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May 1 , 2007

Not the Biggest Big One
Making the Grade-Talladega Spring Events
By Dennis Michelsen
Two different sets of rules but two very good races this weekend. I am looking forward to seeing how much better the racing might be on the Cup side in the fall with the Car of Tomorrow and a much bigger restrictor plate. Perhaps the success of speedway racing with the Craftsman Truck series can be duplicated in Cup with the bigger cars.

Busch Race-Talladega Super Speedway

1. Bobby Labonte
2. Tony Stewart
3. Casey Mears
4. David Ragan
5. Kyle Krisiloff
6. Kevin Harvick
7. Juan Pablo Montoya
8. Ward Burton
9. Brad Coleman
10. Carl Edwards

F for ESPN's Annoying Full Throttle
Does anyone else get freaked out when they hear Full Throttle on the ESPN coverage? All those voices speaking at once is annoying at the best case and rather frightening sometimes too! Please move from one to another or stick with one interesting one ESPN!

D for Busch Whackers
Once again some of the Cup guys did not play well with their Busch counterparts causing wrecks and costing teams points and money for repairs. Ever wonder how these same Cup guys would react if a Busch driver took them out of the Cup race costing them a chance for the top 35?

C for Danny O'Quinn
Last year's rookie of the year showed that he still knows how to drive! Eleventh place was a good start to his Roush Racing 2007 season.

B for Kyle Krisiloff
Best in class earns Kyle a high grade this week. This is a team and driver who has struggled to get good finishes so grabbing a top five is just what they needed!

A for Bobby Labonte/ Kevin Harvick Inc
It is the dream of any racecar owner to have a one-two finish! To have the pass happen on the last lap is a pr bonanza for team and sponsors. Bobby Labonte made the move at just the right time to clip Tony Stewart at the wire!

Nextel Cup- Talladega Super Speedway

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Kurt Busch
4. David Gilliland
5. Jamie McMurray
6. Kevin Harvick
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr
8. David Stremme
9. Ryan Newman
10. Martin Truex Jr

F for Freezing the Field Rule
Here is what I do not understand. When the caution comes out the race is supposed to be over! When a guy gets wrecked after the original caution flag, shouldn't he get to finish in that spot even if he gets wrecked AFTER the caution a second time?

D for David Gilliland
Maybe it was his spotter slow on the call, but when there is a wreck the race is over and you are supposed to slow down! Drilling Tony Stewart after the caution is not a way to win friends and influence people!

C for Kenny Wallace
Finishing 26th and on the lead lap is a good accomplishment for this team. Then again just making the race is worth celebrating this year, just ask Michael Waltrip Racing! Once again Kenny showed that the Wallace family might be the best set of brothers on restrictor plate tracks in the history of NASCAR!

B for Penske South Racing
When was the last time both Penske cars finished in the top ten? Restrictor plate racing is not their specialty so I wonder if things will be looking up for this team in the near future.

A for Jeff Gordon
Did you see how well he dodged the beer cans after the race too? This guy has a lot of talent just don't suggest that to Earnhardt Nation. Passing Big E on his birthday was a weird ironic twist to the whole thing too.

Tuesday on Race Talk Radio
8 pm Eastern-ASALMS Radio and Down on the Farm-Each week the best in minor league racing is profiled including the news from the cars and stars of the ASA Late Model Series. Host Dennis Michelsen interviews the drivers, series promoters, and others making news at local short tracks all over the country.

This Week's Guests
Matt Prieur-The Voice of the ASA Late Model Series
Brian Campbell-ASALMS Driver of the Week
Jonathan Eilen: Winner at Elko in ASA Midwest Tour Opener

9pm Eastern-Inside the ARCA RE/MAX Series-Host Mike Harper brings you the news from inside the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Since 1953 the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) has featured some of the best stockcar racing in the country! Meet the drivers making news in the ARCA RE/MAX series every Tuesday night.

This Week's Guests
Chris Knight-Our ARCA Insider from Catchfence.com