http://justafansview.com Just a fan's view of Nascar Sprint Cup Racing Sat, 12 May 2012 17:50:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Just a fan\'s view of Nascar Racing Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing skynorm@embarqmail.com skynorm@embarqmail.com (Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing) Copyright Rusty Norman 2006-2010 Just a fan's view of Nascar Sprint Cup Racing http://justafansview.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://justafansview.com/category/nascar-articles/ TV-G http://justafansview.com/2012/01/18/welcome-nascar-fans-to-2012-and-just-a-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2012/01/18/welcome-nascar-fans-to-2012-and-just-a-fans-view/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:10:18 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2661 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2012/01/18/welcome-nascar-fans-to-2012-and-just-a-fans-view/feed/ 0 http://justafansview.com/2011/11/17/chase-race-at-phoenix-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/11/17/chase-race-at-phoenix-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:44:10 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2635 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/11/17/chase-race-at-phoenix-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar Articles,Nascar fan opinion,The NASCAR Chase *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 ***********************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) *******************************... Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:47 http://justafansview.com/2011/10/08/chase-race-four-at-kansas-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/10/08/chase-race-four-at-kansas-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sat, 08 Oct 2011 18:20:17 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2558 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/10/08/chase-race-four-at-kansas-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar,Nascar Sprint Cup Racing,The NASCAR Chase ***************************Two Buck Themes ad ****************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 - ********************************************************************************************... ***************************Two Buck Themes ad ****************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) ********************************************************************************************* (http://nascarfansview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/091218_iPhoneCamPixes-060-003A-150x150.jpg)Unpredictable... that's what I would call the race that will take place on Sunday afternoon at Kansas Speedway. Well, maybe that is a little strong, but I do know the pressure is on all of the Chasers, (especially those that need a good finish), and Kansas is a very challenging track. It isn't the kind of place any of the Chasers that are struggling a bit want to have problems at and even though they put on good face, you can tell all of them are feeling the pressure to perform. And then you have all of those that aren't in the Chase. They only feel the heat of wanting to win and that makes for very interesting circumstances for all involved in this race. For starters, the starting lineup has five Chasers and five non-Chasers. Greg Biffle isn't in the Chase but is sitting on the pole and he is the defending winner from this time last year. Of course, right along with Greg B iffle are a couple of his teammates from Roush Racing. Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth are just as capable of taking the win Sunday afternoon and they start second and fourth and are in the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship. From my view, this is definitely one of the Chase races of 2011 that I think is likely to be won by a non-Chaser. (Yeah, I know I've said that more than once, but I really do think there is a greater likelihood of it happening this weekend than any so far.) Let me repeat myself one more time... Kansas Speedway is unpredictable (and for more than one reason.) So, what are some of those reasons? Well, I'm glad you asked and I am more than willing to give my opinion (as you already know.) Kansas is a different one-and-a-half mile track than most any other the NASCAR teams face. It is basically a flat track but it is a fast track. The two ends of it are different enough that the drivers have to handle them differently. The biggest concern I hear voiced by the drivers is the exit of turn four. After that, the next biggest concern is the seams in the asphalt. Both of them together seem to make the racing grooves a challenge for the drivers, especially when they are racing two or three wide in the turns and elsewhere on the track and can't choose their favorite line. Now don't misunderstand, I'm not saying the track is precarious but I am saying it is unpredictable and there is a difference. Precarious means dangerous, risky or perilous. I don't think Kansas is that. I do think it is unpredictable and for me, that means there is no guarantee that the line a driver used the last time around that the car is going to respond the same way the next time around, depending of course on the circumstances. I guess the next question is which make is going to end up with the win Sunday afternoon. From this fan's view, that is the question that is going to be the hardest to answer until the race is about half way over. We all know that a Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota sat on the pole last weekend and fell like a rock through the field for the whole race. Will the same thing happen to Greg Biffle and his Roush/Fenway Ford Sunday afternoon? That is a very good question and it is one of those things I was referring to earlier when I said we won't know until the race is about half over. I don't expect any of the Roush Fords to fall like rocks through the field, but since we are talking about NASCAR Cup and possibly basing performance on qualifying times, I guess it could happen. From this fan's view, I just don't think it is likely and I do expect them to be in contention at the end of the race. Overall, Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:55 http://justafansview.com/2011/09/02/sprint-cup-at-bristol-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/09/02/sprint-cup-at-bristol-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Sat, 03 Sep 2011 03:50:23 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2488 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/09/02/sprint-cup-at-bristol-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar fan opinion,Nascar Racing *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 ***********************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) *******************************... Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:04 http://justafansview.com/2011/08/25/michigan-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/08/25/michigan-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:45:58 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2479 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/08/25/michigan-after-thoughts-from-a-nascar-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar Articles,Nascar Sprint Cup Racing *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 ***********************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) *******************************... Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:25 http://justafansview.com/2011/07/21/nascar-at-loudon-after-thoughts-from-a-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/07/21/nascar-at-loudon-after-thoughts-from-a-fans-view/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:22:09 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2441 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/07/21/nascar-at-loudon-after-thoughts-from-a-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar Articles,Nascar Sprint Cup Racing *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 ***********************************************************************************... *******************************Two Buck Themes ad ********************************** MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) *******************************... Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 6:55 http://justafansview.com/2011/06/11/nascar-at-pocono-from-a-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/06/11/nascar-at-pocono-from-a-fans-view/#comments Sat, 11 Jun 2011 20:46:53 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2388 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/06/11/nascar-at-pocono-from-a-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar Articles,Nascar Sprint Cup Racing,stock car racing   MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 Pocono is not an oval, does not have four turns and it is a cross between a road course and an oval. They call it a triangle (and it actually looks like one),   MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) (http://nascarfansview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/091218_iPhoneCamPixes-060-003A-150x150.jpg)Pocono is not an oval, does not have four turns and it is a cross between a road course and an oval. They call it a triangle (and it actually looks like one), but one thing is slightly confusing to me. If NASCAR races at a race track called an oval they have four turns but this track, being a triangle, should have six in my book. When they talk about this track, they talk about as if it is a road course and it only has three turns. Of course, they name some of the turns and straightaways and that is supposed to make it easier for us to understand where they are on the course, (and notice I purposely used course instead of track in this instance just to show there is an assumed difference.) Okay, okay... enough with the trivial stuff already... Pocono is a unique track and it is always interesting to see how the different drivers handle the challenges it presents. Some just love it while others just suffer through it. It is a place you have to sacrifice something in at least one spot to make gains in others and it really does have three distinct turns, each one having its own characteristics. On top of that, the track has three distinct straights and one of them is wide and long and can handle six wide racing to the turn at he end of it. Hopefully, the drivers sort themselves out before they get to that turn or some of them aren't going to make it through. NASCAR has made some interesting changes for the teams to deal with this weekend and one of them is loosening the gear ratio rules so it is advantageous to shift into what many call a passing gear to better accelerate off the turns again. That may or may not be good for all of the drivers, but it will make the race all the more interesting. If they do shift there is the possibility they can miss a shift and that can cause them problems. The expectation, is they will shift to try and pass coming out of the turns by throwing it down into third gear to get a jump off the turn and then back into high gear. Speed is going to be the determining factor on shifting and then there is the concern of how much more fuel they might burn by shifting. Personally, I think shifting is the biggest unknown going into the race tomorrow. I think it will be something the driver will decide on the fly. If it works for them and moves them toward the front, you can bet they'll use it to the fullest advantage. So what is the expectation of how things will go on Sunday afternoon for the 5 hour Energy 500 at Pocono from this fan's view? Well, since you asked, I tell you what I think... First of all, (and judging from the practice and qualifying sessions), I think the bumps in turn one are going to throw more than one car out of balance and possibly out of control. (Mike Skinner's qualifying try was the most obvious example of what I am talking about.) One miscalculation and it can mean losing a lot of ground on a race track that is already hard enough to pass on anyway. If they lose it coming out of turn one, it puts them out of position going into the next turn which can lose them positions and possibly a car as they use one of the walls as a brake. I think the problems will only be more obvious under racing conditions and being able to be in the best groove may be a thing much harder to do when you blow the turn and have to move up the track in that area. Two drivers looking very confident after the qualifying session were Kurt Bush and Denny Hamlin. Bush said he was very pleased with the way he and his team performed to take the pole even in a backup car. I don't think that it necessarily follows that he will win, but I do have to admit the Penske Dodges are looking much stronger than they did just a short time ago in the season. Once again, Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:38 http://justafansview.com/2011/06/11/nascar-at-kansas-after-thoughts-from-a-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/06/11/nascar-at-kansas-after-thoughts-from-a-fans-view/#comments Sat, 11 Jun 2011 18:36:37 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2382 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/06/11/nascar-at-kansas-after-thoughts-from-a-fans-view/feed/ 0 http://justafansview.com/2011/06/04/nascar-at-kansas-from-a-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/06/04/nascar-at-kansas-from-a-fans-view/#comments Sat, 04 Jun 2011 23:28:30 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2377 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/06/04/nascar-at-kansas-from-a-fans-view/feed/ 0 motorsports,Nascar,Nascar fan opinion MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 Kansas in early June is quite a bit different than Kansas in September or October. Many already know that, but what will be the biggest difference this weekend? MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) (http://nascarfansview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/091218_iPhoneCamPixes-060-003A-150x150.jpg)Kansas in early June is quite a bit different than Kansas in September or October. Many already know that, but what will be the biggest difference this weekend? That's a great question and one that will only be answered by the cars taking to the track on Sunday afternoon. We already know it's going to be hot and humid but how the tires help or hinder the cars this weekend is a bit of an unknown. If things go as usual, the tires will be the least of the worries the teams have but the heat and humidity may be a little bit more difficult to deal with. I think the heat will make a difference and a big one as the NASCAR Cup teams hit the track Sunday and one of the biggest problems will be keeping the drivers cool. In my opinion, racing in the heat of the day in the Midwest will prove a challenge to the drivers and the engines and whether or not they last through the shear torture will determine the one that ends up in Victory Lane. From this fan's view, the Hendrick teams didn't qualify well and even though they were able to post some fast times to enter into qualifying, they still appear to be struggling. Mark Martin qualified best for the Hendrick teams but placed in the eighteenth position. It only got worse from there for the other three with Jeff Gordon 22nd, Dale Jr, 28th and Jimmie Johnson 31 st. Of course we all know it isn't how a car qualifies, it is how it races over a number of laps before having to pit, but from my view, it appears the Hendrick teams could have a mediocre day ahead of them unless they can run strong over the long haul and consistently move forward through the pack. I have to admit, especially the way things have been going for him lately, Kurt Bush winning the pole was a complete surprise to me, (and I would be willing to bet, no matter what he says, he was surprised, too.) He turned his lap early in the the qualifying session and it did stand the test of the the other competitors, which could very well tell us something about how the race is going to go tomorrow. That's not to say he will win, but it could mean even the Dodges have a chance. Greg Biffle hopes to break out of his run of bad luck and Kansas is one of his better tracks. He may not have qualified well, but he was very confident in the way his car was going to race. He and Carl Edwards are favored by many to win the STP 400 and it could be, the Roush Fords rule the day again. I think the Fords are looking mighty tough and it could be a very strong day for all of the Fords. Something that really sticks out at me is the way all of the different teams qualified. Some of the faster cars from the practice sessions didn't really show that much speed in qualifying and ones that were slower in practice ended up surprisingly higher in the lineup. Whether or not that situation remains as obvious on race-day will only be known after the race is over. One thing that all will have to deal with will be the condition of the track simply because of the afternoon heat. I expect the biggest complaint from the drivers will be they have no grip and I also think they are going to drive their crew chiefs crazy asking for more bite off the turns. Although it is true the track is wide and has sweeping turns, it also has only minimal banking in those turns and that should prove to make the racing interesting. The sealer they use to fill in the cracks in the asphalt bothers many, if not most, of the drivers and the ones that can adapt to the slippery feel caused by that sealer will move toward the front on a consistent basis throughout the afternoon, at least in my opinion. In the same way, others will simply do all they can to try and stay on the lead lap and hope for the best. Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:41 http://justafansview.com/2011/06/01/nascar-at-charlotte-after-thoughts-from-a-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/06/01/nascar-at-charlotte-after-thoughts-from-a-fans-view/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:14:07 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2371 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/06/01/nascar-at-charlotte-after-thoughts-from-a-fans-view/feed/ 0 Nascar fan opinion,Nascar Sprint Cup Racing,stock car racing MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 It doesn't matter which race you were watching Sunday afternoon, the last lap was where you would expect to find out the winner, and that generally goes without saying. MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) (http://nascarfansview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/20100220RSNTest001-120x150.jpg)It doesn't matter which race you were watching Sunday afternoon, the last lap was where you would expect to find out the winner, and that generally goes without saying. What was kind of unexpected is that both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 were decided coming out of turn four and the result was totally different than it looked like it was going to be before the leaders got to that point. From this fan's view, I was glad I hung around to watch both of them and, I have to admit, I never expected what happened to actually happen. Of course, you don't need me to tell you what happened because the headlines and news reports have already covered the events more thoroughly that I could ever hope, but if you were watching, you know just how unexpected (or maybe I should say, shocking) the finishes were. Now tell the truth, when the races were over, did you really expect what happened?? I'm sure many of you Dale Jr fans are saying, “Yeah, it figures it would happen that way with the way his luck has been running.” I can agree with you on that, but there are others that have been having about the same kind of luck. A couple of names that quickly jump to mind are Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart. Both of them could have finished a lot differently had things gone just a bit different. Several others that have been facing similar times would be Jeff Burton, Kasey Kahne, and Jeff Gordon. With all of the speculation surrounding Jimmie Johnson possibly winning his sixth championship in a row, from this fan's view he may be in the top ten in points, but so far this year, it has been a bit of struggle for him too. When his engine blew Sunday night later in the race, it only added to the challenges the #48 team has been facing this year. He probably would have finished near the front had it not happened but that is one thing about the 600 mile event... anything can, and usually does happen. His engine failure was the first for the Hendrick teams this year. As anyone will tell you, it is unusual for a Hendrick engine to blow, but it is not unheard of. Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick fan's across the board will watching to see what happens in the near future. From my view though, I think it was a fluke part failure and they probably have nothing to be concerned about. It does make life a bit more interesting for them during the next few weeks, and I for one will be paying attention to see if more failures happen throughout the organization even though I don't expect it. To me, probably the biggest surprise on the night other than the last lap, was where Carl Edwards finished. It wasn't that he finished much worse than anyone else, it was that he and many others thought he was going to do much better. This race was a different one and it shows just how hard it is to do what so few have done – win both the All Star and 600 mile races back to back over the two weekends. There has been some speculation in how NASCAR handled the last few laps which, somehow doesn't surprise me. I have heard some say the reason they didn't throw the caution at the last restart was because Dale Jr was leading. I guess that is a possibility and I can understand that point of view. My own opinion is they didn't throw the caution because there was no debris and all of the cars were still moving and getting out of the way. Now this is pure speculation on my part, but I think they considered how minor the accident was and that it was late in the race and a number of cars were definitely low on fuel (and could have caused an even bigger pile up the next time had they run out.) I do believe they were watching to see if the track cleared and they delayed throwing the caution until the last possible moment. As it worked out, Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:41 http://justafansview.com/2011/05/28/nascar-at-charlotte-from-a-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/05/28/nascar-at-charlotte-from-a-fans-view/#comments Sun, 29 May 2011 01:24:11 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2366 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/05/28/nascar-at-charlotte-from-a-fans-view/feed/ 0 motorsports,Nascar fan opinion,Nascar Racing MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 - This is Memorial Day weekend and we remember and honor those that have selflessly given of themselves to make and keep our country free. MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) (http://nascarfansview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/091218_iPhoneCamPixes-060-003A-150x150.jpg)This is Memorial Day weekend and we remember and honor those that have selflessly given of themselves to make and keep our country free. Because of them and their sacrifices we are able to celebrate and enjoy this weekend in the way we choose. For some it will be a time of reflection and remembering while for others it will be a time to celebrate life with their loved ones. I am thankful for the men and women who have given of themselves, and the many that made the supreme sacrifice, that I can enjoy this weekend in a nation that is free because of them, even if I spend much of it watching fast cars run around in circles. Now, if you're just a motorsports fan in general, then this weekend is definitely for you. There is a lot of racing going on around the world, like the Monaco Grand Prix and right here in the USA there is the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. Many will take advantage of the coverage of all three and be tuned in from early morning until late at night on Sunday. I know I will and I'm making room on my DVR so I won't miss a minute of any of them. Of course, the 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is most important to me but I have always enjoyed the Indy 500 since I used to listen to it with my dad on the radio more years ago than I wish to mention right now. Speaking of that, one of my favorite memories was when my whole family went for a day at the beach for a picnic and just to spend time together. My dad brought his portable radio and while we enjoyed grilled burgers, hot dogs, potatoe salad and soft drinks and our time together, he and I listened to the Indy 500 and dreamed about the possibilities of our beginning to race. Well admittedly, we were much more interested in stock car racing but we always enjoyed the 500. While my dad worked for Firestone, (I was very young and hardly remember much about that time), he got to go and I remember that somehow we ended up with some film of his trip to one of them. We used to pull it out and watch it at times. Racing was big in our family and we frequented our local dirt tracks in my hometown of Marion, IL. My dad used to help with the sound at the Fairgrounds track when the electronics repair shop he worked for was part of providing the sound equipment, etc, and I got to tag along. Man, I have to tell you, those are some of my fondest memories as a kid. Years later, after we moved to Florida, we finally got to realize our dream of racing stock cars. (Oh well, enough reminiscing and back to this weekend.) This is one of the biggest racing weekends of the year and the Coca-Cola 600 is the longest of its type at all. It starts before the sun goes down and it ends close to midnight. The track goes through several changes as the race progresses and the teams have to keep up with those changes or watch their hopes for winning fade. The first change happens as the sun begins to sink below the horizon and the track begins to cool. The second is most noticeable after it is completely dark and the third is when the dampness settles in later in the night. As a fan, the 600 hundred can be a bit humdrum in the middle because the drivers and teams are just trying to make laps until about the last 100 or so. That's when the fun usually begins and it is the hope enough has been going on to keep us all motivated and interested in watching the end of the race. Although those last one hundred laps will be the beginning of the press for victory, the competition won't really get hot and heavy until around fifty laps to go. From that point on, I expect those that can make a charge for the lead will and those that can maintain track position by using strategy and taking chances will do so. By that time, Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 6:59 http://justafansview.com/2011/05/14/nascar-at-dover-from-a-fans-view/ http://justafansview.com/2011/05/14/nascar-at-dover-from-a-fans-view/#comments Sat, 14 May 2011 23:07:51 +0000 Rusty Norman http://justafansview.com/?p=2346 Continue reading →]]> http://justafansview.com/2011/05/14/nascar-at-dover-from-a-fans-view/feed/ 0 motorsports,Nascar Racing MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 Well, NASCAR Cup qualifying was rained out for this weekend and that should make the race at the Monster Mile even more interesting than it might have been, MUSIC MAKES IT BETTER =>> Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10 (http://twobuckthemes.com/amember/go.php?r=10&i=l1) (http://nascarfansview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/091218_iPhoneCamPixes-060-003A-150x150.jpg)Well, NASCAR Cup qualifying was rained out for this weekend and that should make the race at the Monster Mile even more interesting than it might have been, at least in the beginning. For some it will be an unexpected advantage and for others, it will be a definite disadvantage. Well, that was easy enough to say but I'm not so sure it makes a lot of sense, that is, unless we look at the way the lineup will be for tomorrow's race. For the first time since NASCAR changed the procedure for line-ups in case of rain-outs, this weekend they will line-up according to the speeds they put up in practice. I find it a much more interesting way of starting the race than going by the old way which was based on owner points (and a few other things, which only made it more complicated than it needed to be.) The good thing about the change is it doesn't give an advantage to someone who has accumulated a good point's standing, but shows up to the track on a qualifying rain-out weekend with a bad setup, and the rain-out just makes their starting position a gift. Of course it remains to be seen how this will work out, but it does seem a bit more fair to all involved, (except those of the go or go homers that may have been able to out qualify some of the others.) I think it is a little too early to pass judgment on the procedure at this point, though, but it does appear to be an improvement, at least from my view. So, I don't know how you saw it, but it looked to me that some were definitely struggling with getting their cars to hook up the way they wanted. I hate to keep bringing up this name, but Jeff Gordon knocked off some faster laps early in the first practice session but it did appear he struggled from that point on. That may or may not mean anything when it comes down to race time, but even with his success at the track in the past, it may not be a good weekend for him. (Gee, now that I've said that, one has to wonder if he and Alan Gustafson didn't just decide to turn it into a test session. I guess that is a possibility since he usually does perform fairly well at the Monster.) Aw, heck, for that matter it also looked like Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth and Mark Martin were having trouble finding good speed, too, (just so you won't think I'm just picking on Jeff Gordon...) That brings us back to the actual starting order for Sunday afternoon. Many will be happy to see Dale Jr starting in third, which is a plus for him (and his fans) no matter how you look at it. (Well, that is unless he quickly drops like a rock to the back of the field after the race starts.) The Bush brothers are starting sixth and seventh and that may mean they will be at the front before too long, especially Kyle who is looking for another good finish as he has fairly well tamed the Monster in the recent past. When it comes to brother Kurt, I'm not so sure. He has looked good in practice at other times this season only to end up well in the middle to back of the pack at the end of the race. AJ Almendinger and Jimmie Johnson will be starting on the front row and with the way Jimmie's stats look for Dover, that may not bode well for the rest of the field. Based on those stats in recent history, he looks like he may be the one to beat, (but his year has been a little up and down, although not at the end of a race that much.) As for AJ, I know he is thrilled to be starting outside pole and I'd be willing to bet he will try and make the most of his starting position. Lurking right there near the front of the line-up are three other guys, hungry for a victory. That would be Joey Logano, Kasey Kahne and Martin Truex, Jr. Although starting up front doesn't necessarily translate into finishing up front, Just A Fan's View of Nascar Racing clean 7:00