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May 15, 2007

Happy Mother's Day Edition
Making the Grade-Darlington Races
By Dennis Michelsen
This week there were three winners over the weekend. Denny Hamlin got the win on Friday, Mother Nature was victorious on Saturday, and Jeff Gordon triumphed on Sunday! I wasn't crazy seeing a race on Mother's Day weekend when they added this event a few years back. But with so many races on the schedule we were bound to have at least one traditional off week get lost in the shuffle. Darlington once again proved that no matter what type of cars (or trucks) is raced here the show would be terrific!

Busch Race-Darlington Speedway

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Mark Martin
3. Carl Edwards
4. Jeff Burton
5. Clint Bowyer
6. Jason Leffler
7. Tony Stewart
8. Greg Biffle
9. Casey Mears
10. Kevin Harvick

F for Darlington Speedway Signs
Whose bright idea was it to put advertising banners on the wall at the exit of the turns at Darlington Speedway? The track is well known for the infamous "Darlington Stripe" but still someone thought those banners were a good idea? Cue Bill Engvall!

D for David Reutimann
David was driving the Dream Machine but when other competitors saw him it was more like a nightmare at Darlington! Racing at the track known as the "Lady in Black" requires a lot of give and take but Reutimann took more than he gave this week!

C for Ron Young
Here is a salute to one of the last family run independent teams in the Busch series that is showing up from time to time to qualify for races this season. Twenty-ninth place might not seem like much of a big deal but given their resources this team gets saluted for running all day and coming home ahead of many well-funded teams.

B for Jason Leffler
Best in Class earns Leffler a high grade this week. Braun Racing has been the class of the non-Cup teams the last two seasons while the Busch Whacking has gotten out of control.

A for Denny Hamlin
The talent that this youngster shows every race is simply amazing! Then add in the almost soap opera style story that got him to the big show and how can you not root for Denny Hamlin? Once again Hamlin showed that he can race smart when he needs to but then to turn on the aggressive driving to grab the win.

Nextel Cup- Darlington Speedway

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Ryan Newman
5. Carl Edwards
6. Tony Stewart
7. Matt Kenseth
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr
9. Clint Bowyer
10. Jeff Burton

F for Juan Pablo Montoya
This talented racer turned into a rolling roadblock at his first Darlington race. Juan Pablo needs to learn that when you are down two laps you should give way to the leaders and not affect the outcome of the event.

D for Denny Hamlin's Pit Crew
As Denny might say this latest event with a miscue on pit road was "Fustratin" to say the least! Denny Hamlin had the car to beat but at Darlington track position often tells the difference between winning and losing.

C for JJ Yeley
JJ had high hopes going into his sophomore season but this year has been much more of the same for this talented driver. The team has strong cars and occasional strong runs but something always seems to keep the finishes in the average department.

B for Jeff Gordon
The No. 24 wasn't the best car at the track Sunday but they managed to still grab the win. This has to be bad news to the rest of the NASCAR world! The drive for five is in over drive when you can spew water all day and still win.

A for Denny Hamlin
Does anyone have a count for how many different ways you can lose a race? Just don't share this information with Denny Hamlin because his team doesn't need to learn any new ways to lose a race! The No. 11 car was the most dominant car on the track and Hamlin would have cruised to victory if the pit crew had not messed up.

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
Travis Dassow-ASALMS Driver of the Week

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

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