NASCAR’s Biggest Fan - Ron Ripple

If I was a betting man, I’d put my money on Carl Edwards for the big win in Darlington this weekend. With 6 top 10’s, 5 top 5’s and 3 wins… he’s ready for his next. Carl recently resigned with car owner Rousch Fenway and you can bet he and his crew are pumped for the track in Darlington. As I’m writing this post, he’s currently sitting 24th fastest in practice. My guess is that he’s laying low for the big race come Sunday or atleast hoping this is what he’s doing. I’m not trying to put myself out there for him to make me look bad and coming in 20th place. I also noted in the header Denny Hamlin, you just can’t count this kid out. (he’s my back up)

Darlington is back on the schedule and most drivers are excited. I was in the pits the last few days and spoke with some of the big names like Gordon (wine drinker), Earnhardt Jr, Stewart, and Hamlin. They all tell me the same thing… each are telling me how they’re going to snag the win on this 1.366 mile track. Junior seemed a bit distracted with all the controversy in the air about Kyle Busch being compared to his father senior. He and anyone that knew Earnhardt Sr knows that Busch is absolutely nothing like him. I guess it’s just this big rivalry the press is putting together. I’ll be interested to see how this pans out.

I’m not asking who would win on a heads up race between Earnhardt Jr and Busch, the question I’m asking is who you think would win in a fist fight!!!! My thoughts? Dale Jr would own Kyle off the track securing the Belt (like wrestling). Kyle just looks like a twerp to me. Your thoughts?

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It’s been a while since I tooted good ol’ Dale Earnhardt Jr’s horn and it’s more than likely because the man hasn’t secured one win this season. Now’s a better time than ever! Toot TOOt! I guess what impress’s me the most is the fact he started the year with a brand new team, a new number/sponsor and he’s in the top 3 overall in points. He’s consistently in the top 10 with 7 top 10’s and 3 top 5’s. He’s been out of the drama lately so we haven’t heard much. I see him around the pits and he’s been begging me to interview him so he gets a little more talk on my site but I just haven’t had the time!

Check out the superbowl commercial AMP Energy drink created. It just shows the true passion, strength and determination Jr displays not only in a desert but also on the track.

I wish him the best of luck in the upcoming races, he’s always impressive and the man NEEDS a win. Maybe if he gets that win I’ll take some time out of my busy beer drinking, nascar talking day and interview him like he asks.

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Tony Stewart who you all know is one of my favorite drivers, is the topic of discussion throughout the NASCAR community.  The rumor on the street is that he’s been getting multiple offers from a number of different race teams even though his contract doesn’t come up with Joe Gibbs Racing until the end of the 2009 season.  Tony Stewart said that he is going to be completely honest and up front with Joe Gibbs and has already admitted to keeping his ears open.  The biggest story that has been going around the pits is he’s decided already to sign with Haas CNC racing which is a second class racing team. 

J.D. Gibbs says they aren’t worried about the possible offers and has denied the claims.  They think Tony Stewart will make the right decision and stay with a team he will win with, and they’re confident they are THAT team.  One thing they have mentioned is if Tony decides he doesn’t plan on staying with the Gibbs team, he better at least fulfill his contract and stay till the end of the 2009 year.

Tony Stewart on the other hand has other interests… his goal is to not only be a driver but also a team owner.  He wants to guarantee a life long career in the racing world, and the next peice to the puzzle is to own a team.  So rumors on the street are he’s already signed with Haas CRC racing, but not only as a driver but also part owner in the team. 

To me it sounds like Tony Stewart has made his decision… I think he’s going to fulfill his contract because he’s a stand up guy and Joe Gibbs has been an incredible team owner for him.  I personally think he should keep racing for Joe Gibbs… but I understand why he wants to secure his life long career in the NASCAR world.  If it aint broke than don’t fix it… he will be racing for a second class team.  And second class teams are second class teams with second class equipment.  He’s not going to find a more professional, more prepared team than Joe Gibbs and right now Joe Gibbs is THE TEAM to beat. 

Another reason why I think Tony made the swith is because I think he’s a Chevy guy.   Tony switched to the Toyota this year when the Gibbs team decided it was going to be the car they all ran this year.  His Nationwide Series team is currently still running the Chevy and I think he’s always been a Chevy guy and feels comfortable in a Chevy.  Tony Stewart and Toyota go together like beer and popsicles.  They just dont! 

It’s going to be a sad day when he makes the switch… but who knows… maybe he’ll turn a second class team into a first class team.  I hope this isn’t the last we see of Tony and I hope he doesn’t become a has been who lost his aggressive, opinionated, drama filled always a contender to be reckoned with attitude.  10 years and racing for the same owner with over 34 wins is a great accomplishment, let’s just hope he keeps us all on the edge of our seats.

 What do you think… is he going to continue racing for Joe Gibbs?  Is he going to fulfill his contract or will he pull out early?

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I know I give Jeff Gordon and all of his fan’s a hard time about how he’s a non beer drinker and might legally be classified as a midget, but I’m only playing and have a lot of respect for the man. He’s not only a great racer, but the man is a PIMP!!! Check out his incredible wife Ingrid Vandebosch.

 

 

Ingrid was a former Belgian model/actress when she met the little guy Jeff Gordon. It’s my understanding that they met at a party in 2003 where Ingrid and Jeff each played a role in the movie “Taxi”. They dated for about 2.5 years before Jeff stepped up and dug (not too deep) into his pockets for some cash to purchase a 5.6 carat diamond ring. Rumors went around that Jeff didn’t have to get on one knee he was so short and she of course said YES! They’ve been married now for some time and are expecting their first child. I give Jeff Gordon two thumbs up for marrying one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever laid eyes on. I always enjoy seeing her in the pits and he better watch out as I may come in and sweep her off her feet while he’s out there on the race course!

More pictures below!

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Alright… I made a little mistake on my last post and named off all these great names that “I said” were going to be racing down in Mexico City.  The truth is… hardly anybody will be racing down there in Mexico City and I’m curious as to why.  The big name road racers such as Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon both snubbed the Mexico City race this weekend.  The only big names that will be down there racing are Kyle Busch, David Reutimann, Carl Edwards, Clint Boyer and then Scott Pruett who is one of the best road racers that have ever existed. 

 There are g0ing to be a lot of local favorites from Mexico that will be racing, one of them being Adrian Fernandez who has had three top 10 finishes in the last three Nationwide races he’s raced in down there in Mexico City.  Adrian Fernandez is a local racer and very popular with the local Mexicans who will be hoping for a home town favorite to win the big race.  He not only has a competitive advantage by knowing the race course but he also has an advantage because it’s his birthday on Sunday and I know there are a lot of generous racers out there.  Haha… I highly doubt anyone’s going to help him out though!

 Another great racer who is making a guest appearance is Sam Hornish Jr. who was the winner of the 2006 Indy 500.  Sam doesn’t have much experience if any at all in a stock car but he defintiely knows road courses and is hands down a great driver.  I don’t think he has a chance at winning this race but I have a feeling he’ll end up somewhere in the top 15. 

 I personally think it’s going to be an exciting race to watch.  Road races are a lot of fun especially when you have someone to route for.   I’m going to be pulling for Kyle Busch or Carl Edwards because they’re regulars and I highly doubt any of these randoms are going to do anything extraordinary.  I wish everyone luck and will be drinking a beer on turn 3 of the race course. 

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We’re headed to Mexico City for another big track race.  My predictions this race are going to have to go with Kyle Busch and of course Tony Stewart.  Tony Stewart always does well on road courses and well… you can never count Kyle Busch out of anything. 

 I do have a feeling some of the Formula 1 guys are going to shine this race and actually be in the hunt for some big time points.  You’ve got Franchitti, Montoya, Nemecheck, and Andretti who will all be trying to show off their skills.  Montoya currently has the track record so he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with.  They also have a better chance of speaking the native language which may give them an up when it comes to set up.

As usual I’m sticking with my good ol american boys who will hopefully show these europeans what real stock car racing is.  Mexico City is going to be one hell of a place to throw back some cervezas.  I’m not going to give into the tempting commercials which show Corona’s on a deserted beach… I’m going to stick to my drink of choice which is an ice cold budweiser.   So if you’re going to be at that race make sure you look for me on the in-feild. 

Weather conditions right now are partly sunny, 77 degrees, with a chance of championship victories.  Let me know what you think!!!!

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Congrats to Jimmie Johnson and the Hendrick Motorsports in their much needed win on Saturday night. It came down to balls and gas, and well…. Jimmie had the biggest balls and more gas than the remaining losers of the night! I’m sure I’ll get a thank you card from Jimmie in the mail this week as I believe the reason he won is because a) I didn’t jinx them with my typical “Jimmie Johnson/Hendricks Can’t Win” rants… and b) I did a beautiful post about his GORGEOUS wife Chandra Johnson!

The race in my opinion was great! I thought for a while that the story of the day was going to be all about Dale Earnhardt and his former #8 car Mark Martin. Those two were battling for first for theee longest time. But I must say overall this was one helluva race, the track conditions continued to change between sun up and sun down. Cars were too tight, too loose, too damn tough to control and pit strategies were key! I loved it. I was up till the end and can’t believe I was able to stay awake as I must have downed a case of beers in one sitting. What were your favorite moments? Do you think Chandra did anything different on race morning to give her husband the edge?

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It was less than a year ago when top ten NASCAR truck series driver Aaron Fikes (and fiancee) would be arrested for shooting up heroin in an amusement park. Let’s just say the security guards and police were not amused! The park security thought something fishy was going on when a black sheet was preventing them from seeing into the back seat of Fikes’ Toyota SUV. At first Fikes tried to flee but fortunately was unable to. The young 25 year old Fikes had nothing but great things coming to him. He had a beautiful wife, top 10 in overall standings, he had just finished 5th in the O’Reilly 200… what could go wrong? An 8 month heroin addiction took over his life!

ESPN recently had an interview with Aaron Fikes to get a better understanding of what he was going through. In the interview, fikes goes on to state he used herion prior to racing on some occassions. His career best of 5th was while he was on heroin. He of course goes onto state that NASCAR needs better drug testing policies and he’s greatful he was arrested back in 2007.

I find it hard to believe his crew and friends weren’t aware of his addiction. Maybe they were just blinded by his high finishes and didn’t want to rat on him. How could you not see his mental functioning becoming clouded due to the depression of the central nervous system. Other effects included slowed and slurred speech, slow gait, constricted pupils, droopy eyelids, impaired night vision, vomiting, constipation. I mean come on! People like this piss me off. If I had the shot at getting in one of those speed machines and racing against the top drivers in the world, there’s no way you’d see me screw things up. I’d be asleep early and making sure I eat my wheaties in the morning.

I think NASCAR should definitely step up it’s game when it comes to drug testing and not only test those under suspicion but all racers. What  are your thoughts? Maybe someone could tell me what’s so great about taking heroin or shooting it up or whatever you do with it. I’m a beer drinker at heart and never have and never will do drugs.

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“You got a clock, baby, you got a clock!” shouted Denny Hamlin’s crew chief as he crossed the finish line. Are you kidding me? Screw the clock, Hamlin got a win in the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 and broke both this season’s dry spell and bad luck. For those of you who don’t know, every winner of the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 receives a grandfather clock. Hamlin was able to secure the win and the clock, when crew decided on the last caution to take only fuel and no tires. This was the break he needed after coming out of the pits in front of Gordon. He and Gordon charged to the front where he would stay for the win. Gordon was a strong contender all race but was unable to slip and slide his way past this year’s winner Denny Hamlin.

The real story is not about the reigning champ Jimmie Johnson finishing fourth after a spin on lap 296 or the battle between Dale Earnhardt and Tony Stewart. It’s all about Jamie McMurray one of the all star underdog’s sitting uncomfortably outside of the top 35 bubble in points. His best finish this year has been a miserable 22nd and the young driver was determined to break the bad luck. I was able to speak with him at a BBQ party I was holding on Saturday night. We were talking about race day and he was very optimistic. I of course as I always do, offered him a beer but the man was focused! Sunday was a great day for the struggling star. He was a contender all race sticking to the hip of the leaders and finishing eighth. I foresee a solid season for the kid and predict a big W by the end.

Look for my opinion in an upcoming article I’ll be writing about the Martinsville drama that took place. Roush allegations on stolen parts, new drivers and more… Oh and check out the points standings on the right sidebar.. very interesting!

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Who’s your pick to win the Martinsville race? I don’t know about you, but it feels like years since the last race even though it’s only been two weeks. I’m ready for a short course race and Martinsville couldn’t have come at a better time. Martinsville is home of the 1/2 mile oval track, 60 degree weather and 65,000+ fans. To me it sounds like a perfect time for a beer loaded tailgate pre-race party in the parking lot . I wish I could make it!

This weekend I’m going pick either Tony Stewart or Jimmie Johnson for the checkered flag. Both are very good on Short Courses and both need a win. Tony Stewart is duethis year and has been in the hunt for most of this year’s races. Recently he’s had more off the course publicity with his crazy tirades such as the sucker punch in Daytona, his personal opinion about Goodyear Tires, and his recent trimming of his mullet. Obviously I can’t talk smack about a mullet just look at mine, but his was getting a little shaggy.

My other pick for the weekend is Jimmie Johnson. You’d be crazy not to pick him as a top contender considering he’s won three straight Cup races at Martinsville. Jimmie Johnson is due for a win this year and it couldn’t have come at a better time since this is “his” track. I’d say Jimmie Johnson OWNS this track and needs to DEFEND his title. As you’ve read in my previous articles, the Hendrick camp needs a win and now is their chance. The pansy wine drinking Jeff Gordon, defending champion Jimmie Johnson, and AMP’d up Dale Earnhardt Jr are all great short track racers and all desperately need a win.

As usual I’m not going to count Kyle Busch out… He’s definitely one of my favorites this year. Since the season started he hands down been dominating all of NASCAR’s series. But let me know who your picks are. I’m curious to see who everyone’s favorites are.

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