STOCK CAR PIT PASS - Race News Without A Restrictor Plate

July 24, 2007

Gateway to the Second Half
Making the Grade-Gateway International
By Dennis Michelsen
The Busch guys finally took center stage with the Nextel Cup stars enjoying their last week off. But as usual some invaders from the Cup series stole the show! Reed Sorenson had been winless for a long time, although not as long as the Chicago Cubs who he threw out the first pitch for this week. Reed chewed up the competition on Saturday night in front of a packed house of crazy St. Louis area race fans that sure showed how much they love their NASCAR racing!

Busch- Gateway International

1. Reed Sorenson
2. Scott Wimmer
3. David Reutimann
4. Jason Leffler
5. David Ragan
6. Carl Edwards
7. Kevin Hamlin
8. Ron Hornaday
9. JJ Yeley
10. Todd Bodine

F for Rusty Wallace Inc
If their driver isn't wrecking then their cars are breaking! The team has more money to work with than any other full time Busch only team yet they consistently make bad decisions with the set up on the cars or have too frequent part failures. The result is another poor finish for a driver that already underachieves on his own!

D for ESPN Broadcasters
When Landon Cassill nudged Mike Bliss you would have thought listening to the ESPN announcers that this talented youngster from Cedar Rapids, Iowa drilled Bliss for no reason. Looking at the replay closer you can see that Cassill just barely nudged Bliss as Bliss abruptly slowed as he reacted to the wreck in front of him. Landon Cassill did a great job running in the top five before the crash with a lap down car that took him out of the race. An announcing crew that makes excuses for Rusty's kid was a little rough on Landon at Gateway.

C for Bobby East
The switch from sprint cars to the Busch series is a huge change in driving style. But this talented driver with a famous name might just earn enough respect to be known for his first name as well as his last! Bobby was the first car one lap down, which is pretty good against this talented field at Gateway.

B for Kevin Hamlin
When is someone going to sign this guy to a full schedule next season in the Busch series? Every week whether he is driving in Busch or the Craftsman Truck series Kevin Hamlin shows that he has the talent to get the job done at this level!

A for Reed Sorenson
Reed made it look easy with a dominant car at Gateway. This youngster has been around NASCAR so long now it is hard to believe he just turned twenty-one! Ganassi equipment is competitive every week in the Busch series and this win might give Reed the confidence to win at the next level 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.

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.