Talladega Results

So it was a loooong drive home today. After a good home cooked breakfast from Grandma May (90 years old this week!) we loaded Mack in the car and departed at about 11:00 from my folks. Thanks to the Sirius radio in Vicki's car I was able to catch the Cavs Game AND most of the race.

We listened to the Cavs victory via the "Wizards Radio Network." I have got to tell you, you do not get the full effect of Washington's distaste for anything "Cleveland" until you listen to their home radio douchebags. They were crying about every freaking call and every play. Their big beef this game was that a foul that was originally called on Lebron got switched to someone else. They claimed this changed the whole game and that they would have won if the refs had not charged the foul to someone else. Then they went on about the conspiracy theory that the NBA wants Lebron to make it to the finals again. Idiots. What about the Wizards, huh? Maybe they should score and rebound. Ever think that might help them win against the Cavs. My other favorite moment was after a dunk by Lebron, the one guys says in a monotone " That guy is...... a pretty good player" as if he was trying sooo hard not to say what a spectacular play he just saw.

At any rate, it was tough to listen to, but it was my only option. Once that was over Vicki allowed me (yes, she allowed me as in she hates NASCAR on the radio and in an effort to make all passengers comfortable I offered NOT to listen on the drive, but I did anyway) to listen to the Race. I tuned into Tony Stewart's in-car broadcast which was pretty cool. Its the MRN broadcast, just like normal, except when anyone on the 20 team keys the radio the broadcast cuts out and you hear the radio chatter. It was interesting, except not too much happened to Tony while I was in the car. Of course, 30 seconds after I get home was another story.

So i caught the end of the race. Pretty good action today. Of course, I abhor seeing the 18 in victory circle, ESPECIALLY after he dropped below the yellow line to pass for the lead. I ran the tape back. OK, MAYBE the 48 came down a little to block and the 18 had to drop down a little, but the move he made that forced the block WAS BELOW THE LINE! Of course, NASCAR isn't going to take away the win. They will just say he was forced down, but c'mon guys. If I can see that using my DVR, certainly you can with all of your technology that my ticket prices pay for.

JP Montoya kept the sheet metal guys for about 15 teams in solid job security this week. So did Junior. That cat reallllly wants to get back into winning form. I almost took him this week, but took the 20 instead. My bad. Anyway, at least I still have the 88 available for next week at Richmond, where he has had some past success.

OK, Without further ado, here are the standings, pending further review by NASCAR:

1. Kenny - 43 total (used - 11,48,99,24,9,16,18,17,88) - 3 today
2. Jon - 62 total (used - 20,48,31,24,29,88,99,18,41) - 38 today
3. Joe - 88 Total (used - 11,31,99,20,19,88,18,9,55) - 3 today
4.Wingman - 98 total (used - 78,12,31,11,07,24,18,48,20) - 18 today
5. Shaffer - 112 total (used - 78,12,88,99,07,24,18,48,20) - 18 today
6. Shaw - 119 total (used - 24,20,29,2,17,11,9,48,88) - 12 today
7. Tony - 126 total (used - 78,12,17,20,99,24,18,48,88) - 18 today
8. TBA - 130 total (used - 7,12,99,41,29,17,18,24,88) - 20 today
9. PT - 147 total (used - 20,12,16,48,31,24,18,99,41) - 38 today
10. Inskeep - 156 total (used - 78,12,99,48,16,18,24,11,88) - 18 today
11. Susie - 157 total (used - 78,12,99,8,9,1,18,24,88) - 18 today
12. Scott - 162 total (used - 2,12,16,11,29,48,18,17,88) - 39 today
13. Wayne - 166 total (used - 31,12,99,11,18,24,48,5,88) - 17 today
14. Shane - 190 total (used - 78,12,99,8,48,24,18,11,88) - 18 today
15. Hau-Ling - 268 total (used - 20,17,88,7,5,11,2,24,6) - 38 today

So as you can see I did not rearrange anything yet as far as the order of the standings. 2 reasons, 1: I accidentally erased TBA's text message and don't know who he wanted, so I am giving him a chance to let me know; and 2: I want to verify these scores based on NASCAR's final results, which should come out on Tuesday. With the mess at the end of this race, there is no telling how it will end up shaking out. OK, just got TBA's text so that part is fixed. I will go ahead and set the preliminary results for you cause I'm nice.

Regardless, it looks like a 2 person race. Kenny should take over the lead with a 19 point advantage over Jon. No one else is in striking distance (the most points you could make up in a week is 42, so anyone with 85 points or more is just playing for position)

I gotta tell you, I like Kenny's chances. Based solely on who he has left available to use that Jon does not tells me its going to be tough to catch him. Kenny has taken the lead getting good finishes out of sleepers like Biffle and Kahne. This weeks pick for Jon really hurt him. Jon is going to have to make one hell of a pick and hope Kenny falters. Ken still has guys like Stewart, Burton and Harvick to fall back on and all he needs is a 19 place finish or better from whoever he chooses to seal the deal. JON - DON'T TELL KENNY WHO YOU ARE PICKING BEFORE THE RACE!!!!!

Next week - Richmond on Saturday night. I will be with Ken and Jon at a party where I am sure the race will be on and the center of attention. Side bets anyone?

Next session will start in 3 weeks. I plan to improve things a bit. Look for a clearer standings report, and some scoring adjustments to give a bigger advantage to race winners and a bigger disadvantage to non-reporters. Also may toy with some other ideas, but I will run them past you before implementing. Also, I am more than happy to expand. Spread the word to anyone who may be interested in joining up.

Later

PT