NASCAR, Fantasy, Team News / Analysis, Player News / Analysis, Rumors, Crashes, Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Elliott Sadler, AJ Allmendinger, Regan Smith, Brad Keselowski, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Austin Dillon, Rickey Stenhouse Jr., Ty Dillon, Charlotte Motor Speedway
![Blog Photo - This Week in NASCAR [October 12th Edition]](http://cdn4.faniq.com/images/photos/photo_large/81/file-110481-1392/Blog-Photo--This-Week-in-NASCAR-October-12th-Edition.jpg "Blog Photo - This Week in NASCAR [October 12th Edition]")
In case you haven't heard, Dale Earnhardt Jr will not be racing this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Dale Jr had a wreck a few weeks ago at Kansas Motor Speedway while conducting a test. His car slammed into the wall, and although Jr. walked away, he has now said that he suffered a mild concussion as a result of the wreck. He continued to race, saying he felt about 80-90% and improved daily. However, the wreck at Talladega that took out well over half the field also involved Dale Jr. IT was a relatively minor wreck for Jr. yet afterwards he was visibly affected. In interviews he was seen holding and rubbing his head, enough so that some of the media picked up on it and posted their thoughts on twitter.On Tuesday, Dale Jr was still suffering headaches, so he and his sister, Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, approached the team doctor who arranged for him to meet Dr. Petty, NASCAR's favorite neurosurgeon. All tests conducted were clear, yet Dale still had headaches. Dr. Petty had already made his decision not to clear Dale to race, but the announcement came Wednesday morning. Dale will rest and try to recuperate for two weeks, working with Dr. Petty to ensure he has a full recovery.
![Blog Photo - This Week in NASCAR [October 12th Edition]](http://cdn4.faniq.com/images/photos/photo_large/81/file-110481-1393/Blog-Photo--This-Week-in-NASCAR-October-12th-Edition.jpg "Blog Photo - This Week in NASCAR [October 12th Edition]")
Dale Jr isn't the only driver in the race, but he certainly is one of the most popular. For him to be out of the car is huge. Even though the injury itself is seen as relatively minor, at this point, it could be so much more serious, and it is smart for Dale to sit out. Will the ratings suffer?
Regan Smith has been tapped to take over driving duties in the 88 for the next two weeks and will no doubt do a great job. Will he be up front? It is entirely possible. Furniture Row Racing has an affiliation with Richard Childress Racing, so Regan has had decent equipment this year, and sits 23rd in points. However, an affiliate isn't the same as being in primo equipment, and Regan has an opportunity to show Rick Hendrick just what he can do. Great performances in the 88 could put Regan in a seat for next year, in a Nationwide car running for a Championship.
Regan was supposed to take over the 51 for Phoenix Racing this weekend, given that Furniture Row Racing has decided to take on the whiniest driver in the Sprint Cup Seires, Kurt Busch. James Finch, team owner of Phoenix Racing, as agreed to release Regan from that commitment, and will put AJ Allmendinger in the ride instead. Regan is closer in size to Dale Jr., making the transition physically easier.
Both AJ and Regan need to step up to the plate these next two weekends and prove they deserve to be here.
![Blog Photo - This Week in NASCAR [October 12th Edition]](http://cdn4.faniq.com/images/photos/photo_large/81/file-110481-1394/Blog-Photo--This-Week-in-NASCAR-October-12th-Edition.jpg "Blog Photo - This Week in NASCAR [October 12th Edition]")
Greg Biffle is on the pole for tomorrow night's race, and he honestly needs a finish in first, not just a start in first. From leading the points all season, Greg has struggled in the Chase, currently sitting in 9th. He won't finish any worse than 11th, given that Jr won't be counting points for the next two weeks, but is that where he wants to be come Homestead? I don't think so. Practice is underway now, but I am unable to watch it. Sometimes I hate being in Canada. Greg Biffle leads practice so far, with Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin rounding out the top 5. Regan is currently running in 8th, just behind Brad Keselowski. Kurt Busch and AJ Allmendinger are 21st and 22nd fastest. Looks like HMS made the right choice.
Head to the next page for some of my takes on the Nationwide Series....
10/13/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
Clint didn't get to do a burnout, and had to walk to Victory Lane, but here he is!
10/13/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
Clint Bowyer gets the win at Charlotte, with coughdennycough finishing second. BK and his crew didn't make all the right moves and came home 11th.
10/13/12 |
Eric_
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6480 respect
I don't know what to tell you. You know what I think about plate/pack racing. It's overly dangerous, fenders and closed cockpits or not. A year ago we saw what can happen with that kind of racing. I hope NASCAR realizes this is rolling the dice and does something about it before it's too late. Like I said though, I suspect they won't, and that there isn't much fervor from their fanbase for them to do anything.
10/13/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
Jr was PISSED that they had wrecked. We all agree we don't want to see the "Big One" but it is a part of SuperSpeedway racing. We had the two car tango that was boring. We made it through 497 miles before Stewart, by his own admission, caused a wreck that took out more than half the field. If Tony had maintained his line, instead of trying to jump down in front of Mikey, who knows? Talladega HAS had a caution free race before - it wasn't exciting, but it was caution free. Do racers say things in the heat of the moment?? hell yeah. Do I really think Jr hates plate racing? not a chance in hell.
10/13/12 |
Eric_
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6480 respect
I was talking about his comments after the race about how if they did that (meaning pack racing) every week, he'd fine another job, and how it was "bloodthirsty." I've railed against pack racing before.This time, Stewart in particular could've easily been seriously hurt. It's truly playing with fire.
10/13/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
The hit for Jr was relatively minor and everyone else involved walked away. Dale Jr's problem was that he had a concussion at Kansas that he didn't deal with. If he had gone to the doctor after that wreck, there might have been treatment. He may not have made the Chase, so I understand why he didn't seek treatment or diagnosis, but the pack racing did not cause Dale Jr's concussion.
10/13/12 |
Eric_
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6480 respect
My question is will NASCAR listen to Dale, and other drivers, regarding the idiocy and unnecessary danger of pack racing? Not going to lie, I highly doubt it.
10/12/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
I really wanted Elliott to win, and I know you wanted Ricky. Wish it could have been an N'wide regular....
I agree that is where he belongs, but he isn't one of those drivers I cheer for ;)
10/12/12 | JenX63 | 27000 respect
I really wanted Elliott to win, and I know you wanted Ricky. Wish it could have been an N'wide regular....
Agree, but I really consider Joey a Nationwide driver, since that is where he belongs. Congrats to him! It was a great race!
10/12/12 |
JrCanuckFan
|
10128 respect
Yeah, Brad didn't get enough fuel. Joey Logano wins. *sigh*
I really wanted Elliott to win, and I know you wanted Ricky. Wish it could have been an N'wide regular....
10/12/12 | JenX63 | 27000 respect
Lol....oops Brad out.
10/12/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
Looks like everyone is laps shy on the fuel. Some appear to be shorter than others.
Denny Hamlin has pitted.
10/12/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
Some people in this household need to keep their cheers for *ahemdanicaahem* to themselves!!!!
10/12/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
I want a N'wide driver to win as well, but I want Elliott to win it!
10/12/12 | JenX63 | 27000 respect
Come on Ricky! Would really like to see a Nationwide Driver win the Nationwide race. I'm quirky like that....
10/12/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
I really love the Nationwide Series. Ricky Stenhouse is leading, with Elliott and Kevin Harvick fighting for the second spot. It IS a race.
10/12/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
Also broke the oil cooler, so the caution will be a little longer than expected. Cleanup continues.
Dayum I hate feeling like I'm talking to myself :(
10/12/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
EDIT, no, she rearended someone and busted her rad.
10/12/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
Well that sux!! Angela Cope gets into the race and loses her engine on the first lap!!
10/12/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
Well, can't say I thought too much of that rendition of the National Anthem.......
So what d'ya think?? Cup regular to win?? Or one of our N'wide regulars fighting for a championship?
10/12/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
Breast Cancer survivors week this week, and damn near everyone is dressed in pink. SO AWESOME!!!
10/12/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
Nationwide Starting Lineup is....
Elliott Sadler, Austin Dillon, Joey Logano, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Brian Scott, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Sam Hornish Jr., and so on down the line.......
race gets underway in two hours or so.....
10/12/12 |
JrCanuckFan
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10128 respect
Even though Nationwide qualifying is far from over, Jeffrey Earnhardt, who has only competed a few times this year, has qualified well above a lot of the series regulars. An Earnhardt WILL race this weekend, just not in the Sprint Cup series.