[Racer Duck]

I must have been out of it. Somehow I couldn't get any enthusiasm worked up about HMS having all their cars in the top 5 during the race. Guess I was having the blahs or something.

Kinda liked DW's retort to “is HMS dominance over?” that some of the announcers were obsessing over. He said: “This is a 26 race season...” The man knows what he's talking about!

Sometimes JB utters the most profound facts: “There's no place to test for Martinsville.” For those of you who this slipped past: without a place to test for a similar track, you can only rely on last year's notes. And if you're in a different car, those notes ain't worth beans! All those wonderful and expensive test machines back at the shop (chassis dyno, 7-post, wind tunnel, etc.) can't replace test time in the car, on the track, making laps. Yep, he said all that in those 7 words – well, he did put a couple more sentences around that quote, but you get what I mean, right? Besides, who tests in 42 degrees???

So, “What's YOUR favorite part?” I think Tony had it right: the steering wheel. What kind of nerd would say “shocks”???

$2 Hot Dogs!!! Holy Cow! (pardon the pun) I didn't think you could buy anything at a Cup race for $2.00!!! If I wasn't on a heart healthy diet, I'd be heading to Martinsville next time just to get cheap hot dogs!!! That's got to be the best buy of the season!

It wasn't the hot dogs that kept the crowds away. Don't know how the parking is when it rains in Martinsville, but at Texas it's the pits .. let's see, that didn't come out right. .. put it this way, you don't want to be at Texas Motor Speedway when it rains... The TV folks said the threat of bad weather kept the fans away .. 'till someone else has a better idea, I'll have to go with that.

Wonder if ya can hear the train horn while the race is going on? Yeah, I have these kind of questions popping into my head all the time.

Almirola and McMurray show early strength. Aric faded by half way, but Jamie hung on 'till almost the end. Still, 8th is nothing to sneeze at. Jamie needed that!

Bump & Stop + Spin & Go! Seemed to be the marching orders for the day. Boy, was I confused. Then Kurt bangs into his brother. What was that all about? And Skinner “hit everything but the pace car” then “got hit 3 times on pit road!!!”

Speaking of Kurt: what's wrong there? Is it the car, or Kurt, or sabotage, or what? Is MWR stealing Dodge parts from Kurt's pits? There has to be an explanation. Inquiring minds want to know! (Besides, he's hurting my fantasy team!!!)

Bet the leaders were happy when Robby finally got his lap back. He was sure making life miserable for them... As you might know, Robby doesn't mind bending a little sheet metal nor is he opposed to leaning on his trackmates. And it was working too, until he got caught up in a mess and had to go to the garage to fix his racer. Ended up 60 laps down.

Also bet Patrick Carpentier was dizzy after the race. Seems every time he got on camera he started making those quick, in place laps. Robby even helped him one time when he jumped the curb and landed in Pat's quarter panel.

Them commercials:

• That “Just Turn Left” Bud commercial got me to wondering .. will they play it when the cars are on a road course? Guess we'll just have to wait and see...
• JJ's “just don't want to stop working” commercials need technical help (Chad's obviously otherwise disposed 'cause he always shows up late!) Last week I mentioned JJ using pliers on bicycle spokes – a no-no if there ever was one. This week, just happened to be paying attention when he fixed that fence with his compressed air nailer .. when the nail gun was pulled away, the nail head was already painted to match the fence! I need one of those!!!
• The Craftsman Pit Robot must be paying off the NASCAR officials or something. Did you notice they only have 3 lug nuts on each wheel? That's all he/it takes off and that's all he/it puts on. No wonder he/it's so fast – he/it's cheating!!! (Are those pecs or compressed air bottles?)

Notable Quotes:

• Not sure who said it, but it was about Tony Jr. and Dale Jr. radio chat. Seems D Jr. was complaining about his car (doesn't he always?) when T Jr. replied and the announcers expanded on it until it became: “It may drive like a dump truck, but you go the best one (dump truck) out there!”
• Montoya on Martinsville: “...have to drive IN like a gentleman and OUT like an animal!”

When ya hit back, ya always get caught: You'd think Matty knew that by now, as many times as it's happened to him. But there he went, hood ornament zeroed in on Gilliland's left rear corner and BANG!, David's heading to the wall. All I can say is “I hope it was worth it!”

NASCAR snoozing? As much “stuff” as was clouding Denny's camera and as many drivers saying the 44 car was leaking gear lube, it took a smoke bomb before NASCAR gave him the black flag. Looked like a mosquito fogging party in the 44's pits a few minutes later...

So, how many of you thought that off sequence pit stop by Hamlin at lap 215 was a real boner? I know I did. The way they were talking about being surrounded by rain and all, I just knew he gave up any chance he had of a good finish with that bonehead move. Just goes to show sometimes the guy who's working the hardest does get the brass ring! Way to go Denny!!! And congrats to the 2 Jeffs on their podium finishes as well.

Uh, by the way: 'Yota is in the win column!!! There must be a headline out there somewhere .. but I can't find it............

[LSC9901]

The Craftsman Pit Robot must be paying off the NASCAR officials or something. Did you notice they only have 3 lug nuts on each wheel? That's all he/it takes off and that's all he/it puts on. No wonder he/it's so fast – he/it's cheating!!! (Are those pecs or compressed air bottles?)

I believe that was the "Knaus Model 101"

Uh, by the way: 'Yota is in the win column!!! There must be a headline out there somewhere .. but I can't find it............

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this win #2 for Toyoter ?

[3fanforever]

Junior's pit crew must have eaten to many of those $2.00 Martinsville hot dogs.
I think they only got one stop under 15 seconds, and they never got the 88 out equal to or better than what he came in.

And how about Chrissy Wallace in the truck race? What a great job she did staying on the lead lap and finishing 18th. Quite impressive I'd say.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I believe that was the "Knaus Model 101"

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this win #2 for Toyoter ?

You're not wrong.

But I find it strange that prior to the season there was all that talk about "IF" 'Yota would win... Now they have 2 wins from different drivers and yet not a peep!

Right now 'Yota is tied for 2nd in Manufacturer Standings with Ford and they both have 2 wins apiece. Chevy is leading, but with a single win and Dodge trails in 4th with a single also. Ford's 2nd win was a repeat driver so it's not clear whether that's a trend or something else... But it's clear at least one 'Yota shop is "running with the big dogs!" and that's more than expected!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

You're not wrong.

But I find it strange that prior to the season there was all that talk about "IF" 'Yota would win... Now they have 2 wins from different drivers and yet not a peep!

Right now 'Yota is tied for 2nd in Manufacturer Standings with Ford and they both have 2 wins apiece. Chevy is leading, but with a single win and Dodge trails in 4th with a single also. Ford's 2nd win was a repeat driver so it's not clear whether that's a trend or something else... But it's clear at least one 'Yota shop is "running with the big dogs!" and that's more than expected!

We're talking about the media here Ducky. A couple years ago we were all up in arms about Toyoter entering into NASCAR cup series. Possibly the media doesn't want to throw it in our faces ???? Nah ... that can't be the answer.

One thing for sure and that is that Toyota has major bucks and JGR is getting plenty of it. I'd guess that MWR isn't being overcompensated by Toyota at this point.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

We're talking about the media here Ducky. A couple years ago we were all up in arms about Toyoter entering into NASCAR cup series. Possibly the media doesn't want to throw it in our faces ???? Nah ... that can't be the answer.

One thing for sure and that is that Toyota has major bucks and JGR is getting plenty of it. I'd guess that MWR isn't being overcompensated by Toyota at this point.

yeah, but at least Mikey and the boys are making decent showings (not like last year!) and I don't remember when I last saw the UPS car consistently running mid-pack or better. hopefully DR will make a habit out of it

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

yeah, but at least Mikey and the boys are making decent showings (not like last year!) and I don't remember when I last saw the UPS car consistently running mid-pack or better. hopefully DR will make a habit out of it

Strangebut I still keep thinking of RYR when I see the UPS logo. That makes me want to see it run well. I really have no great love for MWR ... does that shock anyone ???