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?

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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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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.

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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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2008 has been a wild season to say the least when it comes to winners and those who came up short.  There are a number of driver’s this year we never in our lifetime would have imagined went winless.  I know this article is pre-mature, but I’m feeling the need to write it anyway.

Jeff Gordon… WOWWWW!!!  Who would have thought the young wine drinker wouldn’t even have a chance to pop a bottle of champaign this year.  I mean… this guy hasn’t gone winless since August 4, 1971, the day he was born.  I think when he came out of his mother’s womb, he jumped on his big wheel and raced the 13 year old neighbor around the block. 

To many drivers Jeff Gordon’s year would be a dream come true.  He’s had 11 top five finishes, 16 top ten finishes, and is currently sitting in 7th place in the overall points for the season.  But because it’s Jeff “the wine drinker” Gordon, he’s got to be a little dissapointed.  As much as I make fun of the guy, I really do respect him… He only has four races left for the season and I would never count the guy out.

2008′s Bridesmaids in full gear!

Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, David Ragan, Brian Vickers, Martin Truex Jr, Jamie McMurray, and the list could go on for miles with the number of bridesmaids this season has created.  All these names are so HUGE in the NASCAR world and not a single one of them has a win for the season.  It’s almost as if this season was dominated by a few drivers and these guys just didn’t have that extra “umphhhh” (a new expression I made up) to get that WIN. 

 For those of you not able to make the race this coming week, make sure you call my boys over at DirectTV.  These guys have the best NASCAR viewing you could ask for on TV.  If you’re not at the race, at least pretend like you are… call 1-866-938-8469 and let them know Ron Ripple Sent you.  If you want to check out what they’ve got visit their website at DirectTV.  I just got off the phone with my boys over there and they told me that if you add NASCAR HotPass™ to your DIRECTV base package order, they’ll give you the rest of the season for just $29.99.  You can’t beat that… so hurry up and call 866-938-8469 because the Sale ends November 16th!

So who’s going to be the biggest Bridesmaid of the year?  Unfortunately I think the biggest Whiner I mean winner, might be the biggest Loser of them all, that being Kyle Busch.

Before the Chase, not a single driver could touch what Kyle Busch was breathing… He’d come from the back of the pack and drive around everyone as if he was the professor making his way up to the front of the class.  If he got a second place finish, he’d pout as if he didn’t deserve second.  The guy was on fire and nobody could touch him… but unfortunately the momentum changed and Kyle Busch’s wins soon became losses.

If you had to pick anyone to be the Bridesmaid of the Season so far, who would you pick and why?  Craig… we already know who you’re going to pick and I have a feeling it rhymes with Shontoya.  But I’d love to hear who came up short and why.

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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 everyone… I finally sponsored a team.  You all know how much I love racing, and that racing is my LIFE!  Well I decided to spread the word of NASCAR and sponsor the next best thing… I sponsored ”THE” Offshore Powerboat racing National and World Championship team of Page Racing.

Click on the Picture to see Blown Up!

Offshore Powerboat racing is known for being NASCAR on the water, so anything that has to do with NASCAR is my cup of beer (or tea… you know what I mean).  A few weeks ago I was in Orange Beach, Alabama visiting some NASCAR buddies and it just so happened that the same weekend I was there, they were having an Offshore Powerboat race hosted by the Offshore Super Series.

At first I was a bit skeptical but the minute I heard “NASCAR on the water” I grabbed the closest case of beer and headed out to the beach.  Now you may not know this… but I don’t do beaches.  But after watching the race, I decided to invest in a couple pairs of swim trunks because I plan on attending every boat race in the future.

After the race I went down to the pits and met all the drivers who welcomed me in with open arms.  It’s kind of hard to believe but the Page Racing team actually heard of me and knew who I was.  They’re HUGE NASCAR fans, so we hit it off immediately talking about Jeff Gordon’s sissy wine drinking and Dale Earnhardt Jr’s evil step mom.  

One beer after the next, I was slurring my words and in one of my drunken slurrrrsss I said I wanted to sponsor the team.  Next thing you know I’m writing a check and officially part of one of the best Offshore Powerboat Race Teams.  If you don’t believe me…. here are a few pictures of the boat in the shop with my pretty little face all over it.

For all of you wondering what this boat is all about… here’s what I learned at my first race.  This boat is a 38 foot Skater (type of boat) with twin 1075′s detuned to 850 hp.  That’s over 1,700 hp in a single boat.  The boat is capable of running to speeds of up to 170 mph depending on what gear ratio and propellers.  Unlike NASCAR, this boat requires two pilots… one to control the Throttles and one to Steer the boat.  The only way to be the best is by having incredible communication and great team work… and that’s why I picked this team to sponsor.  The Page Racing boat was National and World Champions last year and hopefully they’ll do the same for me this year!!

So this weekend I’m heading to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, where I’ll be with my new team, drinking beer and doing what teams do.  I’m not exactly sure what that is, but all I know is one of the race teams is sponsored by Bud Lite and I cannot wait to stop by their Hauler and become their new best friend.

If you love NASCAR even remotely as much as I do… then you’re going to love Offshore Powerboat Racing.  If you’re in the Missouri area make sure you stop by the pits and say hello!  I’m officially part of the baddest race team in Offshore and I couldn’t be happier.

And if any of you NASCAR drivers are reading this I’m challenging you to try racing one of these at 150 mph +.  It’s easy on pavement… but try doing it where the track is unpredictable and forever changing.

Who wants to go for a ride?

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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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(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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