Hello race fans! Sorry I'm a litte behind on writing and missed last week's entry but, I'm back now weighing in on last weekend's race at Louden and this week's race at Dover. Congratulations to Mark Martin on his win in New Hampshire. Who knew that a 50 year old man could get the job done the way that Mark has this year. He certainly is going to challenge my pick, Tony Stewart, for the title this year. Also, the big surprise has been Juan Pablo Montoya! He has really made great strides this year and is looking like a serious contender.

Now for Dover. Congrats also goes to Jimmy Johnson for his win at the Monster Mile. What a dominating car he had and he showed he was the class of the field. Maybe I was wrong about him, he just took a little longer to start running like the Jimmy we all know. But, having said that, if he continues to dominate the way he has been, I'm afraid of what it's going to do for the sport. People are not going to want to go the race track and see the same guy winning races and the championship. And even though I'm not a true Mark Martin fan, he probably would help the sport by bringing back some of the old timers that have stayed away. We need someone like him to win the championship. I think the sport also needs for Dale Jr. to step up to the plate and start running up front and contending for wins. I don't care what anybody says, I really think that is hurting attendance and tv ratings! After all, he is the most popular driver on the circuit!
Again, I am not a Jr. fan, but if things are going to pick up, he needs to pick it up! Also, I was glad to see Joey Logano was ok after that terrifying wreck. I was there, and let me tell you it was pretty scary to watch. I'm sure he will be sore for the next couple of days.

Now that we are two races into the Chase, it looks like we are starting to separate the men from the boys. No offense to anyone, but I think if you are not close to within 100 points from the leader, your chances are getting pretty slim to win the title. I'm still not giving up hope on my driver Denny Hamlin, but he and the rest are going to have an awful lot of luck on their side if they are going to beat guys like Jimmy, Mark, and Juan.

Speaking of luck, I wish alot of good to all the drivers this weekend in Kansas. It should be a great race and I'm sure the favorites to win are going to be Jimmy and Mark again. Be safe out there and have a great race.

See you at the races!

Hello race fans! Well, I hate to say I was right, but, I was right! Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth did not make it into the Chase. As shocking as that is to alot of people, it's really not all that surprising. The two of them have not had stellar performances over the last several weeks. In fact, with the exception of Kyle's win at Bristol in August, that team has struggled every week since then. Also, since Matt's season opening win at Daytona and the following week's win at California, that team hasn't done much all season. So, it's really not a surprise to see either one of them not contending for the Championship. However, the biggest shock of the night for me was how gracious Kyle was in his interview after the race. I was pleasantly surprised to see that he wasn't arrogant or down on his team. He actually sounded sincere, even though he had to be steaming mad on the inside. Way to go Kyle on a classy interview.

Congratulations to Denny Hamlin on finally winning at his home track! What a great race for the win and, also the great racing that took place with the guys trying to get those last few spots in the Chase. Brian Vickers did an awesome job those last few laps getting by Kyle and Sam Hornish Jr. to squeek his way into the Chase.

Now that the field is set, I am going to give my prediction on who I think will win the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Although I think Mark Martin is the sentimental favorite, I'm not sure he is consistent enough to pull it off. Jimmie Johnson certainly has the drive since he is going for a record 4th straight championship, but he has not had the car the last few weeks to contend for wins like he's had previously at this time of the year. Jeff Gordon would love to fulfill that "Drive for Five" dream, but he's another one that isn't as consistent as he needs to be. My favorite pick would have to be Denny Hamlin. He has the momentum going into the Chase with his win this past weekend and he's been solidly in the top 5 the last several weeks. However, I'm not quite sure they are where they need to be to win it this year. So, who is my pick? Tony Stewart. I know he hasn't run well the last few races, but who has better motive to win it than him. He's a first time car owner in his first year. Both of his cars made it into the Chase, and I think he would love to prove everyone wrong. No one expected him to win a race this year, much less win 3 (including the All-Star Challenge)and I know, no one ever thought he would be a top contender to win it all! So, that's who my pick is and I would love to know who you think will be at the head table in Las Vegas in December.

Good luck to all the Chase contenders starting this weekend in New Hampshire. Be safe and have a good race. I will be busy attending my mom's wedding this weekend. She is marrying a wonderful man after being a widow for the last 11 years. I love you mom and welcome to the family Bob.

See you at the races!

Hello race fans! Well, here we are, 3 days before the Chase for the Sprint Cup, and it is nail biting time for many of the drivers. I'm sure that those that are not quite locked in and those that are on the outside looking in are sweating it out about now. I know I would be! I'm going to give you my predictions for who I think will make it in and who will not. First of all, none of the drivers currently in 5th through 12th are safely locked in. Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, and Juan Montoya can breath a little easier than the rest. So, it's anyone's guess who will make it. My picks from 9th through 12th are going to be Ryan Newman, Mark Martin, Gregg Biffle, and Brian Vickers. Yes, that's right, I don't think Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch are going to make the Chase!!! That doesn't mean I don't want them in, I just think their performances have not been what they should be the last several weeks, and Richmond is one of those tracks that you have to be on top of your game and stay out of trouble to have a decent finish. And let's face it, they need more than a decent finish they need a top five and/or a win. I might be wrong, and basically it's just a gut feeling that I have, that I picked who I did. Let me know who you think will make it.

I just read that Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates Racing are merging and going to run Fords next year. Their drivers are going to be Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler, AJ Allmendinger and Paul Menard. Reed Sorenson and Bobby Labonte are out of rides starting next year. What a shame for Bobby. A champion of the sport and now it looks like this year could be his last. I hope he can pick up a ride and race for a couple more years. Good luck Bobby!

I will be in Richmond this weekend for the race and I am so excited to see the outcome! Lynch Tours & More has 3 buses going so be on the lookout for us. Good luck to all the drivers this weekend, but especially the Chase contenders. Be safe and we'll see you at the races!

Hello race fans! Hope everyone had a great summer, but now that it's over, it means NASCAR is really heating up with the last two races before the Chase. I'm sure there have been some sleepless nights for some drivers, while others are resting quite comfortably at night. I know I am ready and can't wait for the Chase to begin.

I watched the Nationwide race on Sunday and found it to be quite interesting, if not comical. There were an awful lot of spins and crashes once the rain started and, some drivers couldn't keep their cars going in the right direction if their life depended on it! I know it had to be very frustrating for those drivers trying to race in the rain but, at least it wasn't as bad as last year. Congratulations to Carl Edwards on the victory but, my heart goes out to Marcos Ambrose. The poor guy leads a ton of laps and was flawless all day until he got to the last turn on the last lap and then he blows it! I think he was mirror driving and just flat out miss judged the turn. I've never seen Marcos not smiling or happy in an interview, but after that race, he was not happy with himself. I felt so bad for him. But, as we all know, the best car doesn't always win. Better luck this weekend Marcos.

This weekend's race in Atlanta should be an exciting one, as this will be the first scheduled race under the lights there. I still miss the Southern 500 not being run on Labor Day weekend, but I need to get over it and move on. Atlanta is a very fast race track, so I wish all of the drivers, crew members, and fans a very safe weekend.

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend! See you at the races!