FanHouse Warmup: All-Star Challenge

The Essentials

Where: Lowe's Motor Speedway
Time: Saturday 7:00 p.m./EDT
TV/Radio: SPEED, MRN Radio
Twitter: Updates at FanHouseRacing
Forecast: 63 degrees, 80% chance of rain
Distance: 4 segments, 100 laps (150 miles)
Pole Winner: Jimmie Johnson
2008 Winner: Kasey Kahne

The Storylines

The last time rain affected the All-Star event at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Jeff Gordon walled his primary No. 24 in a 2001 first-turn crash thanks to rain on the track and later won the event in his backup. While that's a legendary story, the rain isn't -- and it might take center stage tonight.

The forecast isn't even close to being good for tonight's activities with the National Weather Service calling for a 80 percent chance of rain in the area, with showers and thunderstorms primarily occurring between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. Sunday doesn't look a whole lot better with a 70 percent chance of rain.

I realize that several of our FanHouse Warmup posts have warned about rain without any later consequence, so perhaps acknowledging Mother Nature is the key to success. Let's hope that pattern holds true.

If you've been in the same zip code as a television with SPEED channel, you'll know how much they've been hyping tonight's race on the network with hour upon hour of special programming and what not related to the All-Star event.

Unfortunately for all of the exciting programming related to past All-Star events, don't be surprised to see another low drama affair tonight at LMS -- just as Kasey Kahne's win was a year ago.

The Car of Tomorrow hasn't been a great race car on the intermediate tracks, the tire while slightly softer than a year ago still isn't great for side-by-side racing at the track and too many teams are probably treating the race as a test session for next week's Coca-Cola 600.

Here's to hoping for the best, though.

NASCAR isn't divulging what drug caused Jeremy Mayfield's indefinite suspension a week ago at Darlington, and I argued earlier this week that the drug of choice shouldn't matter.

Many drivers feel the other way, but the single best idea about the issue came from ThatsRacin's Jim Utter. In his race preview post, Utter made the point that Mayfield has said he violation happened as a result of a combination of presciption and over-the-counter dugs, but he's yet to declare what those were.

Perhaps, Utter surmised, there's a reason he hasn't divluged.

Getting tired of Kyle Busch's habitual post-race 'woe-is-me'ing? I'd imagine so, and if you missed it Friday night, the 24-year-old was back at it again after a truck race in which he both finished 2nd and caused a big wreck on the backstretch to take out a pair of lead trucks.

Busch complained about how his Toyota was underpowered to that of eventual winner Ron Hornaday Jr. and then ended the radio portion of his post-race interviews by saying "These tires suck!"

I understand emotion, and I understand being unhappy -- but the dramatics Kyle puts on after every race that doesn't go well are getting old and getting there fast.

Hear about the new name for Charlotte's fall race? It's a darned mouthful. Instead of the Bank of America 500, it'll now be called the 'NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America'.

The executives involved say it has nothing to do with the recent pull back of financial sponsors from numerous sporting events, but come on, don't kid around. I don't care what side of the aisle you're on when it comes to public policy -- it's absolutely stupid for these companies to be forced to pull back marketing efforts in an effort to save face publicly.

People aren't going to hate or love NASCAR racing anymore than they already do because Bank of America is a major sponsor.

The Predictions

Geoffrey Miller: Kyle Busch
Holly Cain: Tony Stewart

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-17-2009 @ 1:26AM

Jeff M said...

It's fine that Tony won, and he's honest. NASCAR should do the same. It's obvious to everyone Tony has pretty close to the same deal as Jeff Gordon. Hendrick was able to add 2 more teams by using Tony. They use Hendrick chassis, motors, have access to Hendrick notes and crew chiefs, shops and equuipment. There's nothing left aside from checkbooks, they may be tied together. If NASCAR wants to allow this then just be honest so others can do the same thing. I'm not a Roush fan either, but he should be allowed to manipulate the rules just like hendrick. They need to go back to cars made by the manafacturer. That would help equalize things.

5-17-2009 @ 1:35AM

Cindy N said...

Geoffrey Miller - Just because you think Kyles remarks are getting old fast, not everyone does. He is what's keeping nascar alive. Can you imagine how boring things would be without him? There is nobody else with talent and a personality, nascar destroys personalitues. Fortunately Kyle can drive and he wins despite nascar. Be thankful he races, you would have nothing interesting to write about without him. Hmmm, weather, Mayfield drug thing..... pretty boring without Kyle isn't it? Even when he doesn't win he makes enough news to carry through the entire week! Go Kyle!

5-17-2009 @ 11:05AM

Hubert39 said...

Great night for racing. It was fun to watch on TV. Had tickets but did not go. Next week? back to the old 600 race. Boring.
To bad all the races are not like the one Saturday night. The 500 miles races? They should be divided into two or three races. I watch the races all year long. But just the first 10 laps and the last 10 laps. Sometime I recored them and and speed though the middle of the race.

5-18-2009 @ 9:22AM

Kim said...

In regards to the Kyle Busch comments, I must agree with Mr. Miller. Kyle's antics and temper tantrums are getting old fast. This is a very talented young driver, one who shows so much promise. He needs to mature and grow up however. He acts like a spoiled little brat when things don't go his way. I am a Gordon fan and for years everyone has called Jeff a "whiner." I have never heard Jeff whine after a race, but I sure see a lot of whining after Kyle Busch doesn't get his way. Yes, he is talented but he needs a huge attitude adjustment and quick or he will never gain the fanbase he seeks.

As for the Jeremy Mayfield incident, I think this is being blown way out of proportion. I myself take pills each and every day (prescription, of course) as I suffer from Migraine headaches. If I were to be drug tested, it would show that I was under the influence of opiates. This is more than likely what happened to Mayfield. I am curious, is Jeff Gordon taking any heavy duty medications for his back, such as muscle relaxers and or prescription pain medications? If so, he better watch out because it looks to me like NASCAR is refusing to distinguish the difference between a prescription medication and an illegal drug, IMO.

Kim

5-18-2009 @ 4:31PM

gregsachiko said...

Kim,
Here is where we are going to disagree.
The rainbow boy is definetly a crybaby, but I agree that Kyle needs to grow up. But afterall 99% of all of these drivers are crybabies at one time or another. The all just grew up like we did from high school to today (There are some who never) But my point is Jeffy was one of the biggest crybabies in the sport at ONE TIME. They all have that "I HATE TO LOSE" attitude. Which is fine but they need to keep it inside and smile for Nascar is a National sport in which it draws many spectators. Hey we cannot always agree on everything.

Greg

5-18-2009 @ 11:32PM

Sara said...

Kyle may get upset when he loses but, I'll take that over hearing someone that just lost saying "well we had a good car we just didn't get it done." All while smiling about it. A competitor IS going to be pissed when they lose. And yes, when Jeff started he used to act much the same way. He would always complain about the other drivers. Ans yes, the fans hated him back then also.