STOCK CAR PIT PASS - Race News Without A Restrictor Plate

November 6, 2007

God Bless Texas
Making the Grade-Texas Fall Race Weekend
By Dennis Michelsen (RaceTalkRadio.com)
After that nutty week of racing in Atlanta it was nice to have a real race this weekend at Texas! NASCAR drivers are always criticized for "Points Racing" but that closing lap duel between Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth showed these guys still want to win races real bad. Johnson had everything to lose and not much to gain but still got up on the wheel and beat Kenseth in tight-quarter racing. Once again there were some empty seats but it is deer and Cowboy season! Too bad so many sports fans missed this one with Superbowl 41 ½ playing, but maybe that will teach NASCAR that early start times are better!

Nextel Cup-Texas Fall

1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Matt Kenseth
3. Martin Truex Jr
4. Kyle Busch
5. Ryan Newman
6. Jeff Burton
7. Jeff Gordon
8. Kurt Busch
9. Jamie McMurray
10. Kevin Harvick

F for Gillette Young Guns Commercial
It was funny the first few times but now it is getting old. Why was it funny? Because the drivers picked for this commercial are the worst over actors in the world! Please get some new commercials soon.

D for NASCAR Scheduling
Why should NASCAR fans have to wait until so late in the day to get our racing fix? Back in the day you could count on your NASCAR race to start at 1pm Eastern, except for a few races on the left coast. Now even when the races are in the middle of the country we have to wait and wait and wait. Great job this week NASCAR marketing geniuses…you delayed the race right into the start time for the most anticipated football game in twenty years!

C for Tony Raines
People were bouncing off of the No. 96 car all day but somehow Tony Raines managed to keep it on the lead lap. Was it great talent by the driver? Nope it was the mirrors!

B for Matt Kenseth
All season Matt Kenseth has been the most consistent Ford driver in the field. Roush Fenway was way behind on getting the most out of the coil-binding setups and with the new Car of Tomorrow. But every race Matt Kenseth showed why the comparisons to David Pearson have been well earned.

A for Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus
The current Chase format is made for this team. They get off to a great start to the season every year in the cool temperatures. But then summer comes and they slump on the hot, slick tracks. But the playoffs happen in the cooler weather and they know how to close the deal! They might never have won a championship if you counted all 36 races equally.

Tuesday on Race Talk Radio
7pm Eastern-Special One Hour Edition of Doin' Donuts
Join Lori Munro and Dennis Michelsen for a special "Green, White, Checker" version of the popular Monday night racing review show on this special edition of "Doin' Donuts."

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.