Biffle Beats The Rain and Field in Kansas

Greg Biffle beat 42 other drivers, and the rain to win one of the strangest races of the year. The usual amount of controversy surrounded this race at Kansas with Biffle running out of gas down the stretch he was passed by drivers thinking he was out of the race.

NASCAR officials have ruled Biffle the winner. I'll have to sort this out with everyone else.

Edwards Penalized 25 Points; Is It Fair?

Carl Edwards was penalized 25 precious Nextel Cup points Tuesday for failing the postrace inspection on Sunday following his victory in Dover.

The loss of 25 points dropped Edwards from 3rd to 6th in The Chase.

The penalty also included a fine of $25,000 and Edwards' crew chief Bob Osborne being put on probation until the end of the year.

I don't believe the penalties are too harsh. They are inline with other penalties for similar infractions. Johnny Sauter and Kyle Busch received the same penalty earlier this season. Because Edwards is in the heat of a championship run the docking of points seems to sting more. Edwards vows to pick up the pieces with his Roush Fenway Racing Team and move on to the final stretch of races.

UPDATED POINTS STANDINGS

1.
Jeff Gordon
5,340

2.
Tony Stewart
5,338

3.
Jimmie Johnson
5,336

4.
Kyle Busch
5,330

5.
Clint Bowyer
5,322

6.
Carl Edwards
5,312

7.
Martin Truex Jr.
5,294

8.
Jeff Burton
5,265

9.
Kevin Harvick
5,225

10.
Matt Kenseth
5,224

11.
Kurt Busch
5,189

12.
Denny Hamlin
5,182

Edwards Wins At Monster Mile - Fails Inspection

Carl Edwards tamed the Monster Mile Sunday in Dover, but failed the post race inspection due to the right fender being too low. NASCAR officials say it doesn't appear to be an intentional violation. Edwards will be fined and more than likely docked some precious points this week.

More on this story as information becomes available.

Johnson on Pole at Dover

Jimmie Johnson is on the pole and Juan Pablo Montoya sits on the outside of Row 1 for Sunday's race at Dover.
I'm looking forward to a great race, look for one of the Big 3 (Johnson, Gordon, or Stewart) to win this one.

Dale Jr. Now #88

He may be #1 in the hearts of many die hard NASCAR fans, but he will have a #88 on his car next year. Along with new sponsors like Pepsi that will put Mountain Dew all over Jr.'s car, AMP Energy Drink and The National Guard which will play a part in Jr's new team.

Looks like Earnhardt Jr. fans will have a whole new catalog of swag to go out and buy next year.

Post or send your comments to me on Jr.'s new number and sponsors. I'd like to see your reaction. Send to rick.limpert@gmail.com

Is Bowyer a Realistic Chase Contender?

One Chase race down and Clint Bowyer is the winner and positioned now fourth in the ponts standings. He may be only 15 points down but how close is he actually to being in Chase contention?

One school of thought tells us he may be the hottest driver going at this point. By winning, he has a newly instilled confidence that comes with a visit to victory lane. One unnamed driver claimed Bowyer is one of the most dangerous drivers in The Chase. He turned a few heads among the casual NASCAR fans, but the faithful knew it was just a matter of time before this talent claimed a first place finish.

Another scenario still shows a wide-eyed driver in his first Chase who may just be gaining valuable experience for a year or so down the road. Can Bowyer put together a series of good finishes? I believe he can and will. He may not win the Championship or even break the top three, but he and his team have served notice, and there is the possibility he may not be through turning heads and making visits to victory lane in 2007.

Bowyer Now a Contender With First Career Victory

Clint Bowyer shocked the NASCAR world by winning the opening race in the Nextel Chase for The Championship on Sunday in New Hampshire.

With Bowyer's victory he moved up to fourth place in The Chase behind names like Johnson, Gordon and Stewart. Bowyer's car was good, so good that he ended up leading 222 of the 300 laps.

Info on New NASCAR Board Game You Can Enjoy

Race for the NASCAR Nextel Cup with Patch’s NASCAR Board Game

BELOIT, Wis.—NASCAR fans can have their own race for the NASCAR Nextel Cup with Patch Products’ new NASCAR® Chase for the Nextel Cup™ 2007 board game.

The new for 2007 game features drivers who qualified for The 2007 Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup, which is NASCAR’s version of playoffs. The 12 drivers who are highlighted in the game along with their race cars are: Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer. The drivers were determined Sept. 8 after the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 race at Richmond International Speedway. Manufacturing of the game in the United States started immediately after the race so it will be on store shelves in October.

Players race around the racetrack game board, trying to be the first to cross the finish line for the 10 races that make up The Chase. They collect chips for the races they win, and the player with the most race chips at the end of the game is the winner.

Along the way, players try to avoid the Crash Zone and Pit Road but zoom forward when they land on a Drafting Advantage space or play a Pass Card. The game board also has several Chase Challenge spaces, which might help lucky players take the lead or avoid a crash. Players who aren’t so lucky might be warned about changing track conditions or a tire that’s losing air.

The number of NASCAR fans is estimated at 75 million nationwide. Among major professional sports, NASCAR ranks first in per-event attendance and second in regular season television viewership.

NASCAR® Chase for the Nextel Cup™ 2007 board game is for 2 to 10 players, ages 8 to adult.

About Patch Products
Patch Products, headquartered in Beloit, Wis., is a leading manufacturer and marketer of family entertainment products. Board games, card games, puzzles and collegiate-licensed foam sports toys are the core product lines. Top-selling games include Buzzword®, Such & Such®, Toss Up!®, Swap!® and the Jeff Foxworthy™ You Might Be a Redneck If…™ Game. For more information, visit www.patchproducts.com.

Franchitti Move to NASCAR Imminent?

IndyCar Series Champion Dario Franchitti's contract with Andretti Racing is set to expire in a few months and this is fueling rumors about a move to NASCAR.

While some NASCAR teams are drooling at the thought of the media star Franchitti representing them, he is remaining mostly tightlipped.

Chase Standings With 10 Races Remaining

1

Jimmie Johnson
5060
Leader

2
Jeff Gordon
5040

3
Tony Stewart
5030

4
Carl Edwards
5020

5
Kurt Busch
5020

6
+1
Kevin Harvick
5010

7
Jeff Burton
5010

8
Matt Kenseth
5010

9
Martin Truex Jr.
5010

10
Denny Hamlin
5010

11
Kyle Busch
5010

12
Clint Bowyer

Breaking News!! Johnson Wins at Richmond, Dale Jr. Out

Jimmie Johnson held off Tony Stewart and won the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Saturday night. Johnson earned the top spot heading into the end of season Chase.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished a disappointing 30th with his engine blowing, he ended up almost 200 points out of the 12th spot.

AT&T Logo Back on #31 Car

On Friday NASCAR, Sprint/Nextel, and AT&T reached a mutual agreement to put the AT&T logos back on Jeff Burton's #31 car.

AT&T will remain sponsor of Burton's #31 for at least the next 16 months.

Yeley Finds New Team for 2008

J.J. Yeley who lost his job driving for Joe Gibbs Racing when Kyle Busch was signed landed with a new team and "a team where we can grow together", as Yeley put it.

Yeley joined the new ownership structure at Hall of Fame Racing Tuesday. Yeley will replace Tony Raines in the number 96 next season. Yeley will still have some relationship with Joe Gibbs as they have a partnership with Hall of Fame.

It's a good decision for Yeley. It gives him a fresh start and more than likely he will be driving a Toyota next year, and Toyota is looking for young drivers to make a bigger splash next year. Yeley is hungry and I beieve he is on the verge of making a breakthrough and winning races. Whether he can do it next year in a Toyota is a big queston mark.

Hall of Fame racing is currently a single car operation. This could be both a blessing and a curse for Yeley. On the positive side, he will get a lot of attention and money spent on him to make him a winner. But Yeley would benefit from making Hall of Fame a multiple car organization. Time will tell.

Johnson Clinches Spot in Chase

Jimmie Johnson ended a mini slump Sunday night by winning the Sharp Aquos 500 in Fontana. Johnson earned his circuit leading fifth victory of the season.

Notes: Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished in 5th place and cut his margin behind 12th place Kevin Harvick to 128 points heading into the last race of the regular season.

Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr. only need to make the field this weekend in Richmond to punch their tickets into The Chase.

Chase Spots Up For Grabs???

Time is running out on those 12 precious spots in The Chase.

Here's who sits on the bubble heading into Sunday's Race in California:
Second number listed is points behind Chase leader Jeff Gordon

8
--
Kyle Busch
3024
-558

9
--
Clint Bowyer
2944
-638

10
--
Kevin Harvick
2888
-694

11
--
Martin Truex Jr.
2887
-695

12
--
Kurt Busch
2879
-703

13
--
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2721
-861