[Racer Duck]

Somehow I was late getting settled in front of the big screen for the race. Didn't oversleep (like many), my clocks were accurate (Daylight Savings Time – Spring Forward ; yep! Did that.) I think I was just too involved in some research I was doing to notice (and my son chose that day to NOT turn up the volume!) So, I joined the festivities at lap 40 .. completely missing the pre-race, Anthem, and start (you guys have to fill in that part, 'cause I don't have a clue what happened or was said.) When I joined in, they were complaining about the +25 degree difference in weather from the day before (people liked it, cars didn't.) I guess “Hot-Lana” wasn't very hot, was it? So with that preamble, let's see what caught my attention.

50K mile tire? I understand from my son that the tire was the major cause for the slow race. Seems it was 4 seconds per lap slower than last year's race (partially the difference in the CON and the previous car) and fully 2 seconds slower per lap than earlier testing at the track. Tony wasn't the only one who said bad things about the tire, but he was most vocal and HE WAS RIGHT!!!

Almost useless ticker: anyone else have a problem with the ticker? What brought it to my attention was when Shrub first took the lead, he was on the back straight. The ticker did not update showing him as leader until the end of the next lap! I know it was a little confusing at times to see names jumping around with “real time” updates, but at least it was accurate to the lap. FOX must have employed some slow typists...I guess a real time updated ticker was too “techy” for them.

Martin on the radio: think I told you my son listens in via the internet to Mark Martin's radio traffic. This week was a bit different than I've reported in the past. First Matt Kenseth was pitting short in his pits which caused Mark to have to back up to get out. Never heard whether the crew chiefs “discussed” it or not, but Mark certainly did! Also, you probably noticed Mark wasn't running to well. He kept calling for more and more adjustments, then, as is Mark's custom, HE would decide what would be done and how much – usually less than the crew chief suggested – then he'd start complaining they hadn't gone far enough. At one point his crew chief said “I've been throwing more stuff at you than I've ever done to anybody!” Guess it just goes to show that drivers are never happy with their car.

Commercials:

• Carl's co-driver is The Duck! (Carl looked relaxed, but The Duck didn't!) BTW: The Duck is a distant relation of yours truly...though the family doesn't formally claim him
• “I'm not a corporate puppet” says Jaublo from his newly redecorated digs (last time it was all yellow (Juicy Fruit), now it's all red (Big Red). I believe him .. don't you?
• Desperate Housewives sponsor Kasey. Now be honest, didn't he look cute in the driver's suit with all the hearts on it? It's “refreshingly different”, though DW said: “I don't feel good about it...” And who knew he could dance like that? Helio move over!
• Have the Kobalt Tools commercials changed your image of Jimmy Johnson? Me neither. This latest one with him fixing the kid's bike – note to commercial people: ya don't use pliers on bike spokes! But they definitely had a unique trophy!!!

One Liners:

• “Slow down and go faster!” - guess when you push the CON, it slows ya down.
• “More comfortable .. slower...” - where'd Chad leave that bag-o-tricks?
• “Ridin' the Rim!” - Robby was king of the “wall leaners” at Hot-Lana.

3 spins and yer out! Sadler gave it a valiant effort, but in the end he struck out... (short laps don't count for nuthin'!)

Robby in disguise: did ya notice Robby was sporting new colors? Yep, picked up none other than longtime NASCAR sponsor, Valvoline. He did them proud too: finished 24th! (and no penalties .. yet.)

What was he thinking? Yes, I wonder what thoughts were bouncing around in DJ's noggin' when Kyle came up behind him with just over a lap to go. Either he didn't see (or hear from his spotter) the leader was on his tail, or he didn't feel the need to give a professional courtesy of either signaling Kyle which way to go around or moving out of the way. Must have been listening to that Hip-Hop stuff....(it rots the mind!)

'Yota did it! Yep, finished 1-2. And put a third car in 9th. Quite an accomplishment for a sophomore manufacturer. 'Course it didn't hurt that JGR has a history of dominance at Hot-Lana. But Mr. Vickers is rapidly pulling Red Bull into the lime light also.

Ending question: Will Kyle Busch win a Championship this year? He's leading or near the top in all 3 series (CTS, Nationwide and Cup). Right now he's the hottest thing in NASCAR. Whether you call him Kyle, Busch 2, Shrub, Rowdy, Wild Thing or some others I can't post in a family oriented forum, he's definitely stolen the spotlight from Jr., though the media (and the Jr-Nation) are still hopeful Jr. will come back. And he will, RH has lots of bucks to throw at the 88. But will they be enough to stop the Wild Thing?

[Phils20]

What was he thinking? Yes, I wonder what thoughts were bouncing around in DJ's noggin' when Kyle came up behind him with just over a lap to go. Either he didn't see (or hear from his spotter) the leader was on his tail, or he didn't feel the need to give a professional courtesy of either signaling Kyle which way to go around or moving out of the way. Must have been listening to that Hip-Hop stuff....(it rots the mind!)

I heard somewhere that DJ was asked three times to let him by, and responded with "tell him to pass me where he can".

That could either mean his car was driving so bad, he could really only run that line and keep the car under him, or screw you Kyle, drive around if you have to! Take your pick!

[Ellison]

too bad Kyle didn't wreck acting like that.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

What was he thinking? Yes, I wonder what thoughts were bouncing around in DJ's noggin' when Kyle came up behind him with just over a lap to go. Either he didn't see (or hear from his spotter) the leader was on his tail, or he didn't feel the need to give a professional courtesy of either signaling Kyle which way to go around or moving out of the way. Must have been listening to that Hip-Hop stuff....(it rots the mind!)

There's plenty of real estate out there for Busch to occupy.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Quality88

There's plenty of real estate out there for Busch to occupy.

Yeah really. Poor Jarrett looked to be comfortable with the track-ability of his walker.

We see DJ as a top level good person, successful competitor, excellent representative of the sport, one responsible for years of enjoyment here. His planned upcoming departure for us is welcome for while we will always remember him well, many more current fans of the sport may measure him only by his more recent showings (past 2-4 years). He could easily whitewash over his real value by overstaying. "Today" folks could care less about the History Channel.

We watched as the 18 crammed up against the 44 in the last/closing lap(s). Multiple thoughts crossed the mind. We'll share 'em, what da flip:

* 18 ain't no points racer
* 44 deserves some level of consideration/respect
* Don't be a jerk 18
* Don't be a jerk 44

In the end, it settled for both cleanly. Clearly by the design of One greater than us all.

[PenelopePitStop]

Thanks, RD!

I thought the race was a bore. The way the leader could pull so far ahead of the others isn't racing. It's just driving fast. Even when Jr. pulled out early on, I started flipping channels. Too much single-file racing for my taste. Bristol will get my attention.

Tires are an interesting subject. It may be my imagination, but in addition to the tires slowing the cars, it seems to me that there have been more blown tires so far this season than usual. Maybe not.

As for DJ, I will say this: At least he didn't battle side by side with the leader(s) when he had no chance of winning or improving his position like another driver did.

Again, Burton did really well. I'm getting really annoyed that he doesn't get the coverage he deserves. It's always the same drivers every week. I knew more about how bad Johnson was doing than I did how well Burton was doing. Makes me angry ... well, disappointed.

Another thing I noticed is that I haven't seen that "through the field" thing. You know, when they cover every driver's position? Is it FOX? I actually like that. They usually do it in the middle of the race once it gets boring, but I don't think I've seen it yet this year.

[jks812]

What was he thinking- I kinda like it when a lapped car, or any other for that matter, don't just pull over and let them by. If they're that good they can pass and if they can't pass let em ride behind them.

The ticker- I finally just quit trying to notice it.

Ending question- I think it's great to get to watch somebody else for a change.

[NASCAR Gnome]

Originally Posted by Phils20

I heard somewhere that DJ was asked three times to let him by, and responded with "tell him to pass me where he can".

That could either mean his car was driving so bad, he could really only run that line and keep the car under him, or screw you Kyle, drive around if you have to! Take your pick!

I find this story very ironic and somewhat sad because when Kyle Busch passed Dale Jarrett, (to me) it was also a symbolic passing of the torch from one legendary driver of an era many years removed to the current driver and standard. The beauty of this whole exchange was there appeared to be absolutely no love lost between these two drivers! As nice and cordial as Dale Jarrett is outside a race car, he wasn't about to yield to a young gun no matter who it was!

The moral of the encounter? The kind Mr. Jarrett found out very rudely that TIME - and Kyle Busch - waits for no one!

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Ending question: Will Kyle Busch win a Championship this year? He's leading or near the top in all 3 series (CTS, Nationwide and Cup). Right now he's the hottest thing in NASCAR. Whether you call him Kyle, Busch 2, Shrub, Rowdy, Wild Thing or some others I can't post in a family oriented forum, he's definitely stolen the spotlight from Jr., though the media (and the Jr-Nation) are still hopeful Jr. will come back. And he will, RH has lots of bucks to throw at the 88. But will they be enough to stop the Wild Thing?

I don't think it will be this year, but it could very well happen in the next couple years. I think it was DW talking during the race about how Kyle has to learn to back off and race at 90% instead of 110% at certain times. He said once he realized that he became a better driver. Point in case was when he had a 5 plus second lead and was driving just as hard and getting sideways coming off the turns. That will catch up to him eventually and a win or top 3 will be lost and he will be in the garage. That said he may be the most talented driver in the cup and I am beginning to like him for his ability...not so much on the personality side, but he does have skill.
Jr has been overshadowed, but you give him a top 10 in California like he should have had (if not for Mears) then he would be second in the standings. So it's not like he hasn't been driving great.

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

50K mile tire? I understand from my son that the tire was the major cause for the slow race. Seems it was 4 seconds per lap slower than last year's race (partially the difference in the CON and the previous car) and fully 2 seconds slower per lap than earlier testing at the track. Tony wasn't the only one who said bad things about the tire, but he was most vocal and HE WAS RIGHT!!!

I think this was the story of the race. It caused everyone to go slower and didn't allow for much side-by-side driving, so it was made it less entertaining.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

One thing I found interesting was in Kyle's victory lane interview. He might be out there zooming around the track with a hotshot attitude, but I thought it was pretty cool to see that he actually knows his place in the sport, and I like the fact that it meant alot to him to have Coach Gibbs' 18 car back in victory lane at Atlanta.

[PenelopePitStop]

I forgot something!

Anyone else notice the empty seats on Sunday?

A week or so ago, there were still commercials for tickets to Bristol and there are still commercials for Loudon. Wonder what the TV ratings are ...

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

I forgot something!

Anyone else notice the empty seats on Sunday?

A week or so ago, there were still commercials for tickets to Bristol and there are still commercials for Loudon. Wonder what the TV ratings are ...

Yeah I noticed the seats as well. Here are some TV numbers from Jayski's:

Overnight TV Ratings up for Atlanta: NASCAR on Fox TV Ratings hit a five-year high for the second straight week. This time the good news came from Atlanta, where yesterday's race earned a 5.6/12 [overnight/fast], Fox's top Atlanta race rating since 2003 and a +19% gain over last year's 4.7/10. Remarkably, FOX's 5.6/12 for the race nearly matched the combined ratings of head-to-head competition on ABC, CBS, and NBC (5.7/12), and when national ratings are released it's likely that FOX will beat that three-network total. For the season-to-date, NASCAR On FOX is averaging a 6.8/13, a +5% gain over last year's 6.5/13. Excluding the rain-impacted Fontana race, FOX has now aired five Sprint Cup programs this year, and all five have been either flat or up in the metered markets.(FoxPR), for the full season of ratings and chart, see my 2008 TV Ratings Page(3-10-200 Comment here


here is a list of tv ratings so far this year.
Jayski's® Silly Season Site - TV Ratings 2008

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

I thought the race was a bore. The way the leader could pull so far ahead of the others isn't racing. It's just driving fast. Even when Jr. pulled out early on, I started flipping channels. Too much single-file racing for my taste. Bristol will get my attention.

If my memory serves me correct (and it probably doesn't) it seems like the leader of every race this year has been able to get way ahead of the pack. Something to do with the car (COT) itself ???

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Bryan88

Yeah I noticed the seats as well. Here are some TV numbers from Jayski's:

Overnight TV Ratings up for Atlanta: NASCAR on Fox TV Ratings hit a five-year high for the second straight week. This time the good news came from Atlanta, where yesterday's race earned a 5.6/12 [overnight/fast], Fox's top Atlanta race rating since 2003 and a +19% gain over last year's 4.7/10. Remarkably, FOX's 5.6/12 for the race nearly matched the combined ratings of head-to-head competition on ABC, CBS, and NBC (5.7/12), and when national ratings are released it's likely that FOX will beat that three-network total. For the season-to-date, NASCAR On FOX is averaging a 6.8/13, a +5% gain over last year's 6.5/13. Excluding the rain-impacted Fontana race, FOX has now aired five Sprint Cup programs this year, and all five have been either flat or up in the metered markets.(FoxPR), for the full season of ratings and chart, see my 2008 TV Ratings Page(3-10-200 Comment here


here is a list of tv ratings so far this year.
Jayski's® Silly Season Site - TV Ratings 2008

Interesting! Thanks, Bryan.