NASCAR 2009

[Lavabe]

It certainly is a challenge to balance out your picks every week. I decided that I'm not going to worry too much about it this season and just focus on getting familiar with the drivers and the tracks. Still huge fun, and hey look, I've got 4 wins.

You can check out ESPN.GO.COM for race results from each of the tracks over the last I don't know how many years. Biffle, for example, LOVES Darlington. Infineon (I like to call it Inspiron) is Jeff Gordon country. Watkins Glen ... is a place where Smoke does well. It's interesting to see how certain drivers prefer certain courses.

But then you have to account for new drivers, team switches, and model preferences. E.g., Smoke in a Chevy is better than Smoke in Toyota. And this whole Mark Martin, JJ, Jeff Gordon troika has me baffled.

You're right... it's HUGE fun.

[colchar]

It certainly is a challenge to balance out your picks every week. I decided that I'm not going to worry too much about it this season and just focus on getting familiar with the drivers and the tracks. Still huge fun, and hey look, I've got 4 wins.

You can check out ESPN.GO.COM for race results from each of the tracks over the last I don't know how many years. Biffle, for example, LOVES Darlington. Infineon (I like to call it Inspiron) is Jeff Gordon country. Watkins Glen ... is a place where Smoke does well. It's interesting to see how certain drivers prefer certain courses.

But then you have to account for new drivers, team switches, and model preferences. E.g., Smoke in a Chevy is better than Smoke in Toyota. And this whole Mark Martin, JJ, Jeff Gordon troika has me baffled.

Picking is fun but there are also factors such as 'the big one' (Talladega being a prime example - at least for me) that can fuck up even the best thought out picks.

[TillyGalore]

Picking is fun but there are also factors such as 'the big one' (Talladega being a prime example - at least for me) that can fuck up even the best thought out picks.

Nobody can pick Talladega. You might as well put names in a hat.

[Lavabe]

Mark Martin and JJ and Gordon are teammates, and they DO talk with each other. Stewart and Newman DO talk with each other, and get along fine. On the other hand, Carl Edwards and Biffle are teammates. I wonder if they are talking with each other after the last race (when Biffle seemed to contribute to Edwards' demise).

[TillyGalore]

Mark Martin and JJ and Gordon are teammates, and they DO talk with each other. Stewart and Newman DO talk with each other, and get along fine. On the other hand, Carl Edwards and Biffle are teammates. I wonder if they are talking with each other after the last race (when Biffle seemed to contribute to Edwards' demise).

Just out curiosity, did you purposely leave Jr out of the Hendrick team list? Really, I'm just asking.

If Jr isn't talking to his teammates, perhaps he should. That, and get rid of Tony Jr. I don't think he really knows what he is doing.

[Lavabe]

Mark Martin and JJ and Gordon are teammates, and they DO talk with each other. Stewart and Newman DO talk with each other, and get along fine. On the other hand, Carl Edwards and Biffle are teammates. I wonder if they are talking with each other after the last race (when Biffle seemed to contribute to Edwards' demise).

Just out curiosity, did you purposely leave Jr out of the Hendrick team list? Really, I'm just asking.

If Jr isn't talking to his teammates, perhaps he should. That, and get rid of Tony Jr. I don't think he really knows what he is doing.

I can't figure out Junior AT ALL. That's why I left him out of the discussion. ALSO, given his new commercials with Keselowski, I now think of those two as teammates more than I do Jr with the rest of the Hendrick team.

Then there's the drafting partnership between Jr and Smoke. Go figure THAT one out?!

You HAVE noticed how Fox's coverage has shown how Martin, JJ, and Gordon all get along, haven't you?

Weird, huh?

[TillyGalore]

Mark Martin and JJ and Gordon are teammates, and they DO talk with each other. Stewart and Newman DO talk with each other, and get along fine. On the other hand, Carl Edwards and Biffle are teammates. I wonder if they are talking with each other after the last race (when Biffle seemed to contribute to Edwards' demise).

Just out curiosity, did you purposely leave Jr out of the Hendrick team list? Really, I'm just asking.

If Jr isn't talking to his teammates, perhaps he should. That, and get rid of Tony Jr. I don't think he really knows what he is doing.

I can't figure out Junior AT ALL. That's why I left him out of the discussion. ALSO, given his new commercials with Keselowski, I now think of those two as teammates more than I do Jr with the rest of the Hendrick team.

Then there's the drafting partnership between Jr and Smoke. Go figure THAT one out?!

You HAVE noticed how Fox's coverage has shown how Martin, JJ, and Gordon all get along, haven't you?

Weird, huh?

Hmmm, I've missed a lot. Now that I don't have to teach faith formation on Sunday nights, I can pay more attention to the races. Which, I will do, I can promise you that!!!

I have been perplexed and disappointed by Jr's performance this year, though I haven't done any in depth research to see what, if anything, has been written about it. As I mentioned above, I do think Tony Jr needs to go. In fact, I don't think he should have come to Hendrick with Jr, but respect Jr's loyalty to his cousin.

Jr and Smoke are really good friends so it doesn't surprise me that they draft off each other. They've been doing that for a few years now.

It wouldn't surprise me if Edwards and Biff aren't chummy. Biff has a bit of an ego, sorry, and Edwards is a pretty boy that gets a lot of attention. I can see where they would sort of clash.

I'm so ready to get back into NASCAR to whip some crazietalk tail and get back to the top.

[Lavabe]

IIRC, last year at around June, Jr started racing well. We have yet to make it to June.

The season is long.

[YmoBeThere]

The season is long.

True dat!

[colchar]

At least we all get to enjoy this weekend without worrying about who to pick.

[Lavabe]

At least we all get to enjoy this weekend without worrying about who to pick.

I need as many weekends with racing as possible before I leave the country.

[Lavabe]

So Smoke wins the All-Star shootout!

And kudos to Gordon and JJ for blowing it near the end.

How will this race affect weekly choices?

[TillyGalore]

So Smoke wins the All-Star shootout!

And kudos to Gordon and JJ for blowing it near the end.

How will this race affect weekly choices?

Kasey Kahne did well for a few weeks after winning the all-star race last year. I think Smoke can make his luck last longer as he is a better driver than cutie patutie Kasey.

[Lavabe]

So Smoke wins the All-Star shootout!

And kudos to Gordon and JJ for blowing it near the end.

How will this race affect weekly choices?

Kasey Kahne did well for a few weeks after winning the all-star race last year. I think Smoke can make his luck last longer as he is a better driver than cutie patutie Kasey.

And HOW many fantasy leaguers have used up their allotment of Tony Stewart?

[TillyGalore]

So Smoke wins the All-Star shootout!

And kudos to Gordon and JJ for blowing it near the end.

How will this race affect weekly choices?

Kasey Kahne did well for a few weeks after winning the all-star race last year. I think Smoke can make his luck last longer as he is a better driver than cutie patutie Kasey.

And HOW many fantasy leaguers have used up their allotment of Tony Stewart?

I don't think I have.

[colchar]

And HOW many fantasy leaguers have used up their allotment of Tony Stewart?

I have.

[Lavabe]

What does one make of the reports that Jeff Gordon may have to retire early due to back issues/arthritis?

Check out the treatment he received this week:
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cu ... id=4195694

[TillyGalore]

What does one make of the reports that Jeff Gordon may have to retire early due to back issues/arthritis?

Check out the treatment he received this week:
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cu ... id=4195694

Wow! Having back issues myself, I really feel for him. Hope the block he had works. Well now that is kind of funny, a NASCAR driver needs a block to stay in the car.

[YmoBeThere]

What does one make of the reports that Jeff Gordon may have to retire early due to back issues/arthritis?

Check out the treatment he received this week:
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cu ... id=4195694

Wow! Having back issues myself, I really feel for him. Hope the block he had works. Well now that is kind of funny, a NASCAR driver needs a block to stay in the car.

I'm waiting to see a driver who needs a block to reach the gas pedal. Sort of like Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

[colchar]

I nearly forgot to submit my picks this week. I blame it on birthday celebrations. I finally remembered but missed any qualifying points. And no, I did not just go and pick the top qualifiers as that would be a cheap move.