NASCAR’s Biggest Fan - Ron Ripple

There was only 17 laps remaining in the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 race with Kurt Busch in the lead when race officials made a quick decision to call it a day and put the toys away due to weather.  Kurt Busch had luck on his side yesterday allowing him to end his 29 race winless streak.  At the end of the race during a caution, Kurt Busch’s team decided to keep him out on the race course which allowed him to crawl up into first place and ended up earning him the win. 

Tony Stewart who also has a ridiculous winless streak (31 races) was dominating the race by leading 132 of the 284 laps.  Tony’s crew made the decision to pit on the caution which ended up putting him in 13th position when the race was finally called.  Tony Stewart was extremely pissed after Sunday’s race and didn’t comment on his results. 

 I can guaranttee he was throwing some F-bombs on the radio after the race officials stopped the race.  It’s got to be tough knowing this was your race to dominate and you make a poor decision to pit hoping the rain would stay away.  I can only imagine what song his crew was chanting as he pulled back out with the rain on it’s way…. “rain rain go away, come back some other day…. rain rain go away, come back some other day.”

The rain CAMEEE… son of a B!%@*

So Kurt Busch ended up with the win… what did Kyle Busch end up with?  A SPIN!!!! Juan Pablo Montoya made his point this weekend that he was out here to race and he’s not going to let anyone push him around, even if it is the points leader. 

There are two sides to every story!

Kyle Busch’s side!

Kyle Busch explained in his post race interview he was racing Juan and beat him to the caution flag after the Clint Boyer/Sam Hornish Jr wreck when out of the blue he began spinning.  Busch claims he rubbed Montoya a couple times in the previous lap trying to race him to the caution but claims he only touched his corner panel.  He says Montoya must have thought he beat him to the caution and got frustrated and spun him out.

Juan Pablo Montoya’s side!

Juan Pablo Montoya says he was racing Kyle Busch who was not giving him the respect he deserved.  He says Kyle Busch came up on the high side where he was racing and pretended like he wasn’t there expecting him to back down.  Juan said it looked like Kyle was trying to wreck him because he was banging on Juan’s corner panel… Juan says OK! Here we go!  Next thing you know they were both spinning which resulted in the end of their day!  Juan does admit he spun him out intentionally!

My side!

I think both drivers were having a very boring day racing in the back of the pack.  They were bored with the way the race was going and decided to make the race more interesting for us (the fans) by playing bumper cars.  Kyle Busch was thinking… “I’m not used to racing back here in the back of the pack, is this what these losers feel like at every race?”  Juan Pablo Montoya was thinking… “Wow, I’m not used to racing next to “THE MAN” Kyle Busch, I better not let him push me around back here.”

Next thing you know, one thing led to another, they let their thoughts take over and Kyle Busch decided he better get some more face time on the camera.  Kyle Busch starts bumping Juan Pablo Montoya because he was the closest one… Montoya kept thinking I can’t let this mean driver bully me around.  Juan throws him into a spin which ends up taking himself out as well.

 Not the smartest racing I’ve ever seen but you can’t blame either of them.  Not every driver is perfect and who knows what they’re thinking when they’re in a situation they’re not used to.  haha.  I love racing!

What do you guys think?  Who’s side do you take on this situation?  Kyle’s, Juan’s, or mine?

 

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This weekend we’re heading down to Sonoma for an incredible road course with turn after turn after turn and I cannot wait.  This is going to be an awesome race to watch, and as much as I love to see these guys turn left, it’s going to be incredibly fascinating to see them turn right.  I mean… do these cars even turn right?  We’ll just have to wait and see. 

Wow… Did they seriously just take a right turn?

Sonoma is a track where road course racers are supposed to stand out and show the world what they’re all about.  Many times a team owner hires a road racer to come out here and show the world what they’ve got and in the end make a fool of themselves by getting owned by the true NASCAR racers themselves.  The statistics show (Nascar.com) only 1.5% of hired guns actually finish top 5 at the end of the day and usually get shown up by the true NASCAR (left turn only) racers. 

I love watching road courses and i’m glad NASCAR has a few on the schedule.  This course has a lot of history behind it and a lot of drivers really enjoy it.  Jeff Gordon is one of the guys to beat this weekend with having won 5 out of the last 10 starts here.  He hasn’t been dominating much this year but he’s been in the shadows and this could be the race that lights the fire underneath his panties. 

Another racer who has done well here is Juan Montoya.  This is his kind of course and he’ll be going out there trying to defend his title.  Juan won this race last year by basically driving by ever single car in the field.  He started in the 32nd position last year and is the first driver to win the race having started further back than 13th position.  I’m not a big Montoya fan but I think he’s going to be a driver to watch out for.  He obviously knows this course and knows how to pass… (Craig you better call your boy and tell him to step up his game because he’s going to make me look bad if he doesn’t)

Of course there is going to be a lot of hype behind other racers such as Tony Stewart, Boris Said, Terry Labonte, and many more due to the fact that they are great road racers.  But I think the guys that will need to shine and make a solid finish are those focused on making the top 12 for the chase at the end of the year…  Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Brian Vickers, Clint Boyer, Martin Truex Jr.

Of course an article on Ron Ripple wouldn’t be an article without mentioning Kyle Busch.  For once I have to say Kyle Busch is making a great decision and has decided not to race the Nationwide Series race this weekend in Milwaukee.  Sonoma is a tough course and takes a toll on these racers especially if they’re not in their prime come race day.  There are a couple racers who have decided to race both and those are David Reutimann, Clint Boyer, and Carl Edwards.  All are great racers and have a chance at Sonoma but I think racing both races is going to be a mistake. 

Who do you think will take home the trophy this weekend?  Is it me or are you excited about the road course as well?  Boy do I love NASCAR….

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This Saturday is the 24th running of the All Star race at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway, and all I can say is… “Damn I’m excited.” To me, this is a race where champions get together and show each other what they’ve got. I think we’re going to see the typical domination by Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and of course we’ll probably see Dale Earnhardt up there in the hunt… but it’s a chance for everyone to battle it out and earn a HUGE income for the year.

The All Star race is an interesting race to say the least… anyone has a chance to win it because every 25 laps they allow the drivers to pit and make changes to the car such as fuel, tires, and standard chassis adjustments. Once they’ve made the adjustments they restart the cars in the order in which they finished the previous segment. They do this a total of three times and then the last 25 laps is “Do or Die.” Only one car can win, and that winner will receive a purse of over $1,000,000. Now you tell me, this isn’t going to be a crazy race.

In my opinion… I believe we’re going to see some different sides to a lot of these drivers. We can all agree that Tony Stewart is going to be doing his standard “bumping his way up through the pack” as well as Kyle Busch’s “driving like Dale Earnhardt Sr.” But if I were to be a betting man, I would have to once again pick Carl Edwards to be up there in the front… and then my second pick would have to go to Denny Hamlin.  Carl Edwards has been the guy to beat this year along with Kyle Busch, he’s got the drive to win and of course the kid has been practicing his back flips, so I’ve got to give him that.  Denny Hamlin on the other hand has kind of been like Burton… the silent but deadly driver who stays out of the controversy and doesn’t make a big scene.  Those are the guys you need to be afraid of… ALWAYS in the hunt.

Let’s make this Post a “Who’s your pick?”

The winner will get a “Ron Ripple” T-shirt…

You only get one pick, so make sure you do your homework.

Below is a list of the Driver’s eligible for this race:

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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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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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Talk about a helluva race! A caution goes green with 6 laps remaining… Two laps to go the battle for second was between Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart. Stewart and Harvick drive into a turn when Harvick’s car gets a little loose and drives Stewart right into the wall. I was extremely suprised Tony showed no frustration and stated “it was probably my fault.” when in my opinion it wasn’t. It’s unfortunate to see something like this but that’s racing! Jeff Burton squeezed a win with two more Childress team mates behind. Burton led two laps the entire race, it just so happens they were the only two to count. This is the first win for a Chevrolette and a first ever for the Childress team to take all top three spots.

A few side notes, Greg Biffle took 4th place bringing him closer and closer to Kyle Busch for the first place in Nascar’s Sprint Cup. Dale Jarret ended his Nascar career in Bristol finishing in 37th, he’s an incredible racer and well respected amongst the Nascar community! I don’t know about you… but I still want to see him race the truck! Anyone have any interesting comments on the race?

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Well the new drama and buzz going around NASCAR is how opinionated Mr. Stewart is.  One of the main reasons why I enjoy watching Tony Stewart race is because you can always tell what’s on his mind.  He says what everyone is thinking and just blatantly tells it how it is.  Well I’ve attached a video about his new comments to this post and you can see for yourself what Tony Stewart is thinking.

It looks like the way things are going this year that Goodyear may have a Badyear!  Tony Stewart basically tells Goodyear they’ve been kicked out of every single series they were in and why are they now with NASCAR.  I don’t blame him!  The tires they received for this race were sent to them a week before the race and it takes more than a week to set the cars up.  

I think this is going to be a season to remember.  Like I said before… the season just started and there’s already more drama than I’ve seen in the last two years of racing.  Do you side with Tony or do you think he’s just being ridiculous?

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KYLE BUSCH.  All I have to say is holy shitzu… this kid is good.  I have a feeling that while I was playing with G.I. Joe’s at the age of 3, Kyle Busch was driving the lawn mower learning how to put the pedal to the metal.  This kid was dominating yesterday’s race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway basically the whole time.  If I had to put my money on someone to win the season I would have to say Kyle Busch.  I know I know… kinda obvious since he’s ahead in the points, but I don’t see anyone else putting on a show like this kid.

 Other shoutouts I have to give after watching the race is Dale Earnhardt Jr, Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards.  All three ran an incredible race leading quite a few laps.  It was unfortunate Carl Edwards blew an engine after leading for so long but I guess that’s racing.  Dale Earnhardt was in the hunt the whole time and was always a threat.  I’d love to see him win a race and get the taste of victory back in his blood.   Tony Stewart was in the top 10 most of the race but obviously crept up to the front towards the end.

 It was soooo cold this past weekend up there, I was worried that they were going to have to post pone the race again.  I almost wanted to put my bathing suit on and see if the track was a slip in slide because after watching Sunday’s race and seeing those guys slide through the turns I figured it had to be fun.  I talked to Tony Stewart in his hauler after the race on Sunday and he was not too happy about the tires Goodyear brought to this race.  He said it was the worst tires he’s ever used and that Goodyear better step up their “A” game if they want to get off his “Shit List.”

Overall I have to admit I really enjoyed watching this race.  It was definitely a driver’s course with the rough conditions of the track and the poor tires Goodyear brought.  Three of my favorite drivers, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, and Dale Earnhardt Jr finished in the top three and I’m already excited for next weekend.  It feels like these weeks are flying by…  we’re almost a month into the season. 

 I’m glad to be back… now let’s get cooking on those comments.  I want to hear your opinions.

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I am officially back from Daytona and all I have to say is WOW!  I started the weekend off by hanging out in the pits with Todd Bodine, winner of the Craftsman Truck Series race on friday night.  Congratulations to him and the Germain team for kicking some serious ass. (I’ll post pictures this week)

This weekend was full of surprises… Dale Earnhardt Jr. absolutely stepped up his game from the start of the very long week of races.  I can’t believe he won the Bud Shoot Out, the Gatorade Duel and then finished third in the Nationwide Series.  I’m not gonna lie, I really did think he was going to be in the top three as well in the Sprint Cup race on Sunday but oh well. My favorite parts of the race are when the two badass’s Tony Stewart and Dale would hook up in a draft and head straight to the front. 

The ”Most Impressive Driver” award would have to go to Kyle Busch.  He led 88 out of 200 laps in the Sprint Cup race on Sunday and ended up finishing Fourth. It always seems to go down like that, the driver to lead the most laps rarely if ever end up with the checkered flag. Also note that he also finished third in both the Nationwide Cup as well as the Craftsman Truck Series.  Tell me he didn’t have an incredible weekend.  Most drivers wish they could finish in the top 10 in any of the three races.

Who could have predicted Ryan Newman of all drivers would be the winner of the Daytona 500 this year?  He hasn’t won a race in over 80 starts.  I was shocked with the ending of the race but what didn’t surprise me was the 2nd and 3rd place finishers.  Everyone has to admit that if Kurt Busch hadn’t given Ryan Newman the push at the end Tony Stewart would have probably been the winner.  The beginning of the race was pretty non eventful…  There weren’t very many crashes, there weren’t a ton of lead changes, and I felt it lacked race drama.  Nobody pissed anyone off during the whole race but the end made it all worth it!.  Kurt Busch pushed Ryan Newman to his victory leaving Stewart behind to finish 3rd.  I must admit it was very cool to see two Penske cars take the 1st and 2nd place trophy, I found it a bit comical to hear Kurt Busch in the interview after the race stating that he probably would have won if he didn’t push Newman to the win… Just another cocky statement.

I’ve got so many things running through my mind right now that I would love to discuss, but I’m exhausted from the trip. So make sure you check back during the week and let me know your thoughts.  Until then… what did you guys think about the new COT’s?  How unfortunate was it to see Jeff Gordon have car troubles?  What happened to Waltrip and his supposedly ridiculously fast car?  What happened to the Toyotas at the end?  Let me know your thoughts…

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I’m not trying to make this site all about the Tony vs Kurt Drama…. But it’s the biggest drama going on at the moment.. 

The verdict is in!  NASCAR gave Busch and Stewart a six race probation as punishment for the “on track” incident that took place in last weekend’s practice.  What do I think?  I reckon I’m happy they weren’t suspended… but we all knew with NASCAR’s 2008 attitude of “let boys be boys” that Tony and Kurt wouldn’t be punished too severely.  No penalties were given out for the behind the scenes argument and bitch slap that took place in NASCAR’s hauler.   NASCAR officially states they have no plans for further punishment.

I came across an interesting pole on Nascar.com asking the fans whether or not Kurt Busch should be sat out for the first race.  I was shocked with the results… a wowing 42% were in favor, that’s close to 29,000 people who were against Kurt Busch racing in this weekend’s Daytona 500.  All I have to say is give me a friggin break!  Have you never had an incident where someone was driving 5 mph below the speed limit and then get so pissed off you showed them how you really felt?  I have to admit that I’ve had my fair share of road raging… and if I had the opportunity to trade paint with that slow poke and only get slapped on the wrist, I’d probably have to buy a new car weekly.  I personally look forward to the first race and I hope to see Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart battling it out for first place.

What are your thoughts?  Should the boys have had a more severe punishment?

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