Rusty Reckons: Dale Junior Wins at Daytona

NASCAR's fan favorite, Dale Jr. coasted to victory at Daytona, too bad for Junior nation it was in a computer game, and not a real track event. Nevertheless, victory weary fans will take what they can get, including yours truly. So, even if Junior cannot best his fellow Sprint Cup competitors, at least he knows he can operate a plastic steering wheel better than a bunch of 30 yr old's still living at home with their momma. That's trophy case material!

Earnhardt Jr. Wins First iRacing.com Event

In other news, it's rumored that Peyton Manning is challenging Brees to a rematch of Super Bowl XLIV, Techmo style.

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Rusty Reckons: Gonna Need a Bigger Jet Dryer!

Either NASCAR's going to have to invest in the world's largest sump pump or come July 4th, the boys will have to trade in their cars for boats. Daytona's gotten over 17 inches of rain lately, causing Lake Lloyd (in Datyona's infield) to overfill her banks and spill out onto the raceway.

If they race boats at Daytona, though...will they have to use restrict-oar plates?

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Have You Gotten Your BlogsWithBalls Tickets Yet?

2009 NASCAR Season Preview

Rusty Made it to Daytona!

Well, I did it. I can't tell you how, but I was able to sneak into Speedweeks. Rusty's dream since I was a kid has been to be down here for all the hoopla leading up to the 500. This year, not only did I make it, but I'm going to be able to report on the interweb about everything I'm seeing and hearing. And as observation number one, let me say I'm already sick and tired of hearing about that stupid gopher or groundhog or whatever the devil he is.


Anyway, as all of you NASCAR fans get ready for your big 500 parties, Rusty's gonna try and get the real scoop from Daytona, and tell it like it is.

First, though, thought I could take a minute to give you a few predictions about the season. Namely, who's hot, who's not, and who might just barely scrape by this coming year.

So, without further adieu, and back by popular demand, here's Rusty's predictions for 2009.

Green Green Green

Hendrick Motor Sports - Rick Hendrick has put together NASCAR's version of the dream team for 2009. With four-time champion Jeff Gordon leading the way, Hendrick now has Gordon, reigning champ and three-peat phenom Jimmie Johnson, fan favorite Dale Jr., and the newest old addition, the sports elder statesmen and perpetual bridesmaid, Mark Martin. Even with Gordon unable to find victory lane, and Jr only finding it once on a fuel gamble, HMS had a strong 2008. With the addition of Martin, and Jimmie showing no signs of letting up, Hendrick is going to be the team to beat week in and week out, this year. They've already begun to prove it. All 4 have posted in the top 12 on the speed charts with the old fart even qualifying for the front row. In years past, after a strong showing in Daytona, HMS can tend to get off to a slow start, but don't let that fool you. When it comes crunch time, and in the biggest races, the #5, #24, #48, and the #88 will be in the hunt. And they may for the first time qualify every driver for the Chase.

Jamie McMurray - This might come as a surprise to a lot of folks, but Jamie Mac got HOT at the end of the season, and I ain't talking about looks. In the last six races of the season, the driver of the #26 only finished outside the top 10 once (38 at Martinsville). At the very end of the season, he rattled off three consecutive third place finishes. Roush is no slouch, and while Kenseth or Edwards might get all the glory, don't forget the #26 is the last Roush team to win a championship, as the #97 driven by Kurt Busch in 2004. Whether or not last year's momentum can be carried into this year is the real test, but look for Jamie Mac to continue to surprise people in 2009. DARKHORSE BABY!!!!

Yellow's Out

Tony Stewart - Predictions about Tony Stewart are going to run the gamut, this year. In 2008, Tony parted ways with the team, sponsor, and crew chief that got him two NASCAR championships (Gibbs, Home Depot, and Tony Zipadelli). He teamed up with Hass to form Stewart Hass Racing, and then lured Ryan Newman over to join his new two car team. He'll drive the #14 sponsored by Old Spice and Office Depot, while Rocket Newman's slated to drive the Go Army #39. Some people think Smoke's going to blossom since he'll be in complete control, while others think he's gonna struggle like most first time owners. Ole Rusty's not so sure, either way, but is pretty sure it'll be a roller coaster ride. He won't go winless, but Newman will. He will have some rough times, and he'll have a streak once or twice where he will look unstoppable. Ultimately, the move will be a good one, but it's going to take a season or two to iron out the kinks. Look for the #14 to struggle to make the Chase. He'll be a bubble team come August/September, but might be able to squeeze into it with a strong finish at Richmond. Barring that, Tony's going to be on the outside looking in.

Red Flag

Michael Waltrip - 2008 was not pretty for the two-time Daytona 500 champion, and Rusty's pretty sure 2009 might be even worse. The driver of the #55 Napa Toyota only saw two top 10 finishes last season; a runner up finish at Dover, and a 10th place finish at New Hampshire. Waltrip has struggled mightily since coming over to Toyota and forming his own team two years ago. He's even failed to qualify a few times. Ever since he crawled from his roof hatch during his last victory burnout in Alabama, a host of things has kept Waltrip from victory lane. Though lately, a vast majority of those "things" could be blamed on sub-par equipment. With tougher economic times now a reality, a owner driver situation like Waltrip's for a team already struggling might just prove untenable. Rusty would hate to see the affable and always marketable Waltrip not behind the wheel, but I can see the writing on the wall. I think this might be the end of the Waltrip legacy.


Tomorrow: Rusty Razzes the Rookies

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A Bore to Lore!

Well, did y'all watch it? This year's Daytona 500 was one heck of a race. Hopefully you tuned in somewhere between lap 150 and lap 200, when I don't know if I sat down at all. But if you were unfortunate to tune into the first 150 laps, you might have been better off watching grass grow. What a bore the start of the race was . . .

The fun all started with a debris caution on lap 150 if you can believe it. And then the old adage "cautions breed cautions" took full effect. Through lap 150, there was 1 caution. In the last 50 laps of the race, there were six!

And every time the yellow flag flew, it seemed like there was something crazy happening. From the defending champion wrecking on the back stretch to JR's inexplicable decision to stay out not just once, but twice, it was bonified insanity.

With a belly full of hot wings and cheese fries, I spent the last hour or so of the race, hooting and a hollering at the TV with Payne and the idiot. We had "the box" set-up so that we could avoid jumping on (and destroying) the coffee table when one of our boys had to maneuver through a wreck. I would recommend this to any sports fans prone to jumping on furniture in moments of sheer panic or excitement. Unlike the Amp energy drink (sorry June-bug), this proved to a brilliant idea for the afternoon.

In the end my boy didn't win, but he did come away with a top 10, and leaves Daytona 8th in points. Not a bad showing to begin the HMS era. And while Smoke came up short yet again in the 500, I'm just glad that no talent clown teammate of his didn't win. Just like TLC said, "I don't want no shrub" (or something like that).

I'd rank this year's 500 at about an 8.5. Wasn't as exciting a finish as last year or 2004, but the last 50 laps kept me on my feet.

Next Week: Off to California, a 2 mile intermediate track that in the past hasn't given us near the excitement of Daytona. Handling will be important, but this track is more about speed and endurance. Like this past week, this will be the first race with the newly designed COT at this track. Hopefully it'll give us some exciting side by side racing once again.

Y'all come back now, hear?

-posted by Rusty

Preserving History: The Great American Race 2008

Penske's Ryan Newman held off Joe Gibbs racing and the HandrickMotor Sports Evil Empire with a last minute assist from teammate KurtBush . The win gave Penske its first Daytona win in 24 years, andNewman his first in 81 races in over more than two years.Let's take a look at how some of the papers around the country aredocumenting the event.

2 for 2 at the Duels

Photo: Orlando Sentinel

Well, the field is finally set for the 50th running of the great American race, the Daytona 500. This year's race should prove to be a very exciting event (especially for us JR fans).

Junior is 2 for 2 with Hendrick Motorsports. After dominating the Budweiser Shootout last Saturday night in his first win since May of 2006, Junior came from the rear of the field and drove his #88 HMS Chevy to another dominating win in the first of the Gatorade Duel 150's. I know that a full 500 mile race is a completely different animal, but if these two small events are a pre-cursor to this Sunday and this season, then daggum!!!!!

Meanwhile while JR's been tearing it up in the #88, it looks like Toyota's benefiting greatly from its association with JGR. Just a few short weeks ago, I predicted a big down year for JGR because of their association with Toyota. It's early, and they haven't gone real racing yet, but looks like I might be proved wrong. We'll see.

There is one thing I'm sure of, though. Sunday's race is going to be an awesome race. I hope all y'all have a chance to watch. Rusty's going to be heading out to the horse country with the Idiot and Payne to watch more than 35,000 horses race. Y'all enjoy, and I'll give you my thoughts on Monday.

So, y'all come back, now, hear?