Bleacher Report - Articles by Heath Heidemann

Worlds Apart: The Two Planets of Robby Gordon

Heath Heidemann — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:59:42 -0400

In our world, Robby Gordon is struggling in in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

He currently sits 34th in points, last among the drivers that have competed in all thirteen events heading into Pocono. Give him back his 50 owner/driver points, he would be in 33rd ahead of Paul Menard. Even with the penalty, he is at least 164 points ahead of 35th, no danger of not making the show.

Apparently, he doesn't care for the Car Of Today all that much. He had earned enough points in 2007 to finish in 26th, but with the first full season of the COT in 2008, he fell to 33rd.

This year seems to have the look and feel of the previous year.

So what is a troubled Sprint Cup owner/operator to do when things are not going as planned?

He flies Southwest, to Ensenada-Baja California. His other planet.

This weekend was the 41st running of the Tecate Score Baja 500.

Robby decided to leave the practice and qualifying duties in Pocono to Travis Kvapil, so that he could drive his No. 77 Monster Energy, Toyo Tires, Chevy Trophy Truck in the Baja. In this world, Robby is first in his class by 21 points, and has a slim nine point lead in the overall championship.

So far this year in the SCORE series, Gordon has won in Laughlin, and finished second in San Filipe coming into the 500.

The course runs just over 432 miles in the desert area and had over 275 entries in its multiple classes, including motorcycles, ATVs, cars, and trucks. The Trophy Truck division had 24 entries, all going for the best overall time on the track.

Robby ran virtually problem free, starting sixth in line, and taking the lead for the first time around mile 175. It was a back an forth battle for the remainder of the course, with BJ Baldwin, and Roger Norman pressing Robby throughout the event.

In the end, Robby would cross the line first in his class, with a time around eight hours and 45 minutes.

However, it was one of the closest finishes in the history of the event, which led to officials checking and double checking the final times of the top finishers to be sure they had it right.

Robby would eventually be named the top finisher, followed by BJ Baldwin, Roger Norman, Bobby Pierce, and Tim Herbst.

On this planet, with two races to go, Robby holds the lead in two championship points battles, in a completely different style of racing then we know.

On our planet, he continues to fight the fight, and try to find the key for what makes the Car Of Today simply turn left.

Image from AutoRacingDaily.com

Plea to NASCAR BR Community: Stop Being Mindless!

Heath Heidemann — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:21:04 -0400

Last fall, I started writing with B/R. Life got in the way, and I was not able to contribute all that much anymore. When time permitted, I signed in. I checked in to see some of the new faces, as well as the old. It was enjoyable to read the opinions of people like myself.

Recently, I realized one glaring problem. This was no longer fun!

I have somewhat watched all of the races this year. I drive most of the day, and mostly listen to Sirius NASCAR when doing so.

Each race has a storyline. Each storyline has a star. Each storyline also has a supporting cast. For the most part, a casual fan visiting this page would not know this. The NASCAR B/R page, with the exception of few, has become the Busch vs. Junior Bicker Fest page.

Let me take a break here to properly thank the people that do continue to try to report the other happenings in NASCAR. You do not get nearly the recognition that you deserve. It takes creativeness, and research to do a non- mainstream story, and I truly appreciate that.

As for the rest of you, let me say this.

When I sign in, and I see something on Junior, I am fine with that. After all, 50 to 75 percent of NASCAR fans are “Junior Nation”. I respect that.

However, when I sign in, and I see nothing but a list of articles written by people about a crew chief change, there is a problem. Follow that with a list of articles about Busch slamming Junior. If I click on any of the articles, it is Busch Fans against Junior Fans, with no real fact or relevance. Just back and forth junk.

I cannot be the only one to see what I am about to say. Newspapers, or websites, do not stay in the spotlight by having multiple versions of the same story. If they do, there is some sort of creativity involved.

Saying Busch is a baby for saying “blah, blah” about Junior…IS NOT CREATIVE!! Junior saying “blah” about Busch…IS NOT CREATIVE!! Putting your personal twist on the story...acceptable, but not after 5 stories have been done about it.

Then insert the new trend I have seen in the “Versus Series”, media bias. STOP IT! You HAVE to be kidding me with this!

“Darrell Waltrip talks about Kyle Busch too much”. “ESPN talks about Kyle too much”. How soon we forget mid 2007, when all you heard was Junior’s move to Hendrick, and Darrell affectionately calling Junior “Junebug”.

The fact is Kyle is controversy. Dale is a fan favorite. There were almost 1500 hits on the story I read on this site about the feud. My personal best is 600 hits. Why do you suppose that is?

My article was Tony Stewart.

There have been articles written about the personalities in NASCAR on this site! It’s what makes the sport interesting and unique. NASCAR writers know this. They do what it takes to get a person’s attention. Feuds fuel ratings, ask the WWE.

So let me break this down for you.

If I want stats, I go to NASCAR.com, I don’t need them in story form.

I read the paper and listen to Sirius Radio all day, so I get the NASCAR news I need almost as it breaks, through radio or AP. I realize they have an advantage, one most of B/R does not have the privilege of.

Therefore, I do not need to read the same story I already heard. If you choose to break it on B/R, once is sufficient.

If you as a writer complain about bias, your article should not reflect your own bias. If you truly believe a professional writer needs to remain neutral, then your article should contain absolutely no slams on any driver.

If you do choose an opinion piece, do the time, and do the research. Saying “Joe Nemecheck does not belong in NASCAR cuz I said so” doesn’t hold water in the real world.

Everyone is on here to get noticed, or you wouldn’t be public with your thoughts. I am going to give you some insight. You are not going to get noticed by writing mindless, rehashed drivel. Be creative.

Any NASCAR fan familiar with great columns knows of and misses David Poole. You may also know the names Jim Utter, Lee Spencer, and Dave Rodman.

Read some of the articles they put out. Sure they have credentials, sure they have phone numbers. Maybe they even have favorites. Not all are interview pieces. Do they run over each other? Sure. Do they still have a unique twist? Well, read a few.

So please, I ask you all. Stop the mindless ranting. B/R is here to spark interest, not deter it. It is a way for us to voice opinion, no doubt about it. That does not mean taking AP or Sirius Radio news and putting it word for word in your segment, then making it “your own” by adding a couple of random thoughts.

Is it tough? Absolutely! That’s why we are here and not in the building of the Charlotte Observer.

Does it take thought? Yes! Research? You bet!

Can you do it? Some can. I have seen it on this page, in this community. I will not name names, but you know who you are, and again, keep it up!

As for the rest, please put forth an effort to make B/R a respectable place for NASCAR Cup, Nationwide, and Camping World Series columns.

Return on NASCAR Sponsor Investment: You Get Out What You Put In

Heath Heidemann — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:42:52 -0500

In this time of economic hardship, NASCAR is seeing a serious decline in sponsorship. Companies are finding it hard to spend the amount of money is takes to be a 200-mile-per-hour billboard.

That is, of course, unless you have a name like Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, or team name like Childress, Hendrick, or Roush. They have the luxury of sponsors coming to them, in some cases.

The simple reason being the amount of exposure these teams give a sponsor. The drivers make the Chase on a consistent basis. Most of the time, these drivers are favorites to be seen in Victory Lane. This all translates into air time, or advertising, for the sponsor.

This, unfortunately, leaves about two-thirds of the field out of the picture.

In that two-thirds, there are exceptions to the rule.

Enter Michael Waltrip.

Michael Waltrip and NAPA have been a package deal since 2001. NAPA had followed Dale Earnhardt through the ranks, teaming with Ron Hornaday in the truck series and Nationwide series, than Michael in Cup. Though Waltrip hasn't won a race since 2003, NAPA has stayed loyal to him.

The loyalty is mostly a result of the advertising opportunity that is Michael Waltrip. He is not just an owner, or driver, but a character. The team has embraced the hardships they have faced, and have chosen to put it into the ad campaign we see on race Sunday.

The hilarious commercials are one part, but Michael also attracts the camera at the track. We see him on stage, we see him during rain delays, we see him on Monday NASCAR shows as a host. Always wearing NAPA, and always saying one word whenever he can. "NAPA."

Understandable that the commercials we see involve even more cash from NAPA. They pay for prime air spots on top of the sponsorship of the team. Not every sponsor can afford that luxury, but in this example, it benefits both sponsor and driver.

Little Debbie is another good example of this. They were on the way out of the sport. Along comes Marcos Ambrose. The company already had commercials with Ken Shroeder, again with a humorous twist. They immediately made one with Marcos and a koala bear. Even here in Wisconsin, I have seen "Marcos" standing by the snacks.

They latched onto a fan friendly, fan favorite driver and did more than most others do in multi-year deals.

I can speak from personal experience as well.

When Brian Vickers was signed to drive for Hendrick, his primary sponsor was GMAC. I was not in the market for a car, but I did like Brian.

While I was walking through a supermarket, I was heading for the shampoo isle. I was single at this time, and shampoo was shampoo. There at the corner, wearing a bright green drivers suit, was a cut-out of Brian Vickers! His suit said Garneir Fructis.

I never was one to try fruit smelling shampoo. I never would have. I was proud to support Brian Vickers.

I shared this story with wife, who I met a year after this. I was trying to get her into NASCAR, and trying to associate it with day to day life.

I am still trying to live it down.

In retrospect, the campaign was probably more targeted at females, being that Brian was a very handsome young man in a shampoo isle. But I bought it, and never (well, for a year) thought twice about it.

With teams that have more cars than sponsors right now, I would think getting in the sport could be done at somewhat of a bargain. Combining the aforementioned strategies, companies could have the name on the hood, run in store promotions, and even have money for a commercial or two.

Utilizing the driver, teams, and airtime as much as possible is crucial. Amp jumped right in with Dale Jr. UPS did it with Dale Jarrett. Fed Ex and Home Depot with Gibbs, Aflac with Edwards, and Kasey Kahne with Allstate. They did not let the on track performance do the selling. They implemented plans away from racing to make successful relationships.

I still buy Tide from Ricky Rudd's heat exhausting Martinsville win, Coke because of the "Coke Family" campaign, Vitamin Water for Edwards, tried Amp because of Junior, Jack Daniels for Clint Bowyer, AT&T for Burton, have not gotten the nerve to do a Red Bull for Vickers (but fruity shampoo was OK), M&M's, you get the idea.

Any company second guessing an opportunity in NASCAR needs to look at itself as the problem in this scenario. If they do not want to spend money in a place with that much power and exposure, they themselves have the wrong people in place.

NASCAR Offseason: The Bark Is Worse Than The Bite

Heath Heidemann — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:11:44 -0500

I cannot remember an offseason quite like this one. NASCAR teams are facing hard times. We've seen the fall of empires and seen teams sift through the rubble trying to salvage what may be left of once competitive teams. It is truly a very harsh time in the sport.

If the unfortunate reality of the economy was not enough, we have had to endure something much worse as fans of the sport.

We've had to listen to all of the teams doing a lot of talking, yet not saying a word.

It started very early, before Homestead was in the books. The talk of the Chip Ganassi and Dale Earnhardt Incorporated merger.

It was announced that they would share information to give both teams a technical boost. They failed to mention anything for the following month after, while we were all left to speculate the possibilities on our own.

Then there is the Gillett Evernham fiasco. We learned that Ray Evernham was selling his remaining share of his once powerful team to George Gillett. We at least knew at this point there were three cars with three drivers.

But George wasn't done.

As of late, we have learned that there are talks that involve Gillett and Richard Petty Racing.

The Pettys released driver Bobby Labonte, and put the #44 or #45, depending on what day it is, on hold.

This prompted the talks about the Gillett group buying into the Petty team, rumored to be for the rights to the name and the #43.

So far, it is said that it could be merged to create a four car team and that they would add another driver to the stable.

Now today, we have the announced buyout of Bill Davis Racing. Marty Gaunt and Mike Held will now control the management of the company, with Bill Davis as an adviser to the company.

They had nothing to say other than they bought into the team, and that they would have more information in three weeks.

Much like the other two mergers, there was nothing to say other than "Hey! We are merging!"

I realize some decisions have been made on the part of DEI and Ganassi. They have determined the shop and the make of the vehicles.

Everything else for all other teams involved remains up in the air with no solid answers.

It's a little hard to land a good sponsor or driver when all that you are doing is flapping your gums.

Robby Gordon's Bad Luck in Baja: Vacation Becomes a Nightmare

Heath Heidemann — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:42:38 -0500

Robby Gordon left Homestead with a sigh of relief.

He finished the Ford 400 in 26th position. That gave him enough to finish the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season 34th in Owner Points, locking him into the field for the first five races next year.

But, his racing wasn't over just yet. He was going to get away from NASCAR for now, and do something he enjoyed. He was off to enter his No. 77 Monster Energy Trophy Truck in the Baja 1000.

Every year he looks forward to this race. After all, he has won it three times before, and he was third in his class last year.

Robby had tested on this year's track twice, and felt it played right into his team's strengths. Saying the course was "very technical, very rough, and very fast," he felt confident this year would be his fourth victory in this race.

It didn't take long for his hardships in NASCAR to find him in Mexico.

After taking the start, it only took him until mile eight to find trouble, where he would roll his truck over. He would get back on all four wheels to try to make up some time, but would than get stuck in the mud.

Matt Drever went into the mud at the same time, but was five miles ahead when Gordon got out. He would continue on, just trying to get a finish in the race, only to suffer a blown engine. His day was over.

Of the 26 trucks in his class, Robby was one of eleven not to finish the course.

Robby Gordon Goes for Four at the Baja 1000

Heath Heidemann — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:25:51 -0500

This Friday at 10 a.m. Eastern, Robby Gordon will continue his racing season, but this time on a very different type of track.

Once again, Robby is competing in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.

The Baja 1000 is the world's longest off-road race at just over 630 miles. The course starts in Ensenada, Mexico, and continue to northern Baja California. It will consist of six checkpoints, plus the finish line.

The vehicles start in 30-second intervals of each other, must stop at all checkpoints, and must complete the course in 31 hours.

Gordon is entered in the No. 77 Monster Energy Drink/Toyo Tires/4 Wheel Parts Trophy Truck.

Robby is a three-time winner of the 1000 ('87, '89, '06).

NBC will carry a one-hour version of this race on Dec. 14, or you can follow it live on the SCORE website at http://www.2008scorebaja1000.com/.

Making the Best of a Bad Situation: Martin/Almirola Are a Success

Heath Heidemann — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:20:27 -0500

The summer of 2007 will live in the memories of any Dale Earnhardt Incorporated fan for years to come.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat before the media and announced his departure from the company his father had built, vacating the sponsor and car that he had made famous.

As fans fled from DEI in droves, most couldn't help but laugh at the thought of someone else even TRYING to fill the seat of the now vacant number eight.

Doing what was probably the best move that they could have possibly done, DEI named Mark Martin to be the driver for a majority of the 2008 season in the car.

There was no other person in NASCAR that could have taken that seat and not be severely criticized or scrutinized.

DEI also named Aric Almirola to run the races that Mark Martin would not drive, but were smart in this move too. They would have Martin run the first four races, enough to take the edge off of the new drivers of the car.

Martin ran the car for 24 of the races, finishing with four top fives, and eleven top tens. Almirola ran the rest of the schedule, finishing in the top ten only once, but committing just one DNF (did not finish).

The combined effort of the two drivers net a fourteenth place finish in owner points for the team, the best team in Dale Earnhardt Incorporated's stable. They also finished two positions better than the 2007 season, when Dale Junior finished in sixteenth.

Mark Martin now moves on from the company to join Hendrick Motorsports. He leaves the car in the capable hands of Almirola. Sponsor U.S. Army also leaves the team, and a merger with Chip Ganassi is well underway.

Despite all of the changes on the horizon, they can look back on the season as a success.

The transition of power couldn't have been executed any better.

Miami Mystique: Why Homestead Should Not Get a Second Cup Date

Heath Heidemann — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:09:05 -0500

The conversation comes up every year: Which tracks should get a second Cup date?

Sometimes, it's Bruton Smith pushing the issue for Vegas. Sometimes, it's the fans after getting a second bad race at a particular track in one year.

Lately, Homestead has worked it's way into the conversation as a track that both fans and drivers would like to see receive a second date. With the reputation the track has gotten, I am sure the other two major NASCAR series wouldn't mind either.

Since it's reconfiguration in 2003, Homestead has received high praise for its effort to get more competitive, multi-groove racing.

Who wouldn't want to see another race at a track like that?

Well,... me.

I know I probably just found a new enemy in Curtis Gray, the president of Homestead-Miami Speedway. Maybe even some of you reading this article. But hear me out.

For years, NASCAR has been the joke of the sporting world. Although the redneck jabs have somewhat ceased, we still get it for having our "Super Bowl" at the beginning of the season.

Enter Homestead.

Nothing against Daytona, it is and always will be the best race of the season. But a lot of that has to do with the fact that it's the first race of the season. We have been without our beloved sport almost three months! Admit it, we would be excited if it was held on a quarter-mile oval.

When NASCAR and Ford teamed up to make the last races of all three series at Miami, it created an identity.

Everything comes down to one track. Everything is going to be decided here.

Not only that, it will be competitive.

More than that, we only see this place once, for only this reason.

Much like Daytona, even if the season still ended in Atlanta, we would be just as excited for this weekend. The fact still remains we haven't seen this place in a year.

The drivers look forward to it. The fans look forward to it. And I am only talking about the racing!

How much excitement is lost if this track isn't exclusively reserved for Ford Championship Weekend?

Change The Point System, The Outcome Won't Change

Heath Heidemann — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:25:33 -0500

This Chase has brought on more conversation about "how points SHOULD be" than any in the past. You can take your pick of topics. Too spread out. It's not quite exciting enough. Rained out qualifying gave Jimmie Johnson an advantage. What should be done to fix the qualifying system in order to avoid Johnson starting in the front? And it goes on and on.

First off, leave qualifying alone. There are 500 miles, or laps, or 400 miles, depending on the race. The pit strategy has evolved to a point, where yes, it may be considered a chess game, but it is possible to advance through a race that long.

Now, with the integration of the current points system, Johnson has a commanding 141 point lead over Carl Edwards. There is an outside shot that the Office Depot team could walk away as the champion, but that would involve Johnson having a very bad day.

More than likely, we are looking at our first three-time consecutive champion since Cale Yarborough, but never say never.

To some fans, this is considered "boring.” It is too much of a long shot, and there is only one other team with any sort of chance to win the championship.

Alright, lets entertain anyone with this thought for a minute. Let's look at some other possibilities.

Lets go to the Classic Points System. Courtesy of Jayski, we see Johnson still has a lead over Edwards, but in this scenario, only by 56 points. Now that sounds like it would be a closer chase, right? All Johnson has to do is sneeze or swat at a fly in his car, and the championship is handed over!

As a NASCAR fan, is that really how we want it to be?

Realistically, Johnson and Edwards still finish neck and neck to each other, but Johnson is still champion. This scenario is much like how critics see Edwards as an outside shot to get the Nationwide Title from Clint Bowyer, where the separation is oddly enough, 56 points.

If you are one that still thinks that sounds better, we are still seeing a two team battle for it. The biggest winner of this format, Kyle Busch, would be third. But 163 points out of second place.

Now lets go to another format. Bill Webber was on Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, and mentioned one possible change that could be made, if any, would make a special point format for the Chase drivers. Interesting.

Let us run with that notion. Everyone starts at zero, or 6000, whatever makes you happy. You can decorate this system with bonuses and incentives, but if what we really want to see is tight points action where everyone has a shot when we get to Miami, lets stay simple.

The 12 chasers are equal with 10 races to go. Twelve points would go to the top finishing chase driver. Eleven to the second best, and so on. Tony Stewart could be sixth, but the top finishing chase driver, and would get the twelve points, Denny Hamlin gets ninth, but was second best, so gets eleven points.

Any guesses on what happens next?

Jimmie Johnson leads Carl Edwards by 90 points to 82. Considering you can only get 12 points at best, and at least get one point for starting, Carl would have to gain 10 points to win the championship. Thus again, looking for Johnson to have a bad day.

On a side note, most drivers maintained the point’s position they currently have.

After going through all of this, and a lot of drive-time thinking, I have come to a conclusion that for the most part, the people doing the crying are the ones that do not want to see another Johnson/ Hendrick championship.

Bend the points how you want; they have it together on that team, and will prevail.

I am not really fond of the #48 team, but I cannot deny the unbelievable run they are having. Any respectful fan of the series has to recognize and appreciate that.

If or when they walk away champions after Homestead, they will have flat out earned the right to be recognized as the very best in NASCAR. Alter the point system however you would like, however that will not change the outcome, just the display on the screen.

Kasey Kahne: Silent Success

Heath Heidemann — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:31:46 -0500

Expectations were high this year for Kasey Kahne. He had a new sponsor in Budweiser and in the first full year of the Gillett-Evernham partnership gave the team very high hopes that they were going to surpass last years "disappointing" 19th place finish in the standings.

Kasey had a great start to the season, cranking out four top tens in the first five races. However, he followed that stretch with four consecutive finished of 15th or worse.

He would win his only two races somewhat early in the season. His first came at Lowe's in May, with the second coming at Pocono two weeks later.

Going into the second Daytona race, he was 10th in points. He put up a 7th place finish under Daytona's lights to move him into eighth in the standings. However, only three top tens would follow, which left him outside of the Chase cutoff by 69 points. His only bright spot from there was a second at Lowe's in October.

The success of this season is actually found inside of those numbers. Kasey now sits locked at 14th in points. Despite not making the Chase, Kahne's '08 is definitely better than '07.

The difference is due in large part to the two wins he had, compared to none last year. He also increased his top fives by three, and his top tens by five.

The Gillett Evernham team faces much uncertainty this offseason; Ray Evernham is selling his interest in the company and the team is rumored to be merging with Bill Davis Racing. Kahne may be the one bright spot this team can take into 2009.

Carl Edwards Wins Again!, Oh By The Way, Mike Wallace Was There!

Heath Heidemann — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:48:26 -0500

I watched the NASCAR Nationwide Series race yesterday, and again watched the story about the Cup regulars, seeing the stories of points leader Clint Bowyer, and eventual winner Carl Edwards beating out Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch.

As is typical of the races with the commercial growth of the sport, we were quickly ushered to points leader, winner, another driver, and out the door. Thanks for the time!

Inspired by the article Mark Eckhart Jr. wrote here on Bleacher Report, "Where's the Developmental League in NASCAR?", I wanted to focus this article to one particular viewpoint. Mike Wallace.

Wallace once again went out and did his job. One of only three Nationwide drivers without a contract in the Cup series to finish top ten. Herein lies the problem.

While the Cup drivers once again stole the show and got the camera time, drivers like Mike were trying to finish clean, well, and attract a sponsor for next year.

Gieco, as has been announced, is going to Sprint Cup with Germain Racing, but with Max Papis as the driver.

Germain Racing has the intention to field entries in all three series, possibly cutting back to only Todd Bodine's entry in the truck series, and keeping Wallace in the Nationwide No. 7. But that is as of now, and pending sponsorship.

Away from the show that is the Cup Series Playground, Mike has been trying to earn his living and give his team solid finishes. Making the Nationwide Series his income, he has finished top five once, top 10 eight times, and sits eighth in the standings. If you take away the drivers with full Cup contracts, it would place him third, but you would never know it.

What saddens me even more about this, is the marketability of Mike Wallace that is overlooked, and in some cases wasted. You can hear him on various shows each week on Sirius XM Satelite Radio. Who can forget the now two-year feud with his third cousin, once removed, Lorne.

He is comfortable in front of the camera, has a great sense of humor, and almost always upbeat. The only times I have seen him down or mad is when it is truly justified. Otherwise, he is very thankful for the opportunity to drive, and gracious to the sponsors.

But again, you would never know it.

Unfortunately, as we go into Homestead next weekend, the story will remain the race between Bowyer and Edwards for the title. The media was kind enough on various occasions to mention the loss of sponsors for Kevin Harvick Incorporated, and JR Motorsports. I won't get into why.

Lost in the hype will be the stories of the drivers and crews that make a living in the Nationwide Series. The people it matters to most. The people that need it most.

The Herminator Returns: Kenny Wallace to Run Craftman Truck in Phoenix.

Heath Heidemann — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:22:53 -0500

Everyone's favorite NASCAR commentator Kenny Wallace makes a return to the Craftsman Truck Series to run this Fridays Lucas Oils 150 at Phoenix International Raceway.

Kenny will run the number 15 Billy Ballew Motorsports, Hyprene Ergon Toyota Tundra. He will be teammate to Kyle Busch.

Wallace has one previous start in the Truck Series. Last year he ran the 51 for Ballew in the Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200 at Gateway International. He started the race 11th and finished 13th, with Flander Beef Patties on the hood. The truck that year was a Chevy Silverado.

Kenny is coming off of a 26th place finish in the Nationwide Series, number 28 Border Patrol Chevy. That after the feel good story of the year, when he finished third in Memphis.

He is currently 16th in Nationwide points.

Here's to Kenny! Good luck man! Have a heck of a time, and a successful run!

Why I Am Not a Fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Heath Heidemann — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:36:24 -0500

Every year starts the same for me. Everyone has a clean slate. Everyone is pumped for the season to start. We are all patiently waiting for the green to wave.

I come into it with respect for Dale Earnhardt Jr., convinced this is the year I get over my dislike of him. Than it happens. I am reminded so very fast. He has fans.

I think the Junior is funny. I thought his dad was also hysterical. I love hearing the views of both Junior's and Senior's outlook for the sport. I love their TV commercials.

I love what Dale Sr. built in his life, and was disappointed when Junior was cut out of the DEI picture. The one factor that was the same with both of them was the disrespect that some of their fans show for the sport as a whole.

I am not talking about Richmond this year with Junior and Kyle Busch. I am not talking about the two Bristol tangles Senior had with Terry Labonte. What I am talking about is much more serious.

No NASCAR fan will ever forget the 2001 Daytona 500. I did not love Senior on the track, but the pure respect I had for the guy left me hollow inside for weeks. I could think of nothing else for the first three days after.

One thing out of it severely tainted that dark time even more: the threatening letters from Senior fans to Sterling Marlin.

Sterling was a clean racer, one of the more respected drivers in the sport at the time. There would have been no reason for him to put Senior into the wall intentionally. It was not for the win, it was for position.

Some fans did not see it that way. Even in that dark time, pure logic could not overcome the mindset that someone needed to be blamed. How else could a legend die?

Then we come to today. I was reminded of it this morning on NASCAR Raceday. Kyle Busch said yesterday in his post race interview that he was giving the ailing Sam Ard $100,000 to help offset the expenses while suffering from Alzheimer's.

As John Roberts, Jimmy Spencer, and Kenny Wallace asked the fans this morning to applaud Kyle for the gesture, they panned the camera to the audience. There were the "die hard Junior fans" shaking their heads and booing.

I couldn't believe it! I rewound the DVR multiple times, to be sure there were no flies around the guys head, or that the other guy wasn't about to sneeze or something. My heart sank.

It was a gut reaction to a moment in time, that shallow people cannot get over, no matter what the issue. Instead of images of Sam, there was just Junior visiting a wall off of Busch's bumper.

Don't get me wrong, I respect the Earnhardts themselves. I respect the true fans they have. Maybe I just see more of the wrong fans because they have an enormous fan base, so proportionately there would be more of the bad type of fan.

They are the fans that I do not want to be associated with.

For more information on how you can help Sam Ard, visit www.NASCAR.COM/foundation.

Hello, Larry McClure? This Is Tony Stewart!

Heath Heidemann — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:19:52 -0400

"Hi Larry! It's me, Tony Stewart! You got a min...Oh yeah, I guess you might be a little busy. I will make this quick as I can."

"Listen, I have been thinking about that whole number thing. I'm sorry man! I should have known better. NASCAR said it was open 'cuz you hadn't said you were gonna use it next year, so they figured it was good. But they didn't do any checking into it. I am more than happy to hear that you are going to field a car next year though...oh...mmmm."

"I mean I am glad that you guys are keeping the number four, with all of the history that you guys have made with it! 14 cup victories, some of NASCAR's higher profile drivers, and over 25 years in the sport! You have really done this sport and your team proud!.....Crap, oh......dang it."

"So, what are your plans for next ye.......Agh."

"How is the family?? Things doing ok with all of you?.......doh."

"So you are gonna field a car right? Were you guys able to get a sponsor at all.....ahhgh."

"How about investors? Anythi.........uhhh."

"Is it a bad time to ask about that number again??"

Is Brett Favre The Next Ozzy Osbourne??

Heath Heidemann — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:52:18 -0400

No, Brett Favre doesn't bite heads off of bats or birds. No, he doesn't have a concert titled in his name. But hear me out, walk with me a minute. Have fun and laugh with this. Let me tell you how Brett might just be Ozzy Osbourne in the making.

Lets go back to the beginning—the start of the two careers.

Ozzy Osbourne enjoyed a portion of his success right off the get go with Black Sabbath. With Sabbath, he pioneered what became the dawn of the heavy metal era. With legions of fans, and people that worshiped him, many followed after his departure from Sabbath, faulting the band for letting him go.

While Favre didn't necessarily start the quarterback position, he did bring a new level of excitement to it. He plays it with a passion and gunslinger attitude that is not seen in all NFL QBs.

Also, Brett enjoyed much of his early success with the Green Bay Packers, where he got his own "legion of fans." Some of whom turned on the Pack when he was traded, and followed him to his "solo career" in New York.

Osbourne would go at it on his own for about 15 years before returning to the band for a reunion tour. They would stay together up until 2006, when they would be inducted into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Of course, the timetable is a little shorter in the NFL. Brett, no doubt, will return to the Packers, at least long enough to be called a Packer one more time, have his number retired, and become a member of the NFL Hall of Fame.

Behind every man stands a good woman though—enter Sharon Osbourne, and Deanna Favre.

Sharon Osbourne has been with Ozzy through the low points of his life. She started dating him when he was let go of Sabbath, became his manager and married him, and does a phenomenal job marketing the brand that is Ozzy Osbourne. She also survived her battle with colon cancer.

Deanna has stood by Brett as well. Through deaths in his family, his car accident, addiction to pain killers, drinking, record breaking performances, and record setting moments, she has been right along side of him through it all. In the process, she took on her own challenge—her battle with breast cancer.

In the time we have gotten to know Brett, he has become a household name. On commercials, in stores, on ESPN constantly—he is a superstar.

Ozzy is still one of the more well known people in entertainment, with or without his music. Sharon figured out a way to turn that kind of success into a very lucrative business outside of Ozzy's career.

I know Brett is a "private person." He seems to have been getting a lot better in front of the camera over the past few years.

Episode of "The Favres" anyone?

A. J. Allmendinger Shines with Gillette Evernham Motorsports

Heath Heidemann — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:23:17 -0400

For the second week in a row, A.J. Allmendinger was the class of the Gillett Evernham Motorsports stable. Once again, he was the pilot for the No. 10 Sears Auto Center/Valvoline Dodge in the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

He placed 14th after starting 39th, due to the washout that was supposed to be qualifying. The performance earned him the USG Sheetrock "Improving the Finish" contingency award. Teammates Elliott Sadler and Kasey Kahne finished 25th and 33rd respectively.

This finish was nearly identical to his performance at a track that is a polar opposite to Atlanta, the close quarters racing of Martinsville. There, he finished 15th after starting 39th, while Kahne finished 33rd and Sadler 41st.

After finishes of ninth at Kansas and 16th at Dover, Allmendinger was released from the No. 84 Red Bull team just before this fall's Talladega race in favor of Scott Speed.

He would sit out that race before being offered to drive the No. 00 car for Michael Waltrip Racing at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The day would come to an early end when a tangle with Regan Smith put him in the wall.

Since than, A.J. has shown that he can run with the best of them, turn in a decent finish, run at different types of tracks, and most importantly, keep the car in one piece. He remains unsigned going into next year.

Hopefully, we will find out that he has landed safely with a team for the 2009 season.