Bench Racing with Steve and Charlie

NASCAR is playing French-Canadian roulette

Bill Davis Racing's announcement this week that Jacques Villenueve would attempt to make his Nextel Cup Series debut at next week's Talladega race, has had me scratching my head.  What's the hurry? 

Jacques had a nice, first NASCAR race in the Craftsman Truck Series race last week.  He qualified decent.  Raced respectfully before wrecking.  By all accounts his testing sessions at Talladega in the Car of Tomorrow were fine.

Jacques is a fantastic talent and highly accomplished champion in both Indy Cars at the Indy 500 and in Formula One as a World Champion.  But that track in Alabama and this race are not the place to get your stock car feet wet - especially not during the Chase for the Nextel Cup. 

Jeff Gordon is "fired up" about the whole deal too.

"I am a big fan of Jacques, but I think this is not the right decision, I just look at that race in the Chase - Why? You want to run a race, go to Atlanta, go to one of the mile-and-a-half tracks. I am very, very surprised that was approved as his first Cup race. "

The chances of Villenueve actually qualifying for the race are probably pretty slim.  If he does though, the crap shoot/wild card  that is the Talladega Chase Race will be even more risky than normal.

"It makes no sense to me other than the fact that NASCAR approved Gilliland last year under a similar situation and they kind of got themselves into a box with that one."

I agree with Gordon.  What is NASCAR thinking? 

Picture credit: Not sure, but Ken Shrader went for a wild one, huh?

NASCAR paint schemes--Too much of a good thing isn't a good thing.

Many of the NASCAR race cars that are seen, week in and week out, are sporting more elaborate paint schemes than ever before.

But they aren't really paint schemes at all.  Say hello to the "vinyl wrap".  Much of the graphics on current race cares are what we would have termed "decals" in the past.  Now almost entire cars are being wrapped in thin vinyl decals--making for some gorgeous "paint" treatments.  Would you like to paint all those m&m's on the side of the 38?

By using modern computer graphic programs and new materials from 3M and others, the modern stock car has come a long way since Ned Jarrett said: "we ran number eleven because it was easy to make two white lines on the door."

Our friend 4ever3 on his blog has his list of the 20 best looking cars of all time.  Check it out.  But along with some great new car looks; have come some really awful ones as well.

Leading the list of cars that are just trying too hard, is almost everything with a number 24 on it.  Especially anything to do with Nicorette.  The puke green Chevys that Jeff Gordon Drives when Nicorette is involved are horrid.  As a matter of fact--give me back the "rainbow" cars of yesteryear.  With much deference to Darrell Waltrip--flames don't always make a car look faster--sometimes they just make it look sillier.  Don't believe me?  Check out the other photo images at Jayski's site.

Bill Elliott's 1997 McDonald's Mac the Night car ranks right up there with some of the rankest schemes ever also.  There are tons of other less than appealing schemes.  We would like to know what you think are the ugliest paint schemes of all time.  Let us know what you think by leaving us a comment.

In a lot of cases the truly ugly cars have way too much use of neon colors.  What is the most overused color?  Neon--anything.

Brian France the sixth most powerful person in sports

Did you notice this week that Business Week, in collaboration with ESPN the Magazine tackled the problem of ranking the sport's world's top 100 most influential individuals, in what they modestly termed "a mammoth and challenging project".

No doubt it was.

While listening to the mainstream sports media noodle this story over the past few days, I found the same anti-NASCAR bias blathered as is always the case when the stick and ball boobs are forced to act like they know what NASCAR is - and that real people, with full sets of teeth actually pay attention to it.  I know it bothers many of you as well.

Brian France, NASCAR chairman and CEO, is listed as the sixth most influential or powerful figure in the mega billion dollar sports business game.  Here is the top ten, in case you missed it.

1. Roger Goodell	Commissioner, NFL
2. Tiger Woods	Golfer
3. David Stern	Commissioner, NBA
4. George Bodenheimer	President, ESPN, ABC Sports; co-chairman, Disney Media Networks
5. Bud Selig	Commissioner, MLB
6. Brian France	Chairman, CEO NASCAR
7. Dick Ebersol	Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics
8. Phil Knight	Chairman, Nike
9. Sean McManus	President, CBS News and Sports
10. Rupert Murdoch	Chairman, CEO, News Corp

Not bad company there, Brian.  Other notable representatives of the so-called major leagues follow.

23. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 27. Gary Bettman Commissioner, NHL 30. Roger Federer Tennis player 57. Bernie Ecclestone Head of Formula 1 Fear not, fellow red necks.  There appears to be hope for us after all. Let's go racin' Y'all.

Carl Edwards turns The Chase upside-down

Roush/Fenway driver, Carl Edwards held off team mate Greg Biffle to win on the concrete at Dover Downs.

Another Roush Fenway Racing driver, Matt Kenseth dominated the race until a blown engine ruined his day.  The Monster Mile lay claim to a host of unsuspecting drivers, as the second visit to Delaware turned into a crash fest, late in the race.

Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon took over the points lead after relinquishing it to team mate Jimmy Johnson for one race.

Kyle Petty and Denny Hamlin gave the fans a little WWF action as Kyle paid a visit to Denny's garage stall while crews were trying to facilitate repairs after the two tangled halfway through the 400 mile event.

The Buzz ON PIT ROW is:

Could a Roush/Fenway Ford driver be a contender for the Cup title after all?"?

The Fast Lap this week asks:

1)  Should NASCAR penalties be more more severe during the Chase than during the regular season?

2) Should someone have physically kept Kyle Petty from visiting Denny Hamlin's garage during the race?

3) Drivers are still hating on the CoT.  Is it basically flawed--or, still, just in need of some off-season tweaking?

4) Is the Monster Mile too much of a monster to be included in The Chase schedule?

Let us know how you feel about these questions, or anything else that happened during this monstrous week in The Chase.  If we like your comments, whether we agree or not, we may use them on the air during Tuesday's ON PIT ROW.  Leave us a comment on the blog or call the show--toll free at 1-877-502-8255 between 5-7pm edt on Tuesdays.

Round 2 of the Chase to the Nextel Cup, ding ding

Jimmy Johnson is on the pole.  Denny Hamlin won Saturday's Busch race.  Juan Pablo Montoya is on the front row.  Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards were fast in practice.  Oh, and Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart are entered too.

Take your pick NASCAR fans.  According to the Channel 12 weather  forecast at  the Ryan Newman Fan, it should be a perfect day.  Who do you like to win this one and kick off the Chase talk for the week?  I think it is tough to go against Martin Truex Jr.  In the second race of the season at any given track, I look at the winner of the first race - Truex this time.  Then I look at the Busch race winner, if the Buschies are at the same venue - a sick Denny Hamlin yesterday.  Hamlin may have been used up by Joe Gibbs Racing and Rockwell Automation, if he is as ill as reported.

Hey, maybe Gibbs will start Hamlin and then sub the driver sure to be in the fourth JGR Toyota before too, long - NASCAR Busch East Series champ Joey Logano.  Won't happen, of course, but what a story that would be.  Maybe we should start a rumor or something?

Enjoy the race and the rest of your Sunday.

Picture credit: Logano - Getty Images for NASCAR - Ring Girl - I don't know, does it really matter?

Ford seems to be circling it's wagons around Roush-Fenway Racing

Final practice for the Dodge Dealers 400 at Dover International Speedway had Denny Hamlin's Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet fastest in the rain shortened session.  Most of the rest of the fast guys were Chevys too.  Pole sitter Jimmy Johnson and last week's winner Clint Boyer were 4th and 5th.

The two Roush Fenway Racing Fords of Chasers Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards were 2nd and 3rd - and Ford Motor Company must audibly sigh and thank the late Henry Ford that someone driving a Fusion may have a chance Sunday.

The late week revelation that Yates Racing may be losing the lead sponsor for the #38 car -  M&M's - to Joe Gibbs Racing  seems potentially devastating.   Yates was the one Ford  organization that seemed it might be able to compete side by side along with Roush Fenway in the NASCAR wars. Things look bleak from here for the team.  Yates is only one year removed from losing the UPS backing on their second car.  Now, the company that has sponsored both entries in 2007 may be heading elsewhere.

Good luck to Doug Yates.  Working closely with Jack Roush may help bolster the team.  Right now it sure doesn't look good.

Picture credit: Beth Anne Heisler - ON PIT ROW

Kasey's new Budweiser Dodge looks awesome

That new #9 Budweiser Dodge of Kasy Kahne for 2008 looks good!  If you have not seen pictures of Kasey's new ride, check these out.

That number nine on there will help me - at least - forget the Budweiser #8 a little quicker.  The swooshes on the passenger side of the car need to be on the other side of the number though.  Unless Evernham Motorsports plans to run in reverse as much in 2008 as they have this season.

I still have a little trouble buying beer from Kasey - but I'm sure he'll help Anhueser Busch sell plenty of it before that sponsorship moves on again.

Is it just me or does the Car of Tomorrow have less quarter panel space for decals than the current car?  On both the Budweiser #9 Dodge and Dale Earnhardt Jr's #88 Amp Energy Drink/Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevys the size of the fender graphic seems a bit small.

Now Kahne and Earnhardt Jr can focus on winning

Just win baby.  That is the famous saying of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis.  It's been awhile for old Al and Raider Nation.  It has been too long for two of NASCAR's most popular and talented stars, as well.

Two days of press conferences, sponsor and number talk are over.  Dale Earnhardt Jr and Kasey Kahne have announced their liveries for 2008.  A summer of rumors and tumult can now settle in to an autumn of racing, at last.

The blogatorials will redirect focus on the Chase to the Nextel Cup Championship, the crowning of Carl Edwards as the last Busch Series champ and tight and interesting Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA ReMax Series stretch runs.

I wonder if either Earnhardt or Kahne can get it together enough to win a race this year. 

Kahne was a six time winner in 2006.  His Evernham Motorsports team  fell behind the curve early in 2007.  Recent strong qualifying runs and a near dominating performance at Bristol in the night race -  if it wasn't for that #99 car -  have had Kasey close.

Dale Junior drove desperately in the closing races of the Race to the Chase for the Cup.  He seemed always to be running in the top five, only to be taken out by engine problems or a dominant drive by someone else.

With the pressures of the business end of NASCAR reduced a bit, I look for both of these guys to get a win in somewhere in the final nine races.  How about Kasey at Charlotte and Martinsville for Junior?

Picture credit: Beth Anne Heisler - ON PIT ROW

Dale Junior's new rides are lookin' good

I found these pictures of Dale Earnhardt Junior's new Amp Energy Drink and National Guard paint schemes for the 2008 Sprint Cup season. 

The Mountain Dew presence is a bit more subdued than I expected but I like the look of both cars.

That National Guard car has a very patriotic look to it.  It's going to take a little while for that #88 to sink in though.  Probably about 100 laps at Daytona.

88 it is for junior

My favorite writer, Lee Spenser of Fox Sports should be boarding the Hendrick Motorsports jet about now.  Lee was our guest ON PIT ROW last Tuesday night and we had to ask her feelings on the Dale Earnhardt Jr press conference, scheduled for early Wednesday afternoon.

She unequivically told us that the number will be 88 - with the fonts styled to match Junior's old #8.  Heads up tatooists.

As for sponsors - it's Mountain Dew and the National Guard with Pepsi's Amp Energy Drink as associate sponsor on both paint schemes.  For those paint schemes, Junior will sport a predominantly white and green car with Mountain Dew as primary sponsor on one ride.  The other car -  be white up front with blue. aft and National Guard as primary   The #88 will be red on both.

There was more to the interview than Junior.  I'm going to try to get a transcript up in the next day or so.  You can hear the whole thing on the re-broadcast of ON PIT ROW Thursday at 7:00 pm edt at RaceTalkRadio.com.

The picture of Lee and Reid Spencer with Steve and me at Indy this year was taken by Beth Anne Heisler for  ON PIT ROW.