Ryan Newman didn’t lead a single lap during Saturday’s Chevy Rock-n-Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway. And I’m darn happy about it! In fact, I’d go as far as to say, “Jeremy Mayfield, I love you man!” (editorial disclaimer: surely that is merely a figure of speech)

Why do I dislike Ryan Newman?

I don’t. I like him. I’m glad he made the Chase. I just didn’t want to witness any more of the mockery that has become drivers giving other drivers 5-bonus points for leading a lap.

Newman stayed out during an early caution, so did Mayfield. Newman, not being solidly in the Chase (he and McMurray were the most likely drivers for the #10 spot), was hoping to cash in on 5-bonus points for leading a lap. Newman was in second right behind Mayfield and never got around him. Jeremy is gonna make you race him for the lead. Way to go Jeremy! Thanks for keeping racing…racing.”

“Cautions breed cautions” is hereby offically changed to “Commercial breed cautions.”

I was motivated by Elliott Sadler’s yellow-flag-inducing spin during the lap 108 commercial break of Saturday’s “Chevy Rock-n-Roll 400″ at Richmond International Raceway on TNT. Why do all the yellows happen during a commercial? Turns out, almost half of the cautions for this race occured during a commercial break. My undocumented memory tells me that’s a conservative number compared to many races.

Is it just a fluke?

I don’t think so. I’m not a TV insider, but it seems that the network has a policy of running commercials whenever the race stays green for a pre-determined number of laps.

“We’re gonna reap the motherlode on this race. Every 25 laps, were doing 5 commercials, baby!” – a TNT highup muckitymuck

How many times do we need to be reminded that WANTED is a TNT original series, playing Sunday at 10/9c?”

I love California. Driven through much of it. Would like to someday live in San Diego with its 72° year-round weather. But the ‘clean-air-enviroment’ influence of the tree huggers seemed a little too pervasive at Sunday’s race at California Speedway.

Were so many teams subconsciously caving in to being PC? I counted 8 cars that were running mostly white paint schemes.

Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Scott Wimmer, Dale Jarrett, Kurt Busch & Mark Martin all sported the fresh, clean white look.”

Sometimes the flagrant commercialization of NA$CAR is really humorous. Whether it was the marketing brillance of Sara Lee’s Ball Park Franks ad department or NBC (who sells every inch of television space available) you gotta love the: “Ball Park Franks Lucky Dog Award.”

Last year, Ball Park Franks were on the Kingsford Charcoal #59 car. How brilliant.”

“The Roush boys passed the lead between one another like a bag of chips on race day during Sunday nights race at California Speedway. Should drivers be giving 5 bonus points to teammates?

The Roush Ballet

Sunday nights race at California Speedway showed what happens when multi-car teams are running together upfront. 5 bonus points for Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin & Kurt Busch simply because they are teammates. Does this seem fair? It’s (yet another) major disadvantage for 2-car team ‘Chase’ drivers like: Tony Stewart, Rusty Wallace, Jeremy Mayfield & Jamie McMurray.

Quick. How many points did Kurt Busch win the 2004 Nextel Cup Championship by? It was 8 points.

The times they (need to be) a changin’

The 5 bonus point rule for leading a lap needs to be tossed out. It has become a victim of the racing comglomerates that now rule the sport.”

Most of the Sharpie 500 drama centered around Jarrett, Newman and Harvick. But, it was the Kyle Petty and Carl Edwards audioless exchange that remains with me. The facial expressions, head nodding, shoulder clasping and grins said it all. I gained greater respect for both.

Easy there Carl

I don’t know whether Carl Edwards was being aggressive or just out-of-control, but he managed to ruin the night for Jeff Green and Kyle Petty. And Lord knows, Jeff and Kyle don’t need any help in getting to the rear of the pack.
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“The NASCAR rumor mill has spit out another seed of craziness with the concept of having fans vote in an 11th driver to the Chase. What lunacy. It seems the horror of Golden Boy Jeff Gordon’s inability to squeak into the Chase, and the certainty that Earnhardt Jr.’s dismal performance will keep him on the outside looking in, some people want to be able to vote them in. I saw it mentioned in this article from FoxSports.com. Please tell me no one could seriously think this is a good idea.

There’s an overwhelming perception in NASCAR that its playoff system will be a bust if Earnhardt and Gordon are locked out, and it led to a fast-spreading rumor this summer that a rule was being considered that would allow fans to vote one driver into the Chase. -FoxSports.com

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“Where does ‘One Bad Wheel’ weigh-in on the Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray contract disputes? Do you care? (cut me slack, jack). Roush and Ganassi should release these guys to drive in their new rides for the 2006 season.

Every man for himself

C’mon now. Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray have got to look out for themselves. These fat cat owners have more money than they know what to do with. Sure, Busch and McMurray are making a heckofa lot more than Bubba Stevens down at the local track, but Nascar has become a cashcow.

NA$CAR

NASCAR’s surging popularity in the last few years has brought unbelievable amounts of revenue to the France family. Brian France has propelled the NASCAR brand to uncharted heights. From the signing of the Nextel sponsorship to the ‘Race for the Chase’ concept, he is a marketing genius. Bill France Jr. is worth $1.3 billion and ranked #507 on Forbes list of the World’s richest people. So, should a NASCAR driver settle for anything less than the most money he can possibly get? Busch and McMurray are both currently bound by long-term development contracts. The money they signed up for and their current earning capacity just don’t jibe.

What’s good for the goose…

Owners don’t get flack for firing their non-performing (contracted) drivers. Look at Jason Leffler, Sterling Marlin, Ricky Craven, Steve Park, Jeff Green, Ward Burton. The list could go on and on. If a driver has his job only as long as he is winning or in the Top 10, why shouldn’t the owner be subject to the same requirements in regards to pay?

Let ‘em go

Besides the absurdity of having 1-year interim drivers in the #2 and #6. We all want to see just how these boys will do in two of the most famous cars around. Let ‘em race in 2006. Don’t make us wait another whole year.”

Saturday night racing. Short track. Fast cars. Helmets, heat shields and fingers flying. Bristol Motor Speedway. Need I say more?

Nothing matches the anticipation of Saturday night at Bristol.

Current Point Standings: Position 8 through 14

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