NASCAR’s Biggest Fan - Ron Ripple

This season there has been a number of “stand out” racers who have “wowed” the world with their incredible runs as well as their domination over the field.  There has also been a number of racers who have started out slow but have made their way back to the top and showed the world they’re the real deal Hollyfield.

Who do I think is the stand out M.I.R?  And why does this driver deserve the M.I.R. award I’m about to give him?

Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson started this 2008 season as if he was a rookie learning how to drive a car.  He didn’t know the gas pedal from the brake pedal and I think he even skipped a few gears going from 2nd gear to 4th.  Overall the driver’s first 6 races were as if he didn’t know how to turn left.  If you were new to NASCAR you wouldn’t even know who Jimmie Johnson was, let alone know he is the defending two time Champion.

Midway through this season he started jumping up in the top ten and sometimes in the top 5, but he would still have a few races where he finished 20th or even 30th.  The driver has been a roller coaster of a racer and one you wouldn’t want to put your money on.

The reason why Jimmie Johnson deserves this prestigious award is because the man has come from mediocre to 3rd place.  He’s still not beating the main man Kyle Busch but as the saying goes… “he’s a close third.”

Another reason why I picked Jimmie Johnson as my M.I.R. is because of his hot wife.  It allows me to post yet another picture of Chandra Johnson. 

 Here she is! 

uhhh… what’s this article about?

Not to change the subject again… but who is your M.I.R. of the 2008 season and why do you think they deserve the award. 

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The Allstate 400 was an interesting race to say the least… it came down to who had the fastest pit times and who could keep their tires from exploding. 

NASCAR delt with a tough situation this past Sunday and took the race into their own hands.  I think they did a great job by preventing further wrecks from taking place and I’m glad to see they were taking this seriously.  NASCAR officials implemented scheduled cautions that required teams to come in and make adjustments and tire changes.  As much as I love to see racers race, I don’t like to see teams race their ass off and have a tire explode and blow their chances. 

From the start of the race it looked like it was going to be a Hendrick Motorsports race from start to finish.  Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon were driving around the track as if they had about 1,000 extra horse power.  In some of the scheduled pit stops they would come out 4th or 5th and immediately make their way back to the front.  They had a lot of great team work and were extremely dominate for most of the race.

Another driver that impressed me was Carl Edwards.  Carl Edwards has been a competitive driver this year and has shown the world he’s a contender.  This weekend he ran extremely strong and had one of the fastest cars of the day.  I thought he almost had it after the last pit stop… but like I said before… Jimmie Johnson was strong and held him off. 

This was a tough weekend for NASCAR officials and for the crews.  The tires only lasted about 7 laps before you saw cord and to run a race where every 7 laps you needed a new set of tires, isn’t really racing.  Obviously the racers are watching what they say about Goodyear, especially since Tony Stewart created drama at the beginning of the year.  But Goodyear needs to start testing tires at Indy considering they run into this problem every single year. 

I must applaud the teams and NASCAR for turning the situation into a positive.  Every single team owner they interviewed said positive things about the actions NASCAR was taking and didn’t place any blame on Goodyear.  I thought what Joe Gibbs said was perfect “every team is going through this so not one team is at an advantage.”

It was just another day of racing and another race closer to the Sprint Cup Championship.

P.S. Look out for our “Girl of the Week” later today.

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 This past Saturday’s race was an interesting race to say the least.  In my previous post I stated it was going to be one hell-uv-a showdown with some aggressive driving and some crazy personalities.  Unfortunately it was none of this… It was a fun race to watch because it was unknown as to who was going to be the victor, but it definitely wasn’t a showdown like I was expecting. From the very beginning, Kyle Busch shot out and dominated the race by almost a quarter of a lap, until the second segment when his motor blew up.  (Obviously the Gibbs team tested the Toyota package they had from the beginning of the year because almost everyone on the team blew a motor.)  But Kyle Busch did some serious domination with Carl Edwards not far behind him.  The first two segments weren’t all that exciting with most of the battling taking place in the 12th and 13th positions.  Once Kyle Busch’s motor blew up at the end of the second segment, it looked like it was going to be a Carl Edwards race since he had the fastest car on the track.

 I was comletely taken back when the third segment started and Carl Edwards lost four positions in the first couple laps.  It looked as if making no changes to his car in between segments was not such a good idea.  The third segment was dominated by Biffle, with a number of different drivers working their way up to the front.  Ryan Newman, Matt Kenseth, and Dale Earnahrdt Jr. were a number of racers that were working their asses off to get to the front.  All were running strong but it seemed as though none of them had enough because in each segment there was only ONE car that led most of the laps.

 The Fourth Segment was where all the hard work and strategy paid off.  In between the third and fourth segment, the teams had a decision to make.  “Take two tires, take four tires, or don’t take any tires at all.”  There were a few drivers that took “No tires’ and these driver’s ended up on top.  Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne were two of those drivers that decided to take no tires and these guys came out of the pits the fastest.  Greg Biffle, who was the fastest car for a majority of the race decided to take two tires and I can guarantee he’s regretting it now.  Kasey Kahne who was the “Fan Vote” jumped up to the front position and was tough to get around.  Greg Biffle who took the two tires was on his tail the whole segment and admitted he only had once chance to pass and couldn’t take advantage of it.

I think it’s huge a driver who wasn’t even supposed to be in the race took home $1,000,000.  The fans wanted to see him race and boy did he give them a show.  He passed a ton of cars to make it to the top 10 and when it came down to making a decision about tires, he made the right one and that’s all that counts.  He didn’t crawl his way up to the front and techinically “EARN” the #1 position, but his team made the right decision and they took advantage of it.  Kasey Kahne won the race and took home the money.  Congratulations to him!

Even though I’m a huge Tony Stewart fan, I was really hoping for a Dale Earnhardt Jr win.  He was in the top 5 throughout the whole race and looked like he was going to be a player at the end.   I guess the Hendrick Motorsports team just had nothing for them at this race.  I was extremely disappointed with Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson… two racers that were supposed to OWN this track.  The only reason why Jimmie Johnson was in the top 5 was because he took no tires. 

 Overall I have to admit it wasn’t the most aggressive driving or exciting race I’ve ever seen.  There were no wrecks, no bumping, no fighting, and no drama.  This was supposed to be a race where the driver’s would let their hair down and do things out of character.  It was almost as if they were all being gentlemen!  I was shocked!

 What do you think about the race?  Obviously nobody won the contest from my previous post because Kasey Kahne was voted in last minute.  But look for a new contest maybe for the 600.  I like to see who people vote for.

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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what YOU the readers want to see here at RonRipple.com and God only knows why I didn’t come up with this earlier. Without further adieu please welcome our first monthly NASCAR Hot Wife! Who better to start it up with than Jimmie Johnson’s incredibly beautiful hottie of a wife, Chandra Johnson!

Chandra Johnson is one hot wife in the NASCAR world.  Supposedly Jeff Godon introduced Jimmy Johnson to Chandra back in 2003 while Chandra was a Wilhelmina model in New York City.  One year later Jimmie Johnson must have said “Good Lord my wife is hot… I have to marry this woman,” and it’s been all over but the crime since December 2004.  Chandra has been very much involed with Jimmie’s racing and even helped launch the Jimmie Johnson Foundation which assists families and children who are in need.

So not only does Jimmie Johnson have an incredibly hot wife, he also has an incredibly hot wife with a great personality and big heart.

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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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Congratulations to Carl Edwards for fending off Mr. Gordon and Mr. Johnson who were absolutely dominating yesterday’s race before the rain delay.  I am beyond impressed with the way the race finished today.  You have Carl Edwards who stepped up his “A” game today to beat the three guys who to me seemed unstoppable yesterday.  Jeff Gordon finsihed in second place with Jimmie Johnson riding on his coat tails.  The one driver we need to keep our eye on throughout the season is Kyle Busch.  He is officially leading the points after today’s race with a third place finish in Daytona and a fouth place finish in today’s Auto Club 500.

So Carl Edwards did an incredible job today driving by basically everyone who got in his way.  He does admit though he was very fortunate to get by Jimmie Johson and claims that it was more like a drag race today than a NASCAR race.  Overall big ups to my boy Carl Edwards…. That’s one guy who can’t claim to have a case of the Mondays.  I also have to give him credit for not breaking his neck on his successful back flip after the race.  Do you think he practices?  Does he get out of his car after each practice and attempts a back flip?

Anyway…. about that Rain Delay!  NASCAR needs to have a better strategy the next time they decide to keep letting the guys get back on the track.  It was more like a ’slip and slide’ last night than a race track.  In my opinion they should have realized they were losing more cars to crashes then they were getting around the track.  I think next time if the track is that saturated with water and the weather doesn’t look any better then they need to make an executive decision.  But enough about my personal opinion about the matter… It’s not like I wasted my whole evening staying up watching the Simpsons. 

What do you think about the rain delay?  Do you think the 24 or 48 car could have been stopped if the race would have gone off without a hitch last night? 

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I’ve been dying to get to a computer since the crashes that took place during this past weekend’s practice.  I know NASCAR is trying to go back to the basics with letting personalities come out and not having such strict rules and penalties, but this past weekend was unbelievable.  I only have two words to describe how the 2008 season is going to be “Complete CHAOS.”

The first crash seemed as if was an accident and didn’t look like there were any hard feelings.  Clint Boyer simply went up and tapped Ryan Newman which caused a huge pile up including Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and a few others.  Obviously a lot of pissed off drivers but it didn’t seem intentional so I assume no hard feelings. 

The second crash is what in my opinion sets the pace for the 2008 season and of course you see who’s in the middle of it, Tony Stewart.  Tony Stewart was trying to sneak by Kurt Busch’s #12 car but taps his right rear bumper causing him to get up into the wall and destroy his car.  Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch already had some bad blood from last year’s Daytona 500 when Kurt Busch got up in the back of Tony Stewart during the race.  The difference was that they were racing for the lead, and this time they were just practicing.

The title of this article is what I think will continue to be a reoccuring incident throughout the 2008 season “Busch and Stewart’s Love Tap!”  Kurt Busch, who has been NASCAR’s number one driver for the past two years, was not scared this past weekend to show the world how he really feels.  He drove up to Tony Stewart after the crash and traded paint with him that was clearly intentional.  There’s nothing like a little NASCAR drama… it’s what makes this sport so exciting.  But I think trading paint intentionally is a poor way of getting back at someone.  Kurt Busch would have really earned my respect if he would have got out of his car and traded words with Tony Stewart instead of trading paint.   If you listen to the commentators from the video, they mention that Tony Stewart was trying to get out of his car which I think is the proper way to discuss your matters instead of tearing up the cars themselves.  I’m sure Stewart was getting out of his car to shake hands and apologize.  Yeah Right!  The CHAOS from this practice makes for an exciting season.  I’m so jacked up now that I haven’t been able to sleep and probably won’t sleep until they throw the checkered flag come Sunday.

Above is a video of the second crash for those of you who haven’t seen it.  Just remember… this is PRACTICE and not even a race.  It just goes to show you what a competitve sport this is and the different personalities this sport has.  What do you think about this crash?  Do you think Kurt Busch took it too far?  Do you think wrecking cars is the way to get back at someone or do you think racers should take care of their drama face to face?

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With two consecutive points Championships in the last two years, Jimmie Johnson is unstoppable.  We haven’t seen a domination like this since Cale Yarborough back in the 70’s.  So will Jimmie Johnson make it a three peat and earn a title that will put him down in the history books?  

As much as I enjoy going to races and watching these guys battle it out on the track, I never like to see a singe guy dominate the field.  Jimmie Johnson is a great guy, and I can’t say a bad thing about him, but I truley do not want to see him number one in the points by the end of the 2008 season.   I have a feeling that this is going to be the year where people start routing for the under dogs again.  The Hendrick Motorsports team is exremely stacked this year especially with the addition of Dale Earnhardt Jr.  They’ve got Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Casey Mears, and Dale Earnhardt… all finished top 16 in last years points.  Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon were number 1 and 2 and Dale Earnhardt and Casey Mears were 15 and 16.

Jimmie Johnson already has displayed his dominance in the new 2008 season and it’s only January 21st.  This past Monday during both test sessions in Daytona he had the fastest car.   I haven’t decided who I’m going to route for this year but I’m hoping that the three peat doesn’t happen.  Who are you going to be a fan of this year?  We’ve got about a month left till the start of the 2008 season and I’m champing at the bit waiting for it to begin. 

Make sure you check back daily and see what I’m talking about because it’s going to be a crazy year and I’m going to have all the dirt and drama for you to discuss.

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