Keselowski Goes Back-to-Back in Thunder Valley

Brad Keselowski was the break-out star of 2011.  He ended the season on a roll, and many were wondering if he could keep it up in 2012.  Well, Brad Keselowski showed everyone that he is here to stay, with his second-straight victory at the famous Bristol Motor Speedway.

Brad Keselowski celebrates in Bristol's victory lane (Courtesy Getty Images)

Greg Biffle started on the pole, and it didn't take long for the first caution to come out.  On lap 24, Kasey Kahne slid his car off the nose of Regan Smith, which started a pile-up heading into turn 1.  Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Marcos Ambrose, and Kevin Harvick all piled into Kahne's Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.  This is not the start that Kasey Kahne wanted to his season, and when speaking to reporters, he seemed frustrated; "I listened too much to my spotter, I guess."  Kahne felt the blame should be split between himself and Regan Smith.  Listening to what Smith told his crew, he doesn't see it that way; "I was out there, he just didn't give me no damn room!"

This lap 3 crash collected some of the race favorites (Courtesy Getty Images)

AJ Allmendinger led the field to the green flag on lap 47, and he was able to hold the lead until lap 95, when Brian Vickers took the lead from Allmendinger.  Vickers, who doesn't have a full-time ride for 2012, started a limited schedule for Michael Waltrip Racing, driving the No. 55 car that was vacated by Mark Martin this weekend.  Martin, who is only driving a partial schedule, sat out this weekend's race at Bristol.  He will return to the car in Fontana next weekend.

Brian Vickers (55) leads AJ Allmendinger (Courtesy Getty Images)

On lap 116, Ken Schrader hit the wall, bringing out the second caution of the day.  All the leaders pitted, and Vickers was able to keep the lead.  On lap 122, the race went back green, Vickers was able to hold the lead for a while.  Nearly 100 laps later, on 217, Brad Keselowski was able to get around Brian Vickers for the lead.  Keseloswki regained the lead after green flag pit stops, and held the lead all the way until the caution came out on lap 340.  Following pit stops, Keselowski remained first, followed by Matt Kenseth.

Keselowski leads Matt Kenseth late in the race (Courtesy Getty Images)

The race went back green on lap 346, and by lap 348, Matt Kenseth was the leader.  Kenseth held the lead until the fourth caution came out on lap 359.  Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. got together, and the tailpipe on the 88 car cut down the left rear of Jeff Gordon.  Gordon spun going into the corner and hit the wall.

Jeff Gordon slides down the track after hitting the wall (Courtesy Getty Images)

Kenseth led the field to the green flag on lap 371, but Keselowski would not let him get away.  After racing side-by-side for the lead for almost 15 laps, Keselowski's patience finally paid off and he was able to get the lead from the 17 car.  Kenseth was stalking Keselowski around the track until the caution came out on lap 478, when Tony Stewart was sent into the wall by Brendan Gaughan. 

On the final restart with 17 laps to go, Keselowski picked the outside lane for the first time, and was able to clear Matt Kenseth .  The race went green from then on, and Matt Kenseth was not able to make up any time on Keselowski following the restart.  Michael Waltrip Racing rounded out the top 5, with Martin Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer, and Brian Vickers finishing 3rd, 4th, and 5th, respectively.

Brad Keselowski crosses the finish line to win his second race at Bristol (Courtesy Getty Images)

Next weekend, the Sprint Cup Series rolls into Fontana and the Auto Club Speedway for the Auto Club 400.  A 1.5 mile oval, this track should be strong for some drivers who need the help; Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch, who both wrecked today, and Jimmie Johnson, who is still coming back from his Daytona penalty.  The green flag waves next Sunday at 2:30 EST, only on FOX.

Stewart Hits the Jackpot

Tony Stewart had never won at Las Vegas Motor Speedway coming into the Kobalt Tools 400.  Last season, he led the most laps before being defeated at the end of the race by Carl Edwards.  But when the checkered flag fell in Las Vegas today, Tony Stewart led Jimmie Johnson across the start/finish line for his 45th career Sprint Cup Series victory.  Johnson came across the line in second, followed by Greg Biffle, Ryan Newman, and Carl Edwards to round out the top five.

Tony Stewart celebrates in Victory Lane (Courtesy Associated Press)

The race began with hope for Junior Nation.  Kasey Kahne started on the pole, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. quickly jumped out to the early lead and led most of the first 75 laps.  But under the second caution for a spin by David Reutimann, Junior took four tires while most of the field took two.  After restarting 16th, Junior was unable to get back to the lead, and finished 10th.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. led early before fading to a 10th place finish (Courtesy Getty Images)

 On the final restart, Matt Kenseth spun the tires, and Carl Edwards went underneath him to make it 3-wide with teammate Greg Biffle.  Coming off turn 2, Kenseth's car got sucked around, and he tapped Kasey Kahne before he slapped the wall multiple times, dropping far down in the running order.  Kenseth would stay on the track, and would finish 22nd.

That set up the sprint to the finish between Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson.  Johnson was able to pull up to the back bumper of Stewart with about four laps to go, but Stewart was able to hold him off and he began to pull away in the last few laps.  Stewart crossed the finish line first, for his first win of 2012.  Stewart, who didn't get his first win of 2011 until the Chase, now finds himself seventh in the point standings, 25 points behind leader Greg Biffle.

Mark Martin finished 18th after contact from Dale Jr. (Courtesy Getty Images)

 Some other notable finishers: After being hit by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the closing laps, Mark Martin finished 18th.  Martin, who will not be racing next weekend at Bristol, told his crew following the race, "Not a bad day, for a bad day."  Denny Hamlin, who won at Phoenix last weekend, finished 20th.  Kyle Busch spun with eight laps to go, and finished 23rd.  Brad Keselowski, who challenged for the lead late, had trouble on the lap 250 restart, and finished 32nd.

Tony Stewart leads the field on a late restart (Courtesy Getty Images)

 Tony Stewart's momentum has carried over from last season, and he looks poised to collect numerous victories.  Jimmie Johnson seems strong, and he seems determined to race his way out of a 25-point penalty following the Daytona 500.  Next week, the Sprint Cup Series rolls into Bristol, and the race promises to have lots of beating and banging.

Blogs for a Cause

Usually, I don't write about things that aren't related to NASCAR or some of my main interests.  I don't try to make my blog political, and I don't want to offend anyone who reads this blog.  But this is something that is very near to my heart, and I would like everyone to sign this petition.  No, it isn't something stupid, like my Weird Al Super Bowl Petition blog, but this is something that is worthwhile; this is a petition to the President of the United States for a strong plan to combat Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's Disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.  In fact, it is the only one in the top 10 without a cure, a prevention, or even a way to slow its progression.  This year alone, Alzheimer's Disease will cost the United States $183 billion.  If action isn't taken now, that cost is expected to rise to $1 trillion by 2050.  Though there are some drugs on the market right now for Alzheimer's treatment, these drugs only target the symptoms of the disease; there is nothing that can be done to stop or reverse the progression of the disease. 

The only way to find a cure for this disease is to understand what causes it.  Unfortunately, the cause is not understood.  Because of this, people with Alzheimer's will continue to get worse.  Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease, and the sufferer must rely on a caregiver.  Unfortunately, as they age, more stress is placed on the caregiver.

You're probably wondering why I'm writing about this.  Unfortunately, my grandfather is currently suffering from this disease.  It's placing great stress on my grandma and my mom.  All I'm asking is that you sign the petition.  I'm not asking you to donate, I'm not asking you to do any work; all I'm asking you to do is sign your name.  Every signature helps.

Usually my blogs will only get about 20 views in a week.  But I'm asking you to post this blog everywhere; Facebook, Twitter, Google+, anywhere.  Make this a world without Alzheimer's, so that families don't have to go through what mine is currently going through.

Denny Hamlin Wins Duel In the Desert

Denny Hamlin was in the lead, headed towards a win at Phoenix International Raceway.  Then, in the midst of a fuel-mileage race, he ran out of gas and finished 12th.  The next week, Denny Hamlin's championship dreams were crushed by Jimmie Johnson, who went on to win his fifth championship.  That was 2010.  Today, Hamlin, who had a down 2011, may have finally recovered from his 2010 heartbreak.  Hamlin was able to hold off Kevin Harvick to win the Subway Fresh Fit 500.

Denny Hamlin celebrates his win at Phoenix (Photo courtesy Getty Images)

 At the beginning of the race, Clint Bowyer's day went downhill.  On lap 16, Bowyer cut down a tire to bring out the first caution.  Then, on lap 25, Bowyer cut down another tire, and had to go the pits to get the car fixed after hitting the wall.  Without a caution, Bowyer would fall a few laps down.  He finished 30th, six laps down.

Race favorite Kasey Kahne smacked the wall hard on lap 31, and took his car behind the wall.  Kahne, who crashed in his Hendrick Motorsports debut in the Daytona 500, finished 34th, 38 laps down.  Kahne now finds himself 32nd in points, 64 points out of the lead.

Kevin Harvick led 88 laps en route to a runner-up finish (Photo courtesy Associated Press)

 After pit stops on lap 230, the race became a fuel-mileage race, with many of the drivers not being able to go the rest of the way.  Kevin Harvick, who dominated most of the race, now found himself chasing the leader.  When Carl Edwards and Ryan Newman got together, bringing out the seventh caution, Harvick found himself in fourth. 

Ryan Newman hits the wall after contact from Carl Edwards (Photo courtesy Getty Images)

With ten laps to go, Harvick began to reel in leader Denny Hamlin.  With about six laps to go, the leaders caught some lapped traffic, and Hamlin was able to pick his way past the slower cars.  But in doing so, he let Harvick pull right up to his back bumper.  But with a lap and a half to go, Harvick ran out of gas, and that opened the doors for Denny Hamlin to win his first race since Michigan last June.  Hamlin told reporters that was surprised by his team's performance today.  "I don't know where this came from.  We were solidly off in practice.  We were off, but we kept getting it better and closer and closer to being competitive, but I had no idea that we were going to fire off like we did today," Hamlin said.

Hamlin crosses the line in first place (Photo courtesy Getty Images)

Kevin Harvick was still able to finish 2nd, even though he ran out of gas.  Following Harvick was Greg Biffle.  Jimmie Johnson, who was strong early in the race, finished 4th, and Brad Keselowski finished 5th.  Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., and Jeff Gordon finished 6th, 7th, and 8th, respectively.  Pole-sitter Mark Martin finished 9th, and Joey Logano finished 10th.

The Sprint Cup Series may have finished the race in Phoenix, but they aren't done on the west coast.  Next week, the stars of the Sprint Cup Series head to Las Vegas, where Carl Edwards won last season.  It should be fun to watch next week, when the Sprint Cup Series heads into the Sin City!

Matt Kenseth Survives Long Daytona Weekend

The Daytona 500 was supposed to be run at 1 P.M. on Sunday afternoon, but the rains came and postponed it until noon on Monday.  But at around 10:15 Monday morning, NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway officials decided to postpone the race again, pushing the race back until 7 P.M., making it the first prime-time NASCAR race.  The race included a 2 hour, 5 minute red flag after Juan Pablo Montoya destroyed a jet dryer, and, a little after one o'clock in the morning, Matt Kenseth won the first Daytona 500 run on a Tuesday.

Matt Kenseth with the Harley J. Earl Trophy (Photo courtesy Getty Images)

 The race promised fireworks, and it sure delivered.  On lap 2, Jimmie Johnson was hooked by Elliot Sadler, and it started a chain-reaction crash.  Along with Johnson, the crash also included Trevor Bayne, David Ragan, Kurt Busch, and Danica Patrick.  Johnson would go on to finish 42nd, and it could leave him in a hole heading into Phoenix.  If Johnson is penalized for an illegal C-post (chances are he will), he could start the race in Phoenix with -22 points!  That sixth championship just got a little more tricky.

Danica Patrick and Jimmie Johnson wreck on lap 2 (Photo courtesy Associated Press)

 NASCAR and DIS decided to make a $200,000 bonus to the driver who led the race at halfway.  Martin Truex Jr. led that lap, so Truex Jr. should be getting a pretty nice check in the mail. 

The race was about 40 laps from the finish when Clint Bowyer's 5-Hour Energy Toyota ran out of gas.  I guess there is no crash; you just stop on the track.  Under the ensuing caution, something broke on Juan Pablo Montoya's car, and it sent him careening towards one of the jet dryers trying to dry the track.  After being released from the infield care center, Montoya told reporters, "I told them when I left the pits something wasn't right and I felt a weird vibration when we were with the pack. ... I was going down the back straightaway. ... I got on the brakes to travel up and while I was telling the spotter to have a look on how the rear was moving, the car just turned right."

Track workers try to contain the fire from a jet dryer (Photo courtesy US Presswire)

The ensuing explosion and fire was a big one; crews worked feverishly to contain the 200 gallons of jet fuel that were now igniting on the race track.  The driver of the truck had to be helped down, and was sent to Daytona's Halifax Medical Center for further observation.  He was soon released, and is now comfortably resting at his Michigan home. 

After a two hour and five minute red flag delay, which included Tide, Brad Keselowski tweeting from inside the car, some famous Bondo, and a shuttle bus filled with crew members, the race was resumed with 40 laps to go.

Brad Keselowski was tweeting during the red flag (Photo courtesy Brad Keselowski)

 Following the long delay, it didn't take long for another caution to come out.  Marcos Ambrose and Casey Mears both spun down the track, in a synchronized spin.  Neither car was really damaged, and following the Montoya accident, this was very mild. 

Another crash on Lap 187 collected Jamie McMurray, Kasey Kahne, AJ Allmendinger, and Brad Keselowski.  Then, Tony Stewart spun on lap 196 to set up a green-white-checkered finish.  The crash collected Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman, and 2011 Nationwide Champ Ricky Stenhouse Jr., among others. 

When the race took the green flag, it was a mad dash to the finish.  After taking the white flag, Greg Biffle and Dale Earnhardt Jr. hooked up behind Matt Kenseth and tried to make a move, but they could not catch him.  Kenseth's Ford engine was just too much for them to handle, and he won his second Daytona 500.  Even though his car was fast, it didn't mean Kenseth wasn't a little bit worried that he would be passed on the last lap.  "The 16 had one of the strongest cars all week, and I think ours was right there, as well.  Our car, for some reason, was a lot faster out front than it was in traffic.  My car was one of the faster cars, so it was harder for some of the cars to push you and stay locked onto you.  And we had enough speed once we took the white, I felt sort of OK about it, but I still thought they were going to get a run and pass me," Kenseth told reporters. 

Matt Kenseth beats Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Greg Biffle to the line (Photo courtesy Getty Images)

Denny Hamlin, who had a very fast car all night, finished fourth, while Richard Childress Racing teammates Jeff Burton, Paul Menard, and Kevin Harvick finished fifth, sixth, and seventh, respectively.  Carl Edwards finished eighth, followed by Joey Logano in ninth.  Mark Martin, in his debut with Michael Waltrip Racing, rounded out the top ten. 

Mark Martin races with Dave Blaney (Photo courtesy SPEED)

 This year's Daytona 500 will definitely go down as one of the most memorable.  Between rain and fire, no one will forget this for some time.  The race proved to be a great season-opener, and I'm ready to move on to Phoenix.  Though, I might first take a nap.  Or two.

Is Kyle Busch the New Dale Earnhardt?

The Intimidator.  The Man In Black.  Two names that have become synonymous with one of NASCAR's greatest drivers, Dale Earnhardt.  Earnhardt had 76 victories and seven Sprint Cup Championships in his Hall of Fame career.  His legacy lives on, following his tragic death on the last lap in the 2001 Daytona 500.  Throughout his career, Earnhardt was a polarizing figure.  He was either loved or hated.  He wrecked numerous drivers for the win, and he could manhandle a car like no other driver.

Dale Earnhardt (Photo courtesy ESPN.com)

Rowdy.  Wild Thing.  Two names that describe Kyle Busch.  Throughout Busch's career, he has been a very polarizing driver.  Many call him a punk because of his attitude on and off the track.  Busch has only been racing in NASCAR since 2001, but he already has impressive numbers; 104 NASCAR Wins, the 2009 Nationwide Series Championship, and the Nationwide Series Wins record.  Many people believe that comparing Busch to Dale Earnhardt is sacrilegious, but following Busch's amazing Budweiser Shootout performance, the comparison must be made.

Kyle Busch with wife Samantha on the grid at Daytona (Photo courtesy Getty Images)

 Earnhardt was one tough SOB on the track, but off the track he was a lovable prankster.  Busch is a hard-charging driver on the track, with a take-no-prisoners attitude during the race.  This has led to some scuffles with drivers.  In 2011 alone, Busch had run-ins with Kevin Harvick at Darlington and Ron Hornaday at Texas.  The result of the Hornaday altercation was a one-race suspension in the Cup Series, and his sponsor, M&M's, refused to be on the car for the rest of the season.

His off-track personality has not been much better.  The sometimes-immature Busch ran into some trouble last season, when he was cited for going 128 mph in a 45 mph zone.  This mistake led to a $1,000 fine and a loss of his license for 45 days.

Although he has had many mistakes along the way, many people forget that Busch is only 26 years old.  He began racing in the Truck Series in 2001, at the age of 16.  Busch is still maturing, and his driving seems to be getting better with age.  If he can keep his temper under control, he should become one of the best drivers to ever strap into a NASCAR stock car. 

Dale Earnhardt was a hero to many race fans, and he left a hole in the sport that has yet to be filled.  Maybe Busch can fill the hole that was left in the sport when Earnhardt died.  Many hate to hear Busch be compared to Earnhardt, but even fellow Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip is making the comparison when talking about Busch's Budweiser Shootout saves.  I believe that, in time, Kyle Busch will become as good, if not greater, than Dale Earnhardt was.

Kyle Busch Survives Wild Shootout to Win

Kyle Busch survived two near-spins and a frantic run to the finish to win the Budweiser Shootout.  The first save came on lap 48, when Jimmie Johnson tapped Busch's rear bumper, sending him onto the apron, then back up on the track.  On lap 74, Jeff Gordon got into the back of Busch, and while Busch was able to save his car, Gordon made contact with Kurt Busch and started a multi-car accident.  After the field went back green, Busch pushed Stewart into the tri-oval, where he ducked out from behind the No. 14 and beat Stewart by .010 seconds.

Kyle Busch nips Tony Stewart at the line (Photo courtesy Getty Images)

NASCAR made changes to the cars prior to the 2012 season so that it would make it harder for drivers to tandem draft with each other, and the racing returned to the big packs.  The big pack did not take long to produce "The Big One."  On lap 9, David Ragan turned Paul Menard, setting off a chain-reaction crash that also collected Kasey Kahne, Denny Hamlin, Michael Waltrip, and Matt Kenseth.  Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer, and Tony Stewart were also damaged in the accident.

The second "Big One" occurred with 20 laps remaining, when Marcos Ambrose tapped Joey Logano to start a multi-car accident that destroyed the cars of Ambrose, Logano, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., and Matt Kenseth.

Jeff Gordon's car flips after getting into a wreck with two laps to go (Photo courtesy Getty Images)

 Then, coming to the white flag, Jeff Gordon got into the back of Kyle Busch and sent him sideways.  The wreck collected Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, and Jamie McMurray.  As a result of the wreck, Gordon was sent sliding down the track on his driver's side door, then began to flip until finally coming to rest on his roof.

Kyle Busch celebrates winning the Budweiser Shootout (Photo courtesy Getty Images)

This race was a little nerve-wracking, but overall it was a very close race that did not disappoint.  On Sunday, the drivers will return to the track, to qualify for the Daytona 500.  We are now within a week of "The Great American Race," and I cannot be more excited.  I'm ready to see Mark Martin's first race in the No. 55 Michael Waltrip Racing car.  Who knows, maybe when the checkered flag falls, Mark Martin will find himself in victory lane for the first time in his long career.