STOCK CAR PIT PASS - Race News Without A Restrictor Plate

July 17, 2007

Sweet Home in Chicago
Making the Grade-Chicagoland Speedway
By Dennis Michelsen
A few more Chicago winters and this track will be perfectly miserable for cars to drive making it an even more entertaining show! When drivers start complaining about the bumps you know your track is aging to something close to perfection. Just like Chicago pizza dough it took a while for the Chicago track pavement to rise to the occasion of giving us great racing!

Nextel Cup- Chicagoland

1. Tony Stewart
2. Matt Kenseth
3. Carl Edwards
4. Kevin Harvick
5. Casey Mears
6. Kurt Busch
7. Jeff Burton
8. Ryan Newman
9. Jeff Gordon
10. Clint Bowyer

F for Bad Luck for Jimmie Johnson
Can you imagine the amazing show if we would have had Johnson, Stewart, and Kenseth battling for the lead in the closing laps? A three-way duel was headed our way until a blown tire ended Jimmie Johnson's chance to win. We are seeing just how much luck goes into winning a championship with the 48 team suffering through bad luck this year.

D for Jamie McMurray
Coming off the win at Daytona McMurray was back to his inconsistent ways again at Chicagoland Speedway. The blown tire that put him into the wall gave driver and team an excuse for what was a lousy race before the crash!

C for Dale Earnhardt Inc
When you are hoping to finalize a deal with the most wanted free agent in the sport it is best not to have two mechanical issues on the same day. The power steering going out on Dale Earnhardt Jr's car can be explained away but the engine woes on Truex Jr's car has to be a concern to future employee Kyle Busch!

B for Matt Kenseth
He might be one of the most boring drivers in the history of NASCAR but he is also one of the most talented ever! Matt Kenseth showed everyone how to race hard but smart on Sunday. His car was a handful yet he pushed the issue pressuring Stewart for the win. But when Stewart pulled away Kenseth settled into grabbing second place and holding it.

A for Tony Stewart
It had been more than a few races and pounds since Smoke scaled a fence after winning a Nextel Cup race. But in true Stewart form this will no doubt open the flood gates to a strong second half of the season with at least 2 or 3 more wins before the Chase playoff system starts.

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.

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.