NASCAR Blog Post

NASCAR in the Desert [Live Thread]

NASCAR, Fantasy, Team News / Analysis, Player News / Analysis, Rumors, Crashes, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, , Dale Earnhardt Jr, Dan Wheldon

Las Vegas has the usual odds for today's race but are they right?

3/11/12 in NASCAR | JrCanuckFan | 10050 respect

Yep. Vegas has Jimmie Johnson as the favorite. This, despite the fact that he has wrecked his primary car and is in a backup car for the race, starting from the back. This, also despite the fact that JJ has never won in a backup car, according to SPEED (I'm not so sure on that one but can't find verification one way or another).

Kyle Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya will also start from the back, but I have no doubts that Kyle will move to the front without too many problems. After all, this is his home track. Well, he and his brother, Kurt's home track. I expect to see both of them up at the front throughout the day.

Carl Edwards has gone winless since this race last year. He is hungry and has been honest about that. Carl races well at Vegas, so certainly should be up front at the end. And what about Smoke, Tony Stewart? He finished second to Carl last year, and after a couple of bad luck weeks, he wants to regain his winning momentum from 2011.

However, at the risk of jinxing him, it is my favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr who was fastest in yesterday's final practice. Remember a few years ago when Jr couldn't get around Las Vegas to save his soul?? Well, this just may be the weekend to change all that. How fitting would it be for him to break this horrendous drought today?

The drivers' meeting is underway as I type this, and for the first time is outside and public. Yes, the drivers' meeting is being viewed by the media and fans, and live streaming on SPEED.com.

The race will get underway shortly, and this fan is happy for Timmy Hill, a first timer in the field, and for Kenny Schrader, an old favorite making his bajillionth start.

And don't forget, on lap 77 on twitter, we all want to tweet #RIPDan77 in memory of Dan Wheldon. (Follow me if you want @JrCanuckFan)

So, if you are watching and want to yell, yell here. If you aren't watching, stuck at work, watching some other sport (is there another sport?) and want updates, then join in. We'll keep you up to date as usual, and give you some of you gut feelings about what we see. Don't forget to make your bets at the Game Center. You could win some QBucks!

In the words of Darrell Waltrip, Boogity Boogity Boogity, Let's go racing!

leave comment

3/13/12 | JenX63 | 26704 respect

On a side note, Vegas was WRONG! (sorry had to say it)

3/12/12 | JrCanuckFan | 10050 respect

I give huge props to Jamie. I, too, have had Strep more than once and it's all I could do to get out of bed, let alone drive a racecar for 3 or more hours.

As for Jr and Mark, I had no doubt that the two of them would talk and work things out.

3/12/12 | kramer | 10788 respect

Canadianhick wrote:

Bob Pockrass tweeted before the race yesterday that Jamie McMurray wasn't feeling good. Jamie deserves a ton credit for driving after he tweeted what he was really ill with.

Jamie McMurray:

"I just left the Dr. and found out that I have strep throat."

I had strep numerous times when I was a kid, it's real fun.

3/12/12 | Canadianhick | 2091 respect

Mark Martin:

Talked 2 JR. We both regret what happened. I ask my fans 2 lay off being so rough on him. He is 1 of the most respectful guys n racing. We r good.

3/12/12 | Canadianhick | 2091 respect

3/12/12 | derms33 | 17300 respect

VEGAS BABY...and yes, JJ is a cheater, so he loses

3/11/12 | Canadianhick | 2091 respect

(Edited by Canadianhick)

I'm bored so I was digging up some stuff, Jim Uter is a damn jackass. Why the freak come up with false crap? Kurt's girlfriend tweeted that he didn't have a meltdown and threw water bottles. He left the care center in silence. I hope that idiot gets hit with a brick or something.