NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Dickies 500 Live Thread

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Sunny Skies: check
Warm Day: check
43 Drivers: check
Jeff Gordon on the pole...wait, WHAT?!

In a shocker, Jeff Gordon won his first pole at Texas on Friday. There are only 2 tracks where Gordon has never gone to victory lane, Homestead and here at Texas, and he's never liked Texas. It was just this past Spring where he wrecked and ended up being the first casualty of the race, finishing 43rd. If he doesn't wreck out again, he might have a semi-decent day, but I don't expect him to win by any means considering how wonderful he runs here. Since I haven't been around this week to do the power rankings and predictions, here it goes....

My Pick: David Ragan - I'm going out on a limb with this one. He's run strong on the 1.5-2 mile tracks all year, and I look for him to finally break through today, becoming the third first-time winner at this track.

Dark Horse: Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Speaking of first-time winners at Texas, here's one of those 2 drivers. Jeff Burton is the other. You always like to return to the track where you won your first race, and Junior always runs well here. He sat on the pole here back in the Spring, but the final set of tires went south in a hurry and he fell off the lead lap like a rock. Junior will be looking for some big revenge on this track today.

This is your official open race thread to discuss the happenings before, during, and after the race.

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11/2/08

0	I'm picking JG. He's on the pole, liked his car at Atlanta, and says he can't wait for today. Plus, eventually either him or Tony Stewart have cross the finish line 1st at some point this year. For my darkhorse, I'll go with Brian Vickers. This is his type of track.

11/2/08

0	I Picked Jeff Burton to win in all my polls, and Dale Jr to be second. Darkhorse is Bobby Labonte, another past winner. ( I just wanna see Rheda get her money's worth - all the way to TMS, she needs to see her guy WIN!)

11/2/08

0	Juan Pablo looks good so far. I think if Ganassi can make some improvements that we'll see big things from him next year.

11/2/08

0	Reutimann is a pleasant surprise so far. The front row is going the wrong way fast.

11/2/08

0	I'm surprised (and pleased!) at David Reutiman AND Jamie McMurray - both having good runs in the early going.

11/2/08

0	Reutimann made that look easy!

11/2/08

0	Kaboom goes the 41.

11/2/08

0	Jr had a loose wheel (I love my HotPass!)

11/2/08

1	Yeah he just told DJ about the loose wheel since he's the in-race reporter. It's a good thing he got a quick caution. Now we'll have no more loose wheels today! I don't want to hear about anyone having a loose wheel or missing their nuts.

11/2/08

2	"You picked a bad time to leave me loosewheel" Sorry Bry, couldn't resist.....

11/2/08

1	JrCanuckFan wrote: "You picked a bad time to leave me loosewheel" Sorry Bry, couldn't resist..... Thank you, DW.

11/2/08

RobPeyton

0	(Edited by RobPeyton) Im actually going with jeff gordon due t my superstitious sports mind, See he won the poll, hasnt won which makes him hungry and He also got chosen by the fan who picked the person to win a million if he wins.....a lot is falling into his lap....if not i hope Jr. Passes him for the win, jr is good at comebacks to clinch the cup......

11/2/08

1	Kenseth just made the quote of the day..."We're a little less crappy than everyone else."

11/2/08

1	Rob, Junior needs to pretty much finish in the top 3 in points the last 3 races and hope everyone ahead of him finishes about 30th or worse to win the championship. BTW, right now Johnson is up s*** creek without a paddle.

11/2/08

1	Jimmie has done a nice job of at least making these last few Chase races interesting. Of course, he'll probably storm back to finish 2nd and only give up a couple of points again.

11/2/08

RobPeyton

2	kramer wrote: Rob, Junior needs to pretty much finish in the top 3 in points the last 3 races and hope everyone ahead of him finishes about 30th or worse to win the championship. BTW, right now Johnson is up s*** creek without a paddle. why do you have to crush my blind dreams man......im stuck watching the Giants/ Dallas game for my girl,

11/2/08

1	RobPeyton wrote: why do you have to crush my blind dreams man......im stuck watching the Giants/ Dallas game for my girl, See you men are so kind to your women - hubby wants to watch the Giants/Cowboys game today cuz of the QB problems, but I want to watch NASCAR, and I win!!

11/2/08

0	Jr about to go a lap down.

11/2/08

1	RobPeyton wrote: why do you have to crush my blind dreams man......im stuck watching the Giants/ Dallas game for my girl, I don't want you to get your hopes up, that's why, sorry man. He'll be better in 2009 for sure.

11/2/08

0	Gilliland parked for FIVE laps for wreckless driving - here at home we are thinking he should be out of the race, lose all points he might have gained and be fined the equivalent of his earnings for the race. PERIOD. I am not a Montoya fan, but to see ANYONE deliberately turn another driver head first into the wall disgusts me.

11/2/08

0	Update - now parked for the duration of the race, called to the trailer and the 42 and 38 teams are fighting in the garage????

11/2/08

0	So what exactly was with that mess between the 38 and 42? I went to go get something to eat so I missed it.

11/2/08

kantwistaye wrote:

So what exactly was with that mess between the 38 and 42? I went to go get something to eat so I missed it.

Gilliland was laps down, Montoya was in 7th. Gilliland was racing Montoya really hard for a position on the track (but not in the race). Montoya gave Gilliland a little tap on the straightaway to say "Hey!! I'm here, I'm lead lap!" and then passed him. Next lap Gilliland turned left into JPM's right rear quarter panel and turned him straight head on into the wall. Montoya is fine, not injured, but was running top ten and now finishes 43rd.
Gilliland finishes 41st, but should be removed of all points. Gilliland claims it was accidental.

11/2/08

JrCanuckFan wrote:

Wow, thanks. I saw the replay of Gilliland turning him into the wall, but nothing else. There's no way that was an accident. If NASCAR really wants to make a stand they should park him next week too.

11/2/08

0	kantwistaye wrote: Wow, thanks. I saw the replay of Gilliland turning him into the wall, but nothing else. There's no way that was an accident. If NASCAR really wants to make a stand they should park him next week too. I agree. He can't do something like that and then say "my car got loose, what a tough break for all of us" and expect people to believe him. I was a Gilliland fan, but no longer.

11/2/08

RobPeyton

0	kramer wrote: I don't want you to get your hopes up, that's why, sorry man. He'll be better in 2009 for sure. oh well.....yeah thats two favs down this year....im now resulting to NBA and NCAAF (Lakers, USC) i have nothing left.....

11/2/08

Wow, Gilliland is a jackass. I think he should certainly be penalized and fined. I don't think he should have today's points taken away because he only got 37 by finishing in 42nd position, that's not enough of a penalty. He should be fined at least 100 driver points in addition to being parked for the remainder of the race. He should also expect a hefty fine for NASCAR from this. If I were NASCAR I would also park Gilliland for next week's race at Phoenix. Kevin Harvick got parked for being a hothead in the Truck Series a few years ago, and this was clearly intentional no matter what Gilliland tries to say.

11/2/08