DaleJrAndNascar.com

(Compliments of Chris Graythen)

Dale Jr. really could have used the second practice at Chicago. He started on the out side pole because qualifying was rained out, then struggled all day to get the car dialed in. There were very few cautions until 50 laps to go, but he managed to move from 30th to 16th, maintaining 2nd place in points.

There was some good racing under the lights for the first time in Chicago, but it was obvious from the beginning that track position would be the key. Carl Edwards enjoyed it, until his bad luck returned. Jimmy Johnson enjoyed it until the last caution. Kyle Bush enjoyed it most of the day. His complaining while back in traffic was reminiscent of Jeff Gordon not too long ago.

In fact, Kyle Bush reminds me a lot of Jeff Gordon. Both came into the sport at a young age, but with years of experience. They stepped into good equipment with established teams. Had Kyle waited a year to mature, he might still be at Hendricks, but he’d still be winning this year. I remember Jeff Gordon tearing up equipment in his early years. They both have a lot of talent, though charisma seems to take longer to acquire.

Tony Stewart’s announcement was one of the worst kept secrets in the garage. I’m happy for him and hope it works out at Stewart Haas Racing. I’m betting Zippy follows when his contract expires. I think he’s every bit a Chevy fan as Tony. Any rumors about J.J. Yeley after filling in as Tony’s relief driver?

(compliments of NASCAR.com)

This was great racing! It started out freight train style due to the impound. But as the crews got to work on the cars, the race got better. Dale Jr. may have finished 8th, but it was exciting to watch him lead, fall back, work his way to the front continually. And it's easier to finish 8th when you've had a good car all day! He was again the top finishing Hendricks car. Jeff Gordon got clipped on the last re-start and went from 2nd to 30th; Jimmy Johnson's 48 didn't handle outside the middle groove and finished well back with Casey Mears.

This pretty much sums up the end of a good day at Loudon for Dale Jr. I don't see how Dale Jr. could have avoided this one. It was obvious that Jamie Mac didn't see him trying to enter pit road. But the Never-Quit 88 team had him back on the track and still in the run for the points.

Dale Jr. and his fans have survived Sonoma’s race and won’t have to go back for another year. Dale Jr. finished a quiet 12th and remains 3rd in points, which is a relief. Infineon has not been kind to Dale Jr.
For the most part, the race was all about KB, but Kevin Harvick (dropped to 13th in points), Marcus Ambrose and Elliot Sadler kept the day interesting. Kevin hit a long slide in one corner and turned Jamie McMurry (running 3rd, finished 18th ) who turned Tony Stewart (running 2nd, finished 10th). David Gilliland couldn’t keep up and KB drove away. Marcus tried the inside of one corner and turned & irritated Juan Montoya (finished 6th). Elliot was running in the top 5, had a tire go down and tried to nurse it to the finish, but wound up in the wall and 19th.

So, on to New Hampshire and the fickle New England weather.

(compliments of Nascar.com)

Wouldn’t you know it, the first race I’ve missed in over 2 years, and Dale Jr. wins. We were vacationing in beautiful South Dakota, but got to watch the highlights on Speed, and then watch the recorded race when we got home to Arizona.

Doesn’t Dale Jr. make you proud! Instead of thanking his myriad of sponsors first, he wishes Dads a Happy Fathers Day, and says he can’t wait to celebrate with his family. He gives credit for the win to Tony Jr. and his crew. And what a win! This should temporarily stifle those critics who wouldn’t count the wins at Daytona. Why is a win not a win if points aren’t involved?

Anyway, it’s on to Sonoma, unfortunately not Dale Jr.’s best track. But with the high from Michigan, look for him to still have a good finish. Because that’s what he’s been doing this year, finishing in the top 5 or 10. He has a solid 3rd place in the points, only 84 behind KB, and climbing. We’re talking CHAMPIONSHIP YEAR!

DaleJrAndNascar.com

Chicagoland Under the Lights

Excitement at Daytona

"Sorry, I didn't see him"

Survived Infineon!

Happy Fathers Day at Michigan