Saturday's Quaker State 400 from Kentucky MotorSpeedway was postponed last night due to rain, the Green flag drops in just over an hour at 12 pm ET. And who do we find leading the field to the green flag, none other then Mr. June bug himself, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Junior nation was presently surprised when Dale Jr. stripped the pole away from teammate Jimmie Johnson who had just set a new track record. Although this is only the third time the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, Kentucky MotorSpeedway has proven in the past to be a track with tough racing and first wins. Junior has officially started his winless drought since two weeks ago at Michigan marked a year since his last victory. Junior has proven over the past two season that he and his team are capable of winning and running up front. Although I feel today at Kentucky is when Junior and crew chief Steve Letarte put the right package together and race on into victory lane.
-Stephen Appell
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Sunday, June 30, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Jimmie's Weekend
After last weekends controversial restart in which Jimmie Johnson was black flagged for jumping the restart, he came out and dominated this weekend. Most of this weekends festivities at Pocano Speedway were a wash out due to rain storms, but when the cup cars did find themselves on track it was the 48 at the top of the board. Qualifying was rained out so owner points set the field, and it was Jimmie Johnson who would start first and Carl Edwards to his outside in second. When the green flag fell it was Edwards that lead the first lap but that was about all. Johnson Dropped the hammer and set sail passing Edwards and leading more then half the laps. As the laps dwindled down so did fuel millage and everyone started to conserve, as a late race caution flew the fuel millage went out the window as everyone hit pit road. Johnson elected to only make a two tire change and top it off with gas. The green flag flew with 9 to go with Junior on Johnson's inside but there was no challenge as Johnson took off yet again until a final late race caution. On the restart Johnson took the outside with Junior to his inside but it was Greg Biffle who restarted in the fourth position who took off into second but he had nothing for Mr. 5 time as Jimmie Johnson finished his domination with a win.
-Stephen Appell
-Stephen Appell
Sunday, May 26, 2013
2 Down 1 To Go In Racings Finest Weekend
Memorial Day weekend is racing's finest with the three of the biggest races all occurring in one day. The Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy 500, and Nascars Coke-Cola 600.
The Monaco Grand Prix was first up and when the green flag dropped it was Monaco native Nico Rosberg who lend the field. Rosberg had already dominated the weekend in Italy by leading practice and winning the pole. So Rosberg decided to go for the cycle by leading all the laps on the narrow Monaco circuit and winning the Grand Prix of Monaco, just as his father Keke Rosberg had years ago. With Rosberg's win he also got the first win for Mercedes in a Mercedes Silver Bullet at the historic Monaco track.
While the Grand Prix of Monaco was winding down the Indy 500 was just getting started, Ed Carpenter the owner/driver of the number 20 Fuzzy's Vodka Chevy led the field to the green flag and from the start we knew it would be interesting. Marco Andretti quickly made his was to the lead, but Carpenter came right back around, then it was Ryan Hunter-Reay, Carlos Munoz, James Hinchcliffe, and many more. There were over 60 lead changes today but at the eand it came down to pit strategy to set yourself up for the finale 10 laps, until a caution came out with 7 to go. The restart would come with 3 laps to go with Ryan Hunter-Reay in the lead followed by Tony Kanan, Carlos Munoz, and Marco Andretti. The green flag flew and the field went on the attack Kanan and Munoz quickly passed Hunter-Reay with Kanan getting the lead and as they headed down the back stretch Dario Franchitti made contact with the turn one wall causing a caution and freezing the field. With not enough time to clean up the wreck it was finally Tony Kanan's time after twelve long years of trying TK has finally won the Indy 500. An emotional Kanan made the hard left turn in to victory lane to finally be graced with the Borg-Warner reef.
With Breakfest and Lunch out of the way and two first time winners all we have left is dinner the Coke-Cola 600. The 600 is Nascars most difficult race its a race of endurance and strength. The race starts in the day but finishes at night giving drivers and crew chiefs essentially two different tracks to contend with. Denny Hamlin and Kurt Busch will lead the field to the green flag. The is Kurt Busch's second front row start on a row, but as far as the race goes my eye will be on the number 5 Chevrolet of Kasey Kahne, over the past few years Kahne has proven he knows how to run the track and this racing by staying on top of the changes.
One this is for sure it will be a great race.
Sit back and enjoy the final race of the weekend, but please remember what this weekend, Memorial Day weekend is about. Our troops the ones serving for our freedom and the ones who have sacrificed the ultimate. Thank You for all you have done.
-Stephen Appell
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Facebook: stephenappell.com
Twitter: @stephenappell or @stephen_combat
The Monaco Grand Prix was first up and when the green flag dropped it was Monaco native Nico Rosberg who lend the field. Rosberg had already dominated the weekend in Italy by leading practice and winning the pole. So Rosberg decided to go for the cycle by leading all the laps on the narrow Monaco circuit and winning the Grand Prix of Monaco, just as his father Keke Rosberg had years ago. With Rosberg's win he also got the first win for Mercedes in a Mercedes Silver Bullet at the historic Monaco track.
While the Grand Prix of Monaco was winding down the Indy 500 was just getting started, Ed Carpenter the owner/driver of the number 20 Fuzzy's Vodka Chevy led the field to the green flag and from the start we knew it would be interesting. Marco Andretti quickly made his was to the lead, but Carpenter came right back around, then it was Ryan Hunter-Reay, Carlos Munoz, James Hinchcliffe, and many more. There were over 60 lead changes today but at the eand it came down to pit strategy to set yourself up for the finale 10 laps, until a caution came out with 7 to go. The restart would come with 3 laps to go with Ryan Hunter-Reay in the lead followed by Tony Kanan, Carlos Munoz, and Marco Andretti. The green flag flew and the field went on the attack Kanan and Munoz quickly passed Hunter-Reay with Kanan getting the lead and as they headed down the back stretch Dario Franchitti made contact with the turn one wall causing a caution and freezing the field. With not enough time to clean up the wreck it was finally Tony Kanan's time after twelve long years of trying TK has finally won the Indy 500. An emotional Kanan made the hard left turn in to victory lane to finally be graced with the Borg-Warner reef.
With Breakfest and Lunch out of the way and two first time winners all we have left is dinner the Coke-Cola 600. The 600 is Nascars most difficult race its a race of endurance and strength. The race starts in the day but finishes at night giving drivers and crew chiefs essentially two different tracks to contend with. Denny Hamlin and Kurt Busch will lead the field to the green flag. The is Kurt Busch's second front row start on a row, but as far as the race goes my eye will be on the number 5 Chevrolet of Kasey Kahne, over the past few years Kahne has proven he knows how to run the track and this racing by staying on top of the changes.
One this is for sure it will be a great race.
Sit back and enjoy the final race of the weekend, but please remember what this weekend, Memorial Day weekend is about. Our troops the ones serving for our freedom and the ones who have sacrificed the ultimate. Thank You for all you have done.
-Stephen Appell
-stephenappell.com
Facebook: stephenappell.com
Twitter: @stephenappell or @stephen_combat
Monday, May 6, 2013
A Front Row One Two
The underfunded three car team of Front Row Motorsport mostly supported by its owner Bob Jenkins, finally found themselves in Victory Lane of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Bob Jenkins ultimate dream finally became reality late Sunday afternoon, as his two star drivers David Ragan and David Gilliland found themselves pushing towards the lead exiting turn two on the final lap. The Duo found themselves seventh and eighth when the received the white flag but they had there Fords wound up as they exited two and passed second place Matt Kenseth. Gilliland pushed Ragan straight up to the back bumper of leader Carl Edwards who dove in front of Ragan when he saw how fast he was coming. Ragan ran right up to he bumper and then dove to the bottom with Gilliland locked on. When they hit the Tri-Oval David Ragan was long gone, and David Gilliland was battling hard side by side with Carl Edwards for second, Gilliland won the battle. With Gilliland's second it makes it not only Front Row and Bob Jenkins first win but there first one two finish.
They timed it perfectly and knew how much it would mean to them, Gilliland stated " It has been a dream of mine to get Bob Jenkins his first win... I wasn't leaving his bumper". This underfunded team is no slouch with Frankie Kerr who came on board as crew chief for Gililand this year and motors from Roush Yates, this team has a lot more in store.
-Stephen Appell
They timed it perfectly and knew how much it would mean to them, Gilliland stated " It has been a dream of mine to get Bob Jenkins his first win... I wasn't leaving his bumper". This underfunded team is no slouch with Frankie Kerr who came on board as crew chief for Gililand this year and motors from Roush Yates, this team has a lot more in store.
-Stephen Appell
Expect The Unexpected at Talladega
It was that time for NASCAR to yet again add three inches to the back bumper and and slap on the restrictor plate because it was Talladega time. This was only the second official race at a Superspeedway for the Impressive Gen 6 Car, and a lot was expected coming to a smother track the Daytona; and what we got was a lot better then Daytona. Although most of the day belonged to Matt Kenseth who led over 100 laps, the competition got a lot stiffer when the words "rain is coming" came a crossed the radio to the drivers. Suddenly this mellow single car pack started to move with the 48 of Jimmie Johnson going to the high side leaving his drafting partner Kenseth and taking the lead. Only a few laps later a two pack of Fords lead by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and teammate Carl Edwards charged up right behind Johnson 48, and with a well executed draft and spotting, the two began to go low the shot up the track to retake the lead from Johnson. With just under 80laps to go Edwards pulled the same exact move going into turn one on teammate Stenhouse Jr. to become the leader by only a few thousandths as the caution flew for rain.
The race kept appearing to be over since it was past halfway but Thanks to NASCAR'S new Air Titan track drying system they were able to dry the track with darkness on the way. Racing resumed to normal until the final ten laps closed in and it all broke loose when the 78 of Kurt Busch was truned sideways down the backstretch with turning him upside down and causing another "Big One". The green flag flew on the first attempt at a Green, White, Checkered with Kenseth leading them to the green and Johnson pushing from behind in third, as the field took the white flag it was Carl Edwards who found himself in the lead followed by Kenseth, and Johnson, but as they entered turn one they all fanned out Johnson, Kenseth, and Almarola found themselves three wide for second exiting two, as they entered the back stretch Edwards and Kenseth were nose to tail first and second and three by three behind the when out of no where the Front Row Motorsports teammates of David Ragan and David Gilliland flew past Kenseth. Edwards saw them coming and dove in front but Gilliland's push to Ragan was to much for Edwards as Ragan took a commanding lead, as they went through the tri-oval it was all Ragan as Gilliland and Edwards battled for second and it was Gilliland who prevailed. Ragan captured the first ever win for Front Row Motorsports and with Gillilands second it made it a one two finish for the tiny team.
Talladega was as exciting as ever as the first and second place cars were seventh and eighth when the white flag dropped. The Gen 6 was very impressive in its second Superspeedway showing
The race kept appearing to be over since it was past halfway but Thanks to NASCAR'S new Air Titan track drying system they were able to dry the track with darkness on the way. Racing resumed to normal until the final ten laps closed in and it all broke loose when the 78 of Kurt Busch was truned sideways down the backstretch with turning him upside down and causing another "Big One". The green flag flew on the first attempt at a Green, White, Checkered with Kenseth leading them to the green and Johnson pushing from behind in third, as the field took the white flag it was Carl Edwards who found himself in the lead followed by Kenseth, and Johnson, but as they entered turn one they all fanned out Johnson, Kenseth, and Almarola found themselves three wide for second exiting two, as they entered the back stretch Edwards and Kenseth were nose to tail first and second and three by three behind the when out of no where the Front Row Motorsports teammates of David Ragan and David Gilliland flew past Kenseth. Edwards saw them coming and dove in front but Gilliland's push to Ragan was to much for Edwards as Ragan took a commanding lead, as they went through the tri-oval it was all Ragan as Gilliland and Edwards battled for second and it was Gilliland who prevailed. Ragan captured the first ever win for Front Row Motorsports and with Gillilands second it made it a one two finish for the tiny team.
Talladega was as exciting as ever as the first and second place cars were seventh and eighth when the white flag dropped. The Gen 6 was very impressive in its second Superspeedway showing
Monday, April 15, 2013
Penalties To Come
Just before the NRA 500 at Texas Motorspeedway started there was shocking news was coming out of the Tech Inspection Area, as it was announced by Nascar that the two Penske Racing Ford Fusions of Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano had Rear End housing and other part confiscated and hour before the start of the race, forcing the teams to change the rear end housings and other crucial elements to performance with a limited amount of time,the 2 of Keselowski made it out fine, but the focus was on the number 22 of Joey Logano who made it out on to the track moment before the green flag dropped.NASCAR'S "Robin Pemberton said. 'It's just something that is not in the spirit of the rules'." (jayski.com) NASCAR allowed the drivers to retain there starting positions and did not Eject the Crew Chiefs, but penalties are expected to be announced soon. Keselowski was very upset with the situation stating "I only have one good thing to say "That's my team and effort they put in today in fighting back with the
absolute bull that's been the last seven days in this garage area. The
things I've seen over the last seven days have me questioning everything
that I believe in, and I'm not happy about it. I don't have anything
positive to say and I probably should just leave it at that." (jayski.com). NASCAR announced that they will not fine Keselowski for another statement he made in which he used strong language but also apologized for it.
This was all just pre-race after the race the number 56 Michale Waltrip Racing Toyota of Martin Truex Jr. was found to be to low in the front post race inspection, following a strong run in which Truex Jr. came up short collecting a strong second place finish. Chad Johnson who in the Crew Chief of the 56 for Truex Jr. stated the the shocks would not rebound after the race. "We tried to pull the shaft out of the body, and it's just (stuck)," (jayski.com) stated Johnson. They were not sure if it was debris that was not allowing the shock to move or if something just went wrong with the shock. A six point penalty to Truex Jr. and a $25,000 fine is expected for Chad Johnson, these number are based off of Kyle Busch who had the same issue in 2011.
It was a very interesting weekend and weekend to investigate more on the Gen 6 cars.
-Stephen Appell
Let me hear your opinions or comment
Stephen Appell
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Citations
http://www.jayski.com/cupnews.htm#20130414a
This was all just pre-race after the race the number 56 Michale Waltrip Racing Toyota of Martin Truex Jr. was found to be to low in the front post race inspection, following a strong run in which Truex Jr. came up short collecting a strong second place finish. Chad Johnson who in the Crew Chief of the 56 for Truex Jr. stated the the shocks would not rebound after the race. "We tried to pull the shaft out of the body, and it's just (stuck)," (jayski.com) stated Johnson. They were not sure if it was debris that was not allowing the shock to move or if something just went wrong with the shock. A six point penalty to Truex Jr. and a $25,000 fine is expected for Chad Johnson, these number are based off of Kyle Busch who had the same issue in 2011.
It was a very interesting weekend and weekend to investigate more on the Gen 6 cars.
-Stephen Appell
Let me hear your opinions or comment
Stephen Appell
stephenappell.com
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Twitter- stephenappell & stephen_combat
Citations
http://www.jayski.com/cupnews.htm#20130414a
Hurricane Kyle Sweeps Through Nascar
This past weekend proved to be the storm of Kyle and not all with the last name Busch. The NASCAR Nationwide series kicked off the weekend at the high speed Texas Motorspeedway, on Friday this past weekend. Kyle Busch was the cream of the crop of the star studded Nationwide Series race, but as he stated "...we had to work hard to have the better race car..." he spent most of the race fending off the Penske Racing duo of Brad Keselowski and Sam Hornish Jr., but the pit strategies and stops played into the Joe Gibbs Racing teams favor. But its always a recipe for victory when you put two stellar things together, like Busch and JGR in the Nationwide Series. Despite having a strong car to contend for the win points leader Sam Hornish Jr. went sailing through the grass after contact with Jermey Clements and suffering heavy damage, Hornish Jr. finished 34th. Austin Dillon was the only the Nationwide Series regular to finish in the top 5.
Busch wasn't satisfied with only winning the Nationwide Series race and capturing the pole for Saturdays Cup race by setting a new track record, in traditional Kyle fashion he wanted more. The Saturday night race was packed with action especially in the closing laps, Martin Truex Jr. found himself in command in the finale 25 laps but a late race caution through a wrench in the 56 teams plan as everyone took to pit lane for fresh tires, and Busch with the help of his team seized the opportunity by knocking out a fantastic stop and getting the 18 out of pit lane first. At the restart Busch took off and never looked back leading the final 16 laps and capturing victory over the 56 of Truex Jr. who found himself a brides made yet again. The final pit stop has proven to be a down fall for the 56 team in closing laps but I feel the advantage of having the number one pit stall at the end of pit road is a reason as to why Busch got off pit lane first.
The weekend didn't end there nope the Nascar Camping World Truck Series got the call to run on Sunday at the famous Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina. Jeb Burton started on pole for the second race in a row. All eyes were on Johnny Sauter though as he tried to make history as the only driver in any of the three series to win the first three races of the season, and he proved to be strong but not strong enough. After the green flag dropped the number 30 of rising star Kyle Larson jumped out into the lead and did his best to make sure he stayed there. But as the laps ran down there was one truck that smelt blood in the water and that was the number 19 Brad Keselowski Racing Ford of Joey Logano who found himself in second with only four laps to go, but it appeared to be all Larson until the caution flew with three laps to go, after Ryan Sieg and Timothy Peters collided. The accidents were not over though, as on the backstretch under caution Ron Hornaday bumped in to the back of the 54 of Darrel Wallace Jr. and then got along side Wallace Jr. and turned him going into turn 3. Wallace Jr. made heavy contact with the wall ending his day. After the smoke settled the green flag flew on the final restart with the young Larson and hot Logano at the front, Larson took off after Logano spun his tires on the restart, but Logano had on last ditch effort left on the final lap but it was not enough as Kyle Larson went on to capture his first ever Truck Series victory in only his 5th start, and what a fitting win it was as Larson's Autism Speaks Chevy won the Autism Speaks 200.
After the race Logano stated "I expected him (Larson) to try something on the restart, and he didn't and I spun the tires". In post race Ron Hornaday stated "I didn't mean to wreck him, I feel like an idiot".
The weekend was packed full of action and tension and was filled with the name Kyle.
-Stephen Appell
Let me know what you think let me hear your comments and opinions.
Stephen Appell
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Busch wasn't satisfied with only winning the Nationwide Series race and capturing the pole for Saturdays Cup race by setting a new track record, in traditional Kyle fashion he wanted more. The Saturday night race was packed with action especially in the closing laps, Martin Truex Jr. found himself in command in the finale 25 laps but a late race caution through a wrench in the 56 teams plan as everyone took to pit lane for fresh tires, and Busch with the help of his team seized the opportunity by knocking out a fantastic stop and getting the 18 out of pit lane first. At the restart Busch took off and never looked back leading the final 16 laps and capturing victory over the 56 of Truex Jr. who found himself a brides made yet again. The final pit stop has proven to be a down fall for the 56 team in closing laps but I feel the advantage of having the number one pit stall at the end of pit road is a reason as to why Busch got off pit lane first.
The weekend didn't end there nope the Nascar Camping World Truck Series got the call to run on Sunday at the famous Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina. Jeb Burton started on pole for the second race in a row. All eyes were on Johnny Sauter though as he tried to make history as the only driver in any of the three series to win the first three races of the season, and he proved to be strong but not strong enough. After the green flag dropped the number 30 of rising star Kyle Larson jumped out into the lead and did his best to make sure he stayed there. But as the laps ran down there was one truck that smelt blood in the water and that was the number 19 Brad Keselowski Racing Ford of Joey Logano who found himself in second with only four laps to go, but it appeared to be all Larson until the caution flew with three laps to go, after Ryan Sieg and Timothy Peters collided. The accidents were not over though, as on the backstretch under caution Ron Hornaday bumped in to the back of the 54 of Darrel Wallace Jr. and then got along side Wallace Jr. and turned him going into turn 3. Wallace Jr. made heavy contact with the wall ending his day. After the smoke settled the green flag flew on the final restart with the young Larson and hot Logano at the front, Larson took off after Logano spun his tires on the restart, but Logano had on last ditch effort left on the final lap but it was not enough as Kyle Larson went on to capture his first ever Truck Series victory in only his 5th start, and what a fitting win it was as Larson's Autism Speaks Chevy won the Autism Speaks 200.
After the race Logano stated "I expected him (Larson) to try something on the restart, and he didn't and I spun the tires". In post race Ron Hornaday stated "I didn't mean to wreck him, I feel like an idiot".
The weekend was packed full of action and tension and was filled with the name Kyle.
-Stephen Appell
Let me know what you think let me hear your comments and opinions.
Stephen Appell
stephenappell.com
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Twitter- stephenappell & stephen_combat
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