NASCAR’s Biggest Fan - Ron Ripple

(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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Yes Clint Bowyer is officially in the 12th position and back in the chase… but what I’m really talking about is Bowyer chasing down drivers in New Hampshire and handing out tickets.  What was Clint Bowyer doing chasing people and pulling them over?  Has he quit racing and become a police officer?

Nope… but he did help the New Hampshire State Police yesterday pull over law abiding citizens and handed out not citations, but tickets to attend the Sylvania 300 on September 14th. 

Clint Bowyer did a ride along with New Hampshire State Police and handed out tickets for those drivers abiding the new “Move Over” law New Hampshire set in place just this year.  He pulled over a number of motorists that moved over and slowed down when they saw official emergency vehicles in the breakdown lane. 

Clint Bowyer knows a little bit about slowing down when there’s an emergency… this past weekend he got caught up in a multi-car crash late in the race but ended up working his way back to the front and securing a top 10 finish. 

I believe the New Hampshire State police would have issued him a citation for following too closely and not leaving enough “braking” room to prevent an accident… but luckily for him, nobody called the cops. haha

Clint’s got his work cut out for him this coming weekend in California.  In his career, he’s only had one top 5 finish at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana California, so it looks like he’s got a lot of work to do.  Bowyer hasn’t been a big threat at the big tracks but they’re looking to at least secure a solid position and set themselves up for a win at the Sylvania 300 where he’s the defending champion.

Bowyer looks like he’s making his way back into the points… do you think he has a chance or is he going to get beat out by Kahne, Newman, or Ragan?

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Just when you thought Kyle Busch was going to dominate again… Carl Edwards takes the checkered flag.  I’ve said this before… nice guys don’t always finish last, especially when it comes to Carl Edwards.  He’s making this his 5th Sprint Cup win of the season and has backed up the reason of why he’s sitting pretty in second place overall.

Carl Edwards lifted his leg this weekend and “marked” his territory after winning both the Nationwide series race as well as the Sprint Cup race.  He becomes the second driver to ever win both races in one weekend at the Michigan track, Mark Martin did it in 1993.

Kyle Busch ran an incredible race yesterday afternoon and set himself up to win until they pitted on lap 180 out of 200.  Just when you think NASCAR is only about RACING on the track… nope… yesterday’s advantage went to Carl Edwards because his crew ”out raced” Kyle Busch’s crew and got Carl out on the track quicker.

After Carl and Kyle’s pit, they enter the track with Dale Earnhardt Jr and David Ragan running 1-2.  Once Carl Edwards passed them, he continued to stay in front and held Kyle Busch off till the end.

Kyle Busch said in his post race interview that he had nothing for Carl Edwars.  He said “Carl came off the corners a lot quicker and he did his best to stay close to him.  Overall we just didn’t have the car this weekend, Carl Edwards ran a great race.”

It was another great win for Carl Edwards and it allowed him to execute his famous backflip he’s been performing all year.  There’s a rumor going around the pits that Carl Edwards has been training with the U.S. Olympic team of Paul and Morgan Hamm, which has allowed him to perfect his backflip.  Also there are rumors going around that if Carl Edwards wins the Championship this year, he will attempt a double back hand spring with a flip into a twist double double twist flip and land on his hands. (I hope he wins because I can’t wait to see what the hell this is.)

All I know is yesterday was a great race and I was glad to see Carl Edwards out there winning.  Whatever flips he attempts it’s better than what I can do.  The only hand stands you’ll be seeing me do is one off a keg… we call it the keg stand.

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Great racing to all… there were a lot of disappointments this weekend for the top 12 racers.  Kasey Khane had engine failure which caused him to finish in 4oth place, dropped him down to 11th overall in the points standings.  Hamlin who finished in 39th dropped down to 12th position in the points standings… now on the bubble. 

Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson had a rough weekend as well.  Both were involved in a three car fender bender that punctured Johnson’s tire giving him a 17th place finish.  Jeff Gordon didn’t feel the fender bender drama till later in the race when his tire then punctured making him hit the wall.  He finished 42nd which dropped him in the overall points from 6th place down to 9th place.

There was a lot of movement in the overall standings…

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Since Tony Stewart has officially signed up as Driver and Team Owner with Haas CNC, the new team is now looking for other drivers.   I mentioned before I heard rumors Ryan Newman was going to be realeased from Penske and was going to join his good friend Stewart on the new team.  Well it looks as if these rumors are becoming a reality.

We all know Ryan Newman has been released from the Penske team earlier last week, but he still has yet to say who he plans to race for next year.  In my opinion we all KNOW he’s going to be racing with Stewart-Haas Racing, but the only question is when he is going to make the announcement?

I personally think he’s going to make the announcement later on in the year… maybe Britsol or Dover.   I think he wants to stay focused on Penske and trying to finish the year by getting into the chase.  He currently sits in 16th place and has a lot of points to make up if he thinks he’s going to make it into the top 12. 

Ryan Newman is a great racer and has a lot of potential to be a superstar… he just needs to focus on finishing this year and doing the best he can.  A lot of drivers this year are worried about what’s going to happen next year and who’s going to be racing where, I just think they need to stay focused on this year and making sure their sponsors are happy.

Racers need sponsors in order to race, so they need to make sure their sponsors are happy so they can race another race. 

Will the new Stewart-Haas Racing have a third car? 

The rumor mill never stops churning… there are more rumors going around in the pits there may be another driver who will be racing for the new Stewart-Haas team.  Who is this new driver?  Are they going to make it a three car team?  Is Tony Stewart the new Joe Gibbs?

The rumors aren’t yet confirmed but it seems as though there are serious talks Martin Truex Jr will be leaving DEI to join the Stewart Haas Team. 

I think it would be great if Martin Truex Jr joined my boy Tony Stewart in his new venture.  We all know DEI is having a tough time trying to survive in today’s economy and the word on the street is Teresa is looking for investors to help back the team.  Well it looks like they’re starting to lose their drivers now and Martin Truex Jr is going to be making a decision on where he wants to race.

When DEI got busted for their hood not being legal, Martin Truex Jr threw a fit and was furious with the results.  It put a $100,000 damper on the teams wallet as well as hurt Truex in the points.  Martin Truex Jr is focused on winning and it seems as though every team wants him.

Martin Truex Jr has a tough decision to make especially if he decides to go with Tony Stewart.  I think Stewart Haas is eventually going to be a great team but I think it’s going to take a little time for them to gel.  It’s basically going to be a brand new team because Stewart plans on going in there and cutting jobs and piecing together crews.

I’m excited to see what happens with the team and I can only imagine it’s going to be first class.  Stewart is setting himself up to be a legend and it’s always good to start now before it gets to late.  He’s on top of the world and with his new venture it will only better his image and life in the NASCAR world.

Who do you think would be a dream team of drivers?  If you had the deepest pockets in the world and were to design your own dream team of racers who would you pick? 

I would pick Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, and Kevin Harvick.  I think these guys would be an incredible dream team.

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Rumor: Tony Stewart is joining Haas/CNC next year!

I mentioned earlier in the year we heard some rumors Tony Stewart was entertaining an offer Haas/CNC made him in regards to joining the team.  Well the rumors may be facts… Tony Stewart has been granted a release from his 2009 contract with Joe Gibbs Racing and will be moving on over to Haas/CNC as part owner.  Rumor has it Tony is changing the team name to Stewart Haas Racing and plans on having a two car team. 

Rumor: Ryan Newman is going to drive for Stewart Haas Racing! 

 Who would be the possible two car team with Tony Stewart?  Ryan Newman… rumor has it Ryan Newman is also joining Tony Stewart in his venture and plans on leaving Penske for good.  Tony Stewart would be sponsored by Olde Spice and Office depot, Ryan Newman is looking to get sponsored by Jack Daniels.  The two would make an incredible team and eventually become a power player.

Rumor: Newman leaving the #12, Stremme will be replacement!

If the rumors are true and Ryan Newman plans on joining forces with Tony Stewart in the 2009 year, who will take the #12 spot with Penske?  The rumor on the street is Stremme is a good possibility for jumping behind the wheel.  Stremme is a strong racer and deserves to be running up front with a strong team.  Chip Ganassi made the mistake of replacing Stremme with Dario Franchitti which we now know was a HUGE mistake.  I’m not so sure how true this rumor will be, especially since he’s been testing with three different teams. 

 Rumor: Martin Truex Jr. received stiff penalties!

Martin Truex Jr. and the DEI car was rumored to have an illegal roof after they failed the Daytona inspections at the Coke Zero 400.  Well the Rumors are true!  Truex received an extremely stiff penalty yesterday for their car failing to fit the roof template.  Truex was docked 150 points which dropped him from 14th place to 18th place in the Sprint Cup standings and hurting his chances of making the chase.  He is now 238 points from Tony Stewart and only 4 races away from getting to into the chase.  I hate to admit it but the kids chances are gone!  Unless he trades bodies with Kyle Busch and puts a Nitrous bottle in the car… I don’t see him winning the next 4 races.

Rumor: Is Teresa Earnhardt stepping down from DEI?

Rumor on the street is Teresa Earnhardt has enlisted Bear Stearns and Co to help find a wealthy investor or buyer to step in and help with the financials.  If you want my opinion Teresa Earnhardt has destroyed DEI from ever becoming a big player in the sport.  The reason why DEI was created was so that when Dale Earnhardt retired or kicked the can, his kids would have a strong team to race for.  Well obviously that didn’t happen and Teresa lost the heart of the team, that being Dale Earnhardt Jr.

 The Rumors are spreading… Man I love NASCAR!

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