the biggest race of the year is only one week away.

All my fellow race fans, clean out your keggerator lines and start ordering some extra kegs because the Daytona 500 is getting closer.  For any of you attending the race make sure you e-mail me so we can get together.

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Kyle Busch is my hero… did I just say that?  Yes I did!  Anyone who reads my articles knows I either love Kyle Busch or I hate him.  He’s either a winner to me… or a whiner.  Well this article is going to explain why I think Kyle Busch has a great heart and is a racer to look up to.

If you haven’t heard of Sam Ard, you need to go check out his website www.SamArd.com.  He was an incredible racer from 1983-1984.  He was a hero in his day… many looked up to him, and many envied him.  He was a warrior on the race track and he fought for every win.  He had over 20 wins in his Busch career and was running strong until he had a career ending crash on October 10th, 1984 which resulted in a major head injury. 

He was a Hero to many, well now… Sam Ard HAS a new hero.  His name is Kyle Busch!

Sam Ard now 69, suffers from a moderate stage of Alzheimers disease that leaves him asking his wife if “she’d be pissed if he started racing again.”  Because of his Alzheimers disease he sometimes gets trapped in the past and doesn’t realize he’s a 69 year old past legend that has Alzheimers and is in financial trouble.

This past weekend Kyle Busch was racing the Nationwide Series race to try and tie Sam Ard’s record of 10 wins within a Nationwide/Busch Series Season.  He ended up getting the win which leaves him in the record books with his name right there next to Mr. Sam Ard.

Kyle Busch made an incredible decision this past weekend and dedicated his Nationwide Series win to Sam Ard.  With that win he donated $100,000 to the Sam Ard Fund which helps him and his family with their finances. 

Back in Sam Ard’s day, the most a Busch Series winner ever received was $25,000 and that was at Daytona.  So to say the least, Sam Ard didn’t make multi millions off his racing career, but he is remembered as a legend.

Here’s an excerpt from Nascar.com that explains Ard’s feelings during this past weekend’s race…

Ard watched Saturday’s race at Texas with his grandson, aware that Busch was chasing his 1983 mark for wins in a season. Jo was with her sister for a rare dinner out when son, Robert, called her.

“Mama, are you sitting down?” Robert told her. “Well, Kyle tied Daddy’s record, and I had someone call me and tell me that Kyle is going to give Daddy $100,000.”

Hours later, when a fidgety Ard kept Jo up talking until 2:30 a.m., she sensed he understood Busch’s contribution.

“I guess his mind was just thinking because he said ‘I’ve been praying that something could come along that we could pay the bills and you can get a car,’ ” Jo said. “So he’s aware of what’s going. I asked him what he wanted to do with Kyle’s money, and he said for me to do whatever I wanted. He just wanted a couple hundred dollars to put in his wallet.”

When I read this it gave me goose bumps.  It just shows you that Kyle Busch has a big heart and is not all about himself.  He respects the past, and even though he’s out there breaking records… he’s breaking records with a good heart.  I’m extremely happy that the Ard family is getting help.  It makes me think there should be some sort of NASCAR fund that donates to the fallen racers.  If it weren’t for these past legends, the sport wouldn’t be where it is today.

If you get a chance, make sure you visit www.SamArd.com and if you have a few extra bucks make a donation.  We need to support our past racers and show them our appreciation.  Who knows… maybe Kyle Busch will need some help when he’s older.  He’ll definitely be a legend to remember.

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Well these past couple races I have not been picking winners… so since I don’t feel the need to be rewarded, I’ve decided I need to reward my readers and give them the chance to win a Free $25 Gas Card.

Here are the rules and here’s how to enter.  It’s simple… On this post alone, comment who you think will win the next race and also subscribe to the website which is located at the top right of each page.  All you have to do is push that little “comment” button, type your name and e-mail address in the required fields, tell me who you think will win the race, and then hope you’re right.  If I get multiple people picking the winner, I will simply put the names in a hat and pick the winner. 

Who am I going to pick?  Well I think I might go with the obvious and pick the man with Lowe’s on the side of his car.  Jimmie Johnson always seems to do well at this track and has been obviously running well in the Chase.  It’s been three years since he’s won at the track but he’s been owning everyone late in the season, so I’ve got a good feeling he’s going to continue the run.

The Black Horse I think everyone needs to watch out for this race is Kasey Kahne.  Kasey Kahne didn’t make the Chase and he’s actually been pretty inconsistant through out the year, but he’s one you definitely don’t want to count out.  I don’t know what it is about Kasey Kahne and the Lowe’s Motor Speedway, but he’s won three out of the last five races that were hosted at the track.  He’s got the track’s number…  

So the contest is complimentary of Amoco Ultimate so make sure you Click Here to visit this site and sign up for the contest.  This is a place to upload awesome photos of your ride and check out all of the other entries in the contest. While you’re there you can also check out racing and performance car videos, read performance automotive content from the number one rated automotive blog* , check out all of the people who have won so far, read some proof about why Amoco Ultimate grade gasoline is the best for your ride and enter to win a trip to the 24 hours at LeMans!

So make sure you comment back on this blog located at www.RonRipple.com and make sure you subscribe to my website.   We’ll be giving away Gas Cards through out the rest of the season so keep checking back.
 

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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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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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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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