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October 9, 2007

Go Nuts Blaniacs!
Making the Grade-Talladega 2
By Dennis Michelsen (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Congratulations NASCAR you managed to make racing at Talladega boring for the first 150 laps! Maybe they need to put a bonus out there for the guys to race for every twenty laps at Daytona or add No-Doz as a corporate sponsor! Brian France is always saying he wants NASCAR to be accepted just like the stick and ball sports. Way to go Brian…you turned NASCAR racing into the NBA…nothing matters but the last two minutes!

Nextel Cup-Talladega 2

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Dave Blaney
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Ryan Newman
6. Casey Mears
7. Kurt Busch
8. Tony Stewart
9. Tony Raines
10. Reed Sorenson

F for NASCAR Rules Package
How can you turn Talladega into a snoozer? Who the heck came up with the idea of making the very first Car of Tomorrow race at Talladega an impound race? Take one look at the qualifying results if you have any doubt teams set up those cars for one lap instead of 188! Please give us something better at Daytona.

D for Childress/DEI Engines
Anyone can have one engine failure. But when only one engine that had a chance to go the whole distance did without issues you know you have work to do before Daytona. Will Richard Childress regret teaming up with DEI? Stay tuned!

C for ESPN
ESPN did manage to make a very dry race somewhat interesting on Sunday. This is the ultimate test for any television coverage. But over using "Draft Track" and terms like "Draft Lock" dropped their grade a full letter to just average!

B for Jeff Gordon
Hendrick Motorsports was going to get the win here there was no doubt in my mind! But which driver would come out on top was up for grabs down to the final turn. Jeff Gordon played the strategy perfect lurking in the back until it was "Go Time." Since the passing of the Intimidator Jeff Gordon is the king of restrictor plate racing!

A for Dave Blaney
Grading on a curve this week and giving the third place finisher the best grade! Cool it Gordon fans, this is just a "Making the Grade" judgment call. But when your team is having a tough time just making races and you run in the top ten all day and finish third you have had a winning day! Go crazy Blaniacs…your guy had a great day!