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

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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The NASCAR chase for second place is the new excitement in NASCAR.    I’m tired of hearing the name Jimmie Johnson… so let’s talk about who’s going to earn the second place position… a.k.a. the first loser?  Will it be Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, or Jeff Burton?   Make your predictions!

The way this year has been going, I would think Carl Edwards is going to earn the “first loser” position.  He’s been in contention all year… from chasing Kyle Busch at the beginning of the season… to chasing Jimmie Johnson at the end.  He’s had an incredible year but unfortunatley it just wasn’t good enough.  With only one more race left in the season, Mr. Edwards has given it all he’s got.  He turned that “nice guy” image into a well…. “nice guy” image who got second place. 

If anyone was going to beat Jimmie Johnson this year it was going to be either Kyle Busch or Carl Edwards.  Kyle made his bed early, but Carl Edwards went down fighting. 

Another racer who I put all my money on before the chase began was Greg Biffle.  I picked “The Biff” as an underdog to win the Championship, but the S.O.B. just couldn’t get ‘er done.  He fought a good fight, but just didn’t have that winning edge to pull through.  He won a couple races at the end but he just didn’t have that winning streak he needed in order to take home the title.

 Who was the biggest dissapointment?

In my opinion the biggest dissapointment this year had to go to two drivers.  Now these two drivers I tend to make fun of in one way or another, but it’s only because they’re incredible racers and I have to make fun of someone.

Kyle Busch… I can’t say it enough!  Kyle Busch absolutely dominated the 2008 Season up until the chase.  He was the “bad guy” of the season and brought a lot of attention to the sport.  If I were a race God, I would have restructured the Chase and made these last final races a battle between the good and the bad.  Jimmie Johnson vs. Kyle Busch.  But unfortunately for me, I’m not a race God and can’t restructure the ending.  Kyle Busch is just gonna have to start over next year and prove himself again.  If anyone can do it… it’s him.

Jeff Gordon… the guy is one of the best racers to date.  He’s won championships and has beat some of the best drivers that have ever walked into the NASCAR world.  But unfortunately for Jeff Gordon, he got owned in the 2008 season.  He’s had a winless year thus far, and with only one race left, it doesn’t look good.  Lucky for him, he’s got a ridiculously good looking wife to go home to. 

Who do you think is going to earn the “first loser” title?  Who do you think was the biggest dissapointment?

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This weekend in Atlanta there was more than one winner… Carl Edwards took home the checkered flag… but Jimmie Johnson took home an even greater lead in the race for the Championship.

 Yesterday’s race was very intense.  I thought there for a second that one of the bridesmaids I mentioned in my previous post was going to win the race.  Matt Kenseth was up there leading a number of laps and Jeff Gordon was in the top three as well, trying to set himself up for the win.  But unfortunately the win went to a typical Bride… Carl Edwards.

As usual the attention went to the typical Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson, and Kyle Busch because they were up front when it really counted.  Carl Edwards won the race with Jimmie Johnson right behind him.  And as I mentioned in the previous post Jimmie Johnson was the biggest media whore of the day.  If we weren’t watching the leaders of the race, our attention was on Jimmie Johnson watching him pick off drivers as if he was at the shooting range. 

I hate to admit it but if you were to ask me who the real winner of the weekend was?  Obviously I would have to say the title goes to Jimmie Johnon.  Jimmie Johnson took his unfortunate mishap in the pits… (On Lap 89, Johnson smoked his tires entering pit road and was nailed with a speeding penalty) and turned it around to earn him a second place finish at the end of the day.

If I told you at the beginning of the season that a driver went from 30th place to 2nd place in Atlanta, you probably would have guessed Kyle Busch.  Well the tables have turned and the new wonder boy in the NASCAR world is Jimmie Johnson.  The guy pisses excellence and there really isn’t anyone who can touch him right now. 

Another driver who drove his @ss off was Juan Pablo Montoya.  This guy was shocking the NASCAR world by hanging in the top five for most of the day until he got involved in an accident that took away his chances.  Because Juan Pablo Montoya did such a great job this weekend I think I’m going to do a Hot Wive’s Club post about his wife.  Good job Montoya… it looks like you’re becoming a true NASCAR racer.

Other than that it was an exciting race and shows that the real racing during the season doesn’t start until the last 10 races of the season.  Basically when it counts.

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We’re getting so close to the end of the season and as I said at the beginning of the Chase, my money is on Greg Biffle.  Yeah yeah yeah… Jeff Gordon has a 7.0 rating at Martinsville, and blah blah blah… Jimmie Johnson has a 6.0 rating at Martinsville, well I’m not saying ”The Biff” is going to win Martinsville, but I am saying he’s going to be the champ at the end of the season.

As usual, the press constantly talks about the stars such as Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch or Jeff Gordon.  They’re always talking about “What color underwear they wear… what they ate for breakfast… how many times they dropped the kids off at the pool… who they’re dating… blah blah blah.”  And if you haven’t noticed, but before every race people are betting on these guys to win, and when they don’t, they still always seem to talk about what went wrong and why they shouldn’ve won. 

Jimmie Johnson… the Media Whore!

After my last Gas Card Giveaway contest, I realized there are a number of driver’s who don’t get the credit they deserve.  When I picked ”The Biff” to win the Championship at the beginning of the Chase, I picked him because I thought he was an incredible driver and he was an underdog in the eyes of the media.  So far ”The Biff” has been showing strong and staying in the hunt, right where he needs to be.

Another underdog who should never be considered an underdog is Jeff Burton.  The only time this guy gets any attention from the media is when he wins.  We never hear about his hobbies outside of racing, or his Garage drama at the race track.  I’m almost wondering if I should create rumors for these guys so they get more attention and get more fans behind them. 

How about this one… “Jeff Burton  lost 12 lbs for his Lowe’s win this past weekend.  Rumors are going around that he is throwing up his lunches just to stay thin and give him the weight advantage when he’s goes into turn 1.”  Pretty scary when the man only weighs 158 lbs… hopefully he passes his physical in the pre-race exam for Martinsville.

Ron Ripple has the pictures to Prove it!

Anyway… “The Biff” is still my pick.  If I have to make up rumors for him then I will.  Martinsville isn’t his track of choice, but if he stays consistant and gets a top 5 finish, then he’ll still be sitting pretty. 

Obviously this is Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson’s track… I think we need Jeff Gordon to get the win this weekend and make sure Jimmie Johnson stays out of the top 5.  Anything’s possible.

Who do you all think the Dark Horse is in the Race for the Championship?  Jeff Burton, Greg Biffle, Clint Boyer, Kevin Harvick?  Hey… we haven’t heard about Kyle Busch as much as we used to!!!!

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Just when you thought the chase was dominated by Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, or even Greg Biffle… Jeff Burton decides he’s not going to let it go that easily.  Burton wins at Lowe’s to put himself in Second place over all in the points.  The Championship keeps getting that much more interesting… Boy do I love NASCAR!

 Jeff Burton and Jimmie Johnson battled it out late in the race on Saturday night at the Bank of America 500.  Jimmie Johnson ended up having handling issues which pushed him back into the 6th position and allowed Jeff Burton to take the win.  Running in second was Kasey Kahne who just didn’t have enough for Jeff Burton late in the race.

One driver who I was impressed with Saturday night was Jeff Gordon.  You all know Jeff Gordon is a sissy boy in my eyes but Saturday night the guy came out and had more difficulty on the track than most, but still some how pulled off a top ten finish.  After the race I watched the team load the car into the Hauler, and it was the “little engine that could.”  and surprisingly even though he didn’t win the race, he did a hell of a job in my opinion.

So Jeff Gordon… I won’t make fun of you in this post… I’ll let you drink you’re Pinot Grigio in peace… because you’re a warrior… and if warriors drink wine… then go for it.

Another driver who had a tough night was Carl Edwards.  Early in the race the kid decided to pit which is perfectly fine, but when you pit and a caution comes out… you’re in deep doo doo.  Well Carl Edwards was knee deep in the doo doo and couldn’t change the outcome.  Sh!t happens… literally… so what are you going to do?  He left the track in fourth place in the overall points standings.

So for those of you who attempted to win the Gas Card in this past week’s contest obvioulsy lost.  Nobody expected Burton to win, so we’re going to leave the contest up for next weekend.  So make sure you pick a winner for the next race.  I’ll post the contest again so we can start fresh.

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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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