Bleacher Report - Articles by Kelly Crandall

Just Out of Reach: Will the Gates at Daytona Ever Open for Tony Stewart?

Kelly Crandall — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:14:39 -0500

Daytona.

Nothing else needs to be said because everyone knows what that one word means. Everyone wants to make it to Daytona, and everyone wants to win there.

It’s the greatest race in NASCAR.

It’s the biggest race in NASCAR and one that if you win it, you’ll be among racing’s elite.

All the greats have won the 500: Petty, Allison, Pearson, Earnhardt, Waltrip(s) and all the eventual greats have won it, too: Johnson, Gordon, Kenseth, Earnhardt Jr.

It’s a difficult race to win and one of the most coveted.

Dale Earnhardt had to wait 20 years to get his hands on the Harley J. Earl trophy. That happens to be the longest current streak of a Daytona 500 winner.

Buddy Baker had to wait 18 years, Darrell Waltrip 17, Michael Waltrip and David Pearson 15, and Sterling Marlin 13 years.

Others haven’t had to wait as long.

Ward Burton did it in eight years. Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson won it in five.

Ernie Irvan and Derrick Cope were the quickest to win the 500 in just three attempts.

Those are just some of the 51 Daytona 500 winners that will go down in history.

Except, the list is still missing names.

When Rusty Wallace retired in 2005, he did so without ever winning the Daytona 500, although he gave it 22 great tries.

Mark Martin will have at it for the 25th time in February of next year; he’s still never captured the big event.

And then there is the man that might be following in Dale Earnhardt’s shadow: Tony Stewart.

Every which way that you could lose the Daytona 500, it has been accomplished by Stewart.

He’s lost it by leading on the last lap, being passed down the backstretch by Ryan Newman and then teammate Kurt Busch in 2008.

A year later, Stewart hired Newman to drive one of his Stewart-Haas cars.

He’s lost it by dominating; in 2004 he led half the race, 98 of 200 laps, and finished second to Dale Earnhardt Jr. after being passed with 19 laps to go.

"I think his father is proud today," Stewart said after that race. "I wanted to win the race. Trust me, if I could have held him off, I would have. But there was no holding that kid back. Today was his day."

He’s lost on lap one with a blown engine in 2002 and finished 43rd—dead last. Ironically, he started the year 43rd in points but would go on to win the championship, going from 43rd to first.

He’s lost it by being in the “Big One” such as 2001 when he went flipping down the backstretch.

Stewart has yet to create a good memory in the Daytona 500, but that doesn’t mean he can’t think of anything pleasant when it comes to the track.

“You know, I think probably still I was watching,” he said of the things he remembers most.

“I remember the race that Dale Earnhardt lost on the last corner on the last lap with a flat tire, and I remember Darrell Waltrip winning his first race and watching Dale Earnhardt Sr. get his win.”

Others would be, “Obviously Dale Jarrett with Joe Gibbs Racing; Petty, Pearson; Allison and Yarborough at the end of the backstretch with the fistfight and everything…they’re all pretty cool.”

What would be really cool is for Stewart to finally create his own memory of the Daytona 500, and win the one that keeps escaping him.

Like Earnhardt, Stewart has won everything there is at Daytona—except the 500.

Earnhardt is the all-time win leader at the track, with 34 victories, and Stewart too has picked up victories in the Budweiser Shootout, Gatorade Duels, Nationwide, and July race for a total of 12 wins at the speedway.

There is just one thing he has yet to cross off the list, the most important one.

When he takes to the track in February it will be his 12th attempt at taking home the Harley J. Earl trophy.

He’s won championships, he’s won road courses, Martinsville, Indianapolis, and everywhere in between. There’s just one more that he wants to win, one more that would mean everything.

Will this be the year come that Tony Stewart no longer has to answer the question: When are you going to win the Daytona 500?

Brad Keselowski May Be the One to Lead Dodge Back to the Promised Land

Kelly Crandall — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:55:01 -0500

There was a time in the Nationwide Series when manufacturer Dodge was on top of the world.

They had some of the best organizations not only driving their cars: Penske, Evernham, and Ganassi; but those organizations were driving their cars into victory lane.

Kasey Kahne, Reed Sorenson, Kurt Busch, and Ryan Newman all made Dodge a force to be reckoned with from the years of 2005-2007.

Sorenson scored his first career Nationwide win in a Dodge with Chip Ganassi Racing at Nashville in 2005, followed by his second win later that year in Gateway.

Newman destroyed the competition in the later part of the year when he won six out of the final 12 races (including three straight) for Penske.

That helped complete an 11-win year for the manufacturer.

The following year, 2006, they would only win four races, two from Busch and two from Kahne.

But after the 2007 season, in which they won another four races: Juan Pablo Montoya scoring his first career win at Mexico City, Kasey Kahne winning at Charlotte, Sorenson at Gateway, and then Kahne again at Bristol in August; Dodge started slowly sliding off the map.

Over the last two seasons: 2008 and 2009; they haven’t seen victory lane.

That’s right, Dodge as a whole has not captured a checkered flag in the NASCAR Nationwide Series since August of 2007 and slowly teams are starting to switch out the manufacturer.

First was Rusty Wallace Racing, whom started with Dodge in 2006 before switching to Chevrolet.

Next year they’ll make another switch and be in Toyotas.

James Finch switched his No. 1 machine from a Dodge to a Chevrolet in 2007, where it remains today.

In 2010 there will only be four cars that will have the opportunity to break the Dodge winless drought.

Penske Racing will be running full-time schedules with 2009 Rookie of the Year Justin Allgaier in the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge, and new teammate Brad Keselowski in the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge.

Penske also plans to use another rookie, Parker Kligerman, whenever they can.

The other two full-time Dodge teams will be Keselowski’s brother, Brian, in his own No. 26 machine and whomever MacDonald Motorsports puts in their No. 81 car.

And of course, don’t forget the limited schedules of any other competitor that attempts to make a Nationwide race using the Dodge banner.

But if a victory is going to be seen for Dodge, it’ll most likely come from one of the Penske drivers: Allgaier or Keselowski.

Allgaier has never won a Nationwide Series race, but did finish sixth in points in 2009 to go along with his ROY honors.

He scored 12 top-10s and three top-fives. Most importantly he knows how to take care of his equipment and be there at the end of the race.

He’ll be just as strong in 2010 and most likely smarter. He and crew chief Chad Walter are a great pair and get better and better each week.

Don’t be surprised though if all eyes are on Keselowski, who for the last two years has contended for the Nationwide Series championship with former team JR Motorsports.

In those years however, he was driving a Chevrolet, now he’ll be in a different manufacturer for the first time in almost three years.

Keselowski has six career Nationwide wins and one Sprint Cup win.

When announcing his signing with Penske Keselowski said, “I want to be the guy who comes to Penske Racing and gets them their first championship.”

In order to accomplish that in the NNS he’ll have to lead the resurgence of a manufacturer that hasn’t been able to keep up with Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota.

What could help pick up Dodge is that in four races in 2010 they’ll be using the Nationwide Car of Tomorrow (COT): Daytona in July, Michigan in August, Richmond in September, and Lowe’s in October.

Chevrolet will use the Impala, Toyota the Camry, Ford the Mustang, and Dodge has decided to use the Challenger.

Allgaier has already tested the COT and says it drives like a dream. No better motivation than a new car that's bound to be fast.

Daytona in February will be a new year for everyone involved with the manufacturer.

New year, new driver, new cars, and a new opportunity to put the past behind them and get back to their winning ways.

Denny Hamlin is Being Himself Like NASCAR Wants—But Fans Don't Like It

Kelly Crandall — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:08:45 -0500

Since the death of Dale Earnhardt NASCAR fans have longed for a driver that had a take no prisoners attitude.

A driver that could back up his talk on the racetrack and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind.

Tony Stewart has said he doesn’t want that role; he doesn’t want to be the go-to guy in the garage. And after his comments a few years ago about NASCAR and his subsequent sit down with the top dogs, seems he’s sticking to that.

Nearing the end of the 2009 season it seemed the perfect driver had emerged in Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin. The only problem was that Hamlin’s new attitude was met with a different result than Earnhardt’s.

While Earnhardt was praised, and sometimes criticized, for his rough and tumble nature, Hamlin has received an outpouring of nothing but criticism for his actions.

In October he started using the popular networking site Twitter to express his opinions. Soon his fans were personally connecting with him on how they felt about the happenings around NASCAR.

“You really don’t get a good idea for what the fans think until you see it through several thousands people who have a response to a race or how it goes,” he said about the site.

Things took a visibly more noticeable turn the weekend of the fall Talladega race.

After NASCAR “changed the rules” about what would be acceptable bump drafting, Hamlin was enraged and expressed as much. Some fans understood his position that it wasn’t right for NASCAR to do.

To be more precise, Hamlin actually questioned who was in charge.

“Jeff G [Gordon] told NASCAR we shouldn’t be bump drafting. Cuz they never did in the past. Who’s running this sport??”

Later he would say, “A lot of people just agree with NASCAR because they don’t want to get in trouble with NASCAR, but the truth is the truth.”

What had Hamlin so fired up that day was that NASCAR told the drivers in their pre-race meeting that they were banning two cars from hooking up and shooting to the front.

Something that Hamlin felt he was really good at and was an advantage.

“It’s just frustrating that Gordon has got that much pull with NASCAR…I just wish everyone could have equal say-so and not just somebody behind closed doors being able to change how the rules go,” he said.

“Ultimately, he’s going to lobby to NASCAR saying, ‘We don’t need to push.’ Why? Because his car didn’t push well. So it was an advantage I felt like I had gained over the last couple of years and had it taken away basically right before the race.”

Fans didn’t like what Hamlin had to say or how outspoken he was. Many said that Hamlin had no right to question a driver that has been in the sport longer than he has.

But Hamlin didn’t back down.

His next target was the recurring incidents that he’s had in the Nationwide Series with Brad Keselowski. Hamlin’s side of the story is that Keselowski has wrecked him on four different occasions and that he’s yet to repay the favor.

After the two tangled at Phoenix Hamlin came right out and said he would cash in his chips at Homestead a week later.

Hamlin kept his word and on lap 35 he sent Keselowski spinning down the frontstretch, which he called well worth it after having to serve a one-lap penalty for rough driving.

And yet, fans still aren’t happy. Some called him immature for his constant bickering with Keselowski and say that he’s a whiner when things don’t go his way.

In reality, Hamlin isn’t doing anything that any legends of the sport haven’t done. But instead of being embraced, it seems it’s going to take more time to win over NASCAR nation.

In a time when ratings are down, Jimmie Johnson is dominated the sport, and it seems there are so many things to complain about, Hamlin is giving people everything they’ve asked for.

He’s being aggressive, outspoken, and entertaining. He’s not robotic, or vanilla, he’s being himself, which is what fans have said they want. Now they’ve got it and they don’t like it.

It doesn’t matter to Hamlin though, who’s enjoying his role. As he said, he’s opinionated and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime in the near future.

The Homestead-Miami Speedway Is the Perfect Ending to the NASCAR Season

Kelly Crandall — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:17:37 -0500

In every other sport, the biggest game of the year comes at the end of the season.

The Super Bowl in the NFL, the World Series in baseball, the Finals in the NBA, the World Cup of soccer, and on and on.

They are the last games that crown the leagues champions. They are the biggest events of the year.

In NASCAR, the biggest event of the year is the first game, the first race that kicks off the season: the Daytona 500.

Grumblings have circulated through the garage and grandstands that the biggest event of the year should be at the end of the season, and that the Daytona 500 should be the 36th and final race of the year.

People are looking for the excitement of a restrictor plate race to help crown the champion, as well as bring down the year on a great note.

But after the 2009 Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway in FL, many might agree that the track is the perfect place to host the season-ending race, which might not have been said a few years ago.

But the facility wanted to step up and create a new identity. They wanted to be “geared toward the future,” as broadcaster Ken Squier said.

After the 2002 season, Homestead went through a $12 million face-lift.

Going from a flat track with six-degree banking, to a progressive 18 to 22 degree-banked track. Now the racing went from single-file, fighting for the bottom to side-by-side action.

In its first race with its new face, there was last lap drama when Bill Elliott blew a right rear tire going down the backstretch. Bobby Labonte shot by Elliott for the win, which happens to be Labonte’s last win to date.

February of the following year, 2004, future NASCAR driver Sam Hornish Jr. beat Helio Castroneves in a photo finish in the IndyCar series.

Then in November, the track hosted the final race of the inaugural Chase for the Championship and didn’t disappoint.

Late-race, frantic actions produce a champion on the last lap, Kurt Busch, over Jimmie Johnson by just eight points. It’s the closest points finish in NASCAR history.

In November of 2005, the track finished their construction of a Turn One tower and Champions Club with premium seating and private suits.

As Tony Stewart was crowned the 2005 NASCAR champion, Greg Biffle beat teammate Mark Martin in a photo finish, which then tied them for second in points behind Stewart.

Since then, the track continues to produce great side-by-side racing, this past weekend being no exception.

Not only were there many exciting moments, three and four-wide, but in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races, there were drivers that were out for revenge.

Fans, drivers, and even the broadcasters and media members loved what they were seeing. You could hear the excitement in their voices.

Jeff Burton praised the speedway for its great racing, saying at first he thought they were crazy to tear the pavement up and rebuild, and that it would ruin the place. Instead, it’s producing excitement in the only race it hosts, which is also the most important one.

However, it’s not just the track that has been stepping things up.

The surrounding area has come alive and drivers, crews, and media enjoy their time in South Florida. There are many clubs, restaurants, and beaches in the area; the state is lit up and beautiful.

The weather is perfect, as well.

Taking a look at the website for the speedway, they don't just advertise their 600-acre facility, but also the surrounding area, with pictures to show Southern Miami, things to do, and places to see.

There's South Beach, the Florida Keys, Downtown Miami, Keywest Aquarium, Everglades National Park, and much more.

Head to the Sunshine state for some racing and relaxation, then head home for Thanksgiving. The final race of the season might have a little less sting when experiencing it in a great environment.

And now that the track has finally come into its own, putting on great racing and hosting the most important weekend of the NASCAR season, it makes perfect sense to keep the Homestead-Miami Speedway as the racing season's finale.

Dear National Anthem Singers: Get It Right or Get Off the Stage

Kelly Crandall — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:52:41 -0500

Oh, say, can you see,

To those that love NASCAR, there are two important parts to any weekend.

The first is the actual race that everyone has tuned in to see or paid money to attend. The racing is the reason they love and watching NASCAR.

By the dawn’s early light,

But the second most important part of the weekend comes just before the engines fire: the National Anthem.

Before any sporting event, the fans know they will rise to their feet, remove their hats, and salute their country before enjoying their favorite game.

What so proudly we hailed,

Sports fans love America as much as they love their favorite pastime.

The two go hand in hand.

At the twilight’s last gleaming,

Over the years there have been some great renditions of the National Anthem, and of course, there have been some awful ones.

Good being Whitney Houston, LeAnn Rimes, and Mariah Carey.

Whose broad strips and bright stars,

Bad being Hillary Clinton, Christina Aguilera, and Roseanne Barr. Actually, Barr can qualify as downright hideous.

After Jesse McCartney forgot an entire verse of the National Anthem before the Pepsi 500 at California, fans and media alike couldn’t believe it.

Through the perilous fight,

Neither could McCartney.

McCartney wrote on his Twitter page, “Here at the NASCAR race! So much fun! Can’t believe I forgot the words to the Anthem! I’ve performed it 100 times. Bad nerves today I guess.”

O’er the ramparts we watched,

But for viewers, they weren’t guessing when expressing how they weren’t pleased with how McCartney and others have “ruined,” “butchered,” and “disgraced” the National Anthem.

They’ll fight for their drivers as hard as they’ll fight for their country and for a proper National Anthem.

Were so gallantly streaming,

Personal websites and blogs light up after the National Anthem is sung each weekend about whether they approved or not and what other thoughts they have.

Lately, it hasn’t been of approval. NASCAR fans are not messing around when it comes to the National Anthem. You better do it right, or they’ll tell you just how wrong you are.

And the rockets' red glare,

But don’t think that it’s just the National Anthem that you need to worry about.

Fans and media are very observant, and they’ll spot someone that stands out in a crowd for all the wrong reasons.

The bombs bursting in air,

Mostly from what the TV camera caught while showing drivers, crews, and fans or from standing and observing those around them.

It’s not uncommon to see some wives—perfect example being DeLana Harvick—wearing their hats during the National Anthem. Some fans do so as well, and it is not a popular move to others.

Gave proof through the night,

The only people that should be wearing a hat during the singing of the National Anthem are military members.

However, that seems minor compared to the outrage and thoughts on what the National Anthem is all about.

That our flag was still there,

Being in the grandstands during the National Anthem is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Time stands still; thousands of people stand as one and in silence, in what can only be known as a moving experience. The only thing on everyone’s mind is a bigger picture than a shining trophy and checkered flag.

Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,

Many celebrities and public figures have been invited to sing the National Anthem before a NASCAR race, many saying they are big NASCAR fans, but when they get up to sing one of the hardest songs in the country, they can’t pull it off.

At least not to most people’s liking.

O’er the land of the free,

The easiest thing for anyone that is going to be invited to sing the National Anthem at a NASCAR or any sporting event is to remember an important piece of advice: Keep it simple.

As one fan said, a fan that has a bald Eagle and an American Flag wrap that runs down the side of his Ford pickup truck, “Sing it the way it was intended. Keep it simple. I don’t need all these people adding bulls&*%t to it.”

When Francis Scott Key sat down and wrote the song back in 1814, he didn’t have background music. He didn’t have any added spice in mind. He was more concerned with the words he was writing and how important they were.

No one seems to remember that.

No performer remembers that they aren’t supposed to turn it into a country, rap, or hip-hop performance; they aren’t putting on a concert.

They need to remember the strength of the words they are saying, the importance and the meaning of those words, and let that be their performance.

To have the honor to perform a song that is the song for their country is far more important than who they are.

Most importantly, they need to remember, it’s not about them. It’s about the United States of America; it’s about Freedom, and honoring the men and woman who have given them that freedom.

If they can’t remember that, then from now on the only people that should be performing the National Anthem are the ones that it was written for—the military—because they’re the only ones that do it right.

And the home of the brave.

Year in Review: The 2009 NASCAR Season from Inside the Drivers Helmets

Kelly Crandall — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:13:34 -0500

After the conclusion of the 2008 Sprint Cup season I wrote an article that consisted of 36 quotes, one from each race from last year that was memorable.

It was a year in review straight from the drivers themselves.

Things that had been said that stuck out for whatever reason and that someone might look back on for that race and remember the season. This year I’ve done the same thing for every race we watched, talked or argued about, and may have forgotten about.

Now it’s time relive them and see what stands out from the 2009 NASCAR season.

Daytona 500: “It’s going to be really wet out here because I’m crying like a baby.” Matt Kenseth

After going winless for the first time in his career in 2008, Kenseth and his No. 17 team started the 2009 season by winning the biggest race of them all: The Daytona 500 after it was called short because of rain.

California: “They should fire me. You just can’t make mistakes like that.” Greg Biffle

Biffle thought he and his team had a shot at the victory heading into their final pit stop. When he came down pit road he ran over his air house and had to back up, losing value time and allowing the leaders to leave him in the dust.

He was never able to hunt them down and finished fourth.

Las Vegas: “Say goodnight Gracie.” Jeff Dickerson

The spotter for Kyle Busch guided the driver of the M&M’s Toyota to a victory at his home track and as he did so made that comment over the radio as Busch passed Clint Bowyer for the lead late in the race.

Atlanta: “Good things come to those who wait.” Kurt Busch

Big brother Kurt backed his brother’s win up by dominating the Kobalt Tools 500 for his first win of the year. Busch had a miserable year in 2008, only being able to win a rain-shortened race in New Hampshire, and finished 18th in points. This year started much better for the Miller Lite team who showed they could contend again.

Bristol: “Look at that, Earnhardt’s the Lucky Dog. Ha, ha, ha!” Kyle Busch

Since the two joined new teams, Busch blames Earnhardt Jr. for his release from Hendrick Motorsports, and since then the two have traded not only paint, but also words.

As Busch dominated Bristol, Earnhardt Jr. struggled and the young driver seemed to enjoy that over his team radio.

Martinsville: “If the roles were reversed, I’d do the same thing --- and believe me, I will if it ever comes back around.” Denny Hamlin

Hamlin was leading late in the race at Martinsville over Jimmie Johnson, but Johnson had a trick up his sleeve. Heading into turn three Johnson drove in hard and knocked Hamlin up the track as he went passed.

Johnson went on to win, as Hamlin had to settle for second at his home track.

Texas: “You got me a win in Texas --- I love you!” Jeff Gordon

Four-time champion Jeff Gordon was another driver that experienced his first winless season in the Sprint Cup Series last year. Going into Texas no one expected him to pull off a victory at a track that he’s never won at and has struggled on so much in the past.

But he did so and thanked his team accordingly who had gotten him off pit road first on their final stop.

Phoenix: “Tony [Stewart] would race me clean, but he would race me crazy, too, to get a win.” Mark Martin

For the first time in nearly four years Martin returned to victory lane on a Saturday night in Phoenix after dueling with Stewart. Martin beat him for his first win with Hendrick Motorsports as Stewart was trying to win for the first time with his own team of Stewart-Haas Racing.

Talladega: “They put us in this box, and we’ll race like this until we kill somebody, and then they’ll change it.” Carl Edwards

After being just yards from winning at the Superspeedway, Edwards found himself upside down and in the fence off the front bumper of Brad Keselowski, who went on to win. Edwards wasn’t happy with NASCAR’s rules or restrictor plate racing since the contact from Keselowski came as a result of not being able to pass below the yellow line.

Richmond: “It’s great to be able to do this on my birthday week, it means a lot.” Kyle Busch

On the night that Busch turned 24 years old, he was able to celebrate in victory lane after winning the Crown Royal 400, sweeping the weekend. He was also in victory lane the night before after winning the Nationwide Series race.

Darlington: “He’s superman … I thought he was trying to snooker me, lollygag back there and all of a sudden mash the gas, and I’d be off-guard.” Mark Martin

After celebrating in Phoenix, Martin decided he wanted to feel victory again and took the checkered flag in Darlington over teammate Jimmie Johnson.

Lowe’s: “It’s fun, but I felt like I was down on pit road for a month [waiting for NASCAR to call the race].” David Reutimann

For the second time in 2009, one of the biggest races of the year was called for rain and this time the benefactor was David Reutimann that stayed on the track and inherited the lead and the win after the leaders all pitted.

Dover: “He’s always had a chip on his shoulder for me so I expect any time he gets an opportunity to throw a jab in there he’s going to do it. That’s just his personality.” Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Round 819,8764...of the Dale Earnhardt Jr./Kyle Busch rivalry took place the Friday before Dover when Busch made comments about Earnhardt Jr. receiving a new crew chief. Earnhardt Jr. responded to those comments in his press conference.

Pocono: “He’s doing a damn burnout!” Steve LeTarte

When Tony Stewart took his first checkered flag as an owner/driver no one could believe that he made it around the triangle with enough fuel. Including Jeff Gordon’s crew chief that was shocked that not only did Stewart win, he was able to celebrate as well.

Michigan: “Old man, you snookered us again.” Jeff Gordon

When Greg Biffle and Jimmie Johnson raced each other too hard in Michigan and ran out of fuel, it was Mark Martin that snuck by and won the race. Teammate Jeff Gordon congratulated the senior driver in victory lane.

Infineon: “Awesome --- not bad for a dirty tracker from Washington!” Kenny Francis

Kasey Kahne captured his first road course win at Infineon in late June and even more impressive was that Kahne held off road course king Tony Stewart on four late restarts.

His crew chief approved of his driver’s efforts.

New Hampshire: “That’s the second week in a row that stupidity has cost us a race … I guess everybody just learns to expect Kyle to do something stupid. Stupid is forever.” Brian Vickers

When Dale Earnhardt Jr. spun the tires on a restart, Kyle Busch made it three wide going into turn one. The result was a big wreck that left many drivers angry with the driver of the M&M’s Camry, including Brian Vickers.

Daytona: “If the second-place driver bumps the leader, then black flag his ass. He doesn’t get the win.” Kyle Busch

A week later it was Busch that was mad after being wrecked by Tony Stewart. Busch was leading coming off turn four to the checkered flag when he swung up to block Stewart, the two made contact, sending Busch on a wild ride.

Chicagoland: “I’m starting to lose faith in his ability to be a three-time champion on the track.” Kurt Busch

At the Infineon race Busch was riding in fourth with just a handful of laps remaining before Jimmie Johnson sent him spinning off course. Then at New Hampshire the two rubbed fenders again. Finally after Johnson “body-slammed” Busch at Chicagoland, he let everyone know that he wasn’t impressed with the champion’s actions.

Indianapolis: “I swear on my children and my wife, I was not speeding.” Juan Pablo Montoya

Fierce Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya was fired up when he was caught speeding on pit road late in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. Montoya dominated the day but pushed just a little too hard on his final pit stop that cost him the win.

Pocono: “I’m not happy. I’m aggravated, I’m mad as heck.” David Reutimann

The Michael Waltrip Racing driver would have had a good shot at making the 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup had Denny Hamlin not wrecked him at Pocono. Hamlin was charging through the field and instead of using patience, went charging through Reutimann.

The wreck dropped the No. 00 through the points standings and he was never able to recover or make the Chase.

Watkins Glen: “This is my house right here.” Tony Stewart

After finishing second at Infineon Stewart went out and dominated at Watkins Glen, where he’s always run better of the two road courses. He also sent a message to the rest of the field when it comes to racing at The Glen.

Michigan: “He’s out of rope. I’m just done.” Brian Vickers

During a Nationwide race Vickers and Kyle Busch were racing for the lead when Brad Keselowski shot by for the win. Busch said that Vickers shouldn’t have raced him like he did and that it gave the win away.

Vickers shot back that he didn’t know he was supposed to move over for Busch. Then he said, as far as Kyle Busch is concerned, he’s done with him.

Bristol: “He’ll never be far enough away that I can’t find him and bring him back.” Rick Hendrick

Word began to spread when the Nationwide and Sprint Cup teams arrived at Bristol that Brad Keselowski, currently driving for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series, had signed a deal to drive for Penske Racing in the Cup Series next year.

Keselowski was presumed to be the heir to the Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 car that is occupied by Mark Martin, but Martin is returning next year and Keselowski wanted a cup ride and got one. But Rick Hendrick doesn’t seem too concerned about that.

Atlanta: “Even though I am not going to miss work, my Aflac policy has me covered.” Carl Edwards

Edwards arrived in Atlanta with a broken foot the result of playing Frisbee with his friends. Fans, foes and media alike had fun with the situation all weekend and even Edwards was able to get his sponsor a plug while talking about his injury.

Richmond: “Typical here at Richmond.” Kevin Harvick

Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick were racing side-by-side for the lead when they made contact. Harvick was able to save his car that got sideways while Hamlin had to pit to repair fender damage.

Neither one would win the race.

New Hampshire: “My car is tore up and he ain’t got enough talent to run in the top five, I guess … I mean, we’re all running real hard but you’ve got to know how much race car you’ve got and you’ve got to know how much talent you’ve got before you go down in the corner. He never knows. It’s disappointing.” Dale Earnhardt Jr.

It wasn’t Kyle Busch that Earnhardt Jr. was none to pleased with at NH, but rather David Reutimann. Reutimann sent Earnhardt Jr. into the wall late in the race on a day that Earnhardt Jr. was having one of his best runs of the season. He was running fourth at the time, but was left with a destroyed car.

Dover: “It ends up being terrible, I think its just crap.” Denny Hamlin

Hamlin arrived in Dover frustrated just to be racing at the Monster Mile, a place he’s not good at, and then unleashed his anger at Goodyear for what he believed the tire of choice was for the race.

Kansas: "It just seems weird that two cars from Hendrick Motorsports were questionable. If it had been me, I would have been suspended for six weeks." Anonymous Crew Chief

Upon winning at Dover Jimmie Johnson and second place Mark Martin’s cars were brought back to NASCAR’s Research and Development Center in North Carolina for further inspection.

NASCAR told the teams they were “too close” to the tolerance level that was allowed but no penalties were handed out. Upon hearing the news one crew chief questioned that decision, considering that Martin and Johnson were first and second in points at the time.

California : “NASCAR threw a debris caution for no debris. We had a bad race to get a caution to put on a show for the fans.” Kasey Kahne

Many have questioned the cautions that break out during what can be said as a boring race. Those cautions even became known as “phantom debris cautions” to tighten up the field. But when that happened at California and Kahne was involved in a wreck from the ensuing restart, he wasn’t very happy.

Lowe’s : “I got wrecked by a washed-up Sprint Cup driver, I guess.” Steve Wallace

During the Nationwide race Wallace was running solidly in the top 10 before being spun by David Gilliland after Gilliland made it four wide going into turn one.

Martinsville : “We’d have a Chase if everyone would stop pulling over for the 48, like it’s the cops behind them.” Jeff Dickerson

High above the paper clip Dickerson told driver Kyle Busch what he saw after Busch said he couldn’t believe that Johnson was moving forward through the field so quickly.

Talladega : "I'm just disappointed. I told Billy before the race started that I wanted it to be a 1-2 finish, but I wanted to be '1' some kind of bad." Aric Almirola

Billy Ballew Motorsports finished first and second in the Truck race with Kyle Busch picking up the win and teammate Almirola pushing him there. But Almirola has never won a Truck race and was disappointed he couldn’t be the one that scored the win.

Texas : “Brad [Keselowski] is the worst driver at restarts that I’ve ever seen. “ Tony Eury Sr.

Saturday’s Nationwide race wasn’t a particularly good one for the driver of the No.88 Chevrolet as every restart he would spin the tires and stack the field up. When interviewed on ESPN his crew chief let everyone know what he thought about that.

Phoenix : “He’s a no talent son of a son-of-a-[expletive].” Tony Stewart

Stewart was none too happy about being caught up in Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s accident when he spun on lap 169 in turn four.

Homestead-Miami : “You find that f*&#$ing 42 spotter and ask him for some respect!” Jimmie Johnson

As Johnson tried to sow up his fourth consecutive championship on a Sunday night in Homestead to make NASCAR history, he was none to happy with how drivers were racing him. During the race he expressed frustration with Clint Bowyer, Sam Hornish Jr., teammate/owner Jeff Gordon, and then Juan Pablo Montoya.

And there you have it, the 2009 NASCAR season from how the drivers viewed it from behind he wheel. What will you remember about this season?

Creature vs. Creature Writers Pool: Results And Champion After Ford 400

Kelly Crandall — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:32:02 -0500

The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season is in the record books, and history has been made.

Jimmie Johnson and his No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet team for Hendrick Motorsports have won their fourth consecutive championship over teammate Mark Martin. Johnson finished fifth at Homestead-Miami on Sunday night to wrap up the title.

Our Creature championship has come to an end as well after its first season. Heading into 2010 with some new faces, as well as returning players, the season champion will be a marked man.

After creating the game, Ben Bomberger has won the 2009 Creature title and bragging rights heading into next year's game.

After starting off the season a little slowly, Bomberger kicked it up during the summer months. First he took the point lead and then he went to victory lane for the first time thanks to Tony Stewart in the July Daytona event.

After that, he never looked back.

Win No. 2 came from Kyle Busch at Bristol in August and a month later, after the points were reset for the first race of the Chase, Bomberger went to victory lane at New Hampshire with Mark Martin for his third win.

Things keep going well for him as he stayed in the top two in points before winning at Martinsville with Denny Hamlin and began pulling away from the competition.

Then the icing on the cake and the sealed championship came from Jimmie Johnson in Phoenix for his fifth win of the season.

Thanks to his pick of Carl Edwards and the seventh place finish in Homestead, Bomberger won the title.

Here's how the rest of the Creatures finish in the 2009 competition.

Ben Bomberger (6,572 ) Carl Edwards finished seventh (5 )

Kelly Crandall (-80 ) Kurt Busch finished fourth (2 )

Mary Jo Buchanan (-223 ) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 28th (2 )

Kara Martin (-233 ) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 28th (4 )

Rob Tiongson (-261 ) Martin Truex Jr. finished ninth (2 )

Jen Preston (-327 ) NO PICK SENT (2 )

James Broomhead (-404 ) Matt Kenseth finished 13th (3 )

SM Napier (-506 ) Kurt Busch finished fourth (3 )

Mason Dunn (-802 ) NO PICK SENT (0 )

Danielle Henderson (-976 ) NO PICK SENT (2 )

David Phillips (-1,017 ) NO PICK SENT (2 )

Adam Heasley (-1,542 ) NO PICK SENT (3 )

Anyone who would like to join the competition for 2010, please let me know.

And any current Creature who wants to participate should please let me know. If I don't hear from you, I will assumed you do not want to participate and will take you off the email list.

Enjoy the offseason, everyone!

Is There Anything Left To Accomplish in NASCAR For Jimmie Johnson?

Kelly Crandall — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:11:05 -0500

There has been one big question on everyone’s mind over the last four years in NASCAR: when will Jimmie Johnson’s dominance end?

The answer has yet to be seen, and the fact that he’s not getting ready to retire anytime soon doesn’t bode well for haters of the No. 48 team.

It’s both well documented and continually repeated just how much Johnson has accomplished in his eight years on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit.

And when it comes to the 10-race Chase, he’s made it his personal playground.

“I’ve wanted my whole life to be able—to be a champion, to compete against the best drivers in the world,” he says.

But in his eight years in NASCAR, Johnson has accomplished more than most drivers do in their entire careers. He’s won the big races, he’s won championships, and in fact he’s never finished lower than fifth in points.

In most sports, once a player accomplishes everything he or she can or everything there is, the player moves on and tries something else or retires.

Just look at fellow driver Juan Pablo Montoya. He dominated and won everything there was to win in open wheel racing and then decided to give NASCAR a shot.

Johnson has accomplished everything there is in NASCAR; actually he’s done it numerous times.

He’s a two-time winner of the Sprint All-Star race (2003, 2006). He’s a three-time Coca-Cola 600 winner (2003, 2004, 2005).

He’s also a three-time winner of the Brickyard 400 (2006, 2008, 2009).

He’s won the Daytona 500 (2006), and after Sunday, could have four Sprint Cup Series championships (2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009).

Along the way he’s won at many other great tracks, such as Martinsville, Talladega, and Richmond.

He’s set records and is on the verge of making more history.

Which begs the question: what’s left for Johnson in NASCAR?

He’s done it all, he’s won it all, and yet he’s back year after year to do the same thing.

Doesn’t it get a little old and boring?

Doesn’t he want new challenges?

After all, you can only make history once.

But, Johnson doesn’t think of it like that. When asked Thursday afternoon what else he wanted from NASCAR he replied, “Of course, I want to be successful and win more races and contend for championships, that kind of thing.”

What that means is that Johnson and his No. 48 team won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Instead, they’re going to keep showing up to the racetrack with new determination.

Take, for instance, a few weeks ago at Lowe’s.

Crew chief Chad Knaus badly wanted to complete a perfect weekend by being the fastest in every practice session, winning the pole, leading the most laps, and winning the race.

They did exactly that, and Knaus talked about how he’s always wanted to pull that off, it was something important to him.

Since they’ve done everything else there is, seems they need new ways to find motivation to go out and win.

If fans are looking for ways to get Johnson either away from racing, or distracted enough to end his championship-winning ways, that’s not going to happen either.

Sure, he’s married, but he’s told the media that he and wife Chandra have no plans to start a family. Especially not after seeing teammate Jeff Gordon raising a daughter, he once joked.

He does enjoy spending time at home and with family, but says that it’s not something that he’s looking for on a full-time basis.

“I’m not at a point where I’m craving that time, and I wish I had it,” he says. “Because I love my job, and I love what I’m doing.”

What he’s doing is cementing his place in history, and he’ll be back in 2010 to continue to add to his trophy case.

And while there is nothing major left for Johnson to accomplish, there are six tracks left on the schedule at which he’s never won.

He’s taken home a checkered flag at every style of track except for a road course, he’s 0-8 at both Infineon and Watkins Glen, and has said he wants to add a road course victory to his resume.

And while he’s captured his first and only Nationwide Series victory at Chicagoland, he’s still 0-8 in the Cup Series.

Another 0-8 track is Homestead-Miami, the final race of the year. Johnson has never run well at the track and has never focused on winning the event because he’s always more worried about winning the championship.

While he says he plans to go there and win the event and the title this weekend, that’s hard to believe.

The championship comes first, and until he’s not able to win the title, maybe he’ll focus on winning the race.

The final two tracks that the No. 48 has never pulled into victory lane are Bristol and Michigan; he’s 0-16 at both venues.

Johnson hasn’t been very good at the bullring in Tennessee, but the last few races he has finished in the Top 10.

He’ll be back strong in 2010, and the same goes for Michigan, a track that he’s always run well at but has had problems down the home stretch (problems such as running out of fuel while leading in the late stages of the event). He’ll get two more chances to get the ‘W’ next year.

So, while he has accomplished almost everything there is in NASCAR, Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus won’t rest until they’ve accomplished everything of everything.

Then they can look back at all the championships, Coca-Cola 600s, All-Star races, Brickyard 400s, Daytona 500s and say they’re the only team to have won at all 23 tracks on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule.

“Racing’s it. It’s all I’ve ever done. I’m glad it’s worked out because I don’t know what the hell I’d be doing otherwise,” says Johnson. “I’m finally good at it, and I want to keep it up, I want to keep it going.”

And on Friday morning it was announced that Jimmie Johnson will be keeping it going with Hendrick Motorsports and Lowe's until 2015.

"Kyle [Busch] Got a Lot Of the Credit" Says Mark Martin About No.5 Team

Kelly Crandall — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:08:09 -0500

When Mark Martin announced in July of 2008 that he would be retuning full-time in 2009 with Hendrick Motorsports, he said it was because he didn’t want to regret never getting the chance to drive one of Rick Hendrick’s cars.

Now that Martin’s gotten the chance he’s repeatedly said throughout the year that “this is the best team I’ve ever driven for,” and that he loves driving their cars.

The continuous praise for the No.5 team and Alan Gustafson wasn’t hard to find from Martin. When Martin would say how great a crew chief Gustafson was, Gustafson would turn around and talk about how great a driver Martin was.

He also revealed that he’s been a Mark Martin fan since he was a child and he has a whole respect for him now that they’ve worked together.

But the trading of love on the team is all with good reason. Since Martin’s taken the wheel of the Kellogg’s Chevrolet, they’ve gone from could be contender, to multiple race winner and championship caliber.

Quite a pick up from 2008 when they finished 20^th in points with only one top five finish and six top tens.

This year, Martin has been the sentimental favorite to capture his first Sprint Cup Championship.

On Thursday afternoon Martin was back to praising his team and the expectations they set and then passed. “It definitely has turned out to exceed my expectations. I knew that the race team would be awesome,” he said. “I knew the car would be fast. I just hoped that I would be able to get the job done.”

He continued saying, “You know, I just have exceeded I think my expectations. The race team has done everything that I knew that they could. I just didn't know, you know, if I could—I really didn't know if I could compete against Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. coming into this season, for sure.”

Mission accomplished and much more.

While many have said this season that Martin has been the reason the No.5 has turned the corner and become one of the series tops team, was because of the man behind the wheel.

Even those at Hendrick Motorsports say that they all knew, and have seen, that Martin was going to make everyone at the company better.

Everyone credits Martin with the team’s success.

But he wants to make it clear that this has always been a good team, a team that never gets the attention and recognition they deserve.

Martin revealed that he’s paid attention to the No.5 team long before he started driving for them and was impressed by what he saw, and heard from them.

“I knew how good Alan was. I watched close for multiple years, I’ve watched him close,” Martin says. “I listened to him and Kyle [Busch] on the radio. I’ve been a fan of his. I think, as Jimmie says, it’s really special to see those guys. They showed what they could do with Kyle at an early state in his career.”

Because of that, Martin says it hasn’t been fair to the team. The wrong person was getting the credit for what was taking place and what was being accomplished.

“I think that Kyle got a lot of the credit for what they were doing because of his talent, and now this is the year that they really had a chance to shine.”

In 2009 they’ve won five races, seven poles, have 21 top tens, 14 top fives, and led 805 laps.

If you look at what the team accomplished with Busch over three seasons, Martin’s numbers look more impressive.

From 2005 through 2007, the team had four wins, two poles, 51 top tens, and 30 top fives and led 1,570 laps. The No.5 team was one of the best on the circuit but with Martin, they’re just a little bit better.

Just don’t credit him or any other driver for doing that.

“Alan and that group, especially after, you know, having a tough time last year, for them to come up and show everybody that not only are they a great race team, but they can give the best in the business a run for their money, it’s huge for me,” he says.

“I’m very, very proud.”

Creature vs. Creature Writers Pool: Picks for the Ford 400 at Homestead

Kelly Crandall — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:42:30 -0500

The final race of the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season has arrived.

Jimmie Johnson needs to finish 25th or better on Sunday to wrap up his fourth straight championship. Teammate Mark Martin will be relying on a miracle if he’s going to overcome the 108-point deficit.

There are many other things to watch for this weekend besides the championship battle.

Carl Edwards is still looking for his first win of the year, after winning nine times in 2008. The same goes for his teammate Greg Biffle, as they head to a track that has been very good to Roush-Fenway drivers in the past.

Jamie McMurray, Reed Sorenson, and Martin Truex Jr. will all be making their final starts with their current teams before moving elsewhere in 2010.

And who will enter 2010 as our Creature champion?

The battle is a little closer than the one that Johnson and Martin will partake in, but doesn’t seem the top two will be trading positions unless a problem occurs. However, anything can happen.

Here’s who our Creatures are picking for the final time in 2009.

Ben Bomberger: Carl Edwards

This weekend the 2009 season will conclude and many believed Edwards would be the one hoisting the championship trophy—myself included. But as we enter the final weekend, the No. 99 team sits a disappointing 11th in the championship standings.

Edwards would like nothing better than to end the season with a win—again. At the 1.5-mile track in the heat of Miami, Edwards has captured one win, three top-fives, four top-10s, one pole and has an average finish of 6.4 in five races.

He leads all other drivers in average running position (7.3), driver rating (117.2), fastest laps run (111), average green flag speed (164.222 mph) and laps in the top 15 (89 percent).

I expect Edwards to bring home a solid finish this weekend and clinch the Creature Championship for myself.

James Broomhead: Matt Kenseth

There’s nothing to lose and nothing to prove for Matt Kenseth and myself this weekend in the last race of the year. Kenseth will have the new Ford engine this weekend, and hopefully it’ll take him all the way to another Homestead victory.

Mary Jo Buchanan: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Since my third-place points position mirrors my driver Jeff Gordon and I'm essentially out of it as soon as Ben Bomberger and Kelly Crandall take the track this weekend for the finale in Homestead, I'm going for my dark horse.

My pick to win Homestead is Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Do I think he can win? Well, I'm not really sure on that one. But does he need some loving and some kind of motivation to get back in the game for 2010? He sure does. So, there you go Jr. Go get 'em!

Kelly Crandall: Kurt Busch

Kurt is my last shot at the Creature title for 2009 and he’ll also be looking for a last call in victory lane with crew chief Pat Tryson. We’ll both have a great shot at getting the win we both want as Kurt heads to Homestead with the same car that he won at Texas with just a few weeks ago.

Mason Dunn: NO PICK SENT

No pick sent.

Adam Heasley: NO PICK SENT

No pick sent.

Danielle Henderson: NO PICK SENT

No pick sent.

Kara Martin: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

No comments sent.

SM Napier: Kurt Busch

I just feel he'll have the Blue Deuce running up front and have a shot at the win.

David Phillips: NO PICK SENT

No pick sent.

Jen Preston: NO PICK SENT

No pick sent.

Rob Tiongson: Martin Truex Jr.

No pun intended, but it would be one heck of a sendoff from his longtime employers at DEI aka EGR to win the season finale in his last race with the No. 1 team. He has been suddenly coming on strong with his pole position efforts as of late and he's shown some of that promise that fans have noted since his only great Cup season in 2007.

Might be a long shot, but 2009 has been on of those wackier years.

Points Race

Here’s one more look at who’s still in the title hunt in the season finale, and who will be looking for a top five finish in the points.

Ben Bomberger (6,426 ) Jimmie Johnson won (5 )

Kelly Crandall (-99 ) Mark Martin finished fourth (2 )

Mary Jo Buchanan (-156 ) Kevin Harvick finished 24th (2 )

Kara Martin (-166 ) Mark Martin finished fourth (4 )

Jen Preston (-181 ) Kasey Kahne finished 15th (2 )

Rob Tiongson (-253 ) Kevin Harvick finished 24th (2 )

James Broomhead (-382 ) Mark Martin finished fourth (3 )

SM Napier (-525 ) Kevin Harvick finished 24th (3 )

Mason Dunn (-656 ) NO PICK SENT (0 )

Danielle Henderson (-830 ) NO PICK SENT (2 )

David Phillips (-871 ) NO PICK SENT (2 )

Adam Heasley (-1,396 ) NO PICK SENT (3 )

Final Thoughts

Anyone that would like to join the Creature competition for 2010 please let me know as soon as possible!

Chip Ganassi Gives Jamie McMurray a Second Chance: Will He Capitalize?

Kelly Crandall — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:50:44 -0500

On October 6, 2002 the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was introduced to Jamie McMurray for the first time.

McMuray was brought up from the Nationwide Series to replace injured teammate Sterling Marlin after he broke two vertebrae in his neck from a wreck at Kansas.

His finished 26th in his first race in the No.40 Coors Light Dodge at Talladega, but a week later he not only formally introduced himself to the NASCAR world, he shocked it.

"He's gonna do it, 26-year-old Jamie McMurray pulls off the victory in just his second NASCAR [Winston] Cup Start!" said Alan Bestwick that night as he called McMurray to the finish line. "Unbelievable."

No driver had ever won in NASCAR history as quick as McMurray had. "I don't believe it," he said in victory lane.

"You're not the only one pal," replied Bill Weber.

McMurray had quickly made people believe that he was going to be a fresh face in NASCAR's victory lane from that night on.

Things were off to a great start in the McMurray-Ganassi relationship.

Except, a lot has changed since that October night for both McMurray and Chip Ganassi.

After McMurray finished subbing for Marlin that year, he ran full-time in 2003 in the No. 42 Havoline Dodge. He didn't win a race that year, but complied 13 top ten finishes, one pole and was awarded Rookie of the Year honors.

A year later things improved.

He finished 11th in points (missed making the Chase by 15 points), with 23 top ten finishes, but still didn't visit victory lane.

However, it seemed that Chip-Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates had found the future of their organization, and it wouldn't be long until the wins came.

Or not.

McMurray was released from Ganassi after the 2005 season in which he only complied 10 top ten finishes but no wins. He moved to the Roush-Fenway Fords in 2006 with Bob Osborne as crew chief.

The pair didn't find any chemistry as they finished 25th in points.

Over the years of 2007 and 2008, McMurray only combined for 16 top tens, but he did win the July race in Daytona, it was his second career win.

However, over those two years he also went through two more crew chiefs.

For 2009 Roush put McMurray with former crew chief Donnie Wingo, and it seemed the team was heading in the right direction. They dominated the Budweiser Shootout only to be passed on the last lap.

That has been the only bright spot of their season as they sit 22nd in points - with six top tens - and knowing that halfway through the year they were racing for their jobs.

Roush was informed they needed to trim down to four teams in 2010 and since Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, and Greg Biffle won't be going anywhere, it came down between McMurray and David Ragan.

Roush chose Ragan, leaving McMurray looking for a new ride.

After dominating the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega and picking up his third career win, rumors surfaced that he was heading for a reunion with Chip Ganassi.

Just after the race in Texas two weeks ago it was revealed that he in fact would be driving the No.1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet for Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (EGR) starting with the 2010 Daytona 500.

An official announcement was made this morning.

“To be able to sign a veteran driver with the talent and experience of Jamie was important to us," said Ganassi.

"We know Jamie and understand what makes him tick as a driver. We had a lot of success with Jamie in the early part of his career and are looking for more of the same. We also think he will be a tremendous compliment to Juan Pablo Montoya as well. The duo of McMurray and Montoya creates a very formidable team as we look to continue the momentum that has been established this year in our chase for the championship.”

What this means is that the pressure is on now more than ever for the young star.

He's been given a second chance by the man that took a chance on him in 2002 and started his career.

McMurray needs to start becoming a consistent contender in the series and bring home more than one win every few years. It also wouldn't hurt if he could get back to contending for the Chase.

What McMurray does have going for him though, is equipment.

EGR has picked up their program to contend with Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, new teammate Juan Pablo Montoya made the 2009 Chase for the Championship and contended for wins.

He'll also be driving for powerhouse Chevrolet, which is always a great choice.

Everything is working in McMurray's favor, now he needs to get it done. If not he may not get another shot with a fourth team in just the eight years he's been on the circuit.

This is a sport that relies on winning and contending, something that McMurray needs to prove that he can do. Which may be why his deal with EGR is only a one year agreement, if 2010 doesn't produce much of anything, he'll be gone as quick as he came.

And not just gone from EGR, but from the Sprint Cup Series.

All McMurray needs to do is look at former teammate Reed Sorenson.

Sorenson debuted in the late stages of the 2005 season with Ganassi Racing and began running full-time a year later. In his three years at Ganassi he only finished in the top ten 13 times, never won a race, and his best points position has been 22nd.

He joined Richard Petty Motorsports this year and sits 28th in points with only one top ten. He'll be leaving the company at the end of the year and has no Cup ride for next season, instead it looks as though he's headed back to the Nationwide Series.

The same place McMurray could be headed if he doesn't capitalize on the second chance that he's been given.

"I am really excited about this opportunity with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing as I think Juan Pablo and Martin have shown this season their equipment is as good as anyone’s in the garage," McMurray said.

"I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of their cars and once again competing for a NASCAR championship. It will also be fun to work with some of the people that I worked with when I was there a few years ago. They have really good people there."

No one wants to say Jamie McMurray's Sprint Cup career was a one hit, actually a three hit, wonder.

Feelings Might Get Hurt Being Both Friends and Competitors in NASCAR

Kelly Crandall — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:12:57 -0500

A lot of relationships are formed in NASCAR racing.

Within teams they become family, which can even be said for the entire series. Everyone looks out for one another and spends time away from the track together.

However, everyone in NASCAR is also a competitor.

They all want to win and they’ll beat their friends and family to get to victory lane and win a championship.

Along the way, bumps and nudges will be exchanged. Apologies might be handed out after a hard day of work or the relationship could be strained for a couple of days while the wounds heal.

But eventually everyone kisses and makes up.

After Sunday’s event in Phoenix two more good friends might have to do that.

When Dale Earnhardt Jr. spun himself in turn four on lap 164 he collected seven other cars, including Tony Stewart.

Earnhardt Jr. and Stewart have always gotten along on an off the track. They’ve hung out, spoke on each other’s behalf in their DVD specials, Stewart insulted DEI letting Earnhardt Jr. leave, and on Sunday’s they’ll draft together at restrictor plate tracks.

But at Phoenix, Stewart could care less.

After the incident Stewart said on his team radio about Earnhardt Jr., “He’s a no talent son of a [expletive].”

Ouch, guess Earnhardt Jr. won’t be getting a holiday card.

The Stewart-Earnhardt Jr. dust up is just another chapter in the long book of friends on the racetrack that have gotten together and in the heat of the moment wanted to strangle each other.

No one likes to lose.

While Jeff Gordon has never publicly admitted that he’s wanted to strangle friend and teammate Jimmie Johnson, he has recently admitted that their friendship is starting to take a turn.

Just like Stewart and Earnhardt Jr., Gordon and Johnson are two really good friends on and off the track. Johnson actually owes his Sprint Cup career and wife, to Gordon.

It was Gordon who went to Rick Hendrick and told the man to hire Johnson in 2001 after Johnson was on the verge of losing his Nationwide Series ride.

Later, Gordon introduced Johnson to Chandra and the two are now happily married, after Gordon was the best man in their wedding.

For the past few years everything’s been all well and dandy in the Gordon-Johnson relationship. That was until this year’s Chase started and Johnson began to pull away to his fourth Sprint Cup title.

That prompted Gordon to tell the media, “It’s not easy being in my shoes, is it? Jimmie and I are always going to be really good friends, but we might be better friends 15 or 20 years from now.”

And the reason isn’t shocking, just as earlier mentioned; everyone in NASCAR wants to win. Gordon is no different and he doesn’t like losing to a man that he hired.

“Right now, I’m a competitor,” Gordon said. “Like every other competitor out there, that wants to beat him.”

Since Gordon hired Johnson in 2001, he hasn’t won a championship. Johnson has gone on to win three straight, and is on the verge of four, which would also tie Gordon’s title number.

When Johnson won his second cup in 2007, he did so by beating Gordon.

“It’s definitely affected our friendship, there’s no doubt about it,” Gordon continued. “We’re competitors on the race track. I’m not going to go over and pat him on the back and say how great he is and ‘I love you, man’ when I really want to beat him.”

More and more though, Gordon has to go to victory lane since Johnson is nearly unstoppable.

“There have definitely been some challenging moments and days. It gets harder to go to victory lane and congratulate them when you want it as badly for yourself.”

Kevin Harvick wanted a win pretty bad earlier this year in the Camping World Truck Series.

Late in the going he was running third behind the truck he owned, Ron Hornaday, and thought that he was faster.

When he asked Hornaday to let him go by, and Hornaday didn’t, the two met on pit road after the race was over to discuss it. Harvick was clearly upset, but Hornaday didn’t want to lose any more points for the championship he was trying to win.

Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards were trying to win at Martinsville in 2007 when they apparently got together on the track, which Edwards didn't appreciate.

After the race had ended, Edwards went over to his teammate on pit road during Kenseth’s interview. The two said, according to reporter Bob Dillner, some not so nice things to each other before Edwards looked like he was going to punch Kenseth.

He raised his fist and half swung before pulling back and walking away. No one really knows whether the two were joking or not.

It took them a few weeks to eventually work things out.

But there was no joking in the Busch household after the Sprint All-Star race in May of 2007 after the two brothers got together.

During the event Kyle went to the inside of his older brother in turn one, clipped the apron and shot up into the side of Kurt. The result was the two hitting the wall and ending their chances at a million dollar payday.

Afterward Kurt said that he wouldn’t be eating Kellogg’s [Kyle’s sponsor at the time] anytime soon. “I was waiting for the day when we got together,” he said.

“And we did, and we were racing for a million bucks...so that was a bummer to have my little brother pull that move on me.”

It was later revealed that two didn’t talk much for the rest of the season and it took their grandmother to get them to work things out.

Said Kyle of the two being in the same room together at Christmas, “It was a little edgy to begin with because that was about the first time we'd ever sat down together.”

"The more it kind of went, the more it kind of got back to normal and friendly and whatever. By the end of the night we were playing games and everything anyway."

Sports and the competition bring out the best in everyone.

NASCAR is no different as 43 men strap in each Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and try to stomp the other competitors into the ground.

When the helmets go on it’s all for one, it doesn’t matter that they may have had dinner together the night before.

When the helmets are on, everyone else is the enemy.

When the helmets are off though, they will all rally around each other in a time of need or spend spare time hunting in the woods together. Elliott Sadler and Clint Bowyer spent time talking in the garage area at Martinsville talking about their recent trips.

Drivers might even take a vacation as a group to the tropics in the off-season.

It’s one big family in NASCAR.

From the drivers, to crews, their owners, officials, announcers, and even the millions of fans.

They all love NASCAR, they all love winning, and once they’re done beating each other, they’ll laugh about it and move on.

Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will soon be back to joking around on pit road, probably as soon as next weekend, once the adrenaline from Sunday’s race wears off.

If not, Daytona will be just around the corner.

And there’s no better place to repair a broken friendship than at the place where you need friends the most.

Creature Vs. Creature Writers Pool: Results After Phoenix

Kelly Crandall — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:49:28 -0500

While it seems like it was just yesterday that Dale Earnhardt Jr. was being crucified for starting the big one in the Daytona 500, the final race of the 2009 season is just seven days away.

Jimmie Johnson has all but clinched his fourth straight Sprint Cup Series championship after dominating in Phoenix on Sunday. His win may have also clinched the Creature Championship for our points leader.

But, it's not over yet for both battles as they head to south Florida for the 36th and final race of the season.

We know that Johnson will be heading there with an 108 point lead, here's how our Creatures will head to Homestead-Miami.

Ben Bomberger (6,426 ) Jimmie Johnson won (5 )

Kelly Crandall (-99 ) Mark Martin finished fourth (2 )

Mary Jo Buchanan (-156 ) Kevin Harvick finished 24th (2 )

Kara Martin (-166 ) Mark Martin finished fourth (4 )

Jen Preston (-181 ) Kasey Kahne finished 15th (2 )

Rob Tiongson (-253 ) Kevin Harvick finished 24th (2 )

James Broomhead (-382 ) Mark Martin finished fourth (3 )

SM Napier (-525 ) Kevin Harvick finished 24th (3 )

Mason Dunn (-656 ) NO PICK SENT (0 )

Danielle Henderson (-830 ) NO PICK SENT (2 )

David Phillips (-871 ) NO PICK SENT (2 )

Adam Heasley (-1,396 ) NO PICK SENT (3 )

Next up is the finale in Homestead-Miami.

Creatures, have your picks in for the last time this year as soon as possible. If you risk it by sending it in on Friday, you have until 8:15 am ET .

Also, anyone that would like to join in, or any creature that does or does not want to play again next season, please let me know so I can start making an email list.

Creature Vs. Creature Writers Pool: Picks For Phoenix

Kelly Crandall — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:40:24 -0500

All eyes will be on the Phoenix International Raceway and two cars this weekend in the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500.

Jimmie Johnson enters with a 73-point lead over teammate Mark Martin after Johnson had a disastrous weekend in the Lone Star State.

Now they are back in Arizona where Martin won earlier this year.

Our Creatures are down to their final two races and for now there are three Creatures that are taking the title fight down to the wire.

For the rest of the Creatures, they’ll be looking to play spoiler and hoping to avoid another poor weekend like they had in Texas.

Here’s who they believe will be taking the checkered flag Sunday in the Valley of the Sun.

Ben Bomberger: Jimmie Johnson

I've managed to keep my Johnson pick in my back pocket for eight Chase races, but this weekend he's my guy to hopefully put the Creature Chase away.

To describe Johnson at Phoenix International Raceway, I'll use one word: Phenomenal.

In 12 races at the one-mile track, driver of the No.48 has three wins, seven top-fives, 10 top-10s, one pole and a series-best average finish of 5.4. Other series-bests for Johnson include: average running position (5.5), driver rating (120.0), fastest laps run (283), average green flag speed (123.556 mph) and 2,675 laps in the top 15 (95.2 percent).

Johnson's bad luck last week may have closed the point gap and left fans salivating for a decent run to the championship, but lightning never strikes the same place twice. Johnson will all but capture his unprecedented fourth championship in a row on Sunday.

James Broomhead: Mark Martin

Don’t believe anyone who still subscribes to the "Phoenix is like a road course" theory because it’s not, and I've already picked Montoya.

I've had Mark picked out for Phoenix since the beginning, he won here in April and seems pretty confident of going there and have a go an the sweep, and he'll have to if he wants to get that title this year.

Mary Jo Buchanan: Kevin Harvick

"Happy" is traditionally pretty good at PIR, with two victories, three top fives, and six top tens. Kevin's crew chief Gil Martin thinks that the driver has picked it up for the last races of the season and has confidence in a good finish. Richard Childress, team owner of the No.29, feels that Kevin and all of the RCR drivers have turned a corner and are heading in the right direction.

The team had a good run at Texas this past weekend, earning a top five finish, and Kevin likes Phoenix so I predict he will be happy there this Sunday in victory lane.

Kelly Crandall: Mark Martin

Martin has excelled this year on the small flat tracks. That includes dominated the spring Phoenix race and picking up the win. Then he went to another flat track in New Hampshire, the first race of the Chase, and whipped everyone there for another win.

This weekend it’s his last chance to prove he can beat Johnson for the title and he’ll get the chance to do it a track that he’s the series best driver on. He’s led over 800 laps and has an average finish of 9.04 to accompany his two wins.

Oh, and did I mention he’ll be driving chassis 5-538… that’s the car that won both Phoenix and New Hampshire.

Mason Dunn: NO PICK SENT

No pick sent.

Adam Heasley: NO PICK SENT

No pick sent.

Danielle Henderson: NO PICK SENT

No pick sent.

Kara Martin: Mark Martin

No comments sent.

SM Napier: Kevin Harvick

He's going for the triple this weekend at Phoenix, it's his house, and we could see him win all three races.

David Phillips: NO PICK SENT

No pick sent.

Jen Preston: Kasey Kahne

Kahne has never won at Phoenix.

Actually, he's never led a lap there and he hasn't had a top ten finish at the track since 2006.

However, call it a hunch, I think Kahne is going to have a solid weekend, and hopefully he can continue my good run in points without picking a Hendrick car.

Rob Tiongson: Kevin Harvick

It's a total long shot, but when you need to make up a tremendous deficit and a driver to throw the ultimate Hail Mary, Harvick can get it done.

He swept the races here in 2006 and if RCR looks for one small glimpse of hope in a tumultuous 2009 campaign, a win from the No.29 team will be just that.

Point Race

After an up and down day for our Creatures in Texas, here’s how they’ll roll into Phoenix with two races remaining.

Ben Bomberger (6,231) Kyle Busch finished 11^th (4)

Mary Jo Buchanan (-52) Kasey Kahne finished 33^rd (2)

Kelly Crandall (-64) Kevin Harvick finished fifth (2)

Jen Preston (-104) Kevin Harvick finished fifth (2)

Kara Martin (-131) Juan Pablo Montoya finished 37^th (4)

Rob Tiongson (-149) Joey Logano finished 19^th (2)

James Broomhead (-347) Juan Pablo Montoya finished 37^th (3)

SM Napier (-421) Juan Pablo Montoya finished 37^th (3)

Mason Dunn (-461) NO PICK SENT (0)

Danielle Henderson (-635) NO PICK SENT (2)

David Phillips (-676) NO PICK SENT (2)

Adam Heasley (-1,201) NO PICK SENT (3)

Final Thoughts

If you want to look for the winner at Phoenix you need to look for two things: a Chevrolet and a starting position in the top ten. The last eight winners at Phoenix have driven a Chevrolet, either for Rick Hendrick or Richard Childress Racing and those eight winners each came from a starting position that was no worse than seventh.

Of this years Chase field, five of the 12 drivers have visited victory lane at the one-mile track: Mark Martin (2), Tony Stewart (1), Kurt Busch (1), Jeff Gordon (1), and Jimmie Johnson (3).

Mark Martin Is the NASCAR Illustrated Person of the Year: Who's Yours?

Kelly Crandall — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:16:56 -0500

Earlier today, 50-year-old Mark Martin was announced as the winner of the 2009 NASCAR Illustrated Person of the Year Presented by Old Spice.

Martin was given the honor for what was said to be his “exceptional talent and extraordinary class.” Martin will officially receive the award during a pre-race ceremony at next weekend’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Martin currently sits second in points behind teammate and points leader Jimmie Johnson with just two races remaining in the season.

He’s won five times this year, has seven poles, 13 Top-Five finishes, and 20 Top-10s. Certainly a great season and great numbers to accompany his off-track personality that won him the award.

Martin has always been a fan and driver favorite; it’s hard to find anyone that wouldn’t like him. After announcing in 2005 that he would hang up his helmet and retire as a Jack Roush driver, he returned for another year in 2006, when Roush couldn’t find his replacement.

Then, he came back for a partial season in each of 2007 and 2008 with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, before saying that he would return full-time in 2009 with Hendrick Motorsports.

It was like watching the Brett Favre saga all over again, just in NASCAR.

The race in Phoenix this weekend and the finale in Homestead-Miami on November 22 will be Martin’s last opportunities in 2009 to capture his first career Sprint Cup Series championship.

He could place the championship trophy next to the NASCAR Illustrated award, which is the third he's won.

So, NASCAR Illustrated has chosen its man, but does everyone agree?

Besides Martin, arguments could be made for the man that he’s chasing in the points: Jimmie Johnson.

It’s well documented that Johnson has the chance to make NASCAR history by becoming the first driver to win four consecutive championships. Johnson’s won six times this year, including for the second time at the Brickyard.

Besides his incredible numbers on the track, he’s put up incredible dollar numbers off it.

Every year Johnson hosts a celebrity golf tournament in his home state of California when the series heads west for the race at the Auto Club Speedway. The money is donated to a charity.

He’s also been involved with building homes for those in need thanks to his sponsor, Lowe’s, and the Jimmie Johnson Foundation.

He’s a champion on and off the track.

So are his team owners, Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick.

Both are involved with various charities and donate whenever and wherever they can. Gordon created the "Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital," and is a four-time Sprint Cup Champion, trying to win his fifth this year.

Numerous stories can be found on all the wonderful things that Rick Hendrick does to go along with the many championships and checkered flags he's collected as a team owner.

Another candidate could be Tony Stewart.

Stewart not only took the risk of leaving a championship team and organization in Joe Gibbs Racing to start his own company, but he’s more than succeeded in doing so.

Stewart and Newman took Stewart-Haas Racing to the Top 10 in points this year, and Stewart took the team to victory lane four times, including at the Sprint All-Star race.

He also led the points for the majority of the year.

Off the speedway, Stewart does his share of representing NASCAR well by doing, well, more racing.

He’s made a tradition of hosting the “Prelude to the Dream” event at his dirt track, Eldora, in Ohio. He and fellow NASCAR stars race each other, and all proceeds from the TV event are donated; this year they went to support members of the military who had been injured or families of those who had lost their lives.

Stewart also has his own foundation, and this year, with the help of sponsor Old Spice, he donated 5,000 backpacks to children in the Charlotte area.

Rough and tumble Tony Stewart has a big heart.

Another rough and tumble driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, could have easily won the award with his team owners, Teresa Earnhardt, Chip Ganassi, and Felix Sabates.

The fearsome foursome became a championship-contending team in 2009 after merging companies and pairing with powerhouse Chevrolet. Montoya dominated the Brickyard and nearly picked up his second career win, first of the season and on an oval track, before he made a pit road mistake late in the race.

After qualifying for his first career Chase, he sat third in points for much of the early races, contending for wins along the way.

Off the track, Montoya isn't just a great ambassador for NASCAR from open wheel racing, but he too gives back.

He and wife Connie created the “Formula Smiles Foundation,” which “aims to improve life, through sports, the quality of life of Colombian children in vulnerable situations.”

Team co-owner Teresa Earnhardt is heavily involved in the “Dale Earnhardt Foundation,” which focuses on education, commitment to children, as well as wildlife and environmental preservation.

Chip Ganassi promotes and supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and it’s been reported that his teams have donated nearly half a million dollars to the hospital over the years. And Felix Sabates is heavily involved in contributing to philanthropy and has been rewarded for it.

What Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing has accomplished on and off the track this year could easily make that team NASCAR Illustrated Persons of the Year.

By rule, the winner could come from anywhere in NASCAR: team owners, drivers, crew chiefs, officials, and so forth.

Another great example would be DeLana Harvick, wife of Sprint Cup driver Kevin Harvick.

DeLana co-owns teams in both the Camping World Truck and Nationwide Series. Besides supporting her husband and running their teams, she supports many different charities, including the “Victory Junction Gang,” and hosts different events for Kevin Harvick Incorporated.

Hard-working woman.

Everyone in NASCAR deserves to be the NASCAR Illustrated Person of the Year for 2009, but since that award went to Mark Martin, it’s not too early to start thinking about next year.

So, who should it be?

Kyle Busch Has a Big and Busy Weekend Coming Up in Phoenix

Kelly Crandall — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:24:03 -0500

Last Sunday at the Texas Motor Speedway Kyle Busch came up one gallon short of making history.

After dominating the Camping World Truck Series on Friday, then the Nationwide Series race on Saturday, he was well on his way to making it three-for-three on the weekend until the tank went dry.

Had Busch pulled into victory lane, he would have become the first driver in NASCAR history to win all three races, in all three series, in the same weekend.

However, it wasn't meant to be.

But Busch will get another shot this weekend at the Phoenix International Raceway.

On Friday night, Busch will climb back aboard his No. 51 Miccosukee Resort/Graceway Pharmaceuticals Toyota that he's won seven races thus far this season in. Those wins come with two poles, 10 top fives, and 12 top ten finishes.

Busch will go for his sixth straight truck win Friday at the track he took his truck to victory lane in 2007.

After the truck race will come the biggest day for Busch, the Nationwide Series race on Saturday.

Following his victory in Texas, Busch improved his point lead to 272 markers over Carl Edwards and 292 over third place Brad Keselowski.

All Busch needs to do in his NOS Energy Drink Toyota on Saturday, barring no penalty coming from his opening day inspection issues at Texas, is finish 15th or better and he'll win his first NASCAR championship.

If that happens, Busch will be able to hold the WWE Championship belt that was presented to him last weekend, the Nationwide Series Championship trophy and in a John Cena like way be able to say, "The Champ is here!"

In his post race media obligations following his victory at Texas, Busch was asked about taking home the Nationwide title in Phoenix.

"It's gonna be great though because all the sponsors worked it out where NOS will be on the car next week [Phoenix]," Busch said.

"We'll get some championship shots with them hopefully after clinching."

After what could be big days in the Trucks and Nationwide Series and of course celebrating, Busch will take one more shot at the history that he's come so close to capturing.

He'll climb into his M&M's Toyota Sunday for the second weekend with Dave Rogers as his crew chief and try to go back to victory lane at Phoenix in the Sprint Cup Series for the first time since 2005.

Busch's busy weekend could be big for a lot of reasons in the Valley of the Sun.

But even if he doesn't win a race at all, Saturday has the potential to be a great day for Kyle Busch and his fans. He could be crowned a champion for the first time in his career.

"To think of myself in a different light [as a champion], I don't. I don't see that, I don't think any of my peers would. I don't think Jason or any of my guys would look at me different because I'm a champion, cause they're champions too of course," says Busch.

"It's an accomplishment. It's something you set out to do as a young guy, even before I made it to NASCAR."

Busch came to NASCAR and has dominated in everything he's ever sat in.

He's crushed and set records, he's won so many races over all three series over the last two years that it seems crazy, and now he's going to be rewarded for it.

Crew chief Jason Ratcliff has called this a dream season in the Nationwide Series and something that will always be looked back upon. They've done just about everything there is do to in the Nationwide Series and they all know it.

Well, almost everyone.

"There's a lot of stuff at the end of the race my wife will tell me when I get home, 'Hey, good job on that record today' and I don't have any idea what you're talking about," says Ratcliff.

As for Busch, he knows about the records and takes pride in them, but still looks back on something that he wishes had happened.

"You know what would be impressive is if those 11 second place finishes were wins. That would be 19 wins, that's what stupid. That's what's silly, if that could have been."

He did however, try to put a little humor into it.

"The only thing worse than finishing second on a day is when you finish second to a pregnant woman because then you're third. That's what sucks."

Over three days in Phoenix it'll be hard to find anything that will suck for Kyle Busch. He'll be the center of attention for a lot of people, and could steal a little thunder from the Sprint Cup Series and their championship battle.

Fans have the chance to see more than Jimmie Johnson make racing history this year.

The NASCAR season is coming to a close and the first champion getting set to be crowned in Las Vegas Native Kyle Busch.

"To win a NASCAR title means a lot."

How Do Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon Beat Jimmie Johnson When They Help Him?

Kelly Crandall — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:44:59 -0500

Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick and his drivers have always prided themselves on how well everyone works together.

Teamwork and team cooperation between all four cars is a major part of working for the best team in NASCAR.

Nowhere is that more evident than with HMS drivers Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, who have become great friends through the years. On and off the racetrack the two are always together.

Even during the Chase for the Championship and the final 10 races of the season, Gordon and Johnson always maintained their close relationship.

Take, for example, Martinsville in 2007, when Jimmie Johnson was 43rd on the practice sheet. That Saturday night, crew chief Chad Knaus went to Jeff Gordon’s crew chief, Steve LeTarte, and asked for the data sheet from the No. 24 car.

LeTarte handed it over and Johnson went out and won the race, by beating Gordon no less.

It’s a pattern that continues to repeat itself with all of HMS crews and drivers.

When things were going bad during practice, they all would get together and work it out; whatever one needs, the others would provide.

That took center stage late in 2007 when Gordon and Johnson both ran first and second in points and battled to Homestead-Miami for the title.

They’re teammates and competitors that both want to win a championship, but they’ve always done what’s best for the company.

Sunday at the Texas Motor Speedway, everyone at Hendrick Motorsports showed that they really do believe that NASCAR is a team sport.

When points leader Jimmie Johnson crashed on lap four and had to go to the garage for repairs, it wasn’t just the No. 48 crew that started to thrash on the mangled car.

Soon, teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s team came down to provide assistance.

Earnhardt, Jr. isn’t in this year's Chase for the Championship and lived up to his word that he would do anything he could to help his teammates win the championship.

So, when the No. 88 team went to assist Johnson’s team, it wasn’t out of the ordinary.

But then, teammates Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon’s teams, who sit second and third in points behind Johnson and are trying to beat him for this year's title, also arrived in the No. 48 team's garage stall to help.

Wait; help the man they’re trying to beat?

Instead of trying to capitalize on the misfortune of Johnson, the rest of the HMS crews came to the rescue to try to get Johnson back on track quicker in order to earn him as many points and positions as possible.

Points that would not be beneficial to Martin and Gordon to lose, but they took that chance by helping out their teammate.

They could have stayed away and let the No. 48 team members fix it themselves; after all, they have won the last three straight titles, they would have figured it out. Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus, and crew know what they’re doing.

However, during the most critical time in the season, with just three races left, HMS once again looked out for their own.

If this had taken place during the first 26 races, that would have been an excellent thing to see, and it would show why Hendrick Motorsports is a step above everyone else in NASCAR.

To be the best, you have to beat the best, which has consistently been Hendrick Motorsports. And when they work together, they are nearly unstoppable, as they have shown for much of this season and years past.

But when the drivers are running first, second, and third in points with three races remaining in the season and the title up for grabs, shouldn’t it be every man for himself?

Where’s their true competitive nature? Find the “I” in team and go out and beat the man that has whipped everyone’s tails the last three seasons.

Think of it like a restrictor plate race.

For the first 100 or so laps, a driver will work with any other driver that is willing to draft with him, but he'll mostly be looking for his teammates.

Every driver knows, however, that come down to final 50 circuits, and especially on the last lap, it is every man for himself.

When contending for a championship, shouldn’t it be the same way?

Jeff Gordon has already admitted that his friendship with Johnson has become strained because he’s sick of losing to him. Mark Martin should be sick of finishing second in points, never having won a title.

Sunday afternoon, though, they must not have been sick enough because it didn’t appear they had any objections to helping their title rival get back in the race.

For Martin and Gordon, it’s hard enough to beat Johnson when he has the same equipment they do. Hendrick Motorsports has an open door and open note policy, but now that they’re helping him, it’s going to be even harder.

It also makes it harder for fans to watch.

Some already can’t stand the team that dominates year after year. They want new faces in victory lane and a new man hoisting the season end championship.

Which meant that when they saw the fellow HMS teams rush to Johnson’s aid after his wreck, many screamed that they should get out of his garage. They don’t want to see Johnson get any more help in winning his fourth straight title.

Actually, they don’t want to see Johnson win his fourth straight title at all.

But on Sunday, Hendrick Motorsports once again showed why everyone wants to drive for them. They’re one big family that will continue to look out for each other, while still trying to beat each other.

That means they want to keep the playing field even so that in the end, the best man will win.

Creature vs. Creature Writers Pool: Results After The Dickies 500

Kelly Crandall — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:35:10 -0500

Texas Motor Speedway became the Busch brothers' playground this weekend.

Kyle Busch dominated and won both the Truck and Nationwide Series races on Friday and Saturday, but older brother Kurt stole the Sprint Cup win.

They were both overshadowed by the coverage of Jimmie Johnson, who lost most of his points lead after crashing on lap four. He would finish 38th and head to Texas with a 73-point lead over Mark Martin.

Most of our Creatures had days just like Johnson's; none of them picked up the win, but it wasn't without a lack of trying, as pick Kyle Busch looked to be headed to victory lane before running out of fuel.

Fuel mileage and mechanical issues shook up our Creatures standings for the second straight week. The top five has a different look with two races remaining in the season as we head for Phoenix.

Ben Bomberger (6,231) Kyle Busch finished 11th (4)

Mary Jo Buchanan (-52) Kasey Kahne finished 33rd (2)

Kelly Crandall (-64) Kevin Harvick finished fifth (2)

Jen Preston (-104) Kevin Harvick finished fifth (2)

Kara Martin (-131) Juan Pablo Montoya finished 37th (4)

Rob Tiongson (-149) Joey Logano finished 19th (2)

James Broomhead (-347) Juan Pablo Montoya finished 37th (3)

SM Napier (-421) Juan Pablo Montoya finished 37th (3)

Mason Dunn (-461) NO PICK SENT (0)

Danielle Henderson (-635) NO PICK SENT (2)

David Phillips (-676) NO PICK SENT (2)

Adam Heasley (-1,201) NO PICK SENT (3)

Next up comes the one-mile Phoenix International Raceway, where Mark Martin won earlier this year. He'll be looking for a sweep to apply pressure to Jimmie Johnson's point lead.

Creatures, please remember to have your picks in as soon as possible. If you're going to risk it by sending it in on Friday, you have until 8:15 am ET, no exceptions.

Creature vs. Creature Writers Pool: Picks for the Dickies 500

Kelly Crandall — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:47:07 -0500

And then there were three.

When the green flag falls on the Dickies 500 Sunday at the Texas Motor Speedway, it’ll be the eighth race in the 2009 Chase for the Championship, with just three left to crown the Sprint Cup Series Champion.

Jimmie Johnson heads to the Great American Speedway with a 181-point lead over teammates Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon. Gordon returns to Texas after winning the track's spring event.

Our Creatures head to Texas looking for points they lost during last Sunday’s event at Talladega. This week the action should be a little less hectic and more of a fight to the finish for our title contenders.

Here’s whom they believe can put them in that position on Sunday afternoon in the Lone Star State.

Ben Bomberger: Kyle Busch

Last week I got Busch-whacked from the points lead by picking big brother Kurt, and this week I'm keeping it in the family by counting on the Shrub.

Busch has nine starts in Texas and has collected three top-fives, four top-10s, and an has an average finish of 16.4. All of which are nothing to brag about, but decent numbers to say the least.

Busch won the Nationwide race in Fort Worth last year, and I expect him to challenge for a win in the top Series on Sunday.

James Broomhead: Juan Pablo Montoya

I may be been bitten here a little by the "use a driver only once" rule, but Montoya isn't exactly a bad choice. Recent bad races aside he's been pretty consistent of late no matter where you take him. In truth, I don't expect Montoya to bring me home a win, but instead a solid top 10.

Mary Jo Buchanan: Kasey Kahne

Kahne will be making his 11th Cup start at TMS this weekend, where he scored a win at during the spring race in 2006.

In 10 starts at TMS, Kahne has accrued one win, two top-fives and two top 10 finishes. Kahne likes the track saying, “Texas is actually a really neat track. I’ve always liked Texas. It’s fast. The banking is awesome. It’s a little bit rough too. There are some spots that are rough, so you have that side where your car is bouncing around and you have to slide the back around. I enjoy racing there.”

Kelly Crandall: Kevin Harvick

The last time the series was at a big D-shaped oval (Lowe’s) I used Kasey Kahne as my pick to win, which means I need someone new for Texas. Since Texas, Lowe’s, and Atlanta all resemble each other I decided to go with Happy Harvick who nearly won the race at Atlanta in September.

Harvick and Richard Childress Racing have been making great strides in performance over the last few months and Harvick has shown he can now contend for wins.

If he’s going to pick up his, and RCR’s, first win of the season it wouldn’t be surprising to do so at the D-shaped Texas Motor Speedway.

Mason Dunn: No Pick Sent

No pick sent.

Adam Heasley: No Pick Sent

No pick sent.

Danielle Henderson: No Pick Sent

No pick sent.

Kara Martin: Juan Pablo Montoya

Don't know if this pick is going to pay off, a bit of a wildcard I know! Fingers crossed that Montoya will at least beat out the likes of Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne and Kevin Harvick & bounce me to the lead! =)

SM Napier: Juan Pablo Montoya

Since I refuse to pick a Hendrick Motorsports driver, my No. 1 choice is out due to his broken foot. And if it’s the Truck race I’d be picking for it be Hornaday. So I’m just going to pick Juan Pablo Montoya at Texas this week and hope for the best.

David Phillips: No Pick Sent

No pick sent.

Jen Preston: Kevin Harvick

Texas may not be Happy’s best track, but he’s never had a DNF there and has an average finish of 13.9. After being caught up in Ryan Newman’s scary wreck last weekend and finishing 21, it’s time for Harvick and the RCR gang to have yet another good run.

Rob Tiongson: Joey Logano

It’s hard to ignore the fact that Logano has been steadily improving in the results department in the second half and he is truly knocking on the door for another victory in 2009.

If Jamie McMurray won at Talladega, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Texas pull off a wild card pick with Logano in Victory Lane.

Point Race

After last weekend’s last lap chaos, here’s how the Creatures stack up coming into Texas.

Mary Jo Buchanan (6,115 ) Brian Vickers finished 13th (2 )

Ben Bomberger (-24 ) Kurt Busch finished 30th (4 )

Kara Martin (-67 ) Tony Stewart finished 35th (4 )

Kelly Crandall (-103 ) Kyle Busch finished 15th (2 )

Rob Tiongson (-139 ) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 11th (2 )

Jen Preston (-143 ) Joey Logano finished third (2 )

James Broomhead (-283 ) Tony Stewart finished 35th (3 )

Mason Dunn (-345 ) Erik Darnell finished 37th (0 )

SM Napier (-357 ) Tony Stewart finished 35th (3 )

Danielle Henderson (-519 ) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 11th (2 )

David Phillips (-560 ) NO PICK SENT (2 )

Adam Heasley (-1,085 ) NO PICK SENT (3 )

Final Thoughts

In order to win the Sprint Cup Series championship for 2009 Jimmie Johnson needs to average a tenth place finish in the final three races. That starts with this weekend’s event in Texas, where he finished 15th last year while all the other Chasers capitalize on his misfortune.

The past four winners of the Texas fall race are all in the 2009 Chase field, with Carl Edwards winning two of those events. He’s still win-less this season.

Don’t be surprised to see the winner of the event come from the top 10. In 13 of the 17 races that have been run at the Texas Motor Speedway, the winner has started eighth or better.

Jimmie Johnson: Single-File Racing Was Not a Protest Against NASCAR

Kelly Crandall — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:43:33 -0500

During the AMP Energy 500 at the Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR fans saw something they weren't accustomed to, and something they weren't happy about.

For much of the race, they witnessed 43 drivers line up and ride single-file around the top side of the track. Hardly pulling out to pass and create the exciting three-wide action that makes Talladega what it is.

Instead, all the drivers seemed to be content to just go around in circles and they rode around until it was time to settle who would take home the win.

It was only then that the accidents occurred.

After the race was over and everyone was done complaining about the ride that Ryan Newman took and what should be done to change the track, the focus turned to what happened during the race.

Speculation began run wild that the 43 drivers decided to prove a point to NASCAR because of what took place in the drivers meeting earlier that morning.

NASCAR officials warned all drivers that they would not be allowed to bump-draft in the corners, just like in years past, only this time if NASCAR shows it happening, they would add a penalty to it.

Another NASCAR rule that came out in the meeting was that two cars could not hook up, like Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski did in the spring, and shoot past the field and to the front of the pack.

NASCAR said they wanted to see sunshine between the cars.

As soon as the meeting was over, drivers were furious.

Denny Hamlin said that he signed up to drive race cars, not to be told by NASCAR how to. He felt strongly that they should be allowed to race as they see fit.

So on Sunday, when all the drivers lined up and created what many said was a snooze-fest, Dale Jarrett wondered out loud during the broadcast if the drivers did so on purpose.

That opened the flood gate for everyone else to feel the same way.

But earlier this week, both Elliott Sadler and Greg Biffle said that was in no way what took place. Sadler went as far as to say that you couldn't get 43 drivers to agree to do anything, much less ride around.

On Tuesday, champion Jimmie Johnson, who rode around in 30th place until the final 20 laps of the race, took the same position that Sadler and Biffle did.

Johnson said there was no truth to the rumor that the drivers were trying to pull a fast one.

"No, there's not truth to that. When we hit single-file like that, we just know there's no need to race at that point," he said. "All that matters is from that last pit stop on."

Fans, though, still aren't convinced and are fighting mad in belief that NASCAR made the race boring and that the drivers were forced to do that they did. Fans are convinced that the drivers meeting had an impact on what they witnessed on Sunday.

Johnson, however, says otherwise.

A "normal" Talladega race consists of side-by-side racing for all 188 laps and wrecks every couple of laps. That's why it's called a wild card race—because anything can and most likely will happen.

Because of that, by the time the end of the race approaches, there are only a handful of cars left that will be able to take home the win. That didn't happen on Sunday, and people weren't happy.

Instead of deciding to wreck and dwindle down the field on Sunday, Johnson said the drivers finally got smart about how to approach the race. Everyone seemed to realize that you can't win if you aren't around at the end.

Johnson then defended NASCAR by saying that all the criticism they are receiving because of what was said in the meeting had nothing to do with the racing.

"The real impact was we didn't want to wreck. We knew we were going to wreck," he said.

"We knew we were going to cause a big wreck, it's just what racing does, and everybody was minding their manners and being responsible up until we could see the checkered flag essentially and that's when things started to get crazy and we crashed."

Johnson does understand the frustration the fans are feeling, though.

"The bottom line—somebody is going to be unhappy. The fans that want to see the big wrecks and want to see four and five wide are going to be upset," he stated. "And right now they're upset because we were responsible as drivers and tried not to wreck earlier in the race.

But as fans have become accustomed to doing, they're once again pointing fingers at NASCAR, not the drivers behind the wheel, but at NASCAR for controlling too much of the racing.

"The fans can be upset and be upset at NASCAR, but, at the end of the day, the reason we weren't three- and four-wide is because we didn't want to be," Johnson said. "We wanted to ride single file. We wanted to log miles and have a better chance at finishing the race."

The Talladega Tumble: All the Great Ones Have Experienced It

Kelly Crandall — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:28:32 -0500

Twice a year the argument is always the same: get rid of or change Talladega Superspeedway.

Which leaves the president of Talladega Superspeedway saying the same thing: It’s not going to happen.

“We get this question every Monday morning twice a year. No. We’re not going to tear up the banking,” says Rick Humphrey.

“It’s disappointing on Monday morning to hear all the complaints from everybody, but I really don’t know who much it [the race] differed from the last several races we had.”

The reason that Humphrey hears all the complaints is because Talladega has a rich history of sending drivers on some of the wildest and most horrifying accidents.

Many of which see the car go flipping through the air.

After the dust settles and the driver is checked and found to be OK, they then go in front of the camera and talk about how much they hate plate racing. That sentiment is then rehashed for the next week by some media, fans, and drivers alike.

However, instead of getting rid of one of the historical tracks of NASCAR, it should be embraced. Don’t misunderstand, the horrifying accidents shouldn’t be embraced nor should they be wanted.

Embrace that the accident happened and everyone is fine.

Then, maybe the accidents should be looked back upon as a “Welcome to Talladega” moment for the driver that were apart of it. Until they’ve gone flipping at the Superspeedway, they've only ever talked about how crazy the racing is.

Some may even consider it a badge of honor, maybe not at the time, but to make the highlight reel later on.

Some of the best in the business have taken the “Talladega Tumble,” and they’ve all ended up coming out stronger in the end or their crash benefited NASCAR in some way.

Take Bobby Allison’s 1987 crash near the start-finish line.

Allison’s car lifted in the air and not only tore the car apart, but took the catch fence with it. His brother Donnie came over to check on Bobby to make sure he was all right. “Yes,” Bobby said. “But you won’t believe the ride I just took.”

NASCAR implemented the restrictor plate after Allison’s crash to keep such an event from happening again.

Not only did the accident happen again, it happened over... and over... and over... and it happened in the same place, over… and over… and over. Just like the car that went over, and over, and over.

Neil Bonnet got spun around in 1993 in the tri-oval before lifting into the air, flipping on his roof, and then making contact with the catch fence. Just like Allison before him, Bonnet would be able to walk away sore but unhurt.

But the frontstretch fun wasn’t over.

Rewind to earlier this year when Carl Edwards went spinning and flipping into the fence. The same fence that took the beating from Allison and Bonnet’s wrecks all those years ago.

Edwards accident injured fans and angered drivers but he did walk away unhurt.

Others that have gone for a wild ride down the frontstretch or into turn one would be Trevor Boys in 1984. Boys got spun coming off turn four, went spinning toward pit road, and soon was flipping through the infield grass.

He popped right out of his demolished No.48 and seemed to be fine.

That was until he bent over and went to his knees, but only to tie his shoe before heading the care center.

Then there was Rusty Wallace in 1993, which went flying across the finish line and then tumbled into turn one.

He too, walked away.

As did Dale Earnhardt in 1996 after his famous black No.3 went head on into the wall and then flipped toward the start-finish line. Earnhardt did walk away on his own power even though he suffered a broken collarbone.

Two weeks later though, the Intimidator went to Watkins Glen and sat on the pole.

That same year saw Ricky Craven bouncing off poles, cars, fences and everything in between when he went for a tumble in turn one. Craven was collected, and then sent flipping, after Jeff Gordon made contact with Mark Martin.

In 1998 Bill Elliott wrecked in the same spot that Allison, Bonnet, and Wallace did before him. And just like his fellow competitors before him, he too walked away.

Michael Waltrip took a wild ride in 2005 after Jimmie Johnson turned Elliott Sadler in turn one. Sadler collected all those behind him, including Mark Martin, and when Martin started to slide down the track he clipped Waltrip’s right rear bumper and sent him end-over-end.

“It was pretty cool,” Waltrip said.

“The world was right, then it was wrong, then it was right, then it was wrong. And then I came to a stop and the Aaron’s Dream Machine slide right up beside the Napa Chevy, and I thought ‘this could be a nightmare, I’m not sure’,” he continued.

But no driver is safe in any position in the field or on the track when it comes to Talladega.

The backstretch has seen its share of wild rides and breath taking moments.

July of 1995 will be remembered as the year Ken Schrader went flipping end-over-end and side-over-side coming off turn two and down into the backstretch grass. Jeff Gordon, his teammate at the time, turned Schrader and when he turned backwards and was hit by another car he went airborne.

Same song, different verse and cars during a Nationwide Series race in 2002.

When Scott Riggs got turned he clipped the right rear of Johnny Sauter’s No.2 Chevy, which then went flipping down the backstretch as he was hit by other cars. Sauter and the other 20 drivers that were collected all climbed from their cars and walked away.

Elliott Sadler spent 2003 and 2004 on his roof at Talladega.

In 2003 he went flipping wildly down the backstretch and into turn three, much the same way that Ryan Newman did last Sunday.

Sadler’s M&M’s Ford crunched, but Sadler didn’t.

A year later he flipped once onto his roof and then came back down on his wheels coming to and then crossing the finish line.

But heading into turn three continued to be the trouble spot.

In April of 2007 during a Nationwide Series race, Kyle Busch jumped out from behind leader and teammate Casey Mears and was clipped by Tony Stewart.

The contact sent Busch head on into the wall, flipped him on his roof and then the car began to slide down the track.

As he slid into the grass in turn three, the car began flipping much like Sadler.

The accident couldn’t have fazed Busch much because a year later on the same weekend he came back to the track and won in the Sprint Cup Series.

However, Talladega wasn’t done snacking on Nationwide Series cars.

One day before Carl Edwards went flipping into the fence this past April, many forget that Matt Kenseth went for the same ride Elliott Sadler and Kyle Busch did and in the same spot and same way.

Kenseth was turned from behind by teammate David Ragan.

After flipping, Kenseth was able to climb from the car, throw his gloves and helmet to the ground, and take the ride to the care center were he was evaluated and released.

"I pulled to the bottom, and I saw David there, but I was well clear, and David hit me as I was turning back down—to bump-draft me. You just can't hit somebody when they're turning. The cars aren't stable enough for that."

Edwards went for his wild ride a day later and then Newman and Mark Martin for theirs just this past weekend.

Which meant that everyone was back to criticizing NASCAR, the track, the cars and anything else they could think of. All the while not realizing that it was the drivers blocking and bumping in the areas they were told they were allowed that caused the wrecks.

It was the drivers trying to win a race and gain every position possible that caused these horrifying incidents.

Just remember that it doesn’t matter if it’s Talladega, Daytona, Dover, or Texas.

If a racecar driver gets in their car and a trophy, paycheck, and points are on the line, they’re going to do everything they can to be the one that takes it home.

Change the rules, change the car, change the number of laps in a race, but you’ll always have wrecks.

You’ll always have cars flipping, spinning, and catching on fire.

But instead of trying to stop the unstoppable, take a minute to look back and say “Welcome to the club [insert driver here”].

Welcome to the very elusive club of drivers that have taken the “Talladega Tumble” and lived to yell at NASCAR about it.

And then after that take the Michael Waltrip approach.

After all the drivers have climbed out, walked away and expressed their displeasure, you can re-watch the wreck and say, “it was pretty cool.”

Videos of all the aforementioned wrecks can be found on YouTube.com

Creature Vs. Creature Writers Pool: Results After the AMP Energy 500

Kelly Crandall — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:36:28 -0500

After a wild and intense race in Talladega, AL, Jamie McMurray picked up his third career win and Jimmie Johnson all but locked up his fourth straight championship.

Johnson brought home a sixth place finish after running in the back of the pack most of the day. His nearest competitors all finished behind him allowing Johnson to expand his point lead to 184 with three races remaining.

Kasey Kahne and Creature pick Joey Logano survived 500 miles to be credited with second and third place finishes. Behind them though, everything was out of control coming to the checkered flag.

After the dust had settled and the results had been sorted out, the biggest names and best cars were scattered all through the field. Because of that our Creature points have a new look as we head to Texas in one week.

Mary Jo Buchanan (6,115) Brian Vickers finished 13th (2)

Ben Bomberger (-24) Kurt Busch finished 30th (4)

Kara Martin (-67) Tony Stewart finished 35th (4)

Kelly Crandall (-103) Kyle Busch finished 15th (2)

Rob Tiongson (-139) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 11th (2)

Jen Preston (-143) Joey Logano finished third (2)

James Broomhead (-283) Tony Stewart finished 35th (3)

Mason Dunn (-345) Erik Darnell finished 37th (0)

SM Napier (-357) Tony Stewart finished 35th (3)

Danielle Henderson (-519) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 11th (2)

David Phillips (-560) NO PICK SENT (2)

Adam Heasley (-1,085) NO PICK SENT (3)

Next up comes the 1.5 mile Texas Motor Speedway for the eight race in the 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup. Jeff Gordon returns to Texas where he picked up his only win thus far in the season and he'll need to win again if he wants to take a chunk off of Johnson's point lead.

Creatures please remember to have your picks in as soon as possible. If you are going to risk and send it in on Friday you have until 8:15 AM ET and will not be accepted anytime there after for any reason.

For Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Fans, It All Comes Down to Talladega

Kelly Crandall — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:37:08 -0400

In 24 hours Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his fans will either be celebrating a good day after the AMP Energy 500 or they'll be packing it in and heading for the golf course, the NFL, and the house until next year.

It has all come down to Talladega.

Earnhardt Jr. will drive his No.88 "Ride With Jr." machine around the 2.66 mile Talladega Superspeedway for the 20th time in his career. That machine will carry the names of over 73,000 Earnhardt Jr. fans that won't be settling for anything less than a victory.

It would be a sight that's all too familiar in Alabama, an Earnhardt in victory lane.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. won there 10 times in his career, the last coming in this race in 2000. Earnhardt Jr. has won there five times, the most recent being in 2004 when he was contending for a championship.

This year though, the only thing Earnhardt Jr. is contending for is peace of mind after going through one of the worst seasons in his career.

He's win-less with just four races remaining in 2009 and sits 24th in points. He's with his second crew chief of the season and on his last nerve when it comes to how well things have not been going.

He wants to win, and so do his fans.

On Sunday he'll return to the track that he finished second at in April, the only bright spot of his season. And when he takes the green flag, many will continue to say that it's his last and only chance to break into victory lane this season.

Jarad Turner of Scenedaily.com believes the same thing and recently wrote an article where the title says it all: "Talladega Likely Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Last Shot to Win in 2009."

For Earnhardt Jr. fans, while only some may admit it, they understand that as well.

Earnhardt Jr. needs to pull it off on Sunday or Jr. Nation may go crazy and everyone knows what happens when they do.

But have they put all their eggs in this basket?

Kenny Wallace, one of Earnhardt Jr.'s friends and biggest supporters, wrote on his Twitter page that he's picking Earnhardt Jr. to win on Sunday and that Earnhardt Jr. will stun the nation.

Another journalist published an article earlier this week and said that "'Dega Will Delight Jr. Nation!"

Facebook and Twitter pages are lighting up on the eve of the Talladega race with Earnhardt Jr. fans expressing how excited they are and how they're looking forward to the race.

Others express excitement over having their names on the car and how Earnhardt Jr. now needs to "GIT R DONE."

But it's not just this week and weekend that Earnhardt Jr. fans have been saying that.

Months ago, as things continued to go downhill for the No.88 team, a quiet whisper began of "there's still Talladega," and "thank god Talladega's coming."

So, on Sunday the see of green and blue will pace the floor, cheer their driver on, clench their fists during three wide action, and cover their eyes when an accident breaks out. They might even look to the sky and ask Big E for help or say an extra prayer in Sunday morning mass.

He's been picked by many in their fantasy leagues and as the sentimental favorite. Others believe that the over 73,000 names on his car will end the horrible luck that has followed him all year and in recent weeks.

Talladega is here and everyone seems to believe that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be in victory lane at the end of 500 miles and 188 laps.

Even Earnhardt Jr. and his team believe it.

Early on Saturday afternoon spotter for Earnhardt Jr., TJ Majors, posted this on his Twitter page: "Driver is happy with the car and prepared. We came to win."

There's just a few things that can keep that from happening.

There will also be 42 other drivers that believe they can win and want to be in victory lane, and no matter how popular and well liked Earnhardt Jr. is, it's highly unlikely that they'll pull over for him.

Another problem is that thing called "The Big One," the accident that can occur out of nowhere and snatch up any driver that isn't on their toes.

It's an accident that collected Earnhardt Jr. in this race last year, as well as the July Coke Zero 400 at Daytona.

You can't win if you crash and there will be crashes on Sunday.

However, as Halloween comes to a close and November works it's way in, Earnhardt Jr. and Jr. Nation will sleep tonight with dreams of a great celebration tomorrow. A celebration they all need and expect.

But what's going to happen if their dream doesn't come true? What will be the result and reaction if something they plan on seeing, doesn't occur?

Well, here's your warning.

If Dale Earnhardt Jr. hasn't celebrated in victory lane at the end of the AMP Energy 500, then as one Earnhardt Jr. fan said, they're all going to burst into flames.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Says He's Confident With Lance McGrew on the Pit Box

Kelly Crandall — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:46:13 -0400

For nearly 20 minutes on Friday afternoon Dale Earnhardt Jr. and crew chief Lance McGrew sat and addressed the media.

Everything from the “Ride with the 88” car this weekend, to living in a giant fishbowl (which Earnhardt Jr. says can be pretty fun), and to what they plan on doing next year was thrown out.

McGrew was named Earnhardt Jr.’s full-time crew chief early Friday at Talladega, in a move that Earnhardt Jr. calls great.

“It’s something I’m really excited about, Lance is doing a great job,” he said. “I want to thank Rick [Hendrick] and everybody at Hendrick Motorsports for working really hard on trying to put together a good program for our team and they’re doing just that by making decisions like this.”

McGrew later added “We have 550 teammates at Hendrick Motorsports that bleed and sweat to make this 88 team run as successful as it’s supposed to be running and we’re heading in that direction.”

When McGrew was placed atop the pit box in May replacing Tony Eury Jr., many wondered how long it would take for he and Earnhardt Jr. to click and get to know each other.

As well as how long it would take for their communication to gell.

But it’s something that hasn’t been as difficult as expected because Earnhardt Jr. and McGrew both knew and had worked with each other previously in the Nationwide Series.

McGrew also revealed that he’s actually known Earnhardt Jr. a lot longer, back to when Earnhardt Jr. and Ricky Hendrick were friends.

Because of that Earnhardt Jr. said that he and McGrew not only developed a good friendship, but it helped him become confident in McGrew, which has continued to grow throughout the year.

“Every time he’s built a car, I’ve loved it when it’s hit the track,” Earnhardt Jr. said.

However, it’s still been a long and difficult season for the No.88 team and even the fast, brand new cars that McGrew built hasn’t brought the team to the promise land.

They were running sixth in Indianapolis when their engine blew; were running in the top five at New Hampshire when they were wrecked by David Reutimann, and were leading in Kansas when the crew missed a lug nut, which resulted in a lost lap and then another blown engine.

Times when they’ve run solidly in the top ten for much of a race with no mistakes they still haven't been able to finish there. McGrew has helped the team run much better but lady luck has not.

“We just have to change our luck, which is a cheap excuse, but we have to change our opportunities and our mentality as a team,” Earnhardt Jr. told the media.

“Build our confidence and our ability to perform like the others do.”

Confidence has been a major storyline in the Earnhardt Jr. season. He openly admitted that he lost much of it after the early season struggles and that it’s been hard to get it back.

On Friday he again said that his confidence level is “nowhere near where I want it to be,” and that he’s gotten impatient with it.

“I was really surprised when I first started working with Dale that his confidence was as beat down as it was. I expected him to be a lot more positive and a lot more understanding of the situation,” McGrew said.

“But since then I’ve definitely seen a light in his eye and a strut in his step as he comes to the car.”

With four races remaining in the 2009 season, including Talladega on Sunday, the No.88 team with Earnhardt Jr. and McGrew are looking for some momentum to head into the off-season with.

It's an off-season that may see many changes to Earnhardt Jr.’s team now that McGrew will be able to take complete charge.

That would include strengthening the relationship and teamwork between Earnhardt Jr.’s No.88 and Mark Martin’s No.5 since they share the same shop.

There have been questions and even hints from Earnhardt Jr. himself that there may be changes within the No.88 team but McGrew said he doesn’t have all the answers yet.

“I think as far as personnel that’s something that we analogize and we grade our guys weekly, it’s not seasonally, it’s weekly, until you feel completely confident that you have the best car chief you can have, the best shock guy you can have, the best engineers that you can have and on down the line.”

He continued saying, “I’m not 100 percent sure what’s going to change, who’s going to change, how it’s going to change. But I know that Alan [Gustafson] being my counterpart on the No.5, we’re gonna do some restructuring in the shop, we’re going to change the dynamic of that shop, and that’s something I’m looking forward to, and something he’s looking forward to.”

If things keep falling into place like Earnhardt Jr. and McGrew say they are, there will be no reason why they won't come out of the box strong in Daytona and compete with their teammates all of next year.

Creature vs. Creature Writers Pool: Picks for the AMP Energy 500

Kelly Crandall — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:44:33 -0400

The seventh race of the 2009 Chase for the Championship takes place on the weekend of Halloween and at one of NASCAR’s scariest tracks.

Talladega Superspeedway will have all 43 drivers on their toes for the 188-lap event that has many saying the Chase standings could be completely shaken up come Monday morning.

Jimmie Johnson enters Talladega with a 118-point lead and with the goal of staying out of trouble. Teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. comes back to the Alabama track where he’s won five times still looking for his first win of the season and to play spoiler in the Chase.

Five of our Creatures come to Talladega after picking up a win last weekend in Martinsville courtesy of Denny Hamlin. However, the top three in points stayed exactly where they were in points and the Creatures behind them closed the gap just a little bit.

This week anything can happen on the big track in Alabama and they’ll be looking for the driver that has the best opportunity to be in one piece at the day’s conclusion.

Ben Bomberger: Kurt Busch

Talladega weekend, the weekend that can shake things up both on the track and in our Creature standings. If I'm the only one sweating it out over whom to select for Sunday's race, I'd be very surprised. But in the end, I opted to go with the Blue Deuce—Kurt Busch.

Busch has hit the high banks in Alabama 17 times and has collected six top-fives, 12 top-10s and an average finish of 12.1. His average running position of 14.7 ranks him fifth best and his 1,100 laps in the top 15 (64.5 percent) are best in the Series.

Busch finished sixth at this track in April and I'm hoping he can give me a solid points day as the calendar turns to November this weekend.

James Broomhead: Tony Stewart

Yes, it's a bit of a risk picking a big name for the curve ball that is Talladega, but it's going with the law of averages. He's good on plate tracks, and Talladega is a plate track.

Of course, he's also had his fair share of wrecks at plate tracks, but who hasn't?

Mary Jo Buchanan: Brian Vickers

In his Chase diary, Vickers says, "We're starting to get our mojo back.” I think Vickers is right. He is good at Talladega and I think this might just be his weekend to step back into the limelight.

Kelly Crandall: Kyle Busch

After literally having to pick a name out of a hat, I’m going to go with the man that has been fast at all the plate tracks this year. This will be Kyle’s last weekend with Steve Addington as his crew chief and they’ll be looking to break up on a good note.

Busch won at Talladega in April of last year and was in contention for this win this year until late in the race. At Daytona he was a strong contender for the 500 win and in July, we all know what happened.

The kid is fast and putting the pedal to the floor is something he does very well. I see no reason he won’t do that on Sunday.

Mason Dunn: Erik Darnell

Crazy track calls for a crazy pick, so I pretty much just threw a dart at a board and here we go. Should be interesting as Darnell is my pick.

Adam Heasley: NO PICK SENT

No pick sent.

Danielle Henderson: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Jr has always been good at the two restrictor plate tracks. To be quite honest all of the Earnhardt's thus far have been good restrictor plate racers. If the big one doesn't collect Junior in its Halloween maddness expect to see him up front, leading laps and taking the checkered flag at Talladega.

Kara Martin: Tony Stewart

This week is certainly a crap shoot when it comes to who to pick, there really is no right or wrong when it comes to choosing a driver for the Amp 500, that being said I am going with my man Tony Stewart.

Despite the fact that Stewart's only win at Talladega was a controversial one last Fall that had everyone up in arms as to whether or not it was his to take, Stewart's record at the track speaks for itself.

With six second place finishes, Stewart is one of the most consistent drivers when it comes to 'Dega. As a driver/owner, he already has one restrictor plate race win under his belt this season after taking the checkered flag at Daytona in July, so we know that he has what it takes to get up front and ride hard and fast.

SM Napier: Tony Stewart

Stewart will run better than the race in April and should win it this time using strategy. He'll run the first 166 laps, staying out of trouble, avoiding the big one, and with 20 laps to go he'll work his way into the lead for the win

David Phillips: NO PICK SENT

No pick sent.

Jen Preston: Joey Logano

Betting against Jimmie Johnson may be crazy, but so is standing up a 7'3", 400-plus pound giant.

That’s what Joey Logano did this past week on Monday Night RAW. Logano finished ninth in April and in the spirit of doing something crazy, I'm hoping for something other than Hendrick dominance.

Rob Tiongson: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

I have to go with the popular pick and of all the races remaining, this is most likely his last shot at a victory in 2009. Not only would it be a fan favorite victory of this season, but it would also revitalize some confidence in this second-generation driver.

Point Race

After Denny Hamlin’s dominating victory in Martinsville, VA last weekend, here is how the Creatures head to Sweet Home Alabama.

Ben Bomberger (6,013 ) Denny Hamlin won (4 )

Mary Jo Buchanan (-27 ) Denny Hamlin won (2 )

Kara Martin (-28 ) Denny Hamlin won (4 )

Kelly Crandall (-124 ) Jimmie Johnson finished second (2 )

Rob Tiongson (-172 ) Jeff Gordon finished fifth (2 )

Jen Preston (-211 ) Denny Hamlin won (2 )

James Broomhead (-244 ) Jimmie Johnson finished second (3 )

Mason Dunn (-295 ) Kyle Busch finished fourth (0 )

SM Napier (-318 ) Denny Hamlin won (3 )

David Phillips (-458 ) NO PICK SENT (2 )

Danielle Henderson (-552 ) Casey Mears finished 19th (2 )

Adam Heasley (-983 ) NO PICK SENT (3 )

Final Thoughts

Point leader Jimmie Johnson will attempt to stay out of the big one and kept his point lead intact. Johnson missed the big wreck in this race last year that took out many of his fellow Chasers.

Tony Stewart comes to Talladega a long shot for the 2009 Championship but as the defending winner of the AMP Energy 500 after Regan Smith was disqualified for going below the yellow line. It was Stewart’s first and so far only win at the superspeedway.

And Juan Pablo Montoya returns to Talladega where he won his first career pole earlier this year. Montoya, however, finished 20th in the event.

Ryan Newman's Accomplishments Speak For Themselves, But Say What?

Kelly Crandall — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:25:54 -0400

When Ryan Newman decides to hang up his helmet and call it a career he’ll face the question all drivers do: what will you be remembered for?

To ask that question doesn’t imply that Newman should or is thinking about calling it quits anytime soon, but with his pole Friday for the Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville, it got some thinking.

The Indiana native is fast and has been since his arrival in the sport in 2002 with fellow rookie Jimmie Johnson.

But it seems Newman's only fast when it doesn’t matter the most.

While Newman edged Johnson for rookie of the year honors, Johnson has since edged Newman in the most important categories.

Newman has compiled 13 career wins and as of Friday in Martinsville, 45 pole awards. He’s earned the many nicknames that he’s been given, including Rocketman.

When it comes to qualifying Newman is the man for the job.

“It was big for me today because I think I broke my tie with Buck Baker,” Newman said in his post-qualifying interview. “But that old man Mark Martin has been running away from me for the last few weeks.”

Newman can start a race, but Johnson will finish it.

Since 2002 Johnson has 46 career wins, 22 poles and three championships.

If Newman retired today he’d be remember as a man that could go fast for two laps but a man that could never quite pull it into victory lane. It’s a theme that has repeated itself through much of his career, including this season where he’s still win-less in his Stewart-Haas No.39 US Army Chevrolet.

“I know that winning is a big part of our sport, and I want to win just as bad if not worse than anyone else," Newman says.

"We’ve been trying so hard each and every week, sometimes too hard,” he said about his 2009 season.

Newman’s career has been stout though, he’s won the All-Star race and the 2008 Daytona 500, and in his first four seasons he never finished lower than seventh in the point standings.

But things quickly went downhill for his then No.12 Penske team and he finished 13th, 18th, and 17th the last three years before moving to Stewart-Haas Racing.

Once that announcement was made, maybe, just maybe Ryan Newman fans wondered, he’d finally be able to have a memorable season like his counterpart Johnson.

Instead, Newman is back to winning pole flags on Friday’s and not winner trophies on Sunday’s.

But that’s nothing to be ashamed of; he’s good at his job.

But this is a job where only winning matters, and by winning you make the sponsors and fans happy. It also goes a long way to bringing home a championship.

His boss, Tony Stewart, has overshadowed him all year long since he joined Stewart at the new organization. Stewart has won races, four this year, and led the point standings majority of the year.

Newman though, quietly sat in the back end of the top ten and has yet to break into victory lane. Everyone knows he can win, but he hasn’t.

If Newman was ever able to turn all those poles into wins there’s no telling what his records might look like. In 2003 it appeared he might be on the path of doing that, winning eight times that year to go along with his 11 poles.

The problem though, if Newman wasn’t winning he was wrecking.

He recorded 12 finishes of 20th or worse in 36 races. That took away any chance he had at contending for a championship.

A race and championship isn’t won on Friday afternoons during practice and qualifying, but if Newman had his way he’d reward the area where he excels.

“I’ve always said I’d like to have points awarded for qualifying,” he said on Tuesday. “I still feel that we spend an entire day getting our starting positions. And if you have the opportunity to go 5,4,3,2,1 [points] for the top five qualifiers, I think that would be good.”

Instead of spending so much time thinking about Fridays, Newman and company should be focused on Sundays, and how they can change the qualifying nickname “Rocketman” into something a little more rewarding about their Sunday performances.

Dave Rogers Named As Kyle Busch's Crew Chief Starting at Texas

Kelly Crandall — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:30:21 -0400

Joe Gibbs Racing has announced that starting at the Nov. 8 Sprint Cup Series race in Texas, Dave Rogers will replace Steve Addington as crew chief for Kyle Busch and the No.18 M&M's Toyota.

After Busch missed this seasons Chase for the Sprint Cup rumors began to circulate that Addington's job might not be secure and that Joe Gibbs Racing was looking to reorganize the company for 2010.

Busch finished fourth this past weekend at Martinsville and will have one more race with Addington as crew chief, Talladega this weekend. The duo won at the track in April of last season.

Rogers will then take over the following week in Texas and JGR says that Addington will be "reassigned to a position within the company."

J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing, said in a statement released by the company, "We evaluate all of our teams on an ongoing basis and believe this is a change that will make the 18 team stronger as we prepare for next season."

"We think highly of Steve and the job he has done and we look forward to him remaining a part of the JGR family."

Rogers joined Joe Gibbs Racing in 1998 and spent six years working with Greg Zippideli and the No.20 team in the Cup Series with driver Tony Stewart. Rogers was apart of the team when they won the 2002 Sprint Cup Championship.

In 2005, he became crew chief of the No. 11 driven then by Jason Leffler, before he being replaced by Mike Ford. Leffler was replaced by Denny Hamlin a year later.

Rogers went to work in the Gibbs engineering department and in 2006 moved to the Nationwide Series program for the company.

Currently, he's the crew chief of the No. 20 Nationwide Series team and has guided JGR driver Joey Logano to all six of his Nationwide Series wins, most recently two weeks ago in California.

Rogers also worked with many other drivers that has stepped behind the wheel of the No.20 car when Logano gets the weekend off, and was still able to guide JGR to an owners championship in 2008, as well as 20 wins over the last two seasons.

He was also involved, and confessed to be apart of, the JGR magnet scandal after Michigan last year. Both the No.18 and No.20 cars were found to have magnets under the gas pedals in order to give a false reading to NASCAR's dyno tests.

After being suspended indefinitely by NASCAR he and fellow crew chief Jason Ratcliff were both reinstated before the start of the 2009 season, and has helped Logano to five victories this season, four of which came by beating Kyle Busch.

Now he'll move back into the Sprint Cup Series as Busch's crew chief.

"Dave has proven himself a talented crew chief and we think he will work well with Kyle. We hope that by making the move following this weekend's race at Talladega they can use the final three weeks of this season to begin working on communication and setups for the 2010 season," say J.D. Gibbs.

No word on how this will affect Roger's duties in the Nationwide Series.

Photo Credit: M Brian Ladner

Kyle Busch Finally Gets a Treat, Thanks to Some Tricks, at Martinsville

Kelly Crandall — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:08:40 -0400

Kyle Busch has never hidden the fact that he hates the paper-clip half-mile of the Martinsville Speedway.

Busch has never won at the track in Virginia, where’s he’s never quite figured out “how to drive the place,” which would result in a good finish.

Seems 500 miles of using your brake pedal more than the gas pedal doesn’t fit with Busch’s driving style.

With only an average finish of 18.9, Busch is most likely going to be struggling near the back of the pack on Sunday afternoons. Earlier this year he finished 24th, which included a spin in turn three, and in both races last year he was credited with 29th- and 38th-place finishes.

Busch has only led twice at the track in his nine Cup starts, for 10 laps in April 2007 and 109 laps in the fall race of that year. Since then, it’s been races to forget at the bullring.

“If I had Jeff Gordon’s or Jimmie Johnson’s success there, then I would be comfortable going there. I just haven’t had any success there yet,” Busch says.

Sunday’s Tums Fast Relief 500 looked like it would be another frustrating day for the No. 18 team after a 41st-place qualifying effort. But Busch told the team that the car was decent for race trim and for when race time approached.

A different Kyle Busch then approached Martinsville on Sunday and the long task ahead of him. Slowly marching his way from 41st to the top ten, where he stayed the majority of the day.

Busch finally found his rhythm at the tough old track and was even loose on the radio at times during the day. At one time saying he was getting cut off by other drivers and that “it must be the black car, I’m like a ghost; they [other drivers] can’t see me.”

The black car that Busch was referring to was his Halloween painted M&M’s Camry and just before the 200 lap mark the No. 18 team decided to play their first trick on the competition.

Busch came down pit road for two tires and a wedge adjustment and restarted just outside the top ten. When the next caution came out on lap 176, Busch then stayed out on the track while most the leaders pitted and moved up to third position.

Just a couple of laps later, he would take the lead from teammate Denny Hamlin by driving by him on the outside.

Throughout the remaining part of the race, Busch stayed between fifth and 15th, only making minor wedge or air pressure adjustments to the car all day.

With less than 60 laps to go, Busch played his last trick and again came back down pit road for four tires and one last charge to the front.

Restarting 15th, he worked his way back into the top ten easily on his new tires and with nine laps to go he was back up in the top five.

As teammate Hamlin celebrated in victory lane, Busch’s fourth-place finish must have been one sweet treat and felt like a win for his team. It was their first top five finish at the track since he finished fourth in both races in 2007.

Crew chief Steve Addington, who is rumored to be removed from the team after this season, was very pleased with his driver’s efforts.

“Kyle was real patient at the beginning of the race. He picked his way through traffic, so just a real good job from everybody. I appreciate everybody’s hard work this weekend on that car.”

The finish was a step in the right direction for the team as they try to finish the year with something to work on for next season. Busch didn’t qualify for this season Chase for the Championship, even though he won four races earlier this season.

The remaining races of this season are all about getting back to their winning ways and the success they enjoyed last year and part of this season. Sunday helped their chances by conquering their toughest track.

“I’m real proud of the effort,” said Busch of his finish.

And just like Addington before him, Busch credited the crew for all their hard work. “The guys had awesome pit stops all day. The guys worked hard. We made a lot of changes today.”

He then went on to explain the late-race decision to come down pit road for tires.

“Tires were the name of the game. We just seemed to be on the right strategy when we could come get tires and drive back through some guys,” he said.

“We had a good enough car to do that with.”

Creature Vs. Creature Writers Pool: Results for the Tums Fast Relief 500

Kelly Crandall — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:03:14 -0400

After 500 miles at the Martinsville bullring, Jimmie Johnson's dominance has come to an end at least for this week.

Johnson entered the weekend looking for his third straight win and seventh at Martinsville, but came up short behind Virginia native Denny Hamlin.

Johnson did however, extend his point lead.

Hamlin, the popular pick by our Creatures, dominated the day and gave a win to the first three creatures in points. What that means is that the points heading into next weekend stay exactly the same for them.

Throughout the rest of the standings the gap was narrowed with just four races remaining and here's how everyone stacks up heading into Talladega.

Ben Bomberger (6,013 ) Denny Hamlin won (4 )

Mary Jo Buchanan (-27 ) Denny Hamlin won (2 )

Kara Martin (-28 ) Denny Hamlin won (4 )

Kelly Crandall (-124 ) Jimmie Johnson finished second (2 )

Rob Tiongson (-172 ) Jeff Gordon finished fifth (2 )

Jen Preston (-211 ) Denny Hamlin won (2 )

James Broomhead (-244 ) Jimmie Johnson finished second (3 )

Mason Dunn (-295 ) Kyle Busch finished fourth (0 )

SM Napier (-318 ) Denny Hamlin won (3 )

David Phillips (-458 ) NO PICK SENT (2 )

Danielle Henderson (-552 ) Casey Mears finished 19th (2 )

Adam Heasley (-983 ) NO PICK SENT (3 )

Next up comes the Talladega Superspeedway, the true wild card of the Chase. Anything can happen and our Creature points can quickly be shaken up. Check back on Friday to see whom they believe will avoid disaster and have a good day in Alabama.

Creatures, please have your picks in as soon as possible, and if you do risk it by sending it in on Friday, please remember you have until 8:15 AM ET.

Jeremy Mayfield Taking His Battle with NASCAR to the Media

Kelly Crandall — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:38:18 -0400

Jeremy Mayfield isn't done telling his side of the story.

Mayfield will appear on ESPN's Outside the Lines on Sunday for his first live, one-on-one, television interview since he was suspended by NASCAR in May.

Mayfield was suspended for what NASCAR said was a positive drug test of methamphetamine, but for what Mayfield has claimed to be a reaction of his ADHD medication (Adderall) and allergy medication (Claritin-D).

"No, they could never be confused for methamphetamine in a confirmation," says Dr. Anthony Butch, director of UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory, who has also done testing on Olympic, NFL, and NCAA athletes.

Since May, both Mayfield and NASCAR have fought in a court of law about whether he should be allowed on the track. His suspension had been lifted the Wednesday leading up to the Coke Zero 400 in Daytona, but Mayfield didn't show up to race.

He hasn't been at the track since then.

But more than just his legal battle about trying to clear his name, Mayfield has accused NASCAR of using him as an example, spiking his urine sample, and creating false positive tests. Not only did Mayfield fail his first test in May, but he failed a second one after his suspension had been lifted.

According to that test Mayfield's levels indicated that he was a habitual user, which was then backed-up by family and friends of his that say they witnessed him using the drug through the years. That's something that Mayfield says is a lie, because he has no contact with any of them.

Things took a weirder turn when he said his step-mother killed his father, and that he was going to be opening an investigation into that event. Then came Mayfield having her arrested for what he said was her trespassing on his property while threatening to kill him and his wife.

In Sunday's interview Mayfield tells Outside the Lines reporter Steve Delsohn that NASCAR sees him as someone that was expendable. As well as someone that is a good pawn to scare the sport's top stars.

Stars that Mayfield claims are the ones that are actually doing drugs.

"You can use me as an example to let everyone know who may have already tested positive for marijuana, cocaine or whatever, that they haven't got anybody for, and it puts the fear of God in everybody in the whole sport," he says.

"I was a good example, a good pawn who wasn't going to cost them any money at all. I was worth more to them as a failed drug test then I am as a driver/owner for my own team," Mayfield said.

Mayfield also admits that his career is all but over, having to sell his race team because he couldn't financially support it anymore. "I wish I could sit here and say 'No, it's not over,' but realistically, I would have to have a sponsor, or my own team," he said.

"Or find a ride, and all those are virtually impossible with the baggage that comes along with me now."

Instead, his only job and focus now is proving NASCAR is wrong.

Outside the Lines will air Sunday, Oct. 25 at 9:00 am ET on ESPN.