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October 23, 2007

Martinsville Mania
Making the Grade-Martinsville 2
By Dennis Michelsen (RaceTalkRadio.com)
The Car of Tomorrow on the Racetrack of Yesterday is an interesting combination. A record twenty cautions is testament to the fact that Crew Chiefs and drivers are having a tough time getting this car to turn on the flatter tracks. NASCAR better keep this track on the schedule twice every season. This is the true test of driver and crew at one of the series' classic old-school tracks. Once again Crew Chief Chad Knaus proved he is the best in the business guiding the Lowes team to their third win in a row!

Nextel Cup-Martinsville Fall

1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Ryan Newman
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Kyle Busch
5. Matt Kenseth
6. Denny Hamlin
7. Greg Biffle
8. Juan Pablo Montoya
9. Clint Bowyer
10. Kevin Harvick

F for Tony Raines
Yes it is short track racing and stuff happens, but when you are in the middle of the hurricane more than once in the same race it earns you a bad grade! Tony Raines was involved as an instigator in three of the record twenty cautions. This is not the kind of show you need to have when you are looking for work next season.

D for Scott Riggs
No one wants to lose a lap after a spin and there is no tighter track on the circuit than Martinsville, but common sense should prevail. Scott Riggs swung his car around to stay on the lead lap but slammed into Reed Sorenson as he did so. Riggs' spotter shares in this failing grade this week!

C for Tony Stewart
Championships are won by clutch performances. But at Martinsville the Home Depot team and driver were playing catch-up all weekend. Qualifying 34th would dig this team a hole they would never be able to race out of on Sunday ending their championship hopes.

B for Ryan Newman
Team and driver are finally on the same page and the results are showing! If he had one more green flag lap to get it done Ryan might have been in Victory Lane. Ryan is just 66 points behind Dale Earnhardt Jr for the 13th place in points. While this is not the prize this team wants to win it would be a great consolation prize after struggling early.

A for Jimmie Johnson
There might not be a driver with more talent at saving his tires for the late run at Martinsville. Jimmie Johnson might have less personality than any driver in the history of NASCAR, but there is no denying his talent in the driver's seat! Three wins in a row makes him the new King of the Grandfather Clock!

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.