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

Bristol is the next race, a place that separates the boys from the men, a place built for speed, and a place known for having over 130,000 people fired up in the Grand Stands cheering for their favorite driver.  Who’s going to be the driver to take home this year’s first race at Bristol?  Get your wallets out boys because we’re taking bets.

As you all know… they don’t call me Ron Ripple – Nascar’s Biggest Fan for nothing.  I’m the kind of fan that every driver dreams of, I’m the kind of fan that every driver prays for.  I wouldn’t say that I can technically help a driver win a race, but I can basically help a driver win a race.

I’m known around the pits as being somewhat of a “sh!t talker,” so If you’re on my bad side, I’ve been known to “get in your head.”  Last year when the Race for the Chase started, I just so happened to be hovering around Kyle Busch’s camp for the first 4 races in the chase.  You tell me if I got in his head or not, he went from being first, to being last!

So who am I picking to win the first race at Bristol this year?  CARL EDWARDS.  I repeat… CARLLL EDWARRDDSS.

Carl Edwars is my pick for Bristol.  He won the last race there in August of ’08 and he’s going to win there again on March 22nd of ’09.   He’s started this season out showing he’s going to be a front runner, and I have all the confidence in the world for him.

Who’s head am I going to get in this coming weekend?  Mark my words… When the haulers start rolling in and get set up, I’m going to be all over Kurt Busch like white on rice.  He might as well kiss his chances of winning Bristol good bye.

So all my fellow NASCAR Fans… who are you picking to win at Bristol?  And who do you want to be in the back of the pack?

75 Comments »

Kyle Busch who ended his day at the Daytona 500 mixed up in a crash, that would take his chances of winning away, dominated the race by leading 76 out of 124 laps.  It was an unfortunate day for Kyle Busch but a very fortunate day for Mr. Matthew Kenseth, who went on to win the race after officials called the race due to rain.

Kyle Busch who was last years wonder boy at the beginning of the season looked like he was going to do it once again.  He was driving around these guys as if they were glued to the cement.  His pit crew changed tires quicker than I can shotgun a beer.  (I’m South Carolina’s #1 Beer Shotgunner)  Kyle Busch was running a phenomenal race until Dale Earnhardt Jr. decided he wasn’t very happy being a lap down.

Here’s the story, if you didn’t get a chance to watch the race.  Brian Vickers and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were racing for the “lucky dog” position at the front of the pack.  Brian Vickers was in front of Earnhardt Jr who went down on the low side to try and pass him.  Brian Vickers went down to the yellow line to block him which pushed Earnhardt Jr. out, and then Earnhardt intentionally came up and tapped Vickers on the left rear corner which caused him to spin out and take out half the pack.

Click on the video below if you want to see.

If you watched the post race interviews you’ll wonder what was wrong with Kyle Busch, and I think I have the answer. Kyle Busch for some odd reason was extremely nice and didn’t have that negative whiny tone he usually portrays when he gets wrecked or doesn’t win.

My speculation is that he either got “neutered” (my dog relaxed after I get him neutered) or he had a hot date after the race. Hopefully it was the hot date because if I continue to see Kyle Busch be that respectful and nice after a race I may stop writing about him.

Overall I thought the Daytona 500 was a fun race to watch given the circumstances we were dealt. The whole race everyone was worried about the rain so it made the drivers drive a little bit more aggressively. Unfortunately none of the big names finished in the top 10 due to the wreck but we’ve got plenty more races for these guys to show us what they’ve got.

37 Comments »

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.

34 Comments »

Kyle Busch is my hero… did I just say that?  Yes I did!  Anyone who reads my articles knows I either love Kyle Busch or I hate him.  He’s either a winner to me… or a whiner.  Well this article is going to explain why I think Kyle Busch has a great heart and is a racer to look up to.

If you haven’t heard of Sam Ard, you need to go check out his website www.SamArd.com.  He was an incredible racer from 1983-1984.  He was a hero in his day… many looked up to him, and many envied him.  He was a warrior on the race track and he fought for every win.  He had over 20 wins in his Busch career and was running strong until he had a career ending crash on October 10th, 1984 which resulted in a major head injury. 

He was a Hero to many, well now… Sam Ard HAS a new hero.  His name is Kyle Busch!

Sam Ard now 69, suffers from a moderate stage of Alzheimers disease that leaves him asking his wife if “she’d be pissed if he started racing again.”  Because of his Alzheimers disease he sometimes gets trapped in the past and doesn’t realize he’s a 69 year old past legend that has Alzheimers and is in financial trouble.

This past weekend Kyle Busch was racing the Nationwide Series race to try and tie Sam Ard’s record of 10 wins within a Nationwide/Busch Series Season.  He ended up getting the win which leaves him in the record books with his name right there next to Mr. Sam Ard.

Kyle Busch made an incredible decision this past weekend and dedicated his Nationwide Series win to Sam Ard.  With that win he donated $100,000 to the Sam Ard Fund which helps him and his family with their finances. 

Back in Sam Ard’s day, the most a Busch Series winner ever received was $25,000 and that was at Daytona.  So to say the least, Sam Ard didn’t make multi millions off his racing career, but he is remembered as a legend.

Here’s an excerpt from Nascar.com that explains Ard’s feelings during this past weekend’s race…

Ard watched Saturday’s race at Texas with his grandson, aware that Busch was chasing his 1983 mark for wins in a season. Jo was with her sister for a rare dinner out when son, Robert, called her.

“Mama, are you sitting down?” Robert told her. “Well, Kyle tied Daddy’s record, and I had someone call me and tell me that Kyle is going to give Daddy $100,000.”

Hours later, when a fidgety Ard kept Jo up talking until 2:30 a.m., she sensed he understood Busch’s contribution.

“I guess his mind was just thinking because he said ‘I’ve been praying that something could come along that we could pay the bills and you can get a car,’ ” Jo said. “So he’s aware of what’s going. I asked him what he wanted to do with Kyle’s money, and he said for me to do whatever I wanted. He just wanted a couple hundred dollars to put in his wallet.”

When I read this it gave me goose bumps.  It just shows you that Kyle Busch has a big heart and is not all about himself.  He respects the past, and even though he’s out there breaking records… he’s breaking records with a good heart.  I’m extremely happy that the Ard family is getting help.  It makes me think there should be some sort of NASCAR fund that donates to the fallen racers.  If it weren’t for these past legends, the sport wouldn’t be where it is today.

If you get a chance, make sure you visit www.SamArd.com and if you have a few extra bucks make a donation.  We need to support our past racers and show them our appreciation.  Who knows… maybe Kyle Busch will need some help when he’s older.  He’ll definitely be a legend to remember.

14 Comments »

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.
 

18 Comments »

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.

12 Comments »

(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..

8 Comments »

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!

9 Comments »

Last weekend in the final laps of the Sharpie 500, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch decided they wanted to start showing each other how they really feel.  Carl Edwards worked all night trying to pass Kyle Busch but just couldn’t seem to get him on the high side.  During the last few laps Carl Edwards dipped into the corner and taped Kyle’s left rear bumper causing him to lose control and allowing Carl to slide by gaining the lead. 

Carl Edwards went on to win the race but not without getting into a little pushing match with Kyle Busch.  After Carl Edwards got the checkered flag, Kyle Busch drove up beside him and rubbed the side of his car.  “The Nice Guy” Carl Edwards immediately drove into Busch and spun him out.  The crowd went absolutely CRAZY.  It was awesome to see some drama go down on the track.  It’s not too often these days you see emotion on the track.

 In a post race interview Carl Edwards says “It’s one of those deals where I couldn’t get by him, I couldn’t get by him, and I just had to ask myself, ‘Would he do that to me?’ 

Of course Kyle Busch would do that to him… he’s been doing it all season.

The funniest part about this little drama is that after the race, Kyle Busch was seen whining like a little girl saying “wittle Cawl Edwads pwushed me.”  If you ask me… I think Kyle Busch gets what he deserves… karma’s a bitch and if you can dish it out, then you need to learn how to take it. 

NASCAR just announced that both drivers were slapped on the hand and were given probation for the next 6 races.  If anything… I think the two should be patted on the back for creating an exciting ending to an awesome race.  NASCAR needs to commend these two racers for showing their feelings and creating an exciting rivalry.  NASCAR needs more moments like this…. this is what gets fans on their feet. 

Kyle Busch is an incredible racer but if you haven’t noticed, when he’s the bad guy he’s loving life.  He’ll go out there tap bumpers, spin people out, race rough, and walk around the pits like he’s God’s gift to NASCAR.  But the minute someone else bumps him or passes him aggressively the kid starts whining.  “Cawl Edwads, Cawl Edwads… he bumped me, he bumped me!”  Save the drama for the track and show “Cawl Edwads” that you’re supposed to be the “bad guys” and that he needs to go back to being the “Nice Guy”

I’m jacked up to watch the rest of the season… it’s going to be an awesome race for the chase.  I think Carl Edwards is going to be a force to be reckened with.  It seems as though he’s the only one that has Kyle Busch’s number. 

I can’t wait to watch the rest of the season unfold.  So what do you guys think?  Is Kyle Busch a whiner or is he in the “right” here?

9 Comments »

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.

———————————————————–

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…

2 Comments »